bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Fucus a Suitable Biomonitoring Organism for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination? A Study from the Faroe Islands
Authors: Knøfler Ida Huusmann , Andersson Kirstine Evald , Becker Richard Leonard , Christiansen Sigurd , Nielsen Nikoline Juul , Christensen Jan H
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to evaluate seaweed as a novel biomonitoring organism for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution in the Faroe Islands. Fucus samples were collected from two cities and two towns. 19 PAHs, including the EPA 16, and four groups of alkylated PAHs, were quantified using GC-MS analysis. PAHs were extracted using a modified QuEchERS method with ultrasonication in acetonitrile, back-extraction into hexane and Florisil® cleanup. Fucus from the harbor of Tórshavn sampled at high tide had the highest PAH concentrations (1.3∙102 to 1.7∙102 ng/g wet weight), with the highest ∑PAH concentrations and abundance of individual PAHs found in Tórshavn, followed by Runavík and Toftir. All samples contained higher concentrations of alkylated PAHs compared to the non-alkylated compounds. The study found that Fucus may be promising as a biomonitoring organism for PAH pollution; however, major differences among samples collected in close proximity and on different days were observed, suggesting that water exchange and tide levels have a strong influence on pollutant uptake in Fucus. Therefore, further evaluation of sampling strategy is necessary. Overall, this study provides important insights into the use of Fucus as a biomonitoring organism for PAH pollution.
Belowground plant traits and hydrology control microbiome composition and methane flux in temperate fen mesocosms
Authors: Piecha Marc , Kreyling Jürgen , Couvenberg John , Pester Michael , Günther Anke , Jurasinski Gerald , Blume-Werry Gesche , Urich Tim , Wang Haitao
Published: June 2023

The rewetting of formerly drained peatlands is a strategy to fight against global warming through the reduction of CO2 emissions, although this can lead to elevated CH4 emissions. The interplay between plants, hydrology and microbiomes as ultimate determinants of CH4 dynamics is still poorly understood, despite recent progress in field studies. Using a mesocosm approach, we simulated the re-cultivation of a degraded temperate fen with three different water levels and two different plant over the course of a growing season. Peat samples for microbiome analysis, above- and below-ground plant biomass and gas fluxes were measured in April, June, August and October. Microbiome composition in top and subsoils was determined using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We found that peat depth and sampling time were the major factors shaping the microbiome composition dynamics. While plant species had a less strong impact, the difference to bare ground microbiomes was significant, especially in the lower layer. The water status also affected the microbiome, albeit to a much lesser extent. Methanogens were most abundant in the deeper peat and also more abundant in bare ground and Carex rostrata pots, as compared to Juncus inflexus or mixed pots. This was inversely linked to the larger root network size of J. inflexus. The methane emissions correlated positively with the abundance of methanogens and correlated negatively with the root network size. Despite the absence and low abundance of methanotrophs in many samples, the structural equation model suggested that the methanogen and methanotroph abundances together determined CH4 fluxes. In conclusion, this interdisciplinary study sheds light on how the complex interplay between plants, hydrology and the fen microbiome affect CH4 emissions. It showed that the presence of plants as well as the plant functional type determine the abundance of methanogens and microbiome composition and thereby the resulting CH4 fluxes accordingly.
Enhancing H2O2 utilization efficiency for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation through the doping of La in the Fe-ZSM-5 Catalyst
Authors: Piao Weiling , Sun Wenjing , Yu Danyang , Zhang Wanying , Wei Huangzhao , Sun Chenglin
Published: June 2023

Iron-supported zeolite has shown great potential as an efficient catalyst for degrading organic pollutants with high concentrations in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) process under mild conditions. Here 0.4 wt.% La was added in the 1.0 wt.% Fe-ZSM-5 by two-step impregnation method for an enhanced H2O2 utilization efficiency. For a systematical comparison, the CWPO process under 55°C, where m-cresol with a high concentration of 1000 mg/L as a substrate, was studied over Fe-ZSM-5 and Fe-La-ZSM-5 catalysts. Compared with Fe-ZSM-5, Fe-La-ZSM-5 showed 15% higher H2O2 utilization efficiency with comparable TOC removal at around 40%, meanwhile with a 15% reduced metal leaching. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with EDS mapping, surface acidity analysis by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) and NH3-Temperature Programmed Desorption (NH3-TPD), redox property analysis by Raman spectroscopy and H2-Temperature Programmed Reduction (H2-TPR) of both catalysts revealed, a altered surface acidity, a more uniform and evenly dispersed surface Fe species with a promoted reducibility, which effectively prevented the ineffective decomposition of H2O2, enhanced the H2O2 utilization efficiency, and increased the catalyst stability. Also, more than 90% conversion of 1000 mg/L m-cresol for more than 10 consecutive test days under 55°C without pH adjustment showed a promising possibility of the Fe-La-ZSM-5 for a practical wastewater treatment process.
Dose escalation immunoPET imaging of B7-H3 expression in glioblastoma tumor model using 89Zr-DFO-hu4G4
Authors: Zheng Meng , Zhao Shandong , Fu Fengqing , Wang Yan , Zhang Kaijie , Liu Qingfeng , Mu Huiwen , Li Shihong , Zhang Xueguang , Miao Liyan
Published: June 2023

Background
The non-invasive PET imaging using zrconium-89 labelled antibodys (Abs) can play important roles for personalized immunotherapeutic strategies. Hu4G4 was a humanized Abs of the transmembrance glycoprotein B7-H3, which has been approved as an attractive new target of cancer immunotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the PET imaging potential of 89Zr labelled hu4G4 with a dose escalation design.
Methods
Hu4G4 was radiolabelled with 89Zr after modification with p-SCN-deferoxamine. 89Zr-Immuno-PET scans of the U87 xenograft mice were performed with 3 different Abs doses of 89Zr-DFO-hu4G4 (0.33, 1.75 and 17.5 mg/kg bodyweight, respectively). The pharmacokinetic (PK) and biodistribution profiles were also determined by γ counting of blood samples and dissected organs and tissues.
Results
The prepared 89Zr-DFO-hu4G4 had high radiochemical purity (RCP > 95%) and was stable in vitro (RCP > 90% within 168 h). The U87 tumors were clearly detected by the 89Zr-DFO-hu4G4 PET imaging. The middle-dose Abs group had higher tumor-to-normal tissue (T/N) ratios and better tumor specific uptake of the tracer than the low and high dose Abs groups.
Conclusion
89Zr-DFO-hu4G4 is a potential immunoPET imaging probe for clinical detection of B7-H3 expression in tumor. Also, the dose dependent results of 89Zr-immuno-PET imaging provide important insight towards the Abs dosimetry for Abs-based imaging and therapy.
How does negative plant-soil feedback across life stages affect the spatial patterning of trees?
Authors: Iuorio Annalisa , Eppinga Maarten B. , Baudena Mara , Veerman Frits , Rietkerk Max , Giannino Francesco
Published: June 2023

In this work, we theoretically explore how litter decomposition processes and soil-borne pathogens contribute to negativeplant-soil feedbacks, in particular in transient and stable spatial organisation of tropical forest trees and seedlings known asJanzen-Connell distributions.
By considering soil-borne pathogens and autotoxicity both separately and in combination, we can understand the influence ofboth factors on transient dynamics and emerging Janzen-Connell distributions. We also identify parameter regimes associatedwith different long-term behaviours. Moreover, we compare how the strength of negative plant-soil feedbacks was mediated bygermination and growth strategies, using a combination of analytical approaches and numerical simulations.
Our interdisciplinary investigation, motivated by an ecological question, allows us to construct an important link between localfeedbacks, spatial self-organisation, and community assembly, providing a valuable tool to help understanding biodiversity intropical ecosystems and disentangling the differences between two potential mechanisms driving Janzen-Connell distributions.Furthermore, our theoretical results may help guiding future field data analyses by identifying spatial signatures in adult treeand seedling distribution data that may reflect the presence of particular plant-soil feedback mechanisms.
Gestational Blood Pressure Changes Curve and Characteristics in Women of Advanced Reproductive Age: A Cohort Study
Authors: Huang Lin , Mai Lihua , Zhou Zechun , Huang Meijuan , Chen Dunjin
Published: June 2023

Objective: To investigate whether gestational specific trends present in blood pressure (BP) and we also
special interested in the advanced maternal age women BP characteristics.
Design: A cohort study of clinical data.
Participants: We enrolled 287 pregnant women of 15,430 screened, containing 228 of younger age
pregnant women (<35 years old when pregnant) and 59 advanced maternal age participants (≥35 years
old when pregnant). Every included participant was nulliparous, has pregnant blood pressure records (≥5
times) and complete recommanded imformation.
Interventions: None.
Results: In the younger age pregnant group, the lowest of systolic BP appears at 14-18 weeks gestation
and the maximum was at 37-41+6 weeks’ gestation. In the advanced maternal age group, the lowest value
of systolic and diastolic BP both appeared at 14-18 weeks gestational age and rised to maximum BP at 37-41+6 weeks gestational age. Except for the last gestational stage of pregnancy, systolic BP numbers
are higher in the advanced age group (19-23 weeks, 24-27 weeks, 33-36 weeks, P<0.05).
Conclusions: We found that the advanced age women pregnant have similar gestational BP trends with
to the younger age group but with higher values of systolic BP at the most of the gestational time.
Interfamily grafted hybrids Vitis vinifera / Schisandra chinensis resulted in genetic, phenotypic, and metabolic changes
Authors: Zhang Shulin , Zhao Jun-Hui , Diao Songfeng , Feng Luying , Jia Wenqing , Li Fang-Dong , zhu gaopu , Zhao Han
Published: June 2023

Background
Long-distance transfer of genetic material and metabolites between rootstock and scions is well documented in homo-grafted hybrids but has rarely been reported in genetically-distant grafts where the rootstock and scion belong to different families.
Results
We grafted Vitis vinifera scions onto Schisandra chinensis stocks and obtained 20 vegetative hybrids, Vitis vinifera / Schisandra chinensis (Vs). After 25 years of growth, we found that the phenotypes of the leaves, internodes, and fruits of the Vs hybrids above the graft union resembled an intermediate phenotype between V. vinifera and S. chinensis and the new traits were stable when propagated vegetatively. We further analyzed genetic differences between Vv plants and Vs hybrids using high-throughput sequencing, while metabolomes were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We found a total of 2113 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). GO annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these DEGs enriched mainly in oxidation-reduction and metabolic processes. Seventy-nine differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) containing 27 known miRNAs and 52 novel miRNAs were identified. A degradation analysis detected 840 target genes corresponding to 252 miRNAs, of which 12 DEMs and their corresponding target gene expression levels were mostly negatively correlated. Furthermore, 1188 differential metabolic compounds were identified. In particular, in Vs hybrids, the abundance of the metabolites schizandrin and gomisin as the main medicinal ingredients in S. chinensis were down-regulated and up-regulated, respectively.
Conclusions
Our data demonstrated the effects of interfamily grafts on the phenotype, transcript profile and metabolites of the scion, also provided new insight into the genetic, phenotypic, and metabolic plasticity associated with genetically distant grafted hybrids.
Tamm-cavity terahertz detector
Authors: Zhang Yichen , Zhou Shuyu , Tang Wenjing , Yan Xu , Rui Yunjie , Wang Wohu , Yan Bingnan , Zhang Chen , Ye Ziyao , Shi Hongkai , Su Runfeng , Dong Daxing , Wan Chao , Xu Ruiying , Zhao Qing-Yuan , Zhang Labao , Jia Xiaoqing , Wang Hua-Bing , Kang Lin , Chen Jian , Wu Pei-Heng , Tu Xuecou
Published: June 2023

Efficiently fabricating a cavity that can achieve strong interactions between terahertz waves and matter would allow researchers to exploit the intrinsic properties due to the long wavelength in the terahertz waveband. This paper presents a terahertz detector embedded in a hybrid Tamm cavity with an extremely narrow response bandwidth and an adjustable resonant frequency. A new record has been reached: a Q value of 1017 and a bandwidth of only 469 MHz for terahertz direct detection. The hybrid Tamm-cavity detector consists of an Si/air distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), an Nb5N6 microbolometer detector on the substrate, and a metal reflector. This device enables very strong light–matter coupling by the detector with an extremely confined photonic mode compared to a Fabry–Pérot resonator detector at terahertz frequencies. Ingeniously, the substrate of the detector is used as the defect layer of the hybrid cavity. The resonant frequency can then be controlled by adjusting the thickness of the substrate cavity. The detector and DBR cavity are fabricated separately, and a large pixel-array detector can be realized by a very simple assembly process. This versatile structure can be used as a platform for preparing high-performance terahertz devices and is a breakthrough in the study of the strong interactions between terahertz waves and matter.
Establishing an efficient micropropagation method for Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus)
Authors: Tran Thi Ngoc Anh , Xu Feng-Jiao , Ko Jae-Heung , Yang Deok Chun , Yang Dong-UK , Jung Seok-Kyu
Published: June 2023

Astragalus membranaceus is known as Hwang-gi in Korea, Huang Qi in Chinese and Radix Astragali in Latin, is a member of Fabaceae family. Traditionally, it has been used as an immunomodulator to treat people with cardiovascular disease as well as colds, fatigue, diarrhea, anorexia, and irregular uterine hemorrhage. In this study, an efficient micropropagation method of Huang Qi was established, by which micropropagation can be achieved from 2 pathways: directly and indirectly. For direct organogenesis, the multi-shoots were induced from apical or lateral shoots in MS medium with BA at 1.0 mg/L and subsequently, they were proliferated in MS supplemented with kinetin at 2.0 mg/L. For indirect organogenesis, the adventitious shoots were regenerated indirectly in MS with BAP at 1.0 mg/L and IBA at 0.5 mg/L media from callus, formed in MS with 2.4-D at 1.0 mg/L. Finally, the single shoot was transferred to 1/2 MS medium for rooting. Regenerated plants grown on hormone-free media for 1 month were transferred to polyethylene pots containing a cocopeat: perlite (3:1; v/v) mixture with a survival rate of approximately 93% 1 month after acclimation. The results of this study make a significant contribution to the efficient micropropagation of this plant, which is useful to provide abundant and stable resources for the extraction of secondary metabolites with potential downstream applications. Large-scale micropropagation offers an alternative within shorter time to grow this plant in the field for commercial and pharmaceutical uses.
Green and facile synthesis of N,S co-doped carbon quantum dots with a high product yield for selective detection of Hg2+ in aqueous system
Authors: Ren Haitao , Labidi Abdelkader , Sun Jinhua , Allam Ahmed A. , Ajarem Jamaan S. , Abukhadra Mostafa , Wang Chuanyi
Published: June 2023

Developing carbon quantum dots with high throughput and quantum yields is critically important to promoting their application in environmental detection. Here, we developed a facile, green and high-output tactic to produce the N,S co-doped carbon quantum dots (N,S-CQDs) with excitation-dependent photoluminescence properties (quantum yield 29.4%). The methyl orange was used as a precursor for the first time and only water was used as a solvent without cumbersome separation processes. Noteworthily, the product yield of the obtained N,S-CQDs was evaluated to be 75.6%, which is much higher compared what previously studied. Moreover, cell culture result indicates that the toxicity of N,S-CQDs was dramatically reduced in the cellular levels in comparison to its precursor. Even at a high CQDs dose (500 µg/mL), the cell still sustained 90% activity, indicating that they cannot cause secondary pollution to the environment during practical applications. As-synthesized N, S-CQDs show high selectivity, low detection limit of 237 nM, and fast response time (~ 30 s) for detecting Hg2+. Systematical analyses demonstrate that the detection mechanism was elucidated to the synergistic action of static quenching, inner filter effect and photoinduced electron transfer. This study not only provides constructive guidance for the high-throughput and facile production of high-quality fluorescent CQDs, but also boosts the promising application of CQDs in environmental detection.
Immediate and Long-term Responses of Coastal Vegetation to Extreme Storm Events along the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Steenrod Camille L. , Battaglia Loretta L.
Published: June 2023

Tropical storms occur frequently along the northern Gulf of Mexico, creating disturbances in coastal areas already influenced by rising seas. Responses of vegetation to extreme storm events at different time scales provide insight into ecosystem resiliency and future persistence. This study examines short- and long-term impacts of 27 extreme storm events on emergent herbaceous wetlands and woody wetlands in southeastern Alabama, USA using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data. NDVI indicates vegetation vigor and is commonly used to measure responses to disturbance. We hypothesized overall decreases in NDVI, immediately following storm events, and over longer time scales due to cumulative impacts of multiple storms and compressed recovery times. We also expected declining NDVI in emergent herbaceous wetlands following saline storm surges, and in woody wetlands following strong winds. Half of the events (13/27) led to significant immediate declines in NDVI, whereas NDVI increased over the 17-year study period in both wetland types. Fresh water inputs from precipitation and runoff may have contributed to increased NDVI in emergent herbaceous wetlands following disturbances, whereas resprouting in canopy gaps from defoliation and uprooting may have increased NDVI in woody wetlands. An overall increase in NDVI in the last five years of the study period may, in part, reflect migration of some species to more suitable upslope habitat. These results suggest that coastal ecosystems along the northern Gulf of Mexico are more resilient to climate change than previously assumed, particularly where upslope migration is possible.
Patient satisfaction survey of the “Healthy Heart” pharmaceutical care service – evaluation of pharmacy labelling with pharmaceutical pictograms
Authors: Merks Piotr , Religioni Urszula , Jaguszewski Miłosz , Barańska Agnieszka , Neumann-Podczaska Agnieszka , Kaźmierczak Justyna , Blicharska Eliza , Šola Katarina Fehir , Vaillancourt Regis
Published: June 2023

Introduction. Low adherence is a major challenge in healthcare worldwide, being particularly dangerous for patients with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and heart failure, where strict adherence is essential. Non-adherence is observed in almost half of patients, and the consequences encompass a lack of therapeutic effects, health deterioration, decreased quality of life, and even death. For cardiovascular patients, the great importance of health education and pharmaceutical education can be provided within pharmaceutical care in community pharmacies. Therefore, our study aimed at evaluating the level of satisfaction with the “Healthy Heart” pharmaceutical service, in which patients received pictograms with dosage information affixed to their medication.
Material and methods. The study was designed for patients who had been prescribed an antiplatelet medication for the first time. The patients were recruited by 577 pharmacies that took part in the study after completing a special course. Ultimately, 1590 patients were enrolled in the study. The project ran from November 2019 to January 2022.
Results. Most of patients had a positive attitude to the “Healthy Heart” pharmaceutical service. More than 85% of the respondents were of the opinion that the pictograms facilitated the use of the medication, and 81.7% of the respondents stated that the system of labels helped in adherence. Over 66% of the respondents thought that such labels should be included in pharmacy services, and 77.92% of the participants reported that this system of labelling medications should be offered through all pharmacies.
Conclusions. Pharmaceutical labels in the pharmacists’ everyday practice can largely improve patient adherence. These efforts, provided as part of their pharmaceutical services, can have a huge influence on optimisation of patient health outcomes.
FLT4 activation promotes chemoresistance in pediatric leukemia through stabilization of MDM2/MDMX and inactivation of p53
Authors: Dubuissez Marion , Haferssas Djazia , Barrera-Chimal Jonatan , Messmer Clémence , Affar El Bachir , Larrivée Bruno , Liu Xue-Song , Gerarduzzi Casimiro
Published: June 2023

Aberrant Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) signaling allows cancer cells to modulate survival, proliferation and death, leading to tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. In leukemia, the RTK FMS-Related Tyrosine Kinase 4 (FLT4) (also known as VEGFR-3, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor- 3) is deregulated and correlates with cancer progression. However, the underlying consequences of its deregulation remain to be determined. Moreover, chemotherapy treatment requires that cancer cells retain a wild type p53 (wt) in order to respond to DNA damage by tumor suppressing activities, i.e. apoptosis. p53 activity is predominantly limited by its two major negative regulators, MDM2 and MDMX, which inactivate p53 by promoting its degradation and/or cytoplasmic localization. In this study, we have shown that activation of FLT4 by either overexpression or binding of its ligand, VEGF-C, leads to an increase in MDM2/MDMX stability, inactivation of p53 and resistance to DNA damaging therapies. Through immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis, we observed that FLT4 induced phosphorylation of MDMX at Ser-314, a consensus sequence of CDK4/6. Our data revealed that phosphorylation of MDMX on Ser-314 increases the stability of MDMX, which subsequently affects MDM2 and p53 degradation and could be reversed by the CDK4/6 inhibitor Palbociclib. More importantly, leukemic cells treated with Palbociclib were more susceptible to DNA damaging induction of apoptosis and had reduced cell proliferation. Altogether, our research proposes an innovative way to reactivate p53 in pediatric leukemia through the pharmacological inhibition of FLT4 signaling, which could serve as a potential treatment option for this disease.
Residual Waste Management in London, England: A Reality Check
Authors: Minhas Nadia , Gerassimidou Spyridoula , Iacovidou Eleni
Published: June 2023

Residual waste is a key fraction of municipal solid waste generated, yet its management is poorly understood and has gained little attention over the past years. Using London as a case study, the study found that of the 5 Mt of residual waste reported to be managed in London, 3.5 Mt is managed via recovery operations, whereas 1.59 Mt of waste is managed via disposal operations, primarily landfills that take in 0.82 Mt of residual waste each year. Among the recovery options, incineration with energy recovery, a final treatment option, is the most prevalent recovery option, accounting for the management of 1.44 Mt of residual waste, highlighting a technological lock-in that could jeopardise UK’s ability to achieve its Net Zero Carbon ambition. This data depicts the movements of residual waste rather than its final treatment, hence, pointing to the presence of blind spots in the final fate of residual waste and double counting; both of which prevent decision- and policy-making. Transparency in data recording and monitoring and the creation of a level playing field for all stakeholders involved in residual waste management could gradually break reliance on destructive treatment processes, and instead, empower improved segregation of waste at source for enabling the better management of residual waste. Acknowledge that residual waste has a significant role to play in making the transition to a circular economy and therefore, is imperative to pave the way for future policy direction on residual waste management.
Health-related quality of life of children from low-income families,The New Patterns study
Authors: Haraldstad Kristin , Abildsnes Eirik , Bøe Tormod , Vigsnes Kristine , Wilson Philip , Mølland Eirin
Published: June 2023

Background
Child poverty has been gradually rising, so that about 12% of all Norwegian children are living in a state of relative poverty. This study was part of the New Patterns project, which recruits low-income families requiring long-term welfare services. Included families receive integrated welfare services, with the help of a family coordinator. The current study objectives were to describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of children and adolescents participating in the New Patterns project (baseline) and to explore the relations among age, background, participation in leisure activities, and HRQoL.
Methods
Participating families had children (N=214) aged 0–18 years, a three-year averaged household income below 60% of the equivalized median population income and needed long-term welfare services. HRQoL was measured using the KIDSCREEN-27 self-report instrument. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and proportions, were calculated, and ordinary least squares regressions were performed, clustering standard errors at the family level.
Results
Compared with boys, girls reported lower HRQoL on all dimensions, and older children reported significantly lower HRQoL levels on the physical well-being and school environment dimensions than younger children. Children with immigrant backgrounds reported higher HRQoL than did children without immigrant backgrounds, even when controlling for gender, age, and participation in leisure activities.
Conclusions
Overall, the participating children reported good HRQoL. However, substantial variations within HRQoL dimensions were observed, indicating that some participants had lower HRQoL scores, especially on the physical and social support dimensions. Children with immigrant backgrounds reported significantly higher HRQoL than children without an immigrant background.
The validity of a portable strain-gauge apparatus versus a commercial isokinetic dynamometer for evaluating knee extension kinetics
Authors: Oranchuk Dustin J. , Juneau Chris M. , Diewald Shelley S. , Neville Jonathan. , Cronin John B.
Published: June 2023

Purpose
Isokinetic dynamometers are the gold standard for assessing joint and muscle-specific kinetics. However, commercial dynamometers are often prohibitively expensive and lack portability. Therefore, we compared kinetic data captured via an affordable and portable strain-gauge with a treatment plinth against a isokinetic dynamometer during maximal isometric knee extensions.
Methods
Healthy participants (8 males and 6 females; age 30.2 ± 7.1 years) volunteered and performed knee extensions at a 90° knee angle on a dynamometer and a treatment plinth with a portable strain-gauge. Peak force (PF), peak rate of force development (PRFD), rate of force development (RFD2080) and impulse (IMP2080) from 20–80% of onset to peak force were assessed.
Results
No meaningful differences were identified between isokinetic and strain-gauge devices (all p ≥ 0.268, ES ≤ 0.35). However, greater (2.5–9.5%) outputs were observed with the isokinetic dynamometer. Very large between-device correlations were found for PF (r = 0.77, p = 0.001) and PRFD (r = 0.73, p = 0.003), while small and moderate between-device correlations were found for RFD2080 (r = 0.48, p = 0.079) and IMP2080 (r = 0.59, p = 0.060). Bland-Altman plots did not reveal apparent biases from high to low performers.
Conclusions
The examined strain-gauge device produces valid maximal and rapid force expression measurements. Similar results can be obtained without extreme rigour and constraint, such as those quantified via an isokinetic device. This study's overall findings support the use of the practically relevant treatment plinth and strain-gauge combination as a suitable alternative to the isokinetic dynamometry for the measurement of PF and PRFD. Therefore, more rehabilitation and sports performance practitioners can confidently assess knee extension kinetics.
The modified Glasgow Prognostic Score indicates an increased risk of anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer.
Authors: Golshani Parisa , Park Jennifer , Häggström Jenny , Segelman Josefin , Matthiessen Peter , Lydrup Marie-Louise , Rutegård Martin
Published: June 2023

Purpose Preoperative inflammation might cause and also be a marker for anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for rectal cancer. Available biomarker indices such as the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) or the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) may be clinically useful for leakage assessment. Methods Patients who underwent anterior resection for rectal cancer during 2014–2018 from a multicentre retrospective cohort were included. Data from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer registry and chart review at each hospital were collected. In a subset of patients, preoperative laboratory assessments were available, constituting the exposures mGPS and CAR. Anastomotic leakage within 12 months was the outcome. Causally oriented analyses were conducted with adjustment for confounding, as well as predictive models. Results A total of 418 patients were eligible for analysis. Most patients had mGPS = 0 (83.7%), while mGPS = 1 (11.7%) and mGPS = 2 (4.5%) were less common. mGPS = 2 (OR: 4.04; 95% CI: 1.64–9.93) seemed to confer anastomotic leakage, while this was not seen for mGPS = 1 (OR 1.06; 95% CI: 0.53–2.11). A cut off point of CAR > 0.36 might be indicative of leakage (OR 2.25; 95% CI: 1.21–4.19). Predictive modelling using mGPS rendered an area-under-the-curve of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.67–0.80) at most. Conclusion Preoperative inflammation seems to be involved in the development of anastomotic leakage after anterior resection for cancer. Inclusion into prediction models did not result in accurate leakage prediction, but high degrees of systemic inflammation might still be important in clinical decision-making.
Predicting Sepsis Onset in ICU Using Machine Learning Models: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Zhenyu , Cui Xiaoju , Song Zhe
Published: June 2023

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's abnormal response to infection, which imposes a significant health and economic burden worldwide due to its high mortality rate. Early recognition of sepsis is crucial for effective treatment. This study aims to systematically evaluate the predictive performance of various machine learning models in predicting the onset of sepsis.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, covering studies from the inception of the databases up to November 14, 2022. We used the PROBAST tool to assess the risk of bias. We calculated the predictive performance of sepsis onset using C-index and accuracy. We followed the PRISMA guidelines for this study.
Results: We included 23 eligible studies with a total of 4,314,145 patients and 26 different machine learning models. The most frequently used models in the studies were Random Forest (n=9), Extreme Gradient Boost (n=7), and Logistic Regression (n=6). Random Forest (test set n=9, acc=0.911) and Extreme Gradient Boost (test set n=7, acc=0.957) were the most accurate models based on our analysis of the predictive performance. In terms of the C-index outcome, Random Forest (n=6, acc=0.79) and Extreme Gradient Boost (n=7, acc=0.83) showed the highest performance.
Conclusion: Machine learning has proven to be an effective tool for predicting sepsis at an early stage. However, to obtain more accurate results, additional machine learning methods are required. In our research, we discovered that XGBoost and Random Forest exhibited the best predictive performance and were most frequently utilized for predicting the onset of sepsis.
Systematic review registration:CRD42022384015
Persistence of ex vivo expanded tumour and pathogen specific T-cells after allogeneic stem cell transplant for myeloid malignancies (the INTACT study)
Authors: Jiang Wei , Avdic Selmir , Lee Koon , Street Janine , Castellano-González Gloria , Simms Renee , Clancy Leighton , Blennerhassett Richard , Patrick Ellis , Chan Adam , McGuire Helen , Myers Nadav , Gloss Brian , Gabriel Melissa , Bateman Caroline , Micklethwaite Ken , Gottlieb David , Blyth Emily
Published: June 2023

Disease relapse and infections cause significant morbidity and mortality post-allogeneic stem cell transplant (HSCT), which remains the only cure for many myeloid malignancies. We investigated a novel combination of donor-derived, tumour-associated, antigen-specific T-cells targeting Wilm’s tumour 1 (WT1) and preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME), and multipathogen T-cells targeting CMV, EBV, Adenovirus and Aspergillus given prophylactically post-HSCT. Ten patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (n=6) or high risk myelodysplasia (n=4) who overexpressed WT1 and/or PRAME on diagnostic tumour samples received 1 infusion of multipathogen and 1-4 infusions of tumour-specific T-cells (all at 2x107cells/m2). There were no infusion-related severe adverse events. Low level viral reactivations occurred (CMV n=5, EBV n=7, Adenovirus n=1), however none required treatment. There were no cases of viral tissue disease or invasive fungal infections. At a median 2 years post-transplant, overall survival was 80%, all surviving patients were in complete remission and 6/8 patients had ECOG 0/1. Acute GVHD occurred in 2/10 patients, chronic GVHD in another 2/10. Infusion was associated with rapid, sustained reconstitution of pathogen- and tumour-specific immunity as measured by MHC tetramer for CMV and T-cell receptor based clone tracking. This novel combination of T-cell therapies was safe and associated with excellent clinical outcomes.
CELL-E: zero-shot sequence-to-image synthesis for protein localization prediction
Authors: Khwaja Emaad , Song Yun , Huang Bo
Published: June 2023

Accurately predicting cellular activities of proteins based on their primary amino acid sequences would greatly improve our understanding of the proteome. In this paper, we present CELL-E, a text-to-image transformer model that generates 2D probability density images describing the spatial distribution of proteins within cells. Given an amino acid sequence and a reference image for cell or nucleus morphology, CELL-E predicts a more refined representation of protein localization, as opposed to previous in silico methods that rely on pre-defined, discrete class annotations of protein localization to subcellular compartments.
The Cursoriality of Triassic Ornithodirans and Their Implications and Inferences for Early Ornithodiran Evolution
Authors: Meyer Gabriel
Published: June 2023

The phylogenetic placement of many Triassic Ornithodirans is convoluted and in need of more data for the best possible placement. Lagerpeptidae and Silesauridae are both under consideration for placement differing than their traditional setting in Dinosauromorpha. The cursoriality of many of these animals has never been assessed, and it could prove useful for further research. Measurements were taken for seventeen taxa from the literature and three types of cursoriality scores were constructed: tibial, third metatarsal, and lower leg length and then analyzed for significance. The scores add to the growing body of evidence placing Lagerpeptidae into Pterosauromorpha but fall short of any clear evidence regarding Silesauridae.
How does fine root influence aggregates? comparing root diameter distribution of two herbaceous plants: a pot experiment
Authors: Kang Zijian , Lou Guochong , Guo Yuanyuan , Xu Peng
Published: June 2023

Purpose
The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact and importance of herb fine roots in different diameter ranges on soil aggregate stability.
Materials and methods
A laboratory experiment was conducted to disentangle and evaluate the effect of fine roots on soil aggregates. Two herbs, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) with taproots and tall festuca (Festuca arundinacea) with fibrous roots, were selected for single and mixed planting. Root configuration and aggregate stability were measured after different growth periods (30, 60, and 120D).
Results and discussion
During the growth period of our study, fine roots (< 0.5mm) accounted for the vast majority in soil, while coarse roots (> 1mm) appeared only in soil containing taproots. Planting could improve the mechanical and water stability of aggregates, with enhancement effects displayed as tall festuca > alfalfa, and mixed planting > single planting. Mechanical stability has a higher demand for finer roots. The density increase of very fine roots (< 0.25mm) can improve mechanical stability continuously, but other diameter roots, especially for diameter > 1mm, will have adverse effects on stability after the density reaches a certain threshold. Roots in each diameter range can improve aggregate water stability, but the correlation between root density and water-stable indices decreased gradually with the increase of root diameter.
Conclusions
The higher ratio of finer roots makes fibrous roots have a better effect on aggregate stability than taproots. Fine roots improve the stability of aggregates mainly by combining 0.5-5mm aggregates to form > 5mm aggregates, and soil organic matter provides raw materials for this process by combining microaggregates (< 0.25mm). RLD is a suitable parameter for predicting changes in aggregate stability, and finer roots could explain more variation in aggregate stability.
Functional connectivity of the amygdala subnuclei in various mood states of bipolar disorder
Authors: KRYSTAL Sidney , Gracia Laure , Piguet Camille , Henry Chantal , Alonso Mariana , Polosan Mircea , Savatovsky Julien , Houenou Josselin , Favre Pauline
Published: June 2023

Amygdala functional dysconnectivity lies at the heart of the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD). Recent preclinical studies suggest that the amygdala is a heterogeneous group of nuclei, whose specific connectivity could drive positive or negative emotional valence. We investigated functional connectivity (FC) changes within these circuits emerging from each amygdala’s subdivision in 127 patients with BD in different mood states and 131 healthy controls (HC), who underwent resting-state functional MRI. FC was evaluated between lateral and medial nuclei of amygdalae (lAMY-rh, mAMY-rh, lAMY-lh, mAMY-lh), and key subcortical regions of the emotion processing network: anterior and posterior parts of the hippocampus (aHIP, pHIP), and core and shell parts of the nucleus accumbens (NAc-core and NAc-shell). FC was compared across groups, and subgroups of patients depending on their mood states, using linear mixed models. We also tested correlations between FC and depression (MADRS) and mania (YMRS) scores. We found no difference between the whole sample of BD patients vs. HC but a significant correlation between MADRS and lAMY-rh/aHIP-rh, lAMY-rh/pHIP-rh and lAMY-rh/aHIP-lh FC (r=-0.53, r=-0.36, r=-0.28, respectively, all pFDR<0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed decreased lAMY-rh/aHIP-rh and lAMY-rh/pHIP-rh FC in depressed vs. non-depressed patients, and increased mAMY-lh/NAc-shell-lh FC in manic vs non-manic patients. These results demonstrate that acute mood states in BD concur with FC changes in individual nuclei of the amygdala implicated in distinct emotional valence processing. Overall, our data highlight the importance to consider the amygdala subnuclei separately when studying its FC patterns including patients in distinct homogeneous mood states.
Not taking sick leave is negatively associated with women undergoing gynecologic cancer treatment returning to the same workplace
Authors: nakamura keiichiro , Matsuoka Hirofumi , Kubo Kotaro , Shirakawa Shinsuke , Ida Naoyuki , Haraga Junko , Ogawa Chikako , Okamoto Kazuhiro , Nagao Shoji , Masuyama Hisashi
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND: Gynecologic cancers are one of the most common types of malignancies in working-age women. We aimed to determine which factors impede women from returning to the same workplace after treatment for such cancers.
METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 194 women who underwent treatment for gynecologic cancer at Okayama University (≥1 year after cancer treatment and <65 years of age). We compared patient characteristics by using the Mann–Whitney U-test. We also performed univariate logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between returning to the same workplace and several patient characteristics.
RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 49.0 years, and the median time from cancer treatment to questionnaire completion was 3.8 years. Not returning to the same workplace was positively associated with not taking sick leave (P<0.001). Not taking sick leave was positively associated with working ≤5 hours per day and having a low personal income (P=0.049 and P=0.018, respectively). Time to return to the same workplace was positively related to the duration of cancer treatment (P=0.002).
CONCLUSION: Not taking sick leave likely was negatively associated with returning to the same workplace after treatment for gynecologic cancer. Therefore, we suggest that steps be taken to formally introduce a sick leave system over and above the paid leave system in Japan.
The effect of 12-weeks of head down and strong abdominal breathing on cognitive function in patients with stable COPD under dual task: a singer randomized controlled trial study protocol
Authors: Ding Kexin , Song Feiyun , Sun Wen , Liu Hongrui , Sun Mingyun
Published: June 2023

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an irreversible disease characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and decreased airflow. To improve the overall clinical picture of COPD, it is necessary to better understand all relevant comorbidities. Despite the fact that impairments in cognitive function are linked to higher mortality and disability rates in COPD, little is known about how these impairments can be improved. The purpose of this study is to investigate how head down and strong abdominal breathing and three other interventions affect oxygen utilization in COPD patients' dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and general and specific cognitive domains, as well as to fill gaps in clinical evidence related to these interventions.
Methods: We recruit 108 COPD patients in stable GOLD I-II stages at the Naval Anqing Hospital, using the blind method of evaluators and data analysts. There are four groups: head down and strong abdominal breathing training (Angle of inclination to 60°) , Ba Duan Jin, strong abdominal breathing training, and conventional treatment. Respiratory frequency is 35 breaths/min for 40 minutes three times a week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome is an assessment of general and four specific cognitive domains of function, as well as functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recorded in the dorsolateral PFC of patients with normal or fast walking while performing motor or cognitive dual tasks containing oxygenated haemoglobin (oxy-Hb), deoxygenated haemoglobin (deoxy-Hb), and total oxygenated haemoglobin (total-Hb). Secondary outcomes include dyspnea symptoms, executive functions, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and balance. The outcomes will be measured one week before, six weeks after, and 12 weeks after.
Discussion: The study may determine how effective head down and strong abdominal breathing exercises are for COPD patients with mild to moderate stable COPD. Also, it may help determine if it's more effective than other pulmonary rehabilitation treatments.
Differential diagnosis of unipolar versus bipolar depression by GSK3 levels in peripheral blood: a pilot experimental study.
Authors: Rosso Gianluca , Maina Giuseppe , Teobaldi Elena , Balbo Ilaria , Salvo Gabriele Di , Montarolo Francesca , Pesci Nicola Rizzo , Tempia Filippo , Hoxha Eriola
Published: June 2023

Background
The differential diagnosis of patients presenting for the first time with a depressive episode into unipolar disorder versus bipolar disorder is crucial to establish the correct pharmacological therapy (antidepressants vs mood stabilizers), but no biological markers are currently available. Several lines of evidence indicate an involvement of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 (GSK3) in the pathophysiology of depression. However, previous reports about GSK3 in peripheral blood were incomplete or inconsistent, so a specific marker is not yet available. The aim was to search for consistent differences in GSK3α and GSK3β or of their phosphorylated forms in samples of peripheral blood from patients with unipolar and bipolar depression.
Methods
Mononucleate peripheral blood cells (PBMCs) of samples from patients presenting with a depressive episode were analyzed with the western blot technique.
Results
The total amount of GSK3β in PBMCs was significantly lower in patients with bipolar disorder than in patients with unipolar depression. The sensitivity based on GSK3β was 85%. GSK3α was not significantly different but allowed a correct detection of 57% of BD patients. The combination in series of GSK3β and GSK3α yields a sensitivity of about 100%, but with 26.7% false negatives.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that PBMC GSK3β could be a candidate biomarker for the differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder versus unipolar depression. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of an easily detectable biological marker that enables a differential diagnosis between unipolar and bipolar disorder in patients presenting for with a depressive episode.