bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outbreak of Esophagitis and Ingluvitis Caused by Salmonella Typhimurium in Passeriform Birds of the Genus Sporophila Seized from Wildlife Trafficking
Authors: Soares Karoline L. , Lima¹ Ewerton S. , Firmino Millena de O. , Ramos-Sanchez Eduardo M. , Eloy Lilian , Silva Raquel , Sousa Mônica , Sousa Isabelle , Silva Weslley , Fernandes Artur , Lucena Ricardo B.
Published: September 2024

An outbreak of esophagitis and ingluvitis caused by Salmonella Typhimurium in passerines seized from illegal wildlife trafficking is described. This illegal activity causes stress and leads to lowered immunity in the birds. Additionally, inadequate hygiene conditions predispose the birds to diseases such as salmonellosis. Few studies report the occurrence of Salmonella-induced lesions in the esophagus and crop of wild birds; thus, this study aimed to describe the disease in these species, investigate its presence in the environment, and determine the antimicrobial resistance profile. Three birds of the genus Sporophila were necropsied. In the esophagus and crop, yellowish plaques corresponding to necrosis with bacterial aggregates were observed. Salmonella spp. was isolated from these lesions, with genus confirmation via MALDI-TOF. Environmental samples were collected from the enclosures and cages where the animals were quarantined, and the same bacterium was isolated. In two birds, the serotype S. Typhimurium was identified. Antibiograms performed on the strains from the birds and the environment revealed resistance to antibiotics in the classes of Penicillins, Sulfonamides, Aminoglycosides, Monobactams, Tetracyclines, and first and third-generation Cephalosporins. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this agent causing death in Sporophila due to esophagitis and ingluvitis. It is also the first report of salmonellosis in three species of passerines in Brazil. The study underscores the importance of understanding the pathogens circulating in wild animals, especially within the context of One Health.
Magnitude of Scholarly Communication Theories Used durign the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study
Authors: Adakawa Murtala Ismail , Harinarayana N.S.
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the use of theories in open access resources during the COVID-19 pandemic would be greater than in copyrighted resources. Using the Scopus database from August 18-28, 2023, the search terms “COVID-19,” “Coronavirus,” “SARS-CoV-2,” and “2019-nCoV” retrieved 511,920 results, of which 17,487 were selected. After filtering, 8,254 studies were analyzed. These were categorized as "Both Theory and Model," "Only Theory," and "Only Model." Using MS Excel, the researchers sorted studies based on titles, abstracts, and keywords to assess the magnitude of theory and model use. The study found that theories and models were employed across various disciplines and indexed accordingly. Further analysis included term categories, year-wise distribution, and citation patterns in relation to access categories. The study recommended future research to explore the connection between theories/models and factors such as publication trends, geography, and funding. The study concluded that, journals should encourage authors to include theories/models used in their studies in titles, especially during health emergencies, to provide early insights into handling pandemics.
The Efficacy of Topically Applied Curcumin 1% as Alternative or Complementary to Triamcinolone Acetonate in Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus (Randomize control trial)
Authors: Kotb Shimaa , Alaa El Din Barra , Edrees Mohamed
Published: September 2024

Aim of study: to evaluate the therapeutic impact of topically applied curcumin as Alternative or Complementary to Triamcinolone Acetonate in Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus. Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the mucous membranes, believed to be an immune-mediated condition. Its persisting nature can lead to extended discomfort for those affected. The primary symptoms are pain and a burning sensation, with a potential risk of malignancy if not properly managed, necessitating lifelong clinical monitoring. Presently, OLP is considered a significant challenge due to the absence of a definitive cure. Patients & patients: Thirty patients with oral lichen planus were divided into three groups, 10 patients each: Group A: ten patients with OLP were received topical triamcinolone acetonide. Group B: ten patients with OLP were received topical curcumin. Group C: ten patients with oral lichen planus were received topical triamcinolone acetonide combiend with topical curcumin. For six weeks. Each patient was examined at baseline, 1 and 3months of therapy. Pain was scored using the visual analogue scale. Salivary level of interleukin 6 were estimated at baseline, 1 and 3months evaluation periods. Results: Significant decrease in pain score was observed in all groups and there was a statistically significant difference between them at all treatment periods in favor to group C . 2 Additionally, all groups showed a decrease in the size of lesions which was greater in group A,C compared to the B group. A significant reduction of the mean interlukin6 continued down to 3 months in all groups with statistically insignificant difference between them at three months, while statistically significant difference in favor to group C at 1month was observed. Conclusion: The results proved the benefit of curcumin as a promising medication when used in combination with conventional therapy in treatment of OLP patients. However, further longterm studies with large sample size are needed.
Implementing employability strategy: Inspiring change through significant conversations
Authors: Dean Bonnie Amelia , Tubridy Kate , Eady Michelle J , Yanamandram Venkata
Published: September 2024

Higher education plays a key role in cultivating graduate employability, which is essential to meeting multiple individual, community, social and labour market needs. Universities prioritise employability through strategic goals and initiatives designed to foster work-ready graduates equipped with the skills, aptitudes, and knowledge needed to navigate self-determined career pathways. One core approach to delivering on the employability agenda is through work-integrated learning (WIL). Despite institution’s efforts to set targets to increase access to WIL for all students, there is little evidence on how these strategies are implemented, reported, and revised, particularly in resource-depleted environments. This paper illuminates how institutional directives can be enacted when transformative learning is centralised through relational, collegial conversations. It builds on Dean et al.’s (2020) paper to unpack how the WIL Curriculum Classification (WILCC) Framework has been executed through employability champions across the institution, who advocate for meaningful, contextually appropriate change that is co-designed with colleagues. These ‘significant conversations’ are the impetus for transforming students’ learning experiences and career readiness. The paper offers four vignettes to showcase how the WILCC Framework has been implemented and disseminated across local, institutional, cross-campus and international contexts through transformative engagement in relational dialogue. It outlines key recommendations for holding significant conversations to influence change and champion the employability movement.
Integrating employability learning and career development learning: Insights into a business school approach
Authors: Wardle Karina , Geronikos Kay
Published: September 2024

This practitioner reflection shares insights based on our seven-year journey pursuing an ambitious curriculum transformation espousing partnerships pedagogy within the School of Business (SOB) at Western Sydney University (WSU). With a significant proportion of first-generation and culturally and linguistically diverse students, employability is of strategic significance for WSU. The objective was to integrate employability and career development learning while addressing confidence and self-esteem deficits among graduates. Massification of the higher education sector, new universities, courses and pathways along with the competition among university graduates for employment all compound the issue. This challenging landscape required a unique approach to achieve a fundamental shift in learning and outcomes to prepare students for life beyond university. A massive curriculum transformation was endorsed and led by a cross-disciplinary team adopting partnerships pedagogy to transform the student learning experience. This reflection documents the practitioner journey involved in developing a program expressly targeting graduate employability for business students. Emphasis is on the experiences and challenges encountered while implementing a partnership-based approach to build, sustain, and cultivate graduate employability, through the development of industry networking experiences.
Reconceptualising and supporting graduate employability practitioners for higher degree research candidates
Authors: O'Connor Michael
Published: September 2024

Research supervisors and their higher degree research (HDR) candidates – including Master, Professional Doctorate, and PhD candidates – make critical contributions to research and innovation. In addition to providing research training, research supervisors have traditionally also acted as the graduate employability practitioner for their HDR candidates through preparation for work in academia. However, the effectivness of traditional HDR training models (such as the knowledge transmission, master-apprentice model for PhD training) are being reviewed in Australia and elsewhere due to changes in the contemporary employment environment. These changes include: fewer available academic jobs; increased desire of HDR candidates for non-academic careers; and implementation of government policies aimed at increasing the return on research investment, including by increasing alignment of graduate attributes with contemporary employer needs. Consequently, work-integrated learning (WIL) activities are being incorporated into HDR degrees to broaden HDR training beyond acquisition of research-focussed skills. For effective incorporation of WIL into HDR degrees, recognition is needed of the different types and roles of graduate employability practitioners required by HDR candidates, as well as improvements to training support structures, and evolved metrics for assessment of supervisor and HDR candidate success.
Critical considerations of career enrolment data: Challenges, limitations, and possibilities
Authors: Branford Anna , Leon Luella
Published: September 2024

The advent of Career Enrolment Data (CED) in Higher Education is an important development for graduate employability practitioners and other stakeholders seeking to understand, analyse and enhance students’ career readiness. CED, collected annually from all students in participating universities, requires students to self-report on their own career readiness, and is described as having ‘the potential to be a component of a standardised measure of learning gain in relation to student employability’ (Cobb, 2019, p.23). Reflections are offered by two graduate employability practitioners currently tasked with introducing CED to educators and recommending its use to support careers-focused components of their curricula. Drawing on different disciplinary backgrounds to inform their approaches, both practitioners are keen to explore opportunities to capitalise on the strengths of data insights. However, they advocate for a carefully nuanced and contextualised approach, openly acknowledging relevant limitations and risks when presenting the data to educators and other stakeholders. Drawing on one author’s background in psychology, it considers the process of self-reporting on which the data wholly relies, noting potential influences and biases that may be relevant. The second author offers a sociological perspective, using the concept of neoliberalism as a framework for engaging with concerns about an employability agenda driven by corporate and economic interests, and a culture of auditing sometimes associated with hardship for academics and a detrimental effect on pedagogy. While it should be noted that experts in CED such as Gilworth and Cobb take care to acknowledge limitations and risks (Cobb, 2019; Gilworth, 2023) this reflective account grapples with the challenge of ensuring that these important nuances are not lost as the context shifts from theory to practice.
Inclusion in the learning game: Applying considerations from cognitive neuroscience, educational psychology, and SLA to language learning activity and materials design
Authors: Wedlock Joshua , Wilson Nick
Published: September 2024

Considering the need for pedagogically effective learning activities and materials to support language learning, particularly within teacher-led instruction, it is curious that at present there is no overarching, research-based framework available to educators to draw from when designing and implementing such activities and materials. To address this gap, the authors of this paper have drawn from a host of relevant research pertaining to cognitive neuroscience, educational psychology, and second language acquisition to establish a framework for designing and implementing activities and learning materials capable of facilitating enhanced language learning outcomes within an inclusive classroom. Incorporating ten key considerations – attention and focus, desirable difficulty, depth of processing, deliberate practice, novelty and surprise, wakeful rest, visible learning, meaningful feedback, affective engagement, and strategic choice and use – this versatile framework not only provides teachers with necessary knowledge for designing language learning activities and materials in an engaging and efficacious manner but may also embolden them to do so.
Investigating Motor Complications and Thyroid Hormones, Sex Hormonal/Menstrual Links in Female Parkinson's Patients
Authors: Wan Zhirong , Wang Fan , Zhao Jing , Du Jichen , Li Jilai , Wang Peifu , Yi Zhong , Feng Tao
Published: September 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD) is known to impact both sexes, yet women exhibit unique clinical profiles and require tailored disease management strategies. This study sought to delineate the differences in sex and thyroid hormone levels, along with menstrual factors, in postmenopausal women with PD with motor complications and to evaluate their correlation with motoric issues. A cohort of 95 postmenopausal women with PD provided data encompassing menarche and menopause timing, menstrual cycle characteristics, and thyroid and gynecological histories. Hormonal and thyroid function assessments were conducted, correlating with PD patients’ clinical features and disease severity. Key findings include lower serum prolactin in women with PD and motor complications, a negative correlation between estradiol levels and HAMA scores, and no significant differences in menstrual characteristics between those with and without motor complications. Menarche age negatively correlated with cognitive scores, while the menstrual cycle and its duration showed associations with motor symptom severity. Women with motor complications demonstrated specific correlations between menopause timing, menstrual cycle, and psychological scores and presented with lower T3 and higher thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. T3 and FT3 levels were negatively linked to motor symptom severity and H-Y staging in this group. Motor complications in female PD patients are potentially linked to prolactin and T3 levels, underscoring the need for vigilant thyroid function monitoring. Advanced age at PD onset appears protective against motor complications, contrasting with the risks of extended disease duration and elevated NMSS scores.
Fecal microbiota transplantation promotes functional recovery in mice with spinal cord injury by modulating the spinal cord microenvironment
Authors: Xie Huan , Zhang Hui , Zhou Liyi , Chen Junjie , Yao Shun , He Quanxin , Li Zhizhong , ZHOU ZHILAI
Published: September 2024

Background
spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts the gut microbiota, worsening the injury’s impact. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is increasingly recognized as a promising strategy to improve neural function post-SCI, yet its precise mechanisms are still far from clear. The present study aims to elucidate how FMT influences motor function recovery and its underlying mechanisms utilizing a SCI mouse model.
Methods
Mice with SCI received FMT from healthy donors. We used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to analyze the alterations of gut microbes. Pathological alterations in the spinal cord tissue, including neuronal survival, axonal regeneration, cell proliferation, and neuroinflammation, were assessed among experimental groups. Additionally, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to explore alterations in relevant signaling pathways.
Results
Significant shifts in gut microbiota composition following SCI were observed through 16S rRNA analysis. FMT promoted neuronal survival and axonal regeneration, leading to notable improvements in motor function compared to control mice. Immunofluorescence staining showed increased neuronal survival, alleviated extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, diminished glial scar formation, and reduced inflammation in FMT-treated mice. RNA-seq analysis indicated that FMT induced transcriptomic changes associated with material metabolism, ECM remodeling, and anti-inflammatory responses.
Conclusions
FMT restored gut microbiota balance in SCI mice, mitigated inflammation, and promoted ECM remodeling, establishing an optimal environment for neural recovery. These findings demonstrated that FMT may represent a valuable approach to enhance functional recovery following SCI.
Sustainable Approach for Developing High-Performance Activated Carbon from Agricultural Wastes: Exploring the Impact of Carbonization Parameters and Activating Agents for Enhanced Physiochemical Properties
Authors: Kumar Krishna , Tyagi Uplabdhi , Maity Saurav Kumar , Singh Shagun , Sheoran Nikita , Kumar Gulshan
Published: September 2024

Activated carbon, with its notable porosity and large surface area, holds significant promise for various applications. However, the limited exploration of diverse biomass precursors and the insufficient correlation between pore distribution and performance present several challenges. This study addresses these issues by synthesizing activated carbon from banana peel (BP), potato peel (PP), and tea residue (TR) biomass, by optimizing parameters such as temperature (350–900°C), time (30–480 min), pH (1–12), dosage (1–10 g), and particle size (> 0.841 − 0.105 mm). The findings revealed that banana peel-derived activated carbon achieved the highest carbonization yield of 69.867% under optimal conditions (temperature = 350°C, time = 30 min, pH = 1, dosage = 3 g, and particle size > 0.841 mm). Significant enhancements in the characteristics of the activated carbon were observed compared to raw biomass. XRD confirmed the existence of graphitic carbon with (002), (100), and (004) planes, which was further supported by the Raman spectroscopy showing D and G bands near 1320 cm− 1 and 1568 cm− 1. Morphological analysis revealed that maximum surface area (49.374 m²g− 1) was achieved for banana peel-derived activated carbon compared to those derived from potato peel (40.218 m²g− 1) and tea residue (45.355 m²g− 1). Furthermore, the synthesized activated carbon exhibited superior thermal stability compared to the raw biomass, with minimal weight loss of ~ 17–19% across the temperature 20–900°C. This research highlights the significant contribution towards waste management and resource utilization while supporting the development of green technologies for activated carbon synthesis.
Steering nonlocality in high-speed telecommunication system without detection loophole
Authors: Qiang Zeng , Yuan Huihong , Wang Haoyang , Zhou Lai , Yuan Zhiliang
Published: September 2024

Nonlocal correlation represents the key feature of quantum mechanics, and is an exploitable resource in quantum information processing.
However, the loophole issues and the associated applicability compromises hamper the practical applications.
We report the first detection-loophole-free demonstration of steering nonlocality in a fully chip-fiber telecommunication system, with an ultra fast measurement switching rate (2.5~GHz).
In this endeavor, we propose the phase-encoding measurement scheme to adapt the system to the GHz-level modulation rate.
We design and fabricate a low-loss silicon chip for efficient entanglement generation, and come up with an asymmetric paradigm to mimic the measurement implementation at the steering party thus avoiding the phase-encoding loss.
Consequently, we build a fiber-optic setup that can overcome the detection efficiency that is required by conclusive quantum steering with actively switched multiple measurement settings.
Our setup presents an immediate platform for exploring applications based on steering nonlocality, especially for quantum communication.
Exploring the Lived Experience of Chinese Family Caregivers Caring for End-Of-Life Cancer Patients at Home: A Phenomenological Study in Singapore
Authors: Ang Seng Hock Martin , Poon Wing Hong Edward , Best Odette , Graham Coralie
Published: September 2024

Purpose
The Chinese community constitutes the largest demographic and faces the highest rates of cancer incidence in Singapore. Given this, palliative care plays a crucial role in supporting individuals, particularly those nearing the end of life, with family serving as their primary source of support. Many Chinese family caregivers in Singapore reported significant unmet needs in cancer care provision, with studies indicating that they often bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities. Despite this, there has been a lack of research exploring the needs and perspectives of Chinese Singaporean family caregivers caring for terminally ill cancer patients at home. Thus, this study seeks to address this gap by investigating the lived experiences of Chinese Singaporean family caregivers providing end-of-life cancer care in a home setting.
Methods
This study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, guided by the framework developed by van Manen (1990), to uncover the essential meaning of each participant's lived experience. In-depth, semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted face-to-face with ten Chinese Singaporean family caregivers. These caregivers shared their personal journeys of caring for a loved one with advanced cancer during their final stage of life at home. The interviews were audio recorded, and open-ended questions were used to facilitate discussion. Each interview lasted between thirty minutes to one hour. The researcher manually transcribed all audio recordings. Additionally, an external transcriber translated the interviews into written form to ensure accuracy and authenticity. The interview texts were then analysed and interpreted using the philosophical underpinnings rooted in phenomenology.
Results
The attempts to identify meanings and make sense of the Chinese Singaporean’ lived experience led to the development of two main themes and eight sub-themes. Under the primary theme of ‘experiences from caregiving’ comprises the sub-themes, ‘being a caregiver’, ‘suffering’, and ‘well-being’, and the major theme of ‘expectations in caregiving’, encompasses the sub-themes, ‘caregiving support’, ‘decision-making’, ‘communication’, ‘spirituality’ and ‘being a Chinese Singaporean’.
Conclusion
The results of this study have several important implications for practice, policy, and future research to support the Chinese family caregivers to ease their burden of caring.
The association between Anorexia of Aging assessed via Chinese version of Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, Frailty, Nutrition and Psychological status in Community- dwelling Older People：A cross-sectional study
Authors: Feng Gaojie , Liu Xiaohong , Li Jiaojiao , Lu Fei , Zhou Yaru , Sun Xiaohong
Published: September 2024

Background: Anorexia of aging (AA) has become a common geriatric syndrome that endangers the health of older people in China. While there is a lack of research and attention to AA in China. Our team has used Chinese version of the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) to screen for AA in community-dwelling populations and to explore adverse outcomes associated with AA, providing ideas for the early prevention of AA.
Methods: According to the principle of voluntarism, the multi-stage sampling method was used to select older adults ≥65 years from communities in Beijing for face-to-face questionnaire survey. Meanwhile, online questionnaire survey for older people ≥65 years old was conducted through the Questionnaire Star and WeChat APPs. The survey was conducted from June 2023 to June 2024. In addition to participants' general information, clinical status, the Chinese version of SNAQ was used to investigate AA. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associated adverse outcomes with AA and the association of SNAQ Four-Item with frailty, malnutrition, depression and anxiety.
Results: The study included 385 older people living in the community, with an average age of 73.8±7.1 years old (68.2% female), who were divided into poor appetite group and normal group according to SNAQ ≤14. The results showed that the detection rate of AA was 20%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that AA and frailty, malnutrition, psychosocial status were independently associated after adjusting for confounding factors (age, gender, and CCI). Timing of fullness [OR (95% CI):0.562(0.387-0.816)], and diminished taste [OR (95% CI):0.553(0.369-0.829)] were significantly associated with higher frailty risk. Poor appetite [OR (95% CI):0.436(0.283-0.671)] was associated with higher malnutrition risk. Poor appetite [OR (95% CI): 0.594(0.4-0.883)] and diminished taste [OR (95% CI): 0.598(0.393-0.912)] were associated with higher depression risk. Poor taste [OR (95% CI): 0.456(0.261-0.794)] was associated with higher anxiety risk.
Conclusion: The study indicated that the prevalence of AA was high in community-dwelling older people. The items of the SNAQ can serve as risk factors for frailty, malnutrition, and psychological status. Early intervention for AA may be meaningful for the prevention of adverse outcomes.
The Meaning of Leadership in Medical Education and Others in the Pan America Health Organization Member States: A Stakeholder Analysis and Interviews
Authors: Rodriguez-Feria Pablo , Giraldo-Noack Natalia , Garcia-Arango Susana , Paric Martina , Babish Suzanne , Valladares Laura Magaña , Flores Luis Jorge Hernandez , Czabanowska Katarzyna
Published: September 2024

Background
The well-being and health of people are the primary goals of health systems and services (HSS). Education and training (E&T) in leadership within undergraduate medical education (UME), the health workforce (HWF), and other professions are important for having resilient HSS that promote societal changes and transformations. The member states of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/MS) have not explored the conceptualization of leadership based on a robust methodology that provides guidelines for evidence-based leadership development in the Americas.
Methods
The aim was to conceptualize leadership in UME in PAHO/MS. Stakeholders who worked in a PAHO/MS were interviewed, and three steps were followed to identify them: Kammi Schmeer’s guide for stakeholder analysis, networking by the authors, and snowballing by the stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews were done in Spanish or English and each one was transcribed into English. Authors used inductive content analysis and a member checking process to achieve agreement on the themes and codes.
Results
Thirty-four stakeholders were interviewed. Health-promoting leadership and expanding the borders of medicine are the central concepts for E&T in leadership as they focus on achieving people’s well-being and health. Leading and leadership antonyms, models of our own: Leadership signature in the Americas, and challenges: health, public health, and HSS are the peripheral domains that aim to differentiate leadership from other concepts and the target audience, which includes UME, other professions, and individuals without a profession. Furthermore, the distinctive mark of leadership in the Americas and the challenges that will be faced through leadership were highlighted.
Conclusions
We encourage PAHO/MS to consider this research as foundation for leadership E&T to strengthen capacities in UME and related fields. E&T should begin with a conceptualizing leadership exercise that focuses on developing leadership competencies aimed at enhancing the well-being and health of both humans and our ecosystem.
Correlation Analysis of DNA Load, Drug-resistant Mutations and Clinical Manifestation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection in Children
Authors: Yang Shuang , Liu Xi Xiao , Hu Yi Min , Peng Li , Zhang Xiao , Yu Ai Qing
Published: September 2024

Objective
This work aims to analyze the correlation of the macrolide-resistant mutation of A2063G site in 23S rRNA,DNA load,and the clinical manifestation in children infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP).
Methods
Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) admitted to hospital between March 2023 and February 2024 were selected for the study.The pharyngeal swab specimens of the patients were collected to detect MP drug-resistance site mutations,MP DNA loads,and different common markers of infection.The information of the clinical symptoms,medication,and hospitalization time of the patients were collected.The correlation of the macrolide-resistant mutation of A2063G site in 23S rRNA,DNA load,and the clinical symptoms were analyzed by statistical analysis using SPSS 27.0 software.
Results
MP DNA load,fever time,cough disappearance time,hospitalization time,disease duration,and the mean levels of C-reactive protein(CRP),leukocyte,IL-6,γ-interferon,quantitative fibrinogen,lactate dehydrogenase,cardiac creatine kinase of the positive group were higher than those of negative group;the duration of macrolides use of the positive group was shorter than that of the negative group.
Conclusion
Children infected with MP resistant to macrolide antibiotics had higher MP DNA loads,longer hospitalization time,shorter macrolide use,higher levels of CRP,quantitative fibrinogen,and lactate dehydrogenase, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01);the duration of fever,the disappearance of cough,the duration of the disease,and the levels of leukocytes,calcitoninogen,interleukin-6,γ-interferon,and cardiac creatine kinase were not statistically significant different (P > 0.05) between patients infected with MP carrying the macrolide-resistant mutation and patients infected with MP without macrolide-resistant mutation.
Design of hyaluronic acid-based scaffold containing human endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (hEnMSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles for bone tissue engineering: in-vivo and vitro studies
Authors: Habibi Soha , Mohammadi Toraj , Hossein Kargar Jahromi , Asadi Amir Atabak
Published: September 2024

The main challenges in using stem cells (SCs) are cellular survivability, undifferentiated cells, their dose-dependent effects, or age-related deteriorating functions. In this study, it is first focused on designing a bio-substrate with suitable physicomechanical properties to provide a cell-to-cell interactive microenvironment and then on studying the role of extracellular vesicle (EV), as an alternative biologic agent to overcome the SCs limitations, and its dosage, to induce bone formation. To this end, an optimized volume ratio of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS) solution was first selected and mixed with hyaluronic acid (HA) Accordingly, adding HA to the PVA/CS structure resulted in a more coherent network (~ 5% decrease in fiber diameter, ~ 25% and 1.28-fold increase in porosity and modulus) and better cellular adhesion. The results of the EV encapsulation with different dosages (low and high) on the PVA/CS/HA scaffold network and implantation in the rat skull-defect model also indicated that this scaffold provides a burst release of EV, however, the higher dosage possesses the slower release with gentler gradient in the release profile. Moreover, the in-vivo studies exhibited that the high-dose treatment group possesses more ossification in line of the defect with more numerous, active osteoblasts and ossification in the osteoid, along with more symmetrical restoration (after 8 weeks) than the empty scaffold and the low-dose treatment group.
Cloning and functional analysis of ClVND1, a member of the OsNAC7 subfamily in Chrysanthemum morifolium
Authors: He Wenting , Li Yanxi , Mei Chendi , Liu Yueyue , Song Xuebin , Wang Hai
Published: September 2024

NAC transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and development. In this study, ClVND1 was cloned from the NAC transcription factor of Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium. Through bioinformatics analysis, the gene was found to belong to the OsNAC7 subfamily with an open reading frame (ORF) of 1164 bp and encoding 387 amino acids. Through paraffin sectioning and stress treatment, it was found that this gene could increase the thickness of the secondary cell wall of transgenic Arabidopsis stems and lead to the growth of more lateral roots to improve the tolerance of Arabidopsis seedlings to salt or low temperature. Moreover, the inflorescence elongation rate and height of wild-type Arabidopsis were greater than those of transgenic Arabidopsis, but the flowering period was later than that of transgenic Arabidopsis. These results indicate that ClVND1 may resist external stress by regulating root growth and can inhibit inflorescence growth and promote flowering. The purpose of this study was to improve stress resistance and promote the growth and development of C. morifolium by regulating the expression of ClVND1, which is of great significance for the study of chrysanthemum resistance to abiotic stress and growth and development.
Preparation and Characterization of Polyaniline-Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid-Cadmium Oxide (PANI-DBSA-CdO) Composites: As an Electrode Material for Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Anwar Nadeem , Shakoor Abdul , Ali Ghulam , Ahmad Haseeb , Niaz Niaz Ahmad , Irfan Muhammad , Bibi Ariba
Published: September 2024

Earlier we have reported PANI-CdO composite electrodes which exhibited excellent supercapacitive performance at lower concentration of dopant (CdO) but failed to perform at higher concentrations. It could be considered that the limited conductivity of PANI-CdO composites at higher concentrations of dopant CdO might be associated with its poor solubility and lower dispersion into the PANI matrix. Therefore, a surfactant like dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) has introduced for the protonation to make long chain PANI-CdO composites that might help to enhance their electrochemical performance. Therefore, PANI-DBSA, and PANI-DBSA-CdO nanocomposites with cadmium oxide (CdO) as a dopant have been synthesized using In-situ chemical polymerization route and characterized to be used as an electrode material for supercapacitive applications. The physical and chemical properties have investigated through XRD, FTIR, and SEM analysis. The electrical properties have estimated from the obtained IV curves while electrochemical properties are tested through (CV, GCD, and EIS-develop) analysis. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) results of PANI-DBSA-CdO composites don’t exhibit any progress at higher concentrations of dopant CdO. However, PANI-DBSA composite electrode has exhibited a greater specific capacity of 569 F g− 1, with maximum energy density of 12.3 Wh kg− 1, and a higher power density of 812 W kg− 1 at 8.33 A g− 1 current density as compared to rest of all the samples. It also retained more than 85% of its initial capacity after the 20,000th charge–discharge cycle. Highly achieved capacity, excellent reversibility, large (energy and power) densities, and lower (ohmic, charge transfer & diffusion) resistance, suggesting PANI-DBSA composite to be a useful supercapacitive electrode material.
Stark differences across flood risk zones in the Mississippi River floodplain landscape are revealed by an occupancy survey of Missouri swamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus)
Authors: Berkman Leah K. , Timm Shelby R. , Vining Ivan W. , Brunke Kevin , Zhang Xukai , Bonnot Thomas W. , Scheibe John S.
Published: September 2024

Context.
Flood protection zones in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, the often-inundated unprotected side or “batture” and the intermittently flooded protected side, are a juxtaposition of sharply different landscapes and ecological conditions. Swamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus), an indicator species for bottomland hardwood forests, inhabit both zones in the southeastern USA. Though the batture side of the levee offers more habitat and better-connected patches, increased flood severity (frequency and duration) due to climate change or other factors may displace swamp rabbits and other terrestrial vertebrates potentially making the area less habitable.
Objectives.
We used a habitat model to delineate swamp rabbit habitat patches in the flood zones and conducted occupancy surveys of the patches to determine whether swamp rabbits benefited from conditions on the batture side, despite the flood risk.
Methods.
The presence of swamp rabbits in habitat patches of southeastern Missouri, USA was ascertained through the observation of latrine logs. Swamp rabbit habitat patches were identified using species distribution modeling and a subset were further characterized using Q1 LiDAR. We evaluated detection and occupancy models which included patch and detection covariates to determine differences across flood risk zones.
Results.
Patch occupancy was high and similar across zones but detection probability was much higher on the batture side. Forest structure in habitat patches was not drastically different among patches on the protected and unprotected sides of the levee. The higher detection rate may have resulted from greater abundance driven by lower patch isolation.
Conclusions.
Levees that disconnect rivers from the floodplains have a profound effect on landscapes. Swamp rabbits can thrive in the landscape and habitat of the unprotected floodplain, despite their increased exposure to frequent flooding.
Challenges in utilization of modern family planning methods among women of child bearing age in Chanunkha area, in Mzimba, Malawi
Authors: Shaba Evidence , Mwalwanda Atusaye , Mbakaya Balwani Chingatichifwe
Published: September 2024

Background Despite increased contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the region still has high fertility and unmet contraception needs. This study explored challenges in using modern FP methods among women of childbearing age in Chanunkha area in Mzimba, Malawi.Methodology This study used a cross-section descriptive study design, utilizing quantitative approach. Data was collected from 96 participants using a structured questionnaire. SPSS version 23 was used to analyse the data.Results Most women were involved in business (56%) and farming (24%). While 70% had heard of FP methods, 17% had not. Among the total participants, 73% had used FP methods, with injectable being the most common. Many participants (61%) indicated that they did not trust FP methods. Negative attitude of health providers, rated poorly by 68%. Geographical, cultural, and religious barriers were also indicated, identified by 66%, 65%, and 66% of participants, respectively.Conclusion To achieve FP2030 in Malawi which aims to increase the modern use of contraceptives methods from 48% in 2020 to 60% by 2030 and SDG 3, target 3.7, the study recommends improving health provider-client interactions, integrating FP education with economic and agricultural activities, and strengthening collaboration with community and religious leaders to overcome objections.
Identification of Macrophage-Related Biomarkers for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm through Combined Single-Cell Sequencing and Machine Learning
Authors: Yao Guoqing , Hu Xuemei , Song Daqiang , Yao Jin , Chen Deqing , Luan Tiankuo , Zhao Yu
Published: September 2024

The relationship between macrophages and the progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) remains unclear, and effective biomarkers are lacking. In this study, we elucidate the mechanism by which macrophages promote AAA development and identify associated biomarkers, with the goal of developing new targeted therapies and improving patient outcomes. Differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and single-cell analysis were used to identify macrophage-related genes in an AAA dataset. Machine learning algorithms identified THBS1, HCLS1, DMXL2, and ZEB2 as key macrophage-related genes upregulated in AAA; these four hub genes were then used to construct a nomogram as an auxiliary tool for clinical diagnosis. Subsequent downstream single-cell and CellChat analyses were conducted to observe the interactions between macrophages and fibroblasts and analyze potential pathways. Single-cell validation confirmed enhanced THBS1 expression in macrophages within AAA. CellChat analysis revealed enhanced interaction between macrophages and fibroblasts in AAA through THBS1–CD47 signaling. Finally, clinical samples from patients with AAA confirmed the high expression of THBS1 and CD47 in AAA. Our findings highlight THBS1 as a potential driver of macrophage-mediated AAA formation and an important biomarker for AAA diagnosis.
Fully automated sample-to-result SIMPLE-RPA microfluidic chip: towards in ovo sexing application
Authors: Santos Simão Monteiro Belo dos , Wegsteen Celine , Vloemans Dries , Corion Matthias , De Ketelaere Bart , Spasic Dragana , Lammertyn Jeroen
Published: September 2024

Several European countries have implemented new legislations to eliminate the killing of day-old male chicks, pushing the laying hen industry to find animal-friendly solutions. Although embryo sexing during incubation (in ovo sexing) is highly promising, no current solution meets the industry requirements of handling all egg colors with >98 % sexing accuracy, low cost and minimal embryo disturbance, while allowing sexing before day 13 of incubation and processing > 20 000 eggs/hour. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) presents a promising alternative to PCR as a sensitive isothermal technique to be integrated into a microfluidic platform. In this work we developed a fully autonomous microfluidic cartridge (SIMPLE-RPA chip) for chick female-specific synthetic HINTW gene detection in 30 minutes at 37.7 °C inside an egg incubator. We first optimized off-chip RPA, allowing for highly sensitive DNA detection (1.6 x 10-5 ng/µL), matching expected concentrations in allantoic fluid samples. Then, the SIMPLE-RPA chip was developed to accommodate and automate the RPA bioassay on-chip, requiring only sample introduction and finger press activation to reduce user errors and contamination risks. Importantly, the SIMPLE-RPA chip maintained the LOD achieved off-chip. The presented SIMPLE-RPA chip is inexpensive, has a small footprint, is compatible with upscaling, and can be easily transferred to other point-of-care applications.
Spatiotemporal prediction of soil organic carbon density for Europe (2000--2022) in 3D+T based on Landsat-based spectral indices time-series
Authors: Tian Xuemeng , de Bruin Sytze , Simoes Rolf , Isik Mustafa Serkan , Minarik Robert , Ho Yu-Feng , Şahin Murat , Herold Martin , Consoli Davide , Hengl Tomislav
Published: September 2024

The paper describes a comprehensive framework for soil organic carbon density (SOCD) (kg/m3) modeling and mapping, based on spatiotemporal Random Forest (RF) and Quantile Regression Forests (QRF). 22,428 SOCD measurements and a wide range of covariate layers—particularly the 30m Landsat-based spectral indices were used to fit models and produce 30~m SOCD maps for the entire EU at four-year intervals from 2000 to 2022 and for four soil depth intervals (0--20cm, 20--50cm, 50--100cm, and 100--200cm) each accompanied by per-pixel 95% probability prediction intervals (PI, between P0.025 and P0.975). The results of model evaluation indicate consistent accuracy of the predictions: based on both 5--fold spatial cross-validation with model refitting (MAE = 8.64 kg/m3 , MedAE = 4.31 kg/m3 , MAPE = 0.54 kg/m3 and bias = -2.95 kg/m3 ), and on independent testing (MAE = 7.73 kg/m3 , MedAE = 3.54 kg/m3 , MAPE = 0.45 kg/m3 , and bias = -3.04 kg/m3), with both R2 values exceeding 0.7 and concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) greater than 0.8. Validation of PI estimation confirmed that PIs effectively capture uncertainty intervals, although with reduced accuracy for higher SOCD values. Exploratory analysis using Shapley values identified soil depth as the most important feature, with vegetation (Landsat biophysical indices) and long-term bio-climate features as the two main contributing feature groups. Although the uncertainty of the prediction per pixel is significant, further spatial aggregation has been shown to reduce the uncertainty by about 70%. Suggested uses of the data include: (1) time-series / trend analysis to detect potential land degradation hotspots, (2) optimization of sampling designs based on prediction uncertainty, and (3) prediction of future soil carbon potential by extrapolating models under different land use / climate scenarios. The data and code used are publicly available under an open license from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13754344 and https://github.com/AI4SoilHealth/SoilHealthDataCube/.
Hybrid iterated local search algorithm for the vehicle routing problem with lockers
Authors: Oliveira Bruno , Pessoa Artur , Roboredo Marcos
Published: September 2024

In the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) with Lockers, the vertices in a graph are divided into two key subsets: a customer set and a locker set, with lockers serving as alternative delivery points for the customer's parcel. This paper presents a generic VRP with lockers, where a customer's parcel can be delivered either to its home within a time windows or to a nearby locker, where they can pick it up at any time. The objective is to design a set of routes for a fleet of homogeneous vehicles in order to minimize the total travel, vehicle and assignment costs in a such manner that each locker can be visited at most once, the capacities of the vehicles and lockers are not exceeded and the time windows constraints are ensured. To solve this problem. we propose a hybrid metaheuristic that combines Iterated Local Search with a Set Partitioning-like model. Our algorithm uses several classical and specific neighborhood operators. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology by evaluating it on benchmark literature instances from three problems that we show that are encompassed by the generic problem defined in this paper. The results show that we found or improved 432 out of 490 best known solutions.