bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Situ Large Scale Direct Shear Test for Evaluating Compaction Work of Random Material: Case of Construction Failure in an Indonesia Dam
Authors: Sahadewa Andhika
Published: December 2023

Random material is commonly used for building dam embankments. On one hand, random fill materials offer many advantages, such as saving construction cost and reducing environmental impact. On the other hand, the shear strength of random materials is exceedingly difficult to assess. This difficulty is mainly associated with large size particles in random materials that inhibit the use of regular testing equipment. In fact, misinterpretation of random material shear strength can lead to a catastrophic dam failure. An in-situ large scale direct shear device as large as 70 cm x 70 cm x 30 cm was developed for random material testing. This device has been utilized successfully to investigate construction failure of a dam in Indonesia. Post failure testing at some locations in this dam showed low shear strength and loose material behavior, which may be associated with the collapse. This large in-situ test offers an attractive method for evaluating the effect of compaction work on random material, such as shear strength, shear-strain behavior, and density. Decision, whether the current design and compaction work should be re-evaluated or continued, can be made. This test is strongly advised as regular practice in dam construction.
Investigation of Betel Palm Sheath during Punch/Die Shear Cutting
Authors: Kitkamthorn Usanee , Borrisutthekul Rattana , Mitsomwang Pusit
Published: December 2023

This research was carried out to study punch/die shear cutting of betel palm sheath. In a shear cutting experiment, shearing process parameters i.e., the moisture content of the palm sheath and the punch/die clearance were varied and investigated. Experimental results showed that both of the process parameters played an important role on the surface cracking of the palm sheath. In order to discuss the cutting characteristics of the palm sheath, a finite element method (FEM) analysis of the shear cutting was conducted. Based on simulation results with the surface cracking observed in the experiment, it was confirmed that the position of the peak maximum principal stress on the palm sheath surface varied with the punch/die clearance. Also, the position of the surface cracking was relevant to the position of the peak maximum principal stress.
Effect of Morphological Changes due Conductivity Enhancing Post Treatment on the Absorption and Photoluminescence of AgNW Thin Films
Authors: Zellner Daniela , Varga Andrea , Schwager Martina
Published: December 2023

The effect of electrical and thermal treatment on silver nanowire (AgNW) network morphology and its impact on ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis) and luminescence spectra is reported. The results exhibit that the conductivity enhancing welding of the single AgNWs at connection points changes the network morphology towards an increased proportion of spherical like structures. This inhomogeneity which is particularly noticeable for joule heated films not only gives rise to an inhomogeneous line broadening in absorption and luminescence spectra but also causes a red shift of the surface plasmon resonances in comparison to a non post-treated AgNW network. With increasing inhomogeneity either due to welding or beginning degradation the d-sp interband excitation pathway is especially efficient for the decay of surface plasmons and shows the strong coupling of the corresponding exciting and emitting photons to the surface plasmon excitation.
The Analysis of Vibration Resistance of the Shape and Braided Laminated Manufactured Structure Using Taguchi Method
Authors: Huang Bo Wun , Tseng Jung Ge , Fang Jia Shian , Li I Cheng
Published: December 2023

In this study, the L934 orthogonal table of the Taguchi method is used as a systematic parameter analysis. A rapid prototyping machine (RPM, manufactured by the research team) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) are used to make anti-vibration test specimens and to analyze the effect of different process parameters, such as weaving and shaping, on vibration resistance. Hopefully, various application fields will be extended via the deposition method. The impact test is executed by dropping a steel ball onto each test piece which is connected to an accelerometer and a PW700 spectrometer for extracting the frequency response during the impact. The vibration performance under different process parameters is analyzed. Several parameters that may affect anti-vibration performance are selected under the existing process, namely weaving method (A), deposition thickness (B), weaving density (C) and cross weaving per n-layer (D). The policy is to evaluate the required time period to restore to the steady state after impact. Hence, the shorter the convergence time is, the better the specimen resists the vibration. The experimental results show that the build-up layer thickness and the weaving density are the main control factors that affect the anti-vibration ability most. The process parameter A3B1C1D2 obtains the best vibration resistance performance.
Decolorization Kinetics of Azo Dye (Methyl Orange) in Fenton Process with High Entropy Alloys as Catalyst
Authors: Abu Hassan Nur Hudawiyah , Fadil Nor Akmal , Jamal Nur Ayuni , Daud Farah Diana Mohd , Nordin Norhuda Hidayah
Published: December 2023

This study explored the decolorization kinetics of azo dye (methyl orange) with the presence of high entropy alloys (HEAs) as a catalyst in the Fenton process. The kinetic reaction of the azo dye was determined using the first and second-order kinetics model. The slope from the first pseudo kinetics model was determined to compute the decolorization rate constant (K) This present work showed that the model was significantly well fitted with the experimental data. The highest K value of HEA catalyst was occurred at 30 minutes within 60 minutes of the Fenton reaction. The obtained result also showed the efficiency of the high entropy alloys (HEAs) rapidly degraded the azo dyes.
Effect of Chemically Pretreated Water Hyacinth Co-Digested with Poultry Litter in Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Balaji Selvaraj , Sukanya G. , Senthilkumar K.M. , Muthukumaran V.
Published: December 2023

This study focuses on the biogas production from water hyacinth (WH) while co-digested with poultry litter (PL) through bio methanation. The high content of hemicelluloses and cellulose present in the water hyacinth demands the need for pretreatment to enable the rapid anaerobic decomposition of the organic matter and resulting in improved process rate and biogas yield. Water Hyacinth is chemically pretreated using NaOH and lime to achieve partial disintegration of very long unbranched fibrils composed exclusively of glucose, with hydrogen bonding. The chemical disintegration of hemicellulose is achieved initially by hydrating the chopped WH in the ratio of 1:1. The hydrated WH is added with 1% by weight of NaOH and lime separately in batches. The digestion was performed in four fixed dome batch type digesters namely with raw WH, Lime pretreated WH+PL, and NaOH pretreated WH+PL and co-digestion of WH with PL. The digestion was carried out at mesophilic anaerobic condition and the pH is maintained at near neutral range for a hydraulic retention time of 21 days. As a result, it is observed that there is an increment of 51.57 % in biogas yield while codigesting with lime and more interestingly the digester with NaOH pretreatment results in 51.57% incremental biogas yield compared to the raw WH.
Development of Recurrent Neural Network Model for Bridge Effect Detection by Various Fibers Incorporated in Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Kim Dongwook , Hong Sung Gul
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this study is to detect the bridging effect formed at cracks after external forces act on various types of fiber-reinforced concrete reinforced with microfibers ranging in size from 10 μm up to 40 μm using a recurrent neural network (RNN). The bridge effect, which is an advantage of fiber-reinforced concrete(FRC) and a criterion for judging usability, can prevent cracks and brittle failure of concrete by forming a net with fibers from cracks formed in concrete to transmit stress. In this study, concrete surface image data taken from crack sections of various fiber-reinforced concrete were collected to create a crack and bridge effect exploration model based on RNN. Afterwards, the features of the part where the bridge effect appeared were directly labeled to enable high accuracy detection in the data added after model production. As a result of detecting surface cracks and bridge effects after modeling, the more sophisticated the labeling, the more accurate image data analysis was possible.
One-Pot Combustion Synthesis of Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Battery
Authors: Dyartanti Endah Retno , Paramitha Tika , Widiyandari Hendri , Jumari Arif , Budiman Anatta Wahyu , Nur Adrian , Purwanto Agus , Yudha Cornelius Satria , Nisa Shofirul Sholikhatun
Published: December 2023

The synthesis of Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) cathode material is performed using the one-pot synthesis. This system is combined with the solution combustion method to produce ternary metal oxide (TMO). Nitric acid acts as an oxidizer and various amount of urea act as fuel for the combustion process. NCA material has a good hexagonal layer structure and the average particle size obtained was 1.17 µm. The electrochemical analysis showed that NCA cathode material obtained at a ratio NCA-OH: urea = 1: 2 has the highest specific discharge capacities of 118.617 mAh.g-1, with a stability of up to 10 cycles.
Improvement of Safety and Reliability of SCM440 Steel with Induction Hardening
Authors: Lee Gum Hwa , Park Jong Kyu , Nam Ki Woo
Published: December 2023

In this study, structural SCM440 steel was used to investigate harmless crack size using compressive residual stresses by induction hardening (IH). The fatigue limits of base metal (BM), quenching–tempering (QT), and IH specimens were obtained. The harmless crack size (ahml) was evaluated using the fatigue limits, threshold stress intensity factor using the Ando equation, and the sum of the stress intensity factor using the Newman-Raju and API-RP579 equations. Because as the crack depth increases, the compressive residual stress rapidly decreases, the harmless crack was determined from the intersection of depth for all aspect ratios (As). However, the outermost surface crack did not intersect because the compressive residual stress (σr,s) on the surface is always present. The ahml values based on BM and QT are 1.04−1.45 and 1.02−1.39 mm, respectively. These values can be evaluated as the ∆Kth(l) of a long crack. ahml did not significantly depend on As. If the crack detected after nondestructive inspection (NDI) is not surface modified after repair, then NDI1 with a very high resolution must be performed.
A Comparative Assessment and Decision-Making Approach of Water Quality Evaluation of Mahanadi Basin, Odisha
Authors: Das Abhijeet
Published: December 2023

The Mahanadi River is one of Odisha's biggest rivers and is vital to the region's ecosystem and economy. Rapid water use, however, causes significant water contamination. However, the primary goal of this study is to assess surface water using the Critic Water Quality Index (CWQI), with a goal of collecting 20 samples from 19 monitoring stations over the course of a year (2021-2022). Inverted Distance Weighted (IDW) in ArcGIS 10.5 was used to create the spatial distribution maps. Multi-criteria decision-making methods (MCDMs), such as MOORA, were developed to offer a reliable and impartial portrayal of the cumulative pollution levels of each sample location. The physicochemical results were categorized in accordance with WHO drinking water threshold levels. The range of the CWQI value for surface water quality, which represents the excellent to very poor categories, was determined to be 36 to 290.8. It demonstrates that 84.21% of samples fit into the best drinking groups. Using the MOORA-recommended assessment scores, the Paradeep (St. 9) was discovered to be the most polluting site in contrast to other places, followed by 2nd (Cuttack D/s) and 3rd (Choudwar D/s). The factors responsible of the decline in water quality at St. 8, 9 and 19, respectively, were found to be runoff from waste material, unprocessed effluents, and several other anthropogenic factors. The paper's detailed discussion of water quality methods can also give readers a general understanding of indexing for further study.
Bond Strength of Steel Bars in Sustainable Concrete Made with Recycled Aggregates
Authors: Saingam Panumas , Min Akrar , Ejaz Ali , Hussain Qudeer
Published: December 2023

Lately, considerable efforts have been directed towards investigating the practicality of using coarse recycled concrete aggregate as a potential substitute for natural coarse aggregate (NCA) in concrete construction. Research has shown that both the proportion of replacement and the properties of recycled aggregates play a significant role in affecting the tensile strength, compressive strength, and bonding characteristics of concrete. In certain cases, recycled aggregate concrete exhibits lesser mechanical properties when compared to concrete made with normal aggregates. The current study investigated the performance of Sika AnchorFix-1 to enhance the bond strength between steel bars and recycled aggregate concrete. The findings suggest that Sika AnchorFix-1 successfully prevented the concrete rupture in the case of concrete with recycled concrete aggregates, whereas concrete rupture could not be prevented in the case of concrete with recycled brick aggregates. Hence, a lower bond strength was obtained for specimens with recycled bricks aggregates than specimens with recycled concrete aggregates.
Characterization of Enhanced Crystalline Structures of CdS Thin Films Deposited by Chemical Bath Deposition Caused by Doping with (Cu2+, Ag+, Au+) Transition Metal Ions
Authors: Contreras-Rascón Jorge Indalecio , Díaz-Reyes Joel , Flores-Pacheco Álvaro , Álvarez-Ramos Mario Enrique
Published: December 2023

In this work, the optical and structural properties of the modified crystalline structures of the nanostructured cadmium sulphide (CdS) semiconductor caused by doping with (Cu2+, Ag+, Au+) transition metal ions are studied. Using the chemical bath deposition technique, thin CdS films of good crystalline quality were deposited, which were doped in synthesis without the need for additional steps, obtaining thicknesses of around 100 nm. The chemical binding energies and their interactions of the CdS semiconductor compound with the different transition metal ions were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The crystalline and quality phase of the CBD-CdS thin films were determined by X-ray diffraction that were confirmed by Raman scattering, obtaining that the dominant crystalline phase is zinc blende in the (1 1 1) crystalline direction. A change in crystalline quality from monocrystalline to polycrystalline was observed by XRD in the CdS thin films doped with transition metal ions, keeping the crystalline direction (1 1 1) of the zinc blende phase of CdS as the dominant one; this crystalline behaviour was confirmed by HRTEM micrographs, in addition to the different levels of quantum confinement favoured by each transition metal incorporated into the CdS. By Raman scattering measurements, the crystalline zinc blende phase of CdS was confirmed and also allowed the analysis of the phononic interactions of the binary compound, where Raman shifts provided information on the structural quality and also confirm the effects of quantum confinement. UV-visible optical spectroscopy describes the effects of the crystalline structural modifications with blue shifts on the optical band gap energies of the evaluated CdS samples, related with the different levels of quantum confinement given by the (Cu2+, Ag+, Au+) transition metal dopants.
Summaries of the Padua symposium on myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, and fascial pain disorders, June 2023, Aula Falloppio at the Human Anatomy Institute of the University of Padova, Italy
Authors: Gerwin Robert , Stecco Antonio , Stecco Carla , Fricton James
Published: December 2023

The International Symposium on Myofascial Pain, Fibromyalgia, and Fascial Pain Disorders was held at the University of Padua, Padua, Italy in June of 2023. This report presents a summary of the presentations from scientists and clinicians from around the world who presented to the symposium. The purpose of this symposium and resultant paper is improve health professional’s recognition and understanding of the clinical characteristics, co-morbidities, mechanisms, and treatment strategies for these common conditions to better understand and manage their pain, dysfunction, and quality life.
Social media utilization and knowledge levels in exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Indonesia
Authors: Deswani Deswani , Rahmawati Dea Eki , Mulyanti Yuli , Syafdewiyani Syafdewiyani , Ismail Rita , Djuwitaningsih Sri
Published: December 2023

The utilization of social media for obtaining information on exclusive breastfeeding is driven by various user-friendly features that facilitate information retrieval. This study delves into understanding the correlation between mothers' engagement with social media for information and their knowledge levels regarding exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia. Through a cross-sectional analysis involving 93 purposefully selected respondents, demographic factors such as age, education, occupation, social media usage for breastfeeding information, and knowledge levels were evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was applied to the data, and significance testing was conducted using Chi-square tests. The questionnaire underwent validity and reliability tests, confirming its robustness. Results indicated a significant association (p < 0.000) between social media usage for breastfeeding information and the knowledge levels of mothers successfully practicing exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers who achieved exclusive breastfeeding demonstrated a discernible level of knowledge about utilizing social media as an information source for breastfeeding. This study highlights the escalating role of social media in shaping mothers' understanding of exclusive breastfeeding. The findings underscore the significance of targeted interventions and educational programs through social media platforms to enhance breastfeeding practices.
Enhancing early cervical cancer detection through the mobile-based DEDIKASI application
Authors: Aprina Aprina , Astuti Titi , Amatiria Gustop
Published: December 2023

The incidence rate of cervical cancer in Indonesia remains high; however, it can be prevented through early detection. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the DEDIKASI mobile application, a continuation of the Early Warning System (EWS) cancer application for cervical cancer risk assessment in women of reproductive age. Employed a quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent group posttest-only approach, the research included 388 participants chosen through random sampling. The EWS Application group showed a majority categorized as "Very Suspect" (52.6%), while the DEDIKASI group had the majority in the "High Risk" category (40.7%). ISO 25010 testing revealed an excellent overall score of 92% for the DEDIKASI application, indicating strong functional suitability and usability. The t-test results (p-value = 0.000) indicated that the DEDIKASI application was more effective than the EWS Cervical Ca application in assessing cervical cancer risk. The findings underscore the potential of the DEDIKASI mobile application for improving early detection and risk assessment of cervical cancer in women of childbearing age, offering a valuable tool to address the high incidence rate of cervical cancer in Indonesia.
Negotiation Practices of Athletic Training Educators
Authors: Cavallario Julie M. , Campbell Brianna L. , Jones Bailey Christine , Welch Bacon Cailee E.
Published: December 2023

Context

Low salary is often cited as one of the primary motivations for professional attrition in athletic training. The employer usually determines the salary range; however, negotiation can also influence the final salary and benefits of a given position. It is unclear to what extent, if any, athletic training educators negotiate salary or other terms of employment during the hiring process.

Objective

To explore the negotiation practices of athletic training educators during the hiring process.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Web-based survey.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 174 athletic training educators who have held at least one full-time employed position.

Main Outcome Measures

Demographic factors as well as the current salary range served as independent variables, and participants’ responses to questions about salary and terms of employment negotiation questions were the dependent variables. All variables were characterized using summary statistics, and multiple chi-square analyses (P < .05) were conducted to determine significant relationships between independent variables on negotiation practices.

Results

Most athletic training educators attempted to negotiate their salary (64.4%) and terms of employment (54%) during the hiring process. The most commonly negotiated terms of employment were moving expenses (58.5%), research-related start-up costs (45.7%), and continuing education funding/reimbursement (42.6%). The influence of demographic factors on the decision to negotiate salary or terms of employment and the relative success of that negotiation varied, with significant findings for previous employment, gender, race, relationship status, number of dependents, age, salary range, and highest degree earned.

Conclusions

Lack of negotiation disproportionately occurred in those athletic training educators with less work experience, and women inexplicably had less success in negotiation attempts. Widespread training in negotiation strategies is warranted across the athletic training profession, including its educators, and our findings suggest that such training would specifically benefit early-career and women athletic training educators.
Biomaterials and tissue engineering in traumatic brain injury: novel perspectives on promoting neural regeneration
Authors: Zhu Shihong , Liu Xiaoyin , Lu Xiyue , Liao Qiang , Luo Huiyang , Tian Yuan , Cheng Xu , Jiang Yaxin , Liu Guangdi , Chen Jing
Published: December 2023

Traumatic brain injury is a serious medical condition that can be attributed to falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and acts of violence, causing a series of neural injuries and neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, limited accessibility to the injury sites, complicated histological and anatomical structure, intricate cellular and extracellular milieu, lack of regenerative capacity in the native cells, vast variety of damage routes, and the insufficient time available for treatment have restricted the widespread application of several therapeutic methods in cases of central nervous system injury. Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have emerged as innovative approaches in the field of nerve regeneration. By combining biomaterials, stem cells, and growth factors, these approaches have provided a platform for developing effective treatments for neural injuries, which can offer the potential to restore neural function, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the need for drugs and invasive surgical procedures. Biomaterials have shown advantages in promoting neural development, inhibiting glial scar formation, and providing a suitable biomimetic neural microenvironment, which makes their application promising in the field of neural regeneration. For instance, bioactive scaffolds loaded with stem cells can provide a biocompatible and biodegradable milieu. Furthermore, stem cells-derived exosomes combine the advantages of stem cells, avoid the risk of immune rejection, cooperate with biomaterials to enhance their biological functions, and exert stable functions, thereby inducing angiogenesis and neural regeneration in patients with traumatic brain injury and promoting the recovery of brain function. Unfortunately, biomaterials have shown positive effects in the laboratory, but when similar materials are used in clinical studies of human central nervous system regeneration, their efficacy is unsatisfactory. Here, we review the characteristics and properties of various bioactive materials, followed by the introduction of applications based on biochemistry and cell molecules, and discuss the emerging role of biomaterials in promoting neural regeneration. Further, we summarize the adaptive biomaterials infused with exosomes produced from stem cells and stem cells themselves for the treatment of traumatic brain injury. Finally, we present the main limitations of biomaterials for the treatment of traumatic brain injury and offer insights into their future potential.
Recent progress in the applications of presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography imaging in parkinsonism
Authors: Yang Yujie , Li Xinyi , Lu Jiaying , Ge Jingjie , Chen Mingjia , Yao Ruixin , Tian Mei , Wang Jian , Liu Fengtao , Zuo Chuantao
Published: December 2023

Nowadays, presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography, which assesses deficiencies in dopamine synthesis, storage, and transport, is widely utilized for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of parkinsonism. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest developments in the application of presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography imaging in disorders that manifest parkinsonism. We conducted a thorough literature search using reputable databases such as PubMed and Web of Science. Selection criteria involved identifying peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years, with emphasis on their relevance to clinical applications. The findings from these studies highlight that presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has demonstrated potential not only in diagnosing and differentiating various Parkinsonian conditions but also in assessing disease severity and predicting prognosis. Moreover, when employed in conjunction with other imaging modalities and advanced analytical methods, presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has been validated as a reliable in vivo biomarker. This validation extends to screening and exploring potential neuropathological mechanisms associated with dopaminergic depletion. In summary, the insights gained from interpreting these studies are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of preclinical investigations and clinical trials, ultimately advancing toward the goals of neuroregeneration in parkinsonian disorders.
Exosomes derived from microglia overexpressing miR-124-3p alleviate neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress damage after repetitive mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Dai , Zhang Lan , Yin Zhenyu , Han Zhaoli , Ge Xintong , Li Meimei , Zhao Jing , Zhang Shishuang , Zuo Yan , Xiong Xiangyang , Gao Han , Liu Qiang , Chen Fanglian , Lei Ping
Published: December 2023

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202409000-00033/figure1/v/2024-01-30T062302Z/r/image-tiff

We previously reported that miR-124-3p is markedly upregulated in microglia-derived exosomes following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury. However, its impact on neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress following repetitive mild traumatic brain injury remains unclear. In this study, we first used an HT22 scratch injury model to mimic traumatic brain injury, then co-cultured the HT22 cells with BV2 microglia expressing high levels of miR-124-3p. We found that exosomes containing high levels of miR-124-3p attenuated apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay analysis confirmed that miR-124-3p bound specifically to the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein IRE1α, while an IRE1α functional salvage experiment confirmed that miR-124-3p targeted IRE1α and reduced its expression, thereby inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in injured neurons. Finally, we delivered microglia-derived exosomes containing miR-124-3p intranasally to a mouse model of repetitive mild traumatic brain injury and found that endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis levels in hippocampal neurons were significantly reduced. These findings suggest that, after repetitive mild traumatic brain injury, miR-124-3 can be transferred from microglia-derived exosomes to injured neurons, where it exerts a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress. Therefore, microglia-derived exosomes containing miR-124-3p may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for repetitive mild traumatic brain injury.
Drosophila models used to simulate human ATP1A1 gene mutations that cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 disease and refractory seizures
Authors: Yuan Yao , Yu Lingqi , Zhuang Xudong , Wen Dongjing , He Jin , Hong Jingmei , Xie Jiayu , Ling Shengan , Du Xiaoyue , Chen Wenfeng , Wang Xinrui
Published: December 2023

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202501000-00034/figure1/v/2024-12-10T152134Z/r/image-tiff

Certain amino acids changes in the human Na+/K+-ATPase pump, ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit alpha 1 (ATP1A1), cause Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 (CMT2) disease and refractory seizures. To develop in vivo models to study the role of Na+/K+-ATPase in these diseases, we modified the Drosophila gene homolog, Atpα, to mimic the human ATP1A1 gene mutations that cause CMT2. Mutations located within the helical linker region of human ATP1A1 (I592T, A597T, P600T, and D601F) were simultaneously introduced into endogenous Drosophila
Atpα by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, generating the Atpα
TTTF model. In addition, the same strategy was used to generate the corresponding single point mutations in flies (Atpα
I571T, Atpα
A576T, Atpα
P579T, and Atpα
D580F). Moreover, a deletion mutation (Atpα
mut) that causes premature termination of translation was generated as a positive control. Of these alleles, we found two that could be maintained as homozygotes (Atpα
I571T and Atpα
P579T). Three alleles (Atpα
A576T, Atpα
P579 and Atpα
D580F) can form heterozygotes with the Atpα
mut allele. We found that the Atpα allele carrying these CMT2-associated mutations showed differential phenotypes in Drosophila. Flies heterozygous for Atpα
TTTF mutations have motor performance defects, a reduced lifespan, seizures, and an abnormal neuronal morphology. These Drosophila models will provide a new platform for studying the function and regulation of the sodium-potassium pump.
Global trends in diabetic eye disease research from 2012 to 2021
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Ji Shangli , Song Yali , Che Zhaodi , Xiao Lu , Tang Shibo , Xiao Jia
Published: December 2023

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202410000-00032/figure1/v/2024-02-06T055622Z/r/image-tiff

Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye complications that occur in diabetic patients and include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, diabetic cataracts, and diabetic glaucoma. However, the global epidemiology of these conditions has not been well characterized. In this study, we collected information on diabetic eye disease-related research grants from seven representative countries––the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and France––by searching for all global diabetic eye disease journal articles in the Web of Science and PubMed databases, all global registered clinical trials in the ClinicalTrials database, and new drugs approved by the United States, China, Japan, and EU agencies from 2012 to 2021. During this time period, diabetic retinopathy accounted for the vast majority (89.53%) of the 2288 government research grants that were funded to investigate diabetic eye disease, followed by diabetic macular edema (9.27%). The United States granted the most research funding for diabetic eye disease out of the seven countries assessed. The research objectives of grants focusing on diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema differed by country. Additionally, the United States was dominant in terms of research output, publishing 17.53% of global papers about diabetic eye disease and receiving 22.58% of total citations. The United States and the United Kingdom led international collaborations in research into diabetic eye disease. Of the 415 clinical trials that we identified, diabetic macular edema was the major disease that was targeted for drug development (58.19%). Approximately half of the trials (49.13%) pertained to angiogenesis. However, few drugs were approved for ophthalmic (40 out of 1830; 2.19%) and diabetic eye disease (3 out of 1830; 0.02%) applications. Our findings show that basic and translational research related to diabetic eye disease in the past decade has not been highly active, and has yielded few new treatment methods and newly approved drugs.
Epileptic brain network mechanisms and neuroimaging techniques for the brain network
Authors: Guo Yi , Lin Zhonghua , Fan Zhen , Tian Xin
Published: December 2023

Epilepsy can be defined as a dysfunction of the brain network, and each type of epilepsy involves different brain-network changes that are implicated differently in the control and propagation of interictal or ictal discharges. Gaining more detailed information on brain network alterations can help us to further understand the mechanisms of epilepsy and pave the way for brain network-based precise therapeutic approaches in clinical practice. An increasing number of advanced neuroimaging techniques and electrophysiological techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tractography, diffusion kurtosis imaging-based fiber tractography, fiber ball imaging-based tractography, electroencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetoencephalography, positron emission tomography, molecular imaging, and functional ultrasound imaging have been extensively used to delineate epileptic networks. In this review, we summarize the relevant neuroimaging and neuroelectrophysiological techniques for assessing structural and functional brain networks in patients with epilepsy, and extensively analyze the imaging mechanisms, advantages, limitations, and clinical application ranges of each technique. A greater focus on emerging advanced technologies, new data analysis software, a combination of multiple techniques, and the construction of personalized virtual epilepsy models can provide a theoretical basis to better understand the brain network mechanisms of epilepsy and make surgical decisions.
Efficacy of exercise rehabilitation for managing patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Li Dan , Jia Jinning , Zeng Haibo , Zhong Xiaoyan , Chen Hui , Yi Chenju
Published: December 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and degenerative neurological disease characterized by the deterioration of cognitive functions. While a definitive cure and optimal medication to impede disease progression are currently unavailable, a plethora of studies have highlighted the potential advantages of exercise rehabilitation for managing this condition. Those studies show that exercise rehabilitation can enhance cognitive function and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by AD. Therefore, exercise rehabilitation has been regarded as one of the most important strategies for managing patients with AD. Herein, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the currently available findings on exercise rehabilitation in patients with AD, with a focus on the exercise types which have shown efficacy when implemented alone or combined with other treatment methods, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying these positive effects. Specifically, we explain how exercise may improve the brain microenvironment and neuronal plasticity. In conclusion, exercise is a cost-effective intervention to enhance cognitive performance and improve quality of life in patients with mild to moderate cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, it can potentially become both a physical activity and a tailored intervention. This review may aid the development of more effective and individualized treatment strategies to address the challenges imposed by this debilitating disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
NLRP3/1-mediated pyroptosis: beneficial clues for the development of novel therapies for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Hu Bo , Zhang Jiaping , Huang Jie , Luo Bairu , Zeng Xiansi , Jia Jinjing
Published: December 2023

The inflammasome is a multiprotein complex involved in innate immunity that mediates the inflammatory response leading to pyroptosis, which is a lytic, inflammatory form of cell death. There is accumulating evidence that nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated microglial pyroptosis and NLRP1 inflammasome-mediated neuronal pyroptosis in the brain are closely associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. In this review, we summarize the possible pathogenic mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on neuroinflammation. We also describe the structures of NLRP3 and NLRP1 and the role their activation plays in Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, we examine the neuroprotective activity of small-molecule inhibitors, endogenous inhibitor proteins, microRNAs, and natural bioactive molecules that target NLRP3 and NLRP1, based on the rationale that inhibiting NLRP3 and NLRP1 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis can be an effective therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease.
Glymphatic system: a gateway for neuroinflammation
Authors: Zou Kailu , Deng Qingwei , Zhang Hong , Huang Changsheng
Published: December 2023

The glymphatic system is a relatively recently identified fluid exchange and transport system in the brain. Accumulating evidence indicates that glymphatic function is impaired not only in central nervous system disorders but also in systemic diseases. Systemic diseases can trigger the inflammatory responses in the central nervous system, occasionally leading to sustained inflammation and functional disturbance of the central nervous system. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the association between glymphatic dysfunction and central nervous system inflammation. In addition, we discuss the hypothesis that disease conditions initially associated with peripheral inflammation overwhelm the performance of the glymphatic system, thereby triggering central nervous system dysfunction, chronic neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Future research investigating the role of the glymphatic system in neuroinflammation may offer innovative therapeutic approaches for central nervous system disorders.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling in the neuromuscular junction during developmental axonal competition and synapse elimination
Authors: Tomàs Josep , Cilleros-Mañé Víctor , Just-Borràs Laia , Balanyà-Segura Marta , Polishchuk Aleksandra , Nadal Laura , Tomàs Marta , Silvera-Simón Carolina , Santafé Manel M. , Lanuza Maria A.
Published: December 2023

During the development of the nervous system, there is an overproduction of neurons and synapses. Hebbian competition between neighboring nerve endings and synapses performing different activity levels leads to their elimination or strengthening. We have extensively studied the involvement of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-Tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor neurotrophic retrograde pathway, at the neuromuscular junction, in the axonal development and synapse elimination process versus the synapse consolidation. The purpose of this review is to describe the neurotrophic influence on developmental synapse elimination, in relation to other molecular pathways that we and others have found to regulate this process. In particular, we summarize our published results based on transmitter release analysis and axonal counts to show the different involvement of the presynaptic acetylcholine muscarinic autoreceptors, coupled to downstream serine-threonine protein kinases A and C (PKA and PKC) and voltage-gated calcium channels, at different nerve endings in developmental competition. The dynamic changes that occur simultaneously in several nerve terminals and synapses converge across a postsynaptic site, influence each other, and require careful studies to individualize the mechanisms of specific endings. We describe an activity-dependent balance (related to the extent of transmitter release) between the presynaptic muscarinic subtypes and the neurotrophin-mediated TrkB/p75NTR pathways that can influence the timing and fate of the competitive interactions between the different axon terminals. The downstream displacement of the PKA/PKC activity ratio to lower values, both in competing nerve terminals and at postsynaptic sites, plays a relevant role in controlling the elimination of supernumerary synapses. Finally, calcium entry through L- and P/Q- subtypes of voltage-gated calcium channels (both channels are present, together with the N-type channel in developing nerve terminals) contributes to reduce transmitter release and promote withdrawal of the most unfavorable nerve terminals during elimination (the weakest in acetylcholine release and those that have already become silent). The main findings contribute to a better understanding of punishment-rewarding interactions between nerve endings during development. Identifying the molecular targets and signaling pathways that allow synapse consolidation or withdrawal of synapses in different situations is important for potential therapies in neurodegenerative diseases.
Connecting cellular mechanisms and extracellular vesicle cargo in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Ollen-Bittle Nikita , Roseborough Austyn D. , Wang Wenxuan , Wu Jeng-liang D. , Whitehead Shawn N.
Published: December 2023

Traumatic brain injury is followed by a cascade of dynamic and complex events occurring at the cellular level. These events include: diffuse axonal injury, neuronal cell death, blood-brain barrier break down, glial activation and neuroinflammation, edema, ischemia, vascular injury, energy failure, and peripheral immune cell infiltration. The timing of these events post injury has been linked to injury severity and functional outcome. Extracellular vesicles are membrane bound secretory vesicles that contain markers and cargo pertaining to their cell of origin and can cross the blood-brain barrier. These qualities make extracellular vesicles intriguing candidates for a liquid biopsy into the pathophysiologic changes occurring at the cellular level post traumatic brain injury. Herein, we review the most commonly reported cargo changes in extracellular vesicles from clinical traumatic brain injury samples. We then use knowledge from animal andin vitromodels to help infer what these changes may indicate regrading cellular responses post traumatic brain injury. Future research should prioritize labeling extracellular vesicles with markers for distinct cell types across a range of timepoints post traumatic brain injury.
Validity of self-reported male sexual function scales in a young Chinese population: a comparative study with clinician-assisted evaluation
Authors: Zhang Hui , Colonnello Elena , Limoncin Erika , Jannini Tommaso B , Tu Xu-Chong , Sansone Andrea , Jannini Emmanuele A , Zhang Yan
Published: December 2023

Psychometric scales, commonly used to gauge sexual function, can sometimes be influenced by response biases. In our research from June 2020 to April 2021, we examined the accuracy of self-reported sexual function scales. We invited patients from the Department of Infertility and Sexual Medicine at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China), who have male sexual dysfunction, to participate by filling out a self-reported version of a specific questionnaire. In addition, they went through a clinician-assisted version of this questionnaire, encompassing tools such as the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), the 6-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6), the Erection Hardness Scale (EHS), and the Masturbation Erection Index (MEI). Using the clinician-assisted version as a reference, we categorized patients and applied various statistical methods, such as the Chi-square test, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), logistic regression, and the Bland–Altman plot, to gauge reliability. In our study with 322 participants, we found that while there were no notable discrepancies in error rates based on our categorization, certain scales showed significant differences in terms of overestimation and underestimation, with the exception of the PEDT. The positive diagnosis rate consistency between the self-reported and clinician-assisted versions was observed. High ICC values between the two versions across the scales were indicative of remarkable reliability. Our findings show that the self-reported versions of tools such as EHS, IIEF-6, MEI, and PEDT are credible and hold clinical reliability. However, employing a dual-diagnosis approach might be more prudent to circumvent potential misdiagnoses.
Occurrence of Retrorenal Colon in the Indian Population – A Significant Finding from Urological Perspective
Authors: Jain Tanya , Rastogi Rajul , Aggarwal Amit , Khajuria Lakshay , Pratap Vijai
Published: December 2023

Introduction:

Ascending and descending coli normally are located anterolateral to kidneys. Retrorenal position of the colon has a reported prevalence of 10%–20% in the general population. Its occurrence is of significant while performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) which is a routine management procedure for patients showing clinical disease associated with renal calculus. PNL in patients with retrorenal colon can lead to colonic perforation which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality related to septicemia, peritonitis, formation of abscess, and nephro-colic and/or colo-cutaneous fistulae. Hence, the preoperative information about the presence of retrorenal colon is essential for the prevention of surgical complications.

Materials and Methods:

Our retrospective study included patients who underwent computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance (MR) abdomen in our department of radiodiagnosis. All the scans were evaluated for the presence of retrorenal colon. The persistence of retrorenal colon was also observed with change in posture among those with prone scans.

Results:

The retrorenal colon was present in 130 out of 669 patients included in the study, with an occurrence rate of nearly 20%. Alteration in the position of retrorenal colon was noted with prone position in approximately 79%.

Conclusion:

The occurrence of retrorenal colon is high in the Indian population being approximately 20% without change with prone position in one-fifth. Thus, to reduce the risk of complication related to colonic perforation during PNL, all patients must be subjected to CT/MR abdomen to detect retrorenal colon followed by scan in the prone position, if retrorenal colon is present, to evaluate the alterations in colonic position with prone posture.