bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular function shows early impairment in asymptomatic adolescents diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus: an ultrasound-derived myocardial work study
Authors: Ghirardo Martina , Cattapan Irene , Sabatino Jolanda , Pozza Alice , Fumanelli Jennifer , Avesani Martina , Gutierrez De Rubalcava Doblas Joaquin , Moretti Carlo , Castaldi Biagio , Di Salvo Giovanni
Published: February 2025

Background

Cardiac dysfunction and endothelial damage are known complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) mainly affecting adults. However, some studies have shown that subclinical myocardial impairment already present during adolescence. Myocardial work (MW) has emerged as an afterload-independent tool that allows early identification of subclinical damage. This study aims to provide a comprehensive non-invasive cardiovascular evaluation of T1D adolescents using both conventional and advanced echocardiography.

Methods

We enrolled 31 patients, aged between 13 and 19 years, who were diagnosed with T1D for at least 10 years and were followed up by the Paediatric Diabetology Unit of our institution. We collected data relating to anthropometry, lifestyle, blood tests, glycemic control parameters, and conventional and advanced echocardiographic measurements. A comparison of MW parameters with the data from 31 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers from a previous study in our lab was carried out.

Results

In our population, the glycemic control parameters showed suboptimal control. While diastolic parameters were in the normal range for all the patients, E′ velocities and left atrial diameter were significantly worse in patients with poorer glycemic controls. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), and global work efficiency (GWE) were significantly lower in the T1D population compared to those in the healthy population (p < 0.001), while global wasted work was significantly higher in the T1D population (p < 0.001). Patients with stage 1 hypertension or a pre-hypertensive state exhibited pathological pulse wave velocities with values exceeding 8 m/s (>99th percentile).

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to investigate MW in T1D adolescents. The descriptive parameters of GLS and MW showed subclinical cardiac damage already during this timeframe. Therefore, these tools should be integrated into the cardiovascular assessment of diabetic adolescents, and preventive strategies should be implemented to maximize glycemic and pressure control effectiveness.
Approach to the anxiety and coping perceived of mathematics during the pandemic in higher level students in an environment rich in symbols
Authors: López-Ramírez Enrique , Dehesa-De-Gyves Nahina , García-Jarquín Brenda , Varapizuela-Sánchez Carlos Francisco , García-Montalvo Iván Antonio
Published: February 2025

Although the curricula recognize the attitudinal component as a crucial competence for students to develop, the reality is that the integration of this objective with the extensive conceptual content that must be covered needs to be emphasized even more. If this integration is neglected, it may lead to anxiety during the learning process. In the present study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with students to explore their motivations for studying mathematics and the various strategies they employed to cope during the pandemic. These interviews not only revealed the complexity of this integration but also highlighted a context that could be linked to the specific social environment in which the students are immersed.
Dispensable genome and segmental duplications drive the genome plasticity in Fusarium solani
Authors: Navasca Abbeah , Singh Jatinder , Rivera-Varas Viviana , Gill Upinder , Secor Gary , Baldwin Thomas
Published: February 2025

Fusarium solani is a species complex encompassing a large phylogenetic clade with diverse members occupying varied habitats. We recently reported a unique opportunistic F. solani associated with unusual dark galls in sugarbeet. We assembled the chromosome-level genome of the F. solani sugarbeet isolate strain SB1 using Oxford Nanopore and Hi-C sequencing. The average size of F. solani genomes is 54 Mb, whereas SB1 has a larger genome of 59.38 Mb, organized into 15 chromosomes. The genome expansion of strain SB1 is due to the high repeats and segmental duplications within its three potentially accessory chromosomes. These chromosomes are absent in the closest reference genome with chromosome-level assembly, F. vanettenii 77-13-4. Segmental duplications were found in three chromosomes but are most extensive between two specific SB1 chromosomes, suggesting that this isolate may have doubled its accessory genes. Further comparison of the F. solani strain SB1 genome demonstrates inversions and syntenic regions to an accessory chromosome of F. vanettenii 77-13-4. The pan-genome of 12 publicly available F. solani isolates nearly reached gene saturation, with few new genes discovered after the addition of the last genome. Based on orthogroups and average nucleotide identity, F. solani is not grouped by lifestyle or origin. The pan-genome analysis further revealed the enrichment of several enzymes-coding genes within the dispensable (accessory + unique genes) genome, such as hydrolases, transferases, oxidoreductases, lyases, ligases, isomerase, and dehydrogenase. The evidence presented here suggests that genome plasticity, genetic diversity, and adaptive traits in Fusarium solani are driven by the dispensable genome with significant contributions from segmental duplications.
Ruxolitinib synergizes with regulatory T cells to improve inflammation but has no added benefits in decreasing albuminuria in SLE
Authors: Lyu Mi-Ae , Tang Ximing , Raso Maria Gabriela , Huang Meixian , Zeng Ke , Sadeghi Tara , Flowers Christopher R. , Parmar Simrit
Published: February 2025

Background

Umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived CD4+CD25+CD127low regulatory T cells (Tregs) can decrease albuminuria and anti-dsDNA IgG in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Ruxolitinib, a JAK/STAT inhibitor, has been shown to improve cutaneous manifestations of SLE. We hypothesize that the addition of ruxolitinib to UCB-Tregs may improve SLE outcomes.

Methods

In vitro cell suppression, phenotype change, IL-10 secretion, and cytokine levels in coculture supernatants were determined to quantify the impact of adding ruxolitinib to UCB-Tregs. A xenogeneic SLE model was utilized to study their in vivo combination.

Results

In a dose-dependent manner, ruxolitinib addition synergizes with UCB-Tregs to suppress SLE-PBMC proliferation, inhibit CD8+ T cells, and reduce phosphorylation of STAT3/STAT5/AKT in CD8+ T cells. UCB-Treg and ruxolitinib combination also downregulates the soluble form of inflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ, IP-10, TNF-α, IL-6, sCD40L, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-1α, and LIF in cocultures. The addition of ruxolitinib increases UCB-Treg cell persistence in peripheral blood in vivo and decreases the soluble form of human inflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ, TNF-α, and sCD40L in plasma along with improvement of skin lesions in SLE xenografts. Compared to control, significantly lesser CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and Ki-67+ infiltrates are observed in the lung and kidney of UCB-Tregs and/or ruxolitinib recipients. No added benefit of addition of ruxolitinib is observed on the significant improvement in the urine albumin/creatinine ratio and the anti-dsDNA IgG levels induced by UCB-Tregs.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the addition of ruxolitinib to UCB-Tregs increases UCB-Tregs suppressor function and their persistence in vivo, downregulates systemic inflammation, and controls cutaneous SLE but does not add to UCB-Treg-mediated improvement in renal manifestations.
Comparative analysis of clinical characteristics and outcomes between carbapenem-resistant and carbapenem-sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: insights from a tertiary hospital in Northern China
Authors: Wang Bu , Zhang Wei , Zhang Hongxia , Li Maochen , Zhang Zhihua , Peng Xiaocui , Wang Na , Song Ning
Published: February 2025

Background

To compare the risk factors, clinical outcomes, and mortality rates between carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and carbapenem-sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae (CSKP) infections.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae infections admitted to a tertiary hospital in Zhangjiakou, China. The research period is from January 2021 to December 2022. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and R. Univariate analysis identified potential risk factors for CRKP infections using appropriate statistical methods, followed by multivariable logistic regression to determine independent risk factors. Mortality rates between CRKP and CSKP groups were compared using chi-square tests, and survival curves were generated with the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

The study included 283 patients, with 104 (36.7%) infected by CRKP and 179 (63.3%) by CSKP. CRKP patients had significantly higher body temperature, white blood cell counts, and inflammatory markers, while showing lower diastolic blood pressure and oxygen saturation (p < 0.05). CRKP infections were predominantly found in the ICU (49%) and mainly isolated from sputum (59%). Independent risk factors for CRKP included elevated C-reactive protein (OR = 1.02) and solid tumors (OR = 18.186). CRKP patients experienced longer hospital stays (25 days vs. 12 days for CSKP), longer ICU stays (13 days vs. 7 days), and higher 30-day mortality (23.1% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.012). The deceased group had elevated procalcitonin and creatinine levels, longer prothrombin time, and a greater need for mechanical ventilation compared to survivors (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with CRKP infections had higher mortality rates and longer hospital stays than those with CSKP infections. Previous hospitalization, hospitalization in an ICU, and mechanical ventilation were independent risk factors for CRKP infection.
Clinical validation and optimization of machine learning models for early prediction of sepsis
Authors: Liu Xi , Li Meiyi , Liu Xu , Luo Yuting , Yang Dong , Ouyang Hui , He Jiaoling , Xia Jinyu , Xiao Fei
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Sepsis is a global health threat that has a high incidence and mortality rate. Early prediction of sepsis onset can drive effective interventions and improve patients’ outcome.

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively from a cohort of 2,329 adult patients with positive bacteria cultures from a tertiary hospital in China between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020. Thirty six clinical features were selected as inputs for the models. We trained models in predicting sepsis by machine learning (ML) methods, including logistic regression, decision tree, random forest (RF), multi-layer perceptron, and light gradient boosting. We evaluated the performance of the five ML models and the evaluation metrics were: area under the ROC curve (AUC), accuracy, F1-score, sensitivity and specificity. The data of another cohort of 2,286 patients between October 1, 2020 and April 1, 2022 were used to validate the performance of the model performing best in the in the internal validation set. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) method was applied to evaluate feature importance and explain the predictions of this model.

Results

Of the five machine learning models developed, the RF model demonstrated the best performance in terms of AUC (0.818), F1 value (0.38), and sensitivity (0.746). The RF model also has a comparable AUC (0.771) in the external validation set. The SHAP method identified procalcitonin, albumin, prothrombin time, and sex as the important variables contributing to the prediction of sepsis.

Discussion

The RF model we developed showed the greatest potential for early prediction of sepsis in admitted patients, which could aid clinicians in their decision-making process. Our findings also suggested that male patients with bacterial infections and high procalcitonin levels, lower albumin levels, or prolonged prothrombin times were more likely to develop sepsis.
Machine learning prediction of obesity-associated gut microbiota: identifying Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum as a potential therapeutic target
Authors: Wu Hao , Li Yuan , Jiang Yuxuan , Li Xinran , Wang Shenglan , Zhao Changle , Yang Ximiao , Chang Baocheng , Yang Juhong , Qiao Jianjun
Published: February 2025

Background

The rising prevalence of obesity and related metabolic disorders highlights the urgent need for innovative research approaches. Utilizing machine learning (ML) algorithms to predict obesity-associated gut microbiota and validating their efficacy with specific bacterial strains could significantly enhance obesity management strategies.

Methods

We leveraged gut microbiome data from 1,563 healthy individuals and 2,043 overweight patients sourced from the GMrepo database. We assessed the anti-obesity effects of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum through experimentation with Caenorhabditis elegans and C3H10T1/2 cells.

Results

Our analysis revealed a significant correlation between gut bacterial composition and body weight. The top 40 bacterial species were utilized to develop ML models, with XGBoost demonstrating the highest predictive accuracy. SHAP analysis indicated a negative association between the relative abundance of six bacterial species, including B. pseudocatenulatum, and body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, B. pseudocatenulatum was shown to reduce lipid accumulation in C. elegans and inhibit lipid differentiation in C3H10T1/2 cells.

Conclusion

Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum holds potential as a therapeutic agent for managing diet-induced obesity, underscoring its relevance in microbiome-based obesity research and intervention.
A new taxonomy of neuroprotective agents for stroke appropriate for the reperfusion era
Authors: Bahr-Hosseini Mersedeh , Saver Jeffrey L.
Published: February 2025

The advent of the era of highly effective reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke has reawakened interest in neuroprotective treatments as they are far more likely to be efficacious as synergistic complements to reperfusion rather than standalone interventions. However, testing neuroprotective agents combined with reperfusion mandates not only renewed conduct of trials but also a fundamental reconceptualization of the subclasses of neuroprotection therapies. We propose a new taxonomy of neuroprotective treatment agents appropriate for the reperfusion era that recognizes six broad classes of agents, each targeting a distinct process and time epoch of injury: (1) Bridging neuroprotectives slow infarct expansion in the pre-reperfusion period, (2) Blood–brain barrier stabilizers restore the integrity of BBB before and early after reperfusion, (3) Microcirculation lumen preservers protect arteriolar and capillary endothelial cell integrity deterring the no-reflow phenomenon, (4) Reperfusion injury preventors block inflammatory, oxidative, and other processes that start immediately after reperfusion, (5) Edema reducers avert cerebral swelling and secondary injury due to brain tissue compression and herniation, and (6) Delayed neuroprotectives mitigate injury due to apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in the late post-reperfusion period. This approach also broadly distinguishes neuroprotection from other major treatment strategies, including recanalization, collateral enhancement, and neurorepair. By focusing on broad physiologic targets of action rather than granular molecular mechanisms, this six-fold classification of neuroprotection can inform the design of preclinical studies and human clinical trials, including imaging biomarker endpoint selection and treatment timing. This updated taxonomy may accelerate the translation of cerebroprotective agents from bench to bedside.
Adherence to customized vestibular rehabilitation therapy: influencing factors and clinical implications in vestibulopathy
Authors: Im Yeon Hee , Lee Hyun Jin , Jeon Eun-Ju
Published: February 2025

Objective

Customized vestibular rehabilitation therapy (CVRT) is an effective treatment approach for various vestibular disorders. However, low adherence significantly limits its efficacy, and factors influencing adherence remain underexplored. This study aimed to identify factors affecting adherence to CVRT across major vestibulopathy categories, including acute unilateral vestibular hypofunction (AUVH), chronic unilateral vestibular hypofunction (CUVH), and bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 90 patients who were prescribed four sessions of CVRT and underwent the therapy was conducted. Patients were classified as adherent (≥3 sessions) or non-adherent (≤2 sessions). Demographic characteristics, baseline questionnaire scores, and vestibular function test (VFT) results were compared. Change in questionnaire scores and VFT results before and after CVRT, as well as mid-treatment follow-up questionnaire scores were analyzed.

Results

Adherence rates were highest in CUVH (86.7%) and lowest in BVH (46.2%). Among patients with AUVH, poor functional reach test scores were significantly associated with lower adherence (p = 0.045). In the CUVH category, patients with mild dizziness in the initial questionnaire were non-adherent (p = 0.019). CVRT improved subjective dizziness symptoms and VFT parameters, with the greatest gains observed in AUVH. However, no significant differences in symptom improvement were found between adherent and non-adherent patients. Patients whose symptoms improved rapidly to a mild degree after starting the CVRT were more likely to be non-adherent, with this tendency being especially pronounced in those with AUVH.

Conclusion

Adherence to CVRT varies by vestibulopathy category and is influenced by baseline symptom severity. Tailoring CVRT strategies based on individual clinical profiles may enhance adherence and optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Application of a new highly multiplexed amplicon sequencing tool to evaluate Plasmodium falciparum antimalarial resistance and relatedness in individual and pooled samples from Dschang, Cameroon
Authors: Sadler Jacob M. , Simkin Alfred , Tchuenkam Valery P. K. , Gerdes Gyuricza Isabela , Fola Abebe A. , Wamae Kevin , Assefa Ashenafi , Niaré Karamoko , Thwai Kyaw , White Samuel J. , Moss William J. , Dinglasan Rhoel R. , Nsango Sandrine Eveline , Tume Christopher B. , Parr Jonathan B. , Ali Innocent Mbulli , Bailey Jeffrey A. , Juliano Jonathan J.
Published: February 2025

Background

Resistance to antimalarial drugs remains a major obstacle to malaria elimination. Multiplexed, targeted amplicon sequencing is being adopted for surveilling resistance and dissecting the genetics of complex malaria infections. Moreover, genotyping of parasites and detection of molecular markers drug resistance in resource-limited regions requires open-source protocols for processing samples, using accessible reagents, and rapid methods for processing numerous samples including pooled sequencing.

Methods

Plasmodium falciparum Streamlined Multiplex Antimalarial Resistance and Relatedness Testing (Pf-SMARRT) is a PCR-based amplicon panel consisting of 15 amplicons targeting antimalarial resistance mutations and 9 amplicons targeting hypervariable regions. This assay uses oligonucleotide primers in two pools and a non-proprietary library and barcoding approach.

Results

We evaluated Pf-SMARRT using control mocked dried blood spots (DBS) at varying levels of parasitemia and a mixture of 3D7 and Dd2 strains at known frequencies, showing the ability to genotype at low parasite density and recall within-sample allele frequencies. We then piloted Pf-SMARRT to genotype 100 parasite isolates collected from uncomplicated malaria cases at three health facilities in Dschang, Western Cameroon. Antimalarial resistance genotyping showed high levels of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance mutations, including 31% prevalence of the DHPS A613S mutation. No K13 candidate or validated artemisinin partial resistance mutations were detected, but one low-level non-synonymous change was observed. Pf-SMARRT’s hypervariable targets, used to assess complexity of infections and parasite diversity and relatedness, showed similar levels and patterns compared to molecular inversion probe (MIP) sequencing. While there was strong concordance of antimalarial resistance mutations between individual samples and pools, low-frequency variants in the pooled samples were often missed.

Conclusion

Overall, Pf-SMARRT is a robust tool for assessing parasite relatedness and antimalarial drug resistance markers from both individual and pooled samples. Control samples support that accurate genotyping as low as 1 parasite per microliter is routinely possible.
Identification and functional analysis of Wall-Associated Kinase genes in Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: Li Ling , Cao Linggai , Li Jintao , Zhang Zhiqiang , Liu Jie , Ren Zhongying , Zhang Jie , Wang Rengang , Miao Yangfan , Yu Shizhou , Li Wei
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Wall-associated kinases (WAKs) are pivotal in linking plant cell walls to intracellular signaling networks, thereby playing essential roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses.

Methods

The bioinformatics analysis was employed to identify WAK genes in tobacco. The expression levels of NtWAK genes were assessed by qRT-PCR. The subcellular localization of WAK proteins was observed in tobacco cells and Arabidopsis protoplasts. Kinase activity of the WAK proteins was evaluated through in vitro assays.

Results

We conducted a comprehensive genome-wide identification and analysis of the WAK gene family in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). A total of 44 WAK genes were identified in the tobacco genome, which were further classified into three distinct groups. Phylogenetic analysis comparing tobacco WAKs (NtWAKs) with Arabidopsis WAKs (AtWAKs) revealed species-specific expansion of these genes. The WAK proteins within each group displayed similar gene structures and conserved motif distributions. Promoter region analysis indicated that cis-elements of NtWAK genes are primarily involved in regulating plant growth and development, phytohormone signaling, and stress responses. Expression profiling under NaCl, PEG, and ABA treatments suggested that certain NtWAK genes may play key roles in modulating responses to abiotic stress. Three-dimensional structural predictions and subcellular localization analysis showed that NtWAK proteins from the three subgroups exhibit high cytoplasmic similarity and are primarily located to the plasma membrane. Kinase activity assay confirmed that they possess phosphorylation activity.

Discussion

This study represents the first genome-wide analysis of the WAK gene family in N. tabacum, laying the groundwork for future functional investigations.
Policy and practice implications of contextual understanding of - and tools to address - mental health and psychosocial support needs in Sierra Leone
Authors: Ager Alastair , Horn Rebecca , Bah Abdulai , Wurie Haja , Samai Mohamed
Published: February 2025

The last two decades have seen increased awareness of the impact of mental health issues on the population of Sierra Leone. Local capacity to respond to these needs is severely limited. In 2017, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) worked with staff of the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS – part of the University of Sierra Leone) and Queen Margaret University (QMU) in Edinburgh – and other stakeholders, including members of the Mental Health Coalition Sierra Leone – to define a research agenda that would support the development of community-based mental health and systems support in the community. This paper summarizes work over the course of the following six years in relation to this agenda, and indicates its relevance to ongoing and planned service developments. In terms of research advance, studies have – through participatory and ethnographically-informed methods – identified both local idioms and social determinants of distress and mapped health seeking pathways and barriers to care. This information was utilized in the development and validation of two culturally appropriate measures: the Sierra Leone Psychological Distress Scale (to assess mental health and psychosocial needs at the community level) and the Sierra Leone Perinatal Psychological Distress Scale (to identify common perinatal mental disorder in amongst pregnant and lactating mothers). For this latter population, a culturally adapted form of a problem solving intervention delivered through existing mother-to-mother supports has been shown to be feasible, acceptable and potentially effective. This work has major policy and practice implications, and early evidence of uptake is noted. This includes mental health capacity development through the online availability of training guides for the developed assessment scales and plans for incorporation of material regarding idioms and social determinants of distress in pre-and post-professional training curriculum. In terms of community-based initiatives, there has been evidence of uptake from the Mental Health Coalition Sierra Leone. In terms of policy, findings reinforce key principles regarding community-based provision, integration of mental health care into primary health care, and actions to reduce stigma associated with mental health.
Relationship between TyG-related index and hearing loss in people over 45 s in China
Authors: Wang Chao , Shi Mengdi , Xie Liangzhen , Jiang Chenhao , Li Yunxin , Li Jingxiao , Li Shulin , Li Yan
Published: February 2025

Background

Triglycerides and fasting glycemic index are biomarkers used to assess the risk of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. It and its derivatives such as the TyG-BMI index are currently able to reflect the degree of insulin resistance and are closely related to a variety of metabolic diseases. The relationship between the TyG-BMI index and hearing loss remains underexplored, particularly in the context of aging and public health. This study investigates the association of the TyG index, BMI index, and TyG-BMI index with hearing loss, with a focus on their potential implications for the aging population.

Methods

Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database were analyzed using R software. We applied multi-factor logistic regression, linear regression, restricted cubic splines, and subgroup analyses to assess the impact of the TyG index, BMI index, and TyG-BMI index on hearing loss across different age groups.

Results

The TyG index was not significantly associated with hearing loss. However, both the BMI index and the TyG-BMI index exhibited a positive correlation with hearing loss, particularly among older individuals. The results suggest that as the population ages, higher BMI and TyG-BMI indices may increase the risk of hearing impairment.

Conclusion

While the TyG index does not show a significant link to hearing loss, higher BMI and TyG-BMI indices are associated with an increased risk of hearing loss, especially in older adults. These findings highlight the importance of considering aging-related factors in public health initiatives aimed at preventing hearing loss. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations and to develop age-inclusive strategies for addressing hearing impairment in the aging population.
Analysis of acute non-pharmaceutical toxic exposures in children: a 5-year retrospective study
Authors: Qu Yanning , Tang Rui , Duan Zhuyan , Sheng Mengyi , Wang Hui , Liu Shuang , Li Jiao , Guo Linlin , Guo Linying , Zheng Si
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study aims to systematically analyze the epidemiological characteristics, clinical interventions and outcomes of children with acute non-pharmaceutical toxic exposures.

Methods

This retrospective study included all children with acute non-pharmaceutical toxic exposure admitted to the emergency department of the Capital Institute of Pediatrics between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023. Eligible patients were triaged into red, yellow, and green groups according to their severity condition. Clinical information including demographics, exposure details, clinical manifestation, laboratory results, treatments, and outcomes were extracted from electronic medical records. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors associated with hospitalization.

Results

Overall, a total of 718 patients with acute non-pharmaceutical toxic exposures was included in this study, infants and toddlers accounting for 57.9%. The male-to-female ratio was 1.16:1. The majority exposure events occurred at home (89.3%) and in urban settings (78.4%). Accidental poisoning was the predominant cause, accounting for 94.7%, and the primary route of exposure was oral (93.6%). Mercury was the most common exposed substance, representing 18.8% of cases, particularly among preschool-aged children (31.7%). Patients triaged to red zone had a higher proportion of clinical manifestation and required more aggressive treatments. Although most patients discharged without treatment (78.4%), 19.1% need emergency observation, and 2.5% required hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis showed that corrosive household products exposure (OR = 42.747, 95% CI[5.041–362.520]), skin and mucosal damage (OR = 37.052, 95% CI[5.339–257.153]), pesticides exposure (OR = 33.322, 95% CI[3.863–287.423]), heavy metals exposure (OR = 31.636, 95% CI[1.471–680.210]), neurological manifestation (OR = 22.656, 95% CI[4.766–107.711]), positive toxicology results (OR = 15.105, 95% CI[6.584–34.656]), industrial products exposure (OR = 10.294, 95% CI[1.144–92.641]), and intentional poisoning (OR = 3.060, 95% CI[1.733–5.405]) associated with hospitalization.

Conclusion

Pediatric patients exposed to some specific toxicants like industrial products and corrosive household products might associated with a higher risk of severe clinical outcomes. Advocating for enhanced safety regulations or educations and public health initiatives to mitigate the incidence of such exposures is still important for protecting children's health.
Investigating shared risk variants and genetic etiology between Alzheimer’s disease and three stress-related psychiatric disorders: a large-scale genome-wide cross-trait analysis
Authors: Dang Weijia , Hao Tianqi , Li Ning , Zhang Hualin , Li Ziqi , Yu Hongmei , Wen Yalu , Zheng Deqiang , Liu Long
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Observational studies have reported that patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have a greater burden of comorbidities typically associated with stress-related psychiatric disorders. However, the contribution of hereditary factors to this comorbidity remains unclear. We evaluated phenotypic associations using observational data from the UK Biobank.

Method

Our study focused on investigating the shared risk variants and genetic etiology underlying AD and three stress-related psychiatric disorders: post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder. By leveraging summary statistics from genome-wide association studies, we investigated global genetic correlations using linkage disequilibrium score regression, genetic covariance analysis, and high-definition likelihood. Genome-wide cross-trait analysis with association analysis based on subsets and cross-phenotype association were performed to discover genome-wide significant risk variants shared between AD and the three stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Results

A significant positive genetic correlation was observed between AD and major depressive disorder using linkage disequilibrium score regression (rg = 0.231; P = 0.018), genetic covariance analysis (rg = 0.138; P < 0.001), and high-definition likelihood (rg = 0.188; P < 0.001). Association analysis based on subsets and cross-phenotype association revealed thirteen risk variants in six genes shared between AD and post-traumatic stress disorder; seven risk variants in four genes shared between AD and anxiety disorder; and 23 risk variants in four genes shared between AD and major depressive disorder. Functional annotation and gene-set enrichment analysis indicated that 12 genes for comorbidity shared between patients with AD and all three stress-related psychiatric disorders were enriched in the spleen, pancreas, and whole blood.

Conclusion

These results advance our knowledge of the shared genetic origins of comorbidities and pave the way for advancements in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of stress-related AD.
Associations of substance use and positive coping behaviors with sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Laudie Jessica , Stangl Bethany L. , Gunawan Tommy , Schwandt Melanie L. , Cheng Cecilia , Gilmore Amanda K. , Goldman David , Ramchandani Vijay A. , Diazgranados Nancy , Luk Jeremy W.
Published: February 2025

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic may have negatively impacted individuals' sleep quality. In this study, we examined changes in sleep quality from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic by history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and investigated the cross-sectional associations of substance use and positive coping behaviors with sleep quality domains.

Methods

Data were drawn from the NIAAA COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol Study which enrolled participants from June 2020 to December 2022. Participants (N = 373, 50.9% male, mean age = 43.7, 37.3% with AUD history) reported their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for the month prior to the pandemic and the past month before the time of assessment. Multilevel modeling and linear regression analyses were conducted.

Results

Individuals with AUD history reported worse overall sleep quality than those without AUD history both before and during the pandemic. Individuals without AUD history reported an overall increase in PSQI scores (worsened sleep quality) across time. AUD history and substance use behaviors due to the pandemic were associated with worse sleep quality. Conversely, positive coping behaviors (e.g., take care of body, make time to relax, connect with others, multiple healthy behaviors) were associated with better sleep quality domains.

Conclusions

AUD history, substance use, and positive coping behaviors were correlated with sleep quality during the pandemic. These findings may offer insight into behavioral targets to improve sleep quality in the context of significant stress exposure and can help improve preparedness for future public health crises.
Portrayal of gender roles in Emirati television dramas: a content analysis
Authors: Gjylbegaj Viola , Radwan Ahmed Farouk
Published: February 2025

This research investigates the portrayal of gender roles in Emirati television dramas and movies, contextualizing them within the evolving socio-cultural landscape of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study conducts a comprehensive analysis of Emirati dramas and movies, categorizing prevalent gender role trends and their alignment with Emirati culture. Through content analysis, the research identifies four primary patterns: the ratio of male to female characters, gender role diversity and plot-power, themes relating to culture and religion, and the intensity of gender role manifestation with external factors. Findings reveal a predominant focus on male characters in Emirati media, reflecting traditional values where men are depicted as providers and leaders, while women are often relegated to caretaking roles. Implications of the research highlight a gradual shift toward gender equality in the UAE, evidenced by the increasing participation of women in the workforce. However, entrenched cultural values continue to influence societal expectations, perpetuating certain gender stereotypes. The study underscores the importance of media literacy in fostering critical analysis and demands for more nuanced female representation in Emirati media. Recommendations are proposed for media producers and regulators, to collaborate in promoting gender-sensitive content and fostering social change. By embracing evolving gender dynamics while preserving cultural heritage, the UAE has the potential to emerge as a global exemplar of contemporary society, championing diversity and inclusivity on a regional and international scale.
Preliminary ultrasonography study of the pancreas in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Lakhel El Hassania , El Allali Khalid , Achaâban Mohamed Rachid , Azrib Rahma
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Pancreatic lesions in camels can lead to significant economic losses. They are practically undetectable, as clinical signs alone are insufficient for specific diagnosis. Ultrasonography is a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating the pancreas. However, ultrasonographic reference patterns of the pancreas in the camel are yet to be established. This study aimed to define the ultrasonographic appearance, reference values, location, and acoustic window for evaluating the pancreas in healthy camels.

Methods

Eight adult and 14 young Moroccan camels were investigated by ultrasonography using a micro-convex probe with SIUI CTS-900 V and Samsung MH70A Doppler ultrasound scanners at 3.5 MHz.

Results

The body of the pancreas was scanned just below the right kidney, behind the 12th rib; an ultrasonographic pattern of pancreatic parenchyma appeared as a hyperechoic elongated band, including the portal vein, with a Doppler flow response. The average thickness of the body was 3.60 ± 0.24 cm (n = 14) in young camels significantly lower than in adult camels 4.61 ± 0.26 cm (n = 8). The right lobe was scanned on the right side, adjacent to the duodenal ampulla and abomasum, beneath the liver along the 11th, 10th, and 9th intercostal spaces. The ultrasonographic pattern of parenchyma appeared as a hyperechoic triangle compared to the liver, including portal and duodenal-pancreatic veins, showing a Doppler flow response. The corresponding parenchyma thickness within the three intercostal spaces was 3.93 ± 0.33 cm, 4.40 ± 0.20 cm, and 3.46 ± 0.39 cm in the young camels (n = 14), and 4.99 ± 0.46 cm, 5.90 ± 0.27 cm, and 4.11 ± 0.68 cm in the adults (n = 8), respectively. The pancreatic major duct was seen as an anechoic circle with a hyperechoic wall, with a maximum diameter of 1 cm, and the left lobe scanned beneath the cranial extremity of the spleen; its ultrasonographic pattern showed an irregular hypoechoic band with a mean thickness of 2.32 ± 0.32 cm (n = 14) in young camels and 3.08 ± 0.52 cm (n = 8) in the adults, including a small splenic vein.

Conclusion

Ultrasonography combined with Doppler techniques provides valuable information on pancreatic health, blood flow, and tissue perfusion, aiding early detection of pancreatic diseases and, consequently, minimizing economic losses in camel husbandry.
Improved cattle farm classification: leveraging machine learning and linked national datasets
Authors: Schnidrig Guy-Alain , Struchen Rahel , Schärrer Sara , Heim Dagmar , Hadorn Daniela , Schüpbach-Regula Gertraud , Paternoster Giulia
Published: February 2025

While many countries have registries of livestock farms, it can be challenging to obtain information on their primary production type. For example, for Swiss farms registered as keeping cattle, a distinction can only be made between milk-producing and non-milk-producing farms. The Swiss cattle industry consists of beef and dairy farms, with a strong predominance of small to medium-sized farms. A better differentiation of cattle production types would be beneficial for the planning and evaluation of surveillance programmes for cattle diseases and for the benchmarking antibiotic consumption. The aim of this study was to outline cattle production types of interest and to allow the classification of Swiss cattle farms according to production type in order to optimize surveillance. We collaborated with experts to define the five primary cattle production types: calf fattening, dairy cattle, cattle fattening, rearing cattle and suckler cows. In collaboration with the cantonal Veterinary Offices, we collected production types from 618 reference farms across 14 cantons and defined a total of 24 features by combining information from three national databases. Using farm-level data on milk production, age and sex distribution, cattle breeds, calving, births, slaughter, animal movements and antibiotic use, we trained three different machine learning models capable of classifying the five production types. Among these models, the Random Forest model demonstrated the highest level of performance, achieving an accuracy of 0.914 (95% CI: 0.890, 0.938) and an F1-Score of 0.879 (95% CI: 0.841, 0.913). In conclusion, together with experts, we have outlined five primary production types on cattle farms in Switzerland and developed a model that allows a reproducible, year-to-year classification of cattle farms using national datasets. Our flexible methodology could be adapted to other countries and datasets, enabling veterinary authorities to conduct more efficient and targeted disease surveillance in the future.
Algorithms for Plant Monitoring Applications: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Colucci Giovanni Paolo , Battilani Paola , Camardo Leggieri Marco , Trinchero Daniele
Published: February 2025

Many sciences exploit algorithms in a large variety of applications. In agronomy, large amounts of agricultural data are handled by adopting procedures for optimization, clustering, or automatic learning. In this particular field, the number of scientific papers has significantly increased in recent years, triggered by scientists using artificial intelligence, comprising deep learning and machine learning methods or bots, to process field, crop, plant, or leaf images. Moreover, many other examples can be found, with different algorithms applied to plant diseases and phenology. This paper reviews the publications which have appeared in the past three years, analyzing the algorithms used and classifying the agronomic aims and the crops to which the methods are applied. Starting from a broad selection of 6060 papers, we subsequently refined the search, reducing the number to 358 research articles and 30 comprehensive reviews. By summarizing the advantages of applying algorithms to agronomic analyses, we propose a guide to farming practitioners, agronomists, researchers, and policymakers regarding best practices, challenges, and visions to counteract the effects of climate change, promoting a transition towards more sustainable, productive, and cost-effective farming and encouraging the introduction of smart technologies.
Positive Mental Health and Happiness at Work in a Sample of Portuguese Workers: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Valentim Olga , de Sousa Luís , de Sousa Cristina , Correia Tânia , Carvalho José Carlos , Querido Ana , José Helena , Laranjeira Carlos
Published: February 2025

Positive mental health in individuals’ lives and happiness at work have been growing concerns for organizations. This web-based cross-sectional study aimed to understand these two factors and their interrelationship in a population of workers. Data were collected with an e-questionnaire from 1768 individuals currently employed in various public and private organizations. The variables studied included: social and occupational data, happiness at work, and positive mental health. Study participants showed good levels of positive mental health and happiness at work. Positive mental health was positively associated with both organizational happiness domains and function and with perceived productivity (p < 0.001). Using a multiple linear regression model, we found four predictors of overall happiness at work: age, perception of productivity, seniority, and positive mental health factors (personal satisfaction, autonomy and problem-solving and self-actualization) (R2 = 0.249). Organizations wishing to make employees happier and more productive should promote mental health in the workplace. Interventions that focus on the adoption of positive coping techniques in the workplace, such as training focused on increasing intrapreneurial self-capital, should also be explored.
Athletes’ Education for Their Successful Future Career After Sports—Perspective of Former Athletes and Potential Employers
Authors: Varmus Michal , Mičiak Martin , Toman Dominika , Jastraban Michal , Kuljovský Matej , Sobol Jozef , Tongel Ivo , Zahumenská Andrea
Published: February 2025

Although sports are a dream career for many young people, only a small percentage of athletes can make a living from this. Moreover, even elite athletes with high incomes must find other employment after sports. This justifies the development of their human capital via education valued by employers. Our article originally approaches this issue with recommendations for the effective education of athletes. The aim is to identify and analyze the key skills that former athletes use in the work environment and that help them successfully integrate into employment outside sports. Our robust scientific approach, described in the methodology, combines relevant secondary and primary data and corresponding analytical methods. The secondary data analysis identified the skills required by employers as well as the employment of former athletes in areas outside of sports. Based on quantitative primary data (questionnaire on a sample of 237 young athletes), the skills perceived as important by young athletes were revealed. The qualitative component is represented by interviews with selected former athletes and employers from the corporate environment. The main findings include the alignment of the perceived importance of certain skills by young athletes and employers. The high perceived importance of education during sports careers was supported by all stakeholders.
A Skeleton-Based Method of Root System 3D Reconstruction and Phenotypic Parameter Measurement from Multi-View Image Sequence
Authors: Xu Chengjia , Huang Ting , Niu Ziang , Sun Xinyue , He Yong , Qiu Zhengjun
Published: February 2025

The phenotypic parameters of root systems are vital in reflecting the influence of genes and the environment on plants, and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction is an important method for obtaining phenotypic parameters. Based on the characteristics of root systems, being featureless, thin structures, this study proposed a skeleton-based 3D reconstruction and phenotypic parameter measurement method for root systems using multi-view images. An image acquisition system was designed to collect multi-view images for root system. The input images were binarized by the proposed OTSU-based adaptive threshold segmentation method. Vid2Curve was adopted to realize the 3D reconstruction of root systems and calibration objects, which was divided into four steps: skeleton curve extraction, initialization, skeleton curve estimation, and surface reconstruction. Then, to extract phenotypic parameters, a scale alignment method based on the skeleton was realized using DBSCAN and RANSAC. Furthermore, a small-sized root system point completion algorithm was proposed to achieve more complete root system 3D models. Based on the above-mentioned methods, a total of 30 root samples of three species were tested. The results showed that the proposed method achieved a skeleton projection error of 0.570 pixels and a surface projection error of 0.468 pixels. Root number measurement achieved a precision of 0.97 and a recall of 0.96, and root length measurement achieved an MAE of 1.06 cm, an MAPE of 2.37%, an RMSE of 1.35 cm, and an R2 of 0.99. The whole process of reconstruction in the experiment was very fast, taking a maximum of 4.07 min. With high accuracy and high speed, the proposed methods make it possible to obtain the root phenotypic parameters quickly and accurately and promote the study of root phenotyping.