bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Trichoderma harzianum and its bio-efficacy on Alternaria brassicae
Authors: Mishra Deep Narayan , Prasad Lakshman , Suyal Usha
Published: February 2025

Increasing concerns about chemical fungicides require sustainable alternatives for crop protection. Microbe-mediated synthesis of metal nanoparticles offers a sustainable, eco-friendly and highly effective strategy for plant disease management. This study investigates the mycosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the culture filtrate of Trichoderma harzianum and their antifungal activity against Alternaria brassicae. Nanoparticles were synthesized under optimized conditions of cell-free culture filtrate (CFCF) concentration, substrate concentration, pH and temperature. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy confirmed an absorption peak between 200 and 400 nm, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the hexagonal crystal structure with an average size of 29 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential analysis revealed a hydrodynamic size of 50.79 nm and a surface charge of −17.49 mV, indicating good stability. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis identified functional groups (C=O, N-O, and O-H) that are crucial for nanoparticles stabilization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis revealed spherical, rod-shaped and hexagonal nanoparticles with sizes between 12 and 41 nm. Mycogenic-zinc oxide nanoparticles (M-ZnO NPs) significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of A. brassicae by 91.48% at 200 μg/mL, compared to chemically synthesized ZnO NPs at 200 μg/mL (79.62%) and mancozeb 0.2% (82.96%). SEM-EDX analysis revealed deformations and absorption of M-ZnO NPs in fungal hyphae, while confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and impaired membrane integrity in treated fungal cells. Stress enzyme analysis confirmed increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity by 44.2 U/mol and 39.6 U/mol at 200 μg/mL M-ZnO NPs. Our studies suggest that the M-ZnO NPs synthesized with T. harzianum culture filtrate have increased antifungal activity even at lower doses and can be used as an alternative to traditional fungicides without affecting environment.
Applying nanopore sequencing in the etiological diagnosis of bloodstream infection
Authors: Liao Yiqun , Gong Junjie , Wang Xiaoling , Chen Puwen , Chi Qinxing , Chen Xiaohong
Published: February 2025

Bloodstream infection (BSI) is a systemic infectious disease that can lead to shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, multiorgan failure, and even death. Blood culture is considered the gold standard for the etiological diagnosis of BSI; however, blood culture is time-consuming and has a low positivity rate, which has limited its utility for early and rapid clinical diagnosis. Nanopore sequencing technology (NST), a third-generation sequencing method, offers rapid detection, real-time single-molecule sequencing, and ultra-long reads. These features enable the prompt detection of pathogens and the analysis of drug-resistant genes and genomic characteristics, thereby optimizing the clinical diagnosis and treatment of BSI. In this article, we summarize the application of NST in the etiological diagnosis of BSI.
Convergent reductions in interhemispheric functional, structural and callosal connectivity in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Wang Erlei , Jia Yujing , Cheng Luqi , Mao Chengjie , Bao Yiqing , Shen Junkang , Zhang Yuanchao , Fan Guohua
Published: February 2025

Background

Abnormal interhemispheric functional connectivity is frequently reported in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but its structural basis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate changes in interhemispheric functional, structural, and callosal connectivity, as well as their interrelationships, in PD patients.

Methods

The study included 57 PD patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs). Interhemispheric functional connectivity was evaluated using voxel mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) derived from resting-state functional MRI, while structural connectivity was measured through homotopic cortical thickness covariance from T1-weighted MRI. The corpus callosum (CC), connecting bilateral regions with VMHC differences, was assessed using fractional anisotropy (FA) from diffusion MRI. Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the interrelationships among imaging data and their clinical relevance.

Results

Compared to HCs, PD patients showed reduced VMHC and interhemispheric structural connectivity in similar brain regions, displaying a positive correlation trend between these measures. The affected regions encompassed the bilateral sensorimotor cortices (precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and paracentral lobule) and posterior cortical areas, including the superior parietal lobule, supramarginal gyrus, precuneus, middle occipital gyrus, fusiform gyrus, as well as the superior and middle temporal gyri. FA in the CC, connecting regions with reduced VMHC, was also lower in PD patients. Additionally, interhemispheric structural, functional, and callosal connectivity reductions were, respectively, related to cognitive impairment, motor dysfunctions, and disease duration in PD.

Conclusion

The study identified convergent reductions in interhemispheric functional, structural and callosal connectivity in PD patients, emphasizing the strong link between structural and functional brain abnormalities. Our findings may provide new insights into the pathophysiology of PD.
Congenital cytomegalovirus screening in neonates born after 35 weeks gestation—is targeted screening beneficial?
Authors: Aldon Mary Liza , Raveentheran Gayatiri , Amin Zubair , Chan Si Min , Aoyama Rie , Tee Nancy , Ng Sau Yoke , Lee Chun Kiat , Ng Pick Gate , Low Jia Ming
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common congenital viral infection and leading cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss in children. Timely treatment within the first months of life can prevent hearing loss. We evaluated utility, feasibility, and short-term cost implications of targeted cCMV screening in a tertiary public healthcare institution in Singapore.

Methods

We analyzed data from neonates born at ≥35 weeks gestation from 1st February 2022 to 31st January 2023, at the National University Hospital, Singapore. Screening criteria for CMV testing were neonates who failed hearing screening at birth, had a birth weight <2.5 kg, small for gestational age (SGA), or had clinical suspicion for cCMV. Urine samples were obtained within two weeks of birth for CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. We collected clinical, ophthalmological, neuroimaging, laboratory, and audiological data. A limited, short-term cost analysis was performed to compare costs of three cCMV screening strategies (universal, targeted, and no screening) two years after implementation.

Results

Out of 5,277 neonates, 305 (6%) met the screening criteria. Among those screened, 70.5% (215/305) were SGA or had a birth weight <2.5 kg, and 23.3% (71/305) failed the hearing screen. The overall diagnostic yield was 0.06% (3/5,277). There was one false positive result (0.3%; 1/305). Three neonates (0.98%; 3/305) were diagnosed with cCMV by urine PCR. One was SGA without intracranial abnormality, and two had low birth weight with intracranial calcifications. None had cytopenia or transaminitis, and all ophthalmology screenings were normal. All infected neonates were started on Valganciclovir. One neonate failed the hearing test at one month of age but passed repeat assessments by three months. Two neonates exhibited upper motor neuron signs in the lower limbs and are on long-term follow-up. The total estimated direct treatment-related cost without cCMV screening was S$104,445.79. In the targeted screening model, the total cost was S$146,656.30, compared to S$853,890.16 in the universal screening model.

Conclusion

We demonstrated the feasibility of targeted cCMV screening, which complements universal newborn hearing screening in a tertiary neonatal center in Singapore. Targeted cCMV screening can be implemented cost-effectively during the neonatal period, enabling early detection and intervention.
Entrectinib can induce nerve cell damage by inhibiting PI3K-AKT and TGF-β signaling pathways
Authors: Tang Qingshan , Dong Jiachen , Zhang Feng , Zhao Dan , Yang Qi , Wen Jiayu , Sun Yuhao , Wei Jifu , Liu Zhixian
Published: February 2025

Background

The tyrosine receptor kinase inhibitor (TRKi) entrectinib is used to treat neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion-positive solid tumors and ROS1-positive patients. Despite its impressive efficacy against cancer, the clinical application is still limited by the central nervous system (CNS)-related toxicities. However, the precise mechanism of such CNS-related toxicities remains elusive.

Methods

The effect of entrectinib-induced nerve cell damage was evaluated by the nerve cells (PC12, HT22 and SK-N-SH) based in vitro models. Various assays, including CCK-8, colony formation and EdU incorporation assays were utilized to estimate the cellular viability and proliferation ability. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Next, transcriptome sequencing technology was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology (GO), kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were applied to predict the potential functions of DEGs. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting assays were performed to measure the expressions of thrombospondin-1 (THBS1), TGF-β1, PI3K, AKT and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) in the entrectinib-treated nerve cells. Additionally, we Preliminary observed and validated whether THBS1 overexpression could rescue nerve cell damage and the abnormalities in PI3K-AKT and TGF-β signaling pathways.

Results

Entrectinib significantly inhibited the nerve cells proliferation and colony formation, and induced nerve cells apoptosis. Transcriptome sequencing analysis and qRT-PCR revealed that THBS1 was downregulated within entrectinib treatment. KEGG and GSEA analysis also suggested that entrectinib directly caused the abnormalities in proliferation-related signaling pathway like PI3K-AKT pathway, and apoptosis-related signaling pathway including TGF-β pathway. We further demonstrated that THBS1, TGF-β1, PI3K, AKT and p-AKT were downregulated by entrectinib. Meanwhile, pretreatment with THBS1 overexpression plasmids significantly rescued nerve cells (PC12, HT22 and SK-N-SH) from cell death and the abnormalities in PI3K-AKT and TGF-β signaling pathways.

Conclusion

These results identified a critical role of entrectinib in promoting nerve cell damage by downregulating the expression of THBS1 while also inhibiting PI3K-AKT and TGF-β signaling pathways. Our findings will provide potential therapeutic targets for CNS-related toxicities.
Network analysis and experimental validation to investigate chenpi against functional dyspepsia through TLR4/MyD88 by regulating the gut microbial structure
Authors: Hu Jinfang , Wang Xu , Guo Xiaoqiu , Wen Wen , Xue Jin , Liao Zhengzheng , Chen Lihua
Published: February 2025

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by the absence of organic lesions; it affects nearly one-fifth of the global population. There is currently no specific drug for treating it. Citri reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) has been utilized in China for millennia as a therapeutic agent for alleviating bloating and spleen–stomach disharmony. Nonetheless, the curative efficacy and precise molecular mechanisms implicated in FD warrant further investigation. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the potential mechanisms of CRP against FD using HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS, network analysis prediction, and experimental validation. In this study, 90 CRP metabolites were identified by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS; 70 common targets of CRP and FD were extracted, and the top ten overlapped targets included MAPK1, MAPK2, and MAPK3. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that the MAPK pathways were predominant and involved the TLR4 signaling pathway. In vivo experiments demonstrated that after 14 days of treatment, CRP improved body weight, gastric emptying rate, intestinal transit rate, and the pathological structure of the gastric tissue. Serum IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were downregulated, and the expressions of TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB, and MAPKs were suppressed in gastric tissue. Furthermore, CRP increased the relative abundance of Patescibateria and Bacteroidota, accompanied by a reduction in the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobota and Proteobacteria. In brief, CRP could attenuate dyspepsia by reducing the activation of inflammation-related TLR4/MyD88 and MAPK signaling pathways and by mediating gut microbial structure and composition. This study provides a unique perspective for further research on drugs for treating FD.
Real-world pharmacovigilance investigation of imipenem/cilastatin: signal detection using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database
Authors: Jia Peng , Zhou Yusen , Gao Yuan , Wang Shangyu , Yin Jiangliu , Lian Yixiang , Lai Quanyou
Published: February 2025

Background

Although imipenem/cilastatin (IMI/CIL) has demonstrated favorable therapeutic efficacy against various infections, the incidence of potential adverse events (AEs) has escalated in parallel with its increased utilization and has been documented in clinical trials. However, a comprehensive understanding of real-world implications remains lacking.

Methods

By conducting a comprehensive search in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database, AE reports associated with IMI/CIL as the primary suspect (PS) were selected for analysis, spanning from the first quarter of 2004 to the fourth quarter of 2023. Utilizing disproportionality analysis techniques, potential signals of AE s were identified through reported odds ratio (ROR), proportional report ratio (PRR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and empirical Bayesian geometric mean (EBGM). The obtained results were systematically classified using Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA).

Result

From the first quarter of 2004 to the fourth quarter of 2023, a total of 2,574 reports documenting AEs associated with IMI/CIL were obtained, with more than half (n = 1,517, 58.94%) involving individuals aged over 60 years old. Descriptive analysis was conducted based on age groups and time to onset, revealing that the majority of AEs occurred within 3 days. Adverse drug reactions caused by IMI/CIL were classified into 24 system organ classes (SOCs) at the preferred term (PT) level. Furthermore, previously unreported and clinically significant AEs such as cerebral atrophy, and delirium were also identified at the PT level.

Conclusion

This study offers a more comprehensive insight into the monitoring, supervision, and management of adverse drug reactions associated with IMI/CIL. Clinicians should pay further attention to the implications of numerous AEs and their corresponding signal intensities, as well as unrecorded signals of severe AEs. This holds significant value in enhancing the clinical safety profile of IMI/CIL.
Recent development of mitochondrial metabolism and dysfunction in osteoarthritis
Authors: Guo Pengchao , Alhaskawi Ahmad , Adel Abdo Moqbel Safwat , Pan Zhijun
Published: February 2025

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder characterized by cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, and altered subchondral bone structure. Recent insights have identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a pivotal factor in OA pathogenesis, contributing to chondrocyte apoptosis, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix degradation. Disruptions in mitochondrial dynamics, including impaired biogenesis, mitophagy, and metabolic shifts from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, exacerbate cartilage damage by promoting the production of reactive oxygen species and matrix-degrading enzymes such as ADAMTS and MMPs. This review explores the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in OA, emphasizing its role in cartilage homeostasis and inflammation. Furthermore, it highlights emerging therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial pathways, including antioxidants, mitophagy enhancers, and metabolic modulators, as potential interventions to mitigate disease progression, which offer promising avenues for advancing personalized and disease-modifying treatments in OA.
A new tapered semiconductor laser with integrated multimode interference coupler
Authors: Zhang Jianxin , Sun Haizhu , Du Zaifa , Yang Min , Wang Pingping , Zhang Yingchao , Fan Xinmin
Published: February 2025

A new tapered semiconductor laser with an integrated multimode interference coupler is presented in this paper. The seed source of the new laser is a multimode interference coupler semiconductor laser, which overcomes the limitations imposed by the relationship between single mode output and gain medium volume in the ridged waveguide region. The simulation results show that the multi-mode interference coupler can effectively provide a spatial single-mode seed light source for the tapered output waveguide, and the tapered output waveguide of the tapered semiconductor laser can also effectively reduce the optical power density of the output laser, which verifies the feasibility of the design scheme and provides a new idea for the design of high beam quality and high power tapered semiconductor laser.
A method of deep network auto-training based on the MTPI auto-transfer learning and a reinforcement learning algorithm for vegetation detection in a dry thermal valley environment
Authors: Chen Yayong , Zhou Beibei , Xiaopeng Chen , Ma Changkun , Cui Lei , Lei Feng , Han Xiaojie , Chen Linjie , Wu Shanshan , Ye Dapeng
Published: February 2025

UAV image acquisition and deep learning techniques have been widely used in field hydrological monitoring to meet the increasing data volume demand and refined quality. However, manual parameter training requires trial-and-error costs (T&E), and existing auto-trainings adapt to simple datasets and network structures, which is low practicality in unstructured environments, e.g., dry thermal valley environment (DTV). Therefore, this research combined a transfer learning (MTPI, maximum transfer potential index method) and an RL (the MTSA reinforcement learning, Multi-Thompson Sampling Algorithm) in dataset auto-augmentation and networks auto-training to reduce human experience and T&E. Firstly, to maximize the iteration speed and minimize the dataset consumption, the best iteration conditions (MTPI conditions) were derived with the improved MTPI method, which shows that subsequent iterations required only 2.30% dataset and 6.31% time cost. Then, the MTSA was improved under MTPI conditions (MTSA-MTPI) to auto-augmented datasets, and the results showed a 16.0% improvement in accuracy (human error) and a 20.9% reduction in standard error (T&E cost). Finally, the MTPI-MTSA was used for four networks auto-training (e.g., FCN, Seg-Net, U-Net, and Seg-Res-Net 50) and showed that the best Seg-Res-Net 50 gained 95.2% WPA (accuracy) and 90.9% WIoU. This study provided an effective auto-training method for complex vegetation information collection, which provides a reference for reducing the manual intervention of deep learning.
Insights into early generation synthetic amphidiploid Brassica juncea: a strategy to harness maximum parental genomic diversity for improving Indian mustard
Authors: Garg Pooja , Tripathi Shikha , Kashyap Anamika , Anil Kumar A. , Kumari Sujata , Singh Mandeep , Kushwaha Ranjeet , Sharma Shiv Shankar , Sharma Jyoti , Yadav Rashmi , Gupta N. C. , Singh Naveen , Bhattacharya Ramcharan , Chhokar Vinod , Rao Mahesh
Published: February 2025

In India, amphidiploid Brassica juncea (AABB, 2n=36) is a significant oilseed crop, but its small gene pool limits its ability to develop traits of higher breeding and economic value. Through interspecific hybridization from various lines of the progenitor species, resynthesized B. juncea (RBJ) can provide breeders with additional resources for creating genetically diverse stress-tolerant and high-yielding cultivars. Three B. rapa accessions and eight B. nigra accessions were crossed in this study to develop 33 synthetic B. juncea lines. A total of 28 crosses were attempted, including the three-way crosses, but only the cross combinations with B. rapa cytoplasm led to successful embryonic development. Molecular diversity analysis of these lines in S2 generation revealed significant genetic diversity with higher levels of heterozygosity and allelic richness, along with significant variations for the yield-related traits. These results suggest that the synthesized lines could effectively enrich the genetic base of B. juncea and generate variability for agronomically important traits in a shorter time duration. The characterized variability in the synthetic lines needs to be utilized in hybridization, with already evolved genotypes, in early generations before it is lost due to chromosomal rearrangements, recombination and natural selection.
Bibliometric analyses of climate psychology: critical psychology and climate justice perspectives
Authors: Anjum Gulnaz , Aziz Mudassar
Published: February 2025

The psychology of climate change has become a critical area of research, exploring the intersection between human behavior, psychological wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. This paper presents a bibliometric analysis to explore the interdisciplinary field of psychology and climate change, covering research from 01 January 1995 to 15 August 2024. Using 3,087 academic publications from the Web of Science and employing VOSviewer and BiblioMatrix for network analysis, we dissect the evolution, key contributors, and central themes within this domain. Our analysis identifies leading authors, institutions, and nations, alongside the collaboration networks underlying the field’s growth. Thematic clustering of these networks highlights dominant topics such as pro-environmental behavior, sustainability, mental health, eco-anxiety, and risk perception. We utilize visual mappings of co-authorship and bibliographic relationships to illustrate the dynamic interaction among researchers and their topics. By framing our findings through the lens of climate justice and critical psychology, we advocate for a research paradigm that challenges systemic barriers to climate justice, emphasizing the necessity for equitable and action-oriented psychological research to guide climate-related policy and public engagement.
A perspective from the European Network for Bipolar and Emotion Regulation on research and intervention for emotion dysregulation in bipolar disorder: challenges and lessons learned
Authors: Azevedo Julieta , Dodd Alyson , Weiner Luisa , M’Bailara Katia , Pinto Ana M. , Weibel Sébastien , Lawlor Caroline , Koenders Manja , Wright Kim
Published: February 2025

Bipolar disorder (BD) and emotion dysregulation present substantial challenges for individuals and healthcare providers. Although pharmacological treatments remain the primary approach, psychosocial interventions show promise in addressing sub-threshold symptoms and deepening understanding of mood and emotion dysregulation mechanisms. The European Network for Bipolar Emotion Regulation (ENBER) aims to close the gap between research and clinical practice by offering practical insights for clinicians while contributing to scientific discourse on BD and emotion regulation (ER). This perspective paper identifies key questions for the field, suggesting directions for future research and highlighting promising interventions, such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), which have shown potential to reduce emotion dysregulation and improve personal recovery in BD. Future research should explore the flexibility and context-appropriateness of ER strategies, considering how current mood states significantly impact these dynamics. The commentary advocates for personalised treatment approaches that address individual differences in symptoms and ER capabilities, recommending innovative methodologies to better understand and apply ER in BD.Incorporating patient perspectives into research design is also a necessary focus for future research, having the potential to improve recovery and quality of life for individuals with BD.
Identifying network state-based Parkinson’s disease subtypes using clustering and support vector machine models
Authors: Nguchu Benedictor Alexander , Han Yifei , Wang Yanming , Shaw Peter
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) heterogeneity poses challenges to the current development of discovering the best therapeutic targets.

Methods

Here, we employ K-means and hierarchical clustering algorithms on data from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) to identify network-specific patterns that describe PD subtypes using the optimal number of brain features. The features were specifically the gray matter volume and dopaminergic features of the neostriatum, i.e., the caudate, putamen, and anterior putamen. We use machine learning (ML) algorithms, including Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and Support Vector Machine, to evaluate the diagnostic power of the brain features and network patterns in differentiating the PD subtypes and distinguishing PD from HC. Finally, we assessed whether PD subtypes described through network-specific patterns are dependent on the APOE genotype.

Results

Using data from 2396 subjects, we show that PD (n=2037) is highly associated with APOE ϵ2/ϵ4. Our findings reveal a significant DAT deficit in the left and right structures of the caudate, putamen, and anterior putamen in subjects with PD compared to subjects with SWEDD(n=137) or HC(n=222), and that APOE ϵ2/ϵ4 may accelerate DAT deficits and brain alterations in both PD and SWEDD. Furthermore, clinical symptoms of PD in subjects (SWEDD), which hardly validated by DAT scan data, can be explained by variations in APOE genotypes and other brain features beyond DAT. We show the existence of three networks states for the whole data, with the first network state describing the subjects in HC, while the remaining two network states describing the two PD subtypes—one network state typified by a mildly sparsely connected network (patterns) and the other network state characterized by a more intensified sparsity in their network. We also show that the two subtypes of PD are characterized by distinctly different levels of total gray matter volume and DAT deficit. ML models show that features extracted from brain structure and network patterns can serve as reliable biomarkers for PD and its subtypes, with the highest performance (100% AUC, 99.3% accuracy, 0.993 F1) demonstrated by the fine-tuned SVM model.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that, while PD is generally associated with a larger DAT deficit in specific brain structures of the neostriatum, it exhibits intrinsic heterogeneity across individuals, which may stem from genetic factors. Such heterogeneity can be characterized by ML models and optimally mapped into network states, providing new insights to consider when developing personalized drugs.
Unraveling the occupational exposure to mycotoxins in a waste management setting: results from a case study in Norway
Authors: Martins Carla , Viegas Carla , Eriksen Elke , Graff Pål , Afanou Anani Komlavi , Straumfors Anne , Twarużek Magdalena , Grajewski Jan , Kosicki Robert , Viegas Susana
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Waste management represents an occupational setting where fungi are significant contaminants. This study aimed to assess the exposure of waste workers to mycotoxins through a human biomonitoring study.

Methods

A total of 33 workers and 19 controls provided spot urine samples to determine 10 mycotoxins’ urinary biomarkers using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Risk characterization was performed using hazard quotient and margin of exposure assessments.

Results

The results indicated that workers were exposed to six out of the 10 mycotoxins tested, with the following detection rates: deoxynivalenol (91%, 30/33), ochratoxin A (33%, 11/33), zearalenone (17%, 5/33), α-zearalenol (12%, 4/33), β-zearalenol (12%, 4/33), and HT-2 toxin (3%, 1/33). Within controls and outwith controls, were exposed to 5/10 and 2/10 mycotoxins, respectively. All participants exhibited hazard quotients for deoxynivalenol and zearalenone below one, indicating that the exposure is unlikely to pose a health risk. However, when considering the margin of exposure determined for ochratoxin A, 18% of the total participants presented results below 200 for non-neoplastic effects, and 100% of the total participants presented values below 10,000 for neoplastic effects, suggesting potential health concerns that require further assessment.

Discussion

This study highlights the need for future research on occupational exposure to mycotoxins in waste management settings.
Prevalence and contributory factors to burnout in the New Zealand surgical specialist and registrar population
Authors: Dholakia Jhanvi , Narayanan Anantha , Smith Nicholas
Published: February 2025

Burnout is a growing phenomenon among medical professionals due to aging patient populations and an increasing burden of chronic disease, in a resource constrained environment. We aim to quantify the prevalence of burnout in surgical specialists and registrars at a tertiary center in New Zealand and identify contributory factors, using a New Zealand based tool, the McEwan Burnout Questionnaire. Of the 110 people surveyed, 55% respondents had concern or high risk of burnout. Contributory factors were frustration with management, lack of resources and long working hours, with predominance toward fatigue and service provision over career progression among the registrar group. Bullying and harassment were reported more in the sub-specialty groups. More time in private practice appeared to be associated with less concern for burnout. These high rates of burnout require targeted interventions toward contributory factors to protect our workers and to maintain a sustainable workforce.
Using in-house 3D technology for optimal spatial positioning of elongation devices for distraction osteogenesis—a cost-effective alternative
Authors: Rachmiel Adi , Shilo Dekel , Hija Ahmad , Capucha Tal , Zeineh Nidal , Emodi Omri , Krasovsky Andrei
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Mandibular distraction osteogenesis is globally accepted as the gold-standard surgical solution for various craniofacial deformities and syndromes. Stock device evolution has advanced into complex designs to achieve the most accurate three-dimensional distraction vector of elongation. Today's cutting-edge solution is patient-specific distractors designed by virtual surgical planning (VSP) to facilitate surgical performance and ensure the most predictable clinical results. However, tailoring patient-specific distractors comes with a significant price tag.

Methods

Using VSP technology, we developed an inexpensive stepwise method of precisely directing the distraction vector by adapting off-the-shelf distractors for the individual contour of the patients’ mandibles based on the in-house designed and printed cutting guides.

Results

The virtual planning sequence and clinical application are described in detail. The final results are assessed by 3D analysis to confirm the method's precision and predictability.

Discussion

The final positions of the adapted off-the-shelf distractors were found to match the pre-operative virtual planning precisely, resulting in excellent clinical results. This method can be easily reproduced in similar clinical cases with reduced cost.
Distance and orientation of hydrophones influence the received soundscape in shallow coral reefs
Authors: Azofeifa-Solano Juan Carlos , Erbe Christine , Tollefsen Cristina , McCauley Robert D. , Brooker Rohan M. , Pygas Daniel , Parsons Miles J. G.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Acoustic monitoring and soundscape analysis provide valuable data for the conservation and restoration of underwater habitats. However, before these methods can be widely implemented for management purposes, it is crucial to validate the ecological relevance of different sampling methodologies and quantify potential biases.

Methods

We investigated how the distance and orientation of an acoustic sensor relative to a target habitat influence the received soundscape. Using a spatial array of hydrophones, we recorded sound at different distances (1 m, 2 m, 5 m) and orientations (vertical vs. horizontal) from a shallow coral reef.

Results

Hydrophones oriented horizontally toward the reef exhibited the expected decrease in sound levels with increasing distance. In contrast, hydrophones oriented vertically showed an inverse trend, with lower sound pressure levels at closer distances and higher levels further away.

Discussion

These findings indicate that sensor directivity significantly influences the received soundscape, introducing a potential methodological bias within and across acoustic datasets. To improve the accuracy and comparability of acoustic sampling in coastal habitats, sensor beam patterns should be carefully considered in experimental design.
HNN-QCn: Hybrid Neural Network with Multiple Backbones and Quantum Transformation as Data Augmentation Technique
Authors: Gordienko Yuri , Trochun Yevhenii , Taran Vladyslav , Khmelnytskyi Arsenii , Stirenko Sergii
Published: February 2025

Purpose: The impact of hybrid quantum-classical neural network (NN) architectures with multiple backbones and quantum transformation as a data augmentation (DA) technique on image classification tasks was investigated using the CIFAR-10 and MedMNIST (DermaMNIST) datasets. These datasets were chosen for their relevance in general-purpose and medical-specific small-scale image classification, respectively. Methods: A series of quanvolutional transformations, utilizing random quantum circuits based on single-qubit rotation quantum gates (Y-axis, X-axis, and combined XY-axis transformations), were applied to create multiple quantum channels (QC) for input augmentation. By integrating these QCs with baseline convolutional NN architectures (LCNet050) and scalable hybrid NN architectures with multiple (n) backbones and separate QC (n) inputs (HNN-QCn), the scalability and performance enhancements offered by quantum-inspired data augmentation were evaluated. The proposed cross-validation workflow ensured reproducibility and systematic performance evaluation of hybrid models by mean and standard deviation values of metrics (such as accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver operating characteristic). Results: The results demonstrated consistent performance improvements by AUC and accuracy in HNN-QCn models with the number n (where n∈{4,5,9,10,17,18}) of backbones and QC inputs across both datasets. The different improvement rates were observed for the smaller increase in AUC and the larger increase in accuracy as input complexity (number of backbones and QCs inputs) increases. It is assumed that the prediction probability distribution is becoming sharpened with the addition of backbones and QC inputs, leading to larger improvements in accuracy. At the same time, AUC reflects these changes more slowly unless the model’s ranking ability improves substantially. Conclusion: The findings highlight the scalability, robustness, and adaptability of HNN-QCn architectures, with superior performance by AUC (micro and macro) and accuracy across diverse datasets and potential for applications in high-stakes domains like medical imaging. These results underscore the utility of quantum transformations as a form of DA, paving the way for further exploration into the scalability and efficiency of hybrid architectures in complex datasets and real-world scenarios.
Functional Feed with Bioactive Plant-Derived Compounds: Effects on Pig Performance, Muscle Fatty Acid Profile, and Meat Quality in Finishing Pigs
Authors: Di Meo Maria Chiara , Licaj Ilva , Varricchio Romualdo , De Nisco Mauro , Stilo Romania , Rocco Mariapina , Bianchi Anna Rita , D’Angelo Livia , De Girolamo Paolo , Vito Pasquale , Zarrelli Armando , Varricchio Ettore
Published: February 2025

Recent studies have highlighted the potential of plant-based and agro-industrial by-products as valuable sources of bioactive compounds for animal feed formulation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of dietary supplementation with Olea europaea L. leaf extract on the fatty acid composition of pig muscle. Thirty commercial hybrid pigs (Large White × (Landrace × Duroc)), with an initial body weight of 169 ± 7.90 kg and an average age of 10 ± 1 months, were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (n = 15 per group): one fed a standard diet containing Sulla (C) and the other receiving the same diet enriched with olive leaf extract (OL). Over 90 days, the OL group was supplemented with 300 mg/head/day of olive leaf extract, primarily containing oleuropein diglucoside, luteolin-7-glucoside, and verbascoside. The phenolic content, antioxidant activity, bioactive compounds, and fatty acid profiles of both meats and diets were analyzed. Results showed that OL supplementation did not significantly affect the chemical composition of the meat or pig performance, but it did influence the lipid profile. Specifically, OL supplementation led to a significant reduction in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and an increase in oleic acid, thus enhancing the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Moreover, the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in the meat was significantly reduced, suggesting potential improvements in the nutritional and functional quality of pig meat, enhancing the nutritional and functional quality of the meat by improving its fatty acid profile.
Assessment of Benthic Ecological Quality Status in the Subtidal Zone of Northern Jeju Island, South Korea, During Summer Based on Macrobenthos
Authors: Liang Jian , Ma Chae-Woo , Kim Kwang-Bae
Published: February 2025

Background: Jeju Island is a world-renowned tourist destination. However, with the increasing intensity of anthropogenic activities, the coastal marine environment of Jeju Island has been negatively affected. Methods and Results: Our study used five benthic indices to assess the ecological quality of the subtidal zone in northern Jeju Island. Our analysis indicated that apart from the benthic polychaetes amphipods index (BPA), other benthic indices assessed the ecological quality of the subtidal zone in northern Jeju Island as high or good. Distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) indicated that pH and salinity primarily influenced macrobenthic communities in 2011 and 2012. According to the Spearman rank correlation analysis, the multivariate AZTI marine biotic Index (M-AMBI) showed stronger correlations with environmental data than other benthic indices. Conclusions: Overall, the averages of the five benthic indices suggested that the benthic ecological quality of the subtidal zone in the northern part of Jeju Island was high or good. Although immediate marine environmental management is not required, long-term monitoring remains essential. M-AMBI outperformed other benthic indices; however, we recommend using multiple benthic indices to assess the benthic ecological quality of Jeju Island due to the complexity of marine ecosystems. Effective support has been provided by our study for the marine environmental conservation along the coast of Jeju Island.
Effect of Antibiotics on Clinical and Laboratory Outcomes After Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Soleymani Fatemeh , Maté Sánchez de Val José Eduardo , Lijnev Artiom , Makiabadi Mehrdad , Martínez Carlos Pérez-Albacete
Published: February 2025

Objectives: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the impact of 2 g of pre-operative amoxicillin on postoperative clinical outcomes and salivary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration following mandibular third molar removal. Methods: Eighteen healthy adult patients requiring impacted mandibular third molar extraction were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (EG) receiving 2 g of amoxicillin and a placebo group (PG) receiving empty capsules, one hour before the surgery and before taking the first saliva sample. Primary outcomes measured were pain levels at different time points and salivary PGE2 concentrations measured before, 24 h, and 7 days after the surgery, while secondary outcomes included changes in maximum mouth opening (MMO) immediately after the surgery at 1 day and a week post-surgery, and facial swelling at 24 h and 7 days post-surgery. Results: The results showed no significant differences between the EG and PG in terms of pain levels, salivary PGE2 concentration, MMO changes, or facial swelling at different time points (p-values > 0.05). One instance of surgical site infection was noted in the PG in the 7-day follow-up session, but it was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.303). Correlation analyses indicated that a higher number of sutures and a higher difficulty index of surgery were associated with increased pain, while longer surgery duration and osteotomy were linked to more MMO changes and facial swelling (p-values < 0.05). In addition, while longer surgery duration and performing tooth section were correlated with lower PGE2 concentrations, PGE2 concentrations were positively correlated with pain levels (p-values < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, administering 2 g of prophylactic amoxicillin did not significantly affect postoperative clinical or laboratory outcomes in healthy patients undergoing mandibular third molar surgery.
Air Pollution Trends and Predictive Modeling for Three Cities with Different Characteristics Using Sentinel-5 Satellite Data and Deep Learning
Authors: Alkayal Salma , Almisbahi Hind , Baowidan Souad , Alkayal Entisar
Published: February 2025

Accurate air quality forecasting is important in pollution prevention and risk reduction. Effective short-term and long-term forecasting models are needed. This study investigated the need for a new model to forecast air pollution concentrations in three cities with distinct characteristics: a city with high industrial activity, a city with a high population density and urbanization, and an agricultural city. The air pollution data were collected using the Sentinel-5P satellite and Google Earth Engine to apply descriptive analysis and comparison of two years, 2022 and 2023. The studied cities were Al Riyadh (high population), Al Jubail (industrial), and Najran (agricultural) in Saudi Arabia. The selected pollutants were SO2, NO2, CO, O3, and HCHO. In addition, this study investigated the variations observed in all the pollutants during the months of the year, the correlations between the contaminants, and the correlation between NO2 and the meteorological data. Based on our findings, Al Jubail had the highest level of all the pollutants during the two years, except for NO2, for which the highest level was observed in Al Riyadh, which has witnessed notable urbanization and development recently. Moreover, this study developed a forecasting model for the concentration of NO2 based on weather data and the previous values of NO2 using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Time2Vec. The modeling proved that any model that is trained on data collected from a specific city is not suitable for predicting the pollution level in another city and the level of another pollutant, as the three cities have different correlations with the pollutants and the weather data. The proposed model demonstrated a superior accuracy in predicting NO2 concentrations compared to traditional LSTM models, effectively capturing temporal patterns and achieving minimal prediction errors, which contributes to ongoing efforts to understand the dynamics of air pollution based on cities’ characteristics and the period of the year.
UVC-Induced Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage Repair Status in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients with Different Responses to Nivolumab Therapy
Authors: Papanikolaou Christina , Economopoulou Panagiota , Gavrielatou Niki , Mavroeidi Dimitra , Psyrri Amanda , Souliotis Vassilis L.
Published: February 2025

Accumulation of evidence highlighted the crosstalk between DNA damage repair and the immune system. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the DNA repair capacity of patients’ PBMCs correlates with therapeutic response to immune checkpoint blockade. Following in vitro UVC irradiation, oxidative stress, apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) lesions, endogenous/baseline DNA damage, and DNA damage repair efficiency were evaluated in three HNSCC (UM-SCC-11A, Cal-33, BB49) and two normal cell lines (RPMI-1788, 1BR-3h-T), as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 15 healthy controls (HC) and 49 recurrent/metastatic HNSCC patients at baseline (8 responders, 41 non-responders to subsequent nivolumab therapy). HNSCC cell lines showed lower DNA repair efficiency, increased oxidative stress, and higher AP sites than normal ones (all p < 0.001). Moreover, patients’ PBMCs exhibited increased endogenous/baseline DNA damage, decreased DNA repair capacity, augmented oxidative stress, and higher AP sites than PBMCs from HC (all p < 0.001). Importantly, PBMCs from responders to nivolumab therapy showed lower endogenous/baseline DNA damage, higher DNA repair capacities, decreased oxidative stress, and reduced AP sites than non-responders (all p < 0.05). Together, we demonstrated that oxidative stress status and DNA repair efficiency in PBMCs from HNSCC patients are correlated with the response to immune checkpoint blockade.
Zeolite-Supported TiO2 for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance in Environmental Applications: A Review
Authors: Armaković Sanja J. , Armaković Stevan
Published: February 2025

The combination of TiO2 with zeolites has emerged as a transformative strategy to enhance photocatalytic performance for environmental applications. The combination of zeolites’ regular pore structure, high surface area, and adsorption capacity with the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 allows synergistic effects, significantly improving the removal of organic pollutants and hazardous substances from water. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of TiO2–zeolite composites, focusing on their synthesis, structural characteristics, and photocatalytic mechanisms. Advances in the characterization of material and computational analysis are applied to explain the relationship between structure and catalytic activity. Environmental applications such as water purification and renewable energy production are critically evaluated, highlighting their potential for addressing pressing global challenges. The review also addresses key challenges, including material stability, scalability of synthesis methods, and cost-effectiveness, while presenting future perspectives for the development and application of TiO2–zeolite composites in sustainable catalysis.