bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the roles of microRNAs associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis: a systematic review and network analysis
Authors: Peng Qinghua , Zhu Xiaoning , Jiang Yuanyuan , Peng Mengyun , Zheng Ding , Wang Xiaodong , Cheah Yoke Kqueen , Wang Jing
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. The rapidly increasing incidence of NAFLD is becoming an essential precursor of HCC globally. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the progression of NAFLD and HCC.

Method

Potential miRNAs associated with NAFLD in HCC tumorigenesis were identified through a systematic review, and their roles were evaluated by data mining analysis. The biological function of the potential miRNA and its target genes in NAFLD and HCC were evaluated by bioinformatic analysis.

Result

MIR122 was identified as the potential miRNA associated with NAFLD and HCC. Then, MIR122 expression was significantly lower in HCC patients, and higher MIR122 levels were associated with significantly better overall survival. Next, the biological functions of MIR122 and target genes were predicted to be involved in inflammation, fibrosis, cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis. In particular, the FOXO signaling pathway may regulate the above biological functions.

Conclusion

MIR122 was suggested to be involved in progressing from NAFLD to HCC through the PI3K/AKT/FOXO pathway.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO, identifier: CRD 42024517940.
Non-technical factors on ophthalmology education: a narrative review
Authors: Jiang Yang , Jiang Hanyu , Yang Zhikun , Li Ying , Chen Youxin
Published: November 2024

Ophthalmology education is increasingly influenced by non-technical factors. This paper examines the multifaceted influences on ophthalmology education, focusing on direct and indirect factors that have shaped the training and wellbeing of ophthalmology students and residents. A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was carried out, searching date was from inception to 01/07/2024. A total of 8,232 articles were screened, of which 7,976 were excluded following abstract review. After reading the remaining 256 articles in full, a further 228 were excluded. A total of 28 original articles were included in this systematic review. The non-technical factors that influenced ophthalmology education included various crisis, inadequate curricular time, training resources, lack of training standardization and shortage of financial support and teaching resources. The review summarizes the influences on ophthalmology education of various non-technical factors, thereby helping educators improve the training methods.
The negative linear relationship between oxidative balance scores and constipation: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2005–2010
Authors: Xuan Liqian , Chen Yang , Liu Chang , Dai Yahui
Published: November 2024

Background

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oxidation balance score (OBS) and constipation.

Methods

All data was collected from the 2005–2010 cycles of the National health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES) database. The relationship between OBS and constipation was analyzed by logistic regression, restricted cubic spline. Trend analysis was used to explore whether there is a linear relationship between OBS quartiles and constipation, while interaction analysis was conducted to determine whether other factors influence the relationship between OBS and constipation. Subgroup analysis was used to examine the relationship between the two in different subgroups. The three machine learning algorithms including Xgboost, Randomforest, and AdaBoost was used to analyze the important component of OBS in constipation.

Results

A total of 8,074 participants were involved. We found that there was a negative linear relationship between OBS and constipation. The relationship also existed after adjusting for all possible confounders. The trend test showed that the higher the OBS, the lower the likelihood of developing constipation (P for trend<0.05). The interaction analysis showed that marital status and diabetes interact with OBS on constipation. The receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that OBS had a good prediction efficiency on constipation, especially in participants without diabetes and with the status of married or living with a partner. We also found that the body mass index and magnesium were important OBS components related to constipation.

Conclusion

Oxidation balance score was negatively associated with the occurrence of constipation in adults. Moreover, body mass index and magnesium were important OBS components related to constipation.
Exploring feasibility of fNIRS to assess delayed inhibition effect of prefrontal cortex for acute stress by acupuncture on GV20: a pilot study
Authors: Tamai Hideaki , Komine Shoichi , Kikuchi Senichiro , Waki Hideaki
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Acupuncture on the acupuncture point GV20 has been considered effective for managing psychoneurological disorders since ancient times, and GV20 is now regularly used to treat stress-related diseases (SRDs), including psychoneurological disorders. Although reports indicating that acupuncture stimulation of GV20 alone regulates cerebral blood flow (CBF) in brain regions associated with SRDs have been scattered, from the perspective of the need for earlier action, the effects on subjective stress as self-reported in the stress state of healthy individuals and CBF changes in related prefrontal cortex (PFC) subregions, which is based as underlying mechanism, remain unclear. Therefore, there is a need to explore effective methods for analyzing such effects.

Methods

Multiple consecutive mental arithmetic tasks were performed to induce sufficient stress in healthy university students. Real acupuncture or sham acupuncture was performed on GV20, and subjective stress and CBF changes in PFC subregions were observed before and after acupuncture using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, which were analyzed based on the general linear model method and correlation analysis.

Results

Subjective stress was suppressed and recovered significantly faster in the true acupuncture group than in the sham acupuncture group. Furthermore, significant negative correlations were found between subjective stress and CBF in several PFC subregions during and after the tasks, with more correlated regions on the left side than on the right side of the PFC. Among them, the CBF of the left ventrolateral PFC (vl-PFC) was suggested to be maintained in the true acupuncture group under repeated tasks load, which was inferred to be correlated with delayed decreases in subjective stress after acupuncture.

Discussion

This pilot study showed that fNIRS is feasible for assessing delayed PFC inhibition in acute stress by acupuncture on GV20. Acupuncture treatment on GV20 resulted in early suppression of subjective stress and early recovery. The neuroscientific rationale for this finding may lie in its effect on maintaining CBF in the left vl-PFC related to delayed inhibition of subjective stress, and would make it reasonable to apply acupuncture to GV20 in healthy individuals. Larger studies are needed to corroborate these findings and obtain reliable conclusions.
Case report: The role and value of radiotherapy in treatment of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor
Authors: Guo Haiwei , Jiang Mingyun , Cai Juanjuan , Liu Ruiqi , Yao Weiping , Liang Xiaodong , Zhang Haibo
Published: November 2024

Background

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare soft-tissue neoplasms. Accordingly, there is no standardized therapy for unresectable or advanced IMT. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted molecular therapy play an important role in unresectable or advanced IMT.

Case presentation

We present a 54-year-old man with a cough and chest distress case report. The thoracic surgeon performed the right upper pulmonary occupying lesion wedge resection and enlarged lymph node excision biopsy. Pathologic diagnosis revealed that the morphology of “right upper lung mass” was considered as Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor (IMT). Radiotherapy was indicated at a high dose: 5400cGy in 27 fractions of 2Gy over 5 weeks were delivered combined with cisplatin. The patient was given a CT/MRI and hematological index every 3 months and experienced no more adverse events. The patient survives with no tumor recurrence as of the last follow-up. Progression-free survival (PFS) exceeded 5 years.

Conclusions

We have reviewed the literature and summarized and discussed the radiotherapy treatment options and challenges for IMT. We first reported high-dose radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy treatment for unresectable IMT. Concurrent radiochemotherapy may be considered an intensive treatment for local progress, local recurrence, and nonresectable IMT patients.
A pooled analysis of pancreatic resection for metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Yanming , Wang Xiao , Chen Shi , Wang Shijie
Published: November 2024

Background

Pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (PMRCC) is unusual and there is no consensus on its treatment. The present study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical resection for PMRCC.

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science were searched for Eligible studies from January 1980 to January 2024. Individual-patient data were pooled.

Results

A total of 436 participants were identified. The morbidity and 90-day mortality were 38.1% and 3.4%, respectively. Post-pancreatectomy recurrence occurred in 44.1% of the patients. The overall median survival was 116 months, with a 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rate of 85.3%, 76.6%, and 46.5% respectively. On univariate analysis, repeat metastasectomy was associated with a significantly better prognosis (P =0.003).

Conclusion

These data suggest that surgical resection is a safe and effective therapeutic option for PMRCC. Repeat metastasectomy is positively suggested for recurrent disease provided all metastases can be removed curatively.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024525218.
Outcomes within 100 days of hematopoietic cell transplantation in pediatric patients: insights from an intensive care unit in Colombia
Authors: Lasso-Palomino Rubén E. , Medina Diego , Franco Alexis Antonio , Soto-Aparicio María José , Manzi Tarapues Eliana , Muñoz Diana Marcela , Salazar Edgar , López Jhon , Devia Angela , Martínez-Betancur Sofía , Sierra Jimena , Arias Anita V. , Gómez Inés Elvira
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has become an essential therapeutic modality for pediatric patients with malignant and non-malignant conditions. Despite its effectiveness, many patients experience post-transplant complications often leading into life-threatening conditions requiring specialized care in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This study aims to describe clinical characteristics associated with mortality in pediatric HCT patients who needed PICU care within 100 days post-transplant in a resource-limited country.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving pediatric HCT patients (<18 years old) admitted to our PICU from January 2012 to December 2021. Variables were characterized according to their nature, employing appropriate measures of central tendency and dispersion. The relationship between mortality and patient clinical characteristics was assessed using the Chi-square test or the Mann-Whitney U test, as applicable. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. A Kaplan Meier survival curve was performed considering the days from HCT to death during PICU admission and a Cox regression analysis was conducted to analyze the association between PRISM III score and risk of death. Data analysis was executed utilizing the STATA SE v18 statistical software package. Of 316 HCTs, 69 patients required admission to the PICU. Haploidentical transplants from related donors were performed in 72.5% of these patients. The primary cause of PICU admission was infection, accounting for 68.1% (n = 47) of cases. Factors significantly associated with mortality included a PRISM III score > 20 (p < 0.002), mechanical ventilation (p < 0.007), renal replacement therapy (p < 0.002) and vasoactive support (p < 0.001). A total of 27 patients succumbed during their PICU stay. Kaplan Meier curve showed a survival rate of 51.6% at100-days post-transplant. A PRISM III score higher than 20 points was related with mortality (Hazard ratio 5.71 CI 95% 2.09-15.5).

Discussion

This study examines critical factors associated with mortality in pediatric HCT recipients who required admission to our PICU within the first 100 days post-transplant. Our findings indicate that infectious complications, alongside the need for advanced cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal support are strongly correlated with mortality. These results underscore the importance of early risk factor identification and targeted interventions to optimize patient outcomes.
Focus on podocytes: diabetic kidney disease and renal fibrosis — a global bibliometric analysis (2000–2024)
Authors: An Dong-Yang , Tan Jun , Lu Yan-Dan , Wen Ze-Huai , Bao Yi-Ni , Yao Zhou-Hui , Chen Zi-Yan , Wang Ping-Ping , Zhou Wei , Yang Qiao , Hao Min
Published: November 2024

Background

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common pathway to End-stage renal disease (ESRD). Podocytes are crucial due to their dual barrier functions in kidney diseases. Their role in renal fibrosis and DKD regulatory mechanisms is increasingly studied. However, bibliometric research in this field has not been explored.

Methods

1,250 publications from Jan. 1, 2000, to Feb. 16, 2024, were retrieved from the WoSCC database and analyzed by the Web of Science results analysis tool, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace.

Results

Our scrutiny reveals that authors Liu Youhua, Fogo Agnes B, and Zhao Yingyong have made substantial contributions to this domain. Notably, “Kidney International” has the highest volume of publications in this area. Furthermore, our analysis identifies ten co-citation clusters: DKD, IncRNA, reactive oxygen species, glomerulosclerosis, Poria cocos, glomerular diseases, fibroblasts, connective tissue growth factor, coagulation, and Wnt. Recent research accentuates keywords such as autophagy, TRPC6, ERS, epigenetics, and NLRP3 inflammasome as frequently occurring terms in this field. The prevailing research hotspot keywords include autophagy, biomarker, and exosomes.

Conclusion

Through the utilization of bibliometric tools and knowledge graph analysis, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the intricate nexus between podocytes in DKD and renal fibrosis. This study imparts valuable insights to scholars regarding the dynamic evolution of this association and delineates prospective research avenues in this pivotal realm.
Mass balance, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics of [14C]amdizalisib, a clinical-stage novel oral selective PI3Kδ inhibitor for the treatment of non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, in healthy Chinese volunteers
Authors: Zhao Chun-Yang , Zhang Li-Jun , Sun Chan , Yu Cheng-Yin , Wang Jian , Sai Yang , Su Wei-Guo , Chen Qian , Wang Wei , Jia Jing-Ying , Liu Gang-Yi , Liu Yan-Mei
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Amdizalisib (HMPL-689) is an ATP-competitive PI3Kδ inhibitor currently under investigation for treating Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolism, excretion, pharmacokinetics, and safety profile of amdizalisib in healthy human subjects to support its clinical application.

Methods

This Phase I clinical trial included six healthy Chinese male volunteers who received a single oral dose of 30 mg/100 µCi [14C]amdizalisib suspension. Blood, urine, and fecal samples were collected to analyze pharmacokinetics, metabolic pathways, and excretion patterns.

Results

Amdizalisib was rapidly absorbed, with a median Tmax of 2.5 h. The Cmax of 244 ± 48.9 ng/mL, and AUC0-t was 1870 ± 474 h ng/mL after a single oral dose. The blood-to-plasma total radioactivity ratio ranged from 0.561 to 0.645, indicating no significant affinity of [14C]amdizalisib and its metabolites to blood cells and the radioactive material is mainly distributed in plasma. Excretion was primarily via feces and urine, with 62.08% ± 3.00% and 37.15% ± 2.84% of the dose recovered, respectively, and over 94% of the drug excreted within 96 h. The parent drug was the main radioactive component in plasma (51.45% of total radioactivity). Additionally, 11 metabolites were identified, and the metabolic pathways include oxidation on the benzene or pyrimidine rings and conjugation with cysteine or glucuronic acid. The major metabolites in plasma were the di-oxidized and hydrogenated product (M424) and the mono-oxidized product (M406-2), accounting for 16.67% and 20.91%, respectively. Both of them are also the major radioactive components in urine and feces, among of which M424 accounted for 21.01% and 14.26%, M406-2 accounted for 8.08% and 11.30%, of the administered dose in urine and feces, respectively. In addition, the di-oxidized and methylated product (M436) was one of the major metabolites in feces accounting for 17.7% of the administered dose. Few of the parent drug was found in urine and feces, suggesting primary metabolized in the liver. No serious adverse events or drug-related deaths occured, with diarrhea as the most common adverse event.

Discussion

These findings demonstrate that amdizalisib is rapidly absorbed, extensively metabolized, and primarily excreted via feces and urine, supporting its continued development as a potential therapeutic for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Systematic Review Registration:

https://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/, identifier CTR20212448.
A review on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the genus Duhaldea DC
Authors: Shu Liangyin , Li Kailin , Yang Suyu , Hu Mengdie , Ming Xinrong , Yan Bingyuan , Guan Liangjun , Xiao Shunli
Published: November 2024

The botanical drugs of genus Duhaldea DC. have been traditionally utilized in folk medicine for the treatment of a wide array of illnesses, encompassing fractures, bone wounds, carbuncles and poisoning, bronchitis, bruises, giddy with hypertension of qi, and lung deficiency cough. The genus Duhaldea DC. comprises 15 species widespread in Central, East, and Southeast Asia and 7 species (2 endemic) in China. The review aims to provide a systematic overview of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Duhaldea DC. and to explore the future therapeutic potential and scientific potential of this genus. The data were systematically collected from books and scientific databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CNKI, and doctoral and master’s theses. To date, a total of 352 metabolites have been isolated from this genus, and terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and inositol angelates are the primary contributors to the pharmacological activities of Duhaldea DC. The crude extracts and isolated phytochemical metabolites from this genus have been shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-osteoporotic, anticancer, and antioxidant activities. Despite notable advancements in our understanding of the chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of Duhaldea DC., it is absolutely crucial to conduct additional research into the pharmacology and toxicology of these species to definitively ascertain their safety, efficacy, and quality.
Eleutheroside B alleviates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in a rat high altitude cerebral edema model
Authors: He Yacong , Zhang Hongying , Zhang Xiu , Han Yue , Duan Huxinyue , Song Wenqian , Tian Qingqing , Wang Yilan , Li Guang , Wu Chunjie , Wang Zhenxing , Zhao Tianzhu
Published: November 2024

Background

High altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is a condition where the central nervous system experiences severe impairment as a result of sudden oxygen deprivation at high elevations. At present, effective measures for preventing and treating this condition are still lacking. Eleutheroside B (EB), the primary natural active compound found in the Eleutheroside senticosus, has demonstrated various biological functions. It has also shown significant potential in addressing acute mountain sickness and various neurological disorders. However, additional investigation is required to explore the potential protective effects and its underlying mechanisms of EB on HACE.

Methods

The male rats received pre-treatment with either vehicle, EB 100 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg, Dexamethasone 4 mg/kg, or coumermycin A1 100 μg/kg. To simulate the hypobaric hypoxia environment at a plateau of 6,000 m, a hypobaric hypoxia chamber was utilized. The therapeutic effects of EB were assessed through measurements of brain water content, histopathological observation, and evaluation of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors using immunofluorescence and ELISA. Furthermore, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and Western blot were employed to clarify its molecular mechanism. Through these analyses, the underlying mechanism by which EB on HACE was identified.

Results

Pre-treatment with EB demonstrated a significant protective effect against HACE by effectively reducing brain water content, down-regulating HIF-1α and AQP4 protein expression induced by hypoxia and reversing pathological changes in brain tissue and neuron damage. Compared to the group treated with HACE alone, the group pre-treated with EB showed a significant reduction in levels of ROS and MDA, as well as an increase in GSH. In addition, pre-treatment with EB led to a significant decrease in the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations indicated that EB has a strong binding affinity to the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Western blot further confirmed that EB significantly downregulated the expression of JAK2/STAT3 related proteins in the brain tissue of HACE rats. Additionally, coumermycin A1, an agonist of the JAK2, reversed the anti-oxidative stress and neuroinflammation against HACE of EB.

Conclusion

EB exerts its antioxidant stress and anti-neuroinflammatory effects by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in a rat HACE model.
Six weeks of polarized functional interval training with large training load reductions does not affect performance gains compared to traditional workouts
Authors: Held Steffen , Isenmann Eduard , Rappelt Ludwig , Wiedenmann Tim , Kutschki Dominic , Harbrecht Jannik , Kirchner Katrin , Geisler Stephan , Donath Lars
Published: November 2024

Purpose

High-intensity functional interval training (HIFT) is predominantly composed of high exercise training intensities (HiT) and loads. Both have been linked to a higher risk of overtraining and injuries in inexperienced populations. A polarized training approach is characterized by high amounts of low-intensity training (LiT) and only approximately 5%–20% HiT. Compared to HIT-based training, this approach can result in temporary training load and intensity reductions without diminishing training gains. Thus, we aimed to examine the effects of traditional (TRAD) HIFT vs. polarized (POL) HIFT on relevant performance parameters.

Methods

Thirty athletes (15 females, age: 26.6 ± 5.0 years, height: 1.76 ± 0.13 m, body mass: 79.6 ± 12.4 kg, prior experience: 2.3 ± 2.0 years, training volume: 6.1 ± 2.4 h/wk) were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of either POL (78% LiT, 22% threshold intensity training (ThT) to HiT) or TRAD (26% LiT, 74% ThT to HiT). HIFT performance testing focused on maximal strength (squat: SQ1RM, deadlift: DL1RM, overhead press: OHP1RM, high pull: HP1RM), endurance (peak oxygen uptake: V̇O2peak, lactate threshold: LT, peak power output (PPO), and benchmark HIFT workout (Jackie: 1000 m rowing, 50 thrusters, and 30 pull-ups for time).

Results

POL (785 ± 71 au) completed significantly (p ≤ 0.001; SMD = 4.55) lower training load (eTRIMP) than TRAD (1,273 ± 126 au). rANCOVA revealed no statistical relevant group×time interaction effects (0.094 ≤ p ≤ 0.986; 0.00 ≤ ηp2 ≤ 0.09) for SQ1RM, DL1RM, OHP1RM, high pull, V̇O2peak, LT, PPO, and Jackie performance. Both groups revealed trivial to moderate but significant (rANCOVA time effects: p ≤ 0.02; 0.01 ≤ ηp2 ≤ 0.11; 0.00 ≤ SMD ≤ 0.65) performance gains regarding DL1RM, OHP1RM, HP1RM, and Jackie.

Conclusion

Despite a notably lower total training load, conditioning gains were not affected by a polarized functional interval training regimen.
Prediction of the potentially suitable areas of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver in China under climate change based on optimized Biomod2 and MaxEnt models
Authors: Cao Guoqiong , Yuan Xiaofeng , Shu Qilin , Gao Yayang , Wu Taosheng , Xiao Chenghong , Xu Jian , Zhang Yongping
Published: November 2024

Eucommia ulmoides Oliver is a medicinal plant of significant economic importance. Its cortex has been employed for centuries to alleviate various conditions such as lumbar pain, knee pain, and osteoporosis. Additionally, E. ulmoides possesses substantial industrial value. With the growing demand for this medicinal herb, ensuring its sustainable supply has become imperative. Climate change has caused habitat restrictions or migration of medicinal plants. Therefore, predicting the impact of climate change on the distribution of E. ulmoides is crucial for its conservation and sustainable use. This study evaluated the potential distribution of E. ulmoides across China under various climate change scenarios since the last interglacial period by modeling suitable areas based on 257 distribution records and 19 major environmental factors related to E. ulmoides. The model selection process initially identified the MaxEnt model as the most suitable. The optimized MaxEnt model, with RM = 2.0 and FC = LQHPT settings, generated the most precise predictions. Results indicate that the minimum temperature of the coldest month, annual mean temperature, and annual precipitation significantly affect the distribution of E. ulmoides. Under current environmental conditions, highly suitable areas for E. ulmoides are found in Southwest and Southeast China, with a total suitable habitat area of 23.12 × 104 km2. However, the range of suitable habitat has shifted due to global warming’s negative impact. Under different climate scenarios, suitable areas for E. ulmoides have either increased or decreased, with expansions primarily in high-latitude regions. Future climate scenarios predict shifts in the centroid of suitable E. ulmoides habitat towards Yichang City in Hubei Province. The findings of this study support the development, artificial cultivation, and conservation of E. ulmoides resources.
Whether niche changes promote the evolution of species: a case study of Paeonia in Asia and North America
Authors: Wang Yihui , Chen Yuan , Prijic Zeljana , Markovic Tatjana , Lyu Yingmin , Tian Caihuan , Zhang Xiuxin
Published: November 2024

Ecological changes have been observed to promote rates of lineage diversification, yet the precise roles of ecological factors, species evolution, and environmental variability in driving species diversity remain research hot spots. The association between ecological change and lineage diversification, particularly with regard to the size of the time scale, remains poorly understood. To explore whether ecological change facilitates species evolution, we focused on the unique family Paeoniaceae, which encompasses both herbaceous and woody taxa, to investigate the evolutionary rates. As a unique family characterized by a single genus of angiosperms and comprising various climatic types, the ecological niche changes of Paeoniaceae are closely associated with the evolution, making it an ideal model for conducting association analysis. In this study, we integrated the molecular fragments and ecological factors to explore the relationship between species evolution and niche changes in Paeoniaceae. The phylogenetic tree revealed that Paeoniaceae forms a sister relationship with Penthoraceae, Haloragidaceae, Iteaceae, Crassulaceae, and Saxifragaceae, constituting an independent clade based on the positive selection of molecular fragments including two protein-coding genes and eight non-coding regions. The divergence time was estimated to be between 102 and 116 Mya (Million years ago). The phylogenetic tree within Paeonia revealed a clear division into three groups: sections of Paeonia, Moutan, and Onaepia with high support values for each branch based on the ten positive selection of molecular fragments. The rapid rate of evolution observed in Paeonia, about 0-5 Mya. In addition, ecological niche modeling showed that the potential distributions for Paeonia expanded from middle Asia to eastern Asia, and from central North America to the Northern part of North America during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to Mid Holocene (MID) period. This suggests that Paeonia continuously adapted to changing ecological environments over time. Compared to the rate of climatic niche divergence and lineage diversification, the ecological niche of Paeonia underwent significant changes during the period of 3-11 Mya, occurring 5 Mya earlier than the period of evolutionary rate change. These findings offer comprehensive insights into the relationship between niche change and the evolution of species, providing valuable perspectives for further ecological cultivation efforts.
Application of metabolomics in quality control of traditional Chinese medicines: a review
Authors: Ji Peiran , Yang Xinquan , Zhao Xiangsheng
Published: November 2024

Plant metabolites are the components endowing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with therapeutic effects, and, simultaneously, they are the primary targets for quality control. From germplasm selection and origin determination to field management, growth duration, harvesting and processing, and, finally, storage and transportation, each step profoundly influences TCM quality. The complexity of these plant or herb metabolites poses numerous quality control challenges. Metabolomics, as a comprehensive and systematic approach, has demonstrated value in this field. This technique not only meets the requirements for studying the complex mechanisms of TCM but also has significant advantages in identifying the TCM components, including active components. Therefore, in this article, several key factors affecting the chemical characteristics and quality traits of TCM, including their origin, harvesting period, medicinal parts, and processing methods, are researched. Additionally, the current challenges of integrating metabolomics with other omics technologies (transcriptomics, spatial metabolomics, etc.) are discussed. Furthermore, a future development trends and prospects are highlighted. With the continuous deepening of research and ongoing updates in technological capabilities, metabolomics will play an increasingly important role in the quality control of TCM, providing more scientific and robust support for quality assurance and safety evaluation.
Evaluating rice lipid content, yield, and quality in response to nitrogen application rate and planting density
Authors: Chen Guangyi , Li Congmei , Hu Mingming , He Xingmei , Yang Hong , Zhang Qiuqiu , Wu Chaoyue , Duan Qiang , Peng Ligong , Zhang Yao , Li Ziyu , Ouyang Yuyuan , Lan Yan , Li Tian
Published: November 2024

To investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) application rate and planting density (D) on the contents of lipid and free fatty acid, fatty acid composition, yield and quality of rice grain, a field experiment was conducted using Koshihikari (japonica) as experimental material from 2021 to 2022 with three N levels (90, 150 and 210 kg ha-1, denoted as N1, N2 and N3, respectively) and three transplanting densities (19.0 × 104, 26.7 × 104 and 40.0 × 104 plants ha-1, denoted as D1, D2 and D3, respectively). The results showed that N application rate and planting density had highly significant impacts only on the contents of free fatty acid and saturated fatty acid, respectively. Increased N and planting density enhanced the contents of lipid (29.41 mg g-1) and free fatty acid (21.47%). The highest values were obtained under N3D3 increasing by 7.02% and 3.23 percentage points, respectively, compared to other treatments. No significant differences in lipid content were found among treatments, whereas free fatty acid exhibited significant differences. The unsaturated fatty acid content increased with increasing N but first decreased and then increased with increasing planting density, while saturated fatty acid content showed the opposite trend. Appropriate N level and planting density improved the relative chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate of rice flag leaves, as well as increased grain yield, effective panicle number and spikelete number per panicle, but decreased the seed setting rate. Under N2D2, the relative chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate remained relatively high throughout the grain filling stage, resulting in the highest grain yield, with increases of 43.87-47.03% compared to other treatments. A moderate N level improved the milling quality of rice, while increased planting density reduced it. However, both increased N and planting density reduced the appearance quality and cooking and eating quality of rice. Overall, the effects of increasing N application rate and planting density on enhancing rice lipid and free fatty acid contents were limited. A combination of 150 kg ha-1 N application rate and 26.7 × 104 plants ha-1 was recommended for achieving relatively higher yield, lipid content and better grain quality.
Meta-analysis unravels common responses of seed oil fatty acids to temperature for a wide set of genotypes of different plant species
Authors: Alberio Constanza , Aguirrezábal Luis A. N.
Published: November 2024

Temperature is the main environmental determinant of seed oil fatty acid Q9 composition. There are no models describing common responses of main seed oil fatty acids to temperature in plants. The aim of thus work was to investigate common responses of seed oil fatty acids to minimum temperature during grain filling across species and genotypes. A database consisted of 164 genotypes of 9 species, sunflower, rapeseed, soybean, maize, flax, chia, safflower, olive and camelia, grown under a wide range of environmental conditions, was created and analyzed applying meta phenomics tools. Four widely sown species of the database was used to develop several common seed fatty acid responses and validate some models, and the other species were used to validate the General Model. The minimum temperature during grain filling responses of fatty acids in the General Model were close to responses found in genotypes of five independent species used to validate the model. Dissections of the general model by selecting the appropriate data allowed unraveling previously unknown features of the response of fatty acid to the minimum temperature during grain filling. The response of fatty acids to temperature for any species was unaffected by experimental conditions (field or controlled conditions) during the oil synthesis stage. The oleic acid trait did not affect the response to temperature of fatty acids synthesized downstream and upstream of it. Traits such as high stearic or high linoleic did not affect the response of fatty acids synthesized upstream or downstream of the trait. The established models and new knowledge could be applied to design cost effective and timely experiments to assess the potential responses of seed oil fatty acids to temperature of previously untested genotypes.
Assessing self–other agreement and dyadic adjustment in marital dyads
Authors: Dwire Joshua D. , Acklin Marvin W.
Published: November 2024

In this study, we examined self–other agreement in married couples to examine the association between their perceptions of self and other psychological problems and dyadic adjustment. We also postulated that dyadic adjustment would moderate self–other agreement ratings on low- and high-visibility traits of psychological problems. Using a cross-informant assessment design, 101 married dyads in three marital groups (non-clinical, transplant, and divorcing dyads) provided reciprocal self and other ratings for psychological problems. Self–other agreement indices were quantified using self–other differences scores and Pearson r, qualifying (Q) correlations. The self–other agreement models yielded significant differences in dyadic adjustment across couple types. Couples that demonstrated moderate to elevated levels of self–other agreement for psychological problems had higher levels of dyadic adjustment. Differences in self–other psychological problem ratings were robust predictors of dyadic maladjustment and poor relational quality. Dyadic adjustment was found to moderate self–other agreement for psychological problems, especially for wives’ appraisals and husbands’ attunement to wives’ low-visibility problems. The findings validate the impact of self–other agreement in models of relationship conflict and adjustment. Wive’s other views tended to have large effect sizes in dyadic adjustment. The study’s limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed.
Change in self-construal: a repertory grid technique study of women admitted to a Mother and Baby Unit
Authors: Wozniak Eleanor E. , Hare Dougal Julian , Gregg Lynsey , Wittkowski Anja
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Pregnancy and the postnatal period represent a time of heightened risk for women to experience mental health difficulties. Some mothers may require specialist inpatient psychiatric support made available through Mother and Baby units (MBUs). Although there is evidence of the therapeutic benefits of MBUs, many studies have utilised methodologies vulnerable to interviewer and social desirability biases. The repertory grid technique (RGT), derived from personal construct theory (PCT), has been successfully used to explore how the way in which a person thinks about and defines the self (i.e., self-construal) changes following therapeutic intervention in samples of people experiencing mental health conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to explore change in maternal self-construal following MBU admission, utilising the RGT, thereby enhancing our understanding for the therapeutic role of MBU admissions in women’s mental health recoveries.

Methods

Participants were recruited from two MBUs in England. RGT was undertaken with participants shortly after admission and again at discharge, allowing for comparisons between grids to assess change in how a mother viewed herself in relation to certain aspects of the self (e.g., ideal self) and other people, a concept referred to as construing in PCT. Data were analysed using principal component analysis, Slater analysis, and content analysis.

Results

There were 12 participants who completed repertory grids at admission, with eight (66.67%) participants also completing discharge grids. Most of the eight participants demonstrated improvements in overall self-esteem and self-esteem as a mother, a shift towards a more positive self-perception, and increased construed similarity between the self and positively construed others, and construing became more varied. Conversely, a few participants displayed a reduction in self-esteem, particularly in the maternal role and increased construed similarity between the self and negatively construed others, and construing became more rigid.

Conclusions

All participants exhibited changes to construing during their MBU admission, with most participants displaying positive changes to self-esteem and self-perception and a more adaptive process of construing. Potential implications are offered for service users, families, clinicians, and stakeholders. Recommendations for future research are also provided.
Exploring how children and adolescents talk about coping strategies relating to loneliness using reflexive thematic analysis: a qualitative study
Authors: Burke Lauren , Verity Lily , Riddleston Laura , Fuhrmann Delia , Qualter Pamela , Lau Jennifer Y. F. , Demkowicz Ola
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The prevailing view is that loneliness predominantly affects older adults. However, awareness of high rates of loneliness among younger populations is growing, prompting a call for interventions. The current study aimed to listen to the voices of young people regarding how they cope with loneliness, gaining a better understanding of how to then develop tailored interventions.

Methods

Thirteen Arts-based focus groups were conducted with 74 participants (8-18 years old), in London, Manchester, and South Yorkshire. Reflexive thematic analysis was utilised.

Results

We developed six themes as follows: (1) “Determinants of the coping approach for loneliness”, (2) “Considerations to guide decision making”, (3) “Coping strategies to alleviate loneliness”, (4) “Social connection as a coping strategy for loneliness – considerations”, (5) “Being active in your own coping success”, and (6) “Worsening loneliness, coping strategies gone wrong”.

Conclusions

Participants described a partially sequential process in choosing coping strategies for loneliness, including effective and maladaptive choices. Effective strategies were highlighted, reflecting developmental stages with the need for self-motivation. Participants noted challenges in engaging in coping due to skill deficits. These findings are crucial for developing interventions specific to this population.
The epidemiology of road traffic injuries in the republic of Serbia: a study based on hospital data, 2015-2019
Authors: Rajčević Smiljana , Štrbac Mirjana , Kukić Dragoslav , Marković Marija , Ivanović Ivan , Petrović Radmila , Radić Ivana
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Road traffic injuries (RTI) are the leading cause of death and severe disability among individuals under the age of 40, posing a significant public health challenge globally. This manuscript highlights key aspects of the epidemiology of injuries in road traffic crashes (RTC) in Serbia, based on hospitalization report data.

Objectives

The main aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of road traffic injuries (RTI) based on hospital data over a five-year period in Serbia.

Methods

The data for this study were obtained from the Hospitalization Report, which is part of the hospitalization database maintained by the Institute for Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanović Batut,” covering the period from January 2015 to December 2019. The research included data from the Hospitalization Reports of 66 healthcare institutions across Serbia.

Results

During the study period, a total of 15,028 patients with road traffic injuries were admitted to healthcare institutions in Serbia. During the five-year period, the crude RTI incidence rate increased every year, from 39.0/100, 000 in 2015 to 43.7/100,000 in 2019. Older adult people aged 65 and over were particularly vulnerable as bicyclists and pedestrians (31.3, 27.7%, respectively). The Vojvodina region experienced a higher incidence of injuries among bicyclists compared and car accidents were most frequent in Central Serbia than in the other regions of Serbia. Craniocerebral injuries were the most common type of road traffic injury, accounting for 37.8% of cases. Significant differences in the types of injuries were observed based on age (χ2 = 649.859; p < 0.001) and gender (χ2 = 31.442; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Understanding the epidemiological profile of road users involved in accidents is essential for monitoring and controlling specific risk factors. Our results highlight the need for enhanced traffic safety measures at the local level.
Evaluation of the osteoarthritis disease burden in China from 1990 to 2021: based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Authors: Liang Jiahui , Wang Yue , Yu Fei , Jiang Guichun , Zhang Weiguo , Tian Kang
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study aims to understand the current status and trend of the disease burden of osteoarthritis (OA) in people over 30 years old in China from 1990 to 2021 and identify the priority population groups, to provide reference data for the prevention and treatment of OA in China.

Methods

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 was used to describe the incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of OA in adult aged 30 years or older in China by sex and age groups, which was used to analyze the disease burden of OA from 1990 to 2021. The joinpoint regression model and age-period-cohort model were used to characterize the temporal trend.

Results

In 2021, the number of OA prevalence in China was about 152.85 million, and the number of incidences was about 11.65 million. The age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) of OA in China are lower than those in developed countries such as Korea, the United States of America and Japan, but higher than those in India. Knee osteoarthritis had the highest ASPR and ASDR. The highest incidence rate was 50–54 years, and the highest prevalence and DALYs rate were in the age group of patients over 95 years old. The incidence rate of women in all age groups is higher than that of men. From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR, ASPR and ASDR of OA in China roughly showed an increasing trend year by year. The age-period-cohort analysis showed that the peak age groups for longitudinal age incidence of OA in China from 1992 to 2021 were 50–54 years and 80–84 years. We found that the OA incidence was highest in the period 2017–2021.

Conclusion

The disease burden of OA in those over 30 years old in China from 1990 to 2021 will become more and more serious, and the target population for primary prevention is the female population under 50 years old. The development of a scientific and effective comprehensive prevention and treatment program for OA is imminent.
Sequence labeling via reinforcement learning with aggregate labels
Authors: Geromel Marcel , Cimiano Philipp
Published: November 2024

Sequence labeling is pervasive in natural language processing, encompassing tasks such as Named Entity Recognition, Question Answering, and Information Extraction. Traditionally, these tasks are addressed via supervised machine learning approaches. However, despite their success, these approaches are constrained by two key limitations: a common mismatch between the training and evaluation objective, and the resource-intensive acquisition of ground-truth token-level annotations. In this work, we introduce a novel reinforcement learning approach to sequence labeling that leverages aggregate annotations by counting entity mentions to generate feedback for training, thereby addressing the aforementioned limitations. We conduct experiments using various combinations of aggregate feedback and reward functions for comparison, focusing on Named Entity Recognition to validate our approach. The results suggest that sequence labeling can be learned from purely count-based labels, even at the sequence-level. Overall, this count-based method has the potential to significantly reduce annotation costs and variances, as counting entity mentions is more straightforward than determining exact boundaries.