bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity of Jinshaia sinensis (Cypriniformes, Balitoridae) Distributed Upstream of the Yangtze River
Authors: Luo Yang , Zhang Yufeng , Cheng Ruli , Li Qinghua , Zhang Yu , Li Yingwen , Shen Yanjun
Published: January 2023

The upper reaches of the Yangtze River (upper YR) are a biological zone with extremely rich fish diversity, especially endemic fish. However, long-term human interference, such as environmental pollution and cascade hydropower construction, has significantly changed the habitat of many fish and is threatening the number and genetic diversity of fish populations. Jinshaia sinensis is a typical small and endemic but rare fish that is found in the upper YR, and its genetic diversity and structure still need further study. To understand the current levels of genetic diversity in J. sinensis, we analyzed the genetic diversity, population history, genetic structure, etc., of three J. sinensis populations based on two mitochondrial genes (the cytochrome-c oxidase subunit I, COI, and cytochrome-b gene, Cytb) and two nuclear genes (recombination-activating protein 1, RAG1, and rhodopsin, RH). The genetic diversity analysis indicated that J. sinensis had high genetic diversity, with high haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (Pi). Population pairwise FST analysis revealed a significant genetic divergence between the Lijiang and Luzhou populations for all genes and between the Panzhihua and Luzhou populations, except for the COI gene; however, analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed no significant geographic genetic structure among populations, and gene flow analysis also indicated a certain degree of gene exchange among populations. Haplotype network structure analyses revealed low levels of shared haplotypes among populations. Neutrality test and mismatch distribution results indicated that only the Lijiang population had experienced obvious population expansion. Overall, these results indicate that J. sinensis is still a single evolutionarily significant unit, but when considering the threat of habitat disturbance to the population, it is still necessary to carry out long-term genetic monitoring on J. sinensis and on other endemic fishes with similar ecological habits in order to maintain the genetic diversity of fishes in the upper YR.
QTL Mapping of Growth Traits in Yellow River Carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) at 5–17 Months after Hatching
Authors: Chen Yuhan , Huang Jintai , Jin Zhan , Chen Junping , Zhang Meng , Yu Miao , Jiang Hongxia , Wang Lei , Qiao Zhigang
Published: January 2023

To screen the quantitative trait loci (QTL) and genes related to the growth of Yellow River carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) after removing the maternal effect, we established a family of these carps. Four growth-related traits (body length, height, thickness, and weight) of the family at 5 and 17 months after hatching (MAH) were measured. Analysis of QTL mapping for the four growth-related traits was conducted using the genetic linkage map constructed in our laboratory. We identified 47 QTL that were related to the four growth traits and three consensus QTL (cQTL). A total of 10, 14, 10, and 13 QTL were associated with body length, height, thickness, and weight, respectively; cQTL-1, cQTL-2, and cQTL-3 contained 11, 2, and 2 QTL, respectively. We detected 17 growth-related candidate genes within 50 Kb upstream and downstream of the five main-effect QTL (phenotypic variation explained > 10%, logarithm of odds > 5.5). Two genes (cbfa2t2 and neca1) that may be affected by maternal effects were identified by comparing the main-effect QTL at 17 and 5–17 MAH. This study was the first attempt to eliminate growth-related QTL and genes affected by maternal effects in Yellow River carp. These results can be used in molecular marker-assisted breeding and provide valuable genomic resources for the genetic mechanisms underlying growth in Yellow River carp.
Modeling of 3D Blood Flows with Physics-Informed Neural Networks: Comparison of Network Architectures
Authors: Moser Philipp , Fenz Wolfgang , Thumfart Stefan , Ganitzer Isabell , Giretzlehner Michael
Published: January 2023

Machine learning-based modeling of physical systems has attracted significant interest in recent years. Based solely on the underlying physical equations and initial and boundary conditions, these new approaches allow to approximate, for example, the complex flow of blood in the case of fluid dynamics. Physics-informed neural networks offer certain advantages compared to conventional computational fluid dynamics methods as they avoid the need for discretized meshes and allow to readily solve inverse problems and integrate additional data into the algorithms. Today, the majority of published reports on learning-based flow modeling relies on fully-connected neural networks. However, many different network architectures are introduced into deep learning each year, each with specific benefits for certain applications. In this paper, we present the first comprehensive comparison of various state-of-the-art networks and evaluate their performance in terms of computational cost and accuracy relative to numerical references. We found that while fully-connected networks offer an attractive balance between training time and accuracy, more elaborate architectures (e.g., Deep Galerkin Method) generated superior results. Moreover, we observed high accuracy in simple cylindrical geometries, but slightly poorer estimates in complex aneurysms. This paper provides quantitative guidance for practitioners interested in complex flow modeling using physics-based deep learning.
Poly(Sulfobetaine Methacrylate-co-Vinyl Pyrrolidone) Hydrogels as Potential Contact Lenses Delivery Systems for Timolol Maleate
Authors: Nikolova Denitsa , Tzachev Christo , Christov Lachezar , Vassileva Elena
Published: January 2023

The study reveals the development of novel hydrogels based on sulfobetaine methacrylate (SB) and vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) copolymers as potential contact lenses delivery systems of timolol maleate (TM). The novel copolymer networks demonstrated composition dependent swelling kinetics, where the hydrophilicity of VP and the physical network of SB monomeric units play significant roles. TM loading efficiency appeared to slightly depend on the copolymeric composition, increasing upon VP monomeric unit increase. In contrast, the TM release was prolonged when the SB monomeric units content in the copolymers increased, reaching full drug release for 48 h for the SB-rich networks. The transparency of the hydrogels was also studied and the obtained values demonstrate their applicability as potential materials for soft contact lenses. The study has revealed the potential of these novel copolymeric hydrogels as materials for contact lenses delivery systems of timolol maleate.
Heterogeneity in the Utilization of Fecal Occult Blood Testing and Colonoscopy among Migrants and Non-Migrants in Austria: Results of the Austrian Health Interview Survey
Authors: Wahidie Diana , Yilmaz-Aslan Yüce , Brzoska Patrick
Published: January 2023

Many European studies report lower participation in colorectal cancer screening among migrants than non-migrants. A major limitation of these studies is that usually, the heterogeneity of migrants cannot be accounted for. The aim of this investigation was to examine differences in the utilization of fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy between non-migrants and the five largest migrant groups residing in Austria using data from the Austrian Health Interview Survey 2019. The two outcomes were compared between non-migrants and migrants using multivariable logistic regression adjusted for socioeconomic and health variables. Migrants from a Yugoslav successor state (OR = 0.61; 95%-CI: 0.44–0.83), Turkish (OR = 0.35; 95%-CI: 0.22–0.55), Hungarian (OR = 0.37; 95%-CI: 0.16–0.82) and German migrants (OR = 0.70; 95%-CI: 0.51–0.98) were less likely to have used a fecal occult blood test compared to non-migrants. Participation in colonoscopy was lower among Turkish migrants (OR = 0.42; 95%-CI: 0.27–0.67) and migrants from a Yugoslav successor state (OR = 0.56; 95%-CI: 0.42–0.75) than among non-migrants. The findings are consistent with studies from other countries and highlight barriers migrants face in accessing the health care system. To address these barriers, the heterogeneity of the population must be taken into account when developing educational materials in order to promote informed decisions about whether or not to participate in colorectal cancer screening.
Correlations between SARS-CoV-2 Infections and the Number of COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered in Three Italian Provinces
Authors: Modenese Alberto
Published: January 2023

The aim of this ecological study is to evaluate correlations between the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in three Italian provinces—one in the south, one in the center and one in the north of the country—and the registered numbers of COVID-19 cases in the same areas. The period of January 2021–September 2022 was considered, with specific analysis for fractions of times corresponding to the spread in Italy of the different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The results confirm the reduction of the effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing new COVID-19 cases in Italy, regardless of latitude, after the appearance of the first omicron variants. The new variants omicron 4 and 5 showed an extremely high spread during the Italian summer months; fortunately, the effects of the vaccinations in preventing new cases was improved compared to the previous omicron variants, showing a negative correlation between the new COVID-19 cases and the number of vaccine doses administered.
The Bayesian-Based Area under the Curve of Vancomycin by Using a Single Trough Level: An Evaluation of Accuracy and Discordance at Tertiary Care Hospital in KSA
Authors: Alzahrani Abdullah M. , Naeem Anjum , Alzhrani Rami M. , Harbi Manar A. , Alghamdi Sarah A. , Karim Shahid , Ali Ahmed S. , Alsenaini Ghusun , Hasan Hani , Alkatheeri Ayed A. , Basudan Samah S. , Alzahrani Yahya A.
Published: January 2023

The AUC0–24 is the most accurate way to track the vancomycin level while the Cmin is not an accurate surrogate. Most hospitals in Saudi Arabia are under-practicing the AUC-guided vancomycin dosing and monitoring. No previous work has been conducted to evaluate such practice in the whole kingdom. The current study objective is to calculate the AUC0–24 using the Bayesian dosing software (PrecisePK), identify the probability of patients who receive the optimum dose of vancomycin, and evaluate the accuracy and precision of the Bayesian platform. This retrospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz medical city, Jeddah. All adult patients treated with vancomycin were included. Pediatric patients, critically ill patients requiring ICU admission, patients with acute renal failure or undergoing dialysis, and febrile neutropenic patients were excluded. The AUC0–24 was predicted using the PrecisePK platform based on the Bayesian principle. The two-compartmental model by Rodvold et al. in this platform and patients’ dose data were utilized to calculate the AUC0–24 and trough level. Among 342 patients included in the present study, the mean of the estimated vancomycin AUC0–24 by the posterior model of PrecisePK was 573 ± 199.6 mg, and the model had a bias of 16.8%, whereas the precision was 2.85 mg/L. The target AUC0–24 (400 to 600 mg·h/L) and measured trough (10 to 20 mg/L) were documented in 127 (37.1%) and 185 (54%), respectively. Furthermore, the result demonstrated an increase in odds of AUC0–24 > 600 mg·h/L among trough level 15–20 mg/L group (OR = 13.2, p < 0.05) as compared with trough level 10–14.9 mg/L group. In conclusion, the discordance in the AUC0–24 ratio and measured trough concentration may jeopardize patient safety, and implantation of the Bayesian approach as a workable alternative to the traditional trough method should be considered.
The Impact of Mental Well-Being, Stress, and Coping Strategies on Resilience among Staff Nurses during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: A Structural Equational Model
Authors: Sacgaca Lailani , Gonzales Analita , Alkubati Sameer , Alrashidi Nojoud , Alreshidi Maha Sanat , Pasay-an Eddieson , Hernandez Joannes Paulus , Alboliteeh Mohammad , Ramadan Magda Yousif , Al Onezei Ameera Khaled , Lim-Lagura Grace Ann , Mostoles Romeo , Saguban Reynita
Published: January 2023

Previous studies have revealed various factors related to nurses’ resilience and predictors of resilience. However, there are no studies analysing the association of three variables—mental well-being, coping strategies, and stress—with resilience. This study aims to assess the impact of mental well-being, levels of stress, and coping strategies on resilience using path analysis. This study used a cross-sectional approach that involved 763 nurses from 16 major hospitals in the eastern and northern regions of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data gathering was conducted from August to November 2022. The staff nurses possessed positive mental wellness (3.75 ± 1.08), moderate stress levels (3.06 ± 1.21), adequate coping skills (3.33 ± 1.23), and a low level of resilience (2.90 ± 1.040). Age had a small effect on resilience (β = 0.040; p < 0.001) but work experience (β = −0.019; p > 0.139) and marital status (β = 0.019; p > 0.072) were not significant. Conversely, mental well-being (β = 0.043; p < 0.001) and stress (β = −0.089; p < 0.001) had a small effect on resilience, but coping strategies (β = 0.561; p < 0.001) had a large effect on resilience. Therefore, coping strategies must be reinforced at all times to assist nurses and other healthcare professionals in identifying contributing elements that maintain these workers’ resilience in the face of unforeseen and protracted pandemics and other life events.
Research, Education, Workforce, and Regulation to Transforming Nursing Practice and Leadership: The Conundrum of “Where to Start”
Authors: Magon Arianna , Stievano Alessandro , Baroni Irene , Caruso Rosario
Published: January 2023

Transforming nursing practice and leadership is an ongoing effort in the nursing profession, and it involves several key components, such as research, education, workforce, and regulation [...]
Utility of sFtl-1 and Placental Growth Factor Ratio for Adequate Preeclampsia Management
Authors: Ciciu Elena , Paṣatu-Cornea Ana-Maria , Dumitru Stefania , Petcu Lucian Cristian , Salim Camer , Tuta Liliana-Ana
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is represented by placental ischemia and the release of angiogenic factors. Recent research suggests that using the value of the sFtl-1/PIGF ratio is more accurate for monitoring angiogenic activity. The aim of this study consists in assessing the clinical utility of the sFtl-1/PIGF ratio in determining the diagnosis and severity of preeclampsia. Material and Methods: In our study a descriptive and prospective plan was used for analyzing the specific value of the sFtl-1/PIGF ratio in women with preeclampsia and in women with gestational hypertension, depending on the gestational age and severity. Results: The study included 59 women with preeclampsia and 25 women with gestational hypertension. The mean value of the sFtl-1/PIGF ratio of pregnant women with preeclampsia was 209.2 pg/mL, while in the gestational hypertension group, the mean value of the sFtl-1/PIGF ratio was 46.08 pg/mL. The difference between the value of the sFtl-1/PIGF ratio of the group with preeclampsia and the gestational hypertension group was > 67 (pg/mL), with a sensitivity of 86.44% and a specificity of 92.00%. Significant differences were found between the median values of the sFtl-1/PIGF ratio in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia in the early-onset subgroup compared to those in the late-onset subgroup (307 pg/mL, and 98 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.009 < α = 0.05). Conclusions: The sFtl-1/PIGF ratio may be an alternative method for diagnosing preeclampsia and it can provide data about this condition’s severity.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours of Adolescents and Young Adult Population on the Use of E-Cigarettes or Personal Vaporizer
Authors: Sánchez-Sánchez Eduardo , García-Ferrer Lucía , Ramirez-Vargas Guillermo , Díaz-Jimenez Jara , Rosety-Rodriguez Manuel , Díaz Antonio Jesús , Ordonez Francisco Javier , Rosety Miguel Ángel , Rosety Ignacio , Poza-Méndez Miriam
Published: January 2023

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cig) or personal vaporizers (PV) has increased in recent years, especially among adolescents and adults, increasing risk factors for their health or being a starting point for other risk behaviours. The aim of our study is to learn the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of the adolescent and young adult population on the use of e-cigarettes or PVs. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 375 subjects. The use of e-cigs or PVs was measured using a self-administered questionnaire. Overall, 13.33% of the respondents used e-cigarettes or PVs. A correlation could be established between vape use and age, with 14–18-year-olds being the highest users (25.9%). Additionally, 90.13% of the respondents answered that e-cig or PV use was harmful to health. Other behaviours, such as consumption of energy drinks (ED), increases the probability of vaping by 3.08 times (CI = 1.55–6.29; p = 0.001). Subjects aged 23–26 years and 27–34 years are less likely to vape than subjects aged 14–18 years (OR = 0.31: CI = 0.09–0.96; p = 0.044; OR = 0.07: CI = 0.00–0.63; p = 0.037). The same applies to subjects with secondary education (OR = 0.17: CI = 0.04–0.66; p = 0.011) and postgraduate education (OR = 0.07: CI = 0.06–1.19; p = 0.043), than subjects with primary education. The use of e-cigs and PVs starts at an early age, despite the known harmful effects of e-cigs and PVs. Their use may occur mainly in recreational situations and in association with other substances such as ED.
Extended Stanford Type-A Aortic Dissection with Multivessel Coronary and Peripheral Artery Involvement: An Autopsy Case Report
Authors: Alexandri Maria , Tsellou Maria , Goutas Nikolaos , Galani Konstantina , Papadodima Stavroula
Published: January 2023

We report the case of a 64-year-old male who died suddenly short after his admission to hospital because of strong chest pain and before any clinical diagnosis was established. His medical history included coronary disease with coronary by-pass surgery at the age of 40 years old, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and elevated levels of cholesterol. The autopsy revealed quite a rare case of Stanford A aortic dissection with extension to the common and internal carotid arteries; the subclavian, axillary, brachial, and radial arteries; three coronary arteries; the superior mesenteric artery; and the iliac arteries. There was no histological evidence of aortitis or connective tissue disease. The death did not result from the rupture of the aortic dissection, but from myocardial ischemia due to coronary occlusion in combination with hemodynamic disturbance from stress caused by the extended aortic dissection.
Exploring Caregivers’ Perspectives and Perceived Acceptability of a Mobile-Based Telemonitoring Program to Support Pregnant Women at High-Risk for Preeclampsia in Karachi, Pakistan: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Feroz Anam Shahil , Meghani Salima Nazim , Yasmin Haleema , Saleem Sarah , Bhutta Zulfiqar , Arshad Hajraa , Seto Emily
Published: January 2023

Very little is known about the perspectives of the caregivers on the use of telemonitoring (TM) interventions in low-middle-income countries. Understanding caregivers’ perspectives on TM interventions is crucial, given that caregiving activities are correlated with the social, emotional, and clinical outcomes among pregnant women. This study aims to explore caregivers’ perspectives and perceived acceptability of a mobile phone-based TM program to support pregnant women at high-risk for preeclampsia. A qualitative description design was used to conduct and analyze 28 semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of caregivers. The study was conducted at the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan. The caregivers were identified through purposive sampling and additional caregivers were interviewed until the point of data saturation. The conventional content analysis technique was used to analyze digital audio recordings of the caregiver interviews. All caregivers embraced the proposed mobile phone-based TM program because they perceived many benefits, including a reduction in caregivers’ anxiety and workload, increased convenience, and cost-effectiveness. However, the caregivers cited several caveats to the future implementation of the TM program including the inability of some women and caregivers to use the TM program and the poor acceptance of the TM system among less educated and non-tech savvy families. Our study recommends developing a TM program to reduce the caregiver stress and workload, designing a context-specific TM program using a user-centric approach, training caregivers on the use of the TM program, sensitizing caregivers on the benefits of the TM program, and developing a low-cost TM program to maximize access.
GA3 and Hand Thinning Improves Physical, Chemical Characteristics, Yield and Decrease Bunch Compactness of Sultanina Grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Alshallash Khalid S. , Fahmy Moustafa A. , Tawfeeq Anas M. , Baghdady Galal A. , Abdrabboh Gamal A. , Hamdy Ashraf E. , Kabsha El-baz A.
Published: January 2023

Nowadays, the Sultanina grapevines H4 strain has become widely cultivated because of its high productivity. However, this Sultanina variety is suffering from clusters with small berries, in addition highly compacted berries, thus negatively affecting the quality of bunch berries. A field experiment was carried out during the two successive seasons on Five years old Sultanina (H4 strain) grapevines grafted onto freedom rootstock grown in a private orchard located in El-Khatatba region, Minufyia Governorate, with coordinates of 30°21′ N 30°49′ E. The investigation was designed to throw light on the effect of hand thinning at levels 0, 25%, and or 50% of cluster shoulders was removed in addition to spray with 0, 20, 30, and 40 ppm GA3 for berry sizing. In addation, the first application was the hand thinning treatment, which was used on the second and third week of May for the first and the second seasons. The second application was the berry sizing treatment, applied when the berries were at 6–7 mm diameter (on the 3rd and 4th week of May for the first and the second seasons. Results indicated that the total chlorophyll content of leaf decreases when the hand thinning levels or GA3 concentration increases, while hand thinning and GA3 treatments were higher than control only concerning pruning weight. Moreover, the results showed that the first level of hand thinning treatments recorded higher values for the cluster weight than the higher level of hand thinning treatments with all the concentrations of GA3 used for sizing. The highest value was with T2. The overperformance of T2 for the vine yield and the rest of the treatments at the lower level of hand thinning were better than those at the higher level of hand thinning. In conclusion, hand thinning at 50% level and sizing with GA3 at concentration 30 ppm reduced the cluster compactness and improved the berry weight and firmness. Therefore, it could be recommended to get the most suitable yield and quality of Sultanina grapevines.
Determination of Selenium Speciation in High Se-Enriched Edible Fungus Ganoderma lucidum Via Sequential Extraction
Authors: Shi Wenyao , Hou Yuzhu , Zhang Zezhou , Yin Xuebin , Zhao Xiaohu , Yuan Linxi
Published: January 2023

Edible fungi are often used as an important selenium (Se) source to improve human daily Se intakes as food or Se supplements because of their strong ability to accumulate Se, in which Ganoderma lucidum was widely accepted in China. However, the existing Se speciation analysis methods such as protease K-based or trypsin-protease XIV-based, have low extraction rate and enzymatic hydrolysis rate (<30%) on the Se-enriched edible fungi, resulting that it is impossible to effectively evaluate Se transformation and safety of Se-enriched edible fungi. In order to improve the extraction rate and enzymatic hydrolysis rates, 12 extraction methods (combination of buffer solutions and enzymes) including 4 two-step extraction methods and 8 three-step extraction methods were applied to extract Se from high Se-enriched Ganoderma lucidum (Total Se content 245.7 μg/g in dry matter (DW)) in the present study. The results displayed that one three-step sequential extraction method as aqueous solution extraction-pepsin extraction-trypsin extraction performed the best, by which the total Se extraction rate could reach 65%, the total Se enzyme hydrolysis rate was 40%, and the Se speciation was revealed as Selenite (63.6%), SeCys2 (20.1%), SeMeCys (14.8%) and SeMet (1.5%) in this high Se-enriched Ganoderma lucidum. This study offers a reliable and efficient method to evaluate the Se transformation and the Se safety in high Se-enriched edible fungi.
Understanding Particulate Matter Retention and Wash-Off during Rainfall in Relation to Leaf Traits of Urban Forest Tree Species
Authors: Kwak Myeong Ja , Lee Jongkyu , Park Sanghee , Lim Yea Ji , Kim Handong , Jeong Su Gyeong , Son Joung-a , Je Sun Mi , Chang Hanna , Oh Chang-Young , Kim Kyongha , Woo Su Young
Published: January 2023

Dynamic particulate matter (PM) behavior on leaves depends on rainfall events, leaf structural and physical properties, and individual tree crowns in urban forests. To address this dependency, we compared the observed relationships between PM wash-off ability and leaf traits on inner and outer crown-positioned leaves during rainfall events. Data showed significant differences in the PM wash-off ability between inner and outer crown-positioned leaves relative to rainfall events due to leaf macro- and micro-structure and geometric properties among tree species. Our results showed that PM wash-off effects on leaf surfaces were negatively associated with trichome density and size of leaf micro-scale during rainfall events. Specifically, Quercus acutissima with dense trichomes and micro-level surface roughness with narrow grooves on leaf surfaces showed lower total PM wash-off in both inner (−38%) and outer (105%) crowns during rainfall. Thus, their rough leaves in the inner crown might newly capture and/or retain more PM than smooth leaves even under rainfall conditions. More importantly, Euonymus japonicus, with a thin film-like wax coverage without trichome, led to higher total PM wash-off in both inner (368%) and outer (629%) crowns during rainfall. Furthermore, we studied the changes in PM wash-off during rainfall events by comparing particle size fractions, revealing a very significant association with macro-scale, micro-scale, and geometric features.
Optimization of Morphogenesis and In Vitro Production of Five Hyacinthus orientalis Cultivars
Authors: El-Naggar Hany M. , Shehata Ashraf M. , Moubarak Maneea , Osman Amira R.
Published: January 2023

To maximize the economic benefits of Hyacinthus orientalis L., the micropropagation and morphogenesis induction of five Hyacinthus cultivars were investigated under four different concentrations of indole acetic acid (IAA) with two cytokinins, benzyl adenine (BA), or kinetin (Kin). Days for morphogenesis initiation and shoot formation in the red cultivars were fewer than in the blue and white cultivars. Blue cultivars showed an increase in fresh weight and chlorophyll content under either BA or Kin, but they showed an increase in shoot height in the BA treatments only. IAA at 1.5 mg/L caused a time reduction in days for morphogenesis induction and shoot formation and enhanced shoot height and fresh weight. Kin had a lesser impact than BA on all parameters at all concentrations. The number of shoots differed significantly among the cultivars. The Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) produced the highest percentage of root formation (93.3%), number of roots/plantlet (5.26), and root length (1.10 cm). The Jan Bos cultivar at 3.0 mg/L IBA had the highest mean rooting percentage (100%) and number of roots per plantlet (6.66), while Pink Pearl had the highest root length (1.39 cm).
Nutrient Changes in Berries of “Anab-e-Shahi” and “Perllete” Varieties of Grapes with Advancing Phenology in the Growing Season
Authors: Malik Abdul R. , Mushtaq Rafiya , Kirmani Shoaib N. , Bhat Khalid M. , Ganie Mumtaz A. , Wani Sajad M. , Bhat Rifat , Soundri Amarjeet S. , Banday Saba , El-Serehy Hamed
Published: January 2023

Understanding how nutrients accumulate and change throughout the developmental stages according to the BBCH scale can be a very effective technique for developing fertilization programmes for high-quality, marketable grape production. Accordingly, the macro- and micronutrient concentrations at different growth stages were analyzed for two commercial grape cultivars, viz., “Anab-e-Shahi” and “Perlette”, by using an extended BBCH scale. The results show nitrogen content was reduced during the sampling period (D1 to D6) from 1.76 percent to 1.09 percent. Potassium concentration in developing berries kept on increasing from 0.15%, at principal growth stage 7 with BBCH code 73 (D1), to 0.26% at principal growth stage 8 code 89 (D6). The lowest phosphorus content of 253.88 ppm and the highest of 338.43 ppm were found in growth stages D1 and D6, respectively. The berry Ca however showed an increase first and thereafter decreased to 225.18 ppm at harvest. Mg content also recorded a similar trend from stages D1 to D6 of the BBCH scale and decreased to 116.08 ppm at D6. B and Cu concentrations increased from D1 to D6, and Mn and Zn increased first and decreased thereafter until harvest. No specific trend was recorded in Fe concentration. The concentration of nutrients in berries at different developmental stages can be used as the standard reference for growing berries using proper fertilization.
Peroxidative Oxidation of Cyclohexane Using 3d Metal Complexes with Hydrazone-Derived Ligands as Catalysts: Exploring (Un)Conventional Conditions
Authors: Reis Conceição Nuno , Nobre Beatriz P. , Gurbanov Atash V. , Palavra António M. F. , Guedes da Silva M. Fátima C. , Mahmudov Kamran T. , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: January 2023

Two tetranuclear and two mononuclear Cu(II) complexes with arylhydrazones of malononitrile derived ligands (compounds 1–2 and 3–4, respectively), one trinuclear Co(II/III) complex with an arylhydrazone of acetoacetanilide (5) and one tetranuclear Zn(II) complex of 3-(2-carboxyphenyl-hydrazone)pentane-2,4-dione (6) were screened as potential catalysts in the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane by aqueous H2O2 in acetonitrile. The best results were attained in the presence of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (PCA) with 1 (26% yield, TON = 52.0) and with 2 (24%, TON = 48.0) after 4 h at 40 °C. In the presence of complexes 5 and 6, no oxygenated products were detected in the studied conditions. The employment of non-conventional conditions like supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as reaction medium or microwave (MW) irradiation was assessed for complexes 1 and 2. After 6 h in acetonitrile–scCO2, at 50 °C and with HNO3 as promoter, only 17% yield was achieved using 1 as catalyst, and 21% using 2. Total yields of oxygenates up to 14 (with 1) and 13% (2) and TOFs of 56.0 and 52.0 h−1, respectively, were obtained working under MW irradiation at 70 °C and for the much shorter time of 0.5 h.
Potential of Insect Life Stages as Functional Ingredients for Improved Nutrition and Health
Authors: Tanga Chrysantus M. , Mokaya Hosea O. , Kasiera Wendie , Subramanian Sevgan
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to provide information on the nutrients of the edible larval stage of Gonimbrasia cocaulti (GC) for the first time, while exploring the potential nutrient content of the pupal life stages of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori; BM) and the Eri silkworm (Samia Cynthia ricini; SC). The three insects were analyzed for fatty acids, minerals, proximate composition and vitamins. Among the fatty acids, linoleic, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, was approximately threefold higher in GC than in the silkworms. The Ca, Fe and K contents were highest in GC. However, the Zn and Na contents were highest in BM, while Mg content was predominant in SC. The crude protein content of the various developmental life stages of the edible caterpillars and pupae ranged between 50 and 62%. Further, the fiber content of GC was substantially higher compared to the pupal stages of the two silkworm species. The vitamin (B6, B9, B12 and α-tocopherol) levels of the two insect life stages were considerably high. These insects are comparably rich in nutrients with potential suitability to be utilized in food fortification and thus ease pressure on the over-reliance on animal and plant-based sources, which are becoming unsustainable.
Assessment on Potential Suitable Habitats of the Grasshopper Oedaleus decorus asiaticus in North China based on MaxEnt Modeling and Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Sun Zhongxiang , Ye Huichun , Huang Wenjiang , Qimuge Erden , Bai Huiqing , Nie Chaojia , Lu Longhui , Qian Binxiang , Wu Bo
Published: January 2023

Grasshopper populations can quickly grow to catastrophic levels, causing a huge amount of damage in a short time. Oedaleus decorus asiaticus (Bey-Bienko) (O. d. asiaticus) is the most serious species in Xilingol League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The region is not only an important grassland but also a site of agricultural heritage systems in China. Therefore, projecting the potential geographic distribution of O. d. asiaticus to provide an early warning is vital. Here, we combined temperature, precipitation, soil, vegetation, and topography with remote sensing data to screen the predictors that best characterize the current geographical distribution of O. d. asiaticus. A MaxEnt model approach was applied to project the potential suitable distribution of O. d. asiaticus in Xilingol League (the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China) combined with a set of optimized parameters. The modeling results indicated that there were six main habitat factors that determined the suitable distribution of O. d. asiaticus such as the soil type (ST), grassland type (GT), elevation, precipitation during the growing period (GP), precipitation during the spawning period (SP), and normalized difference vegetation index during the overwintering period (ONDVI). The simulated result was good, with average AUC and TSS values of 0.875 and 0.812, respectively. The potential inhabitable areas of grasshoppers were 198,527 km2, distributed mainly in West Urumqi, Xilinhot City, East Urumqi, Abaga Banner, and Xianghuang Banner of Xilingol League. This study is valuable to guide managers and decision-makers to prevent and control the occurrence of O. d. asiaticus early on and this study may facilitate meaningful reductions in pesticide application.
Apparatus Development for the Measurement of the Thermal Conductivity of Geothermal Backfill Materials
Authors: Castán-Fernández C. , Marcos-Robredo G. , Castro-García M. P. , Rey-Ronco M. A. , Alonso-Sánchez T.
Published: January 2023

This paper describes the design, construction, validation, and calibration of a thermal conductivity measuring apparatus for geothermal backfill materials in the range from 0.13–2.80 W/m·K. The developed apparatus is based on the Transient Hot Wire (THW) method whose mathematical basis is the Infinite Linear Source (ILS) model. The apparatus consists of a nichrome hot wire, an adjustable direct current power supply, a temperature sensor (K-type thermocouple), and a datalogger. For the validation and calibration of the developed apparatus, four standard samples have been used with a known thermal conductivity, to 3.0 W/m·K. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity of four geothermal backfill materials of common use (bentonite, neat cement, cement–sand mortar, and cement–bentonite mortar) has been measured using both the developed apparatus and a commercial meter.
An Automatic Question Generator for Chinese Comprehension
Authors: Fung Yin-Chun , Lee Lap-Kei , Chui Kwok Tai
Published: January 2023

Question generation (QG) is a natural language processing (NLP) problem that aims to generate natural questions from a given sentence or paragraph. QG has many applications, especially in education. For example, QG can complement teachers’ efforts in creating assessment materials by automatically generating many related questions. QG can also be used to generate frequently asked question (FAQ) sets for business. Question answering (QA) can benefit from QG, where the training dataset of QA can be enriched using QG to improve the learning and performance of QA algorithms. However, most of the existing works and tools in QG are designed for English text. This paper presents the design of a web-based question generator for Chinese comprehension. The generator provides a user-friendly web interface for users to generate a set of wh-questions (i.e., what, who, when, where, why, and how) based on a Chinese text conditioned on a corresponding set of answer phrases. The web interface allows users to easily refine the answer phrases that are automatically generated by the web generator. The underlying question generation is based on the transformer approach, which was trained on a dataset combined from three publicly available Chinese reading comprehension datasets, namely, DRUD, CMRC2017, and CMRC2018. Linguistic features such as parts of speech (POS) and named-entity recognition (NER) are extracted from the text, which together with the original text and the answer phrases, are then fed into a machine learning algorithm based on a pre-trained mT5 model. The generated questions with answers are displayed in a user-friendly format, supplemented with the source sentences in the text used for generating each question. We expect the design of this web tool to provide insight into how Chinese question generation can be made easily accessible to users with low computer literacy.
Early Mortality in Infants Born with Neonatally Operated Congenital Heart Defects and Low or Very-Low Birthweight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Derridj Neil , Ghanchi Ali , Bonnet Damien , Adnot Pauline , Rahshenas Makan , Salomon Laurent J. , Cohen Jérémie F. , Khoshnood Babak
Published: January 2023

Mortality outcomes of children with isolated neonatally operated congenital heart defects (CHDs) born with a low (LBW), moderately low (MLBW) or very-low birthweight (VLBW) remain ambiguous. We searched Medline and Embase (inception until October 2021) and included studies that evaluated early mortality. The risk of bias was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program cohort checklist. Meta-analysis involved random-effects models. We explored variability in mortality across birthweight subgroups, CHD types, and study designs. From 2035 reports, we included 23 studies in qualitative synthesis, and the meta-analysis included 11 studies (1658 CHD cases), divided into 30 subcohorts. The risk of bias was low in 4/11 studies included in the meta-analysis. Summary mortality before discharge or within one month after surgery was 37% (95%CI 27–47). Early mortality varied by birthweight (VLBW 56%, MLBW 15%, LBW 16%; p = 0.003) and CHD types (hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) 50%, total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) 47%, transposition of the great arteries (TGA) 34%, coarctation of the aorta (CoA) 16%; p = 0.13). Mortality was higher in population-based studies (49% vs. 10%; p = 0.006). One-third of infants born with neonatally operated isolated CHDs and LBW, MLBW, or VLBW died within 30 days after surgery. Mortality varied across infant and study characteristics. These results may help clinicians assess neonatal prognosis. PROSPERO registration CRD42020170289.
The Prognostic Value of Pulmonary Venous Flow Reversal in Patients with Significant Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Shechter Alon , Butcher Steele C. , Siegel Robert J. , Awesat Jenan , Abitbol Merry , Vaturi Mordehay , Sagie Alex , Kornowski Ran , Shapira Yaron , Yedidya Idit
Published: January 2023

Background: The prognostic significance of pulmonary venous (PV) flow reversal in degenerative mitral regurgitation (dMR) is not well-established. Objective: We aimed to assess whether reversed PV flow is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with significant dMR. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients referred to a tertiary center for evaluation of dMR of greater than moderate degree, who had normal sinus rhythm, had a left ventricular ejection fraction of above 60%, and did not suffer from any other major valvular disorders. The primary outcome was the combined rate of all-cause mortality, mitral intervention, or new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) at 5 years following index echocardiogram. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the primary outcome. Results: Overall, 135 patients (median age 68 (IQR, 58–74) years; 93 (68.9%) males; 89 (65.9%) with severe MR) met the inclusion criteria and were followed for 115.2 (IQR, 60.0–155.0) months. Patients with a reversed PV flow pattern (PVFP) (n = 34) more often presented with severe MR compared to those with a normal (n = 49) and non-reversed PVFP (n = 101) (RR = 2.03 and 1.59, respectively, all p < 0.001). At 5 years, they experienced the highest cumulative incidence of the primary outcome (80.2% vs. 59.2% and 67.3%, p = 0.008 and 0.018, respectively). Furthermore, a reversed PVFP was independently associated with a higher risk of the primary outcome compared to normal PVFP (HR 2.53, 95% CI 1.21–5.31, p = 0.011) and non-reversed PVFP (HR 2.14, 95% CI 1.12–4.10, p = 0.022). Conclusion: PV flow reversal is associated with a worse 5-year composite of mortality, mitral intervention, or AF in patients with significant dMR.
Ciclopirox Inhibition of eIF5A Hypusination Attenuates Fibroblast Activation and Cardiac Fibrosis
Authors: Subbaiah Kadiam C. Venkata , Wu Jiangbin , Tang Wai Hong Wilson , Yao Peng
Published: January 2023

Cardiac fibrosis is a primary contributor to heart failure (HF), and is considered to be a targetable process for HF therapy. Cardiac fibroblast (CF) activation accompanied by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) production is central to the initiation and maintenance of fibrotic scarring in cardiac fibrosis. However, therapeutic compounds targeting CF activation remain limited in treating cardiac fibrosis. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A), upon being hypusinated, is essential for the translation elongation of proline-codon rich mRNAs. In this study, we found that increased hypusinated eIF5A protein levels were associated with cardiac fibrosis and heart dysfunction in myocardial infarction (MI) mouse models. Ciclopirox (CPX), an FDA-approved antifungal drug, inhibits the deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH) enzyme required for eIF5A hypusination. Results from preventive and reversal mouse models suggest that CPX treatment significantly reduced MI-driven cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function. In vitro studies of isolated mouse primary CFs revealed that inhibition of eIF5A hypusination using CPX significantly abolished TGFβ induced CF proliferation, activation, and collagen expression. Proteomic analysis from mouse CFs reveals that CPX downregulates the expression of proline-rich proteins that are enriched in extracellular matrix and cell adhesion pathways. Our findings are relevant to human heart disease, as increased hypusinated eIF5A levels were observed in heart samples of ischemic heart failure patients compared to healthy subjects. Together, these results suggest that CPX can be repurposed to treat cardiac fibrosis and ischemic heart failure.
Metformin Directly Binds to MMP-9 to Improve Plaque Stability
Authors: Chen Xianda , Wang Shuaixing , Xu Wenli , Zhao Mingming , Zhang Youyi , Xiao Han
Published: January 2023

Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque rupture is the principal mechanism that accounts for myocardial infarction and stroke. High matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and activity have been proven to lead to plaque instability. Metformin, a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, is beneficial to plaque vulnerability. However, the mechanism underlying its anti-atherogenic effect remains unclear. Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance experiments showed that metformin directly interacts with MMP-9, and incubated MMP-9 overexpressing HEK293A cells with metformin (1 μmol·L−1) significantly attenuates MMP-9’s activity using zymography and MMP activity assays. Moreover, metformin treatment drives MMP-9 degradation. Next, we constructed a carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque model and administered consecutive 14-day metformin (200 mg·kg−1·d−1) treatment by intragastric gavage. Immunofluorescence staining of the right carotid common artery and serum MMP activity assay results showed that metformin treatment decreased local plaque MMP-9 protein level and circulating MMP-9 activity, respectively. Histochemical staining revealed that after metformin treatment, the collagen content in plaque was significantly preserved, and the plaque vulnerability index decreased. These findings suggested that metformin improved atherosclerotic plaque stability by directly binding to MMP-9 and driving its degradation.
Different Moro Zones of Psoas Major Affect the Clinical Outcomes after Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Retrospective Study of 94 Patients
Authors: Song Zefeng , Chen Xingda , Zhou Zelin , Chen Wanyan , Zhu Guangye , Jiang Rueishiuan , Zhang Peng , Lin Shaohao , Wang Xiaowen , Yu Xiang , Ren Hui , Liang De , Cui Jianchao , Tang Jingjing , Jiang Xiaobing
Published: January 2023

Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) has been driven to the maturity stage in recent years. However, postoperative symptoms such as thigh paresthesia resulting from intraoperative retraction of the psoas major (PM) have sometimes occurred. The aim of this study was to assess the different positions and morphology of PM muscles and their relationship with clinical outcomes after OLIF by introducing the Moro zones. Patients who underwent L4-5 OLIF at our institution between April 2019 and June 2021 were reviewed and all data were recorded. All patients were grouped by Moro zones into a Moro A cohort and a Moro I and II cohort based on the front edges of their left PM muscles. A total of 94 patients were recruited, including 57 in the Moro A group and 37 in the Moro I and II group. Postoperative thigh pain or numbness occurred in 12 (21.1%) and 2 (5.4%) patients in the Moro A group and the Moro I and II group, respectively. There was no difference in the psoas major transverse diameter (PMTD) between groups preoperatively, while longer PMTD was revealed postoperatively in the Moro A group. The operating window (OW) and psoas major sagittal diameter (PMSD) showed significant differences within and between groups. Thirteen patients had teardrop-shaped PM muscles, with 92.3% in the Moro A group showing significantly worse clinical scores at 1-week follow-up. The Moro zones of the PM affected the short-term outcomes after OLIF. Preoperative measurements and analysis of OW, PMSD and PM morphology should be performed as necessary to predict short-term outcomes.