bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A synthesis of hydroclimatic, ecological, and socioeconomic data for transdisciplinary research in the Mekong
Authors: Tiwari Amar Deep , Pokhrel Yadu , Kramer Daniel , Akhter Tanjila , Tang Qiuhong , Liu Junguo , Qi Jiaguo , Loc Ho Huu , Lakshmi Venkataraman
Published: May 2023

The Mekong River basin (MRB) is a transboundary basin that supports livelihoods of over 70 million inhabitants and diverse terrestrial-aquatic ecosystems. This critical lifeline for people and ecosystems is under transformation due to climatic stressors and human activities (e.g., land use change and dam construction). Thus, there is an urgent need to better understand the changing hydrological and ecological systems in the MRB and develop improved adaptation strategies. This, however, is hampered partly by lack of sufficient, reliable, and accessible observational data across the basin. Here, we fill this long-standing gap for MRB by synthesizing climate, hydrological, ecological, and socioeconomic data from various disparate sources. The data— including groundwater records digitized from the literature—provide crucial insights into surface water systems, groundwater dynamics, land use patterns, and socioeconomic changes. The analyses presented also shed light on uncertainties associated with various datasets and the most appropriate choices. These datasets are expected to advance socio-hydrological research and inform science-based management decisions and policymaking for sustainable food-energy-water, livelihood, and ecological systems in the MRB.
Influence of well-being and quality of work-life on quality of care among healthcare professionals in southwest, Nigeria
Authors: Odole Adesola C. , Ogunlana Michael O. , Odunaiya Nse A. , Oyewole Olufemi O. , Mbada Chidozie E. , Onyeso Ogochukwu K. , Ayodeji Ayomikun F. , Adegoke Opeyemi M. , Odole Iyanuoluwa , Sanuade Comfort T. , Odole Moyosooreoluwa E. , Awosoga Oluwagbohunmi A.
Published: May 2023

The Nigerian healthcare industry is bedevilled with infrastructural dilapidations and a dysfunctional healthcare system. This study investigated the influence of healthcare professionals’ well-being and quality of work-life (QoWL) on the quality of care (QoC) of patients in Nigeria. A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted at four tertiary healthcare institutions in southwest, Nigeria. Participants’ demographic information, well-being, quality of life (QoL), QoWL, and QoC were obtained using four standardised questionnaires. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics included Chi-square, Pearson’s correlation, independent samples t-test, confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation model. Medical practitioners (n = 609) and nurses (n = 570) constituted 74.6% of all the healthcare professionals with physiotherapists, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists constituting 25.4%. The mean (SD) participants’ well-being = 71.65% (14.65), QoL = 61.8% (21.31), QoWL = 65.73% (10.52) and QoC = 70.14% (12.77). Participants’ QoL had a significant negative correlation with QoC while well-being and quality of work-life had a significant positive correlation with QoC. We concluded that healthcare professionals’ well-being and QoWL are important factors that influence the QoC rendered to patients. Healthcare policymakers in Nigeria should ensure improved work-related factors and the well-being of healthcare professionals to ensure good QoC for patients.
Increased risk of herpes zoster with tofacitinib treatment in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a single-center prospective study
Authors: Song Yeo-Jin , Cho Soo-Kyung , Kim Hyoungyoung , Kim Hye Won , Nam Eunwoo , Jeon Ja-Young , Yoo Hyun-Jeong , Choi Chan-Bum , Kim Tae-Hwan , Jun Jae-Bum , Bae Sang-Cheol , Yoo Dae Hyun , Sung Yoon-Kyoung
Published: May 2023

We aimed to determine the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in Korean rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on tofacitinib compared with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) treatment. From the prospective cohorts of RA patients who started tofacitinib or TNFi in an academic referral hospital in Korea, patients who started tofacitinib between March 2017 and May 2021 and those who started TNFi between July 2011 and May 2021 were included. Baseline characteristics of tofacitinib and TNFi users were balanced through inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using the propensity score including age, disease activity of RA and medication use. The incidence rate of HZ in each group and incidence rate ratio (IRR) were calculated. A total of 912 patients were included: 200 tofacitinib and 712 TNFi users. There were 20 cases of HZ among tofacitinib users and 36 among TNFi users during observation period of 331.4 person-years (PYs) and 1950.7 PYs, respectively. In IPTW analysis with a balanced sample, IRR of HZ was 8.33 (95% confidence interval 3.05–22.76). Tofacitinib use increased the risk of HZ compared with TNFi in Korean patients with RA, but the rate of serious HZ or permanent discontinuation of tofacitinib due to HZ event was low.
A peleg modeling of water absorption in cold plasma-treated Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars
Authors: Pathan F. L. , Trimukhe A. M. , Deshmukh R. R. , Annapure U. S.
Published: May 2023

Plasma processing appears to be the mainstay of food preservation in the present day due to its effectiveness in controlling microorganisms at low temperatures. Legumes are usually soaked before cooking. Six chickpea varieties (Kripa, Virat, Vishal, Vijay, Digvijay, and Rajas) were soaked in distilled water at room temperature, and Peleg model was fitted after plasma treatment. Cold plasma treatment was used at 40, 50 and 60 Watt with exposure times of 10, 15 and 20 min. K1 (Peleg rate constant) consistently decreased from 32.3 to 4.3 × 10–3 (h % − 1) for all six chickpea cultivars, indicating an increased water absorption rate with increasing plasma power and treatment time. It was lowest in 60 W 20 min plasma treatment in Virat cultivar. K2 (Peleg capacity constant) ranged from 9.4 to 12 × 10–3 (h % − 1) for all six chickpea cultivars. Thus, plasma treatment showed no effect on water uptake capacity (K2), as it did not increase or decrease consistently with increasing plasma power and treatment time. Fitting the Peleg model successfully revealed the correlation between the water absorption of chickpea cultivars. The model fit ranged from R2 ≥ 0.9873 to 0.9981 for all six chickpea cultivars.
Causal relationships between serum matrix metalloproteinases and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer: a bidirectional mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhao Zijun , Cao Qing , Zhu Ming , Wang Chaonan , Lu Xin
Published: May 2023

To better clarify the causal effects between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and estrogen-receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer (BC), we investigated the bidirectional causal relationship between MMPs and ER-negative BC by mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Summary statistic data of five MMPs were extracted from European participants in 13 cohorts. Data of ER-negative BC collected from one of genome-wide association studies of European ancestry was used as experimental datasets and another four ER-negative BC datasets were used as validation sets. Inverse variance weighted method was used for main MR analysis and sensitivity analysis was also conducted. Serum level of MMP-1 has negative effect on ER-negative BC (odds ratio = 0.92, P = 0.0008) but the latter one was not the cause of the former one, which was supported by validation sets. No bidirectional causal effect was detected between the other four types of MMPs and ER-negative BC (P > 0.05). Sensitivity analysis indicated robustness of the above results without remarkable bias. To conclude, serum MMP-1 may be a protective factor against ER-negative BC. No reciprocal causality was found between the other kinds of MMPs and ER-negative BC. MMP-1 was indicated as a biomarker for risk of ER-negative BC.
Ticks harbor and excrete chronic wasting disease prions
Authors: Inzalaco H. N. , Bravo-Risi F. , Morales R. , Walsh D. P. , Storm D. J. , Pedersen J. A. , Turner W. C. , Lichtenberg S. S.
Published: May 2023

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by infectious prions (PrPCWD) affecting cervids. Circulating PrPCWD in blood may pose a risk for indirect transmission by way of hematophagous ectoparasites acting as mechanical vectors. Cervids can carry high tick infestations and exhibit allogrooming, a common tick defense strategy between conspecifics. Ingestion of ticks during allogrooming may expose naïve animals to CWD, if ticks harbor PrPCWD. This study investigates whether ticks can harbor transmission-relevant quantities of PrPCWD by combining experimental tick feeding trials and evaluation of ticks from free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Using the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay, we show that black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) fed PrPCWD-spiked blood using artificial membranes ingest and excrete PrPCWD. Combining results of RT-QuIC and protein misfolding cyclic amplification, we detected seeding activity from 6 of 15 (40%) pooled tick samples collected from wild CWD-infected white-tailed deer. Seeding activities in ticks were analogous to 10–1000 ng of CWD-positive retropharyngeal lymph node collected from deer upon which they were feeding. Estimates revealed a median infectious dose range of 0.3–42.4 per tick, suggesting that ticks can take up transmission-relevant amounts of PrPCWD and may pose a CWD risk to cervids.
Analysis of the difference between early-bolting and non-bolting roots of Angelica dahurica based on transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Wu Ping , Wang Xiaoyu , Guo Junxia , Zhang Songli , Li Qingmiao , Zhang Mei , Fang Qingmao , Luo Bin , Wang Hongsu , He Weijin
Published: May 2023

Angelica dahurica (Fisch. ex Hoffm.) Benth.et Hook.f.var.formosana (Boiss.) Shan et Yuan (A. dahurica) is a well-known medicinal plant that has a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and other industries. However, the issue of early bolting has emerged as a major hindrance to its production. This problem not only reduces the yield of A. dahurica, but also has an impact on its active ingredients. To date, the molecular factors that contribute to early bolting and its impact on the growth of A. dahurica have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we conducted a transcriptome study using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 on two developmental types: early-bolting and non-bolting (normal) roots of A. dahurica. We obtained 2,185 up-regulated and 1,414 down-regulated genes in total. Many of the identified transcripts were related to genes involved in early bolting. The gene ontology analysis revealed several differentially expressed genes that are crucial in various pathways, primarily associated with cellular, molecular, and biological processes. Additionally, the morphological characteristics and coumarin content in the early bolting roots of A. dahurica were significantly altered. This study provides insight into the transcriptomic regulation of early bolting in A. dahurica, which can potentially be utilized to enhance its medicinal properties.
Red background color biases gender categorization of human faces
Authors: Chen Na , Nakamura Koyo , Watanabe Katsumi
Published: May 2023

Color carries gender information (e.g., red-female). This study explored whether background color could influence the gender categorization of human faces. Visual stimuli were generated from faces whose sexually dimorphic content was morphed monotonically from female to male perception. The face stimulus was presented upright (Experiment 1) and inverted (Experiment 2) with three background colors (i.e., red, green, and gray). Participants were instructed to categorize the gender of the face stimulus as male or female by pressing one of two labelled keys. Results showed that a red background could bias the gender of an ambiguous upright face toward a female compared with green and gray background colors (Experiment 1). However, this red effect was diminished when the face stimulus was inverted (Experiment 2). These results suggest that red background color interacting with facial configuration features biases gender perception toward a female face, possibly through top-down processing of learned associations between the color red and femininity.
Cluster analysis of autoencoder-extracted FDG PET/CT features identifies multiple myeloma patients with poor prognosis
Authors: Lee Hyunjong , Hyun Seung Hyup , Cho Young Seok , Moon Seung Hwan , Choi Joon Young , Kim Kihyun , Lee Kyung-Han
Published: May 2023

F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is a robust imaging modality used for staging multiple myeloma (MM) and assessing treatment responses. Herein, we extracted features from the FDG PET/CT images of MM patients using an artificial intelligence autoencoder algorithm that constructs a compressed representation of input data. We then evaluated the prognostic value of the image-feature clusters thus extracted. Conventional image parameters including metabolic tumor volume (MTV) were measured on volumes-of-interests (VOIs) covering only the bones. Features were extracted with the autoencoder algorithm on bone-covering VOIs. Supervised and unsupervised clustering were performed on image features. Survival analyses for progression-free survival (PFS) were performed for conventional parameters and clusters. In result, supervised and unsupervised clustering of the image features grouped the subjects into three clusters (A, B, and C). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, unsupervised cluster C, supervised cluster C, and high MTV were significant independent predictors of worse PFS. Supervised and unsupervised cluster analyses of image features extracted from FDG PET/CT scans of MM patients by an autoencoder allowed significant and independent prediction of worse PFS. Therefore, artificial intelligence algorithm–based cluster analyses of FDG PET/CT images could be useful for MM risk stratification.
KCC2 downregulation after sciatic nerve injury enhances motor function recovery
Authors: Cheung Dennis Lawrence , Toda Takuya , Narushima Madoka , Eto Kei , Takayama Chitoshi , Ooba Tatsuko , Wake Hiroaki , Moorhouse Andrew John , Nabekura Junichi
Published: May 2023

Injury to mature neurons induces downregulated KCC2 expression and activity, resulting in elevated intracellular [Cl−] and depolarized GABAergic signaling. This phenotype mirrors immature neurons wherein GABA-evoked depolarizations facilitate neuronal circuit maturation. Thus, injury-induced KCC2 downregulation is broadly speculated to similarly facilitate neuronal circuit repair. We test this hypothesis in spinal cord motoneurons injured by sciatic nerve crush, using transgenic (CaMKII-KCC2) mice wherein conditional CaMKIIα promoter-KCC2 expression coupling selectively prevents injury-induced KCC2 downregulation. We demonstrate, via an accelerating rotarod assay, impaired motor function recovery in CaMKII-KCC2 mice relative to wild-type mice. Across both cohorts, we observe similar motoneuron survival and re-innervation rates, but differing post-injury reorganization patterns of synaptic input to motoneuron somas—for wild-type, both VGLUT1-positive (excitatory) and GAD67-positive (inhibitory) terminal counts decrease; for CaMKII-KCC2, only VGLUT1-positive terminal counts decrease. Finally, we recapitulate the impaired motor function recovery of CaMKII-KCC2 mice in wild-type mice by administering local spinal cord injections of bicuculline (GABAA receptor blockade) or bumetanide (lowers intracellular [Cl−] by NKCC1 blockade) during the early post-injury period. Thus, our results provide direct evidence that injury-induced KCC2 downregulation enhances motor function recovery and suggest an underlying mechanism of depolarizing GABAergic signaling driving adaptive reconfiguration of presynaptic GABAergic input.
Occupational radiation exposure to the lens of the eyes and its protection during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Ikezawa Kenji , Hayashi Shiro , Takenaka Mamoru , Yakushijin Takayuki , Nagaike Koji , Takada Ryoji , Yamai Takuo , Matsumoto Kengo , Yamamoto Masashi , Omoto Shunsuke , Minaga Kosuke , Ishii Shuji , Shimizu Takeshi , Nagai Kengo , Hosono Makoto , Nishida Tsutomu
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to examine occupational radiation exposure to the lens of the eyes during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In this multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study, we collected data regarding occupational radiation exposure to the lens of the eyes during ERCP. We measured radiation exposure of patients and examined its correlation with occupational exposure. In dosimetrically-measured ERCPs (n = 631), the median air kerma at the patient entrance reference point, air kerma-area product, and fluoroscopy time were 49.6 mGy, 13.5 Gycm2, and 10.9 min, respectively. The median estimated annual radiation dose to the lens of the eyes was 3.7, 2.2, and 2.4 mSv for operators, assistants, and nurses, respectively. Glass badge over lead aprons and eye dosimeter results were similar in operators but differed in assistants and nurses. A strong correlation was shown between eye dosimeter measurements and patients' radiation exposure. The shielding rates of the lead glasses were 44.6%, 66.3%, and 51.7% for operators, assistants, and nurses, respectively. This study revealed the actual occupational exposure dose for the lens of the eyes during ERCP and the efficacy of lead glass. Values of radiation exposure to patients can help estimate exposure to the lens of the eyes of medical staff.
Integration of MRI and somatosensory evoked potentials facilitate diagnosis of spinal cord compression
Authors: Sun Shu-Pin , Phang Chun-Ren , Tzou Shey-Cherng , Chen Chang-Mu , Ko Li-Wei
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to integrate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and related somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) features to assist in the diagnosis of spinal cord compression (SCC). MRI scans were graded from 0 to 3 according to the changes in the subarachnoid space and scan signals to confirm differences in SCC levels. The amplitude, latency, and time–frequency analysis (TFA) power of preoperative SSEP features were extracted and the changes were used as standard judgments to detect neurological function changes. Then the patient distribution was quantified according to the SSEP feature changes under the same and different MRI compression grades. Significant differences were found in the amplitude and TFA power between MRI grades. We estimated three degrees of amplitude anomalies and power loss under each MRI grade and found the presence or absence of power loss occurs after abnormal changes in amplitude only. For SCC, few integrated approach combines the advantages of both MRI and evoked potentials. However, integrating the amplitude and TFA power changes of SSEP features with MRI grading can help in the diagnosis and speculate progression of SCC.
Vaginal birth after cesarean section and its associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Addisu Dagne , Gebeyehu Natnael Atnafu , Biru Shimeles , Belachew Yismaw Yimam
Published: May 2023

The prevalence of cesarean sections is rising rapidly and is becoming a global issue. Vaginal birth after a cesarean section is one of the safest strategies that can be used to decrease the cesarean section rate. Different fragmented primary studies were done on the success rate of vaginal birth after cesarean section and its associated factors in Ethiopia. However, the findings were controversial and inconclusive. Therefore, this meta-analysis was intended to estimate the pooled success rate of vaginal birth after cesarean section and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Pertinent studies were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, direct open-access journals, and Ethiopian universities' institutional repositories. The data were analyzed using Stata 17. The Newcastle–Ottawa quality assessment tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. I squared statistics and Egger’s regression tests were used to assess heterogeneity and publication bias, respectively. A random effects model was selected to estimate the pooled success rate of vaginal birth after cesarean section and its associated factors. The PROSPERO registration number for this review is CRD42023413715. A total of 10 studies were included. The pooled success rate of vaginal birth after a cesarean section was found to be 48.42%. Age less than 30 years (pooled odds ratio (OR) 3.75, 95% CI 1.92, 7.33), previous history of vaginal birth (OR 3.65, 95% CI 2.64, 504), ruptured amniotic membrane at admission (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.94, 4.26), 4 cm or more cervical dilatation at admission (OR 4, 95% CI 2.33, 6.8), a low station at admission (OR 5.07, 95% CI 2.08, 12.34), and no history of stillbirth (OR 4.93, 95% CI 1.82, 13.36) were significantly associated with successful vaginal birth after cesarean section. In conclusion, the pooled success rate of vaginal birth after a cesarean section was low in Ethiopia. Therefore, the Ministry of Health should consider those identified factors and revise the management guidelines and eligibility criteria for a trial of labor after a cesarean section.
Proof of principle study: synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy for identification of previously radioactive microparticles and elemental mapping of FFPE tissues
Authors: Copeland-Hardin Letonia , Paunesku Tatjana , Murley Jeffrey S. , Crentsil Jasson , Antipova Olga , Li LuXi , Maxey Evan , Jin Qiaoling , Hooper David , Lai Barry , Chen Si , Woloschak Gayle E.
Published: May 2023

Biobanks containing formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues from animals and human atomic-bomb survivors exposed to radioactive particulates remain a vital resource for understanding the molecular effects of radiation exposure. These samples are often decades old and prepared using harsh fixation processes which limit sample imaging options. Optical imaging of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained tissues may be the only feasible processing option, however, H&E images provide no information about radioactive microparticles or radioactive history. Synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) is a robust, non-destructive, semi-quantitative technique for elemental mapping and identifying candidate chemical element biomarkers in FFPE tissues. Still, XFM has never been used to uncover distribution of formerly radioactive micro-particulates in FFPE canine specimens collected more than 30 years ago. In this work, we demonstrate the first use of low-, medium-, and high-resolution XFM to generate 2D elemental maps of ~ 35-year-old, canine FFPE lung and lymph node specimens stored in the Northwestern University Radiobiology Archive documenting distribution of formerly radioactive micro-particulates. Additionally, we use XFM to identify individual microparticles and detect daughter products of radioactive decay. The results of this proof-of-principle study support the use of XFM to map chemical element composition in historic FFPE specimens and conduct radioactive micro-particulate forensics.
Lightweight aerial image object detection algorithm based on improved YOLOv5s
Authors: Deng Lixia , Bi Lingyun , Li Hongquan , Chen Haonan , Duan Xuehu , Lou Haitong , Zhang Hongyu , Bi Jingxue , Liu Haiying
Published: May 2023

YOLOv5 is one of the most popular object detection algorithms, which is divided into multiple series according to the control of network depth and width. To realize the deployment of mobile devices or embedded devices, the paper proposes a lightweight aerial image object detection algorithm (LAI-YOLOv5s) based on the improvement of YOLOv5s with a relatively small amount of calculation and parameter and relatively fast reasoning speed. Firstly, to better detect small objects, the paper replaces the minimum detection head with the maximum detection head and proposes a new feature fusion method, DFM-CPFN(Deep Feature Map Cross Path Fusion Network), to enrich the semantic information of deep features. Secondly, the paper designs a new module based on VoVNet to improve the feature extraction ability of the backbone network. Finally, based on the idea of ShuffleNetV2, the paper makes the network more lightweight without affecting detection accuracy. Based on the VisDrone2019 dataset, the detection accuracy of LAI-YOLOv5s on the mAP@0.5 index is 8.3% higher than that of the original algorithm. Compared with other series of YOLOv5 and YOLOv3 algorithms, LAI-YOLOv5s has the advantages of low computational cost and high detection accuracy.
Prediction of fatty acid composition in intact and minced fat of European autochthonous pigs breeds by near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Parrini Silvia , Sirtori Francesco , Čandek-Potokar Marjeta , Charneca Rui , Crovetti Alessandro , Kušec Ivona Djurkin , Sanchez Elena González , Cebrian Mercedes Maria Izquierdo , Garcia Ana Haro , Karolyi Danijel , Lebret Benedicte , Ortiz Alberto , Panella-Riera Nuria , Petig Matthias , Jesus da Costa Pires Preciosa , Tejerina David , Razmaite Violeta , Aquilani Chiara , Bozzi Riccardo
Published: May 2023

The fatty acids profile has been playing a decisive role in recent years, thanks to technological, sensory and health demands from producers and consumers. The application of NIRS technique on fat tissues, could lead to more efficient, practical, and economical in the quality control. The study aim was to assess the accuracy of Fourier Transformed Near Infrared Spectroscopy technique to determine fatty acids composition in fat of 12 European local pig breeds. A total of 439 spectra of backfat were collected both in intact and minced tissue and then were analyzed using gas chromatographic analysis. Predictive equations were developed using the 80% of samples for the calibration, followed by full cross validation, and the remaining 20% for the external validation test. NIRS analysis of minced samples allowed a better response for fatty acid families, n6 PUFA, it is promising both for n3 PUFA quantification and for the screening (high, low value) of the major fatty acids. Intact fat prediction, although with a lower predictive ability, seems suitable for PUFA and n6 PUFA while for other families allows only a discrimination between high and low values.
Associations of alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase with insulin resistance and β-cell function in women
Authors: Minato-Inokawa Satomi , Tsuboi-Kaji Ayaka , Honda Mari , Takeuchi Mika , Kitaoka Kaori , Kurata Miki , Wu Bin , Kazumi Tsutomu , Fukuo Keisuke
Published: May 2023

We tested whether alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST), a marker of hepatosteatosis, associates with insulin resistance, β-cell function and postglucose glycemia. We studied 311 young and 148 middle-aged Japanese women, whose BMI averaged < 23.0 kg/m2. Insulinogenic index and Matsuda index were evaluated in 110 young and 65 middle-aged women. In two groups of women, ALT/AST was associated positively with homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and inversely with Matsuda index. In middle-aged women only, the ratio was also associated positively with fasting and postload glycemia and HbA1c. The ratio showed negative association with disposition index (a product of insulinogenic index and Matsuda index). On multivariate linear regression analysis, HOMA-IR emerged as a single determinant of ALT/AST in young and middle-aged women (standardized β: 0.209, p = 0.003 and 0.372, p = 0.002, respectively). ALT/AST was associated with insulin resistance and β-cell function even in non-obese Japanese women, suggesting a pathophysiologic basis in its prediction of diabetic risk.
Boosted electrochemical performance of magnetic caterpillar-like Mg0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanospinels as a novel pseudocapacitive electrode material
Authors: Shirzad Choubari Matin , Rahmani Soghra , Mazloom Jamal
Published: May 2023

Ni-incorporated MgFe2O4 (Mg0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4) porous nanofibers were synthesized using the sol–gel electrospinning method. The optical bandgap, magnetic parameters, and electrochemical capacitive behaviors of the prepared sample were compared with pristine electrospun MgFe2O4 and NiFe2O4 based on structural and morphological properties. XRD analysis affirmed the cubic spinel structure of samples and their crystallite size is evaluated to be less than 25 nm using the Williamson–Hall equation. FESEM images demonstrated interesting nanobelts, nanotubes, and caterpillar-like fibers for electrospun MgFe2O4, NiFe2O4, and Mg0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4, respectively. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy revealed that Mg0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 porous nanofibers possess the band gap (1.85 eV) between the calculated value for MgFe2O4 nanobelts and NiFe2O4 nanotubes due to alloying effects. The VSM analysis revealed that the saturation magnetization and coercivity of MgFe2O4 nanobelts were enhanced by Ni2+ incorporation. The electrochemical properties of samples coated on nickel foam (NF) were tested by CV, GCD, and EIS analysis in a 3 M KOH electrolyte. The Mg0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4@Ni electrode disclosed the highest specific capacitance of 647 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 owing to the synergistic effects of multiple valence states, exceptional porous morphology, and lowest charge transfer resistance. The Mg0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 porous fibers showed superior capacitance retention of 91% after 3000 cycles at 10 A g−1 and notable Coulombic efficiency of 97%. Moreover, the Mg0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4//Activated carbon asymmetric supercapacitor divulged a good energy density of 83 W h Kg−1 at a power density of 700 W Kg−1.
Accurate prognosis for localized prostate cancer through coherent voting networks with multi-omic and clinical data
Authors: Pellegrini Marco
Published: May 2023

Localized prostate cancer is a very heterogeneous disease, from both a clinical and a biological/biochemical point of view, which makes the task of producing stratifications of patients into risk classes remarkably challenging. In particular, it is important an early detection and discrimination of the indolent forms of the disease, from the aggressive ones, requiring post-surgery closer surveillance and timely treatment decisions. This work extends a recently developed supervised machine learning (ML) technique, called coherent voting networks (CVN) by incorporating a novel model-selection technique to counter the danger of model overfitting. For the challenging problem of discriminating between indolent and aggressive types of localized prostate cancer, accurate prognostic prediction of post-surgery progression-free survival with a granularity within a year is attained, improving accuracy with respect to the current state of the art. The development of novel ML techniques tailored to the problem of combining multi-omics and clinical prognostic biomarkers is a promising new line of attack for sharpening the capability to diversify and personalize cancer patient treatments. The proposed approach allows a finer post-surgery stratification of patients within the clinical high-risk category, with a potential impact on the surveillance regime and the timing of treatment decisions, complementing existing prognostic methods.
Unimproved water and sanitation contributes to childhood diarrhoea during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia: a community based assessment
Authors: Asgedom Akeza Awealom , Abirha Birhanu Tewoldemedhin , Tesfay Askual Girmay , Gebreyowhannes Kelali Kaleaye , Abraha Hayelom Birhanu , Hailu Gessessew Bugssa , Abrha Mesele Bahre , Tsadik Mache , Gebrehiwet Tesfay Gebregziabher , Gebreyesus Aregawi , Desalew Tilahun , Alemayehu Yibrah , Mulugeta Afework
Published: May 2023

Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a global public health problem. The situation is worst in conflict areas, where people are displaced from their usual homes. Household supply of WASH and the incidence of diarrhoeal disease among children during the war in Tigray are not known or documented. The objective of this study was to investigate the sources of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene practices, and the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases among children during the war in Tigray, Ethiopia. A cross—sectional study was conducted to collect data on selected WASH indicators in six zones of Tigray from August 4-20, 2021. Data were collected from a total of 4381 sample households selected by lottery. Descriptive analysis was performed and the analysed data are presented in tables, figures and explanatory notes. Binary logistic regression was performed to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables. A total of 4381 households from 52 woredas participated in the study. Approximately 67.7% of the study participants reported that they relied on an improved source of drinking water during the war. Coverage of sanitation, hand washing, and menstrual hygiene during the war was reported as 43.9%, 14.5%, and 22.1%, respectively. The prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases among children was 25.5% during the war. Water source, latrine type, solid waste disposal and health extension worker visits were the significant predictors of the likelihood of diarrhoea in children (p < 0.05). The results of the study show that a decrease in services from WASH is associated with a higher prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among children during the war in Tigray. To prevent the high prevalence of diarrhoeal disease among children in war-torn Tigray, Ethiopia, improved access to water and sanitation is recommended. In addition, collaborative efforts are needed to engage health extension workers to provide appropriate promotion and prevention services to war-affected communities in Tigray, Ethiopia. Further comprehensive surveys of households with children over one year of age are recommended to assess access to WASH and the burden of WASH associated diseases.
Psychosocial and environmental factors related to physical activity in middle-aged and older adults
Authors: Lee Yi-Husan , Fan Sheng-Yu
Published: May 2023

The social ecological model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the multiple-level determinants of physical activity. This study explores the significant individual, social, and environmental variables and their interactions in relation to physical activity in middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study design was implemented. Healthy middle-aged and older adults were recruited (n = 697) through face-to-face and online surveys. The data collected comprised self-efficacy, social support, neighbourhood environment, and demographic characteristics. Hierarchical regression was used for statistical analysis. Self-rated health (B = 74.74, p < .001; B = 101.45, p = .022) and self-efficacy (B = 17.93, p < .001; B = 14.95, p = .020) were the significant individual variables in both middle-aged and older adults. Neighbourhood environment (B = 6.90, p = .015) and the interaction between self-efficacy and neighbourhood environment (B = 1.56, p = .009) were significant in middle-aged adults. Self-efficacy was the most significant predictor for all participants, with the positive correlations of neighbourhood environment arising only for middle-aged adults with high self-efficacy. Policy making or project design should consider multilevel factors in order to facilitate their physical activity.
Reproduction of human blood pressure waveform using physiology-based cardiovascular simulator
Authors: Jeong Jae-Hak , Lee Bomi , Hong Junki , Yang Tae-Heon , Park Yong-Hwa
Published: May 2023

This study presents a cardiovascular simulator that mimics the human cardiovascular system's physiological structure and properties to reproduce the human blood pressure waveform. Systolic, diastolic blood pressures, and its waveform are key indicators of cardiovascular health. The blood pressure waveform is closely related to the pulse wave velocity and the overlap of the forward and reflected pressure waves. The presented cardiovascular simulator includes an artificial aorta made of biomimetic silicone. The artificial aorta has the same shape and stiffness as the human standard and is encased with a compliance chamber. The compliance chamber prevents distortion of the blood pressure waveform from strain-softening by applying extravascular pressure. The blood pressure waveform reproduced by the simulator has a pressure range of 80–120 mmHg, a pulse wave velocity of 6.58 m/s, and an augmentation index of 13.3%. These values are in the middle of the human standard range, and the reproduced blood pressure waveform is similar to that of humans. The errors from the human standard values are less than 1 mmHg for blood pressure, 0.05 m/s for pulse wave velocity, and 3% for augmentation index. The changes in blood pressure waveform according to cardiovascular parameters, including heart rate, stroke volume, and peripheral resistance, were evaluated. The same pressure ranges and trends as in humans were observed for systolic and diastolic blood pressures according to cardiovascular parameters.
PARP2 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ates nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) affecting NRF2 subcellular localization
Authors: Jankó Laura , Tóth Emese , Laczik Miklós , Rauch Boglárka , Janka Eszter , Bálint Bálint L. , Bai Péter
Published: May 2023

PARP2 is a member of the PARP enzyme family. Although, PARP2 plays role in DNA repair, it has regulatory roles in mitochondrial and lipid metabolism, it has pivotal role in bringing about the adverse effects of pharmacological PARP inhibitors. Previously, we showed that the ablation of PARP2 induces oxidative stress and, consequently, mitochondrial fragmentation. In attempt to identify the source of the reactive species we assessed the possible role of a central regulator of cellular antioxidant defense, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). The silencing of PARP2 did not alter either the mRNA or the protein expression of NRF2, but changed its subcellular localization, decreasing the proportion of nuclear, active fraction of NRF2. Pharmacological inhibition of PARP2 partially restored the normal localization pattern of NRF2 and in line with that, we showed that NRF2 is PARylated that is absent in the cells in which PARP2 was silenced. Apparently, the PARylation of NRF2 by PARP2 has pivotal role in regulating the subcellular (nuclear) localization of NRF2. The silencing of PARP2 rearranged the expression of genes encoding proteins with antioxidant function, among these a subset of NRF2-dependent genes.
Validity and reliability of the Korean caregiver contribution to self-care chronic illness inventory
Authors: Lee Juhee , Kim Eunyoung , Chung Misook , Yeom Insun
Published: May 2023

The contribution of caregivers to self-care for chronically ill patients is important for improving patient outcomes. The Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care Chronic Illness Inventory (CC-SC-CII) has been used to assess caregivers’ contributions to three distinct aspects of self-care (maintenance, monitoring, and management) globally. This study aimed to examine the psychometrics of the Korean version of the CC-SC-CII with 230 family caregivers (mean age = 49.8 years, 70% women) of patients with chronic illness. We demonstrated that the CC-SC-CII-Korean has good reliability with acceptable internal consistency and construct validity for all three factors using confirmatory factor analysis. The CC-SC-CII-Korean is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the contributions of Korean caregivers to the self-care of patients with chronic illnesses.
Synergy of climate change with country success and city quality of life
Authors: Kaklauskas Arturas , Abraham Ajith , Kaklauskiene Loreta , Ubarte Ieva , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Lill Irene , Milevicius Virginijus , Kaklauskaite Ulijona
Published: May 2023

Most people around the world have felt the effects of climate change on their quality of life. This study sought to achieve the maximum efficiency for climate change actions with the minimum negative impact on the well-being of countries and cities. The Climate Change and Country Success (C3S) and Climate Change and Cities’ Quality of Life (C3QL) models and maps of the world created as part of this research showed that as economic, social, political, cultural, and environmental metrics of countries and cities improve, so do their climate change indicators. For the 14 climate change indicators, the C3S and C3QL models indicated 68.8% average dispersion dimensions in the case of countries and 52.8% in the case of cities. Our research showed that increases in the success of 169 countries saw improvements in 9 climate change indicators out of the 12 considered. Improvements in country success indicators were accompanied by a 71% improvement in climate change metrics.
Metagenomic sequencing of human cardiac tissue reveals Microbial RNA which correlates with Toll-like receptor-associated inflammation in patients with heart disease
Authors: Sandstedt Joakim , Vukusic Kristina , Dellgren Göran , Jeppsson Anders , Mattsson Hultén Lillemor , Rotter Sopasakis Victoria
Published: May 2023

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is strongly associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, involving activated Toll-like receptors and their downstream cellular machinery. Moreover, CVD and other related inflammatory conditions are associated with infiltration of bacteria and viruses originating from distant body sites. Thus, in this study we aimed to map the presence of microbes in the myocardium of patients with heart disease that we previously found to display upregulated Toll-like receptor signaling. We performed metagenomics analysis of atrial cardiac tissue from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or aortic valve replacement (AVR) and compared with atrial cardiac tissue from organ donors. A total of 119 species of bacteria and seven species of virus were detected in the cardiac tissue. RNA expression of five bacterial species were increased in the patient group of which L. kefiranofaciens correlated positively with cardiac Toll-like receptor-associated inflammation. Interaction network analysis revealed four main gene set clusters involving cell growth and proliferation, Notch signaling, G protein signaling and cell communication in association with L.kefiranofaciens RNA expression. Taken together, intracardial expression of L. kefiranofaciens RNA correlates with pro-inflammatory markers in the diseased cardiac atrium and may have an effect on specific signaling processes important for cell growth, proliferation and cell communication.
Myosin heavy chain-derived peptide ofGadus morhuapromotes proliferation and differentiation in osteoblasts and bone formation and maintains bone homeostasis in ovariectomized mice
Authors: Yang Meilian , Cheng Shuzhen , Ma Wuchao , Wu Di , El-Seedi Hesham R. , Wang Zhenyu , Du Ming
Published: May 2023

A novel peptide (MNKKREAEFQ, P-GM-1) screened fromGadus morhuapeptides by molecular docking could promote bone formation and maintain bone homeostasis by activating the BMP-2 pathway, and is a potential anti-osteoporosis active ingredient.
Poly(Piloty's acid): a slow releasing macromolecular HNO donor
Authors: Swilley Sarah N. , Zajkowski Evan M. , Matson John B.
Published: May 2023

We report a polymeric version of Piloty's acid where the release rate of HNO can be tuned by changing the block ratios of PEG-b-poly(Piloty's acid) in a block copolymer system.
Experimental and theoretical evidence of ion engineering in nanocrystalline molybdenum disulfide memristors for non-filamentary switching actions and ultra-low-voltage synaptic features
Authors: Das D. , Asirvatham J. , Luong M. A. , Claverie A. , Johari P. , Kanjilal A.
Published: May 2023

Ion engineered low dimensional memristors and their synaptic features for neuromorphic computing.
Albumin-based near-infrared phototheranostics for frequency upconversion luminescence/photoacoustic dual-modal imaging-guided photothermal therapy
Authors: Yu Hui , Tiemuer Aliya , Zhu Yanyan , Sun Ye , Zhang Yuanyuan , Liu Li , Liu Yi
Published: May 2023

We constructed facile “one-for-all” phototheranostics (NRh-BSA NPs) assembled from an organic molecular dye (NRh) and BSA for frequency upconversion luminescence/photoacoustic (FUCL/PA) dual-modal imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT).
Design and synthesis of a NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1-activatable photosensitiser for controlled photodynamic therapy
Authors: Xue Evelyn Y. , Kang Fangyuan , Zhou Yimin , Ng Dennis K. P.
Published: May 2023

A far-red-absorbing photosensitiser that can be activated by human NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 has been designed, synthesised and examined for its in vitro and in vivo responsive properties.
Facile access to 2-hydroxy-2-substituted indole-3-ones via a copper-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of 2-arylethynylanilines
Authors: Sun Weiqiang , Cui Xueli , Qu Jing , Cai Xiaojia , Hu Jinhui , Xiong Zhuang , Guo Suqin , Xu Jun , Chen Wen-Hua , Wu Jia-Qiang
Published: May 2023

A versatile approach towards 2-hydroxy-2-substituted indol-3-ones via a copper-catalyzed radical cyclization of 2-arylethynylanilines in the presence of O2 has been developed. The products can be transformed to 3-hydroxy-3-substituted indol-2-ones.
Reaction mechanism – explored with the unified reaction valley approach
Authors: Kraka Elfi , Antonio Juliana J. , Freindorf Marek
Published: May 2023

One of the ultimate goals of chemistry is to understand and manipulate chemical reactions, which implies the ability to monitor the reaction and its underlying mechanism at an atomic scale.
Expression of concern: Novel scandium-MOF nanocrystals as peroxidase-mimicking nanozymes for highly sensitive colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid in human serum
Authors: Su Yiqian , Wu Hongjiao , Chen Jiaqi , Li Huiqin , Lin Pengcheng , Xiao Wei , Cao Donglin
Published: May 2023

Expression of concern for ‘Novel scandium-MOF nanocrystals as peroxidase-mimicking nanozymes for highly sensitive colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid in human serum’ by Yiqian Su et al., CrystEngComm, 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ce01023b.
The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein structure: a symmetry tale on distortion trail
Authors: Tuvi-Arad Inbal , Shalit Yaffa
Published: May 2023

Only after the RBD has migrated and changed the protein's symmetry can the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein bind to the human receptor. The distortion level of the initial state can predict the spike's transmissibility.
Infrared spectroscopy of [H2O–Xn]+(n= 1–3, X = N2, CO2, CO, and N2O) radical cation clusters: competition between hydrogen bond and hemibond formation of the water radical cation
Authors: Kominato Mizuhiro , Fujii Asuka
Published: May 2023

Conditions for the preferential hemibond formation of water are explored by infrared spectroscopy of model clusters.
THFS-carbon: a theoretical prediction of metallic carbon allotrope with half-auxeticity, planar tetracoordinate carbon, and potential application as anode for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Tian-Kai , Ye Xiao-Juan , Meng Lan , Liu Chun-Sheng
Published: May 2023

Two-dimensional THFS-carbon as a high-performance anode for sodium-ion batteries.
The degradation of ciprofloxacin in the UV/NH2Cl process: kinetics, mechanism, pathways and DBP formation
Authors: Zhang Ruihua , Peng Cheng , Wang Qiongfang , Zou Xinyu , Zhao Qiming , Wang Jiajun , Zhang Jiayu , Dong Lei , Zhang Xin , Gao Naiyun
Published: May 2023

In this work, UV/NH2Cl was utilized to remove ciprofloxacin (CIP) from water and the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) following disinfection was investigated to determine its applicability and safety.
Metabolic regulation and antihyperglycemic properties of diet-derived PGG through transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling
Authors: Zhang An-Nan , Huang Chengdi , Yan Lili , Liu Xiaoyi , Wang Fengyu , Zhang Zhichao , Li Luqi , Zhang Cunli , Zhang Qiang
Published: May 2023

PGG, commonly occurring in fruits and diets, efficiently promotes glucose uptake and helps in anti-diabetes. It restores abnormal metabolism, including apoptosis, necroptosis, apelin signaling pathway, and butanoate metabolism.