bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Efficient Analytical Approaches to Investigate Nonlinear Two-Dimensional Time-Fractional Rosenau-Hyman Equations within the Yang Transform
Authors: Ganie Abdul Hamid , Mallik Saurav , Khan Adnan , Aziz Rabia Musheer , Ahmad Naim , Ghribi Wade , Badawy Ahmed Said
Published: February 2024

The goal of the current study is to analyse several nonlinear two-dimensional time-fractional Rosenau Hymanequations. The two-dimensional fractional Rosenau-Hyman equation has extensive use in engineering and applied sciences. The fractional view analysis of two-dimensional time-fractional Rosenau-Hyman equations is discussed using the homotopy perturbation approach, adomian decomposition method, and Yang transformation. Some examples involving two-dimensional time-fractional Rosenau-Hyman equations are provided in order to better understand the suggested approaches. The solutions appear as infinite series. We offer a comparison between the accurate solutions and those that are generated employing the proposed approaches in order to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed techniques. The results are graphically illustrated using 2D and 3D graphs. It has been noted that the obtained results and the targeted problems real solutions are quite similar. Calculated solutions at various fractional levels describe some of the problems useful dynamics. Other fractional problems that arise
in other fields of science and engineering can be solved using a modified version of the current techniques.
Screening for Metal Chelating Activity in Potato Protein Hydrolysates Using Surface Plasmon Resonance and Peptidomics
Authors: Bjørlie Mads , Hartmann Julie Christina , Rasmussen Line Hyrup , Yesiltas Betül , Sørensen Ann-Dorit Moltke , Gregersen Echers Simon , Jacobsen Charlotte
Published: February 2024

Metal-catalyzed lipid oxidation is a major factor in food waste, as it reduces shelf life. Addressing this issue, our study investigates the potential of hydrolysates derived from potato protein, a by-product of potato starch production, as metal chelating antioxidants. Through sequential enzymatic hydrolysis using Alcalase or Trypsin combined with Flavourzyme, we produced various hydrolysates, which were then fractionated via ultrafiltration. Using a combination of peptidomics and bioinformatics, we predicted the presence of metal-chelating and free radical scavenging peptides across all hydrolysate fractions, with a trend indicating a higher content of antioxidant peptides in lower molecular weight fractions. To validate these predictions, we utilized Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and a 9-day emulsion storage experiment. While SPR demonstrated potential in identifying antioxidant activity, it faced challenges in differentiating between hydrolysate fractions due to significant standard errors. In the storage experiment, all hydrolysates showed lipid oxidation inhibition, though not as effectively as EDTA. Remarkably, one fraction (AF13) was not significantly different (p < 0.05) from EDTA in suppressing hexanal formation. These results highlight SPR and peptidomics/bioinformatics as promising yet limited methods for antioxidant screening. Importantly, this study reveals the potential of potato protein hydrolysates as antioxidants in food products, warranting further research.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Deepfakes in Healthcare Systems: A Double-Edged Sword? Balancing Opportunities and Navigating Risks
Authors: Qureshi Jamshir , Khan Samina
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe escalating impact of artificial intelligence (AI) has birthed the fascinating technology of deepfakes, capable of meticulously crafting hyper-realistic audio-visual manipulations. Within the realm of healthcare, this technology presents a double-edged sword, brimming with potential for revolutionizing various facets of care delivery while simultaneously harboring significant ethical and practical challenges. This research delves into the complex narrative surrounding AI deepfakes in healthcare, meticulously analyzing both the exciting opportunities they offer, and the inherent risks associated with their implementation.Background:Traditional healthcare practices face limitations in patient engagement, accessibility, and training efficacy. Deepfakes, with their ability to simulate real-world scenarios and interactions, emerge as a potential solution, offering personalized patient education, immersive mental health interventions, remote consultations with virtual avatars, and realistic training simulations for medical professionals.Objective:This research aims to comprehensively understand the multifaceted impact of AI deepfakes in healthcare systems. It seeks to: Identify and analyze the potential benefits of deepfakes in specific healthcare applications. Assess the ethical and practical challenges associated with deepfake implementation in healthcare settings. Propose recommendations for safe, responsible, and ethical integration of deepfakes within the healthcare system.Results/Conclusion:The research findings illuminate a landscape replete with opportunities and challenges. Deepfakes offer the potential to enhance patient education, personalize mental health interventions, facilitate remote consultations, and revolutionize medical training. However, concerns regarding misinformation, ethical breaches, data privacy, and technical limitations pose significant challenges.The conclusion emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that capitalizes on the innovative potential of deepfakes while mitigating potential harm. Collaborative efforts involving healthcare professionals, technologists, and policymakers are crucial for establishing ethical frameworks, ensuring responsible development, and harnessing the positive power of deepfakes to build a future where healthcare benefits from cutting-edge technology while prioritizing patient well-being and ethical principles.
Unraveling the Mechanisms of Intestinal Insufficiency in Acute Peritonitis: A Comprehensive Overview
Authors: Serban Cristina , Toma Alexandra , Constantin Bianca , Tocu George , Tudorascu Iulia , Mihalache Daniela , Bulgaru Flavius , Mihailov Raul , Trus Constantin , Popazu Constantin , Voicu Dragoș
Published: February 2024

Acute peritonitis is a severe complication of abdominal surgery with a high mortality rate. Intes-tinal insufficiency syndrome (IIS) is a key factor in the progression of peritonitis, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. The most characteristic and rapid manifestation of IIS is the development of intestinal paresis. Intestinal paresis is a condition characterized by inhibi-tion of intestinal motility, with the inability to evacuate intestinal contents. Intestinal paresis is caused by a cascade of neuroreflex and humoral reactions that lead to severe microcirculatory and metabolic disturbances. In the absence of adequate treatment, IIS can progress to enteritis, a state of complete intestinal insufficiency, with the inability to absorb nutrients and water.
Definition of Food Consumption, Loss, and Waste
Authors: Ramaprasad Arkalgud , Kashyap Shwetmala
Published: February 2024

The global food system has three recognized challenges: (a)increasing the availability of food consumption, (b) reducing food loss, and (c) reducing food waste. The increasing demand for food consumption, increasing quantity of food loss, and corresponding increase in food waste are resulting in serious health, aesthetic, social, economic, and environmental problems due to a lack of appropriate planning and management. Despite its importance, there is no clear, concise, and comprehensive definition of food consumption, loss, and waste. Generally, food consumption, food loss, and food waste are dealt with separately. This article presents a logically constructed ontological framework of food consumption, loss, and waste. It gives equal importance to all three aspects of global food management. The systematic ontological framework is general, and the analysis can be applied to any country. The framework deconstructs the combinatorial complexity of the problem and explicates the pathways to manage the consumption, loss, and waste. The ontological framework encapsulates 19*8*7*4*5*6 = 25,536 possible components of the challenge. A critical analysis based on available data using the framework will help to develop strategies to deal with the problem. It can help to discover the gaps and to find ways to bridge the gaps. It is novel to conceptualize food consumption, loss, and waste together.
SARS-CoV-2-Specific Immune Responses in Vaccination and Infection during the Pandemic in 2020–2022
Authors: Inoue Wakana , Kimura Yuta , Okamoto Shion , Nogimori Takuto , Sakaguchi-Mikami Akane , Yamamoto Takuya , Tsunetsugu-Yokota Yasuko
Published: February 2024

To better understand how immunity develops against SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic period of 2020 to 2022, we analyzed the immune response of a small group of university staff and students who were either infected or vaccinated. We investigated the levels of receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific and nucleocapsid (N)-specific IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and saliva samples taken early (around 10 days after infection or vaccination) and later (around 1 month later), as well as N-specific T-cell responses. One patient who had been infected in 2020 developed serum RBD and N-specific IgG antibodies, but declined 8 months later, then mRNA vaccination in 2021 produced a higher level of anti-RBD IgG than natural infection. In the vaccination of naïve individuals, vaccines induced anti-RBD IgG, but it declined after 6 months. A third vaccination boosted the IgG level again, albeit to a lower level than after the second. In 2022, when the Omicron variant became dominant, familial transmission occurred even among vaccinated people. In infected individuals, the levels of serum anti-RBD IgG antibodies increased later, while anti-N IgG peaked earlier. The N-specific activated T cells expressing IFN- or CD107a were detected early. In saliva, SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG but not IgA was detected. Interestingly, two individuals showed a temporary peak in RBD- and N-specific IgA antibodies in their saliva on the second day after infection. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers typical immune responses in humans against acute viral infections, but mucosal immune responses, which are temporarily induced early during infection, may be more important for protection than current intramuscular vaccines.
Performance of SBA-15 Porous Material as a Novel Nanocarrier for Control Release of Thyme Oil in Low Density Polyethylene Active Packaging Films
Authors: Salmas Constantinos E. , Baikousi Maria , Karabagias Vassilios K. , Karageorgou Ioanna , Iordanidis George , Emmanouil-Konstantinos Charmpas , Leontiou Areti , Karydis-Messinis Andreas , Zafeiropoulos Nikolaos E. , Kehayias George , Proestos Charalampos , Giannakas Aris E.
Published: February 2024

The use of natural raw substances for food preservation could provide a great contribution to food waste reducing, circular economy enhancing, and green processes application widening. Recent studies indicated that natural preservatives release kinetics significantly influenced the food preservation process. The use of porous materials as absorber for natural essential oils provided nanohybrids with excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. In this study the well-known SBA-15 porous material was used to control the release of the natural preservative thyme oil on food surface and to extend the food shelf-life. Results indicated that the thyme oil loading was higher than other porous materials reported recently and the addition of SBA-15 to the LDPE increases the water/oxygen barrier. The film with the higher thyme-oil@SBA-15 nanohybrid content exhibited the slower release kinetic. The antioxidant activity of the final films ignited after 48 hours, was in the range of 60-70%, and was almost constant for 7 days. Finally, all tests indicated a sufficient improvement by the addition of thyme-oil@SBA-15 nanohybrids in the pure LDPE matrix and the concentration of wt. 10% of such nanocarriers provided the optimum final LDPE/10TEO@SBE-15 active packaging film. This material could be a potential future product for active packaging applications.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), A Narrative Review with Focus on BPD Comorbidities
Authors: SADEK JOSEPH
Published: February 2024

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex and severe mental disorder. It is associated with greater use of medical services. It is characterized by intense fear of abandonment, recurring suicidal thoughts or self-harm, paranoid ideation or dissociation, identity difficulties, chronic feelings of emptiness, impulsive behavior and unstable moods and relationships. BPD is one of the most prevalent personality disorders with a higher diagnosis in females. For a diagnosis of BPD in patients, they must have a chronic pattern of functional impairment in addition to five of nine listed DSM-5 criteria. This review was a narrative literature search between 2000 to 2023 with a focus on BPD comorbidities.
Results: Researchers observed a complex pattern of comorbidities with BPD that connects with other externalizing and internalizing disorders. BPD has a high comorbidity rate with mood disorders including bipolar I and II disorders, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, panic disorder alcohol use disorder, nicotine dependence, marijuana dependance, posttraumatic stress disorder, other personality disorders, binge eating disorder and ADHD. Diagnosis and management of BPD in presence of some of these disorders are discussed.
Divulgar geología, desde «Pregunte a un Geólogo» hasta ChatGPT
Authors: Pampliega Higueras Enrique
Published: February 2024

La geología se potencia con la Inteligencia Artificial (IA), una herramienta inapreciable para la divulgación científica. La IA facilita la comunicación de conceptos geológicos complejos, acercando el conocimiento de la Tierra a audiencias diversas con claridad y accesibilidad sin precedentes.
Measurement Invariance of Achievement Motives Model: PISA 2018 Turkey Sample
Authors: Başman Münevver
Published: February 2024

This study aims to find out whether the achievement motives model, constructed by attitudes towards competition, motivation to master tasks, and fear of failure scales, has measurement invariance in the PISA 2018 student questionnaire concerning gender and school type in Turkey sample, containing 6442 students. According to the results, the model's fit levels with the data were within acceptable levels across gender groups and school-type groups. Then, the measurement invariance across gender and school type was tested by multigroup confirmatory factor analysis including a sequence of tests of four nested hierarchical models which are configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance. The fit indices of models and the differences of indice values between models were examined to decide whether measurement invariance is established. It is found that the full measurement invariance is met according to gender and school type since the values of the indices for each invariance step are acceptable values. It means that it will be appropriate and meaningful to compare the students based on the scores obtained from the measurement tool within the framework of the achievement motives model.
Efectos Ambientales y Económicos Favorables de los Coproductos de Etanol de Maíz en Brasil
Authors: Barbosa Cortez Luís Augusto , Monteiro Salles-Filho Sérgio Luiz , Sbardella Maicon
Published: February 2024

Brasil es un productor tradicional de etanol combustible a partir de caña de azúcar con coproducción de azúcar. Con ese modelo, produciendo azúcar y etanol, Brasil se convirtió en el primer productor y exportador de azúcar y el segundo productor de etanol combustible. Sin embargo, este modelo ya no se puede ampliar. El etanol de maíz se está convirtiendo en la alternativa para expandir la producción de etanol combustible debido a su potencial para producir proteína que se puede utilizar para alimentar ganado de carne. Brasil utiliza casi el 20% de su territorio, cerca de 200 Mha, para producir ganado vacuno y los residuos de etanol de maíz, como el DDG[1], son el elemento clave para reducir los pastizales. Este artículo analiza esta nueva actividad económica en Brasil, así como su potencial para combinarse con políticas ambientales para reducir o incluso detener la deforestación en Brasil.
[1] DDG es una abreviación del inglés para Dry Distillers Grains. El DDG es un coproducto rico en fibras y proteína, obtenido de la producción de etanol de maíz. Normalmente el DDG es utilizado como alimento animal, particularmente para ganado.
MONOGRAPH: The confluence of Circular Bioeconomy, Biorefineries and Sustainable Development Goals in the olive sector
Authors: Contreras Gámez María del Mar , Parrilla González Juan Antonio , Castro Galiano Eulogio
Published: February 2024

In this work, the basic concepts of Circular Economy, Bioeconomy and Biorefineries are reviewed with a special emphasis on the olive sector. The possibility of developing biorefineries in this field entails a series of advantages that affect economic, social and environmental aspects and, therefore, can have a direct impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article reviews the main contributions of biorefineries based on olive biomass to the SDGs, both from the industrial point of view and from the point of view of cooperatives, which represent the vast majority of the productive structures in the olive oil sector in Spain. Finally, an analysis is carried out of the barriers and opportunities that may affect the achievement of the SDGs in the area of study.
Factores socioeconómicos asociados a la influencia del semáforo nutricional en la decisión de compra de alimentos procesados en la población adulta de Ecuador, 2018
Authors:   , Bobbio Gonzales Paolo Alfredo
Published: February 2024

Para determinar los factores socioeconómicos y demográficos asociados a la influencia del semáforo nutricional (SN) en la decisión de compra de alimentos procesados utilizando información de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (ENSANUT) 2018 de Ecuador, se realizó un estudio transversal y analítico basado en un análisis secundario de la información de la ENSANUT 2018. Se recolectaron datos de 25 932 participantes de 18 años o más que conocían o habían visto el SN, y de los cuales se disponía de información completa sobre las variables de interés para el estudio. La "Influencia del SN en la decisión de compra de alimentos procesados" fue la variable de resultado del estudio. Se utilizaron modelos lineales generalizados de la familia de Poisson, con enlace logarítmico, para evaluar la asociación entre los factores socioeconómicos y el resultado, utilizando razones de prevalencia crudas (PR) y ajustadas (aPR), con intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95% y un valor p < 0,05. Los participantes que comprendían el SN (aPR: 2,49; IC del 95%: 2,19-2,83), con un nivel educativo más alto (aPR: 1,33; IC del 95%: 1,09-1,61), mujeres (aPR 1,06; IC del 95%: 1,01-1,10) y que tenían pareja (aPR 1,09; IC del 95%: 1,04-1,14) tenían más probabilidades de verse influidos por el SN a la hora de decidir la compra de alimentos procesados, en comparación con las personas que no entendían el SN, que no tenían ningún nivel educativo o que sólo asistían a un centro de alfabetización, eran hombres y no tenían pareja. Los habitantes de la región costera (aPR: 0,92; IC 95%: 0,88-0,97), la Amazonía (aPR 0,93; IC 95%: 0,88-0,98) y la región insular (aPR 0,76; IC 95%: 0,68-0,84) tenían pocas probabilidades de verse influidos por el SN...
Efecto de la inmunonutrición enteral como estrategia nutricional en pacientes oncológicos hospitalizados sometidos a cirugías mayores gastrointestinales: Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis
Authors:   , Recoba Obregon Paulo Eder
Published: February 2024

El paciente oncológico con tratamiento quirúrgico gástrico o de colon con desnutrición, pueden presentar alteraciones con respeto a la respuesta inflamatoria y complicaciones post operatorias. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar, a partir de una revisión sistemática con metaanálisis, el efecto de la inmunonutrición enteral (arginina, glutamina, omega 3 y nucleótidos) como estrategia nutricional en pacientes oncológicos hospitalizados sometidos a cirugías mayores gastrointestinales para la disminuir las complicaciones post operatorias y modificar los cambios en la respuesta inflamatoria. Se revisó la literatura tanto en español, inglés y portugués para recolectar la información registrada en las bases de datos Medline a través de Ovid, Cochrane (Central), Scopus, Web of Science y EMBASE. Adicionalmente se realizó la búsqueda en los motores como Google Académico y Trip Data Base. Se detectaron 1236 artículos relacionados al tema, de los cuales se seleccionaron 18 ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) internacionales (5,5 % desarrollados en América, 50 % en Asia y 44,5 % en Europa). Esta selección se basó en los criterios de inclusión-exclusión, y mediante la metodología de la herramienta Cochrane, para la clasificación de la calidad de la evidencia en la tabla de resumen y graduación de la fuerza de recomendación se utilizó el sistema GRADE. Por lo tanto, los criterios de selección de la literatura para este estudio, permitieron identificar un nivel de certeza baja y fuerza de recomendación fuerte para los resultados de complicaciones post operatorias por infecciones (RR 0.74 IC 95%; 0.60-0.90, p=0.003; I2=12%) para el tratamiento con inmunonutrición enteral, aplicada a pacientes con cáncer gástrico y colon. Este resultado avala el efecto favorable de la inmunonutrición enteral en el manejo de las complicaciones post operatorias infecciosas en el paciente oncológico con cirugías mayores gastrointestinales.
Violencia en estudiantes universitarios LGBT+: prevalencia y consecuencias en el presentismo y ausentismo académico
Authors:   , Mil Serrano Andres Yovani
Published: February 2024

La universidad constituye un espacio donde los estudiantes potencian su desarrollo intelectual, social y académico; no obstante, los estudiantes LGBT+ continúan siendo víctimas de diversos tipos de violencia. Actualmente las cifras continúan en ascenso, y resultan escasos los estudios en el contexto latinoamericano que exploran la prevalencia de la violencia y su influencia sobre el presentismo y ausentismo académico en esta población. Por lo tanto, este estudio se propuso determinar la prevalencia de las diversas tipologías de la violencia y su influencia sobre el presentismo y ausentismo académico en estudiantes universitarios LGBT+. Se ejecutó un estudio cuantitativo, no experimental, correlacional y transversal, haciendo uso de una muestra compuesta por 178 estudiantes LGBT+ de universidades de Lima y Callao, seleccionados de modo no probabilístico de tipo bola de nieve y que cumplieron con los criterios de selección indicados. Para medir las variables de estudio se hizo uso de la “Escala de violencia contra estudiantes LGBT+ perpetrada por integrantes de la comunidad universitaria” y “Escalas de presentismo y ausentismo académico”, las mismas cuentan con propiedades psicométricas adecuadas. Los resultados evidencian que los estudiantes LGBT+ refieren haber presentado violencia psicológica (40.4%), seguida de acoso (39.9%), acecho (20.8%) y violencia sexual (12.4%). La violencia hacia los estudiantes universitarios LGBT+ influye significativamente sobre el ausentismo y presentismo académico (p < .001), presentando el modelo estructural índices de ajustes óptimos. Estos hallazgos reflejan la necesidad de diseñar y ejecutar intervenciones que reduzcan la prevalencia de la violencia dentro y fuera de los centros universitarios, y con ello disminuir el impacto sobre el presentismo y ausentismo académico en estudiantes LGBT+.
Instrumentos económicos para la creación y fomento de distritos culturales en Colombia
Authors: Portillo Lobo Andrea Carolina
Published: February 2024

Los distritos culturales y creativos han adquirido creciente relevancia dentro de la política pública cultural. En Colombia, mediante la Ley 1955 de 2019, se instauró la figura de Área de Desarrollo Naranja (ADN), que en su definición cumple con las características y atributos de un distrito cultural. El propósito de este artículo es presentar los resultados del proceso de investigación realizado para optar por el título de Magíster en Gestión de la Cultura, a partir del cual se propone una serie de instrumentos económicos que pueden implementarse desde el nivel territorial para la creación y la sostenibilidad de distritos culturales en el país. Para el cumplimiento de este objetivo, se realizó un análisis documental de los actos administrativos de creación y delimitación de ADN, a la vez que se revisaron las experiencias de políticas internacionales con el fin de enriquecer y alimentar los resultados obtenidos. Estos permiten concluir que, a tres años de la implementación de la figura de ADN en Colombia no se cuenta con un marco de gobernanza ni con instrumentos económicos que sirvan para consolidar una política cultural basada en la creación de distritos culturales y creativos. Por tal tazón, de manera propositiva, se plantea una guía de instrumentos económicos que puedan ser utilizados por las administraciones municipales para el fomento de los distritos culturales en el país.
Tool assisted Agile approach for Legacy application Migration
Authors: Chatterjee Nachiketa , Majumdar Srijoni , Das Partha Pratim , Chakrabarti Amlan
Published: February 2024

Many organizations rely on legacy applications for critical business pro- cesses, even though it incurs a huge cost due to obsolete hardware, software, compiler and the like. Replacing the business critical legacy requires extensive expertise to understand business requirements, esti- mate and test coupled with high cost. To ensure a strict cost budget of legacy migration projects, migration specialists need assistance to understand the facts of the legacy application component in a short span of time to estimate and deliver the target components. Avail- able program assistance tools do not address the needs to migrate the legacy applications. We have designed an effective framework to extract the run-time behaviour of the legacy application like function point, complexity, memory accesses and the like so as to estimate the scope and requirements of an application. The framework contains support to comprehend existing legacy applications, develop and test the target application with business-rules, non-functional requirements (NFR), test data, etc. Then we have proposed a tool assisted Agile way-of-working principles by augmenting our tool-set to migrate the legacy application quickly and effciently. The target components can also be validated co- existentially by exchanging live data with the existing legacy. Designed toolset is built on an open-source dynamic instrumentation framework and can be plugged to a wide variety of run-time environments.
Effects of editing of daily feed intake on genetic parameters and predicted breeding values for feed efficiency-related traits in Large White pigs
Authors: de Vargas Lucas , de Freitas Luciana Salles , Gonçalves Flaviana Miranda , Silveira Daniel Duarte da , Campos Gabriel Soares , Kern Elisandra Lurdes , Cobuci Jaime Araujo
Published: February 2024

The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the pre-editing of phenotypic data obtained from electronic feeders in Large White pig breeding company and verify the effect of three data correction methods on the estimated genetic parameters and accuracy of breeding values to improve genetic gains for feed efficiency traits. Feed intake data from 962 Large White boars was used to evaluate the impact of data correction of phenotypic records based on three methods: DS-CSY, adjustment method proposed by Casey; DS-NADJ, without adjustments; DS-ITO, adjustment proposed by Ito. (Co)variance components were calculated for feed conversion ratio (FCR), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and residual feed intake (RFI) based on the datasets generated after editing and correction. The lowest heritabilities (ADFI and RFI) were obtained using the dataset no adjust (DS-NADJ), and the highest was obtained based on the DS-CSY dataset. The genetic correlation between traits ranged from 0.92 to 0.99. Rank correlations of estimated breeding values (EBVs) of all animals across datasets were high (above 0.94) for all traits. The percentage of commonly-selected individuals was high for 10% percentile in all traits (76% to 89%), and the lowest values were found for RFI between datasets in the 5% percentile. The method for pre-editing of daily feed intake (DFI) data from electronic feeders (DS-CSY) resulted in higher heritability and EBV accuracy of the derived traits. The recommended correction method for the data would be the exclusion of 16 error types and adjustment of the error-free DFI.
Effects of High Protein and Low Carbohydrate Smoothie Formulas on Swallowing Capacity in Older Adults: A Cross-Over Study
Authors: Mongkolsucharitkul Pichanun , Pinsawas Bonggochpass , Watcharachaisoponsiri Thareerat , Suta Sophida , Pumeiam Sureeporn , Ophakas Suphawan , Surawit Apinya , Ongard Sunun , Keskool Phawin , Thitisakulchai Poungkaew , Sricha Phisamai , Mayurasakorn Korapat
Published: February 2024

Background
Dysphagia is a common problem in older adults that can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Nutrition support is an alternative nutritional therapy, specifically manufactured for the older individuals at risk of dysphagia. This study aimed to develop four high protein (23-34% energy ratio) and low carbohydrate (25-38% energy ratio) smoothie formulas (white sesame (WS) vs. white sesame and low carbohydrate (WSLC) vs. black sesame and low carbohydrate (BSLC) vs. chicken shitake (CS); 1 kcal/ml) for the older people with dysphagia and to assess their effect on swallowing capacity compared to completed commercial formula (Ensure®).
Methods
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study involved 63 participants aged 65 years or over. Subjects were divided into asymptomatic (n=32, aged 72.9 ± 5.66 year) or symptomatic swallowing difficulty (n=31, aged 75.0 ± 6.48 year) groups based on swallowing screening questionnaires. Swallowing capacity was assessed using Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), performed by experienced healthcare professionals, for three drinks (WS, CS vs. Ensure®) in a blinded random sequence.
Results
Spare retention of a food bolus in each formula had been identified in the asymptomatic (47-66%) and symptomatic (59-71%) groups. WS had fewer premature spills than Ensure® in the symptomatic group, but not in the asymptomatic group (5±0.03 vs. 4.7±0.12, p < 0.05), while CS had fewer premature spills than Ensure®.
Conclusions
This result suggests that consumption of smoothie drinks, particularly WS (51-350 centipoise), may help reduce the risk and severity of food aspiration in the older people at risk compared to commercial formula (1-50 centipoise). These smoothies may be the alternative completed formulas without additional thickeners for the management and supplementation in older people with dysphagia.
Trial registration: Clinical Trial ID: NCT04901182, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04901182 (25/05/2021)
Chemoarchitectural Signatures of Subcortical Shape Alterations in Generalized Epilepsy
Authors: Liao Wei , Meng Yao , Xiao Jinming , Yang Siqi , Li Jiao , Xu Qiang , Zhang Qirui , Lu Guangming , Chen Huafu , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: February 2024

Genetic generalized epilepsies (GGE) exhibit widespread morphometric alterations in the subcortical structures. Subcortical nuclei are essential for understanding GGE pathophysiology, but their fine-grained morphological diversity has yet to be comprehensively investigated. Furthermore, the relationships between macroscale morphological disturbances and microscale molecular chemoarchitectures are unclear. High resolution structural images were acquired from patients with GGE (n = 97) and sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs, n = 184). Individual measurements of surface shape features (thickness and surface area) of seven bilateral subcortical nuclei were quantified. The patients and HCs were then compared vertex-wise, and shape anomalies were co-located with brain neurotransmitter profiles. We found widespread morphological alterations in GGE and prominent disruptions in the thalamus, putamen, and hippocampus. Shape area dilations were observed in the bilateral ventral, medial, and right dorsal thalamus, as well as the bilateral lateral putamen. We found that the shape area deviation pattern was spatially correlated with norepinephrine transporter and nicotinic acetylcholine (Ach) receptor (α4β2) profiles, but a distinct association was seen in the muscarinic Ach receptor (M1).The findings provided a comprehensive picture of subcortical morphological disruptions in GGE, and further characterized the associated molecular mechanisms. This information may increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of GGE.
Fractal Geometry in Tumour Immunoediting
Authors: Soleymani Nasim , Shariatpanahi Seyed Peyman , Goliaei Bahram
Published: February 2024

As being composed of cancer cells and myofibroblasts, different areas including cancer nest and stroma develop in tumor. The latter plays an important role in penetration of immune system. On the other hand, immune cells do not spread evenly in these areas and don’t have the same effect on different cells. Tumor tissue has fractal properties, including a unique fractional dimension along with lacunarity. In this study, by utilizing partial differential equations, we simulate the infiltration and diffusion of immune cells in two areas of modelled tumor tissues. Here, we show that not only is fractal dimension an important factor in immunoediting, but also the fractal architecture of tumor plays a vital role in maintaining tumor in equilibrium. The results show the significance of lacunarity. We define tumor malignancy in models with smaller fractal dimensions and greater lacunarities, in contrast, benign tumors have greater fractal dimensions and smaller lacunarities. Sierpinski Carpet random pre-fractal produces a better model for tumor immunoediting in comparison with non-deterministic Brownian fractal as it reflects immunoediting stages in a more beneficial way for tumor.
Status quo, perception, and preference of secondary prevention medications in post-stroke dysphagia patients: Time to raise awareness and develop special formulations
Authors: Yu Na , Yang Jianhong , Katas Haliza
Published: February 2024

Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) is an increasingly common complication of stroke. Despite its intuitively unfavorable impact on secondary prevention medication use, limited awareness is available regarding this issue. Herein, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the current use, patient-perceived needs and preferences for secondary prevention medications among PSD patients. To highlight the special situation arising from dysphagia, Chinese stroke patients with a duration of under five years were recruited and categorized into PSD and non-PSD groups by initial survey. Only the PSD group continued the needs and preference surveys. Among the 3,490 eligible respondents, 42.7% reported experiencing dysphagia after stroke. Those PSD respondents were more likely to consume multiple medications and suffer from anticoagulants-associated gastrointestinal bleeding as compared to non-PSD ones (p<0.001). More crucially, 40.2% of them had frequent difficulty in swallowing pills, 37.1% routinely crushed solid oral dosage forms (SODFs), and 23.5% coughed frequently when taking SODFs. In consequence, 87.4% responded a need for PSD-specific formulations where safe swallowing, easy swallowing, and reduced medication frequency were preferred pharmaceutical factors.These findings demonstrate an unsatisfactory situation and definite needs for PSD patients in using secondary prevention medications. Awareness should be increased to develop PSD-specific formulations for safe and effective secondary prevention.
Real-world evidence of treatment patterns and survival of metastatic gastric cancer patients in Germany
Authors: Luna Jaime , Picker Nils , Wilke Thomas , Lutz Magnus , Hess Jürgen , Mörtl Bernhard , Xiong Yan , Götze Thorsten Oliver
Published: February 2024

Background: Patients with metastatic gastric cancer (mGC) have poor prognosis. This real-world study aimed to describe treatment regimens and survival of mGC patients.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using anonymized German claims data (AOK PLUS) covering a period from 2010 to 2021. The study population included newly diagnosed mGC cases identified from 2011 to 2020. The index date was defined as the first diagnosis of metastasis on or after gastric cancer diagnosis. Therapy regimens were identified based on inpatient and outpatient data, and subsequently stratified by line of treatment. Survival analyses were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results: The cohort consisted of 5,278 mGC incident cases (mean age: 72.7 years; male: 61.9%). Nearly half of the incident cases received mGC-related treatment (49.8%). Treated patients were more often male, younger, and had fewer comorbidities compared to untreated patients. Of the 2,629 mGC patients who started the first line of treatment (1LOT), 32.8% switched to 2LOT, and 10.2% reached 3LOT. The median real-world overall survival (rwOS) since diagnosis was 8.5 months (95% CI 8.1 – 9.0 months). The survival rate estimation was 41.1% (95%CI 39.8% - 42.5%) at 1 year. Longer survival was observed among treated patients (12.7 months) compared with untreated patients (3.7 months).
Conclusion: Systemic therapy was not received in almost half of the mGC patients. In those patients, a very short median rwOS was observed. Treatment patterns were in line with the guideline recommendations, however, therapy switching rates and poor prognosis indicate high unmet needs also in the treated population.
Transcriptomics analysis of long non-coding RNAs in smooth muscle cells from patients with peripheral artery disease and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yundung Yankey , Mohammed Shafeeq , Paneni Francesco , Reutersberg Benedikt , Rössler Fabian , Zimmermann Alexander , Pelisek Jaroslav
Published: February 2024

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant risk factor for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and PAD is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). Growing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) significantly contribute to disease development and underlying complications, particularly affecting smooth muscle cells (SMCs). So far, no study has focused on transcriptome analysis of lncRNAs in PAD patients with and without DM. Tissue samples were obtained from our Vascular Biobank. Due to the sample’s heterogeneity, expression analysis of lncRNAs in whole tissue detected only ACTA2-AS1 with 4.9-fold increase in PAD patients with DM. In contrast, transcriptomics of SMCs revealed 28 lncRNAs significantly differentially expressed between PAD with and without DM (FDR < 0.1). Sixteen lncRNAs were of unknown function, six were described in cancer, one connected with macrophages polarisation, and five were associated with CVDs, mainly with SMC function and phenotypic switch (NEAT1, XIST, MIR222HG, MIR100HG, HIF1A-AS3, MRI29B2CHG). The enrichment analysis revealed additional lncRNAs H19, CARMN, FTX, and MEG3 linked with DM. Our study revealed several lncRNAs in diabetic PAD patients associated with the physiological function of SMCs. These lncRNAs might serve as potential therapeutic targets to improve the function of SMCs within the diseased tissue and, thus, the clinical outcome.
Dysregulation of gut microbiota exacerbates LPS-induced endometritis by producing succinate in mice
Authors: Fu Yunhe , Qiu Min , zhao Xiaotong , Xie Jiaxin , cheng Qian , Liu Yiheng , Zhao Caijun , Zhang Naisheng , Hu Xiaoyu
Published: February 2024

There is increasing evidence suggesting a connection between the gut microbiota and female reproductive diseases, including endometritis. Endometritis not only poses higher health risks to women but also incurs significant economic costs in animals. However, the impact of gut inflammation on the gut microbiota and its role in the development of endometritis is still uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intestinal microbiota on LPS-induced endometritis in mice. Our findings demonstrate that DSS-induced intestinal inflammation can worsen LPS-induced endometritis in mice, and this effect is dependent on the gut microbiota, as the use of antibiotics to deplete the gut microbiota eliminates this protective effect. Similarly, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from DSS-treated mice (DF) to recipient mice exacerbates LPS-induced endometritis. Furthermore, the depletion of DSS and DF leads to increased levels of fecal succinate compared to controls. Additionally, treatment with succinic acid aggravates LPS-induced endometritis in mice. Mechanistically, depletion of DSS treatment resulted in disruption of the gut barrier and an imbalance of succinate-producing and succinate-consuming bacteria. This imbalance led to the massive production, blood transport, and accumulation of succinate in the uterus via the gut-uterus axis. Consequently, the uterine injury was exacerbated through intestinal succinate, which exacerbates uterine injury by SUCNR 1-dependent promotion of NF-κB activation. Overall, our findings suggest that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota exacerbates LPS-induced endometritis in mice by gut microbiota producing succinate. This identifies gut-derived succinate as a novel target for treating critical endometritis. Furthermore, it indicates that targeting the gut microbiota and its metabolism could be a potential strategy for intervention in endometritis and other infectious diseases.
Evaluating human landing catches as a measure of mosquito biting and the importance of considering additional modes of action
Authors: Fairbanks Emma , Tambwe Mgeni , Moore Jason , Mpelepele Ahmed , Lobo Neil , Mashauri Rajabu , Chitnis Nakul , Moore Sarah
Published: February 2024

Entomological evaluations of vector control tools often use human landing catches (HLCs) as a standard measure of a direct human-vector contact. However, some tools have additional characteristics, such as mortality, and HLCS are not sensitive for measuring other effects beyond landing inhibition. Therefore, additional measures may need to be considered when evaluating these tools for public health use. This study has two main aims (1) the evaluate the accuracy of HLCs as a proxy for feeding and (2) to compare the predicted reduction in vectorial capacity when we do and do not consider these additional characteristics. To achieve this, we analyse previously published semi-field data from an experiment which used HLCs and another where mosquitoes were allowed to feed in the presence of different dosages of the volatile pyrethroid spatial repellent, transfluthrin. We compare results for two mathematical models: one which only considers the reduction in feeding effect and one which also considers mortality before and after feeding (using data gathered by the aspiration of mosquitoes after the semi-field feeding/landing period and 24 hour survival monitoring). These Bayesian hierarchical models are parameterised using Bayesian inference. We observe that, for susceptible mosquitoes, reduction in landing is underestimated by HLCs. For knockdown resistant mosquitoes the relationship is less clear; with HLCs sometimes appearing to overestimate this characteristic. We find HLCs tend to under-predict the relative reduction in vectorial capacity in susceptible mosquitoes while over-predicting this impact in knockdown-resistant mosquitoes. Models without secondary effects have lower predicted relative reductions in vectorial capacities. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering additional characteristics to reduction in biting of volatile pyrethroid spatial repellents. We recommend that these are considered when evaluating novel vector control tools.
Mendelian randomization of leisure sedentary behavior, physical activity and scoliosis
Authors: Fangjun Yang
Published: February 2024

Objective: To investigate the relationship between leisure sedentary behavior (LSB), physical activity (PA) and the risk of scoliosis by using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).
Methods: Genetic variation in television watching time, mobile phone use time, moderate-to-high intensity physical activity (MVPA), and vigorous physical activity (VPA) were used as instrumental variables, and genome-wide association data from a Finnish database of patients with scoliosis were used. The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was used as the main analysis method, and the weighted median, MR-Egger, MR Multi-effect residual sum and outlier were combined to perform multiple sensitivity analysis.
Results: IVW results showed: watching TV time (OR=0.623, 95%CI: 0.616-1.789, P=0.623); Time spent on mobile phones (OR=0.575, 95%CI: 0.169-1.960, P=0.377); MVPA (OR=0.535, 95%CI: 0.09-3.15, P=0.49); VPA (OR=0.623, 95%CI: 0.616-1.789, P=0.623). The results of the primary IVW MR Analysis were consistent with those of the multiple sensitivity MR Analysis.
Conclusion: Genetic susceptibility to leisure sedentary behavior and physical activity are not associated with the risk of scoliosis. The observed associations may be the result of shared genetic effects or environmental confounding factors. However, we found a possible correlation between the type of physical activity and scoliosis.
The application of a single-hand-operated hepatic pedicle clamping clamp in laparoscopic hepatectomy
Authors: Shen Zhengchao , Jiang Bin , CHU Hongpeng , WANG Guannan , FANG Xiaosan , CHEN Zhiyuan , YANG Yuntao , WANG Jie , WANG Xiaoming
Published: February 2024

Objective
In this paper, a single-hand-operated hepatic pedicle clamp was introduced, and its application value in laparoscopic liver tumor resection was preliminarily discussed.
Methods
The clinical data of 67 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver tumor resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from March 2019 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The Pringle maneuver was performed with a hepatic pedicle clamp during the operation. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative clinical data were observed and recorded.
Results
Sixty-seven patients had a median block number, block time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative length of hospital stay of 4, 55 min, 400 ml, and 7 days, respectively. The average operation time was 304.9 ± 118.4 min, the time required for each block was 3.2 ± 2.4 s, and the time required for each removed block was 2.6 ± 0.7 s. None of the patients developed portal vein thrombosis or hepatic artery aneurysm formation. The median postoperative hospital stay was 7 (3–21) days.
Conclusion
The hepatic pedicle clamping clamp is simple to use in laparoscopic hepatectomy, optimizes the operation process, and has a reliable blocking effect. It is recommended for clinical application.