bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Elevated Serum Apelin-13 and D-dimer Concentrations in Individuals Diagnosed with Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Mehrban Alireza , Hajikolaei Fatemeh Ahmadi , Karimi Mehdi , Khademi Reza , Ansari Akram , Qujeq Durdi , Taliki Karim Hajian , Monadi Mahmoud
Published: January 2024

Background: Given the limited specificity of D-dimer, there is a perceived need to discover a more precise marker for diagnosing individuals who are suspected of having pulmonary embolism (PE). In this study, by Evaluating the increase in the serum level of Apelin-13 and D-dimer, we found valuable findings about Apelin-13, which can be suggested as an auxiliary and non-invasive diagnostic biomarker in individuals with suspected PE, based on the obtained results.
Methods: In this case-control study, 52 Iranian individuals with a suspicion of pulmonary embolism, were included and then were separated into two groups based on CT angiography results serving as the gold standard imaging method for diagnosing PE: patients with and without PE. Finally, the serum levels of these markers were compared in these two groups.
Results: The mean serum D-dimer levels in patients with PE were significantly elevated (p<0.001) in comparison to those without PE (1102.47 to 456.2 ng/ml). Furthermore, the mean level of Apelin-13 was significantly higher in patients with PE (49.8 to 73.11 ng/L) (p <0.001). The cutoff point of Apelin-13 has been calculated 58.50 ng/ml, with 90.9% sensitivity and 90% specificity. The D-dimer cutoff point was 500 ng/ml, with 95.5% sensitivity and 43.3% specificity.
Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, the serum level of Apelin-13 can be used as novel diagnostic and screening biomarker in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism
Keywords: Pulmonary embolism, Thromboembolism, Apelin-13, D-dimer.
‘Shared Steps & Checks’: A Shared Decision Making Model for Mental Health Care
Authors: Grootens Koen P. , Verwijmeren Doris
Published: January 2024

BackgroundAlthoughshared decision making (SDM) is the preferred choice in mental health care, the literature shows this patient-clinician communication approach is not widely implemented in this field of medicine. To promote its use in clinical practice and training, we introduce an SDM model that allows for all field-specific demands and teaching purposes.MethodsWe developed an elementary framework for sharing decisions during psychiatric consultations through an iterative process. After reviewing the literature on existing SDM models and assessing their appropriateness for further enrichment to meet the needs of mental health services, we integrated all requirements in our model, paying special attention to didactic aspects in communication courses. The resulting model was finetuned in a focus group- approach involving five different panels of health-care professionals, clients, informal caregivers and medical students.ResultsWe chose to expand the initial 3-step models and later adaptations by Elwyn et al. and to devise a linear step model to meet clinical and requirement and didactic usability. The model incorporates aspects that are typical to mental health care such as explicit goal setting, setting up a ‘decision team’, assessing decision capacity and risk deliberation. As psychiatric care demands a stable and trustful therapeutic relationship, we added the element of the explicit pursuit of three core values: Be curious, collaborative and connected.ConclusionsComprising six steps and periodical core value checks, the Shared Steps & Checks approach presented here offers a pragmatic SDM framework for mental health practice and training serving all stakeholders involved in this complex, multidisciplinary field.
Gap Junctions May Have a Computational Function in the Cerebellum: a Hypothesis
Authors: Gilbert Mike , Rasmussen Anders
Published: January 2024

In the cerebellum, granule cells make parallel fibre contact on (and excite) Golgi cells and Golgi cells inhibit granule cells, forming an open feedback loop. Parallel fibres excite Golgi cells synaptically, each making a single contact. Golgi cells inhibit granule cells in a structure called a glomerulus almost exclusively by GABA spillover acting through extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. Golgi cells are connected dendritically by gap junctions. It has long been suspected that feedback contributes to homeostatic regulation of parallel fibre signals activity, causing the fraction of the population that are active to be maintained at a low level. We present a detailed neurophysiological and computationally-rendered model of functionally grouped Golgi cells which can infer the density of parallel fibre signals activity and convert it into proportional modulation of inhibition of granule cells. The conversion is unlearned and not actively computed; rather, output is simply the computational effect of cell morphology and network architecture. Unexpectedly, the conversion becomes more precise at low density, suggesting that self-regulation is attracted to sparse code, because it is stable. A computational function of gap junctions may not be confined to the cerebellum.
Assessment of nutritional practice of pregnant women and associated factors following ANC services in Yeka sub city health centers, Addis Ababa.
Authors: Tesfaye Muluken , Arega Balew
Published: January 2024

Background Pregnant mothers especially in developing countries do not get a balanced and diverse diet to meet their nutrient and energy requirements. This problem in Ethiopia is extensive in combination with repeated drought and food insecurity. Due to insufficient counseling of pregnant women on the importance of nutrition practices during antenatal care visits and other factors, pregnant mothers have poor nutritional practices that result in adverse birth outcomes. Methods Institutional based cross-sectional study designed was employed to collect the data from 404 pregnant women following ANC services in Yeka sub-city health centers from 6 June to 15 July 2022. Five health centers were selected using simple random sampling and pregnant women were selected using systematic random sampling after proportional allocation of the total sample. Structured questioner was used to collect the data and a 24-hour recall of dietary diversity questioner was also used to assess their dietary diversity. The data was entered into EpiData version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25. We used frequency, mean, and rang as descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was used to identify risk factors affecting the nutritional practices of pregnant women. Result In this study, we found that 179(44.31%) of pregnant women had high dietary diversity score with mean of 4.97 ± 2.014 SD and 183(45.3%0 of pregnant women had good food frequency. Finally, only 126(31.2%) of pregnant women had good nutritional practices during pregnancy. The risk factors that affect the nutritional practice of pregnant women was husband occupational status, income of household, habit of eating snacks, partner/husband involvement in pregnancy care, women empowerment on household economy. Conclusion In this study, we found that less than one-third of pregnant women had good nutritional practices. This calls the collaboration effort of all parties to enhance the nutritional status of pregnant women which is corner stone of all other nutritional interventions.
Failure Probability of Deposit Landslide Under Gradient Rainfall Based on Conditional Probability
Authors: Kouame Adangba Raphael , Wang Huanling
Published: January 2024

Predicting the deposit landslide’s failure probability is a critical parameter in the geotechnical process. The cohesion and the internal friction are usually selected as random parameters for the numerical constitutive model. The existing method can predict the failure probability function (FPF) using the Monte Carlo method (MCM). However, it struggles with the limitation of the current probability density function (PDF). In this study, a small interval of parameters is introduced to estimate the parameters. The FPF can be converted into the augmented failure probability (AFP) approximation and the conditional probability related to the parameter interval using the Bayes model. Once the criterion of the small parameter intervals required for estimating the measure is selected, a single MCM combined with the adaptive Kriging nested method and MCM (AK-MCM) is established to approximate AFP. The Dahua deposit landslide is chosen as a case study to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed solution. The copula model is used to correlate the rainfall intensity and the duration. The results reveal that the proposed solution is more accurate than the direct MCM and show that the return period could influence the failure probability.
Emerging climate-sensitive infections of the North
Authors: Thierfelder Tomas , Orlov Dmitry , Tokarevich Nikolay , Evengård Birgitta
Published: January 2024

As the terrestrial realms of the Arctic thaw with climate change, populations of relative southern infectious diseases carried by vector organisms such as ticks and mosquitoes may migrate, expand and/or in other ways respond to the resulting landscape transitions, and transmit onto humans and animals of the far North. The OneHealth effects of potentially expanding climate sensitive infections (CSI’s) constitute a serious global threat. To identify potential CSI’s, data concerning a selection of human infections were procured from national health reporting systems to cover the current thirty-year climate reference period (onto 2016) from western Greenland to the pacific coast of Russia, from approximately 55 to 80 degrees north. The diseases chosen to represent different transmission processes, e.g. via vector organisms bound to water, air, and/or soil environments, were borreliosis, brucellosis, cryptosporidiosis, leptospirosis, Puumala haemorrhagic fever, Q-fever, tick-borne encephalitis, and tularaemia. Inferential results indicate that 88% (7/8) of these infections are changing systematically with respect to incidence levels and/or geographic distribution, at local or regional scales within the study area, and that they therefore should be considered as being potentially climate sensitive. It is hence likely that many northern societies will experience changing CSI exposure. In addition, for each of the selected infections, the geographic distribution of their respective thirty-year average incidences was used to define “diseases climates” for future reference. Inconsistencies across national health reporting systems, as well as the current (late 2023) exclusion of Russian observatory networks, are seriously constraining the possibilities to infer international climate-related epidemiological trends.
Late glycolysis supplies energy for effector trafficking in Magnaporthe oryzae, implicating a potential target in managing rice blast
Authors: Zhang Zhengguang , Liu Xinyu , Shen Ju , Li Zanfeng , Chen Chen , Shen Lingbo , He Yangjie , Guo Ziqian , Xu Jiayun , Wu Miao , Yang Ping , Yang Leiyun , Liu Muxing , Li Gang , Zhang Haifeng , Wang Ping
Published: January 2024

During the early stages of the Magnaporthe oryzae and rice interaction, rice generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst to inhibit further proliferation of the pathogen. At the same time, M. oryzae secretes various effectors into the host through vesicle trafficking that subverts ROS stress. However, how these effectors are secreted in a timely manner remains unclear. Here, we found that vesicle movement significantly increases under ROS stress and that glycolysis is the energy source for such effector trafficking. Specifically, ROS inhibits the palmitoylation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) that inhibits GAPDH-mediated phase separation, and resulting raised pool of GAPDH in the cytoplasm facilitates ATP generation required for vesicle trafficking. To ensure GAPDH-mediated glycolysis, a Nudix hydrolase, MoNud5, catalyzes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide + hydrogen (NADH) for maintaining GAPDH activities in vivo. To explore whether inhibiting M. oryzae GAPDH activities effectively controls rice blast, we discovered a small molecule, TH287, that inhibits the pathogenesis of M. oryzae. TH287 binds to MoNud5 to inhibit its function, resulting in increased NADH and decreased GAPDH activities. Our studies reveal the significance of glycolysis-mediated vesicle trafficking in the blast fungus and provides evidence that GAPDH suppression is a potential strategy to control rice blasts.
Risk Factors for Synchronous High-risk Polyps in Patients with Colorectal Cancer
Authors: He Degao , Chen Junguo , Jiang Xuefei , Chen Hao , Huang Juanni , Chen Zexian
Published: January 2024

Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients may experience inadequate preoperative colonoscopy due to bowel obstruction or inadequate bowel preparation, leading to potential oversight of other polyps. We aimed to identify risk factors for CRC complicated with synchronous high-risk polyps.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of 6,674 CRC patients from December 2014 to September 2018 was conducted. High-risk polyps were defined as adenomas or serrated polyps that were ≥ 10 mm, or with tubulovillous/villous components or high-grade dysplasia. All other polyps were defined as low-risk polyps. Patients with complete pathological and clinical information were categorized into three groups: the no polyp group, the low-risk polyp group, and the high-risk polyp group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all potential risk factors.
Results
Among the 4,659 eligible patients, 848 (18.2%) were found to have low-risk polyps, while 675 (14.5%) were diagnosed with high-risk polyps. In a multivariate logistic regression model, compared to patients without polyps, those with synchronous high-risk polyps were more likely to be male (OR = 2.07), aged 50 or older (OR = 2.77), have early-stage tumors (OR = 1.46), colon tumors (OR = 1.53), NRAS mutant tumors (OR = 1.66), and BRAF wild-type tumors (OR = 2.43).
Conclusion
Our study has identified several risk factors associated with the presence of synchronous high-risk polyps in CRC patients. Based on these findings, we recommend that patients who exhibit these high-risk factors undergo early follow-up of colonoscopy to prevent the development of metachronous CRC.
Artificial intelligence for volumetric measurement of cerebral white matter hyperintensities on thick-slice fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance images from multiple centers
Authors: Kuwabara Masashi , Ikawa Fusao , Nakazawa Shinji , Koshino Saori , Ishii Daizo , Kondo Hiroshi , Hara Takeshi , Maeda Yuyo , Sato Ryo , Kaneko Taiki , Maeyama Shiyuki , Shimahara Yuki , Horie Nobutaka
Published: January 2024

We aimed to develop a new artificial intelligence software that can automatically extract and measure the volume of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using only thick-slice fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences from multiple centers. We enrolled 1,092 participants in Japan, comprising this thick-slice Private Dataset. Based on 207 randomly selected participants, neuroradiologists annotated WMHs using predefined guidelines. The annotated participants were divided into training (n = 138) and test (n = 69) datasets. The WMH segmentation model comprised a U-Net ensemble and was trained using the Private Dataset. Two other models were trained for validation using either both thin- and thick-slice MRI datasets or the thin-slice dataset alone. The voxel-wise Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used as the evaluation metric. The model trained using only thick-slice MRI showed a DSC of 0.820 for the test dataset, which is comparable to the accuracy of human readers. The model trained with the additional thin-slice dataset showed only a slightly improved DSC of 0.822. This automatic WMH segmentation model comprising a U-Net ensemble trained on a thick-slice FLAIR MRI dataset is a promising new method. Despite some limitations, this model may be applicable in clinical practice.
Association between physical activity and afternoon nap, night sleep duration in patients with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Lin Lu , Xiong Huan , Cai Hongxia , Yang Xiujuan
Published: January 2024

Purpose
To explore the association between physical activity and sleep duration in middle-aged and older adults with cardiovascular disease(CVD), also the first study to explore the association between physical activity and afternoon napduration in CVD patients
Methods
The study population came from the national crosssectional survey of the the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2018. The physical activity were divided into light, moderate and vigorous physical activity. The afternoon nap duration was divided into 0min, 0-60min, > 60min. The night duration was divided into < 7 hours, 7–8 hours, > 8 hours. Multi-level logistic regression analysis were used for exploring the related association.
Results
A total of 8913 middle-aged and older adults with CVD were included in this study. The proportion of < 7h, 7-8h and > 8h night sleep duration groups was 58.91%, 31.24% and 9.86%. The proportion of 0min, 0-60min and > 60min afternoon nap duration groups was 35.79%, 43.86% and 20.35%. In the part of night sleep duration, the intensity of light and moderate physical activity might make the night sleep duration of the study population tend to be normal (7-8h) (P < 0.05). In the part of afternoon nap duration, compared with that of the group without afternoon nap, we found that light and moderate physical activity could make the study population more likely to take a 0-60min afternoon nap (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
The middle-aged and older adults with CVD continued to have light and moderate physical activity, which might be beneficial to sleep at afternoon or at night.
Prevalence of isolated iliac aneurysm in patients with acute aortic dissection: a five-year clinical retrospective study
Authors: Li Xinyang , Liu Chong , Wang Hengzhen , Wang Chuanjiang , Chen Renzhi , Hu Haidi
Published: January 2024

Background The relationship between isolated iliac aneurysms (IIAs) and acute aortic dissection (AAD) is uncertain. We aimed to determine the prevalence of IIAs in patients with AAD and evaluate the independent risk factors for the presence of IIAs in them. Methods The aortic dissection group comprised seven patients with confirmed AAD and IIAs (AAD + IIA group) who had undergone computed tomography angiography (CTA). The control group comprised 597 patients with confirmed AAD without IIAs (AAD group). Basic clinical information of patients included in this study were completely obtained. Two readers reviewed all CTA scans independently to assess the data of the IIAs. Baseline characteristics were compared between the aortic dissection group and the control group using propensity score matching, and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent risk factors for the presence of IIAs. Results The average patient age was 67.57 ± 10.13 years in the AAD + IIA group and 52.09 ± 12.06 years in the AAD group (P = 0.002). The proportion of smokers was respectively 85.7% and 39.6% in the AAD group and AAD + IIA group (P = 0.037). In the control group, no difference in age was observed between the dissections from the aorta to the iliac artery (n = 251 [42%]; 51.08 ± 11.35 years) and those limited to the aortic region (n = 346 [58%]; 52.82 ± 12.51 years) (P = 0.055). Multivariate analysis revealed age as an independent risk factor for the presence of IIAs (odds ratio, 1.144; 95% confidence interval, 1.059–1.235; P = 0.001). Similarly, smoking was an independent risk factor for the presence of IIAs (odds ratio, 14.601; 95% confidence interval, 1.601–129.073; P = 0.016). Conclusions The prevalence of IIA in AAD was 1.2%. Age and smoking can increase the prevalence of IIAs in patients with AAD. Further prospective studies are warranted to demonstrate the substantial prevalence of IIAs in the AAD population.
Copenhagen Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (CBI-SS) in a Nigerian Context: Evaluating its Factor Structure, Reliability and Validity Among Faculty of Arts Students of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti
Authors: Oluwadiya Kehinde Sunday , Owoeye Omolara Kikelomo , Adeoti Adekunle Olatayo
Published: January 2024

Background: The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (CBI-SS) has shown promising psychometric properties in diverse student populations. This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Nigerian version of the CBI-SS.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 635 students from Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was utilized to assess the CBI-SS validity.
Results: The reliability score of the CBI-SS was 0.957, ranging from 0.862-0.914 for the subscales. Correlation coefficients among the four CBI-SS factors ranged from 0.507 to 0.713. The CFA indicated an adequate goodness-of-fit for the four-factor model of the CBI-SS with the sample data. However, Item 10 was removed due to unacceptably low AVE score. The four factors demonstrated a negative correlation with both GASE Scale and CGPA. Furthermore, both self-reported burnout and perceived course stress showed associations with the CBI-SS, where lower levels of burnout corresponded with lower median scores on the CBI-SS scales.
Conclusion: This study underscores the significance of the CBI-SS in evaluating student burnout within our student population. The findings indicate that the CBI-SS is a highly reliable and valid instrument for assessing student burnout, suggesting its potential for effective utilization in the Nigerian academic context.
Pooling of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from different Donors demonstrate Distinctive Advantage than Single Donor MSCs
Authors: Kannan Suresh , S Gokul Krishna , Gupta Pawan Kumar , Kolkundkar Uday Kumar
Published: January 2024

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) from adult bone marrow is most commonly used cells in clinical trials. MSCs from single donors are the preferred starting material but suffer from a major setback of being heterogeneous among donors that results in an unpredictable and inconsistent clinical outcomes. To overcome this, we developed a method of pooling MSCs from different donors and created cell banks to cater clinical needs. Initially, the master cells banks (MCBs) were created at passage 1 (P1) from the bone marrow MSCs isolated from of nine different donors. At this stage, MCBs from three different donors were mixed in equal proportion and expanded till P3 to create working cell banks (WCBs). Further, the pooled cells and individual donor MSCs were expanded till P5 and cryopreserved and were extensively characterised. The results showed that there was a huge heterogeneity among the individual donor MSCs in terms of growth kinetics, immunosuppressive ability and the level of angiogenic factors secretion potential. Comparatively, the pooled cells have more stable profiles and exhibit better immunosuppressive ability and consistent secretion of angiogenic factors. Further pooling doesn’t compromise the trilineage differentiation capacity or phenotypic marker expression of the MSCs. The senescence and in vitro tumourigenicity characteristics of the pooled cells are also similar to that of individual donor MSCs. We conclude that Pooling of MSCs from three different donors reduces heterogeneity among individual donors and produce MSCs with a consistent secretion and higher immunosuppressive profiles.
LRA0401/ LRB0402 protocols for newly diagnosed patients with low-risk embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma based on the central pathological review system: The first report from the Japan Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group
Authors: Hosoi Hajime , Hojo Hiroshi , Miyachi Mitsuru , Okita Hajime , Hata Jun-Ichi , Yokota Isao , Teramukai Satoshi , Sakabayashi Satomi , Kato Miho , Takimoto Tetsuya , Tsuchiya Kunihiko , Kuwahara Yasumichi , Onodera Rie , Matsuyama Kotone , Hamasaki Minori , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi , Oda Yoshinao , Nakazawa Atsuko , Horibe Keizo , Hara Jun-Ichi , Suita Sachiyo , Hanada Ryoji , Masaki Hidekazu , Nozaki Miwako , Ikeda Hitoshi , Kishimoto Seiji , Kaneko Michio , Kawai Akira , Morikawa Yasuhide
Published: January 2024

Background
A retrospective study of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma patients treated between 1991 and 2002 in Japan revealed that among the two major subtypes, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS), was more prevalent than alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), differing from a United States (US)-based report. Moreover, the survival rate of low-risk ERMS was worse in Japan than in the US. We hypothesized that some patients with ARMS having a poorer prognosis were misdiagnosed and undertreated in Japan. We explored this hypothesis using a nationwide group study, by risk-adopted therapy based upon a central pathological review system to improve the prognosis of patients with “low-risk” rhabdomyosarcoma in Japan.
Methods
Using the first nationwide Japan Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group established in 2004, we classified patients into low-risk subgroup A, including ERMS with orbital, grossly resectable, favorable site, and small unfavorable site tumors, who were eligible for JRS-I LRA0401; and low-risk subgroup B, including ERMS with residual, favorable site and grossly resectable, large, unfavorable site tumors, eligible for JRS-I LRB0402.
Results
ERMS cases decreased from 78–51% before and after the central pathological review. Fusion genes were not detected in ERMS. The overall survival rate was significantly better (p = 0.0015) in ERMS (84.8 ± 4.0%) than in ARMS (57.7 ± 6.1%). The 3-year overall survival rates of low-risk patients in subgroups A and B improved from 86–100% and from 81–94%, respectively.
Conclusion
By implementing a central pathological review system in Japan and adopting fusion gene analyses for diagnosis, the number of patients with ERMS decreased and their outcomes improved significantly.
Enhancing Drought Resilience in Calligonum mongolicum through Nitrogen-Mediated Amelioration of Metabolic Stress: A Comprehensive Exploration of Phytohormones, Sugar Metabolism and Antioxidants Responses
Authors: Ullah Abd , Tariq Akash , Zeng Fanjiang , Noor Javaria , Asghar Muhammad Ahsan , Sardans Jordi , Peñuelas Josep
Published: January 2024

Groundwater resources sustain phreatophytes in arid ecosystems. Nevertheless, how phreatophyte seedlings respond to topsoil water and nutrients before reaching groundwater remains elusive. This study unraveled the effects of three irrigation levels (well-watered, medium-drought, and severe-drought) and N-fertilization on multiple physio-biochemical responses in Calligonum mongolicum seedlings. Drought-stressed seedlings significantly enhanced reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and oxidized ascorbate-glutathione in shoots and roots, leading to impaired chlorophyll pigments, water status, and biomass, compared to control. They displayed higher abscisic acid, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and strigolactones but reduced indole acetic acid (IAA), cytokinin (CTKs), and zeatin riboside (ZR) in shoots and roots, and gibberellic acid (GA) and brassinosteroids (BR) in shoots. Lower starch and higher fructose, glucose, and sucrose, are possibly due to dynamic changes in carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes. Further, significantly upregulated superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in shoots, while glutathione-peroxidase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase observed in shoots and roots under either stress. Lower SOD and APX in roots; PPO in shoots while other enzymes of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle in shoots and roots following either stress, suggesting the sensitivity of the anti-oxidant mechanism. Conversely, N-addition enhanced the productivity of drought-stressed seedlings by improving their chlorophyll pigments, and endogenous hormones (IAA, GA, CTK, BR, and ZR), which may account for their better growth. Moreover, upregulated O2•−-H2O2-scavenging mechanism, and soluble sugar, resulting in better status and biomass. Hence, N-supplementation could be an effective strategy to enhance drought-resistance in Calligonum seedlings to restore their communities in hyper-arid conditions under future climate change.
Development and characterization of nano line width based on the fusion of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Shi Yushu , Wang Fang , Zhang Shu , Deng Xiao , Cheng Xinbin
Published: January 2024

The nano line width is the critical dimension of integrated circuits. With the continuous reduction of key technology nodes, integrated circuits have created higher requirements for line width reference materials and their accurate measurement. We developed 7 nm, 22 nm, and 45 nm line width reference materials based on the multilayer deposition technique. Their line features were characterized according to the proposed fusion method. This method combines the advantages of both high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), not only reducing the influence of boundary effects on the accuracy of line width measurement in SEM, but also disseminating the destructive HRTEM results. Moreover, the measurement results trace to the International System of Units (SI) meter definition using the silicon lattice constant built-in the line width. Experimental results illustrated that the measurement accuracy of the proposed method was improved by 40% compared with SEM alone, which meets the accuracy requirements for line width measurement in integrated circuits.
The use of social media after bereavement by suicide: results from a French online survey
Authors: LEAUNE Edouard , ROUZE Héloïse , LESTIENNE Laurène , BISLIMI Kushtrim , MORGIEVE Margot , CHALANCON Benoit , LAU-TAÏ Pauline , VAIVA Guillaume , GRANDGENEVRE Pierre , HAESEBAERT Julie , POULET Emmanuel
Published: January 2024

Background
According to recent research, the Internet and social media are shaping and changing how we die and mourn. However, the use of social media after bereavement by suicide remains poorly understood. Thus, emerging research is needed to better assess the role that social media can play after bereavement by suicide. The objective of our study was to assess the use of social media in French people bereaved by suicide and to collect their expectations toward social media.
Method
We conducted a national cross-sectional online survey including French people bereaved by suicide assessing their use of social media after the death of their relative. All adults bereaved by suicide were eligible to participate in the study. An online 26-item questionnaire collected sociodemographic and loss-related characteristics and evaluated four dimensions: 1) the use of social media in daily life, 2) the perceived needs regarding suicide bereavement, 3) the use of social media associated with the suicide loss, and 4) the expectations regarding the development of an online resource for people bereaved by suicide and personal propositions regarding the development of such a resource.
Results
Among 401 participants, 61.6% reported using social media after the death of their relative by suicide, especially those recently bereaved, those receiving counseling and bereaved parents. The participants mainly used social media to reach peers bereaved by suicide and to memorialize, while they expected social media to help them finding information on suicide and accessing bereaved peers. Younger participants were more prone to use social media to memorialize, while bereaved partners and those bereaved by the suicide of a parent were less prone to use them with such aim.
Discussion
A large part of people bereaved by suicide use social media for their grief process, mainly to contact peers bereaved by suicide and to memorialize their loved one. According to or results, social media contribute to contemporary grief processes after suicide bereavement and can be seen as putative means to improve the well-being of people bereaved by suicide.
Impact of Body Image Perception on Behavioral Outcomes in Chinese Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Sarcoma
Authors: Wei Yihui , Ma Chung Tin , Li Michael Can Heng , Zhou Keary Rui , Loong Herbert Ho Fung , Wong Kwok Chuen , Li Chi Kong , Cheung Yin Ting
Published: January 2024

Purpose
To identify the prevalence and predictive factors of body image dissatisfaction among Chinese adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of sarcoma, and to evaluate its associations with behavioral outcomes.
Methods
In total, 116 AYA survivors (48.3% female; mean age 28.2 years, SD = 8.2 years) of osteosarcoma (49.1%) or soft-tissue sarcoma (50.9%) were recruited from an academic hospital. The survivors self-reported their perceived body image using the Body Image Scale. Behavioral outcomes were assessed using DSM-oriented scales of the ASEBA Adult Self-Report checklist. Multivariable linear regression was conducted to identify predictors of body image perception and investigate the association between body image dissatisfaction and behavioral outcomes.
Results
At 15 years post-cancer diagnosis, one third of the cohort (35.3%) reported dissatisfaction with their body image. Female survivors (Est = 3.13, SE = 1.53; P = 0.044) and survivors who had undergone surgery (Est = 7.13, SE = 3.35; P = 0.037) reported poorer body image perception. Body image dissatisfaction was associated with symptoms of depression (Est = 0.29, SE = 0.10; P = 0.005) and avoidant personality (Est = 0.41, SE = 0.12; P < 0.001).
Conclusion
A negative perception of body image was associated with psychological distress in long-term survivorship. The provision of psychosocial intervention early during the cancer care continuum may mitigate the negative impact of body image distress in AYA survivors.
MiR26a Reverses Enzalutamide Resistance in a Bone-Tumor Targeted System with an Enhanced Effect on Bone Metastatic CRPC
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Chen Jiyuan , Gong Luyao , Wang Yunxia , Siltari Aino , Lou Yan-Ru , Murtola Teemu J. , Gao Shen , Gao Yuan
Published: January 2024

Resistance to androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors including enzalutamide (ENZ) as well as bone metastasis are major challenges for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) treatment. In this study, we identified that miR26a can restore the Enz sensitivity and inhibit bone metastatic CRPC. To achieve the highest combination effect of miR26a and Enz, we developed a cancer-targeted nano-system (Bm@PT/Enz-miR26a) using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) membrane and T140 peptide to co-deliver Enz and miR26a. The in vitro/in vivo results demonstrated that miR26a can reverse Enz resistance and synergistically shrink tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis (especially secondary metastasis) in both subcutaneous and bone metastatic CRPC mouse models. We also found that EZH2/SFRP1/WNT5A axis may in involved in this role. These findings open new avenues for the treatment of bone metastatic and Enz resistant CRPC.
Reduction of cerebral lactate level is correlated with increased Aβ quantity in Alzheimer’s disease model mice
Authors: Zhang Mao , Wang Yanyan , Guan Xingying , Chen Xuedan , Guo Hong
Published: January 2024

Lactate provides signals that modulate neural functions, including excitability, plasticity and memory consolidation. G-protein-coupled receptor 81 (GPR81) is a specific receptor of lactate, which functions in signaling regulation in neural activity. This process is mediated by downstream of GPR81, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase /protein kinase B/cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (PI3K/Akt/CREB) pathway. Previously, it is recognized that lactate content is reduced in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model mice. But, it hasn’t been identified whether lactate decrease is related with increased amyloid beta (Aβ) in AD model mice. This work proves that reduced lactate content is correlated with Aβ increase in cortex and hippocampus of AD model mice. Importantly, it signifies that reduced lactate and GPR81 lead to decrease of deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). DNMT1 reduction promotes beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expression, further increasing Aβ level. Besides, lactate reduction is correlated with decreased expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-CREB. But, promotion of lactate content activates GPR81-PI3K/Akt/CREB signaling pathway. Hence, it signifies that lactate decrease might contribute to Aβ increase, and underlying mechanism is that reduced lactate induces inhibition of GPR81-PI3K/Akt/CREB pathway, and then decreases DNMT1, increases BACE1 and Aβ levels (Graphic abstract).
The effects of lever positioning manipulation versus schorth exercise in idiopathic scoliosis: a protocol for a randomized clinical trial (RCT)
Authors: Wei Zicheng , Wang Kaizheng , Zhou Xingchen , Chen Longhao , Wu Shuang , Hua Zihan , Xia Qiong , Li Tao , Huang Yuanshen , Lv Lijiang , Lv Zhizhen
Published: January 2024

Background:Idiopathic scoliosis is a prevalent clinical condition within the bone and joint system, commonly manifested in adolescents, significantly impacting their physical and mental well-being. Presently, conservative interventions constitute the primary therapeutic approach, encompassing modalities such as brace therapy, manipulation therapy, and exercise therapy. Nonetheless, challenges persist in the realm of conservative treatment, marked by issues of inconvenience and suboptimal adherence. This study endeavors to identify a manipulation technique that can potentially substitute or augment the efficacy of brace therapy or exercise therapy. The primary objective of this protocol is to delineate a randomized controlled trial aimed at scrutinizing and contrasting the outcomes resulting from a specific manipulation method (lever positioning manipulation) and a widely employed exercise therapy (Schroth exercise) in the management of idiopathic scoliosis.Methods：This is a randomized clinical trial, employing both assessor-blinding and analyst-blinding methodologies. This study is proposed to include 102 patients with idiopathic scoliosis. The 102 patients were divided into 2 groups of 51 cases each by randomized number table method. The groups consist of a traditional massage combined with lever positioning manipulation group and a traditional massage combined with Schroth exercise group. Each exercise regimen is administered thrice weekly over an 8-week duration. Outcome measures encompass the assessment of Cobb angle, apical vertebral translation (AVT), muscle tone, pressure pain threshold (PPT), quality of life (SF-36), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and clinical efficiency. Evaluations are conducted at baseline, the conclusion of the treatment program, and during follow-up sessions. It will be observed whether the manipulation is superior compared to the schorth exercise and whether it can be used as an alternative treatment for scoliosis.Discussion:The results of this study will tell clinicians what conservative therapy regimen will produce better clinical outcomes for patients with AIS.Trial registration:This project is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry，Registration number:ChiCTR2300077604.
Mean Nutrient Adequacy Ratio of Complementary Foods and Its Associated Factors among Children Aged 6–23 Months in Northeast Ethiopia: A Linear Regression Analysis
Authors: Kassaw Abdulkerim , Mekonen Tefera Chane , Tadesse Erkihun , ABeje Eyob Tilahun , Daba Chala , Tsega Yawkal , Endawkie Abel
Published: January 2024

Background: Inadequate intake of macro and micronutrients is a significant public health challenge in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. Ethiopia carries a substantial burden of both macro and micronutrient deficiencies, with far-reaching consequences. However, there is limited evidence on the determinants and responses to the nutrient adequacy of complementary foods among children aged 6–23 months. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the mean nutrient adequacy ratio and associated factors of complementary feeding among children aged 6–23 months in Northeast Ethiopia
Methods: A study was conducted in Northeast Ethiopia between March 01 and April 30, 2023, to determine the nutrient adequacy ratio of complementary feeding among children aged 6–23 months. The study employed a systematic sampling technique to select 255 children. Linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with the nutrient adequacy of complementary foods. In the multivariable analysis, variables with P–Values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The study found that the mean nutrient adequacy ratio of complementary foods among children aged 6–23 months in Northeast Ethiopia was 63% [95% CI (60.8, 65.14)]. The adequacy of nutrients in complementary foods varied, with energy (90%), fat (93%), carbohydrate (70%), protein (88%), calcium (57%), zinc (52%), Vitamin B1 (50%), Vitamin A (52%), and Vitamin C (60%).The age of child, mother’s education, wealth index, feeding frequency, dietary diversity, minimum acceptable diet, source of information during ANC follow-up, PNC follow-up, food insecurity, and the number of under-five children were significantly associated with MAR of complementary feeding.
Conclusions: The study found that the mean adequacy ratio of complementary food among children aged 6–23 months in Northeast Ethiopia was low and fell below the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The factors significantly influenced the MAR of complementary feeding, including age of child, mother’s education, food insecurity, wealth index, minimum dietary diversity, and feeding frequency, minimum acceptable diet, number of children, and ANC and PNC. The findings highlight the need for organized efforts at all levels to enhance the consumption of high-quality diets from locally available foods.
Prevalence and microhabit preference of Hyalomma dromedarii infesting camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Background and Aim:
Hyalomma dromedarii is hematophagous ectoparasites and can transmit viruses and it is a vector of protozoan diseases such as theileriosis in camels, and bacterial diseases such as Q fever and spotted fever rickettsia. This study was conducted to evaluate infestation prevalence, abundance, intensity, and microhabitat of H. dromedarii on camels.
Materials and Methods
This study was conducted in Al Baha area, Saudi Arabia from April 2022 to March 2023. A total of 120 adult camels (Camelus dromedarius) were randomly selected. Ticks were morphologically identified under a stereomicroscope using available taxonomic keys.
Results
The overall infestation prevalence of H. dromedarii was (63.33%). The range of tick load in infested camels were 5–35 ticks/camel. The overall mean abundance and mean intensity of H. dromedarii were (13.29 ± 12.66) and (21.27 ± 9.27) respectively. The number of male ticks was higher than the number of female ticks. The sex proportion of male and female was 67.95% and 32.05% for male and female respectively. The infestation prevalence of H. dromedarii was at its highest rate during the summer (90%), whereas winter had the lowest infestation rate (26.67%). The mean infestation abundance and mean infestation intensity of H. dromedarii varied significantly per season. Positive associations were found between infestation parameters of H. dromedarii and temperature, precipitation / rainfall, and humidity. The tail area had the highest prevalence (63.33%), and mean abundance of tick (6.45 ± 6.03 ticks/host). A combination of chemical control and manual tick removal was used for tick management by farm owners. Moreover, a combination of external and internal chemical control for parasites for camel was recorded.
Conclusion
The current study showed that H. dromedarii ticks had a high prevalence on the camels. No study has been conducted to examine the acaricide resistance status in the country. As a result, future study should investigate and track resistance in tick populations and further epidemiological and molecular studies should be carried out to monitor the distribution of tick species and tick-borne diseases to prevent threats to human health and animal.
Exploring Heliconia chloroplast genomic features through assembly and analysis of four complete chloroplast genomes
Authors: Cheng Xin , Yang Ting , Shi Chengcheng , Liu Xin
Published: January 2024

Background
In the field of Heliconia phylogeny, the analysis has traditionally relied on the use of partially conserved chloroplast and nuclear genes, which serve as important markers for studying coevolution. However, the lack of complete chloroplast genomes for Heliconia species has posed a challenge in achieving a more comprehensive understanding of Heliconia chloroplast genomes and developing specific molecular markers for conducting in-depth phylogenetic studies within the genus.
Results
In this study, we performed sequencing and assembly of the complete chloroplast genomes of four representative Heliconia species of the Zingiberales order: Heliconia bihai, Heliconia caribaea, Heliconia orthotricha, and Heliconia tortuosa. The chloroplast genomes of these Heliconia species exhibited the typical quadripartite structure and ranged in length from 161,680 bp to 161,913 bp, all containing 86 protein-coding genes. Comparative analysis between the Heliconia chloroplast genomes and those of Zingiberales species revealed a high overall similarity in chloroplast genome structure. However, we observed significant variability in the single-copy (SC) regions and noticed a high degree of A/T base preference. Additionally, there were variable amplifications in the inverted repeat (IR) regions. While no genes with high nucleotide diversity were identified, three positively selected genes in Heliconiaceae, including ndhD, rpl2 and ycf2, were discovered when compared to other Zingiberales plants. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis provided strong support for the formation of a monophyletic clade consisting of Heliconiaceae species. This clade was nested within the tribe Heliconiaceae of the Zingiberales order, with high bootstrap support, reinforcing their evolutionary relatedness.
Conclusions
The results of this study have offered insights into the chloroplast genomes of Heliconia, and the dataset produced by our research serves as a valuable resource for subsequent studies on the Heliconia evolutionary trajectory.