bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of plant oil in stabilizing the antioxidants, phenolic compounds and antimicrobial effects of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) oil
Authors: Uguru H. , Akpokodje O. I. , Hemdan Dalia I. , Sami Rokayya , Helal Mahmoud , Aljahani Amani H. , Ashour Amal Adnan , Algehainy Naseh A.
Published: June 2023

This study appraised the biological qualities of blended groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) oil to determine its nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. Two sets of oils were produced; one with 100% groundnut kernels and the other produced by blending 500 g of groundnut kernels,
with 100 g of onion bulbs, 100 g of ginger and 50 g of pepper. Three heavy metals (iron, lead and copper), iodine value, nitrate, thirteen phenolic compounds, thirteen antioxidants compounds, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and antimicrobial actions of both the fortified (FGKO)
and the unfortified (GKO) groundnut oil were quantified. The results revealed that the fortified oil developed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher concentrations of phenolic compounds, antioxidants parameters, iodine value, antimicrobial actions and TBARS than the unfortified oil, which
it (FGKO) maintained throughout the storage period. Conversely, the GKO had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher heavy metals and nitrate concentrations than the FGKO. This portrayed that the combination of ginger, onions and pepper oils greatly enhanced the groundnut oil’s quality.
The oils (GKO and FGKO) antioxidants followed an increasing concentration trend: ascorbic acid < proanthocyanin < β-carotene < resveratrol < isoflavonoids < Flavone < tocopherol < catechin < kaempferol < aglycone < gallocatechin < ribalinidine <
lunamarin, revealing that the oils had high Gallocatechin, Ribalinidine and Lunamarin concentrations, and low ascorbic acid and proanthocyanin concentrations. Likewise, the oils phenolic compounds concentration followed this increment pattern: quercetin < naringenin < anthocyanin <
rutin < ferulic acid < sapogenin < spartein < vanillic acid < luteolin < hydroxytyrosol< epicatechin < coumaric acid < ellagic acid. The findings revealed that the FGKO had a lot of preservative, medicinal and nutritional values, when compared to the GKO. These results
portrayed the potential of using low-cost agricultural materials for promising and novel use in the production of nutrients rich oils. The hybridization of ginger, onions and pepper oils will be a good replacement for synthetic materials in improving oil qualities, thus eliminating the high
risk factors associated with the introduction of synthetic blending materials. The FGKO has these potentials in the food industry: enhancement of food shelf life though inhibition of food spoilage agents, nutrients booster and natural flavor agent.
Effect of concrete mixing plant sludge powder on properties of ultra-high performance concrete
Authors: Liu Hongxin , Tao Hongyu , Han Xudong , Wu Haofeng , He Zhihai
Published: June 2023

The output of concrete mixing plant sludge (CMPS) is large and increases year by year, which needs to be disposed urgently. The effect of CMPS powder replacing silica fume (SF) on the properties of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) was investigated through testing the fluidity,
compressive strengths, shrinkage, pore structure, micromorphology and nanoscale properties. The obtained results indicated that the use of CMPS powder substituting SF improved the fluidity of UHPC; 20% CMPS powder replacing SF increased the compressive strengths of UHPC, but with the further
increase of CMPS powder, the strengths of UHPC were reduced, and the compressive strength of UHPC including 60% CMPS powder was less than 100 MPa at 28 days; the incorporation of CMPS powder increased the shrinkage of UHPC, so it is necessary to pay attention to the cracking sensitivity of
CMPS powder UHPC; the use of CMPS powder replacing 20% SF produced more calcium silicate hydrate and reduced porosity of UHPC, and had no remarkable effect on the interfacial transition zone of UHPC.
Developing an Equity-Centered Practice: Teacher Study Groups in the Preservice Context
Authors: Firestone Allison R. , Cruz Rebecca A. , Massey Darcie
Published: June 2023

Equity-centered preparation builds novice teachers’ capacity to make meaningful instruction accessible to all students, particularly those historically excluded from high-quality learning experiences. Drawing on social learning theory, we examined Teacher Study Groups as a model for supporting preservice special educators’ development of equity-centered practices. We examined 60 preservice teachers’ instruction prior to and following study group participation, embedded in a fieldwork support course, alongside related artifacts shared during weekly sessions. Using a convergent mixed-methods approach, we analyzed quantitative and qualitative data separately and then integrated findings using joint display analysis; in doing so, we generated meta-inferences regarding how teachers’ attitudes mediated growth in practice. We uncovered salient participatory experiences that influenced—and hindered—professional growth. Our findings have implications for programs interested in structuring professional learning in a manner that builds foundations for an equity-centered practice.
Heat transport mechanism in glycerin-titania nanofluid over a permeable slanted surface by considering nanoparticles aggregation and Cattaneo Christov thermal flux
Authors: Alharbi Khalid Abdulkhaliq M , Adnan  , Nadeem Aneesa , Eldin Sayed M
Published: June 2023

Applications:

The dynamics of superior heat transport fluids are of much interest and dominant over traditional fluids. Applications of such fluids can be found in advanced medical sciences, to maintain the building temperature, environmental sciences, chemical engineering, food engineering, and other applied research areas where enhanced heat transfer is required.

Aim and Research Methodology:

The major aim of this research is to report the thermal performance of the Glycerin-titania nanofluid using a thermal conductivity model comprising the effects of nanoparticles aggregation, and CCTF over a permeable slanted surface. The enhanced heat transport model was then analyzed numerically via RK scheme and furnished the outcomes with graphical aid under the variations of physical parameters.

Core Findings:

It is examined that the addition of CCTF (A1) in the model potentially contributes to thermal performance of aggregated nanofluid. The temperature [Formula: see text] enhances for injecting fluid from the surface and reduces due to strong suction. Further, the fluid particles attained maximum velocity for [Formula: see text] at the surface and it shows asymptotic behavior far from the working domain.
Care, choice, complexities: The circulations of hormone therapy in early menopause
Authors: Flore Jacinthe , Kokanović Renata , Johnston-Ataata Kate , Hickey Martha , Teede Helena , Vincent Amanda , Boyle Jacqueline A.
Published: June 2023

Navigating whether to prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) requires that health practitioners approach a woman’s individual life circumstances, and early menopause (EM) as a particularly intricate experience and condition. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 16 practitioners in Australia, this article examines the modalities of care that emerge in the nexus of EM and HRT. Early menopause emerges in participants’ narratives as far from a ‘unitary’ medical condition, but rather one that reaches across other embodied changes for women which may be moderated by HRT. Thus, different modes of care and tensions surface, and we suggest that these constitute an oscillation between ‘caring for’ and ‘caring with’ in medical practice. This oscillation combines experimentation with and adjustment of HRT, while contending with responsibility, risk and choice, and shared, knowledgeable care. Our goal is not to neatly split ‘caring for’ from ‘caring with’. Rather, we discuss how ambiguities of care circulate through a complex diagnosis and its treatment options. We argue that care, in this context, manifests as potentiality and as a set of flexible practices that at times cannot be fully disentangled from issues of choice and control, and HRT itself.
Tansig type NLESO-based integral terminal sliding mode control for modular robot manipulators with uncertain disturbance: Theory and experimental verification
Authors: Dong Bo , Cao Yuxin , Cui Yiming , Wang Tianhe , An Tianjiao
Published: June 2023

To overcome the mutual constraints between the system chattering and the arrival time in conventional sliding mode control in this paper, a tangent excitation function (tansig) type nonlinear extended state observer (NLESO)-based integral terminal sliding mode control is proposed to solve the trajectory tracking control task of the modular robot manipulators (MRMs) possessing strong coupling and complex time-varying properties. Through the joint torque feedback technology, the MRM system dynamic model is formulated; on this basis, the proposed NLESO based on tansig is utilized to estimate and compensate the system uncertain information, which are consisted of the friction, interconnected dynamic coupling, and external disturbance. The proposed NLESO can simplify the traditional extended state observer design parameters for theoretical analysis and practical application. The proposed tansig-type NLESO-based integral terminal sliding mode control integrated adaptive term exponential reaching law for MRMs is designed to diminish the arrival time when the system state converges to the equilibrium point. The presented algorithm improves the robotic system antidisturbance ability. Furthermore, the Lyapunov theory is utilized to verify stability of the proposed NLESO and closed-loop robotic system. Finally, the availability of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by experiments.
Enchanting Pedagogy: Creating Labor Games in the Extractive University
Authors: Germain Justin
Published: June 2023

Through ethnographic fieldwork as a Teaching Assistant (TA) at the University of California, Berkeley, I advance that pedagogical labor can be conceptualized as two labor games. In the didactic game, I utilize hierarchical lecturing to simplify complex concepts in the pursuit of student comprehension of material, while the experiential game centers nonhierarchical dialogue and students’ personal experiences to promote consciousness-raising. TAs’ ability to create and switch between games underpins my broader theorization of labor games as one of two types: institutional games – shared among workers in similar structural circumstances and persistent across worker entry and exit – and innovation games – created by individual workers with relative autonomy amidst an absence of worker co-presence. Just as institutional games provide a template for obscuring and securing the extraction of surplus value under monopoly capitalism, innovation games do the same for the increasingly flexible, autonomous capitalism of the twenty-first century.
Metagenomic identification of a novel oomycete cultured from a pyogranulomatous mass on the tail of a domestic cat
Authors: Bowman Jesse , Gull Tamara , Ulmanis Eugene G. , Ogunbadewa Anthony J. , Shen Zhenyu , Johnson Gayle J. , Odemuyiwa Solomon O.
Published: June 2023

We report here a transiently culturable oomycete pathogen isolated from a pyogranulomatous tail mass in a cat. The organism was morphologically and genetically distinct from Lagenidium and Pythium species. Following next-generation sequencing (NGS) and assembly of contigs, initial phylogenetic analysis using fragments of the cox1 mitochondrial gene identified this specimen as Paralagenidium sp. after nucleotide alignments with sequences obtained from the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). However, further analysis of a concatenation of 13 different mitochondrial genes showed that this organism is unique and different from all known oomycetes. A negative PCR result using primers targeting known oomycete pathogens may not be enough to rule out oomycosis in a suspected case. Additionally, the use of a single gene to classify oomycetes may produce misleading results. The advent of metagenomic sequencing and NGS provides a unique opportunity to further explore the diversity of oomycetes as plant and animal pathogens beyond the current capabilities of global barcoding projects that are based on partial genomic sequences.
More than anything: Advocating for synthetic architectures within large-scale language-image models
Authors: Koehler Daniel
Published: June 2023

Large-scale language-image (LLI) models have the potential to open new forms of critical practice through architectural research. Their success enables designers to research within discourses that are profoundly connected to the built environment but did not previously have the resources to engage in spatial research. Although LLI models do not generate coherent building ensembles, they offer an esthetic experience of an AI infused design practice. This paper contextualizes diffusion models architecturally. Through a comparison of approaches to diffusion models in architecture, this paper outlines data-centric methods that allow architects to design critically using computation. The design of text-driven latent spaces extends the histories of typological design to synthetic environments including non-building data into an architectural space. More than synthesizing quantic ratios in various arrangements, the architect contributes by assessing new categorical differences into generated work. The architects’ creativity can elevate LLI models with a synthetic architecture, nonexistent in the data sets the models learned from.
Real-world patient characteristics and treatment patterns of polycythemia vera in Taiwan between 2016 and 2017: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Hsien , Yu Lennex Hsueh-Lin , Yu Ming-Sun , Huang Shih-Hao , Lin Alex Jia-Hong , Lee Kuan-Der , Chen Min-Chi
Published: June 2023

Background:

Polycythemia vera (PV) patients often experience constitutional symptoms and are at risk of thromboembolism as well as disease progression to myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukemia. Not only is PV often overlooked but treatment options are also limited, however.

Objectives:

To explore the patient characteristics and treatment pattern of PV patients in Taiwan, and compare with other countries reported in the literature.

Design:

This is a nationwide cross-sectional study.

Methods:

The National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan, which covers 99% of the population, was utilized. Patients were identified during the cross-sectional period between 2016 and 2017, and their retrospective data were retrieved from 2001 to 2017.

Results:

A total of 2647 PV patients were identified between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2017. This study described the demographic information of these patients, including number of patients by risk stratification and by sex, age at diagnosis, age at cross-sectional period, rate of bone marrow aspiration/biopsy at diagnosis, comorbidities, number of postdiagnosis thrombosis, number of disease progression, and death. The mortality rate of PV patients (4.1%) over 60 of age was higher than the general population of the same age group (2.8%). This study also compared the different treatment patterns between sexes and risk groups. Hydroxyurea was deferred to an older age, but conversely was prescribed at higher dose to younger patients. Alarmingly, a high proportion of patients did not receive phlebotomy or hydroxyurea for at least 2 years. Furthermore, discrepancies in prevalence, age at diagnosis, sex ratio, incidence of thrombosis and mortality were also found when compared with data reported in other countries.

Conclusion:

The clinical landscape of PV in Taiwan between 2016 and 2017 was examined. Distinctive patterns of phlebotomy and hydroxyurea were identified. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of understanding the patient characteristics and treatment patterns of PV in different regions to better inform clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
A Multi-Criteria Model for the Techno-Economic Evaluation of Fat Removal Technologies From Dairy Waste
Authors: Bolico Pletsch Guilherme , Setti Dalmarino , de Lima José Donizetti , Adamczuk Oliveira Gilson , Pimentel Tatiana Colombo
Published: June 2023

This paper presents a multi-criteria model to identify the best technology for separating fat from dairy waste and evaluates the economic feasibility of its implementation. Also, the model incorporates the analysis of the project specificities. The methodology was structured in four steps: (i) identification of criteria and technologies by systematic literature review; (ii) acquisition of qualitative information (linguistic variables) from Brazilian and international experts; (iii) application of the TOPSIS 2-tuple multi-criteria linguistic method to rank the technologies; and (iv) evaluation of the economic viability of the best technology identified using the EMIM (expanded multi-index methodology). Separation by centrifugal force, solvent, heating/decanting, acid hydrolysis, and combined methods were the separation technologies most used in the literature and, therefore the considered alternatives. The model was validated in a dairy industry that produces 3,000 m3/day of waste, with 3% fat. The performance of the technologies concerning five criteria was between medium poor and good for both groups of experts. Also, the experts indicate centrifugal force as the preferred technology. This technology is economically viable, as it presented a high degree of return and low levels of risks and sensitivities. It is estimated a potential profit of R$ 55 million (NPV) over the project’s entire life cycle, equivalent to an annual return of approximately R$ 14 million (ANPV). This represents an Additional Return on Investment—ROIA of 51.17% annually. The Payback discounted occurs in the first year of its implementation. Similar analyses may apply the model we propose for other contexts involving technologies selection.
Telecollaboration Tool Preferences for Online Intercultural Learning in Higher Education: Perspectives of Chinese International Students
Authors: Zhang Bo , Goodman Lizbeth , Gu Xiaoqing
Published: June 2023

Communication and learning across cultures is always a challenge during the development of educational internationalization. Higher education institutions worldwide are progressively under pressure to support and embrace multicultural student bodies and intercultural exchange. In recent years, some overseas universities have conducted opportunities for online pre-communication and interaction with local students and staff via telecollaboration tools for their incoming international students. It seems that telecollaboration can positively develop students’ multicultural communication skills based on appropriate online communication tools. However, we think it is important to consider students’ cultural contexts and individual preferences and needs to choose a suitable telecollaboration tool for online intercultural learning. This study explored Chinese international students’ (one of the largest mobile student groups worldwide at the tertiary level) uses and opinions regarding what online communication tool would be the most appropriate telecollaboration tool to support effective online intercultural learning. These participants’ uses for and views regarding the online telecollaboration tools were gathered through a mixed-method analysis of an online questionnaire’s responses and a focus group’s interview responses with a semi-structured questionnaire. The results indicated that although online communication tools, such as email and video chatting, were convenient for communicating and sharing information with others, these tools cannot entirely satisfy participants’ demands for an effective online intercultural learning experience. The results revealed that virtual environments have the features of meeting participants’ preferences for the desired telecollaboration tool and have a positive potential to deliver an effective online intercultural learning environment.
Evaluation of Construct Validity and Reliability of the Arabic and English Versions of Biggs Study Process Scale Among Saudi University Students
Authors: Butt Nadeem Shafique , Bashir Muhammad Abid , Alzahrani Sami Hamdan , Gazzaz Zohair Jamil , Malik Ahmad Azam
Published: June 2023

Learning approaches are assumed as the utmost important aspect in all academic proceedings. With the identification of students’ learning approaches, relevant institutes can devise appropriate instructional strategies. Many models have been used to explore learning approaches and styles among students, but mostly in the developed world. Literature is further scarce in the Arab region. This study aimed to assess the construct validity and reliability of the revised Biggs Study Process Questionnaire-2-factor (R-SPQ-2F) both in English and Arabic. The study also explored the learning approaches among students at King Abdulaziz University Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study comprised 556 participants and was carried out from October 15th, 2020, to January 15th, 2021. The reliability of the complete scale and its subscales showed good reliability, Cronbach’s α ranges from .881 to .925. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed no notable discriminant and convergent validity concerns, and all fit indices were well above threshold levels for both English and Arabic Versions. A significantly higher median deep learning score was observed in males and students with ≥4.0 GPA ( p = .018 and .012, respectively).
Challenges in Obstetric Morbidity and Mortality, With Special Reference to India: A Literature Review
Authors: Dhara Shromona , Mozumdar Arupendra , Roy Subho
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this article was to conduct a review on the determinants of maternal morbidity and mortality, obstetric health scenario, especially after the implementation of the Janani Surksha Yojana (JSY) and recognise the existing gaps in research in obstetric health and healthcare utilisation in India. The articles were retrieved using search engines like Google Scholar and PubMed, using specific combination of terms along with the grey literature available in national and regional health databases. Although the current medical knowledge and interventions are capable to tackle most physical preconditions responsible for maternal deaths, yet the utilisation of healthcare facilities depends on the available health infrastructure, human resources and quality of services that are accessible and acceptable to the beneficiaries. Acceptability especially is impacted by the health-seeking behaviour of a community. The implementation of JSY is believed to contribute to the decline of maternal mortality ratio, yet maternal health outcome reports gross inequity in terms of utilisation of antenatal care and postnatal care at many sub-national levels. Thus, micro-level studies are required to understand critically the level of utilisation of formal healthcare facilities, in order to ensure an unscathed maternal health profile throughout India.
Possibilities in an abductive perspective: Creating affordances as cognitive chances
Authors: Magnani Lorenzo
Published: June 2023

Recent studies on the so-called EEEE (extended, embodied, embedded, and enacted) cognition have demonstrated that the “environmental situatedness” of human cognition and its evolutionary component may be used to better understand cognition in general. This indicates that humans do not keep in their memory ample representations of the surroundings and their variables, but instead, they richly manipulate it by picking up information and resources, when possible and needed, that are already accessible, or that are extracted/created: it is in this perspective that we can conceptualize in a useful and deep way the concept of possibility. Information, resources, cognitive opportunities, and possibilities are actively pursued for and even created: in light of this, we may consider human cognition to be a possibility-seeking mechanism. In particular, new possibilities can be usefully seen as new “affordances”: for example, environmental anchors that enable us to more effectively utilize external resources. Of course, the availability of the proper affordances, which in turn offer cognitive possibilities, is connected to important new found concepts of discoverability and diagnosticability. Abduction is still significant in these cognitive processes because it refers to all those hypothetical inferences made by human and non-human animals that are based on deft manipulations of their surroundings, either to merely “detect” affordances or to “create” manufactured external objects (e.g. artifacts) that in turn provide new affordances and cues and so new cognitive possibilities.
The show must go on: Functional, quality, and possible needs for theater and the creative arts
Authors: Rowe Dana P. , Kaufman James C.
Published: June 2023

This paper proposes a model of three needs for theater and other creative arts. The first level, functional needs, is necessary for basic existence. For theater, that would entail such components as a physical space and players. The second level, quality needs, is comprised of the skills and abilities of the people and materials; it contributes to the professionalism and enjoyability of the show in theater. The third and final level, possible needs, is the degree to which a show or any other type of creative arts can inspire emotions, engage intellect, and develop meaning. Many of the positive outcomes that come from theater and other creative arts, we argue, are a result of this third possible level.
The Implication of SARS-CoV-2 and the Subsequent Impact of External Factors in Young Adult Survivors: A Case Report
Authors: Snyder Sydney , Al Sultan Huriah , Bloom Isaiah W. , Evans Kevin
Published: June 2023

Two participants of a similar age and progression of COVID-19 diagnosis are presented. Each individual displays artifacts consistent with COVID-19 infection and recovery. Sonographic evaluation is utilized to view the state of their lungs, after infection. However, the observed healing patterns vary between the young adults. Variation in healing due to behavioral factors, such as vaping, are possible. The intent of this case study is to alert sonographers to the sonographic lung changes that may be attributed to COVID-19 and lingering symptomatology.
A phase 2 study of pembrolizumab after autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Merrill Mwanasha H. , Dahi Parastoo B. , Redd Robert A. , McDonough Mikaela M. , Chen Yi-Bin , DeFilipp Zachariah , Herrera Alex F. , Fisher David C. , LaCasce Ann S. , Odejide Oreofe O. , Ng Samuel Y. , Jacobson Caron A. , Merryman Reid W. , Kim Austin I. , Nieto Yago L. , Sauter Craig S. , Shah Gunjan L. , Zain Jasmine M. , Armand Philippe , Jacobsen Eric D.
Published: June 2023

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is often used as consolidation for several subtypes of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) in first remission. However, many patients relapse after ASCT and have a very poor prognosis. There are no approved treatment options for posttransplantation maintenance or consolidation in PTCL. PD-1 blockade has demonstrated some efficacy for patients with PTCL. We, therefore, conducted a phase 2 multicenter study of the anti–PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab after ASCT in patients with PTCL in first remission. Pembrolizumab was administered at 200 mg IV every 3 weeks for up to 8 cycles within 21 days from post-ASCT discharge (and within 60 days of stem cell infusion). The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) at 18 months after ASCT. Twenty-one patients were treated in this study and 67% (n = 14) completed 8 cycles of treatment. Among all patients who were evaluable, 13 of 21 were alive and achieved PFS at 18 months after ASCT, meeting the study’s primary end point. The estimated 18-month PFS was 83.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 68-100), and overall survival 94.4% (95% CI, 84-100). The toxicity profile was consistent with the known toxicity profile of pembrolizumab, with no grade 5 toxicities. In conclusion, PD-1 blockade after ASCT with pembrolizumab is feasible with a favorable safety profile and promising activity, supporting further confirmatory studies. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02362997.
Arterial spin labeling MRI applied to migraine: current insights and future perspectives
Authors: Russo Antonio , Silvestro Marcello , Tessitore Alessandro , Orologio Ilaria , De Rosa Alessandro Pasquale , De Micco Rosa , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Esposito Fabrizio , Cirillo Mario
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Advanced neuroimaging techniques have extensively contributed to elucidate the complex mechanisms underpinning the pathophysiology of migraine, a neurovascular disorder characterized by episodes of headache associated with a constellation of non-pain symptoms. The present manuscript, summarizing the most recent progresses of the arterial spin labelling (ASL) MRI techniques and the most significant findings from ASL studies conducted in migraine, is aimed to clarify how ASL investigations are contributing to the evolving insight on migraine pathophysiology and their putative role in migraine clinical setting. ASL techniques, allowing to quantitatively demonstrate changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) both during the attacks and in the course of interictal period, could represent the melting point between advanced neuroimaging investigations, conducted with pure scientific purposes, and conventional neuroimaging approaches, employed in the diagnostic decision-making processes.

Main body

Converging ASL evidences have demonstrated that abnormal CBF, exceeding the boundaries of a single vascular territory, with biphasic trend dominated by an initial hypoperfusion (during the aura phenomenon but also in the first part of the headache phase) followed by hyperperfusion, characterizes migraine with aura attack and can represent a valuable clinical tool in the differential diagnosis from acute ischemic strokes and epileptic seizures.

Studies conducted during migraine without aura attacks are converging to highlight the involvement of dorsolateral pons and hypothalamus in migraine pathophysiology, albeit not able to disentangle their role as “migraine generators” from mere attack epiphenomenon. Furthermore, ASL findings tend to support the presence of perfusion abnormalities in brain regions known to be involved in aura ignition and propagation as well as in areas involved in multisensory processing, in both patients with migraine with aura and migraine without aura.

Conclusion

Although ASL studies have dramatically clarified quality and timing of perfusion abnormalities during migraine with aura attacks, the same cannot be said for perfusion changes during migraine attacks without aura and interictal periods. Future studies with more rigorous methodological approaches in terms of study protocol, ASL technique and sample selection and size are mandatory to exploit the possibility of better understanding migraine pathophysiology and identifying neuroimaging biomarkers of each migraine phase in different migraine phenotypes.
A genome-wide association study for loin depth and muscle pH in pigs from intensely selected purebred lines
Authors: Desire Suzanne , Johnsson Martin , Ros-Freixedes Roger , Chen Ching-Yi , Holl Justin W. , Herring William O. , Gorjanc Gregor , Mellanby Richard J. , Hickey John M. , Jungnickel Melissa K.
Published: June 2023

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) aim at identifying genomic regions involved in phenotype expression, but identifying causative variants is difficult. Pig Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion (pCADD) scores provide a measure of the predicted consequences of genetic variants. Incorporating pCADD into the GWAS pipeline may help their identification. Our objective was to identify genomic regions associated with loin depth and muscle pH, and identify regions of interest for fine-mapping and further experimental work. Genotypes for ~ 40,000 single nucleotide morphisms (SNPs) were used to perform GWAS for these two traits, using de-regressed breeding values (dEBV) for 329,964 pigs from four commercial lines. Imputed sequence data was used to identify SNPs in strong ($$\ge$$
≥
0.80) linkage disequilibrium with lead GWAS SNPs with the highest pCADD scores.

Results

Fifteen distinct regions were associated with loin depth and one with loin pH at genome-wide significance. Regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 7, and 16, explained between 0.06 and 3.55% of the additive genetic variance and were strongly associated with loin depth. Only a small part of the additive genetic variance in muscle pH was attributed to SNPs. The results of our pCADD analysis suggests that high-scoring pCADD variants are enriched for missense mutations. Two close but distinct regions on SSC1 were associated with loin depth, and pCADD identified the previously identified missense variant within the MC4R gene for one of the lines. For loin pH, pCADD identified a synonymous variant in the RNF25 gene (SSC15) as the most likely candidate for the muscle pH association. The missense mutation in the PRKAG3 gene known to affect glycogen content was not prioritised by pCADD for loin pH.

Conclusions

For loin depth, we identified several strong candidate regions for further statistical fine-mapping that are supported in the literature, and two novel regions. For loin muscle pH, we identified one previously identified associated region. We found mixed evidence for the utility of pCADD as an extension of heuristic fine-mapping. The next step is to perform more sophisticated fine-mapping and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis, and then interrogate candidate variants in vitro by perturbation-CRISPR assays.
In-silico assessment of high-risk non-synonymous SNPs in ADAMTS3 gene associated with Hennekam syndrome and their impact on protein stability and function
Authors: Shinwari Khyber , Wu Yurong , Rehman Hafiz Muzzammel , Xiao Ningkun , Bolkov Mikhail , Tuzankina Irina , Chereshnev Valery
Published: June 2023

Hennekam Lymphangiectasia–Lymphedema Syndrome 3 (HKLLS3) is a rare genetical disorder caused by mutations in a few genes including ADAMTS3. It is characterized by lymphatic dysplasia, intestinal lymphangiectasia, severe lymphedema and distinctive facial appearance. Up till now, no extensive studies have been conducted to elucidate the mechanism of the disease caused by various mutations. As a preliminary investigation of HKLLS3, we sorted out the most deleterious nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) that might affect the structure and function of ADAMTS3 protein by using a variety of in silico tools. A total of 919 nsSNPs in the ADAMTS3 gene were identified. 50 nsSNPs were predicted to be deleterious by multiple computational tools. 5 nsSNPs (G298R, C567Y, A370T, C567R and G374S) were found to be the most dangerous and can be associated with the disease as predicted by different bioinformatics tools. Modelling of the protein shows it can be divided into segments 1, 2 and 3, which are connected by short loops. Segment 3 mainly consists of loops without substantial secondary structures. With prediction tools and molecular dynamics simulation, some SNPs were found to significantly destabilize the protein structure and disrupt the secondary structures, especially in segment 2. The deleterious effects of mutations in segment 1 are possibly not from destabilization but from other factors such as the change in phosphorylation as suggested by post-translational modification (PTM) studies. This is the first-ever study of ADAMTS3 gene polymorphism, and the predicted nsSNPs in ADAMST3, some of which have not been reported yet in patients, will serve for diagnostic purposes and further therapeutic implications in Hennekam syndrome, contributing to better diagnosis and treatment.
Pan-genome of Citrullus genus highlights the extent of presence/absence variation during domestication and selection
Authors: Sun Yang , Kou Dou-Rong , Li Yan , Ni Jiang-Ping , Wang Jing , Zhang Yong-Mei , Wang Qing-Nan , Jiang Bin , Wang Xu , Sun Yue-Xin , Xu Xin-Tong , Tan Xiao-Juan , Zhang Yong-Jun , Kong Xiang-dong
Published: June 2023

The rich genetic diversity in Citrullus lanatus and the other six species in the Citrullus genus provides important sources in watermelon breeding. Here, we present the Citrullus genus pan-genome based on the 400 Citrullus genus resequencing data, showing that 477 Mb contigs and 6249 protein-coding genes were absent in the Citrullus lanatus reference genome. In the Citrullus genus pan-genome, there are a total of 8795 (30.5%) genes that exhibit presence/absence variations (PAVs). Presence/absence variation (PAV) analysis showed that a lot of gene PAV were selected during the domestication and improvement, such as 53 favorable genes and 40 unfavorable genes were identified during the C. mucosospermus to C. lanatus landrace domestication. We also identified 661 resistance gene analogs (RGAs) in the Citrullus genus pan-genome, which contains 90 RGAs (89 variable and 1 core gene) located on the pangenome additional contigs. By gene PAV-based GWAS, 8 gene presence/absence variations were found associated with flesh color. Finally, based on the results of gene PAV selection analysis between watermelon populations with different fruit colors, we identified four non-reference candidate genes associated with carotenoid accumulation, which had a significantly higher frequency in the white flesh. These results will provide an important source for watermelon breeding.
Prematurely delivering mothers show reductions of lachnospiraceae in their gut microbiomes
Authors: Yang Ru , Li Xiaoyu , Ying Zhiye , Zhao Zicheng , Wang Yinan , Wang Qingyu , Shen Bairong , Peng Wentao
Published: June 2023

Background

Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Despite evidence shows that imbalances in the maternal microbiome associates to the risk of preterm birth, the mechanisms underlying the association between a perturbed microbiota and preterm birth remain poorly understood.

Method

Applying shotgun metagenomic analysis on 80 gut microbiotas of 43 mothers, we analyzed the taxonomic composition and metabolic function in gut microbial communities between preterm and term mothers.

Results

Gut microbiome of mothers delivering prematurely showed decreased alpha diversity and underwent significant reorganization, especially during pregnancy. SFCA-producing microbiomes, particularly species of Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Eubacteriaceae, were significantly depleted in preterm mothers. Lachnospiraceae and its species were the main bacteria contributing to species’ differences and metabolic pathways.

Conclusion

Gut microbiome of mothers delivering prematurely has altered and demonstrates the reduction of Lachnospiraceae.
Comparison of bispectral index and patient state index as measures of sedation depth during surgeries using remimazolam tosilate
Authors: Zhao Tang-yuan-meng , Chen Di , Xu Zhi-xin , Wang Huan-liang , Sun Hu
Published: June 2023

Background

The Bispectral Index (BIS) and the Patient State Index (PSI) are commonly used measures to assess intraoperative sedation depth. However, model differences lead to different results, which in turn interferes with clinicians’ judgment on the depth of anesthesia. Remimazolam tosilate (RT) for injection is a new benzodiazepine used in sedation. In its clinical application, there are few effective indicators for sedation depth monitoring. To close this gap, this study aims to compare BIS and PSI in measuring the sensitivity and specificity of intraoperative RT and to explore the safety of RT for intraspinal anesthesia in elderly patients.

Methods

This study included 40 patients undergoing elective electro-prostatectomy with intraspinal anesthesia, who were monitored by BIS and PSI simultaneously during operation. Remimazolam tosylate 0.1 mg/kg was intravenously administered after the intraspinal anesthesia when patients were in a completely painless status. Then BIS, PSI, the Modified Observer’s Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (MOAA/S) scores and vital signs were observed and recorded per minute for 10 min. Pearson’s correlation analysis and linear regression model were used to compare BIS and PSI sedation scores, and to test their associations with the MOAA/S score, respectively. ROC curves were drawn to compare the sensitivity and specificity of BIS and PSI. Changes of vital signs were presented as mean ± standard deviation. Perioperative liver and kidney function indicators were analyzed using a paired t-test to evaluate the safety of RT for intraspinal anesthesia in the elderly patients.

Results

According to Pearson’s correlation analysis, a significant (P < 0.01) correlation between BIS and PSI was found when used to monitor intraoperative sedation of RT (r = 0.796). Significant associations between BIS and MOAA/S (r = 0.568, P < 0.01), and between PSI and MOAA/S (r = 0.390, P < 0.01) were also found. The areas under the ROC curves of BIS and PSI were 0.801 ± 0.022 and 0.734 ± 0.026, respectively, suggesting that both measures may predict patients’ state of consciousness and BIS was more accurate than PSI. Vital signs remained stable throughout the study. No abnormal changes of clinical significance were found based on laboratory test results of liver and kidney function.

Conclusion

BIS and PSI are strongly associated for monitoring the sedation of RT intraoperatively. Both methods can accurately reflect sedation depth. According to correlation analyses with MOAA/S scale and ROC curves, BIS is more accurate than PSI during such intraoperative monitoring. In addition, RT can be safely used in elderly patients under intraspinal anesthesia for supportive sedation, with stable vital signs and sound kidney and liver safety profiles.

Trial registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2100051912).
Metrics of care and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with pharmacoinvasive strategy: a decade-long network in a populous city in Brazil
Authors: De Marqui Moraes Pedro Ivo , Galhardo Attilio , Barbosa Adriano Henrique Pereira , de Sousa Jose Marconi Almeida , Alves Claudia Maria Rodrigues , Bianco Henrique Tria , dos Santos Povoa Rui Manuel , Stefanini Edson , Goncalves Iran , de Almeida Dirceu Rodrigues , Fonseca Francisco Antonio Helfenstein , de Oliveira Izar Maria Cristina , Moises Valdir Ambrosio , Lopes Renato Delascio , Carvalho Antonio Carlos , Caixeta Adriano
Published: June 2023

Background

Pharmacoinvasive strategy is an effective myocardial reperfusion therapy when primary percutaneous coronary intervention (p-PCI) cannot be performed in a timely manner.

Methods

Authors sought to evaluate metrics of care and cardiovascular outcomes in a decade-long registry of a pharmacoinvasive strategy network for the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Data from a local network including patients undergoing fibrinolysis in county hospitals and systematically transferred to the tertiary center were accessed from March 2010 to September 2020. Numerical variables were described as median and interquartile range. Area under the curve (AUC-ROC) was used to analyze the predictive value of TIMI and GRACE scores for in-hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 2,710 consecutive STEMI patients aged 59 [51–66] years, 815 women (30.1%) and 837 individuals with diabetes (30.9%) were analyzed. The time from symptom onset to first-medical-contact was 120 [60–210] minutes and the door-to-needle time was 70 [43–115] minutes. Rescue-PCI was required in 929 patients (34.3%), in whom the fibrinolytic-catheterization time was 7.2 [4.9–11.8] hours, compared to 15.7 [6.8–22,7] hours in those who had successful lytic reperfusion. All cause in-hospital mortality occurred in 151 (5.6%) patients, reinfarction in 47 (1.7%) and ischemic stroke in 33 (1.2%). Major bleeding occurred in 73 (2.7%) patients, including 19 (0.7%) cases of intracranial bleeding. C-statistic confirmed that both scores had high predictive values for in-hospital mortality, demonstrated by TIMI AUC-ROC of 0.80 [0,77–0.84] and GRACE AUC-ROC of 0.86 [0.83—0.89].

Conclusion

In a real world registry of a decade-long network for the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction based on the pharmacoinvasive strategy, low rates of in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular outcomes were observed, despite prolonged time metrics for both fibrinolytic therapy and rescue-PCI. Register Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02090712 date of first registration 18/03/2014.
Changes in liver stiffness values assessed using transient elastography in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: a prospective observational study
Authors: Cho Heejin , Lee Yun Bin , Ha Yeonjung , Chon Young Eun , Kim Mi Na , Lee Joo Ho , Park Hana , Rim Kyu Sung , Hwang Seong Gyu
Published: June 2023

Background/Aims

Regression of liver fibrosis during antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients has been demonstrated, but data on the influence of long-term treatment with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on liver stiffness (LS) measured by transient elastography are scarce. We aimed to investigate the changes in LS values during the 144-week TDF therapy in treatment-naïve CHB patients.

Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted from April 2015 to July 2020 at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Laboratory tests and LS measurements were performed at baseline and repeated at weeks 12, 24, 48, 96, and 144. A significant decline in LS was defined as ≥ 30% decrease in LS value at week 96 from baseline.

Results

A total of 48 treatment-naïve CHB patients initiating TDF therapy were screened, and 36 patients were included in the final analysis (median age, 46 [interquartile range, 34.5–55.8] years; 19 men [52.8%]). During TDF therapy, the median LS values decreased from 13.8 kPa at baseline to 8.7 kPa, 6.5 kPa, and 6.4 kPa at weeks 48, 96, and 144, respectively (all P < 0.001). At week 96, virological and biochemical responses were achieved in 34 (94.4%) patients and 20 (76.9%) patients, respectively. Moreover, 21 of 36 (58.3%) patients showed a significant decline in LS value. A higher baseline LS value was a single independent predictor for the reduction in LS value at week 96 from baseline (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

During the 144-week TDF therapy, LS values declined significantly in treatment-naïve CHB patients.
Reply to: “The partner-an underutilized facilitator to support healthy gestational weight gain”
Authors: Escañuela Sánchez Tamara , Meaney Sarah , O’Donoghue Keelin , Byrne Molly , Matvienko-Sikar Karen
Published: June 2023

Facilitators and barriers influencing weight management behaviours were identified in our meta-synthesis of qualitative research entitled “Facilitators and barriers influencing weight management behaviours during pregnancy: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research”. This manuscript is in response to the letter submitted by Sparks et al. regarding that work. The authors highlight the importance of including partners into intervention design when addressing weight management behaviours. We agree with the authors that it is important to include partners into intervention design and further research is granted to identify facilitators and barriers affecting their influence over women. As per our findings, the influence of the social context goes beyond the partner and we suggest that future interventions should address other relevant people in women’s contexts such as parents, other relatives, and close friends.