bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and evaluation of Cyberlindnera fabianii strains to improve cigar tobacco leaves fermentation effect
Authors: Guo Sida , Li Yasen , Yang Zhen , Zhang Qianying , Li Pinhe , Jiang Zhongrong , Zhang Jiabao , Cao Yu , Zhang Zhengcheng , Li Dongliang
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Fermentation is a crucial process in cigar manufacturing. Exogenous addition of functional microorganisms for fortified fermentation can further improve cigar tobacco leaves fermentation quality.

Methods

In this study, five Cyberlindnera fabianii strains were isolated from cigar tobacco leaves. Their fermentation effects were assessed by analyzing flavor components and major chemical compositions.

Results

Among these five isolates, four C. fabianii strains demonstrated the ability to enhance the overall flavor profile, particularly by increasing esters and chlorophyll degradation products. Additionally, several strains, particularly F3 and F4, also reduced total alkaloid and nitrogen content. Among these, C. fabianii strain F4 exhibited the most significant improvements. Sensory evaluation revealed that strain F4 could enhance mellowness, richness and sweetness while reducing irritation and off-flavors in fermented cigar tobacco leaves.

Discussion

Our findings indicate that C. fabianii strain F4 can significantly improve the overall quality of cigar tobacco leaves through fermentation. This study provides a promising microbial fermentation agent for potential application in the cigar industry.
Characterization of acidic lysine acylations in mycobacteria
Authors: Ye Tong , Wang Danfeng , Sun Yewen , Xie Shuyu , Liu Tianqi , Tian Nana , Tan Minjia , Xu Jun-Yu
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Protein acetylation is an extensively investigated post-translational modification (PTM). In addition to lysine acetylation, three new types of lysine acylations characterized by the presence of an acidic carboxylic group have been recently identified and validated. These included lysine malonylation (Kmal), lysine succinylation (Ksucc) and lysine glutarylation (Kglu). Pathogens belonging to the genus Mycobacterium elicit severe diseases in mammalian hosts through the modulation of energy metabolism pathways. Throughout this process, malonyl-CoA, succinyl-CoA and glutaryl-CoA are important intermediates in metabolic pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, amino acid and lipid metabolism. These short-chain acyl-CoAs serve as substrates for corresponding acidic lysine acylation reactions. However, the landscape of these acyl-CoAs dependent acidic lysine acylomes remains unclear.

Methods

We used the high-affinity antibody enrichment combined with high-resolution LC-MS/MS analysis to systematically investigate the global proteomic characteristics of the three acidic lysine acylations in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Subsequently, we employed in vitro enzymatic assays to validate the functional impact of acylated substrates, adenylate kinase and proteasome-associated ATPase. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of overexpressing these two substrates on the in vitro growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis, its invasion of THP-1 cells, and the influence on inflammatory cytokines.

Results

We systematically investigated the global substrate characterization of 1,703 lysine malonylated sites, 5,320 lysine succinylated sites and 269 lysine glutarylated sites in the non-pathogenic model strain Mycobacterium smegmatis. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated a correlation between these acidic lysine acylations and the functional roles of ribosomes, in addition to their roles in various metabolic pathways. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of lysine acylations on the functional activity of adenylate kinase and proteasome-associated ATPase, as well as their roles in mycobacterial infection process.

Discussion

Collectively, our study provided an important resource on substrate characterization and functional regulation of acidic lysine acylations in Mycobacterium smegmatis, giving valuable insights into their interrelation with the biology of infectious process.
STAFNet: an adaptive multi-feature learning network via spatiotemporal fusion for EEG-based emotion recognition
Authors: Hu Fo , He Kailun , Qian Mengyuan , Liu Xiaofeng , Qiao Zukang , Zhang Lekai , Xiong Junlong
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Emotion recognition using electroencephalography (EEG) is a key aspect of brain-computer interface research. Achieving precision requires effectively extracting and integrating both spatial and temporal features. However, many studies focus on a single dimension, neglecting the interplay and complementarity of multi-feature information, and the importance of fully integrating spatial and temporal dynamics to enhance performance.

Methods

We propose the Spatiotemporal Adaptive Fusion Network (STAFNet), a novel framework combining adaptive graph convolution and temporal transformers to enhance the accuracy and robustness of EEG-based emotion recognition. The model includes an adaptive graph convolutional module to capture brain connectivity patterns through spatial dynamic evolution and a multi-structured transformer fusion module to integrate latent correlations between spatial and temporal features for emotion classification.

Results

Extensive experiments were conducted on the SEED and SEED-IV datasets to evaluate the performance of STAFNet. The model achieved accuracies of 97.89% and 93.64%, respectively, outperforming state-of-the-art methods. Interpretability analyses, including confusion matrices and t-SNE visualizations, were employed to examine the influence of different emotions on the model's recognition performance. Furthermore, an investigation of varying GCN layer depths demonstrated that STAFNet effectively mitigates the over-smoothing issue in deeper GCN architectures.

Discussion

In summary, the findings validate the effectiveness of STAFNet in EEG-based emotion recognition. The results emphasize the critical role of spatiotemporal feature extraction and introduce an innovative framework for feature fusion, advancing the state of the art in emotion recognition.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and its determinants among adult cancer patients on chemotherapy in northwest Ethiopia oncology centers, 2022
Authors: Habtie Tesfaye Engdaw , Abate Melsew Dagne , Abebe Gebremeskel Kibret , Wolie Zenaw Tessema , Alamaw Addis Wondmagegn , Mitiku Haymanot Zeleke
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disorder that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in different parts of the body. It is a major and common clinical problem associated with several chemotherapeutic medications frequently used in cancer treatment, with prevalence rates ranging from 19% to 85%. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is a lack of data on the magnitude and determinants of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in Ethiopia.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in northwest Ethiopia oncology centers in 2022.

Method

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 406 eligible adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in northwest Ethiopia oncology centers, between May and July 2022.

Results

Out of 406 adult cancer patients included in the study, 54.4% had peripheral neuropathy. The stage of cancer (AOR = 4.36 [95% CI: 1.76; 10.8]), comorbidity (AOR = 2.74 [95% CI: 1.28; 5.83]), drug regimen (AOR = 2.99 [95% CI: 1.36; 6.54]), and cycle of therapy (AOR = 4.00 [CI: 1.67; 9.65]) were significantly associated with the magnitude of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Conclusion

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common adverse event among Ethiopian cancer patients treated with various chemotherapeutic drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to establish more effective diagnostic methods and incorporate validated assessment tools, such as the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer tools, either alone or in combination with other clinical instruments, into the routine evaluation of all patients receiving chemotherapeutic drug.
Burkitt lymphoma after adult liver transplantation: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Ji , Chen Qing , Zhang Shuhua
Published: December 2024

Preface and importance

Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) is a relatively rare post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), and there is currently limited research on the occurrence of BL following adult liver transplantation.

Case introduction

We report a 45-year-old male who developed BL that rapidly progressed at seven years after left liver transplantation. The patient eventually abandoned treatment due to severe clinical complications.

Clinical discussion

BL is a highly invasive B-cell-derived non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), with fast progression and easy involvement of the central nervous system. The current case had sporadic BL with atypical site of onset. After analysis, the investigators considered the possible development of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) in the later stage of hospitalization, which is a more serious complication of BL. There is currently no unified treatment plan for adult BL.

Conclusion

BL is a relatively rare complication after liver transplantation, and its early detection and treatment are crucial. For advanced BL, attention should be given in preventing the occurrence of TLS. Further research and exploration are needed to determine the optimal treatment plan for adult BL.
PRIO – a prospective integrative oncology registry: trial protocol
Authors: Werthmann Paul G. , Lederer Ann-Kathrin , Figura Hannah Maja , Kramer Klaus
Published: December 2024

Background

Integrative Oncology (IO) – the use of lifestyle modifications, mind-body practices and natural products in oncology – is increasingly asked for by patients. The evidence base of IO is growing and IO measures are included in national guidelines. Still, many questions about IO remain unanswered or still show a poor evidence base.

Method

Data about demography, socioeconomic status, cancer disease and therapy, integrative oncology measures and patient reported outcomes will be collected in regular visits in oncological patients at the University Cancer Center Ulm, Germany. An expansion to further study centers is planned. After one year and at regular intervals, the registry will be evaluated and adapted accordingly.

Discussion

The PRIO registry builds a solid data base to evaluate the use of integrative oncology measures in cancer patients. It includes patient reported outcome measures to investigate quality of life and satisfaction with health services in this population. The registry aims to enhance transparency in IO use and wants to inform future research in IO. The trial has been registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) under the ID DRKS00033250 and in the studyBox of the German Cancer Association under the ID ST-U173 on 18th December 2023. The trial was approved by the ethics committee of the University Medical Center Ulm under the number 375/23 on 7th December 2023.
Severe atypical skin disease in two patients with CLL/SLL after BTKi treatment - a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhou Jingxin , Ma Wentong , Hu Na , Ma Yuhan , Zhu Huayuan , Gao Ling
Published: December 2024

Dermatological adverse events (AEs) are generally mild during therapy with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), and it is often unnecessary to adjust the BTKi dosage or discontinue treatment. However, in this study, we present the cases of two patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) who experienced severe dermatological AEs during BTKi treatment and subsequently had to discontinue it. The first patient, who previously suffered from rashes, experienced rashes again along with fever when exposed to BTKi. The subsequent dermatological biopsy revealed necrotizing vasculitis. The second patient suffered from skin ulcers concurrently with cough and fever. The BTKi treatment was permanently discontinued when the histopathological biopsy revealed a fungal infection. Therefore, clinicians should pay attention to atypical rashes during BTKi treatment and skin biopsies are necessary for further diagnosis and intervention.
Development and validation of a preoperative model for predicting positive proximal margins in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and assessing safe margin distance
Authors: Guo Zhenjiang , Wang Ning , Zhao Guangyuan , Du Liqiang , Cui Zhaobo , Liu Fangzhen
Published: December 2024

Objective

To develop and validate a model for preoperative prediction of positive proximal margins for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) by transabdominal approach, and to analyze the safe margin distances for patients with different risks of positive proximal margins.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 284 AEG patients who underwent surgery via the transabdominal approach at Hengshui People’s Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023. Patients were divided into a training set (n=201, first five years) and a test set (n=83, last two years). Clinicopathologic factors potentially influencing margin status were collected. The synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) was applied to address class imbalance in the training set. Two nomogram models were developed: one based on the original training set and the other using the SMOTE dataset. The model’s performance was compared using the test set, with the area under the curve (AUC) used to evaluate discrimination and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test used for model fit. The best-performing model was used to calculate total scores for the entire cohort, and the optimal cutoff value was determined via the ROC curve. Patients were classified into low- and high-risk groups based on the total score, and optimal margin distances were determined using Youden’s index.

Results

The model developed using the SMOTE dataset showed superior AUC for predicting positive proximal margins in the test set compared to the model based on the original training set (0.814 vs. 0.780). Independent predictors of positive proximal margins included Borrmann classification, Lauren classification, cT stage, tumor differentiation, and Siewert classification. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed a good model fit (χ² = 5.397, P = 0.612). Using a cutoff total score of 206.811, patients were divided into low-risk (score < 206.811) and high-risk (score ≥ 206.811) groups, with an AUC of 0.788. For the low-risk group, a proximal margin distance of 2.75 cm yielded an AUC of 0.824, with a sensitivity of 54.5%, specificity of 97.9%, and a Youden’s index of 0.524. For the high-risk group, a margin distance of 3.85 cm provided an AUC of 0.813, sensitivity of 73.1%, specificity of 80.0%, and a Youden’s index of 0.531.

Conclusions

The nomogram may offer a valuable preoperative tool for assessing the risk of positive proximal margins in AEG patients. While it holds the potential to inform surgical decision-making and help determine appropriate margin distances, further validation in larger and more diverse cohorts is needed to confirm its clinical utility.
Case Report: A novel hemizygous missense PDHA1 variant in a Vietnamese boy with pyruvate dehydrogenase E1-alpha deficiency
Authors: Nguyen Thi Thanh Ngan , Khanh Nguyen Ngoc , Vu Chi Dung , Nguyen Ngoc-Lan , Tran Van Khanh , Lien Nguyen Thi Kim , Van Tung Nguyen , Quan Nguyen Duc , Hien Nguyen Thanh , Giang Tran Thi Huong , Xuan Nguyen Thi , Tao Nguyen Thien , Khoa Tran Van , Nguyen Huy Hoang
Published: December 2024

A pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency causes a reduction in adenosine triphosphate production and energy insufficiency, leading to neurological disorders. An abnormal E1-alpha protein originating from the PDHA1 gene with pathogenic variants is unable to communicate with E1-beta for the formation of the E1 enzyme, decreasing pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity. In this study, we report a Vietnamese boy with lethargy, severe metabolic acidosis, increased serum lactate, hyperalaninemia, lactic acidosis, and globus pallidus lesions. Whole-exome sequencing and variant filtering identified a hemizygous missense variant NM000284.4 (PDHA1): c.479T>G (p.Phe160Cys) in the patient. The variant c.479T>G caused a single nucleotide substitution on exon 5 and was predicted to be a disease-causing variant in the in silico analyses. We present the first report with a genetic analysis of a Vietnamese patient with pyruvate dehydrogenase E1-alpha deficiency (PDHAD). Sanger sequencing demonstrated that the patient inherited the variant from his mother who harbored the variant in a heterozygous state, but no PDHAD symptoms were observed in her. In addition, a prenatal test of the patient's mother revealed a fetus with a normal genotype. Furthermore, the patient's father and sister both carried a normal allele. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics criteria, the variant c.479T>G was predicted to be a likely pathogenic variant. Using the combination of the patient’s genotype and phenotype, he was definitively diagnosed with pyruvate dehydrogenase E1-alpha deficiency. Our findings expand the mutational spectrum of neurological disorders and provide the scientific basis for genetic counseling for the patient's family.
Cyber warfare: a study of Zelenskyy’s social media political performance strategies and effects
Authors: Wang Liqiang , Wang Ruonan
Published: December 2024

During the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strategically used social media to appeal for international support. This reflects a broader trend of political figures relying on digital platforms to shape public opinion and influence global narratives during crises. This work uses three main analysis methods, content, sentiment and social network analysis. The searched and collected dataset consists 604 valid tweets and 58,100 corresponding comments. The findings show that Zelenskyy employs both textual and visual narratives to construct a war-related agenda, influencing international public discourse. His agenda-setting is most effective in the early stages of the conflict but weakens over time. This study highlights Zelenskyy’s flexibility and adaptability in his media strategy, illustrating the evolving nature of political performance in a globalized media landscape. To maintain effective communication and image-building, leaders must balance audience psychology with the characteristics of digital media.
Beyond clinical observations: a scoping review of AI-detectable observable cues in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Močnik Sara , Smrke Urška , Mlakar Izidor , Močnik Grega , Gregorič Kumperščak Hojka , Plohl Nejc
Published: December 2024

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), impacting approximately 2% of adults worldwide, presents a formidable challenge in psychiatric diagnostics. Often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, BPD is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This scoping review embarks on a comprehensive exploration of observable cues in BPD, encompassing language patterns, speech nuances, facial expressions, nonverbal communication, and physiological measurements. The findings unveil distinctive features within the BPD population, including language patterns emphasizing external viewpoints and future tense, specific linguistic characteristics, and unique nonverbal behaviors. Physiological measurements contribute to this exploration, shedding light on emotional responses and physiological arousal in individuals with BPD. These cues offer the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and complement existing diagnostic methods, enabling early identification and management in response to the urgent need for precise psychiatric care in the digital era. By serving as possible digital biomarkers, they could provide objective, accessible, and stress-reducing assessments, representing a significant leap towards improved psychiatric assessments and an invaluable contribution to the field of precision psychiatry.
Sex-specific associations of serum cotinine levels with depressive symptoms and sleep disorders in American adults: NHANES 2007-2014
Authors: Yang Hongguang , Liu Yao , Huang Zhenhe , Deng Guifang
Published: December 2024

Background

Accumulating evidence have demonstrated that tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) causes damage to human mental issues. However, previous studies almost focus on the individual smoking exposure patterns and some inconsistent results are reported. Serum cotinine is a reliable and quantitative biomarker of TSE. This study aims to explore the association of serum cotinine with depression and sleep disorders and the potential gender differences.

Methods

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2014 was used. Weighted multiple logistic regression methods, generalized additive models (GAM), and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used for association analyses. Moreover, gender-stratified analyses were conducted.

Results

Of 12,599 individuals included in the final analysis, 1,295 had depression, 3245 had trouble sleeping and 1152 had diagnostic sleep disorders. After adjusting for potential covariates, linear relationship suggested higher serum cotinine levels were positively associated with risk of depression and sleep disorders, including self-reported trouble sleeping and diagnostic sleep disorders in the total sample and female participants, and serum cotinine levels were positively correlated with depression and trouble sleeping in male participants. Additionally, inverted L-shaped associations between serum cotinine and depression and sleep disorders were detected, and at the same cotinine level, females have a higher risk of experiencing depression and sleep disorders.

Conclusions

In this study, higher serum cotinine increased the risk of depression and sleep disorders and there was stronger association in females than males. These findings provided novel evidence about how TSE affected the mental condition of the general US population.
Preserved learning of implicit regularities with predictive social cues in older adults
Authors: Salera Claudia , Yankouskaya Ala , Gazzaneo Maria Daniela , Bonavita Alessia , Pazzaglia Mariella , Guariglia Cecilia , Pecchinenda Anna
Published: December 2024

Introduction

With ageing there are changes in the ability to orient attention, which affect more endogenous than exogenous orienting. However, orienting attention by the gaze direction of others shares characteristics of both exogenous and endogenous attention and it is unclear how it is affected by ageing. Being able to orient attention by the gaze direction of others is important to establish successful social interactions (i.e., joint attention), and when gaze direction predicts where in the environment salient events occur, it helps to successfully navigate the environment.

Methods

Here we investigated whether older individuals learn implicit regularities between the direction of eye gaze and a spatial location where salient events occur. We also assessed the association between orienting attention by the gaze of others and loneliness. Seventy older individuals completed the three-items UCLA loneliness scale and the gaze cueing task, in which gaze cues were non-predictive of target location (block 1), but unbeknownst to participants became predictive of the spatial location where the target appeared (block 2) and then, returned to being non-predictive (block 3).

Results

Findings clearly show that older individuals are less able to orient attention by non-predictive gaze cues, but they successfully learn from environmental regularities implemented with direction of eye gaze. This learning biases attention as it enhances the gaze cueing effect even when the regularities are not present. Importantly, gaze cueing was not affected by self-reported loneliness.

Discussion

These findings point to a training strategy to improve joint attention in older individuals.
Factors associated with low birth weight in low-income populations in the Western Balkans: insights from the multiple indicator cluster survey
Authors: Grbic Dragana , Supic Zorica Terzic , Todorovic Jovana , Nesic Dejan , Karic Svetlana , Jurisic Aleksandar , Kocic Sanja , Bukumiric Zoran , Cirkovic Andja , Jankovic Svetlana
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Low birth weight, defined as a birth weight below 2,500 g, represents a significant public health concern with a multifactorial risk dimension. Socio-demographic factors and individual characteristics of women and their social environment could influence low birth weight. This study aimed to analyze the association between the socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics of women living in low-income households and low birth weight in Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro.

Methods

This study was conducted as secondary data analysis during the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey – Round 6 in Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. The household questionnaire and the individual questionnaire for women aged 15–49 were used as standard research instruments. We analyzed 1,019 women whose households belonged to the first (poorest) or second (poor) wealth index quintiles and who had given birth to a live child within the 2 years preceding the study. A multivariate logistic regression was applied with low birth weight in newborns as the outcome variable.

Results

The univariate regression analysis showed that women with low birth weight newborns were significantly more likely to live in settlements mainly inhabited by Roma, reside in urban areas, marry or enter a union before age 18, have lower education levels, experience higher illiteracy rates, and receive antenatal care not provided by a medical doctor compared to women whose newborns weighed 2.5 kg or more. A multivariate logistic regression model with a low birth weight of newborns as an outcome variable showed the association between women’s illiteracy (OR: 1.741; 95% CI: 1.060–2.859) and antenatal care not provided by a medical doctor (OR: 2.735; 95% CI: 1.229–6.087).

Discussion

Illiteracy and limited access to medical doctor services during pregnancy were factors that increased the likelihood of low birth weight in newborns born to women living in low-income households in the selected Western Balkans populations. The cross-sectional design of this study does not allow the establishment of causal relationships among variables, but it can provide important evidence for future prevention strategies. Interventions are needed to enhance the education of women and to improve access to antenatal care across Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
The role of parental child marriage in children's food security and nutritional status: a prospective cohort study in Indonesia
Authors: Hidayah Isnawati , Suryahadi Asep , Palmisano Flaviana , Kiefte-de Jong Jessica C.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Assessing children's food and nutrition security in Indonesia, especially among children from parents who experienced child marriage, is crucial for policymakers. This study investigates the role of parental child marriage in children's food security and nutritional status.

Methods

We analyze data from Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS) wave 4 (2007) and 5 (2014), involving 1,612 households. We employ OLS and binary logit regression analysis.

Results

Our analysis reveals that parental child marriage is associated with higher probability of children being stunted and experiencing food insecurity. Additionally, parental child marriage correlates with higher BMI-for-age z-scores, which increase the risk of obesity, and lower Food Consumption Scores (FCS).

Recommendation

Implementing community initiatives, economic empowerment, healthcare access, and gender-sensitive and integrated policies is crucial for enhancing food security and improving nutritional status among childen in families affected by child marriage.
The impact of positive activities on mental health: the mediating role of positive emotion
Authors: Wang Yanting , Wu Yuanyang , Xu Qianqian , Fan Si , Hu Jinwen , Zou Dongdong , Zhang Xinping
Published: December 2024

Objective

Mental health has become a widely concerned topic worldwide. However, the impact and mechanism of positive activities on mental health still needed to be explored. This study aimed to apply the positive-activity model to investigate the effect of participation in positive activities on mental health and the mediating role of positive emotion.

Methods

This study used data from the 2021 China Comprehensive Social Survey (CGSS) and included 2,581 individuals. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and a three-step method was used for analysis.

Results

The average of positive activities was 15.83. The positive activities affected positively mental health (β = 0.0132, p < 0.001). The positive emotion played a mediating role (β =0.2281, p < 0.001). The effect of positive activities on mental health was significant in older adults group (β = 0.024, p < 0.001), female (β = 0.015, p < 0.01) and male group (β = 0.01, p < 0.01), unmarried/divorced/widowed group (β = 0.024, p < 0.01), cohabitation/first marriage with spouse/remarriage with spouse/separation without divorce group (β = 0.010, p < 0.001), middle(β = 0.013, p < 0.05), and upper-middle-level SES group (β = 0.054, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

We concluded that the participation level of positive activities still needs to be improved and positive activities improve mental health through positive emotion, which implied that positive activities, as an easily implementable measure, should be greatly encouraged in mental health policies. And older adults, female, people without spouse, middle and upper-middle-income individuals need to be paid more attention.
Birthing parent perspectives on measuring the quality of perinatal care: metrics, timing, and process
Authors: Tully Kristin P.
Published: December 2024

Objective

Centering birthing parents is critical for improving reproductive health policies and practices. This study investigates patient perspectives on measuring the quality of perinatal care.

Methods

A cross-sectional qualitative research study was conducted at an academic medical center in the Southeastern United States. Individuals who had recently given birth participated in audio-recorded interviews between May 2020 and September 2020. This analysis addresses the research question, “If we were providing quality healthcare for families, how would we know?” Transcribed and translated responses were inductively coded to develop categories and identify themes.

Results

Forty birthing parents participated in the study. Metrics, timing, and process were identified as important components of meaningfully measuring the quality of perinatal care. Recommended metrics included asking patients whether their health priorities were addressed. Additional metrics of importance were whether coping strategies were provided, the clarity of information provided, patient comprehension of health information, the extent to which care planning was collaborative among patients and their healthcare team members, whether clinicians alleviated patient doubts, patient feelings of being taken care of, healthcare team mannerisms, clinician demonstrations of respect for patient autonomy, and postpartum visit attendance. With regard to timing, patients desired that their healthcare team members “check-in” with them as part of an ongoing, direct dialog. Birthing parents also wanted opportunities to provide feedback soon after encounters. As part of a robust measurement process, they wanted to share their insights with someone who was not a part of their healthcare team, for maintaining confidentiality. The patients desired a “serious platform” with accessible methods for all birthing parents to be able to convey nuanced accounts of their care. They also wanted to hear from the healthcare institutions about their feedback. Birthing parents sought assurances for their perinatal care feedback to be de-identified to protect them from potential retaliation. The participants recognized that they might need to utilize healthcare services from the same institution and individuals in the future.

Conclusion

Birthing parents expressed desire for their perinatal healthcare experiences to be understood. Meaningful quality measurement may be promoted through transparent and multimethod opportunities for patients to securely share insights. In addition to healthcare systems communicating assurances of patient confidentiality, institutional feedback in response to patient-reported experiences is recommended.
Global, regional, and national burden of HIV and tuberculosis and predictions by Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021
Authors: Tian Xuebin , Wang Chong , Hao Zhihao , Chen Jingjing , Wu Nanping
Published: December 2024

Objective

To assess sex, age, regional differences, and the changing trend in human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis (HIV-TB) in different regions from 1990 to 2021, and project future trends.

Methods

Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 data were analyzed to assess HIV-TB incidence, death, prevalence, and DALY rates from 1990 to 2021, including different types of TB co-infections (drug-susceptible, multidrug-resistant, and extensively drug-resistant). Bayesian age-period-cohort models were used to forecast age-standardized DALY rates through 2035.

Results

In 2021, there were approximately 1.76 million HIV-TB infections and 200,895 deaths globally. The highest burden of HIV-DS-TB and HIV-MDR-TB was found in Southern Sub-Saharan Africa, while HIV-XDR-TB was most prevalent in Eastern Europe. The co-infection burden was highest among individuals aged 30–49. Key risk factors were unsafe sex, drug use, and intimate partner violence, with regional variations. The global burden of HIV-TB remains high, and age-standardized DALY rates are expected to increase in the coming years, especially in regions with low socio-demographic indices (SDI).

Conclusion

The burden of HIV-TB co-infection correlates with the socio-demographic index (SDI): countries with a low SDI have a higher burden. Therefore, clinical diagnosis and treatment in such areas are more challenging and may warrant more attention. High death rates underscore the importance of early management.
The effect of Alpinia oxyphylla essential oil on growth performance, immune, antioxidant functions and gut microbiota in pigs
Authors: Chen Fengming , Liu Zhimou , Xie Chun , He Jieyi , Chen Jiayi , Peng Kaiqiang , Chen Xu , He Jiajia , Liu Zhenyi , Yang Hui , Kang Kelang , He Binsheng , Lin Qian
Published: December 2024

Alpinia oxyphylla, a perennial herb belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, has a long history of traditional medicinal use. The present study evaluated the efficacy of different concentrations of Alpinia oxyphylla essential oil (AEO) on the growth performance, serum antioxidation capacities, immune function, apparent digestibility of nutrients, and gut microbiota in fattening pigs. A total of 120 pigs were divided into five treatments, with six replicates each and four pigs per replicate. The pigs were fed a basal diet or basal diet with chlortetracycline (CTC) alone or AEO at 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg (referred to as groups AEO1, AEO2, and AEO3, respectively) for 35 days, preceded by a 7-day pre-feed period. The results show that there were no statistically significant differences in growth performance for any dose of AEO supplementation. AEO increased L-DLC content, total protein content and the activity of GSH in serum (p < 0.05). The AEO also exhibited a linear increase in serum IgG content (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with AEO improved apparent digestibility of crude ash and calcium (p < 0.05). In gut microbiota, AEO modified the diversity and abundance of bacterial communities in fattening pigs. The abundance of Dorea, Blautia, Butyricicoccus, Bulleidia, and Lactobacillus was higher in the AEO groups compared to the control group, while Clostridium and Turicibacter were lower. The Bifidobacteriales and Pseudomonas were abundant in group AEO1 and AEO3, respectively. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 1,000 mg/kg AEO has the potential to improve growth performance, immunological, biochemical, and antioxidant statuses. Additionally, AEO can increase the efficiency of nutrient digestion and absorption through the regulation of gut microbiota.
A Random PRIM Based Algorithm for Interpretable Classification and Advanced Subgroup Discovery
Authors: Nassih Rym , Berrado Abdelaziz
Published: December 2024

Machine-learning algorithms have made significant strides, achieving high accuracy in many applications. However, traditional models often need large datasets, as they typically peel substantial portions of the data in each iteration, complicating the development of a classifier without sufficient data. In critical fields like healthcare, there is a growing need to identify and analyze small yet significant subgroups within data. To address these challenges, we introduce a novel classifier based on the patient rule-induction method (PRIM), a subgroup-discovery algorithm. PRIM finds rules by peeling minimal data at each iteration, enabling the discovery of highly relevant regions. Unlike traditional classifiers, PRIM requires experts to select input spaces manually. Our innovation transforms PRIM into an interpretable classifier by starting with random input space selections for each class, then pruning rules using metarules, and finally selecting definitive rules for the classifier. Tested against popular algorithms such as random forest, logistic regression, and XG-Boost, our random PRIM-based classifier (R-PRIM-Cl) demonstrates comparable robustness, superior interpretability, and the ability to handle categorical and numeric variables. It discovers more rules in certain datasets, making it especially valuable in fields where understanding the model’s decision-making process is as important as its predictive accuracy.
RT-DETR-Tea: A Multi-Species Tea Bud Detection Model for Unstructured Environments
Authors: Chen Yiyong , Guo Yang , Li Jianlong , Zhou Bo , Chen Jiaming , Zhang Man , Cui Yingying , Tang Jinchi
Published: December 2024

Accurate bud detection is a prerequisite for automatic tea picking and yield statistics; however, current research suffers from missed detection due to the variety of singleness and false detection under complex backgrounds. Traditional target detection models are mainly based on CNN, but CNN can only achieve the extraction of local feature information, which is a lack of advantages for the accurate identification of targets in complex environments, and Transformer can be a good solution to the problem. Therefore, based on a multi-variety tea bud dataset, this study proposes RT-DETR-Tea, an improved object detection model under the real-time detection Transformer (RT-DETR) framework. This model uses cascaded group attention to replace the multi-head self-attention (MHSA) mechanism in the attention-based intra-scale feature interaction (AIFI) module, effectively optimizing deep features and enriching the semantic information of features. The original cross-scale feature-fusion module (CCFM) mechanism is improved to establish the gather-and-distribute-Tea (GD-Tea) mechanism for multi-level feature fusion, which can effectively fuse low-level and high-level semantic information and large and small tea bud features in natural environments. The submodule of DilatedReparamBlock in UniRepLKNet was employed to improve RepC3 to achieve an efficient fusion of tea bud feature information and ensure the accuracy of the detection head. Ablation experiments show that the precision and mean average precision of the proposed RT-DETR-Tea model are 96.1% and 79.7%, respectively, which are increased by 5.2% and 2.4% compared to those of the original model, indicating the model’s effectiveness. The model also shows good detection performance on the newly constructed tea bud dataset. Compared with other detection algorithms, the improved RT-DETR-Tea model demonstrates superior tea bud detection performance, providing effective technical support for smart tea garden management and production.
Evaluation of Herbal Anticoccidials on Growth Performance in Experimentally Infected Broiler Chickens
Authors: Vilienė Vilma , Racevičiūtė-Stupelienė Asta , Murawska Daria , Gesek Michał , Matusevičius Paulius , Miknienė Zoja , Nutautaitė Monika
Published: December 2024

Avian diseases, especially coccidiosis, represent a significant threat to poultry production, demanding research into the use of herbal supplements in birds’ diets. So, the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of selected herbal components in mitigating coccidiosis in broilers and to examine their overall impact on the productivity traits of broilers. A 35-day feeding trial was conducted with 1200 male ROSS 308 broiler chickens in two poultry facilities, one non-infected, using either usual coccidiostats (UC−) or 500 g/t herbal additive (consisting of Holarrhena antidysenterica, Ficus religiosa, Berberis aristata, Allium sativum, Embelia ribes, and Azadirachta indica; HA−) and the other intentionally exposed to Eimeria via drinking water at 7 days old, with corresponding control and experimental groups (UC+ and HA+). Dietary interventions significantly influenced broiler chicken body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) throughout the trial, notably on day 21, with UC+ treatment yielding the highest values. Herbal supplements did not affect the feed conversion ratio (FCR) or liveability. Under infection, litter dry matter (DM) content differences were notable on days 14 and 21, favouring herbal additive treatments (HA− and HA+). Herbal supplements also impacted Eimeria presence in the duodenum and jejunum on day 21, with notable differences between treatments. Despite several limitations, the study reveals that herbal additions may effectively manage Eimeria infection and enhance litter quality in broiler production, since control treatments demonstrated improved development and anatomy.
The Nutritional Benefits and Sustainable By-Product Utilization of Chestnuts: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Meleti Εrmioni , Kossyva Vasiliki , Maisoglou Ioannis , Vrontaki Mariastela , Manouras Vasileios , Tzereme Anastasia , Alexandraki Maria , Koureas Michalis , Malissiova Eleni , Manouras Athanasios
Published: December 2024

The chestnut is a widely appreciated fruit in Europe, Asia, and North America, playing a significant role in the diets of people in these regions. Due to its high nutritional value and diverse health benefits, chestnuts have been gaining considerable research attention. The aim was a comprehensive literature review on the nutritional benefits of chestnuts and the sustainable valorization of their by-products. Following the methodology, all the relevant literature was collected and reviewed. Based on the reviewed data, the chemical composition of chestnuts holds great importance, especially in the food industry, where understanding their nutritional properties can enhance product development. Furthermore, chestnut processing generates a substantial amount of waste, including shells and leaves, which are rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. Valorizing these by-products presents opportunities for their application across various industries, leading to increased profits, reduced environmental pollution, and enhanced sustainability. This review aims to provide insights into the nutritional benefits of chestnuts and chestnut by-products and explore potential alternative applications for these materials in the food industry. Such applications will possibly positively affect producers’ income and are in line with the circular economy strategy.
Impact of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting and Microbial Inoculum on Rice Seedling Phenotype, Physiology, and Microbial Communities
Authors: Ye Ziran , Dai Mengdi , Kong Dedong , Tan Xiangfeng
Published: December 2024

Raising rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings under LED lighting reduces nursing space and labor while ensuring health and quality. This study compared rice seedlings grown under natural light (NL) and LED lighting (AL), with and without inoculation of the beneficial fungus Falciphora oryzae. The results showed that NL-grown seedlings had greater stem diameters and shoot and root weights. The AL treatment induced higher plant height in some cultivars and longer root lengths in others. Microbial inoculation minimally affected phenotypes but increased root length in one cultivar. Chlorophyll content was unchanged across the treatments, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels rose under AL in one cultivar, and catalase (CAT) levels were elevated in two cultivars under AL. Microbial inoculation reduced CAT levels under AL. The AL + M treatment increased rhizosphere prokaryotic community evenness and altered prokaryotic compositions in the rhizosphere and root endosphere, with Burkholderia and Paraburkholderia taxa showing differential responses to the treatments. These findings underscore the role of microbial inoculation in enhancing rice seedling health and resilience under artificial lighting, contributing to sustainable agriculture and food security.
An Assessment of the Diversity and Seasonal Dynamics of Small- and Medium-Sized Mammals in Pittachhara Forest, Bangladesh, Using a Camera Trap Survey
Authors: Shawon Raf Ana Rabbi , Rahman Md. Matiur , Iqbal Md Mehedi , Russel Mahfuz A. , Moribe Junji
Published: December 2024

The Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHTs) in Bangladesh have a rich biodiversity, hosting a wide range of wild mammal species, underscoring the importance of systematic monitoring focused on conservation efforts. This study aims to assess the diversity and abundance of small- and medium-sized wild mammal species in Pittachhara Forest in the CHTs. A comprehensive wildlife monitoring survey was conducted in this forest using strategically placed camera traps to identify the wild species diversity, and we evaluated the activity patterns and seasonal variations for the period of February 2023 to August 2024. The camera trap identified eight species of small- and medium-sized wild mammals: the Bengal slow loris, northern pig-tailed macaque, leopard cat, large Indian civet, common palm civet, crab-eating mongoose, northern tree shrew, and black rat. The activity patterns showed distinct temporal behaviors among these wild mammals, with nocturnal activity dominating for the Bengal slow loris and leopard cat, while the northern pig-tailed macaque exhibited diurnal activity. Seasonal variations demonstrated a significant difference in increased activity among most wild mammal species throughout the summer, particularly the large Indian civet and crab-eating mongoose, likely due to favorable environmental conditions, and decreased activity in the winter (p < 0.05). The findings suggest an intricate connection between species-specific behaviors and environmental factors that influence activity patterns, with increased activity in summer and a decrease in winter, indicating that summer conditions may enhance the movement and foraging behaviors of mammals. This study underscores the necessity for continuous biodiversity monitoring followed by conservation efforts in Pittachhara Forest to reduce the threats of habitat fragmentation, human disturbances, and inadequate protection, thus protecting the survival of endangered wild mammal species and maintaining the environmental harmony of this small, protected area.