bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negative Mood is Associated with Sociobehavioral Factors Contributing to Cardiovascular Risk in an Immigrant Population
Authors: Tranby Brianna N. , Sia Irene G. , Clark Matthew M. , Novotny Paul J. , Lohr Abby M. , Pardo Laura Suarez , Patten Christi A. , Iteghete Sheila O. , Zeratsky Katherine A. , Rieck Thomas M. , Molina Luz , Capetillo Graciela Porraz , Ahmed Yahye , Dirie Hana , Wieland Mark L.
Published: March 2024

Background Immigrants to the United States, on average, accumulate cardiovascular risk after resettlement, including obesity. There is a need to co-create interventions to address these disparities, and mood may be an important mediating factor.Methods The Healthy Immigrant Community (HIC) study, set in southeast Minnesota, enrolled 475 adult participants in a weight loss intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk. Baseline questionnaires assessed mood, nutrition, physical activity, self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity, social support, and cohesion. A single-item mood rating of poor or fair was considered “negative”, while ratings of good, very good, or excellent were considered “positive”.Results A total of 449 HIC participants (268 Hispanic/Latino and 181 Somali) with complete baseline measures and were included in this analysis. Participants endorsing negative mood compared to those endorsing positive mood had lower scores for healthy eating (p = 0.02) and physical activity levels (p = 0.03), lower confidence in eating a healthy diet (p = 0.001), and felt less of a sense of belonging to their community (p = 0.01). Those endorsing negative mood also reported receiving less social support from their family and friends to eat healthy (p = < 0.001) and be physically active (p = 0.01), and less often accessed community resources for healthy eating (p = 0.001) and physical activity (p = < 0.01) compared to participants reporting positive mood.Conclusions Negative mood was associated with less healthy nutrition, lower confidence in eating healthy, sedentary lifestyle, and perceived lack of belonging to the community. Integrating mood management and self-efficacy strategies may enhance the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions among immigrants who report negative mood.ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05136339; April 23, 2022
RETRACTED: The Value of Legitimacy: What Does Comparability Cost?
Authors: Wheatley Clark , Clark Dina , Turner Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Soil water regime and nutrient availability modulate fine root distribution and biomass allocation in Amazon forests with shallow water tables
Authors: Checa-Cordoba Edher , Esteban Erick J. L. , Emilio Thaise , Lira-Martins Demétrius , Schietti Juliana , Pinto José P. V. , Tomasella Javier , Costa Flávia R. C.
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims Shallow water table (WT) forests (representing ~ 50% of Amazonian land areas) exhibit different characteristics and functioning compared to the more widely studied deep WT forests. However, less is understood about the determinants of biomass structure and allocation in shallow WT forests. Here we investigate how limitation imposed by soil water, soil properties and nutrient availability influence the distribution of fine root biomass and the allocation of belowground and aboveground biomass in shallow WT forests, and the relationships with their stand structure.Methods We used extensive ground-based data on soil properties, soil nutrients, WT monitoring, and direct biomass measurements along a 600 km transect of shallow WT forests in the central Amazon region.Results Soil water excess, due to a wetter climate or a consistently shallow WT, restricts fine-root distribution to the upper soil layers. This restriction, alone or combined with phosphorus limitation, leads to a higher biomass allocation belowground, associated with stand structures characterized by a higher density of smaller trees. Opposite patterns are found where the soil experiences no excess water or does so infrequently. Soil fertility contributes to biomass partitioning, but with WT regimes strongly modulating its effects.Conclusion Soil water regime having an overarching control on fine-root distribution and biomass partitioning challenges the dominant perspective of allocation being mostly affected by soil nutrients and climate. These findings improve our understanding of a large fraction of the Amazon Forest, with important implications for modeling and predicting its resilience to climate change.
Dependency of diversity-productivity relationships on ecotypes of the dominant species across a precipitation gradient
Authors: Gibson David , Barfknecht David F. , Baer Sara G. , Galliart Matthew , Ren Zhe , Sytsma Jack , Johnson Loretta C
Published: March 2024

Locally dominant and highly productive species affect diversity through competitive interactions with subordinate species. The relationship between diversity and productivity is commonly unimodal and referred to as the ‘humped-back model’ (HBM). The effect of local adaptation in dominant species on occurrence of the HBM is unknown, particularly among the different aspects of diversity. A reciprocal transplant experiment established across a precipitation gradient in the U.S. Great Plains was used to investigate the effect of variation among ecotypes of the dominant prairie grasses Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem) and Sorghastrum nutans (Indian grass) on expression of the HBM. The information from taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity metrics on diversity–productivity relationships was compared. The HBM was most common for taxonomic diversity (57% of tests), and when locally sourced (compared with distantly sourced) ecotypes were established in the transplant experiment, reflecting a home-site advantage (local adaptation), especially at the extreme ends of the precipitation gradient. Phylogenetic and functional trait diversity exhibited a less frequent humped-back relationship with productivity (26% and 13%, respectively). The HBM has value in providing insights into diversity-productivity relationships in grasslands restored with different ecotypes of a foundation species but is contingent on local environmental conditions and the ecotype of the dominant grass.
Post-COVID-19 Manifestations Among College Students: Shedding the Light on Young Adults’ Health
Authors: Alkhormani Areej Abed , Alghamdi Reema Abdullah , Damdam Yara Abdulaziz , Almaghrabi Maria Eissa , Alamri Faisal F. , Khan Muhammad Anwar , Hakami Alqassem Y.
Published: March 2024

Background: Post-COVID-19 syndrome refers to a variety of symptoms that affect different organs in the body and can persist 28 days following exposure to COVID-19. Previous studies have shown that COVID-19 affects not only elderly individuals but also young adults. However, the influence of post-COVID-19 syndrome on young adults has not been studied sufficiently. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of post-COVID-19 manifestations in young adults.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional online questionnaire was distributed from July 2022 to July 2023 to health sciences students in Saudi Arabia. The study used a non-probability convenience sampling technique, and the sample size was calculated to be 464. The survey included questions about the participants’ demographics, health records, COVID-19 results, duration of infection, and previous and current COVID-19 symptoms. Illness severity and management were evaluated using the COVID Experiences (COVEX) Symptoms and Diagnoses module, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression.
Results: According to the inclusion criteria, 428 participants were divided into three groups: those who fully recovered within 14 days of the acute phase (76.4%), those with prolonged symptoms that resolved within 28 days (16.8%), and those with persistent symptoms for more than 28 days (6.8%). The symptom development frequency during the acute phase significantly differed among the three groups: headache (p=0.038), loss of smell and taste (p=<0.001), and fatigue (p=0.009). The symptoms that significantly differed between the prolonged group and persistent group during the post-COVID-19 syndrome phase were loss of smell and taste (p=<0.001) and shortness of breath (p=<0.001). The study results revealed that females are susceptible to long-COVID-19. This study revealed that the overall severity of post-COVID-19 symptoms was mild in this age group. The PHQ-9 score when comparing the three groups showed a significant association with depression (p=0.035).
Conclusion: The study results support the perception that not only can the geriatric population suffer from post-COVID-19 syndrome but also that young adults are prone to persistent symptoms such as loss of smell and taste, which may affect their mental health status.
Stability analysis of T-S fuzzy state-dependent impulsive nonlinear systems via an extended functional-based approach
Authors: Chang Fei , Li Chuandong , Zhou Yinghua , Hao Deng
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the authors propose an extended functional-based approach and construct two new extended functionals to investigate the stability of T-S fuzzy state-dependent impulsive system (TSFSIS). Firstly, the conversion of a nonlinear system characterized by state-dependent impulsive inputs is accomplished by employing the B-equivalence method, resulting in fixed-time impulsive system (FIS). Following this, a novel extended functional-based approach that relies on bilateral looped functional (BLF) and Lyapunov function is proposed. In contrast to conventional methods, the extended functionals not only alleviate the constraints on positivity of the Lyapunov function but also encompass a greater wealth of information during impulsive events. By combining the extended functional and some inequalities, sufficient conditions are obtained to ensure the asymptotic stability of TSFSIS. The efficacy of these conditions is validated through two numerical examples.
Risk Prioritization and Case Study in the Pharmaceutical Sector with Fine-Kinney, Fuzzy Fine Kinney and Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping Approach
Authors: Tüylü Duygu , Ekşi Selda , Topçu İsmail , Güneri Ali Fuat
Published: March 2024

The globalizing and shrinking world, technology, and mechanization rates have caused a rapid increase. With increasing mechanization, studies on occupational health and safety and risk analysis are increasing day by day. This process is being closely followed by companies in the pharmaceutical industry, and studies on the subject are increasing. Risk analysis and prevention studies make a significant contribution to reducing occupational accidents and errors. In the studies carried out, it is necessary to know and correctly analyze the sector, the company, the culture, and the employees. After the correct analysis, it is extremely important to determine the most appropriate method for the sector and the company. In this study, the risk situation was analyzed for a pharmaceutical company in the pharmaceutical industry. After Fine-Kinney analysis, a transition to fuzzy Fine-Kinney analysis was made in order to avoid the uncertainty in the method. The analysis performed was to determine the risk, the current situation, and the risk score. After the analysis, the risks identified by the Fuzzy Fine-Kinney method were prioritized using the Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping method. The aim was to show the difference between the two methods by blurring the values obtained in the Fine Kinney analysis and switching to the Fuzzy Fine Kinney method. A recommendation is given for the risks that may occur during the risk prioritization of an application. The aim of the study is to reveal hidden risks in the pharmaceutical industry and to guide future studies.
Response of Endogenous Hormones in Radix Glehniae Seeds to Stratification and Their Relationship with Seed Germination
Authors: Yang LingZhen , Hu Hong Yan , Zhang Suyalatu , Wang De-Xin , Ren Yuan-Yuan , Fu Ming-Hai , Xin Ying
Published: March 2024

This study examines the fluctuations in endogenous hormone levels of Radix Glehniae and their relationship to low-temperature stratification and seed germination. Seeds were germinated with weekly sampling, and endogenous hormone levels (GA3, IAA, ABA, CTK, ETH, Br) were measured using ELISA. Results demonstrated that a six week low-temperature stratification alleviated seed dormancy and improved germination rates. Hormone levels of GA3, IAA, CTK, and Br showed varying trends, while ETH levels increased and decreased, and ABA levels initially rose and then fell. Ratios of GA3/ABA, IAA/ABA, CTK/ABA, ETH/ABA, and Br/ABA peaked after germination. A positive correlation was found between seed germination rates and GA3, IAA, CTK, ETH, Br levels, and various hormone ratios, while a negative correlation was observed with ABA levels. In conclusion, a six-week low-temperature stratification effectively reduces seed dormancy and enhances germination rates. Additionally, ABA levels decrease, and GA3, IAA, CTK, and Br levels increase, promoting germination. Higher hormone ratios help break seed dormancy and improve germination rates.
Sexual Harassment of Women During Medical Internships: Association with Knowledge of Protective Laws in Lima, Peru
Authors: Brandão Gabriela Campos Rosa Antunes , Meira Keyla Rocha , Moreno Anderson N. Soriano
Published: March 2024

Background: Sexual harassment against women in work and study environments remains highly prevalent today despite the existence of various laws that punish such behavior. This study seeks to understand the mechanisms behind this high prevalence by determining the association between sexual harassment of female medical students and graduates during their hospital internships in Lima, Peru, and their knowledge of laws and preventive measures against sexual harassment. Additionally, it examines the prevalence of sexual harassment and awareness of current regulations.Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among female medical students and graduates of hospital internships at various hospitals in Lima, Peru, between 2022 and 2023. Data were collected through a 43-question survey on sexual harassment and Peruvian Anti-Harassment Law No. 27942 knowledge. Associations were analyzed using the chi-square test, and frequencies and percentages were evaluated.Results: A total of 99 women participated, of whom 81.8% were medical students and 18.2% had already graduated. In the hospital, sexual harassment was reported by 70% of the participants. Among these victims, 57.6% were aged 22 to 25, and 74% held Peruvian nationality. Only 1% of the affected women filed complaints. A total of 67% of the respondents expressed that they would probably have reported incidents of sexual harassment if they had access to information about Law 23733. Among the aggressors, 71% were men, and 39% were teaching staff at hospital internships. The study found no direct association between law knowledge and sexual harassment. However, there was a significant association between lack of knowledge of the law's effects and applicability and sexual harassment.Conclusions: A lack of knowledge about the effects and consequences of noncompliance with the Anti-Harassment Law is associated with more cases of sexual harassment. A high prevalence of sexual harassment above the average reported in previous studies was found. A better propagation of the law is necessary to increase awareness of the subject and possibly decrease the prevalence of sexual harassment in this population.
Development of hydrophobic and monolithic MTES /Water glass Based Silica Aerogels for an efficient organic pollutant adsorption
Authors: yaballoie Davod , Daneshfar Zahra , Shirazi Mohammad Javad Sarraf
Published: March 2024

In this investigation, silica aerogels were synthesized employing a co-precursor approach involving water glass (WG) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) through the sol-gel method, followed by ambient pressure drying as an efficient adsorbent for organic pollutant. The microstructure, hydrophobicity, and adsorption property were studied as a function of the MTES/WG molar ratio. The aerogel achieved commendable characteristics, including a low density of 0.088 g/cm³, a high contact angle of 160°, and an elevated surface area of 636 m²/g, when maintaining a molar ratio of MTES to WG at 3.5. The adsorption intensity of the aerogel towards toluene, n-hexane, crude oil, gasoline, and ethanol was 9.58, 8.4, 10.2, 12, and 14 gr/gr, respectively. Finally, the reproducible absorption feature showed that the aerogel kept its original shape, and adsorption property until the fourth cycle, which can be a promising candidate for crude oil clean-up application.
Bioinformatics based analysis of the underlying comorbidity mechanisms of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis
Authors: Min Zhou , Chuanrong Zhu , Xuan Chen , Min Chen , Lianhua Chen , Jinwen Zhao
Published: March 2024

Objective To identify the common key genes and potential comorbidity mechanisms in the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) by bioinformatics technology.
Methods The NASH and PBC chip datasets were downloaded from GEO database, common differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) were screened and studied by Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed, hub genes and target miRNAs and transcription factors (TFs) were screened. ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of hub genes. Finally, immune infiltration analysisand the relationship between immune cells and hub genes were performed by CIBERSORT algorithm.
Results There were a total of 25 comorbid genes between NASH and PBC. They were mainly involved in cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, granulocyte chemotaxis and migration, inflammatory response and lipid metabolic process. A total of 9 hub genes were screened, among them TNFRSF1A, CXCL2, IL-1RAP were the key comorbid genes, hsa-miR-141-3p, hsa-miR-335-5p were among the key comorbid miRNAs, CEBPA, CEBPB were the key TFs. All these hub genes had good diagnostic value. Immune infiltration analysis demonstrated that M1 macrophage occupies an important position and positively correlated with CXCL9.
Conclusion Inflammation cytokines, macrophages and inflammatory responses play important roles in the progression of NASH and PBC. The hub genes screened in our study might become diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets, while further basic and clinical studies are needed to validate.
Identification of marophage-related biomarkers in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by bioinformatic analysis and clinical validation
Authors: Xi Xiangwen , Chen Yu , Qian Zhipeng , Xie Xianwei , Tian Jiangtian , Fu Qiang , Gu Xia
Published: March 2024

Background
Although reperfusion therapy is widely performed in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the residual risk of poor prognosis remains substantial. As important immune cells involved in the body's inflammatory response, macrophages are differentiated from monocytes that have been recruited to tissues, and their polarisation status has a significant impact on the development and prognosis of AMI. There are no recognised macrophage-associated key regulators that play an important role in the development of AMI.
Objective
The study aimed to identify potential biomarkers associated with macrophages for the early recognition and intervention of AMI.
Methods and results
Three datasets which can be obtained publicly (GSE48060, GSE66360, and GSE97320 datasets) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analysed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using peripheral blood tissue samples from 83 AMI patients and 74 normal individuals. Subsequent WGCNA analysis was performed and 387 genes with the most significant correlations with macrophages were identified. Then, intersecting 192 DEGs with 387 genes from WGCNA, a total of 151 overlapping genes were found. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed to identify the hub genes. Further we recruited 44 individuals and colleted blood samples to validate the stability and reliability of the predicted hub tragets toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), toll-like receptor 2 (TLR4), toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and tyrosine kinase binding protein (TYROBP) using qRT-PCR assay. As a result, TLR2, TLR4, TLR8, MMP9 and TYROBP were identified as the marophage-related biomarkers in AMI.
Conclusions
The macrophage-related genes TLR2, TLR4, TLR8, MMP9 and TYROBP may enable timely detection of AMI, leading to prompt intervention and better prognosis.
Utilisation of Evidence-Based Therapies and prescribing patterns among patients receiving anti-hypertensive agents in Hospital Serdang
Authors: Marzouk Menna , Hisham Shairyzah
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Hypertension is recognized as a major global problem. It affects every aspect of the patient’s quality of life, and employment and can even cause premature death. Its growing prevalence and poor control represent a huge health challenge worldwide. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the utilization of evidence-based anti-hypertensive agents in the management of hypertensive patients in Hospital Serdang. This study was conducted retrospectively from July 2019 to August 2019.
Methodology: The study subjects were screened and reemitted using a random sampling method according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Selected patient data was retrieved from Hospital Serdang's online eHIS Live system.
Results: Out of 106 patients, 14 patients were excluded due to incomplete information on medical records, patients following up at other hospitals, and pregnant women. The study results showed that adherence to the guidelines when prescribing combination therapies was seen more than in monotherapy. The majority of subjects did not receive antihypertensive treatment according to co-morbidities. However, only stroke showed high adherence to the guideline. Most of the subjects adhered to guidelines when there was a presence of contraindications. The median (IQR) GAI score was 40. In this study, GAI score was divided into 3 categories, 13 (15.9%) of the patients have a good adherence (80-100%), 23 (28%) have moderate adherence (50-79%) and 46 (56.11%) have poor adherence (0-49%) to the guideline.
Conclusion: Among 82 studied patients, more than half of the patients were not treated according to guidelines, while only 13 of the subjects were categorized as having good adherence to guidelines. This study indicated that there is a need to introduce an educational program for prescribers in hospitals and collaborative interventions between clinical pharmacist and physicians.
Mechanical ventilation settings during weaning from venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Passarelli Maria Teresa , Petit Matthieu , Garberi Roberta , Lebreton Guillaume , Luyt Charles Edouard , De Chambrun Marc Pineton , Chommeloux Juliette , Hékimian Guillaume , Rezoagli Emanuele , Foti Giuseppe , Combes Alain , Giani Marco , Schmidt Matthieu
Published: March 2024

Objectives: To describe clinical characteristics, mechanical ventilation strategies, and outcomes in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during weaning from venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO).
Design: Retrospective, multicenter cohort study over 7 years.
Settings: Two tertiary ICUs, high-volume ECMO centers in France and Italy.
Patients: Patients with ARDS on ECMO and successfully weaned from VV ECMO.
Measurements and main results: Patients were classified based on their mechanical ventilation modality during the sweep gas-off trial (SGOT) with either controlled mechanical ventilation or spontaneous breathing (i.e. pressure support ventilation). The primary endpoint was the time to successful weaning from mechanical ventilation within 90 days post-ECMO weaning. Among 393 adult patients with severe ARDS successfully weaned from ECMO, 292 were on controlled ventilation, and 101 were on spontaneous breathing during SGOT. The 90-day probability of successful weaning from mechanical ventilation was not significantly different between the two groups (sHR [95%CI], 1.23[0.84-1.82]). However, spontaneous breathing during SGOT was associated with a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay after ECMO discontinuation, without an increase of ECMO-related complications, such as severe bleeding or pneumothorax, compared to controlled ventilation. After adjusting for covariates, older age, higher pre-ECMO sequential organ failure assessment score, pneumothorax, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and renal replacement therapy were independently associated with a lower probability of successful weaning from mechanical ventilation after ECMO weaning. Contrarily, mechanical ventilation modalities during SGOT did not demonstrate an independent association with the likelihood of successful weaning.
Conclusions: A weaning ECMO strategy incorporating spontaneous breathing during SGOT appears safe and is associated with favorable outcomes. Further research is needed to assess the optimal ventilation strategy during weaning off VV ECMO and its impact on short- and long-term outcomes.
Transcriptional responses and secondary metabolites variation of tomato plant in response to tobacco mosaic virus infestation
Authors: Rabie Mona , Aseel Dalia G. , Younes Hosny A. , Behiry Said I. , Abdelkhalek Ahmed
Published: March 2024

The present study focused on the impact of infection with the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) Specifically, changes in phytochemicals and gene activity related to pathogenesis-related and the phenylpropanoid pathway genes in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) during a period of 2-to-14-day post inoculation (dpi). According to TEM investigation and coat protein sequence analysis, the purified TMV Egyptian AM isolate (PP133743) has a rod-shaped structure with a diameter of around 110 nm. The RT-qPCR analysis revealed that PR-1 showed an initial increase after TMV infection, as seen in the time-course analysis. In contrast, PR-2 was consistently elevated throughout the infection, suggesting a stronger reaction to the virus and suppressing PAL expression at 6 to 14 dpi. The expression levels of HQT and CHS transcripts exhibited alternating patterns of upregulation and downregulation at different time intervals. The HPLC and GC-MS analysis of control and TMV-infected tomato extracts revealed that different phenolic, flavonoid, and fatty acid compounds could be increased (such as naringenin, rutin, flavone, ferulic acid, and pyrogallol) or decreased (such as salicylic acid and chlorogenic acid) after TMV infection. The ability of TMV to inhibit most polyphenolic compounds could potentially accelerate the viral life cycle. Consequently, working to increase such suppressed compounds in tomato plants could be important for developing the management of plant viral infections.
Cappable-Seq and Direct RNA Sequencing Reveals Novel insights into the Transcriptome of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Duru Ilhan Cem , Ylinen Anne , Grigore-Gurgu Leontina , Riedel Christian U. , Paulin Lars , Auvinen Petri
Published: March 2024

Background
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can survive various stresses. To inactivate Listeria monocytogenes, food processing facilities use high energy methods, such as high-pressure processing (HPP). In this study, we explored the transcriptional units of barotolerant L. monocytogenes RO15 using Cappable-seq and direct RNA sequencing, two novel techniques.
Results
We detected 1641 transcription start sites (TSSs) in L. monocytogenes RO15, including six HPP-specific TSSs, showing that HPP influences the TSS selection. In addition, we predicted small RNAs (sRNAs) candidates and examined promoter motifs, which revealed new regulatory elements that control gene expression. By integrating short and long RNA-seq reads, we predicted the operon structure of L. monocytogenes RO15 and found 658 operons, comprising 71% of all the genes. The largest operons were mainly located in prophage regions. Moreover, we identified A-to-I RNA editing events in L. monocytogenes for the first time. HPP treatment statistically significantly (p < 0.05) increased the A-to-I editing of several genes including hpf and mdxE suggesting a role in the stress response. We predicted m6A RNA modifications in L. monocytogenes RO15 using direct RNA sequencing reads. This is the first report of m6A RNA modifications in L. monocytogenes by using direct RNA sequencing.
Conclusions
This study provides novel insights into the transcriptome complexity and diversity, stress response strategies, and post-transcriptional modifications of L. monocytogenes. Our results uncover the genomic mechanisms of adaptation of L. monocytogenes to HPP and indicate potential targets for developing new strategies to control this pathogen. However, further studies are needed to validate the functional roles of the identified sRNAs, RNA editing events, and RNA modifications in L. monocytogenes.
Prevalence of nosocomial infection and associated factors among paediatric patients admitted to Jimma medical center, Oromia region, southwest Ethiopia. Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Aschalew Serkalem , Balcha Fikadu , Bacha Girma , Garoma Merga , Beyene Tamirat Tamirat
Published: March 2024

Background: Nosocomial infections are a significant public health problem worldwide, affecting hundreds of millions of patients annually. However, studies on nosocomial infections specifically focused on paediatric patients in Ethiopia are limited. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence of nosocomial infections and associated factors among paediatric patients admitted to Jimma Medical Center, Oromia region, southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: An institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted from June 1 to 30, 2023. Data were collected from the medical records of paediatric patients. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select a total of 417 medical records. Data were collected using pretested and structured checklists. The collected data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6, and Statistical Package for Social Science version 26.0 was used for analysis. In the bivariable analysis, variables with p-values less than or equal to 0.25 were considered candidates for multivariable logistic regression analysis. In the multivariable analysis, a p-value less than 0.05 and an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval were considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 417 (92.87%) medical records met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 99 (23.74%) of paediatric patients developed nosocomial infections. Malnutrition [AOR=2.01; 95%CI:1.18,3.42], length of hospital stay [AOR=3.19; 95%CI:1.73, 5.90], antibiotics received at admission [AOR=4.76; 95%CI: 1.86, 12.15], being on mechanical ventilation [AOR=5.04; 95%CI:2.44, 10.43], blood transfusion [AOR=4.51; 95%CI:2.43, 8.35], and urinary catheter [AOR=3.26; 95%CI:1.72,6.18] were significantly associated.
Conclusion: The finding of this study indicated that nearly one-fourth of paediatric patients developed nosocomial infections. Malnutrition, length of hospital stay, antibiotics received at admission, being on mechanical ventilation, urinary catheter, and blood transfusion contributed to the development of nosocomial infections. Therefore, the concerned bodies should focus intervention strategies on contributing factors to nosocomial infections among paediatric patients.
Direct Writing and Printing of Surface and Interface Modified Cellulose for Friction Nanogenerators
Authors: Fu Xiaofei , Wu Xiaofei , Li Hailong , Zhang Zhengjian , Chen Fengbao
Published: March 2024

In recent years, cellulose has garnered substantial attention in the realm of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) fabrication, owing to its commendable biodegradability and reproducibility. Nevertheless, the limited surface polarity and insufficient surface functional groups have imposed significant constraints on its evolution towards high-performance TENGs. In this study, nanocellulose (CNFs) was harnessed as the friction layer material for the friction nanogenerator, while the surface interface underwent chemical treatment to introduce two distinct functional groups, namely -NH2 and -F. Beyond scrutinizing the physical and chemical attributes of these functionally modified cellulose variants, the functionalized CNFs were also employed in TENGs to explore their impact on the electron gain/loss capacity or polarity enhancement of CNFs. Simultaneously, the enhanced surface interfaces of CNFs facilitated the amelioration of the electrical output performance in TENGs. Our findings unveil that the utmost degree of cationic charge was achieved at a mass ratio of 2.0 between epoxy propyl trialkylamine chloride (EPTMAC) and cellulose. Furthermore, the incorporation of -F, facilitated by nano SiO2 and PFOTS, not only rendered the water contact angle of FCNF-SiO2 aerogel superhydrophobic at 150°, but also yielded the highest output voltage at a mass ratio of 3.0 between dried fiber and nano SiO2. These outcomes unequivocally underscore the incomparable advantages and practical value of CNFs in the domain of environmentally friendly mechanical energy harvesting systems, specifically TENGs.
Aberrance of GAP43/p-GAP43 closely associates with the pathology of neuron loss in prion-infected rodent models
Authors: Jia Xiao-Xi , Chen Cao , Hu Chao , Wu Yue-Zhang , Chao Zhi-Yue , Zeng Jia-Feng , Ru-Han A , Zhou Dong-Hua , Wang Yuan , Zhang Wei-Wei , Xiao Kang , Gao Li-Ping , Shi Qi , Dong Xiaoping
Published: March 2024

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders characterized by neuron damage and loss. Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) functions in neuronal plasticity and synaptic function, but its role in prion diseases is not fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the changes of GAP43 in the central nerve system (CNS) of several prion infected rodent models and explored the potential relationship of GAP43 with PrPSc deposit and neuron loss using various methods. We found that GAP43 levels were significantly decreased in the brain tissues of scrapie-infected rodent models at the terminal stage of the disease. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that GAP43 colocalized with NeuN-positive cells morphologically, indicating the presence of GAP43 in mature neurons. On contrary, the levels of GAP43 and p-GAP43 increased in a prion-infected cell line SMB-S15 in vitro, accompanying with the increase of intracellular calcium. Stimulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) upregulated whilst removal of PrPSc propagation downregulated the level of GAP43 in SMB-S15 cells. Morphological colocalization and molecular interaction between GAP43 and PrPSc has been addressed in the brains of prion infected rodents and prion infected cell line. Histological assays of the serial sections of the whole brains of prion infected mice proposed that the reduced GAP43 level correlated with large amount of PrPSc deposits and notable neuron damage and loss showing cell crumpled and nuclear pyknosis. The impairment of GAP43 signaling and disturbance of calcium homeostasis by aberrance of brain GAP43/p-GAP43 not only reflect but also likely contribute to the pathology of severe neuron loss at the end of prion disease.
The Body Advocacy Movement-Health: A Pilot Randomized Trial of a Novel Intervention Targeting Weight Stigma Among Health Professional Students
Authors: Kreynin Anna , Meurer Tessa , Pictor Lauren , Laboe Agatha A. , Gavuji Mahathi , Fleege Sabrina , Bowden Erin , Schaumberg Katherine
Published: March 2024

Background
Weight stigma among healthcare professionals is associated with negative health impacts on patients, yet there are few effective strategies to combat weight stigma among health professional learners. The present study explores the acceptability, feasibility, and short-term impacts of Body Advocacy Movement-Health (BAM-Health), a group-based, peer-led stigma reduction intervention for health professional students that targets weight stigma across intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural levels.
Methods
Sixty-seven health professional students participated in BAM-Health (n = 34) or received an informational brochure about weight stigma (n = 33). Participants completed validated self-report surveys assessing internalized weight/ appearance concerns and interpersonal weight stigma prior to their assigned intervention (baseline), immediately following intervention (post-intervention), and four weeks after intervention (follow-up). Baseline to post-intervention and baseline to follow-up effect sizes on each measure were calculated. At post-intervention, participants completed feedback surveys for thematic assessment.
Results
Quantitative ratings and thematic analysis of feedback surveys demonstrated acceptability and feasibility of BAM-Health among health professional students. BAM-Health participation led to a large baseline to post-intervention effect on internalized weight/ appearance concerns that diminished slightly at follow-up (Cohen’s d = -0.88; d = -0.62). Receipt of the informational brochure led to a small initial decrease in internalized weight/ appearance concerns (d = -0.27); however, these changes were not sustained at follow-up (d = 0.04). BAM-Health participation resulted in reductions in interpersonal obesity stigma and anti-fatness with small effect sizes (d = -0.32; d = -0.31). The effect on obesity stigma was slightly amplified at follow-up (d = -0.43); however, decreases in anti-fatness were not sustained (d = -0.13). The brochure condition failed to demonstrate effects on anti-fatness (d = 0.13, d = 0.14) or obesity stigma (d = -0.12; d = -0.12) at either time point.
Conclusions
BAM-Health is a novel peer-led intervention that aims to reduce weight stigma among health professional students. BAM-Health met feasibility benchmarks and was acceptable to health professional students with positive qualitative feedback from participants. The intervention led to promising decreases in internalized and interpersonal weight stigma at post-intervention, some of which were sustained at follow-up. Further investigation of BAM-Health with a larger sample is warranted.
Impact of 'decision-to-delivery' interval on maternal and perinatal outcomes: A retrospective study of emergency caesarean section from 2017 to 2021 at a secondary health facility in Nigeria
Authors: Abdulbaki Mariam , Aliyu Fullaila O , Ayinde Musa , Issa Amudalat , Adeniran Abiodun S , Ibrahim Olayinka R
Published: March 2024

Background
The decision-to-delivery interval (DDI) for a caesarean section is among the factors that reflect the quality of care a pregnant woman receives and the impact on maternal and foetal outcomes and should not exceed 30 minutes. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the effect of decision-to-delivery interval on the maternal and perinatal outcomes among emergency caesarean deliveries at a secondary health facility in north-central Nigeria.
Methods
We carried out a four-year retrospective descriptive analysis of all emergency caesarean sections at a secondary health facility in north-central Nigeria. We included pregnant mothers who had emergency caesarean delivery at the study site from February 10, 2017, to February 9, 2021.
Results
Out of 582 who underwent emergency caesarean section, 550 (94.5%) had a delayed decision-to-delivery interval. The factors associated with delayed decision-to-delivery interval included educational levels (both parents), maternal occupation, and booking status. The delayed decision-to-delivery interval was associated increase in perinatal deaths with an odds ratio (OR) of 6.9 (95% CI, 3.166 to 15.040), and increased odds of Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) admissions (OR 9.8, 95% CI 2.417 to 39.333). Among the maternal outcomes, delayed decision-to-delivery interval was associated with increased odds of sepsis (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.960 to 8.933), hypotension (OR 3.8, 95% 1.626 TO 9.035), and cardiac arrest (OR 19.5, 95% CI 4.634 to 82.059).
Conclusion
This study shows a very low optimum DDI, which was associated with educational levels, maternal occupation, and booking status. The delayed DDI increased the odds of perinatal deaths, SCBU admission, and maternal-related complications.
Spatiotemporal Variation of Small and Micro Wetlands and Their Multiple Responses to Driving Factors in the high-latitude region
Authors: Wang Yingbin , Sun Jiaxin , Wu Yao , Qi Peng , Zhang Wenguang , Wang Yongming , Dai Changlei
Published: March 2024

Understanding the long-term dynamics and driving factors of small and micro wetlands is crucial for their management and sustainable development. In this study, we utilized Landsat satellite imagery data from 1980 to 2018 and Geodetector Model to explore the spatiotemporal changes of small and micro wetlands in western Jilin Province, China, considering factors such as land use and climate change. The research findings are as follows. (1) The small and micro wetlands in the western Jilin Province have shown a downward trend in the past 40 years. The area of small and micro wetlands has decreased from 2802km2 in 1980 to 818 km2 in 2018, and the number has decreased from 2604 in 1980 to 337 in 2018. (2) From a spatial distribution perspective, the micro-wetlands initially exhibited a concentrated pattern but gradually dispersed around, demonstrating significant spatial heterogeneity., respectively. From a spatial distribution perspective, they are mainly distributed in Da'an City, accounting for 42% of the western Jilin province. (3) As time has unfolded, the dynamic evolution of small and micro wetlands has been distinctly influenced by an amalgam of natural environmental factors and human interventions. In particular, human-induced activities, notably agricultural expansion and urbanization processes, emerged as the predominant driving forces during the period from 1980 to 2000. However, while human activities continued to impart their influence, the roles of natural determinants such as precipitation have become progressively more apparent during the period from 2001 to 2018. Importantly, the influences exerted by human activities and natural environmental factors on these wetlands are not standalone; there is a marked interplay between them. This interaction, typically presents a nonlinear amplification among the varied influencing factors. The results of this study provide supportive data and scientific evidence for the ecological restoration and conservation of wetlands.
WITHDRAWN: Effect of pyro-dextrinization, acid hydrolysis and cross linking modifications on physico-chemical, functional and structural properties of starch from Elephant Foot Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius)
Authors: Iqbal Unaiza , Saini Pinki , Ahmed Mazia
Published: March 2024

Underutilized plants can serve as valuable sources of starch, and it is crucial to explore these resources. Native starch, however, has certain limitations. To overcome these limitations, starch modification is employed to enhance its positive attributes and eliminate its shortcomings. Study reveals that chemical modifications result in alterations to the highly flexible starch polymer, leading to changes in its physicochemical properties and structural attributes, which hold significant technological value for both the food and non-food industries. The research study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of three different chemical modification methods (pyrodextrinization, cross-linking, and acid hydrolysis) on various properties of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius starch. Out of the three chemical treatments given to starch, the most affected results with respect to functional properties were found in Cross-Linking, showing maximum restriction of Swelling power 1.69%, solubility 1.51%, WAC 1.45 ± 0.03d g/ml, moisture content (%) 1.91 ± 0.071b and highest amylose content (%) 16.00 ± 0.11e, thereby revealing its utmost applicability for food packaging industry to be utilized as a film or coating material. The ultimate goal is to render yam starch suitable for a wide range of applications across various industries, including both food and non-food sectors.
The Impact of Batu Bahat Soft Clay on the Properties of Modified Asphalt Binders
Authors: Allam Allam Musbah , Ali Shaban Ismael Albrka , Emmaima Ali Mohamed , Khalifa Nasradeen Ali , Ali Abdualmtalab Abdualaziz
Published: March 2024

Various materials have been employed globally to enhance road performance by modifying asphalt binders and mixtures. Polymers and nanomaterials are notable for their capacity to enhance the physical and rheological characteristics of modified asphalt cement. This research introduces a new natural modifier called Batu Pahat Soft Clay (BPSC) for asphalt cement. Various amounts of BPSC (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% by weight of asphalt cement) were examined using conventional techniques like dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and surface energy tests. The results revealed substantial enhancements in physical properties, with penetration increasing by 4% and softening points decreasing by 22%. Moreover, the susceptibility of the modified binder to elevated temperatures was reduced by 10% compared to the base asphalt cements. SEM analysis confirmed uniform dispersion of BPSC particles, resulting in increased binder stiffness. The rheological properties saw remarkable improvement, particularly at temperatures of 45°C and 70°C, with enhancements of up to 142% and 99%, respectively. The ability to recover under various stress levels showcased the superior performance of the modified binder, with improvements of 90%, 76%, and 67% compared to the base asphalt cements.
Thermal Conductivity of Sand-Tire Rubber Mixtures with Varying Tire Chip Fractions and Size Ratios as a Function of Void Ratio and Applied Vertical Stress
Authors: Oh Jiseok , Choo Hyunwook
Published: March 2024

Sand–tire rubber mixtures are promising materials for thermal insulation. However, studies evaluating the impact of applied stress on the thermal conductivity (kt) of these mixtures are limited, despite the fact that energy storage tanks are typically located at deep depths where the sand–tire rubber mixtures may experience changes in the connectivity between sand particles under increasing stress. Therefore, in this study, thermal needle probe tests were conducted on sand–tire rubber mixtures with various size ratios (SR = 0.3, 1.4, and 5.2) and tire chip fractions (TF = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 1.0). To separate the impact of porosity and that of applied stress on kt of the tested sand–rubber mixtures, kt was measured as a function of porosity at very low stress levels. The kt values of the mixtures were then measured according to the applied vertical stress. The results of the tests performed at low stress levels demonstrated that kt of the tested mixtures decreased with increasing TF and decreasing SR because of the decrease in the number of sand-to-sand contacts. All mixtures showed a decrease in kt with increasing porosity; however, the dependence of kt on porosity was affected by TF and SR. With an increase in the applied stress, kt of all the mixtures increased. In particular, the tested mixtures with smaller SR showed even greater kt than pure sand at an applied vertical stress of 460 kPa, highlighting the significance of the applied stress on kt of the tested mixtures. Most notably, this study developed a novel thermal conductivity model that considers both the packing impact and pure stress impact, providing a more comprehensive framework for predicting the thermal conductivity of sand–tire rubber mixtures with varying SRs, TFs, porosities, and applied stresses.