bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Marker Genes in Infectious Diseases from ScRNA-seq Data Using Interpretable Machine Learning
Authors: Sganzerla Martinez Gustavo , Garduno Alexis , Toloue Ostadgavahi Ali , Hewins Benjamin , Dutt Mansi , Kumar Anuj , Martin-Loeches Ignacio , Kelvin David J.
Published: May 2024

A common result of infection is an abnormal immune response, which may be detrimental to the host. To control the infection, the immune system might undergo regulation, therefore producing an excess of either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory pathways that can lead to widespread inflammation, tissue damage, and organ failure. A dysregulated immune response can manifest as changes in differentiated immune cell populations and concentrations of circulating biomarkers. To propose an early diagnostic system that enables differentiation and identifies the severity of immune-dysregulated syndromes, we built an artificial intelligence tool that uses input data from single-cell RNA sequencing. In our results, single-cell transcriptomics successfully distinguished between mild and severe sepsis and COVID-19 infections. Moreover, by interpreting the decision patterns of our classification system, we identified that different immune cells upregulating or downregulating the expression of the genes CD3, CD14, CD16, FOSB, S100A12, and TCRɣδ can accurately differentiate between different degrees of infection. Our research has identified genes of significance that effectively distinguish between infections, offering promising prospects as diagnostic markers and providing potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
GRAAL: Graph-Based Retrieval for Collecting Related Passages across Multiple Documents
Authors: Mongiovì Misael , Gangemi Aldo
Published: May 2024

Finding passages related to a sentence over a large collection of text documents is a fundamental task for claim verification and open-domain question answering. For instance, a common approach for verifying a claim is to extract short snippets of relevant text from a collection of reference documents and provide them as input to a natural language inference machine that determines whether the claim can be deduced or refuted. Available approaches struggle when several pieces of evidence from different documents need to be combined to make an inference, as individual documents often have a low relevance with the input and are therefore excluded. We propose GRAAL (GRAph-based retrievAL), a novel graph-based approach that outlines the relevant evidence as a subgraph of a large graph that summarizes the whole corpus. We assess the validity of this approach by building a large graph that represents co-occurring entity mentions on a corpus of Wikipedia pages and using this graph to identify candidate text relevant to a claim across multiple pages. Our experiments on a subset of FEVER, a popular benchmark, show that the proposed approach is effective in identifying short passages related to a claim from multiple documents.
Effect of High Temperature on Abamectin and Thiamethoxam Tolerance in Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Zhou Mi , Liu Yuncai , Wang Yucheng , Chang Yawen , Wu Qingjun , Gong Weirong , Du Yuzhou
Published: May 2024

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is one of the most important invasive species in China, with strong insecticide resistance and thermotolerance. In this study, we investigated the effects of elevated temperature on the tolerance of B. tabaci MEMA1 to abamectin (AB) and thianethixam (TH) insecticides. We firstly cloned two new CYP450 genes from B. tabaci MEAM1, including one CYP6 family gene (BtCYP6k1) and one CYP305 family gene (BtCYP305a1). The expression patterns of the two BtCYP450 genes were compared in response to high-temperature stress and insecticide exposure, and RNAi was then used to demonstrate the role that these two genes play in insecticide tolerance. The results showed that expression of the two BtCYP450 genes could be induced by exposure to elevated temperature or insecticide, but this gene expression could be inhibited to a certain extent when insects were exposed to the combined effects of high temperature and insecticide treatment. For AB treatment, the expression of the two BtCYP450 genes reached the lowest level when insects were exposed to a temperature of 41 °C and treated with AB (combined effects of temperature and insecticide). In contrast, TH treatment showed a general decrease in the expression of the two BtCYP450 genes with exposure to elevated temperatures. These findings suggest that insecticide tolerance in B. tabaci MEAM1 could be mediated by high temperatures. This study provides a prospective method for the more effective application of insecticides for the control of B. tabaci in the field.
The Polypill: A New Alternative in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Espinosa Enma V. Páez , Matute Eugenia Mato , Sosa Guzmán Delia M. , Khasawneh Fadi T.
Published: May 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of death and disability worldwide. Although age-standardized CVD mortality rates decreased globally by 14.5% between 2006 and 2016, the burden of CVD remains disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income countries. Even though proven, effective approaches based on multiple-drug intake aimed at the prevention and treatment of CVD are currently available, poor adherence, early discontinuation of treatment, and suboptimal daily execution of the prescribed therapeutic regimes give rise to shortfalls in drug exposure, leading to high variability in the responses to the prescribed medications. Wald and Law, in their landmark paper published in BMJ 2003, hypothesized that the use of a fixed-dose combination of statins, β-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and aspirin (classic Polypill composition) may increase adherence and decrease CVD by up to 80% when prescribed as primary prevention or in substitution of traditional protocols. Since then, many clinical trials have tested this hypothesis, with comparable results. This review aims to describe the available clinical trials performed to assess the impact of fixed-dose combinations on adherence, cost-effectiveness, and the risk factors critical to the onset of CVD.
Axillary Brachial Plexus Block Compared with Other Regional Anesthesia Techniques in Distal Upper Limb Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nijs Kristof , Hertogen Pieter ‘s , Buelens Simon , Coppens Marc , Teunkens An , Jalil Hassanin , Van de Velde Marc , Al Tmimi Layth , Stessel Björn
Published: May 2024

Background: Several regional anesthesia (RA) techniques have been described for distal upper limb surgery. However, the best approach in terms of RA block success rate and safety is not well recognized. Objective: To assess and compare the surgical anesthesia and efficacy of axillary brachial plexus block with other RA techniques for hand and wrist surgery. The attainment of adequate surgical anesthesia 30 min after block placement was considered a primary outcome measure. Additionally, successful block outcomes were required without the use of supplemental local anesthetic injection, systemic opioid analgesia, or the need to convert to general anesthesia. Methods: We performed a systematic search in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and CENTRAL. RCTs comparing axillary blocks with other brachial plexus block techniques, distal peripheral forearm nerve block, intravenous RA, and the wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique were included. Results: In total, 3070 records were reviewed, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis of adequate surgical anesthesia showed no significant difference between ultrasound-guided axillary block and supraclavicular block (RR: 0.94 [0.89, 1.00]; p = 0.06; I2 = 60.00%), but a statistically significant difference between ultrasound-guided axillary block and infraclavicular block (RR: 0.92 [0.88, 0.97]; p < 0.01; I2 = 53.00%). Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular blocks were performed faster than ultrasound-guided axillary blocks (SMD: 0.74 [0.30, 1.17]; p < 0.001; I2 = 85.00%). No differences in performance time between ultrasound-guided axillary and supraclavicular blocks were demonstrated. Additionally, adequate surgical anesthesia onset time was not significantly different between ultrasound-guided block approaches: ultrasound-guided axillary blocks versus ultrasound-guided supraclavicular blocks (SMD: 0.52 [−0.14, 1.17]; p = 0.12; I2 = 86.00%); ultrasound-guided axillary blocks versus ultrasound-guided infraclavicular blocks (SMD: 0.21 [−0.49, 0.91]; p = 0.55; I2 = 92.00%). Conclusions: The RA choice should be individualized depending on the patient, procedure, and operator-specific parameters. Compared to ultrasound-guided supraclavicular and infraclavicular block, ultrasound-guided axillary block may be preferred for patients with significant concerns of block-related side effects/complications. High heterogeneity between studies shows the need for more robust RCTs.
Comparison of Functional, Structural, and Microvascular Features in Different Stages of Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane
Authors: Marolo Paola , Borrelli Enrico , Caselgrandi Paolo , Parisi Guglielmo , Gelormini Francesco , Ricardi Federico , Ceroni Luca , Fallico Matteo , Toro Mario Damiano , Ventre Luca , Reibaldi Michele
Published: May 2024

Background: Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) often leads to visual symptoms such as metamorphopsia and decreased central vision. This study aimed to evaluate functional, structural, and microvascular characteristics in patients with different stages of idiopathic ERM who were candidates for surgery, with a focus on identifying potential indicators for surgical timing. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on consecutive patients with unilateral idiopathic ERM who were candidates for surgery. Patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmological assessments, including OCT grading, reading performance evaluation, and OCT angiography. Data analysis included comparisons between different ERM stages for functional, structural, and microvascular parameters. Results: A total of 44 eyes were included, classified into four ERM stages according to the Govetto grading system. Functional parameters, including distance and near visual acuity, worsened significantly with higher ERM stages, particularly in the transition from Stage 3 to Stage 4. Structural assessments revealed significant increases in central macular thickness (CMT) from Stage 3 to Stage 4. No significant differences were observed in microvascular features across different ERM stages. Conclusions: This study highlights the significant functional and anatomical impact of OCT staging in idiopathic ERM, particularly during the transition from Stage 3 to Stage 4, characterized by notable reductions in visual acuity and increases in CMT. These findings underscore the importance of considering both functional and structural parameters in surgical decision-making for ERM management. However, further research with larger cohorts is needed to confirm these observations and inform clinical practice.
Evaluation of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Scans to Develop a Staging Method of External Carotid Artery Calcification
Authors: Kadyan Varsha , Vaddi Anusha , Nagpal Archna , Molina Marco R. , Lurie Alan G. , Tadinada Aditya
Published: May 2024

Background: The objective of this study was to develop a practical staging method for reporting external carotid artery calcifications (ECACs) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging, specifically to standardize reporting for oral and maxillofacial radiologists. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 489 CBCT scans for the presence of ECACs. Two calibrated evaluators assessed the scans in all three orthogonal planes, using the axial plane to develop the staging system. Calcifications were graded on a scale from 0 to 5. Results: ECACs were found in 170 out of 489 scans (34.7%). There was a statistically significant increase in ECAC distribution with age progression. The prevalence of ECACs was similar between genders. Grade 1 calcifications were most common in the 51–60 age group, Grade 2 in the 61–70 and 71–80 groups, and Grades 3 and 4 in the 81–90 group. No Grade 5 calcifications were observed in any age group. The inter-rater reliability showed an excellent correlation in the identification and grading of ECACs. Conclusions: The proposed grading system enables oral and maxillofacial radiologists to quantitatively report ECACs, facilitating timely referrals to physicians for further evaluation and early intervention, thereby potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular events
Efficacy of Continuous Lumbar Plexus Blockade in Managing Post-Operative Pain after Hip or Femur Orthopedic Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: AlMutiri Wijdan A. , AlMajed Ebtesam , Alneghaimshi Muath M. , AlAwadh Afnan , AlSarhan Reem , AlShebel Malak N. , AlMatrody Rayan Abdullah M. , Hadaddi Rafa , AlTamimi Reem , Bin Salamah Rawan , AlZelfawi Lama A. , AlBatati Saud K. , AlHarthi Alanood , AlMazroa Ghayda , AlHossan Abdullah M.
Published: May 2024

Background: Post-operative pain management is essential for optimizing recovery, patient comfort, and satisfaction. Peripheral nerve blockade, or lumbar plexus block (LPB), has been widely used for analgesia and regional anesthesia. This study explored the existing literature to determine the efficacy of continuous lumbar plexus blockade in managing post-operative pain following hip or femur surgery. Methods: Reviewers comprehensively searched electronic databases to identify peer-reviewed scholarly articles reporting the efficacy of lumbar plexus block in managing post-operative pain after orthopedic surgery. The potential articles were carefully selected and assessed for the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias assessment tool. Data were systematically extracted and analyzed. Results: The literature search yielded 206 articles, 20 of which were randomized controlled trials. Lumbar plexus block demonstrated superior pain relief compared to conventional pain management approaches like general anesthetics. In addition, LPB reduced patients’ overall opioid consumption compared to controls, reduced adverse effects, and enhanced functional recovery, which underlines the broader positive impact of meticulous pain management. More patients could walk more than 40 feet after the second day post-operatively among the lumbar plexus group (14.7%) compared to the continuous femoral group (1.3%). Other parameters, including cortisol levels and hemodynamic stability, were evaluated, showing comparable outcomes. Conclusions: Lumbar plexus block is effective in pain management after orthopedic surgery, as shown by the lower pain scores and less opioid consumption. Additionally, patient satisfaction was relatively higher in LPB-treated patients compared to other approaches like general anesthesia.
A Retrospective Observational Study of Quality of Life in a Northern Greece Population of People with Haemophilia
Authors: Moka Eleni , Ntova Zacharo , Gavriilaki Eleni , Kotsiou Nikolaos , Chissan Sofia , Papadopoulou Theodosia , Vakalopoulou Sofia
Published: May 2024

Haemophilia presents a significant challenge to the quality of life of affected individuals. Evaluating the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with haemophilia (PwH) provides a valuable mean of assessing their perception of overall care outcomes, while also identifying influential factors across various age and condition severity demographics. This observational retrospective study determined the HRQoL of 100 adult PwH in Northern Greece through comprehensive analysis and interpretation of their HRQoL levels, particularly in domains concerning their physical, emotional, and mental well-being, obtained through the Haem-A-QoL index questionnaire. Disease severity and young age were significantly associated with the administration of prophylactic treatment (84.2% of patients with severe haemophilia and 65.2% of patients aged 18–30). The mean Haem-A-QoL score was 40.11 ± 17.38, with the lowest HRQoL observed in the 46–60 age group (46.16), and the highest in the ≥61 age groups (35.16). Notably, the ‘Sports/Leisure’ and ‘Physical Health’ domains exhibited the highest scores, in contrast to ‘Family Planning’ and ‘Relationships/Sexuality’. Individuals with mild haemophilia recorded the lowest mean score (39.38), while those with a severe condition exhibited the highest (41.23). Age, disease severity, and physical activity emerged as primary determinants significantly affecting HRQoL outcomes.
Charge-Controlled Energy Optimization of the Reconstruction of Semiconductor Surfaces: sp3–sp2 Transformation of Stoichiometric GaN(0001) Surface to (4 × 4) Pattern
Authors: Strak Pawel , Miller Wolfram , Krukowski Stanislaw
Published: May 2024

It was demonstrated by ab initio calculations that energy optimization in the reconstruction of semiconductor surfaces is controlled by the global charge balance. The charge control was discovered during simulations of the influence of heavy doping in the GaN bulk, which changes sp3 to sp2 ratio in the reconstruction of stoichiometric GaN(0001), i.e., a Ga-polar surface. Thus, the reconstruction is not limited to the charge in the surface only; it can be affected by the charge in the bulk. The discovered new reconstruction of the GaN(0001) surface is (4 × 4), which is different from the previously reported (2 × 1) pattern. The undoped GaN reconstruction is surface charge controlled; accordingly, (3/8) top-layer Ga atoms remain in a standard position with sp3 hybridized bonding, while the remaining (5/8) top-layer Ga atoms are shifted into the plane of N atoms with sp2 hybridized bonding. The change in the charge balance caused by doping in the bulk leads to a change or disappearance of the reconstruction pattern.
Structural Design of Nickel Hydroxide for Efficient Urea Electrooxidation
Authors: Zeng Yi , Xiang Shouqin , Lu Shun , Qi Xueqiang
Published: May 2024

Urea stands as a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. However, not only does urea oxidation reaction technology facilitate energy conversion, but it also significantly contributes to treating wastewater rich in urea. Furthermore, urea electrolysis has a significantly lower theoretical potential (0.37 V) compared to water electrolysis (1.23 V). As an electrochemical reaction, the catalytic efficacy of urea oxidation is largely contingent upon the catalyst employed. Among the plethora of urea oxidation electrocatalysts, nickel-based compounds emerge as the preeminent transition metal due to their cost-effectiveness and heightened activity in urea oxidation. Ni(OH)2 is endowed with manifold advantages, including structural versatility, facile synthesis, and stability in alkaline environments. This review delineates the recent advancements in Ni(OH)2 catalysts for electrocatalytic urea oxidation reaction, encapsulating pivotal research findings in morphology, dopant incorporation, defect engineering, and heterogeneous architectures. Additionally, we have proposed personal insights into the challenges encountered in the research on nickel hydroxide for urea oxidation, aiming to promote efficient urea conversion and facilitate its practical applications.
Influence of Additives on the Macroscopic Color and Corrosion Resistance of 6061 Aluminum Alloy Micro-Arc Oxidation Coatings
Authors: Chen Xuanyu , Wang Hao , Liu Cancan , Wang Wenqiang , Chen Bo
Published: May 2024

In this study, we successfully employed the plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) technique to create a uniform white ceramic layer on the surface of the 6061 aluminum alloy using K2ZrF6 and Na2WO4 as colorants. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the coatings, and we used an electrochemical workstation to test their corrosion protection properties. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was analyzed using potentiodynamic polarization curves. The results showed that K2ZrF6 addition whitened the coating with ZrO2 as the main phase composition, inhibiting Al substrate depletion and enhancing coating corrosion resistance. A small amount of Na2WO4 decreased the coating’s L* value, successfully constructing ceramic coatings with L* (coating brightness) values ranging from 70 to 86, offering broad application prospects for decorative coatings.
Quantifying Microstructure Features for High-Performance Solid Oxide Cells
Authors: Ruse Cristina Mariana , Hume Lily Ann , Wang Yudong , Pesacreta Thomas C. , Zhou Xiao-Dong
Published: May 2024

The drive for sustainable energy solutions has spurred interest in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). This study investigates the impact of sintering temperature on SOFC anode microstructures using advanced 3D focused ion beam–scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). The anode’s ceramic–metal composition significantly influences electrochemical performance, making optimization crucial. Comparing cells sintered at different temperatures reveals that a lower sintering temperature enhances yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and nickel distribution, volume, and particle size, along with the triple-phase boundary (TPB) interface. Three-dimensional reconstructions illustrate that the cell sintered at a lower temperature exhibits a well-defined pore network, leading to increased TPB density. Hydrogen flow simulations demonstrate comparable permeability for both cells. Electrochemical characterization confirms the superior performance of the cell sintered at the lower temperature, displaying higher power density and lower total cell resistance. This FIB-SEM methodology provides precise insights into the microstructure–performance relationship, eliminating the need for hypothetical structures and enhancing our understanding of SOFC behavior under different fabrication conditions.
The Development of Novel Cu/GO Nano-Composite Coatings by Brush Plating with High Wear Resistance for Potential Brass Sliding Bearing Application
Authors: Feng Yingdi , Li Xiaoying , Dong Hanshan
Published: May 2024

Low friction and high wear resistance are critical properties for sliding bearings. In this research, advanced Cu/GO nanocomposite coatings have been developed by a brush plating method to improve the tribological performance of brass-based sliding bearings. A series of brush plating studies under voltages from 2 to 6 V with different GO concentrations (0.2–0.8 g/L) was conducted, and the coating microstructures were characterised by SEM, EDX, GDOES and XRD and the tribological behaviour of the Cu/GO composite coatings were evaluated using dry ball-on-plane tribological tests The experimental results have demonstrated that GO can be successfully introduced into the whole composite coating layer; the Cu/GO composite coatings can reduce the friction of brass and increase its wear resistance by two orders of magnitude, mainly due to the self-lubricating GO added into the coatings.
Hybrid Genetic Algorithm and CMA-ES Optimization for RNN-Based Chemical Compound Classification
Authors: Guo Zhenkai , Hou Dianlong , He Qiang
Published: May 2024

The compound classification strategies addressed in this study encounter challenges related to either low efficiency or accuracy. Precise classification of chemical compounds from SMILES symbols holds significant importance in domains such as drug discovery, materials science, and environmental toxicology. In this paper, we introduce a novel hybrid optimization framework named GA-CMA-ES which integrates Genetic Algorithms (GA) and the Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES) to train Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) for compound classification. Leveraging the global exploration capabilities og GAs and local exploration abilities of the CMA-ES, the proposed method achieves notable performance, attaining an 83% classification accuracy on a benchmark dataset, surpassing the baseline method. Furthermore, the hybrid approach exhibits enhanced convergence speed, computational efficiency, and robustness across diverse datasets and levels of complexity.
Implementation of a Parallel Algorithm to Simulate the Type I Error Probability
Authors: Novoa-Muñoz Francisco
Published: May 2024

Simulating the probability of type I error is a powerful statistical tool that allows confirming if the statistical test achieves the established nominal level. However, its computational implementation has the drawback of significantly long execution times. Therefore, this article analyzes the performance of two parallel implementations (parRapply and boot) which significantly reduce the execution time of simulations of type I error probability for a goodness-of-fit test for the bivariate Poisson distribution. The results obtained demonstrate how the parallelization strategies accelerate the simulations, reducing the time by 50% to 90% when using 2 to 12 processors running in parallel. This reduction is graphically evidenced as the execution time of the analyzed parallel versions fits almost perfectly (R2≈0.999) to the power model y=apb, where p is the number of processors used, and a>0 and b<0 are the constants of the model. Furthermore, it is shown that the parallelization strategies used scale with an increasing number of processors. All algorithms were implemented in the R programming language, and their code is included at the end of this article.
Gut and Urinary Microbiota in Cats with Kidney Stones
Authors: Joubran Patrick , Roux Françoise A. , Serino Matteo , Deschamps Jack-Yves
Published: May 2024

Upper urinary tract urolithiasis is an emerging disease in cats, with 98% of kidney stones composed of calcium oxalate. In humans, disturbances in the intestinal and urinary microbiota are suspected to contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones. We hypothesized that similar mechanisms may be at play in cats. This study examines the intestinal and urinary microbiota of nine cats with kidney stones compared to nine healthy cats before, during, and after treatment with the antibiotic cefovecin, a cephalosporin. Initially, cats with kidney stones displayed a less diverse intestinal microbiota. Antibiotic treatment reduced microbiota diversity in both groups. The absence of specific intestinal bacteria could lead to a loss of the functions these bacteria perform, such as oxalate degradation, which may contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones. This study confirms the presence of a distinct urobiome in cats with kidney stones, characterized by greater richness and diversity compared to healthy cats. These findings highlight the potential of microbiota modulation as a strategy to prevent renal lithiasis in cats.
Selection and Multiplexing of Reverse Transcription–Quantitative PCR Tests Targeting Relevant Honeybee Viral Pathogens
Authors: Rossi Franca , Del Matto Ilaria , Ricchiuti Luciano , Marino Lucio
Published: May 2024

Verifying the inclusivity of molecular detection methods gives indications about the reliability of viral infection diagnosis because of the tendency of viral pathogens to undergo sequence variation. This study was aimed at selecting inclusive probes based on reverse transcription–quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays for the diagnosis of the most widespread and detrimental viruses infecting honeybees, namely the acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), the black queen cell virus (BQCV), the chronic paralysis bee virus (CBPV), the deformed wing virus variants A (DWVA) and B (DWVB), and the sacbrood virus (SBV). Therefore, previously described detection methods were re-evaluated in silico for their specificity and inclusivity. Based on this evaluation, selected methods were modified, or new ones were designed and tested in duplex RT-qPCR reactions. The limits of detection (LODs), effect of multiplexing on sensitivity and the viral RNA quantification potential in bees and hive debris were assessed. This study made available diagnostic assays able to detect an increased number of virus variants compared with previously described tests and two viral pathogens in a single PCR reaction.
Influence of Metabolic Dysregulation in the Management of Depressive Disorder—Narrative Review
Authors: Jakubowska Paulina , Balcerczyk-Lis Marta , Fortuna Milena , Janiak Aleksandra , Kopaczyńska Adrianna , Skwira Sylwia , Młynarska Ewelina , Rysz Jacek , Franczyk Beata
Published: May 2024

Depressive disorders are heterogeneous in nature, and their global reach makes them the cause of suffering for a million individuals worldwide. Standard treatment does not work for one in three people, and side effects can significantly reduce the quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach allows for a broader insight into the nature of the disease, given its complex etiology. One of its elements is the hypothesis of inflammation, which also accompanies obesity-related disease. Obesity and depression interact, causing many researchers to develop new non-pharmacological treatment methods for both diseases. One suggestion is physical exercises that have great potential to be used in clinical practice. They can exert changes on the central nervous system and thus modulate mood. Another is diet, which concentrates on active molecules that also affect the central nervous system (CNS). There is an urgent need to create appropriate criteria and recommendations that systematize existing knowledge and allow it to be used in practice. There is an urgent need to create appropriate criteria and recommendations that systematize existing knowledge and allow it to be used in practice.
Physiology of Vitamin D—Focusing on Disease Prevention
Authors: Wimalawansa Sunil J.
Published: May 2024

Vitamin D is a crucial micronutrient, critical to human health, and influences many physiological processes. Oral and skin-derived vitamin D is hydroxylated to form calcifediol (25(OH)D) in the liver, then to 1,25(OH)2D (calcitriol) in the kidney. Alongside the parathyroid hormone, calcitriol regulates neuro-musculoskeletal activities by tightly controlling blood-ionized calcium concentrations through intestinal calcium absorption, renal tubular reabsorption, and skeletal mineralization. Beyond its classical roles, evidence underscores the impact of vitamin D on the prevention and reduction of the severity of diverse conditions such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, autoimmune disorders, infection, and cancer. Peripheral target cells, like immune cells, obtain vitamin D and 25(OH)D through concentration-dependent diffusion from the circulation. Calcitriol is synthesized intracellularly in these cells from these precursors, which is crucial for their protective physiological actions. Its deficiency exacerbates inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders and infections; deficiency also causes premature deaths. Thus, maintaining optimal serum levels above 40 ng/mL is vital for health and disease prevention. However, achieving it requires several times more than the government’s recommended vitamin D doses. Despite extensive published research, recommended daily intake and therapeutic serum 25(OH)D concentrations have lagged and are outdated, preventing people from benefiting. Evidence suggests that maintaining the 25(OH)D concentrations above 40 ng/mL with a range of 40–80 ng/mL in the population is optimal for disease prevention and reducing morbidities and mortality without adverse effects. The recommendation for individuals is to maintain serum 25(OH)D concentrations above 50 ng/mL (125 nmol/L) for optimal clinical outcomes. Insights from metabolomics, transcriptomics, and epigenetics offer promise for better clinical outcomes from vitamin D sufficiency. Given its broader positive impact on human health with minimal cost and little adverse effects, proactively integrating vitamin D assessment and supplementation into clinical practice promises significant benefits, including reduced healthcare costs. This review synthesized recent novel findings related to the physiology of vitamin D that have significant implications for disease prevention.
Implications of Microbiota and Immune System in Development and Progression of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Popov Jelena , Despot Tijana , Avelar Rodriguez David , Khan Irfan , Mech Eugene , Khan Mahrukh , Bojadzija Milan , Pai Nikhil
Published: May 2024

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent type of liver disease worldwide. The exact pathophysiology behind MASLD remains unclear; however, it is thought that a combination of factors or “hits” act as precipitants for disease onset and progression. Abundant evidence supports the roles of diet, genes, metabolic dysregulation, and the intestinal microbiome in influencing the accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes and subsequent progression to inflammation and fibrosis. Currently, there is no cure for MASLD, but lifestyle changes have been the prevailing cornerstones of management. Research is now focusing on the intestinal microbiome as a potential therapeutic target for MASLD, with the spotlight shifting to probiotics, antibiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. In this review, we provide an overview of how intestinal microbiota interact with the immune system to contribute to the pathogenesis of MASLD and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). We also summarize key microbial taxa implicated in the disease and discuss evidence supporting microbial-targeted therapies in its management.
The Effect of Microbiome-Modulating Agents (MMAs) on Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Zhang Ying , Huang Aiying , Li Jun , Munthali William , Cao Saiying , Putri Ulfah Mahardika Pramono , Yang Lina
Published: May 2024

Gut microbiome-modulating agents (MMAs), including probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotics, are shown to ameliorate type 1 diabetes (T1D) by restoring the microbiome from dysbiosis. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the impact of MMAs on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and biomarkers associated with (T1D). A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, National Knowledge Infrastructure, WeiPu, and WanFang Data up to 30 November 2023. Ten randomized controlled trials (n = 630) were included, with study quality evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Random-effect models with standardized mean differences (SMDs) were utilized. MMA supplementation was associated with improvements in HbA1c (SMD = −0.52, 95% CI [−0.83, −0.20]), daily insulin usage (SMD = −0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) [−0.76, −0.07]), and fasting C-peptide (SMD = 0.99, 95% CI [0.17, 1.81]) but had no effects on FBG, CRP, TNF-α, IL-10, LDL, HDL, and the Shannon index. Subgroup analysis of HbA1c indicated that a long-term intervention (>3 months) might exert a more substantial effect. These findings suggest an association between MMAs and glycemic control in T1D. Further large-scale clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings with investigations on inflammation and gut microbiota composition while adjusting confounding factors such as diet, physical activity, and the dose and form of MMA intervention.
Science and Faith to Understand Milk Bioactivity for Infants
Authors: Sangild Per T.
Published: May 2024

Milk bioactivity refers to the specific health effects of milk components beyond nutrition. The science of milk bioactivity involves the systematic study of these components and their health effects, as verified by empirical data, controlled experiments, and logical arguments. Conversely, ’faith in milk bioactivity’ can be defined as personal opinion, meaning, value, trust, and hope for health effects that are beyond investigation by natural, social, or human sciences. Faith can be strictly secular, but also influenced by spirituality or religion. The aim of this paper is to show that scientific knowledge is frequently supplemented with faith convictions to establish personal and public understanding of milk bioactivity. Mammalian milk is an immensely complex fluid containing myriad proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and micronutrients with multiple functions across species, genetics, ages, environments, and cultures. Human health includes not only physical health, but also social, mental, and spiritual health, requiring widely different fields of science to prove the relevance, safety, and efficacy of milk interventions. These complex relationships between milk feeding and health outcomes prevent firm conclusions based on science and logic alone. Current beliefs in and understanding of the value of breast milk, colostrum, infant formula, or isolated milk proteins (e.g., immunoglobulins, α-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, and growth factors) show that both science and faith contribute to understand, stimulate, or restrict the use of milk bioactivity. The benefits of breastfeeding for infants are beyond doubt, but the strong beliefs in its health effects rely not only on science, and mechanisms are unclear. Likewise, fear of, or trust in, infant formula may rely on both science and faith. Knowledge from science safeguards individuals and society against ‘milk bioactivity superstition’. Conversely, wisdom from faith-based convictions may protect science from unrealistic ‘milk bioactivity scientism’. Honesty and transparency about the potentials and limitations of both scientific knowledge and faith convictions are important when informing individuals and society about the nutritious and bioactive qualities of milk.
Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding during Admission to a Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study in Spain
Authors: Verea-Nuñez Cristina , Novoa-Maciñeiras Nuria , Suarez-Casal Ana , Vazquez-Lago Juan Manuel
Published: May 2024

Background: Breastfeeding is the optimal nourishment for infants and it is recommended that children commence breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for the initial 6 months of life. Our objective was to determine which factors related to mothers could influence the degree of exclusive breastfeeding during hospitalization, as well as to assess breastfeeding mothers’ attitudes towards breastfeeding. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was undertaken in the healthcare area of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The necessary variables were collected using a specially designed ad hoc questionnaire. The researcher responsible for recruitment conducted the interviews with the participants. The reduced Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS-s) was employed to gauge maternal attitudes toward feeding their baby. Results: In total, 64 women were studied. The overall score of IIFAS-s (mean ± standard deviation) was 36.95 ± 5.17. A positive attitude towards breastfeeding was therefore observed in our sample. No use of a pacifier by the newborn was associated with a positive attitude for breastfeeding. Having previous children (Ora = 6.40; IC95% 1.26–32.51) and previous experience with breastfeeding (Ora = 6.70; IC95% 1.31–34.27) increased the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding during admission. Conclusions: In our study, exclusive breastfeeding during hospitalization is associated with having previous children and prior breastfeeding experience.
Soybean (Glycine max L.) Leaf Moisture Estimation Based on Multisource Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Image Feature Fusion
Authors: Yang Wanli , Li Zhijun , Chen Guofu , Cui Shihao , Wu Yue , Liu Xiaochi , Meng Wen , Liu Yucheng , He Jinyao , Liu Danmao , Zhou Yifan , Tang Zijun , Xiang Youzhen , Zhang Fucang
Published: May 2024

Efficient acquisition of crop leaf moisture information holds significant importance for agricultural production. This information provides farmers with accurate data foundations, enabling them to implement timely and effective irrigation management strategies, thereby maximizing crop growth efficiency and yield. In this study, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) multispectral technology was employed. Through two consecutive years of field experiments (2021–2022), soybean (Glycine max L.) leaf moisture data and corresponding UAV multispectral images were collected. Vegetation indices, canopy texture features, and randomly extracted texture indices in combination, which exhibited strong correlations with previous studies and crop parameters, were established. By analyzing the correlation between these parameters and soybean leaf moisture, parameters with significantly correlated coefficients (p < 0.05) were selected as input variables for the model (combination 1: vegetation indices; combination 2: texture features; combination 3: randomly extracted texture indices in combination; combination 4: combination of vegetation indices, texture features, and randomly extracted texture indices). Subsequently, extreme learning machine (ELM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and back propagation neural network (BPNN) were utilized to model the leaf moisture content. The results indicated that most vegetation indices exhibited higher correlation coefficients with soybean leaf moisture compared with texture features, while randomly extracted texture indices could enhance the correlation with soybean leaf moisture to some extent. RDTI, the random combination texture index, showed the highest correlation coefficient with leaf moisture at 0.683, with the texture combination being Variance1 and Correlation5. When combination 4 (combination of vegetation indices, texture features, and randomly extracted texture indices) was utilized as the input and the XGBoost model was employed for soybean leaf moisture monitoring, the highest level was achieved in this study. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the estimation model validation set reached 0.816, with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 1.404 and a mean relative error (MRE) of 1.934%. This study provides a foundation for UAV multispectral monitoring of soybean leaf moisture, offering valuable insights for rapid assessment of crop growth.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Punica granatum Peel Waste: An Effective Additive for Natural Rubber Latex Nanofibers Enhancement
Authors: Echegaray-Ugarte Talia S. , Cespedes-Loayza Andrea L. , Cruz-Loayza Jacqueline L. , Huayapa-Yucra Luis A. , Cruz Isemar , de Carvalho Júlio Cesar , Goyzueta-Mamani Luis Daniel
Published: May 2024

Pomegranate waste poses an environmental challenge in Arequipa. Simultaneously, interest in sustainable materials like natural rubber latex (NRL) is growing, with Peruvian communities offering a promising source. This study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using pomegranate peel extract and their incorporation into NRL nanofibers for enhanced functionalities. An eco-friendly process utilized silver nitrate and pomegranate peel extract as a reducing and capping agent to synthesize AgNPs. The resulting AgNPs and NRL/AgNPs nanofibers were characterized using imaging and spectroscopic techniques such as UV-vis, TGA, FTIR, XRD, Raman, SEM, and DLS. Green-synthesized AgNPs were spherical and crystalline, with an average diameter of 59 nm. They showed activity against K. pneumoniae, E. coli, B. cereus, and S. aureus (IC50: 51.32, 4.87, 27.72, and 69.72 µg/mL, respectively). NRL and NRL/AgNPs nanofibers (300–373 nm diameter) were successfully fabricated. The composite nanofibers exhibited antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae and B. cereus. This study presents a sustainable approach by utilizing pomegranate waste for AgNP synthesis and NRL sourced from Peruvian communities. Integrating AgNPs into NRL nanofibers produced composites with antimicrobial properties. This work has potential applications in smart textiles, biomedical textiles, and filtration materials where sustainability and antimicrobial functionality are crucial.
Mechanism and Model Analysis of Ultralow-Temperature Fluid Fracturing in Low-Permeability Reservoir: Insights from Liquid Nitrogen Fracturing
Authors: Wang Haifeng , Li Yunbo , Song Dangyu , Lin Meng , Guo Xingxin , Shi Xiaowei
Published: May 2024

Ultralow-temperature fluids (such as liquid nitrogen, liquid CO2) are novel waterless fracturing technologies designed for dry, water-sensitive reservoirs. Due to their ultralow temperatures, high compression ratios, strong frost heaving forces, and low viscosities, they offer a solution for enhancing the fracturing and permeability of low-permeability reservoirs. In this study, we focus on the combined effects of high-pressure fluid rock breaking, low-temperature freeze-thaw fracturing, and liquid-gas phase transformation expansion on coal-rock in low-permeability reservoirs during liquid nitrogen fracturing (LNF). We systematically analyze the factors that limit the LNF effectiveness, and we discuss the pore fracture process induced by low-temperature fracturing in coal-rock and its impact on the permeability. Based on this analysis, we propose a model and flow for fracturing low-permeability reservoirs with low-temperature fluids. The analysis suggests that the Leidenfrost effect and phase change after ultralow-temperature fluids enter the coal support the theoretical feasibility of high-pressure fluid rock breaking. The thermal impact and temperature exchange rate between the fluid and coal determine the temperature difference gradient, which directly affects the mismatch deformation and fracture development scale of different coal-rock structures. The low-temperature phase change coupling fracturing of ultralow-temperature fluids is the key to the formation of reservoir fracture networks. The coal-rock components, natural fissures, temperature difference gradients, and number of cycles are the key factors in low-temperature fracturing. In contrast to those in conventional hydraulic fracturing, the propagation and interaction of fractures under low-temperature conditions involve multifield coupling and synergistic temperature, fluid flow, fracture development, and stress distribution processes. The key factors determining the feasibility of the large-scale application of ultralow-temperature fluid fracturing in the future are the reconstruction of fracture networks and the enhancement of the permeability response in low-permeability reservoirs. Based on these considerations, we propose a model and process for LNF in low-permeability reservoirs. The research findings presented herein provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for understanding waterless fracturing mechanisms in deep reservoirs.
Transformers for Remote Sensing: A Systematic Review and Analysis
Authors: Wang Ruikun , Ma Lei , He Guangjun , Johnson Brian , Yan Ziyun , Chang Ming , Liang Ying
Published: May 2024

Research on transformers in remote sensing (RS), which started to increase after 2021, is facing the problem of a relative lack of review. To understand the trends of transformers in RS, we undertook a quantitative analysis of the major research on transformers over the past two years by dividing the application of transformers into eight domains: land use/land cover (LULC) classification, segmentation, fusion, change detection, object detection, object recognition, registration, and others. Quantitative results show that transformers achieve a higher accuracy in LULC classification and fusion, with more stable performance in segmentation and object detection. Combining the analysis results on LULC classification and segmentation, we have found that transformers need more parameters than convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Additionally, further research is also needed regarding inference speed to improve transformers’ performance. It was determined that the most common application scenes for transformers in our database are urban, farmland, and water bodies. We also found that transformers are employed in the natural sciences such as agriculture and environmental protection rather than the humanities or economics. Finally, this work summarizes the analysis results of transformers in remote sensing obtained during the research process and provides a perspective on future directions of development.