bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of fertilization on litter decomposition dynamics and nutrient release in orchard systems
Authors: Nie Huayue , You Chunhe , Gao Jixi
Published: December 2024

Plant litter decomposition is a significant ecosystem function that regulates nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and biomass production. It is heavily regulated by nutrient intake. The effects of exogenous nutrients on litter decomposition are not yet fully understood. To determine how Eriobotrya japonica litter decomposition responds to adding nutrients, we used the decomposition litter bag method in the laboratory for 180 days. There were five different nutrient treatment levels were used: control (no addition), low nitrogen addition (LN; 100 kg N·ha−1·year−1), high nitrogen addition (HN; 200 kg N·ha−1·year−1), phosphorus addition (P; 50 kg P·ha−1·year−1), and micronutrient addition (M; 50 kg M·ha−1·year−1). According to a repeated-measures analysis of variance, adding N reduced the remaining mass (p < 0.01) by 4.1% compared to the CK group. In contrast, adding M increased the remaining mass (p < 0.01) by 6.8% compared to the CK group. Adding P had no significant effect on the remaining mass. Although the amount of residual carbon (C) was unaffected, adding N increased the level of residual N in the litter. Litter C content, K content, N concentration, and C/N ratio were linearly correlated to the remaining litter (p < 0.01). Although adding nutrients decreased soil enzyme activity later in the decomposition process, no significant correlation was detected between enzyme activity and the remaining mass. N fertilization treatments decreased the soil microbial diversity index. The addition of nitrogen and micronutrients reduced the abundance of Acidobacteria, while HN addition increased the abundance of Actinobacteria. The addition of micronutrients increased the abundance of Proteobacteria. These results imply that N-induced alterations in the element content of the litter regulated the effects of nutrient inputs on litter decomposition. This study can be a reference for the fertilization-induced decomposition of agricultural waste litter.
A call to integrate menstrual cycle influences into just-in-time adaptive interventions for suicide prevention
Authors: Tauseef Hafsah A. , Coppersmith Daniel D. L. , Reid-Russell Azure J. , Nagpal Anisha , Ross Jaclyn , Nock Matthew K. , Eisenlohr-Moul Tory
Published: December 2024

This paper discusses the scientific rationale and methodological considerations for incorporating the menstrual cycle as a time-varying intra-individual factor in personalized medicine models, such as Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs). Among patients, accumulating evidence suggests that the normal hormone fluctuations of the menstrual cycle represent a time-varying factor that can trigger or exacerbate psychiatric symptoms, including but not limited to affective dysregulation, suicidality, and irritability. While only a minority of the general female population experiences significant cyclical changes, this hormone-sensitive response appears to be greater among patients with psychiatric disorders, with studies demonstrating that a majority of patients recruited for past-month suicidal ideation demonstrate worsening of their suicidality around menses. However, no interventions target suicidality during this monthly period of elevated risk despite evidence of a clear recurring biological trigger. This unique and recurrent “biotype” of suicidality is well-suited for JITAIs. In addition to providing a rationale for the inclusion of the cycle in JITAI, we provide illustrative options and examples regarding the measurement and implementation of cycle variables in JITAIs. We discuss how JITAIs might be leveraged to use menstrual cycle data to identify states of vulnerability within people and strategically select and deploy interventions based upon their receptivity at various phases in the cycle. Furthermore, we discuss how to integrate passive measures for tracking the menstrual cycle. Although much research is needed before implementation, we maintain that the menstrual cycle represents a critically understudied time-varying feature that may markedly improve the accuracy of JITAI models for predicting suicidality.
Occupational injuries among healthcare workers: a nationwide study in Turkey
Authors: Medeni İrem , Alagüney Mehmet Erdem , Medeni Volkan
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The health sector is a field where employees are frequently exposed to occupational injuries due to high-risk working conditions. This study aimed to examine the distribution and causes of occupational injuries experienced by healthcare workers in the last 5 years in Turkey.

Materials and methods

In this population-based and national-scale study, occupational injuries reported to the Ministry of Health from healthcare organizations in 81 provinces of Turkey between 01.01.2019 and 31.12.2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Variables such as age, gender, title, place of employment, types of injuries, causes, and outcomes of occupational injuries were evaluated.

Results

A total of 68,563 occupational injuries were reported between the years analyzed. 64.5% of the injuries affected female workers. Occupational injuries occurred most frequently during the summer months and in hospitals. According to age groups, the highest rate of occupational injuries was observed in the 20–29 age group with 39.3%. Among the types of occupational injuries, sharps injuries were the most common, with 55.3%. It was followed by slips, trips, and falls (13.2%). As a result of occupational injuries, 76.2% of healthcare workers were able to return to work without long-term absence. Over the 5 years, 61 healthcare workers lost their lives due to occupational injuries. Nurses and midwives were the occupational groups most exposed to injuries, followed by cleaning staff.

Conclusion

Turkey's healthcare workers have a high exposure rate to occupational injuries. Women and young workers are the most affected groups. Strengthening the occupational safety culture and providing safe working environments is necessary.
Music, body, and machine: gesture-based synchronization in human-robot musical interaction
Authors: Gao Xuedan , Rogel Amit , Sankaranarayanan Raghavasimhan , Dowling Brody , Weinberg Gil
Published: December 2024

Musical performance relies on nonverbal cues for conveying information among musicians. Human musicians use bodily gestures to communicate their interpretation and intentions to their collaborators, from mood and expression to anticipatory cues regarding structure and tempo. Robotic Musicians can use their physical bodies in a similar way when interacting with fellow musicians. The paper presents a new theoretical framework to classify musical gestures and a study evaluating the effect of robotic gestures on synchronization between human musicians and Shimon - a robotic marimba player developed at Georgia Tech. Shimon utilizes head and arm movements to signify musical information such as expected notes, tempo, and beat. The study, in which piano players were asked to play along with Shimon, assessed the effectiveness of these gestures on human-robot synchronization. Subjects were evaluated for their ability to synchronize with unknown tempo changes as communicated by Shimon’s ancillary and social gestures. The results demonstrate the significant contribution of non-instrumental gestures to human-robot synchronization, highlighting the importance of non-music-making gestures for anticipation and coordination in human-robot musical collaboration. Subjects also indicated more positive feelings when interacting with the robot’s ancillary and social gestures, indicating the role of these gestures in supporting engaging and enjoyable musical experiences.
Evaluation of the impact of a 3-week specific-sport rehabilitation program on neuromotor control during single-leg countermovement-jump tests in professional soccer players with lower-limb injuries
Authors: Memain Geoffrey , Carling Christopher , Bouvet Jean , Maille Pascal , Tamalet Bertrand , Fourcade Paul , Yiou Eric
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study investigated the evolution of neuromotor control during a typical short sport-specific rehabilitation program (SSR) in professional soccer players who had incurred a major lower-limb injury (n = 15, chondral and muscle injuries, ACL-reconstruction).

Methods

All injured participants (n = 15) were in the on-field rehabilitation phase of their specific sport rehabilitation process, prior to return to play. An experimental group (EG, chondral and muscle injuries, ACL-reconstruction) followed a 3-week SSR-program composed of muscular and core strengthening (weightlifting, functional stability, explosivity and mobility exercises), running and cycling, neuromotor reprogramming, cognitive development and specific soccer on-field rehabilitation (acceleration, braking, cutting, dual-contact, high-speed-running, sprint, jump, drills with ball). Neuromotor control via analysis of movement kinematics, muscle activation and kinetic parameters was evaluated using a single-leg Countermovement-Jump, pre- and post- rehabilitation program. A control group (n = 22) of healthy soccer players of similar standards performed the same single-leg Countermovement-Jump to provide reference values regarding the level to be attained by the injured players for return to play.

Results

In the experimental group, almost all kinetic analyses values progressed during the program and significantly for concentric Rate-of-Force-Development (p < 0.05), height jump (p < 0.001) and Reactive-Strength-Index Modified (p < 0.001) but remained lower than control group values for RSI-Mod (p < 0.05) and RFDconcentricLate (p < 0.001). Activation changed (p < 0.05) for all muscles except for rectus femoris and medial gastrocnemius in the pushing phase and rectus femoris during landing in the EG. Activation of all muscles decreased for EG, except for semitendinous which increased. Regarding kinematic analyses during the landing phase, there were a significant decrease in peak trunk flexion (p < 0.001) and lateroflexion (p < 0.001) and an increase in peak knee flexion (p < 0.001) for both legs. Trunk flexion (p < 0.001) and lateroflexion (p < 0.001) values were again higher for EG while knee flexion remained significantly lower than the CG (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The SSR generally improved neuromotor control suggesting that the present specific sport rehabilitation program, albeit of only three weeks duration, was effective in aiding elite footballers recover their neuromotor qualities although this was potentially insufficient to return to the values observed in healthy players.
Exploring the potential of decentralized extension models on the sustainability of livelihoods: a food security lens on aquaculture farmers in Bangladesh
Authors: Dompreh Eric Brako , Manyise Timothy , Lozano Lazo Denise , Khondker Murshed-e-Jahan , Lam Rodolfo Dam , Rossignoli Cristiano M.
Published: December 2024

Small-scale farmers in Bangladesh aquaculture face multiple challenges. Among these challenges are the inadequate supply of quality seed, limited credit access, poor availability of quality fish feed, land-use conflicts, the adverse effects of climate change, and the low adoption of best aquaculture management practices. These challenges spiral into low productivity, low incomes, and low food security of households. Extension has been seen as an important tool for technology and knowledge transfer, resulting in increased farm productivity and household food security. However, small-scale aquaculture farmers in Bangladesh lack access to critical extension service needed to improve productivity and their livelihoods. Using Propensity Score Matching, we test whether more decentralized extension systems yield similar food security outcomes as traditional extension models. Analysing data from 1,017 respondent, we find that decentralized extension models lead to improved food security of aquaculture households compared to non-beneficiaries. We recommend among others, the critical need to synergize extension systems, reduce costs and better target aquaculture farmers. Additionally, public-private partnerships can help leverage strengths from various extension approaches for more effective knowledge dissemination to aquaculture farmers, ultimately enhancing their livelihoods.
A Representative Analysis of Nonparticipation in Workplace Health Promotion in Germany Using Multivariable Methods
Authors: Pache Birgit , Herbig Britta , Nowak Dennis , Janssen Christian
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Studies have identified sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors that promote participation in workplace health promotion activities. The present study therefore focuses on what influences nonparticipation within a representative sample of the German population.

Methods

In the analysis of possible factors influencing nonparticipation, company characteristics are accounted for in addition to sociodemographic and health behaviour-related variables. The data used for the analysis are from the GEDA study 2014/2015-EHIS of the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin.

Results

Age largely increased the probability of nonparticipation (OR: between 1.30 and 1.92, p: between <0.001 and 0.033). Other possible influencing factors, such as weight, smoking status, alcohol consumption, exercise status and diet, seemed to play a rather minor role in the present analysis. Self-rated belonging to a certain socioeconomic status group also had a significant influence (OR: 0.76, p: <0.001).

Conclusion

The influencing factors seem to be of a sociodemographic and socioeconomic nature. These determinants should be accounted for to reduce nonparticipation. However, a comparison with current or longitudinal data would be needed to prove to what extent the results are still valid or influenced by a cohort effect.
Human Activity Recognition: A Comparative Study of Validation Methods and Impact of Feature Extraction in Wearable Sensors
Authors: Rehman Saeed Ur , Ali Anwar , Khan Adil Mehmood , Okpala Cynthia
Published: December 2024

With the increasing availability of wearable devices for data collection, studies in human activity recognition have gained significant popularity. These studies report high accuracies on k-fold cross validation, which is not reflective of their generalization performance but is a result of the inappropriate split of testing and training datasets, causing these models to evaluate the same subjects that they were trained on, making them subject-dependent. This study comparatively discusses this validation approach with a universal approach, Leave-One-Subject-Out (LOSO) cross-validation which is not subject-dependent and ensures that an entirely new subject is used for evaluation in each fold, validated on four different machine learning models trained on windowed data and select hand-crafted features. The random forest model, with the highest accuracy of 76% when evaluated on LOSO, achieved an accuracy of 89% on k-fold cross-validation, demonstrating data leakage. Additionally, this experiment underscores the significance of hand-crafted features by contrasting their accuracy with that of raw sensor models. The feature models demonstrate a remarkable 30% higher accuracy, underscoring the importance of feature engineering in enhancing the robustness and precision of HAR systems.
The Design and Testing of a Field Operations Visualizer
Authors: Rockson Philip E. , Andersen Daniel S. , Licht Mark A. , Raman D. Raj
Published: December 2024

Achieving high yields in the large-scale agricultural systems that dominate the US landscape requires critical machine-enabled field operations to be executed in narrow windows of time. Novel cropping systems hold great promise to increase ecosystem services from these large-scale systems, but researchers and end-users need effective methods of representing the timing requirements of such systems. This gap prompted our exploration of approaches to visualize the timing of critical machine-enabled field operations. We refer to the resulting graphic as a field operations visualizer (FOV). We iterated multiple versions of the FOV through a user-centered process involving extensive stakeholder feedback. The resulting FOV version offers a straightforward method of visualizing operation sequences and identifying potential conflicts. Survey results suggest that the FOV provides significant operational insights to users about the timing challenges (or benefits) of novel cropping systems. The FOV may therefore be useful in guiding efforts to improve novel cropping systems and to thereby ultimately increase their deployment to deliver ecosystem services.
An Evaluation of Ground-Level Concentrations of Aerosols and Criteria Pollutants Using the CAMS Reanalysis Dataset over the Himawari-8 Observational Area, Including China, Indonesia, and Australia (2016–2023)
Authors: Sowden Miles
Published: December 2024

This study assesses the performance of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reanalysis dataset in estimating ground-level concentrations (GLCs) of aerosols and criteria pollutants across the Himawari-8 observational area, covering China, Indonesia, and Australia, from 2016 to 2023. Ground-based monitoring networks in these regions are limited in scope, making it necessary to rely on satellite-derived aerosol optical depth (AOD) as a proxy for GLCs. While AOD offers broad coverage, it presents challenges, particularly in capturing surface-level pollution accurately during episodic events. CAMS, which integrates satellite data with atmospheric models, is evaluated here to determine its effectiveness in addressing these issues. The study employs square root transformation to normalize pollutant concentration data and calculates monthly–hourly long-term averages to isolate pollution anomalies. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) and Jacobian matrix (dY/dX) methods are applied to assess the spatial variability of pollutant concentrations and their relationship with meteorological factors. Results show that while CAMS captures large-scale pollution episodes, such as the 2019/2020 Australian wildfires, discrepancies in representing GLCs are apparent, especially when vertical aerosol stratification occurs during short-term pollution events. The study emphasizes the need for integrating CAMS data with higher-resolution satellite observations, like Himawari-8, to improve the accuracy of real-time air quality monitoring. The findings highlight important implications for public health interventions and environmental policy-making, particularly in regions with insufficient ground-based data.
The Effect of Lidocaine Splash Block Followed by Suspensory Ligament Massage in Female Dogs Undergoing Ovariohysterectomy: A Prospective Study
Authors: Flouraki Eugenia , Loukopoulos Epameinondas , Gougoulis Dimitrios , Savvas Ioannis , Margeti Chrysoula , Karagianni Konstantina , Tsioli Vassiliki
Published: December 2024

The administration of lidocaine as part of multimodal analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomies demonstrates variable analgesic efficacy. The aim of this prospective, double–blinded clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lidocaine 2% irrigation on the ovarian suspensory ligament, followed by localised massage, in achieving sufficient intraoperative analgesia. Thirty-eight female dogs were randomly divided to two groups and received either a splash block of 0.5 ml lidocaine 2% on each ovarian suspensory ligament (GL) or an equal volume of saline (GNS). All dogs were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (5 μg·kg−1) and buprenorphine (20 μg·kg−1) intramuscularly and meloxicam (0.2 mg·kg−1) subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. The surgical procedure was initiated after an adequate depth of anaesthesia was achieved. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were continuously monitored. Fentanyl (2 μg·kg−1) was administered as rescue analgesia in case of a 30% increase in HR, fR, or MAP, compared to their values before manipulation of the ovaries. Data were analysed using a mixed model for repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson’s Chi-Square test. The need for rescue analgesia differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.0005). In GNS, 89.47% (17/19) of the dogs required rescue analgesia, compared to 10.53% (2/19) of the dogs in GL. The relative risk of rescue for the GNS compared to the GL was approximately 8.5. In conclusion, intraoperative analgesia during ovariohysterectomies in dogs can be enhanced using a lidocaine 2% splash block combined with massage of the ovarian suspensory ligament.
The Influence of Dietary n-3 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Growth, Fatty Acid Profile, Lipid Metabolism, Inflammatory Response, and Intestinal Microflora in F2 Generation Female Yangtze Sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus)
Authors: Wu Jinping , Liu Yuan , Wang Yuqi , Fu Peng , Luo Jiang , Li Pengcheng , Ruan Rui , Yang Junlin , Xu Shijian , Li Ming , Du Hao , Zhang Chuang , Li Luoxin
Published: December 2024

DHA and EPA, as indispensable n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), exert a fundamental influence on regulating fish growth, lipid metabolism, and overall well-being. However, there is a notable lack of data concerning their effects on the F2 female generation of Yangtze sturgeon. Over a ten-month period, this study assessed the impacts of various dietary concentrations of n-3 HUFAs (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.4%) on growth, fatty acid composition, lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, and intestinal microbiota in the F2 female generation of Yangtze sturgeon. Seventy-five test fish, with an average body weight of 3.60 ± 0.83 kg, were housed in 15 ponds, with each dietary group being assigned to three ponds. The results indicated that the 1.0%~1.5% n-3 HUFA group was characterized by the highest values of weight gain rate; serum triglyceride levels peaked in the 0.5% n-3 HUFA group. The fatty acid profiles of the fish tissues closely mirrored those of the diets. Specifically, compared to the 1.5% and 2.0% n-3 HUFA groups, the diet containing 2.4% n-3 HUFA down-regulated the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor beta, and, compared to the 0.5% and 1.0% n-3 HUFA groups, the 2.0% n-3 HUFA diet up-regulated the mRNA expression of nuclear factor kappa B. Conversely, compared to the 0.5% n-3 HUFA group, 2.0% n-3 HUFA in the diet up-regulated the gene mRNA expression of fatty acid binding protein 1 and fatty acid synthase. Compared to the 0.5% n-3 HUFA group, 1.0% n-3 HUFA in the diet up-regulated the gene mRNA expression of lipoprotein lipase. The α-diversity indices (ACE, PD_whole tree, Richness, and Chao1) exhibited an upward trend with increasing dietary n-3 HUFA levels, and the 2.4% n-3 HUFA group reached the highest values. At the phylum level, Fusobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidota were the primary dominant phyla. Cetobacterium was the dominant genus in all groups. Collectively, these findings underscore that moderate dietary supplementation of n-3 HUFA (1.3%) is optimal and does not impair growth. The deposition of fatty acids in muscle and ovarian tissues, as well as the mRNA expression of lipid-metabolism genes, are closely associated with the dietary n-3 HUFA content. High levels of n-3 HUFA did not suppress intestinal α-diversity. These discoveries provide novel insights into the regulation of growth, lipid metabolism, and health in the F2 female generation of Yangtze sturgeon and offer a nutritional strategy for the artificial conservation of this endangered species.
Intelligent Office Lighting Control Using Natural Light and a GA-BP Neural Network-Based System
Authors: Zhang Rongmeng , Li Ruiqi , Lu Junbai , E Haiqian , Wang Haotian , Zhao Xinyu , Gao Yingming , Wang Zhisheng
Published: December 2024

Intelligent lighting control systems are essential for regulating office illumination. Both illuminance levels and uniformity are important factors influencing the comfort of the office lighting environment. Thus, designing automatic control systems to regulate lighting is essential. This study addresses the issue of natural glare by proposing a method that uses a genetic algorithm (GA) to optimize a backpropagation (BP) neural network model. The model predicts the angle of window slats, with the Sun altitude and azimuth angles as inputs, and the slat angle as the output. For artificial lighting control, a linear function is proposed to manage the relationship between work plane illuminance, natural light intensity, occupancy rates, adjacent luminaire illuminance, and the dimming factor (K). The optimal K value for each luminaire is determined using the least squares method in MATLAB. The intelligent lighting system transmits dimming factors via a ZigBee tree network structure to achieve target illuminance levels. The system’s effectiveness is validated through simulations in DIAlux software, demonstrating that the workplace illuminance in occupied areas reaches 500 lx, while, in unoccupied areas, it reaches 300 lx, with an illuminance uniformity greater than 0.7. This addresses the issue of low illuminance uniformity during daytime. Additionally, the lighting power densities (LPDs) of 1.53 W/m2 and 3.8 W/m2 are well below the specified threshold of 6 W/m2, indicating significant energy savings while maintaining compliance with office lighting standards.
Exploring the Effects of Pre-Processing Techniques on Topic Modeling of an Arabic News Article Data Set
Authors: Alangari Haya , Algethami Nahlah
Published: December 2024

This research investigates the impacts of pre-processing techniques on the effectiveness of topic modeling algorithms for Arabic texts, focusing on a comparison between BERTopic, Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), and Non-Negative Matrix Factorization (NMF). Using the Single-label Arabic News Article Data set (SANAD), which includes 195,174 Arabic news articles, this study explores pre-processing methods such as cleaning, stemming, normalization, and stop word removal, which are crucial processes given the complex morphology of Arabic. Additionally, the influence of six different embedding models on the topic modeling performance was assessed. The originality of this work lies in addressing the lack of previous studies that optimize BERTopic through adjusting the n-gram range parameter and combining it with different embedding models for effective Arabic topic modeling. Pre-processing techniques were fine-tuned to improve data quality before applying BERTopic, LDA, and NMF, and the performance was assessed using metrics such as topic coherence and diversity. Coherence was measured using Normalized Pointwise Mutual Information (NPMI). The results show that the Tashaphyne stemmer significantly enhanced the performance of LDA and NMF. BERTopic, optimized with pre-processing and bi-grams, outperformed LDA and NMF in both coherence and diversity. The CAMeL-Lab/bert-base-arabic-camelbert-da embedding yielded the best results, emphasizing the importance of pre-processing in Arabic topic modeling.
The Regularity of Spacetime Perturbations for a Flat Spacetime Under Sobolev Spaces and Spectral Theory
Authors: Palencia José Luis Díaz
Published: December 2024

This study introduces an analysis concerning spacetime perturbations within the context of quantum foam models. Under the framework of Sobolev spaces, Hs(Rn), we establish the existence and uniqueness of solutions to a linearized wave equation considering the harmonic gauge condition. Energy estimates are derived, demonstrating the conservation of both standard and higher-order energy functionals, which ensures the stability and regularity of metric perturbations over time. In addition, a spectral analysis of the d’Alembertian operator is conducted through Fourier transform techniques. Explicit calculations of Sobolev norms further confirm that these norms remain uniformly bounded, reinforcing the stability of solutions in the Sobolev space framework.
Novel Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Analogs with Improved Biochemical Properties for Targeting Extracellular and Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Grosso Riley , Nguyen Vy , Ahmed Syed Kaleem , Wong-Beringer Annie
Published: December 2024

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of bloodstream infection (SAB), with up to 30% mortality. Despite treatment with standard antibiotics, one in three patients develops a persistent infection, which portends a five-fold increase in the risk of death. Persistent SAB has been attributed in part to the inability of antistaphylococcal antibiotics to eradicate intracellular S. aureus surviving inside macrophages. (-)- Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a catechin found in green tea that has been widely studied for its broad biological activities, ranging from anticancer to antibacterial activity. However, EGCG is greatly limited by its poor drug-like properties in terms of stability, membrane permeability, and bioavailability. In this study, we established through a series of in vitro experiments that structural modifications of EGCG enhanced drug-like properties while maintaining or improving its antistaphylococcal activity. Our lead EGCG analogs (MCC-1 and MCC-2) showed improved biochemical properties along with increased potency against extracellular S. aureus and restored susceptibility of β-lactam agents to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Importantly, the lead analogs but not EGCG potentiated macrophage- and antibiotic-mediated clearance of intracellular bacteria. Overall, EGCG analogs showed promise for further development as adjunctive therapy candidates for the treatment of SAB.
Development of Heat-Dry RT-LAMP Bioassay for Rapid Latent Detection of Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Ayarnah Khadijah , Duanis-Assaf Danielle , Alkan Noam , Eltzov Evgeni
Published: December 2024

The global food security crisis is emphasized by the alarming amount of food waste, where about one-third of the world’s food production, roughly 1.3 billion metric tons, is lost annually. Pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea, contribute significantly to this loss by attacking stored agricultural produce. These attacks typically start when pathogens infiltrate small fruit wounds, remain dormant, and then switch to an aggressive necrotrophic stage upon ripening, causing significant postharvest food losses. In response to this challenge, this study presents an innovative application of Reverse Transcriptase Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP). This method is increasingly recognized for its simplicity and effectiveness, distinguishing itself from more complex molecular diagnostic techniques. This study focuses on developing a heat-dry RT-LAMP desiccation method designed to be simple, robust, rapid, sensitive, and specific in detecting Botrytis cinerea. This method lies in its utilization of a desiccation process, where heat is utilized to preserve crucial components such as primers and enzymes in the presence of trehalose. A 5% trehalose with an amplification time of 1 h and 40 min was optimal for the assay detection of latent Botrytis cinerea. This method exhibited a sensitivity of 10 femtograms and was tailored specifically to the Botrytis cinerea PLF marker. Validation was performed using RNA extracted from an infected tomato, establishing a detection threshold of 1 ng/µL, approximately 500 pg of synthesized DNA target marker. This discovery holds significant implications, suggesting the potential for developing dry RT-LAMP kits that are adaptable for both laboratory and field usage. Furthermore, this method shows promise as a diagnostic tool for other neglected pathogenic diseases, representing a substantial advancement in agricultural pathology and supporting endeavors to enhance food security.
Editorial for the Special Issue “The Future of Built Heritage Conservation”
Authors: Djabarouti Johnathan
Published: December 2024

The evolving role of built heritage in a rapidly changing world calls for a reconsideration of how we value, adapt, and protect our cultural heritage [...]
Estimating the Effects of Climate Fluctuations on Precipitation and Temperature in East Africa
Authors: Dufatanye Umwali Edovia , Chen Xi , Odhiambo Ayugi Brian , Mumo Richard , Babaousmail Hassen , Mbigi Dickson , Izere David
Published: December 2024

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the NASA Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled models from CMIP6 experiments (hereafter; NEX-GDDP-CMIP6) in reproducing observed precipitation and temperature across East Africa (EA) from 1981 to 2014. Additionally, climate changes were estimated under various emission scenarios, namely low (SSP1-2.6), medium (SSP2-4.5), and high (SSP5-8.5) scenarios. Multiple robust statistics metrics, the Taylor diagram, and interannual variability skill (IVS) were employed to identify the best-performing models. Significant trends in future precipitation and temperature are evaluated using the Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope estimator tests. The results highlighted IPSL-CM6A-LR, EC-Earth3, CanESM5, and INM-CM4-8 as the best-performing models for annual and March to May (MAM) precipitation and temperature respectively. By the end of this century, MAM precipitation and temperature are projected to increase by 40% and 4.5 °C, respectively, under SSP5-8.5. Conversely, a decrease in MAM precipitation and temperature of 5% and 0.8 °C was projected under SSP2-4.5 and SSP1-2.6, respectively. Long-term mean precipitation increased in all climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5), with near-term MAM precipitation showing a 5% decrease in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and some parts of Tanzania. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, temperature rise exceeded 2–6 °C in most regions across the area, with the fastest warming trend of over 6 °C observed in diverse areas. Thus, high greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenarios can be very harmful to EA and further GHG control is needed.
Hepcidin Is a Valuable Therapeutic Target for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Frascatani Rachele , Colella Marco , Monteleone Giovanni
Published: December 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent neoplasms and a major cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite recent advances in treatment approaches, the prognosis of advanced CRC remains poor, thus indicating the necessity of more effective treatments for CRC patients. CRC cells produce high levels of hepcidin, a peptide hormone that binds to the membrane-bound ferroportin and promotes its internalization and degradation, thus sequestering iron into the cancer cells with the downstream effect of enhancing tumor growth. Additionally, CRC cell-expressed hepcidin prolongs cell survival and, by targeting both CD8+ T cells and myeloid cells, restrains the induction of an efficient immune response against tumor antigens. The greatest expression of hepcidin is found in patients with metastatic CRC, and CRC patients with high hepcidin content have a worse survival rate than those with low hepcidin content. In the present article, we review the data supporting the prominent role of hepcidin in colon tumorigenesis and discuss how hepcidin inhibitors can help treat CRC patients in the metastatic setting with particular regard to the impact of hepcidin modulation on immunotherapeutic outcomes.
GW0742 as a Potential TRα and TRβ Antagonist Reduces the Viability and Metabolic Activity of an Adult Granulosa Tumour Cell Line and Simultaneously Upregulates TRβ Expression
Authors: Gogola-Mruk Justyna , Kumor Izabela , Wojtaszek Gabriela , Kulig Karolina , Ptak Anna
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Clinical studies have demonstrated a correlation between alterations in the expression level of TRα and TRβ receptors in ovarian cancer cells and overall survival. Celecoxib and GW0742, commonly known as a COX-2 inhibitor and a PPARβ/δ agonist, are novel thyroid hormone receptor antagonists that bind to TRβ or both TRα and TRβ. Methods: The study was conducted on a non-luteinized ovarian granulosa cell line (HGrC1) and two rare ovarian cancer cell lines (COV434 and KGN). The expression of TRα and TRβ at the gene and protein levels was examined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The impact of GW0742 and celecoxib on the cell viability of the HGrC1, COV434 and KGN lines was evaluated using the PrestoBlue™ Cell Viability Reagent. The metabolic activity of the cells was analysed using the Seahorse XFp Analyzer. Results: Initially, we observed that the gene and protein expression levels of TRα and TRβ were higher in COV434 and KGN cells than in HGrC1 cells. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that T3 enhances the viability of HGrC1, COV434 and KGN cells. Furthermore, autoregulatory feedback loops were not observed during TRα or TRβ signalling in ovarian cancer cells, in contrast to the findings in healthy granulosa cells. Finally, we demonstrated that GW0742 reduced the viability and metabolic activity of granulosa cell tumours (GCTs). Simultaneously, we observed that GW0742 upregulated the expression of TRβ in GCT. Conclusions: These findings suggest that GW0742 may be a novel adjuvant therapy for GCTs expressing TRα and TRβ.
Gut Microbiome Changes After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Surgery in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Žukauskaitė Kristina , Baušys Bernardas , Horvath Angela , Sabaliauskaitė Rasa , Šeštokaitė Agnė , Mlynska Agata , Jarmalaitė Sonata , Stadlbauer Vanessa , Baušys Rimantas , Baušys Augustinas
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical gastrectomy is the current standard approach for locally advanced gastric cancer (GC) in the West. Both NAC and gastrectomy can significantly influence the gut microbiome, potentially leading to clinically significant changes. However, no longitudinal studies to date support this hypothesis. This study investigates gut microbiome changes throughout GC treatment, including NAC and gastrectomy. Methods: This longitudinal observational study included GC patients undergoing NAC followed by gastrectomy. Fecal microbiome composition, intestinal inflammation (fecal calprotectin), and gut permeability (LBP, sCD14) markers were investigated at baseline, after NAC, and after gastrectomy. Results: A total of 38 patients were included in the study. The results showed that NAC did not affect the gut microbiome composition at the phylum level. In contrast, radical gastrectomy led to an increased abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and a decreased abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. Furthermore, NAC alone did not impact alpha or beta diversity, while a combination of NAC and gastrectomy significantly influenced both. After gastrectomy, the gut microbiome composition analysis also revealed enrichment of oralization-associated bacterial species such as Escherichia-Shigella, Streptococcus equinus, uncultured Streptococcus species, and species from the Enterobacteriaceae family. Intestinal inflammation and gut permeability markers did not significantly change throughout the treatment. Conclusions: The radical treatment of advanced GC with NAC and radical surgery has long-term effects on the gut microbiome, characterized by gut microbiome oralization. These sustained alterations primarily stem from the radical gastrectomy rather than the NAC. Since previous studies have linked oralization-associated dysbiosis to various gastrointestinal symptoms, this study highlights the gut microbiome as a potential therapeutic target to enhance the quality of life in long-term survivors following gastrectomy.
Implication of the Extracellular Matrix in Metastatic Tumor Cell Dormancy
Authors: Redoute-Timonnier Chloe , Auguste Patrick
Published: December 2024

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related deaths. The formation and growth of metastasis is a multistep process. Tumor cells extravasating in the secondary organ are in contact with a new microenvironment and a new extracellular matrix (ECM), called the metastatic niche. Some components of the ECM, such as periostin, can induce tumor cell growth in macrometastasis. In contrast, other components, such as Thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1), can maintain isolated cells in a dormant state. During dormancy, intracellular signaling activation, such as p38, maintains tumor cells arrested in the cell-cycle G0 phase for years. At any moment, stress can induce ECM modifications and binding to their specific receptors (mainly integrins) and reactivate dormant tumor cell growth in macrometastasis. In this review, we describe the tumor microenvironment of the different niches implicated in tumor cell dormancy. The role of ECM components and their associated receptors and intracellular signaling in the reactivation of dormant tumor cells in macrometastasis will be emphasized. We also present the different methodologies and experimental approaches used to study tumor cell dormancy. Finally, we discuss the current and future treatment strategies to avoid late metastasis relapse in patients.
Nutritional Gender-Specific Differences in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated with (Chemo)Radiotherapy: Results from a Prospective Trial
Authors: Zohri Rouzbeh , Hahn Lorenz , Seyedi Niloufar , Petersen Cordula , Ziemann Christian , Abel Jakob , Kutz Laura Magdalena , Krüll Andreas , Flüh Charlotte , Ehresmann Carolin , Zemskova Oksana , Liubich Larysa , Rades Dirk , Löser Anastassia
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: This analysis aims to evaluate gender-specific differences in nutritional status, body weight changes, and their impact on overall survival (OS) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy (CRT). Methods: Between 2018 and 2020, 61 HNC (17 female and 44 male) patients were prospectively recruited to receive curative (chemo)radiotherapy. Nutritional assessments included dietary questionnaire screenings and records, anthropometric methods (body mass index, BMI, body composition via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)), and the determination of biomarkers like albumin and CRP. Assessments were conducted before, during, and after (chemo)radiotherapy. Results: Gender differences were observed at baseline in Karnofsky performance status (p = 0.01), daily calorie intake (p = 0.04), phase angle (PA) (p = 0.003), and fat-free mass index (FFMI) (p < 0.001). During CRT, males showed a larger increase in calorie deficit (p < 0.001) and greater reductions in BMI, FFMI, and PA compared to females. Malnutrition risk (MUST score) increased significantly in males (p = 0.008) but not in females. Albumin and total protein declined in both genders, with a more pronounced drop in albumin for females. Survival analysis revealed that, for males, several factors, including baseline calorie deficit, BMI, PA, and FFMI, were linked to survival. For females, only albumin at therapy end was significantly associated with survival (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, baseline PA remained a significant predictor of survival for males (p = 0.026). Conclusions: Our findings suggest distinct gender differences in the nutritional and biochemical responses of HNC patients undergoing CRT, indicating the importance of tailored, gender-specific nutritional support during treatment.
Stage-Dependent Fibrotic Gene Profiling of WISP1-Mediated Fibrogenesis in Human Fibroblasts
Authors: Singh Kirti , Witek Marta , Brahmbhatt Jaladhi , McEntire Jacquelyn , Thirunavukkarasu Kannan , Oladipupo Sunday S.
Published: December 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common interstitial lung disease with unknown etiology, characterized by chronic inflammation and tissue scarring. Although, Pirfenidone and Nintedanib slow the disease progression, no currently available drugs or therapeutic interventions address the underlying cause, highlighting the unmet medical need. A matricellular protein, Wnt-1-induced secreted protein 1 (WISP1), also referred to as CCN4 (cellular communication network factor 4), is a secreted multi-modular protein implicated in multi-organ fibrosis. Although the precise mechanism of WISP1-mediated fibrosis remains unclear, emerging evidence indicates that WISP1 is profibrotic in nature. While WISP1-targeting therapy is applied in the clinic for fibrosis, detailed interrogation of WISP1-mediated fibrogenic molecular and biological pathways is lacking. Here, for the first time, using NanoString® technology, we identified a novel WISP1-associated profibrotic gene signature and molecular pathways potentially involved in the initiation and progression of fibrosis in primary human dermal and lung fibroblasts from both healthy individuals and IPF patients. Our data demonstrate that WISP1 is upregulated in IPF-lung fibroblasts as compared to healthy control. Furthermore, our results confirm that WISP1 is downstream of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), and it induces fibroblast cell proliferation. Additionally, WISP1 induced IL6 and CCL2 in fibroblasts. We also developed a novel, combined TGFβ and WISP1 in vitro system to demonstrate a role for WISP1 in the progression of fibrosis. Overall, our findings uncover not only similarities but also striking differences in the molecular profile of WISP1 in human fibroblasts, both during the initiation and progression phases, as well as in disease-specific context.
Regulation and Pharmacology of the Cyclic GMP and Nitric Oxide Pathway in Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells
Authors: Kots Alexander Y. , Bian Ka
Published: December 2024

This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the role of the nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) pathway in stem cells. The levels of expression of various components of the pathway are changed during the differentiation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells. In undifferentiated stem cells, NO regulates self-renewal and survival predominantly through cGMP-independent mechanisms. Natriuretic peptides influence the growth of undifferentiated stem cells by activating particulate isoforms of guanylyl cyclases in a cGMP-mediated manner. The differentiation, recruitment, survival, migration, and homing of partially differentiated precursor cells of various types are sensitive to regulation by endogenous levels of NO and natriuretic peptides produced by stem cells, within surrounding tissues, and by the application of various pharmacological agents known to influence the cGMP pathway. Numerous drugs and formulations target various components of the cGMP pathway to influence the therapeutic efficacy of stem cell-based therapies. Thus, pharmacological manipulation of the cGMP pathway in stem cells can be potentially used to develop novel strategies in regenerative medicine.
Genetic Downregulation of GABAB Receptors from Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Protects Against Demyelination in the Mouse Spinal Cord
Authors: Gobbo Davide , Rieder Phillip , Fang Li-Pao , Buttigieg Emeline , Schablowski Moritz , Damo Elisa , Bosche Nathalie , Dallorto Eleonora , May Pascal , Bai Xianshu , Kirchhoff Frank , Scheller Anja
Published: December 2024

GABAergic signaling and GABAB receptors play crucial roles in regulating the physiology of oligodendrocyte-lineage cells, including their proliferation, differentiation, and myelination. Therefore, they are promising targets for studying how spinal oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) respond to injuries and neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis. Taking advantage of the temporally controlled and cell-specific genetic downregulation of GABAB receptors from OPCs, our investigation addresses their specific influence on OPC behavior in the gray and white matter of the mouse spinal cord. Our results show that, while GABAB receptors do not significantly alter spinal cord myelination under physiological conditions, they distinctly regulate the OPC differentiation and Ca2+ signaling. In addition, we investigate the impact of OPC-GABAB receptors in two models of toxic demyelination, namely, the cuprizone and the lysolecithin models. The genetic downregulation of OPC-GABAB receptors protects against demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss. Additionally, we observe the enhanced resilience to cuprizone-induced pathological alterations in OPC Ca2+ signaling. Our results provide valuable insights into the potential therapeutic implications of manipulating GABAB receptors in spinal cord OPCs and deepen our understanding of the interplay between GABAergic signaling and spinal cord OPCs, providing a basis for future research.