bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of obesity stigma and discrimination among Spanish subjects with a wide weight range: the OBESTIGMA study
Authors: Sánchez Enric , Ciudin Andreea , Sánchez Ana , Gutiérrez-Medina Sonsoles , Valdés Nuria , Flores Lilliam , Marí-Sanchis Amelia , Goñi Fernando , Sánchez Marta , Nicolau Joana , Muñoz Concepción , Díaz-Trastoy Olaia , Cuatrecasas Guillem , Cañizares Silvia , Comas Marta , López-Cano Carolina , Lecube Albert
Published: September 2023

Introduction

This study aims to assess the extent of rejection and instances of stigmatization linked to obesity within the Spanish population, encompassing a diverse spectrum of weights ranging from normal weight to morbid obesity. Additionally, the study seeks to identify the primary factors influencing these experiences and further examines the impact of bariatric surgery on such dynamics.

Materials and methods

Multicenter observational study with involving a total of 1,018 participants who were recruited from various Obesity Units. Negatives attitudes towards people with obesity were assessed through three questionnaires: (i) Antifat Attitudes Scale (AFA), (ii) Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI) and (iii) Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS). Subjects were categorized into four groups based on their BMI and history of prior bariatric surgery.

Results

The cumulative score across all questionnaires (AFA, SSI and WBIS) exhibited a progressive increase, from participants with normal weight to those with obesity (p < 0.001 for all). Within the AFA questionnaire, males showed more rejection towards people with obesity than women, also perceiving obesity as a disease linked to a lack of willpower (p = 0.004 and p = 0.030, respectively). The overall SSI score was negatively associated with age (r = −0.080, p = 0.011), with young participants encountering more stigmatizing experiences than their adult counterparts. Neither employment status nor educational demonstrated a significant association with any of the questionnaires. Interestingly, patients who underwent lost weight following bariatric surgery did not exhibit improved outcomes.

Conclusion

Individuals with obesity demonstrate a heightened level of aversion towards the disease compared to those with normal weight. Concurrently, the incidence of stigmatizing encounters displays a concerning escalation among younger individuals.
Attention training technique delivered in groups as treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with coronary heart disease: study protocol for a waiting-list randomized controlled trial
Authors: Dammen Toril , Tunheim Kristoffer , Munkhaugen John , Klungsøyr Ole , Papageorgiou Costas
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients are common and associated with adverse outcomes. Psychological treatments have shown limited effectiveness and more effective treatments have been requested. Attention training technique (ATT), a component of metacognitive therapy, can potentially be effective as a stand-alone treatment for anxiety and depression. In an open study, ATT delivered face-to-face in a group format was feasible and potentially effective for improving depression and anxiety symptoms in CHD patients. The next progressive step is to test the effectiveness of ATT in a randomized controlled trial. This paper describes the methodology of this trial.

Methods

ATT-CHD is a randomized wait-list (WL) controlled study. Eligible CHD patients from two hospitals with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)-Anxiety and/or HADS-Depression subscales scores ≥8 will be randomized into ATT (n = 32) or WL control (n = 32). After 6–8 weeks, WL patients will be allocated to ATT. Participants will be evaluated pre-, mid- and post-treatment, and at 6-months follow-up using changes in HADS as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes will be changes in psychiatric disorders, rumination, worry, type D-personality, metacognitions, insomnia, quality of life, and C-Reactive protein (CRP).

Discussion

To our knowledge, this will be the first WL-controlled randomized study testing the effectiveness of group-based ATT as treatment of symptoms of anxiety and depression in CHD patients. It will also explore correlations between changes in psychological distress and CRP. A qualitative analysis will reveal patients’ experience with ATT including processes that may facilitate or serve as barriers to effectiveness. Recruitment into the study commenced in December 2022.

Ethics and dissemination

The Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (REK), Norway has granted approval for the study (ID 52002). The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. According to Norwegian legislation, the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, and the Committee of Ethics, we are not allowed to share original study data publicly.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05621408 pre-inclusion. There were no significant changes of methods or outcomes after study start.
Pathways to peer interaction in ASD and TD through individual and dyadic joint-action motor abilities
Authors: Estrugo Yael , Bar Yehuda Shahar , Bauminger-Zviely Nirit
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Any social engagement, especially with peers, requires children’s effective activation of social and motor mechanisms. Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often display dysfunctions both in individual motor functioning (e.g., fine/gross) and in dyadic joint action (JA), where two partners coordinate movement toward a shared goal. Yet, these mechanisms’ contribution to peer interaction has been underexplored.

Method

This study examined the contribution of individual motor functioning and JA performance to peer interaction (cooperation, attentiveness, social engagement, and dyadic quality), while comparing children and adolescents’ (youngsters) with ASD versus those with typical development (TD).

Results

Results indicated more competent peer interaction in TD than in ASD. Interestingly, only the ASD group showed significant maturation with age for social engagement and dyadic interaction quality, calls for further examination of developmental trajectories. However, even the oldest participants with ASD continued to lag behind the youngest TD group. Also, findings indicated that better individual motor functioning and JA performance explained better peer interactive competence; yet, the contribution of individual motor functioning to social cooperation and dyadic quality was moderated by JA performance. Thus, youngsters’ individual motor system was found to be an important contributor to peer interaction in those with low to moderate JA coordination capabilities, but not for those with high JA.

Conclusion

Results emphasize possible distinct contributions of each motor mechanism and their interaction for facilitating social interaction, hence, encouraging incorporation of individual and dyadic motor skills explicitly into social interaction interventions for youngsters ASD.
It’s not just about how long you play. Indirect gaming involvement and genre preferences in predicting gaming disorder risk: evidence from preregistered studies
Authors: Strojny Paweł , Kiszka Patrycja , Starosta Jolanta , Szyszka Paulina Daria , Starzec Sylwia , Winiarska Anna , Strojny Agnieszka , Zajas Aleksandra
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The strength of the association between gaming involvement and gaming disorder is weak to moderate. Gamers cannot be directly involved in gaming all the time, but how much they are involved in activities indirectly related to gaming during gaming-free time may play an important role. Also, specific game genres may matter. The present investigation focuses on the role of indirect gaming involvement and genres in gaming disorder risk prediction.

Methods

Two pre-registered studies were conducted. Study 1 (N = 205) was conducted online, whereas Study 2 (N = 250) was conducted in a lab. In both cases, participants reported their direct and indirect involvement in gaming (DGI and IGI, respectively) and completed a screening tool that estimates the risk of gaming disorder (Gaming Disorder Test).

Results

Both IGI and DGI were weakly to moderately correlated with gaming disorder (GD) and moderately with each other. The correlations between DGI and GD were similar to those obtained in related studies; the correlation between IGI and GD has not been previously reported. Hierarchical regression that took IGI together with DGI into account showed an increase in the percentage of explained variance, but only in Study 1. Contrary to expectations, IGI did not interact with DGI. As is consistent with previous research, some game genres were found to be more closely related to GD than others: in both studies, this was an RPG; in Study 1, this was also an MMORPG; in Study 2, driving and shooting games also predicted GD risk.

Discussion

Overall, the results clearly indicate that not only gaming time plays a role in GD risk assessment: IGI can also predict it and in some cases may allow for more accurate predictions. Gaming genres once again proved to play a role, but these and similar results should be treated with caution due to the partial lack of repeatability.
Who can help me? Understanding the antecedent and consequence of medical information seeking behavior in the era of bigdata
Authors: Sun Jiwei , Zhang Shujie , Hou Min , Sun Qian , Cao Fenglin , Zhang Zhonghao , Tang Guiyao , Wang Xingyuan , Geng Ling , Cui Linlin , Chen Zi-Jiang
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The advent of bigdata era fundamentally transformed the nature of medical information seeking and the traditional binary medical relationship. Weaving stress coping theory and information processing theory, we developed an integrative perspective on information seeking behavior and explored the antecedent and consequence of such behavior.

Methods

Data were collected from 573 women suffering from infertility who was seeking assisted reproductive technology treatment in China. We used AMOS 22.0 and the PROCESS macro in SPSS 25.0 software to test our model.

Results

Our findings demonstrated that patients’ satisfaction with information received from the physicians negatively predicted their behavior involvement in information seeking, such behavior positively related to their perceived information overload, and the latter negatively related to patient-physician relationship quality. Further findings showed that medical information seeking behavior and perceived information overload would serially mediate the impacts of satisfaction with information received from physicians on patient-physician relationship quality.

Discussion

This study extends knowledge of information seeking behavior by proposing an integrative model and expands the application of stress coping theory and information processing theory. Additionally, it provides valuable implications for patients, physicians and public health information service providers.
Socioeconomic inequalities in the use of dental health care among the adult population in Serbia
Authors: Corovic Snezana , Janicijevic Katarina , Radovanovic Snezana , Vukomanovic Ivana Simic , Mihaljevic Olgica , Djordjevic Jelena , Djordjic Milan , Stajic Dalibor , Djordjevic Ognjen , Djordjevic Gordana , Radovanovic Jovana , Selakovic Viktor , Slovic Zivana , Milicic Vesna
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The aim of this paper is to assess the association of demografic and socioeconomic determinants with utilization of dental services among Serbian adults.

Materials and methods

The study is a part of the population health research of Serbia, conducted in the period from October to December 2019 by the Institute of Statistics of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr. Milan JovanovićBatut” and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia. The research was conducted as a descriptive, cross-sectional analytical study on a representative sample of the population of Serbia. For the purposes of this study, data on the adult population aged 20 years and older were used.

Results

Men were approximately 1.8 times more likely than women to not utilize dental healthcare services (OR = 1.81). The likelihood of not utilizing dental healthcare protection rises with increasing age, reaching its peak within the 65–74 age range (OR = 0.441), after which it declines. Individuals who have experienced marital dissolution due to divorce or the death of a spouse exhibit a higher probability of not utilizing health protection (OR = 1.868). As the level of education and wealth diminishes, the probability of abstaining from health protection increases by 5.8 times among respondents with an elementary school education (OR = 5.852) and 1.7 times among the most economically disadvantaged respondents (OR = 1.745). Regarding inactivity, respondents who are not employed have a 2.6-fold higher likelihood of not utilizing oral health care compared to employed respondents (OR = 2.610).

Conclusion

The results suggest that individual sociodemographic factors influence utilization of dental services by Serbian adults and confirmed the existence of socioeconomic disparities.
High sedentary behavior and low physical activity among adults in Afghanistan: results from a national cross-sectional survey
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Noormal Ahmad Siyar , Peltzer Karl
Published: September 2023

Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and correlates of sedentary behavior and combination of sedentary behavior and low physical activity among adults in Afghanistan in 2018.

Methods

This was a national representative cross-sectional study. The study utilized the data from Afghanistan STEPS survey 2018, where 3,956 adults (ages between 18 and 69 years) were interviewed at community-dwelling level. Using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, we have calculated the sedentary behavior and physical inactivity. Logistic regression was applied to investigate factors associated high sedentary behavior and low physical activity.

Results

Approximately half of the participants (49.8%) exhibited high levels of sedentary behavior, 40.3% low physical activity and 23.5% had both high sedentary behavior and low physical activity. Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals who were employed (AOR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13–0.88) or self-employed (AOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.38–0.94) had significantly lower odds of both high SB and low physical activity than those whose work status was unpaid. Furthermore, older age (AOR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.35–2.28), urban residence (AOR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.72–6.05), having 4 or 5 adult household members (AOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.21–2.58) and being underweight (AOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.02–3.12) were found to be associated with high sedentary behavior. Moreover, factors such as female sex, having 4 or 5 or 6 or more adult household members, urban residence, overweight, and diabetes were positively associated, and male sex (AOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.12–0.51), being employed (AOR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.13–0.88) or self-employed (AOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.38–0.94) were negatively associated with the occurrence of combination of high sedentary behavior and low physical activity.

Conclusion

Half of the participants had high sedentary behavior, and one in four had both high sedentary behavior and low physical activity together. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions aimed at reducing sedentary behavior and promoting physical activity, particularly among vulnerable populations such as females, individuals from lower socioeconomic background, urban residents, and those with chronic conditions. Addressing these factors can contribute to improving public health outcomes and reducing negative health impacts of sedentary behavior in Afghanistan.
Does splitting make sentence easier?
Authors: Nomoto Tadashi
Published: September 2023

In this study, we focus on sentence splitting, a subfield of text simplification, motivated largely by an unproven idea that if you divide a sentence in pieces, it should become easier to understand. Our primary goal in this study is to find out whether this is true. In particular, we ask, does it matter whether we break a sentence into two, three, or more? We report on our findings based on Amazon Mechanical Turk. More specifically, we introduce a Bayesian modeling framework to further investigate to what degree a particular way of splitting the complex sentence affects readability, along with a number of other parameters adopted from diverse perspectives, including clinical linguistics, and cognitive linguistics. The Bayesian modeling experiment provides clear evidence that bisecting the sentence leads to enhanced readability to a degree greater than when we create simplification with more splits.
Anaerobutyricum hallii promotes the functional depletion of a food carcinogen in diverse healthy fecal microbiota
Authors: Ramirez Garcia Alejandro , Greppi Anna , Constancias Florentin , Ruscheweyh Hans-Joachim , Gasser Julie , Hurley Katherine , Sturla Shana J. , Schwab Clarissa , Lacroix Christophe
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Anaerobutyricum hallii is a human gut commensal that transforms the heterocyclic amine 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP), a carcinogen from cooked meat. The transformation mechanism involves the microbial production of acrolein from glycerol, and its conjugation with PhIP, thus blocking its mutagenic potential. A potential cancer prevention strategy could therefore involve supplementing complex human microbial communities with metabolically competent bacteria such as A. hallii that can deplete PhIP. However, it has not been established how the proportion of A. hallii in diverse healthy human gut microbial communities relates to functional capacity for PhIP transformation and, moreover, how supplementing microbiomes with A. hallii affects this function.

Methods

In this study, shotgun metagenomics was used to study taxonomic profiling, the abundance of glycerol/diol dehydratase (gdh)-harboring taxa, the proportion of resident A. hallii, and the reconstruction of A. hallii population genomes in the fecal samples of 20 healthy young adult donors. Furthermore, the influence of supplementing 106 cells/mL of A. hallii DSM 3353 with diluted fecal microbiota was characterized.

Results and discussion

Six microbiota were assigned to Bacteroides, nine to Prevotella, and five to Ruminococcus by enterotype-associated clustering. The total number of gdh copies in the 20 fecal microbiota expressed per 1010 bacterial cells ranged between 1.32 × 108 and 1.15 × 109. Eighteen out of the 20 donors were dominated by A. hallii, representing between 33% and 94% of the total gdh relative abundance of the samples. The microbiota with low A. hallii abundance (i.e., with a relative abundance < 1%) transformed less PhIP than the microbiota with high A. hallii abundance (i.e., with a relative abundance > 1%). Furthermore, supplementing the low-A. hallii-abundant microbiota with glycerol significantly increased the PhIP transformation capacity after 6 h while reducing total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, which is most likely due to acrolein production. Although acetate decreased in all microbiota with glycerol and with the combination of glycerol and A. hallii, for most of the microbiomes, butyrate production increased over time. Thus, for a significant number of diverse healthy human fecal microbiomes, and especially when they have little of the taxa to start with, supplementing A. hallii increases PhIP transformation. These findings suggest the need to test in vivo whether supplementing microbiomes with A. hallii reduces PhIP exposure.
The Ribosome—The Factory for Protein Production According to the Genetic Code
Authors: Yonath Ada , Breiner Goldshtein Elinor , Segev Noa
Published: September 2023

Proteins are small biological machines that work in our bodies as well as in the bodies of all animals, plants, viruses, and bacteria. They are responsible for a wide range of vital activities. Proteins are synthesized based on instructions contained in the genetic code, within their DNA, by a cellular organelle called ribosomes. The ribosome assembles proteins very quickly and accurately. Most of my scientific research is devoted to understanding the function of the ribosome, based on its structure, as we determined it. In this article, I describe the major findings of my research, some important applications of these findings, and the challenges I have faced along the way.
The Impact of Calf Rearing with Foster Cows on Calf Health, Welfare, and Veal Quality in Dairy Farms
Authors: Solarczyk Paweł , Sakowski Tomasz , Gołębiewski Marcin , Slósarz Jan , Grodkowski Grzegorz , Grodkowska Kinga , Biondi Luisa , Lanza Massimiliano , Natalello Antonio , Puppel Kamila
Published: September 2023

This study assessed the impact of different calf rearing systems on calf health, behavior, meat quality, and oxidative stability. The study involved two groups of bull calves: conventionally penned calves (control, fed with use of automatic feeders) and calves reared alongside foster cows (experimental). The presence of foster cows was found to have a significant positive influence on calf health. Calves raised with foster cows experienced lower rates of diarrhea, delayed instances of coughing, and a reduced occurrence of rhinitis compared to conventionally reared calves. Behavioral observations revealed differences in sucking and licking behaviors between the two groups. Calves with foster cows displayed more consistent patterns of these behaviors, while conventionally reared calves exhibited greater variability. Additionally, the experimental group consistently achieved higher daily weight gains, suggesting the potential for larger and more valuable carcasses at slaughter. Importantly, there were no significant differences in the quality of veal between the two rearing groups. This included fatty acid composition, color attributes, and myoglobin levels, indicating consistent meat quality. In summary, this research highlights the advantages of rearing systems that prioritize calf health and behavior, emphasizing maternal care and natural behaviors. Such systems hold promise for improving calf welfare and enhancing the sustainability of the meat production industry. The integration of foster cows into dairy farming practices emerges as a practical and effective approach, particularly for the rearing of bull calves.
A Prospective, Randomized, Comparative Study of Topical Minocycline Gel 4% with Topical Clindamycin Phosphate Gel 1% in Indian Patients with Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Shah Bela , Mistry Deval , Gonsalves Nelry , Vasani Presha , Dhoot Dhiraj , Barkate Hanmant
Published: September 2023

Acne vulgaris is characterized by inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin lesions with a high prevalence among adolescents in India. Not enough studies are reported on the use of topical antibiotics for the management of acne in the Indian population. The proposed study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of topical minocycline gel 4% with topical clindamycin gel 1% in the Indian population. A randomized, open-label, double-arm study was planned at two centers in India. One hundred patients were enrolled and randomized equally to two treatment arms. The drugs were applied once daily, preferably at the same time each day. The number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, as well as the investigator’s global assessment (IGA), were obtained at the baseline and on weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12. The change in these parameters from baseline to week 12 was compared between the two treatment arms. A tolerability assessment was also performed on selected parameters. The age of patients ranged between 14 and 31 years, with female preponderance in each arm. On week 12, the percent change in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions in the minocycline 4% arm was significantly higher than in the clindamycin 1% arm (p < 0.0001). The IGA treatment success was significantly higher in the minocycline arm compared to the clindamycin arm on weeks 9 and 12, with p-values of 0.001 and 0.015, respectively. Tolerability assessment revealed significantly improved parameter performance in the minocycline arm compared to the clindamycin arm. On subgroup analysis, in adolescents, minocycline was found to be more efficacious than clindamycin. The comparative assessment resulted in a significantly improved performance of minocycline gel 4% compared to clindamycin gel 1% in the Indian population, thus making it a preferred choice for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne in India.
The Antioxidant Potential of Resveratrol from Red Vine Leaves Delivered in an Electrospun Nanofiber System
Authors: Paczkowska-Walendowska Magdalena , Miklaszewski Andrzej , Michniak-Kohn Bożena , Cielecka-Piontek Judyta
Published: September 2023

Despite the wide pharmacological action of polyphenols, their usefulness is limited due to their low oral bioavailability, which is due to their low solubility and rapid first-pass metabolism. Red vine leaf extract is an herbal medicine containing several polyphenols, with resveratrol and polydatin as the main compounds exhibiting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the first stage of the work, using the Design of Experiment (DoE) approach, the red vine leaf extract (50% methanol, temperature 70 °C, and three cycles per 60 min) was obtained, which showed optimal antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In order to circumvent the above-described limitations and use innovative technology, electrospun nanofibers containing the red vine leaf extract, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) were first developed. The optimization of the process involved the time of system mixing prior to electrospinning, the mixture flow rate, and the rotation speed of the collector. Dissolution studies of nanofibers showed improved resveratrol release from the nanofibers (over five-fold). Additionally, a PAMPA-GIT assay confirmed significantly better buccal penetration of resveratrol from this nanofiber combination (over ten-fold). The proposed strategy for electrospun nanofibers with the red vine leaf extract is an innovative approach to better use the synergy of the biological action of active compounds present in extracts that are beneficial for the development of nutraceuticals.
Seed Priming with Salicylic Acid Alleviates Salt Stress Toxicity in Barley by Suppressing ROS Accumulation and Improving Antioxidant Defense Systems, Compared to Halo- and Gibberellin Priming
Authors: Ellouzi Hasna , Zorrig Walid , Amraoui Souhir , Oueslati Samia , Abdelly Chedly , Rabhi Mokded , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Hessini Kamel
Published: September 2023

Plants are highly sensitive to various environmental stresses, which can hinder their growth and reduce yields. In this study, we investigated the potential of seed priming with salicylic acid (SA), gibberellic acid (GA3), and sodium chloride (NaCl) to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity stress in Hordeum vulgare at the germination and early seedling stages. Exposing H. vulgare seeds to salt stress reduced the final germination percentage and seedling shoot and root growth. Interestingly, all seed treatments significantly improved salt-induced responses, with GA3 being more effective in terms of germination performance, plant growth, and photosynthesis. SA priming exhibited promising effects on antioxidant defense mechanisms, proline, sugar, and ascorbic acid production. Notably, SA priming also suppressed reactive oxygen species accumulation and prevented lipid peroxidation. These findings highlight the ability of SA to manage crosstalk within the seed, coordinating many regulatory processes to support plant adaptation to salinity stress.
Methanethiol: A Scent Mark of Dysregulated Sulfur Metabolism in Cancer
Authors: Philipp Thilo Magnus , Scheller Anne Sophie , Krafczyk Niklas , Klotz Lars-Oliver , Steinbrenner Holger
Published: September 2023

In order to cope with increased demands for energy and metabolites as well as to enhance stress resilience, tumor cells develop various metabolic adaptations, representing a hallmark of cancer. In this regard, the dysregulation of sulfur metabolism that may result in elevated levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in body fluids, breath, and/or excretions of cancer patients has recently gained attention. Besides hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methanethiol is the predominant cancer-associated VSC and has been proposed as a promising biomarker for non-invasive cancer diagnosis. Gut bacteria are the major exogenous source of exposure to this foul-smelling toxic gas, with methanethiol-producing strains such as Fusobacterium nucleatum highly abundant in the gut microbiome of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients. Physiologically, methanethiol becomes rapidly degraded through the methanethiol oxidase (MTO) activity of selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1). However, SELENBP1, which is considered a tumor suppressor, is often downregulated in tumor tissues, and this has been epidemiologically linked to poor clinical outcomes. In addition to impaired removal, an increase in methanethiol levels may derive from non-enzymatic reactions, such as a Maillard reaction between glucose and methionine, two metabolites enriched in cancer cells. High methionine concentrations in cancer cells may also result in enzymatic methanethiol production in mitochondria. Moreover, enzymatic endogenous methanethiol production may occur through methyltransferase-like protein 7B (METTL7B), which is present at elevated levels in some cancers, including CRC and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In conclusion, methanethiol contributes to the scent of cancer as part of the cancer-associated signature combination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are increasingly being exploited for non-invasive early cancer diagnosis.
Physiological Effects of Hydrolyzed Skim Milk and Probiotics on Osteoporosis Models
Authors: Shim Heyon-Woo , Lee Won-Yong , Kim Hyoun Wook , Park Jin-ki , Cho Kwanghyun , Yeo Joon Mo , Park Hyun-Jung
Published: September 2023

Osteoporosis, a skeletal metabolic disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone microarchitecture, frequently occurs in postmenopausal women older than 50 years. Milk and dairy products are essential calcium sources recommended for bone health. In this study, we analyzed the effects of skim milk and probiotics in an ovariectomized osteoporosis model. Body weight significantly increased, whereas the consumption of skim milk and probiotics significantly decreased (approximately 20%) in the ovariectomized models. In addition, the concentration of calcium was significantly 0.5 mg/dL higher in the skim-milk-with-probiotic group than in the ovariectomized group. The bone volume/tissue volume ratio, trabecular thickness, trabecular number, and trabecular separation were higher in the skim-milk and skim-milk-with-probiotic groups than in the ovariectomized group. Histological analysis of the small intestine revealed that the consumption of skim milk alone or in combination with probiotics increased the lengths of the villus, crypt, and serosa. These results verify the beneficial effects of milk products in osteoporosis models, which may enable higher milk and milk product consumption by older women.
Anti-Photoaging Effect of Jawoongo via Regulating Nrf2/ARE and TGF-β/Smad Signaling in In Vitro Photoaging Model
Authors: Kim Hongyong , Zheng Qiwen , Oh Sarang , Zheng Shengdao , Kim Myeongju , Yi Tae-Hoo
Published: September 2023

Jawoongo is a traditional prescription used widely in East Asia for external applications and is effective for burns, sunburn, wounds, and symptoms of dryness in skin disease. This study was established to examine how Jawoongo treatment affects the photodamage of HaCaT cells caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation and explore its possible anti-photoaging mechanisms from the perspective of the associated signaling pathways. An in vitro photoaging model was established by irradiating HaCaT with UVB, and the expression of photodamage markers such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), FACs, and RT-PCR. Western blotting was also used to ascertain the expression levels of the TGF-β/Smad and nuclear erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathways. The findings of this study showed that the increased production of ROS, MMP-1, and MMP-3 due to UVB irradiation was reduced by Jawoongo. In addition, the Nrf2/ARE and TGF-β/Smad pathways were upregulated by Jawoongo, while it reduced phosphorylation activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein 1 (AP-1) pathway. This study shows that Jawoongo regulates the Nrf2/ARE and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, highlighting its potential to protect against and repair skin photodamage.
A Study on Maize Leaf Pest and Disease Detection Model Based on Attention and Multi-Scale Features
Authors: Kang Jie , Zhang Wanhu , Xia Yu , Liu Wenbo
Published: September 2023

The detection and accurate positioning of agricultural pests and diseases can significantly improve the effectiveness of disease and pest control and reduce the cost of prevention and control, which has become an urgent need for crop production. Aiming at the low precision of maize leaf pest and disease detection, a new model of maize leaf pest and disease detection using attention mechanism and multi-scale features was proposed. Our model combines a convolutional block attention module (CBAM) with the ResNet50 backbone network to suppress complex background interference and enhance feature expression in specific regions of the maize leaf images. We also design a multi-scale feature fusion module that aggregates local and global information at different scales, improving the detection performance for objects of varying sizes. This module reduces the number of parameters and enhances efficiency by using a lightweight module and replacing the deconvolutional layer. Experimental results on a natural environment dataset demonstrate that our proposed model achieves an average detection accuracy of 85.13%, which is 9.59% higher than the original CenterNet model. The model has 24.296 M parameters and a detection speed of 23.69 f/s. Compared with other popular models such as SSD-VGG, YOLOv5, Faster-RCNN, and Efficientdet-D0, our proposed model demonstrates superior performance in the fast and accurate detection of maize leaf pests and diseases. This model has practical applications in the identification and treatment of maize pests and diseases in the field, and it can provide technical support for precision pesticide application. The trained model can be deployed to a web client for user convenience.
Design and Analysis of a Stable Support Structure for a Near-Infrared Space-Borne Doppler Asymmetric Spatial Heterodyne Interferometer
Authors: Sun Jian , Wang Wei , Chang Chenguang , Fu Di , Hao Xiongbo , Li Juan , Feng Yutao , Hu Bingliang
Published: September 2023

As spectral resolution increases, the dimension of the Doppler Asymmetric Spatial Heterodyne (DASH) interferometer increases. The existing approach for stably mounting the interferometer is limited to mounting a normal-sized DASH interferometer. In this study, a novel and stable structure is proposed, with its effecti1veness exemplified for a near-infrared (NIR) DASH interferometer. The mathematical model of a flexible structure was established. The parameters of the support structure were optimized by requiring the mechanical stress of the flexible structure and shear stress at the bonding surface to be less than the strength value. The spring constants were optimally designed to adjust natural frequency and minimize stress. The finite element analysis (FEA) results show that the maximum mechanical stress was 65.56 MPa. The maximum shear stress was 3.4 MPa. All stress values had a high safety margin. The mechanical material and adhesive area were optimally designed. Therefore, the thermal resistance of the structure was improved by 7.5 times. The test results indicate that the proposed flexible support structure could satisfy the requirements of the launch environment. The results from FEA and vibration tests were consistent with the model calculation results. Compared to existing structures, the mechanical performance and thermal resistance were improved.
Enrichment of Spatial eGenes Colocalized with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Genome-Wide Association Study Signals in the Lysosomal Pathway
Authors: Kim Younyoung , Lee Chaeyoung
Published: September 2023

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic markers associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Additionally, tissue-specific expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studies have revealed regulatory elements influencing gene expression in specific tissues. We performed enrichment analyses using spatial eGenes corresponding to known T2DM GWAS signals to uncover T2DM pathological pathways. T2DM GWAS signals were obtained from the GWAS Catalog, and spatial eQTL data from T2DM-associated tissues, including visceral adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle, and pancreas, were sourced from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Consortium. The eGenes were enriched in Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes biological pathways using the Benjamini–Hochberg method. Colocalization analysis of 2857 independent T2DM GWAS signals identified 556 eGenes in visceral adipose tissue, 176 in liver, 715 in skeletal muscle, and 384 in pancreas (PFDR < 0.05 where PFDR is the false discovery rate). These eGenes showed enrichment in various pathways (PBH < 0.05 where PBH is the corrected P for the Benjamini–Hochberg multiple testing), especially the lysosomal pathway in pancreatic tissue. Unlike the mTOR pathway in T2DM autophagy dysregulation, the role of lysosomes remains poorly understood. The enrichment analysis of spatial eGenes associated with T2DM GWAS signals highlights the importance of the lysosomal pathway in autophagic termination. Thus, investigating the processes involving autophagic termination associated with lysosomes is a priority for understanding T2DM pathogenesis.
The Alcázar of Córdoba: The Seat of Islamic Power in Al-Andalus
Authors: León-Muñoz Alberto
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we show a synthesis of the recovered information in the most recent archaeological interventions of the occupied space by the architectural complex where the Omayyad seat of power and the following leaders of Córdoba were installed. As the most relevant aspects, we show the persistent continuity of the reoccupation and appropriation of the precedent buildings, the tight correlation with the Aljama Mosque, and the architectonic entity of the documented structures.
Dravidian Futurities: A Creative Process
Authors: Murugesan Meena
Published: September 2023

In this article, author and artist Meena Murugesan analyzes their creative process and research in the making of Dravidian Futurities, a multi-channel video installation with live performance. Methodologies of auto-ethnography, visual aesthetics, embodied movement practices, Tamil historiographies, queer futurities, caste analysis, and poetics are applied to treat the issues at hand. Dravidian Futurities draws connections between communities of South Indian and Sri Lankan Shudra and Dalit caste backgrounds, Dravidian, and Afro-Indian peoples, depending on the historical era examined. As someone of the Shudra caste, the author draws connections between agriculture, land, and earth, as being rooted in Shudra identities, and in opposition to brahminical systems. Therefore, the movement forms of somatics, improvisation, and nature-based embodiment practices are investigated as possible embodied inroads to grapple with caste within brahminized bharatanatyam. Notions of futurity and place-making are unearthed from the depths of the Indian Ocean with a hypothetical sunken landmass called Lemuria or Kumari Kandam that might have once connected South India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. Dravidian Futurities also dreams into existence this speculative landmass as a possible utopia we might co-build, similar to that which Dalit mystic saint Guru Ravidas imagined five hundred years ago with Begumpura (“land without sorrow”) as a casteless, stateless utopia.
Synergy Prediction Model of Information Entropy Based on Zone Safety Degree and Stope Roof Weighting Step Analysis
Authors: Xiong Lijun , Yuan Haiping , Li Hengzhe , Liu Xiaohu , Zou Yangyao , Ji Shuaijie , Fang Xingye
Published: September 2023

During the underground mining of coal resources, the rock pressure emerges acutely and the mine geological disasters occur frequently. It is of great significance to grasp the manifestation law of rock pressure in time to guide the safety production and operation in the pit. In this research, the calculation equations and concept of information entropy based on zone safety degree are primarily defined, and the synergetic theory of the maximum information entropy principle is combined to put forward the synergy prediction model of information entropy based on zone safety degree. In the meantime, the synergy prediction model of information entropy based on zone safety degree is employed to calculate and predict the first weighting step and the periodic weighting step of the main roof of the 9203 working face of Hengsheng Coal Mine in China’s Shanxi Province, as well as verifying the validity and reliability of the synergy prediction model of information entropy based on zone safety degree by the comparison of similar simulation test results, which has presented a scientific basis for the effective control of rock pressure and roof management.
Exploring Optimal Charging Strategies for Off-Grid Solar Photovoltaic Systems: A Comparative Study on Battery Storage Techniques
Authors: Dorel Stoica , Gmal Osman Mohammed , Strejoiu Cristian-Valentin , Lazaroiu Gheorghe
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a comparative analysis of different battery charging strategies for off-grid solar PV systems. The strategies evaluated include constant voltage charging, constant current charging, PWM charging, and hybrid charging. The performance of each strategy is evaluated based on factors such as battery capacity, cycle life, DOD, and charging efficiency, as well as the impact of environmental conditions such as temperature and sunlight. The results show that each charging strategy has its advantages and limitations, and the optimal approach will depend on the specific requirements and limitations of the off-grid solar PV system. This study provides valuable insights into the performance and effectiveness of different battery charging strategies, which can be used to inform the design and operation of off-grid solar PV systems. This paper concludes that the choice of charging strategy depends on the specific requirements and limitations of the off-grid solar PV system and that a careful analysis of the factors that affect performance is necessary to identify the most appropriate approach. The main needs for off-grid solar photovoltaic systems include efficient energy storage, reliable battery charging strategies, environmental adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly operation, while the primary limitations affecting these systems encompass intermittent energy supply, battery degradation, environmental variability, initial investment costs, fluctuations in energy demand, and maintenance challenges, emphasizing the importance of careful strategy selection and system design to address these factors. It also provides valuable insights for designing and optimizing off-grid solar PV systems, which can help to improve the efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of these systems.
Aberrant Water Structure Dynamics in B16 Melanoma-Bearing Mice by Time Domain Refractometry Analysis
Authors: Furuhata Kahori , Masuda Haruchika , Sato Atsuko , Miyata Kumiko , Shinyashiki Naoki , Kita Rio , Imagawa Kotaro , Akamatsu Tadashi , Yagihara Shin
Published: September 2023

Living bodies comprise approximately 55–75% water to maintain homeostasis. However, little is known about the comprehensive differences in in vivo water molecule dynamics (water structure dynamics; WSD) between physiological and pathophysiological statuses. Here, we examined the WSD of ex vivo tumor tissues and organs from tumor-bearing mice with engrafted mouse malignant melanoma cells (B16-F10) in the right flanks to compare with those in healthy mice, using time domain reflectometry of dielectric spectroscopy at days 9, 11, and 14 after engrafting. The relaxation parameters of relaxation time (τ), relaxation time distribution parameter (β), and relaxation strength (∆ε) were measured on tumor tissues and lung, liver, kidney, and skin tissues. Immediately afterward, the water contents (%) in the tumor and the other organs were calculated by measuring their weights before and after freeze-drying. Each parameter of the tumor was compared to that of pooled values of other organs in tumor-bearing (TO) and healthy mice (HO). The tumor water content temporarily increased compared to that of HO at day 11; the tumor volume was also prone to increase. In contrast, tumor tissues exhibited significantly higher values of β close to 1 of ultrapure water and ∆ε compared to TO and HO at all times. Moreover, β in the viscera of TO was prone to increase compared to that of HO with significantly higher levels at day 11. Conclusively, tumor-bearing mice exhibited systemically aberrant WSD, unlike healthy mice. Thus, dielectric spectroscopy in terms of WSD may provide novel pathophysiological perspectives in tumor-bearing living bodies.
Detection of Math6-Expressing Cell Types in Murine Placenta
Authors: Brendel Maren , Scharf Marion , Kindler Urs , Divvela Satya Srirama Karthik , Brand-Saberi Beate
Published: September 2023

The transcription factor Math6, mouse atonal homolog 6, belongs to the family of highly conserved basic helix–loop–helix transcription factors. It plays an important role in embryonic development and shows a wide expression pattern in murine tissues. The placenta, as a life-sustaining transient organ for the fetus, also depends on the expression of Math6. The adverse effects of deleting Math6 in mice, leading to deficient placental development and pregnancy loss, have already been demonstrated by us. Until now, detailed investigations regarding the specific mechanisms underlying the improper placental development in these murine mutants have failed, as the Math6 expression could not be confined to a specific cell type due to the lack of a highly specific Math6 antibody. To circumvent this problem, we used transgenic mice, where Math6 is marked with a Flag sequence that functions as a specific epitope. Tissues from these transgenic mice were used to establish immunohistochemical staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The establishment of these methods yielded initial findings pertaining to the identification of Math6-expressing cell types and their localization. Our results reveal that Math6 shows a wide expression pattern in both maternal and fetal components of the murine placenta. It shows expression in various cell types, but predominantly in trophoblast giant cells, endothelial cells and macrophages. The largest subpopulation that we detected in the group of Math6-positive cells were identified as DBA+ uterine natural killer cells. These findings reveal information and a chance for further investigation on the involvement of Math6 in placental development and the molecular pathomechanisms of spontaneous abortion.