bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MOF-based stimuli-responsive controlled release nanopesticide: mini review
Authors: Hu Shuhui , Yan Chang , Fei Qiang , Zhang Bo , Wu Wenneng
Published: September 2023

By releasing an adequate amount of active ingredients when triggered by environmental and biological factors, the nanopesticides that respond to stimuli can enhance the efficacy of pesticides and contribute to the betterment of both the environment and food safety. The versatile nature and highly porous structure of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently garnered significant interest as drug carriers for various applications. In recent years, there has been significant progress in the development of metal-organic frameworks as nanocarriers for pesticide applications. This review focuses on the advancements, challenges, and potential future enhancements in the design of metal-organic frameworks as nanocarriers in the field of pesticides. We explore the various stimuli-responsive metal-organic frameworks carriers, particularly focusing on zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), which have been successfully activated by external stimuli such as pH-responsive or multiple stimuli-responsive mechanisms. In conclusion, this paper presents the existing issues and future prospects of metal-organic frameworks-based nanopesticides with stimuli-responsive controlled release.
The prevalence of cardiorenal anemia syndrome among patients with heart failure and its association with all-cause hospitalizations: a retrospective single-center study from the Middle East
Authors: Manla Yosef , Kholoki Obada , Bader Feras , Kanwar Oshin , Abidi Emna , El Nekidy Wasim S. , Hijazi Fadi , Attallah Nizar
Published: September 2023

Background and aim

Little is known about the burden of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRAS) in the Middle East Region. Furthermore, whether the occurrence rates of CRAS differ across heart failure (HF) phenotypes is not widely investigated. We aimed to examine the prevalence of CRS and CRAS in patients with HF, compare characteristics of patients with CRAS-HFrEF vs. CRAS-HFpEF, and investigate anemia association with 1-year all-cause hospitalizations.

Methods

HF patients who visited a multidisciplinary HF clinic at a single center between 10-2015 and 06-2022 (n = 968) were retrospectively included. Differences in rates of CRAS prevalence, and patients’ characteristics of those with CRAS-HFrEF vs. CRAS-HFpEF were determined using appropriate testing methods. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to determine if anemia was associated with higher rates of hospitalization.

Results

CRS was prevalent in 34.4% of subjects, while 25.3% had CRAS. CRAS prevalence rates among patients with HFpEF vs. HFrEF were comparable (27.2% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.3). Compared to patients with HFrEF-CRAS, those with HFpEF-CRAS were more likely females (p < 0.001), had a higher burden of hypertension (p = 0.01), and lower hemoglobin (p = 0.02). In an adjusted GEE model, anemia was associated with an average increase of 1.8 admissions in CRS patients (p = 0.015).

Conclusion

In patients with HF, 1 in 3 patients presented with CRS, and 1 in 4 patients had CRAS. The prevalence of CRAS was comparable among those HFpEF and HFrEF. Anemia was associated with an increased rate of 1-year all-cause hospitalization in CRS patients.
Linking drug and food addiction: an overview of the shared neural circuits and behavioral phenotype
Authors: Passeri Alice , Municchi Diana , Cavalieri Giulia , Babicola Lucy , Ventura Rossella , Di Segni Matteo
Published: September 2023

Despite a lack of agreement on its definition and inclusion as a specific diagnosable disturbance, the food addiction construct is supported by several neurobiological and behavioral clinical and preclinical findings. Recognizing food addiction is critical to understanding how and why it manifests. In this overview, we focused on those as follows: 1. the hyperpalatable food effects in food addiction development; 2. specific brain regions involved in both food and drug addiction; and 3. animal models highlighting commonalities between substance use disorders and food addiction. Although results collected through animal studies emerged from protocols differing in several ways, they clearly highlight commonalities in behavioral manifestations and neurobiological alterations between substance use disorders and food addiction characteristics. To develop improved food addiction models, this heterogeneity should be acknowledged and embraced so that research can systematically investigate the role of specific variables in the development of the different behavioral features of addiction-like behavior in preclinical models.
Soft error mitigation and recovery of SRAM-based FPGAs using brain-inspired hybrid-grained scrubbing mechanism
Authors: Xie Yu , Qiao Tingting , Xie Yizhuang , Chen He
Published: September 2023

Soft error has increasingly become a critical concern for SRAM-based field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), which could corrupt the configuration memory that stores configuration data describing the custom-designed circuit architecture. To mitigate this kind of error, this study proposes a brain-inspired hybrid-grained scrubbing mechanism consisting of fine-grained and coarse-grained scrubbing to mitigate and repair the errors as quickly as possible after an SEU occurrence. Inspired by the human brain's ability to filter out redundant and irrelevant information, we propose a mechanism that can mask invalid position information when errors occur. Compared with the scrubbing of full configuration memory, this mechanism can achieve precise error location and recovery utilizing targeted scrubbing of specific frames or modules. The effectiveness is evaluated by executing fault injection campaigns on the International Symposium on Circuits and Systems 1989 (ISCAS89) benchmark circuits and fault tolerant fast Fourier transform (FT-FFT) circuit. If upsets are detected, they will be repaired with fine-grained or coarse-grained scrubbing depending on their location. The experiment results show that this mechanism can effectively mitigate and repair single-bit upsets (SBUs) and double-bit upsets (DBUs). In addition, the mechanism is proven to be superior in error recovery time and hardware overhead compared to counterpart approaches.
CT-guided paravertebral injection of doxorubicin for treatment of postherpetic neuralgia: a database-based retrospective stratified study
Authors: Lu Fan , Zhong JiWei , Liu Hui , Xiao Hong
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study explored the impact of different doeses of doxorubicin in CT-guided transvertebral foraminal injections for postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) treatment and the impact of 0.5% doxorubicin treatment on patients with different disease courses and lesion locations.

Methods

This retrospective study included 291 patients with PHN who received CT-guided doxorubicin injection at West China Hospital between April 2014 and February 2020.

Results

A total of 228 patients received 0.5% doxorubicin treatment and 63 received 0.33% doxorubicin. Both groups showed significantly improvement in visual analogue scale (VAS) and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) scores. The 0.5% doxorubicin group demonstrated significant lower VAS scores at 6 and 12 months after surgery (all p < 0.001) and a significant lower score on the BPI at 6 and 12 months than the 0.33% doxorubicin group (all p < 0.05). Stratified analysis of 0.5% doxorubicin demonstrated a significant reduction in VAS score at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after treatment compared to baseline (all p < 0.05) and significant improvements in BPI score after treatment compared to baseline (p < 0.05). The VAS score of the chest group was significant higher than facial, neck and upper limbs and abdomen groupsin groups 1 week after surgery (all p < 0.05). Various aspects of quality of life, including daily life, enjoyment of life, sleep, relationships, work, walking ability, and emotions, significantly decreased after surgery (p < 0.05). Especially in sleep duration, there was an increase in patients reporting intermediate sleep (4–7 h) and a proportion achieving a normal sleep duration of ≥7 h. And no significant differences of BPI were observed among different affected locations. The incidence of adverse events in the 0.5% doxorubicin group and 0.33% doxorubicin group was 8.78 and 6.34%, respectively.

Conclusion

CT-guided doxorubicin injection therapy has the potential to alleviate pain and enhance the quality of life in patients with PHN. Notably, the use of a 0.5% doxorubicin concentration yields more pronounced pain relief compared to a 0.33% concentration. While longer durations of PHN and specific affected sites may influence the response to treatment, the overall improvements in quality of life remain consistent.
Propranolol treatment during repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries induces transcriptomic changes in the bone marrow of mice
Authors: Smith Jared A. , Nguyen Tyler , Davis Brittany C. , Lahiri Debomoy K. , Hato Takashi , Obukhov Alexander G. , White Fletcher A.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

There are 1.5 million new mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) annually in the US, with many of the injured experiencing long-term consequences lasting months after the injury. Although the post injury mechanisms are not well understood, current knowledge indicates peripheral immune system activation as a causal link between mTBI and long-term side effects. Through a variety of mechanisms, peripheral innate immune cells are recruited to the CNS after TBI to repair and heal the injured tissue; however, the recruitment and activation of these cells leads to further inflammation. Emerging evidence suggests sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity plays a substantial role in the recruitment of immune cells post injury.

Methods

We sought to identify the peripheral innate immune response after repeated TBIs in addition to repurposing the nonselective beta blocker propranolol as a novel mTBI therapy to limit SNS activity and mTBI pathophysiology in the mouse. Mice underwent repetitive mTBI or sham injury followed by i.p. saline or propranolol. Isolated mRNA derived from femur bone marrow of mice was assayed for changes in gene expression at one day, one week, and four weeks using Nanostring nCounter® stem cell characterization panel.

Results

Differential gene expression analysis for bone marrow uncovered significant changes in many genes following drug alone, mTBI alone and drug combined with mTBI.

Discussion

Our data displays changes in mRNA at various timepoints, most pronounced in the mTBI propranolol group, suggesting a single dose propranolol injection as a viable future mTBI therapy in the acute setting.
Metabolic syndrome, adiposity, diet, and emotional eating are associated with oxidative stress in adolescents
Authors: Ramírez-Garza Sonia L. , Laveriano-Santos Emily P. , Moreno Juan J. , Bodega Patricia , de Cos-Gandoy Amaya , de Miguel Mercedes , Santos-Beneit Gloria , Fernández-Alvira Juan Miguel , Fernández-Jiménez Rodrigo , Martínez-Gómez Jesús , Ruiz-León Ana María , Estruch Ramon , Lamuela-Raventós Rosa M. , Tresserra-Rimbau Anna
Published: September 2023

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MS), a condition related to adiposity and oxidative stress, can develop in adolescence, a critical stage in life that impacts health in adulthood. However, there is scarce scientific research about the relationship between lifestyle factors, emotion management, and oxidative stress in this phase of life.

Aim

To analyze whether nutritional parameters, lifestyle factors, emotion management, and MS in adolescents are associated with oxidative stress measured by the biomarker 8-isoprostane.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 132 adolescents (48.5% girls, aged 12 ± 0.48 years) and data were collected on nutritional parameters (anthropometric measurements, biochemical analyzes, and blood pressure), lifestyle factors (physical activity, sleep, and diet), and emotion management (self-esteem, emotional eating, and mood). 8-isoprostane was analyzed in spot urine samples. The study population was categorized in three groups (healthy, at-risk, and with MS) using the International Diabetes Federation definition of MS in adolescents. To capture more complex interactions, a multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between 8-isoprostane and the aforementioned variables.

Results

Urinary 8-isoprostane levels were significantly higher in the MS group compared to the healthy group (1,280 ± 543 pg./mg vs. 950 ± 416 pg./mg respectively). In addition, univariable analysis revealed positive significant associations between 8-isoprostane and body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, body fat percentage, blood lipid profile and glucose, emotional eating, and refined cereal intake. Conversely, a negative significant association was found between 8-isoprostane and sleep duration and fish intake. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed associations between 8-isoprostane and LDL-c (β = 0.173 value of p = 0.049), emotional eating (low β = 0.443, value of p = 0.036; high β = 0.152, value of p = 0.470), refined cereal intake (β =0.191, value of p = 0.024), and fish intake (β = −0.187, value of p = 0.050).

Conclusion

The MS group, LDL-c, emotional eating, and high refined cereals and low fish intakes were associated with higher levels of oxidative stress in an adolescent population.
Literature review on hepatoprotective effects of diosgenin: possible mechanisms of action
Authors: Mohseni-Moghaddam Parvaneh , Khanmohammadi Manijeh , Roghani Mehrdad
Published: September 2023

Liver diseases are among the major causes of death worldwide. Alcohol consumption, obesity, diabetes mellitus, viral infection, and drug-induced liver injury are common risk factors for the development of liver diseases. Diosgenin is a herbal steroidal sapogenin with hepatoprotective properties. This phytosteroid modulates lipid profile and prevents liver injury and fibrosis, metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), steatohepatitis, and diabetes mellitus. Different mechanisms have been presented underlying the therapeutic properties of diosgenin. Diosgenin with antioxidant activity and ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory and apoptotic mediators as well as modulating gut microbiota is able to protect the liver. This literature overview summarizes the previously published studies regarding the hepatoprotective function of diosgenin against liver injury in different conditions with an emphasis on possible underlying mechanisms.
Increasing temperature-driven changes in life history traits and gene expression of an Antarctic tardigrade species
Authors: Giovannini Ilaria , Manfrin Chiara , Greco Samuele , Vincenzi Joel , Altiero Tiziana , Guidetti Roberto , Giulianini Piero , Rebecchi Lorena
Published: September 2023

The Antarctic region has been experiencing some of the planet’s strongest climatic changes, including an expected increase of the land temperature. The potential effects of this warming trend will lead ecosystems to a risk of losing biodiversity. Antarctic mosses and lichens host different microbial groups, micro-arthropods and meiofaunal organisms (e.g., tardigrades, rotifers). The eutardigrade Acutuncus antarcticus is considered a model animal to study the effect of increasing temperature due to global warming on Antarctic terrestrial communities. In this study, life history traits and fitness of this species are analyzed by rearing specimens at two different and increasing temperatures (5°C vs. 15°C). Moreover, the first transcriptome analysis on A. antarcticus is performed, exposing adult animals to a gradual increase of temperature (5°C, 10°C, 15°C, and 20°C) to find differentially expressed genes under short- (1 day) and long-term (15 days) heat stress. Acutuncus antarcticus specimens reared at 5°C live longer (maximum life span: 686 days), reach sexual maturity later, lay more eggs (which hatch in longer time and in lower percentage) compared with animals reared at 15°C. The fitness decreases in animals belonging to the second generation at both rearing temperatures. The short-term heat exposure leads to significant changes at transcriptomic level, with 67 differentially expressed genes. Of these, 23 upregulated genes suggest alterations of mitochondrial activity and oxido-reductive processes, and two intrinsically disordered protein genes confirm their role to cope with heat stress. The long-term exposure induces alterations limited to 14 genes, and only one annotated gene is upregulated in response to both heat stresses. The decline in transcriptomic response after a long-term exposure indicates that the changes observed in the short-term are likely due to an acclimation response. Therefore, A. antarcticus could be able to cope with increasing temperature over time, including the future conditions imposed by global climate change.
Abnormal voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity in first-episode major depressive disorder using fMRI: a machine learning approach
Authors: Chen Qing , Bi Yanmeng , Yan Weixin , Wu Shuhui , Xia Ting , Wang Yuhua , Huang Sha , Zhou Chuying , Xie Shuwen , Kuang Shanshan , Kong Wen , Lv Zhiping
Published: September 2023

Objective

To explore the interhemispheric information synergy ability of the brain in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients by applying the voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) method and further explore the potential clinical diagnostic value of VMHC metric by a machine learning approach.

Methods

52 healthy controls and 48 first-episode MDD patients were recruited in the study. We performed neuropsychological tests and resting-state fMRI scanning on all subjects. The VMHC values of the symmetrical interhemispheric voxels in the whole brain were calculated. The VMHC alterations were compared between two groups, and the relationship between VMHC values and clinical variables was analyzed. Then, abnormal brain regions were selected as features to conduct the classification model by using the support vector machine (SVM) approach.

Results

Compared to the healthy controls, MDD patients exhibited decreased VMHC values in the bilateral middle frontal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, medial superior frontal gyrus and precentral gyrus. Furthermore, the VMHC value of the bilateral fusiform gyrus was positively correlated with the total Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Moreover, SVM analysis displayed that a combination of all clusters demonstrated the highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.87 with accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values of 86.17%, 76.74%, and 94.12%, respectively.

Conclusion

MDD patients had reduced functional connectivity in the bilateral middle frontal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, medial superior frontal gyrus and precentral gyrus, which may be related to depressive symptoms. The abnormality in these brain regions could represent potential imaging markers to distinguish MDD patients from healthy controls.
Antiviral Activity of Anthranilamide Peptidomimetics against Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and a Coronavirus
Authors: Urmi Umme Laila , Attard Samuel , Vijay Ajay Kumar , Willcox Mark D. P. , Kumar Naresh , Islam Salequl , Kuppusamy Rajesh
Published: September 2023

The development of potent antiviral agents is of utmost importance to combat the global burden of viral infections. Traditional antiviral drug development involves targeting specific viral proteins, which may lead to the emergence of resistant strains. To explore alternative strategies, we investigated the antiviral potential of antimicrobial peptidomimetic compounds. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral potential of 17 short anthranilamide-based peptidomimetic compounds against two viruses: Murine hepatitis virus 1 (MHV-1) which is a surrogate of human coronaviruses and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of these compounds were determined in vitro to assess their potency as antiviral agents. Compounds 11 and 14 displayed the most potent inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 2.38 μM, and 6.3 μM against MHV-1 while compounds 9 and 14 showed IC50 values of 14.8 μM and 13 μM against HSV-1. Multiple antiviral assessments and microscopic images obtained through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) collectively demonstrated that these compounds exert a direct influence on the viral envelope. Based on this outcome, it can be concluded that peptidomimetic compounds could offer a new approach for the development of potent antiviral agents.
Towards Improved Quality Control of In Situ Sea Surface Temperatures from Drifting and Moored Buoys in the NOAA iQuam System
Authors: Petrenko Boris , Ignatov Alexander , Pryamitsyn Victor , Jonasson Olafur
Published: September 2023

The NOAA in situ Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Quality Monitor (iQuam) online system collects in situ SSTs from various sources, performs quality control (QC), and provides QC’ed data to users. Like many other in situ QCs, the iQuam QC employs comparisons with Level 4 SST analysis. However, the current daily L4 analyses do not capture the diurnal cycle, nor do they resolve the fine structure of SST in dynamic areas. As a result, high-quality in situ SSTs significantly deviating from the L4 SST may be rejected. This paper discusses the new Diurnal Reference Check (DRC), which addresses overscreening for buoys whose sampling frequency is sufficient for resolving the diurnal cycle. The DRC separates records from individual buoys into 24-h segments and characterizes each segment with the median nighttime (MNT) SST and the amplitude of the diurnal signal (ADS). The segment is rejected if the ADS is unrealistically large or if the difference between the MNT and L4 SST exceeds a geographically dependent threshold. The outliers are further screened out by comparison of individual in situ SSTs with the MNT. All thresholds are determined from the analysis of matchups with reprocessed NOAA SSTs from multiple low-orbiting satellites. The satellite matchups are also used to validate the QC results. The DRC minimizes the overscreening, increases the number of high-quality in situ data by ~5%, and reduces the QC reliance on the L4 analysis. In addition, a new retrospective satellite-based quality check is introduced to identify matchups, which are most useful for training SST algorithms and validation of reprocessed satellite data.
Feedback Devices for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Narrative Review
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Ma Shuai , Chen Zetao , Fan Bin , Hou Shike
Published: September 2023

The application of feedback devices for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can effectively enhance the quality of life-saving treatment during CPR. This article is a narrative review that selects literature on feedback devices used in chest compression and provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the development and current research status of feedback devices used in CPR. The development status of visual–auditory feedback devices used in chest compression at home and abroad and the advantages and disadvantages of existing feedback devices are the main points of discussion. Based on existing devices and technologies, this article explores the difficulties and deficiencies of current feedback device development. Finally, we propose the future development direction of CPR feedback equipment combined with physiological information data-monitoring devices.
Cloud-Based Architecture for Production Information Exchange in European Micro-Factory Context
Authors: M-Oliveira Fábio , Rocha André Dionísio , Alemão Duarte , Freitas Nelson , Toshev Rayko , Södergård Jani , Tsoniotis Nikolaos , Argyriou Charalampos , Papacharalampopoulos Alexios , Stavropoulos Panagiotis , Perlo Pietro , Barata José
Published: September 2023

In a constantly changing world, information stands as one of the most valuable assets for a manufacturing site. However, exchanging information is not a straightforward process among factories, and concerns regarding the trustability and validation of transactions between various stakeholders have emerged within the context of micro-factories. This work presents an architecture designed to enable information exchange among heterogeneous stakeholders, taking advantage of the cloud infrastructure. It was designed to enable the use of several tools, connected through a middleware system deployed on the cloud. To demonstrate the potential of this architecture, a platform was instantiated, and two use cases—designed to accurately represent real manufacturing sites—were implemented.
Genome Comparison of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi’ with Genomes of Other 16SrV Phytoplasmas Highlights Special Group Features
Authors: Böhm Jan Werner , Duckeck Dominik , Duduk Bojan , Schneider Bernd , Kube Michael
Published: September 2023

Phytoplasmas are associated with important bacterial diseases, causing severe symptoms in agricultural and ornamental crops. ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma rubi’, associated with the Rubus stunt in raspberries (Rubus idaeus) and blackberries (Rubus subgenus Rubus), causes shortened internodes, elongated sepals, proliferation, phyllody, and virescence. The recently published genome of ‘Ca. P. rubi’ RS enabled a comprehensive genomic comparison to the complete genomes of 16SrV phytoplasmas, comprising strains of the flavescence dorée-associated phytoplasma CH and two ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’ strains. Besides the typical transporters and metabolic features of phytoplasmas, the phosphorolysis of sucrose and the utilization of the carboxylic acid L-lactate became apparent for the 16SrV-group. With respect to the effector repertoire and the encoded immunodominant membrane proteins involved in host colonization, the group revealed conserved features that comprise the variable membrane proteins A and B. However, SAP11- and SAP54 orthologs were limited to ‘Ca. P. rubi’ RS and ‘Ca. P. ziziphi’. Genome-sequence-based phylogenetic analysis supports the close relationship of these genomes relative to alder yellows phytoplasmas. The analyses supported the impact of the mobilome on phytoplasma evolution but also highlighted that there is the possibility of identifying phytoplasmas with a larger metabolic repertoire in the future.
GMP Synthetase: Allostery, Structure, and Function
Authors: Ballut Lionel , Violot Sébastien , Kumar Sanjeev , Aghajari Nushin , Balaram Hemalatha
Published: September 2023

Glutamine amidotransferases (GATs) catalyze the hydrolysis of glutamine and transfer the generated ammonia to diverse metabolites. The two catalytic activities, glutaminolysis and the subsequent amination of the acceptor substrate, happen in two distinct catalytic pockets connected by a channel that facilitates the movement of ammonia. The de novo pathway for the synthesis of guanosine monophosphate (GMP) from xanthosine monophosphate (XMP) is enabled by the GAT GMP synthetase (GMPS). In most available crystal structures of GATs, the ammonia channel is evident in their native state or upon ligand binding, providing molecular details of the conduit. In addition, conformational changes that enable the coordination of the two catalytic chemistries are also informed by the available structures. In contrast, despite the first structure of a GMPS being published in 1996, the understanding of catalysis in the acceptor domain and inter-domain crosstalk became possible only after the structure of a glutamine-bound mutant of Plasmodium falciparum GMPS was determined. In this review, we present the current status of our understanding of the molecular basis of catalysis in GMPS, becoming the first comprehensive assessment of the biochemical function of this intriguing enzyme.
Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Plasma Cell-Free Mitochondrial DNA, Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Changes in Obese Patients
Authors: Yuzefovych Larysa V. , Pastukh Viktor M. , Mulekar Madhuri S. , Ledbetter Kate , Richards William O. , Rachek Lyudmila I.
Published: September 2023

While improvement of mitochondrial function after bariatric surgery has been demonstrated, there is limited evidence about the effects of bariatric surgery on circulatory cell-free (cf) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and intracellular mtDNA abundance. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells were isolated from healthy controls (HC) and bariatric surgery patients before surgery and 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. At baseline, the plasma level of short cf-mtDNA (ND6, ~100 bp) fragments was significantly higher in obese patients compared to HC. But there was no significant variation in mean ND6 values post-surgery. A significant positive correlation was observed between preop plasma ND6 levels and HgbA1c, ND6 and HOMA-IR 2 weeks post-surgery, and mtDNA content 6 months post-surgery. Interestingly, plasma from both HC and obese groups at all time points post-surgery contains long (~8 kb) cf-mtDNA fragments, suggesting the presence of near-intact and/or whole mitochondrial genomes. No significant variation was observed in mtDNA content post-surgery compared to baseline data in both PBM and skeletal muscle samples. Overall, bariatric surgery improved insulin sensitivity and other metabolic parameters without significant changes in plasma short cf-mtDNA levels or cellular mtDNA content. Our study provides novel insights about possible molecular mechanisms underlying the metabolic effects of bariatric surgery and suggests the development of new generalized approaches to characterize cf-mtDNA.
A Web3D Rendering Optimization Algorithm for Pipeline BIM Models
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Huo Liang , Shen Tao , Yang Xincheng , Bai Haoyuan
Published: September 2023

BIM (building information modeling) plays a pivotal role in the construction industry. BIM technology tailored for pipelines offers in-depth semantic information and spatial data, bolstering the utility and implementation of digital twin-associated technologies in both architecture and urban planning. This paper introduces a rendering optimization algorithm rooted in the BSP Tree (Binary Space Partitioning Tree). The algorithm is used to address the challenges of slow loading and poor rendering quality of pipeline BIM models when displayed on the web, which stem from large amounts of model data and complex geometric configurations. Initially, the algorithm delves into the geometric distribution traits of the pipeline BIM model from multiple perspectives, pinpointing the spatial division dimension. Subsequently, it employs an adaptive step size technique for spatial segmentation, harmonizing it with real-world application contexts. Concurrently, any superfluous data that emerge are refined to uphold the structural wholeness of the BIM model. This algorithm is adept at systematically arranging and overseeing the BIM model data. Trial outcomes reveal that the AKDT (Adaptive K-Dimensional Tree) algorithm significantly trims the browser’s initial rendering duration while maintaining the model’s accuracy and semantic uniformity. Moreover, it excels in areas such as rendering frame rate, user interaction responsiveness, and data transmission duration. In essence, the algorithm stands out for its efficiency and precision in rendering pipeline BIM models on web platforms, achieving the desired optimization results.
Redox Chemistry of Pt(II) Complex with Non-Innocent NHC Bis(Phenolate) Pincer Ligand: Electrochemical, Spectroscopic, and Computational Aspects
Authors: Mikhailov Ilya K. , Gafurov Zufar N. , Kagilev Alexey A. , Morozov Vladimir I. , Kantyukov Artyom O. , Zueva Ekaterina M. , Ganeev Gumar R. , Sakhapov Ilyas F. , Toropchina Asiya V. , Litvinov Igor A. , Gurina Galina A. , Trifonov Alexander A. , Sinyashin Oleg G. , Yakhvarov Dmitry G.
Published: September 2023

A Pt(II) complex bearing chelating tridentate bis-aryloxide tetrahydropyrimidinium-based N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) was synthesized and characterized by using different techniques. Both cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to study the electrochemical properties of the complex, revealing two reversible one-electron oxidation processes. The chemical generation and isolation of one-electron-oxidized species were performed oxidizing the initial complex by means of AgBF4. A combination of spectroscopic (UV-Vis/NIR- and EPR-) and theoretical (density functional theory (DFT)) studies suggests the formation of a Pt(II)-phenoxyl radical complex. The latter open-shell derivative was structurally characterized by means of X-ray diffraction analysis. Finally, the neutral platinum complex was tested as a mediator in the process of electrocatalytic oxidation of 2-(methylamino)ethanol (MEA).
The Association between Grand Multiparity and Adverse Neonatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alkwai Hend , Khan Farida , Alshammari Reem , Batool Asma , Sogeir Ehab , Alenazi Fahaad , Alshammari Khalid , Khalid Ayesha
Published: September 2023

Inconsistent evidence exists regarding the association of grand multiparity with adverse neonatal outcomes. This study aims to compare specific adverse outcomes in grand multiparas (those with five or more births at twenty or more weeks of gestation, regardless of fetal outcome) compared to those with lower parity (those with less than five births at twenty or more weeks of gestation, regardless of fetal outcome). A retrospective cohort study was undertaken at the Maternity and Children Hospital in Ha’il region, Saudi Arabia. After calculating the required sample size, data were collected from consenting participants with a viable singleton delivery. Socio-demographic variables, select maternal characteristics, and adverse neonatal outcomes (admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, low birth weight, prematurity, and APGAR score less than 7 in the first 5 min) were compared between grand multiparas and women with lower parity. Two hundred ninety-four participants were recruited (ninety-eight grand multiparas and one hundred ninety-six of lower parity). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in relation to age, level of education, body mass index, and the occurrence of gestational diabetes. Out of the studied adverse neonatal outcomes after the adjustment for maternal age between the two groups, no statistically significant difference in the adverse neonatal outcomes was found between the two groups. Grand multiparity does not incur an additional risk of adverse neonatal outcomes compared to women of lower parity. Furthermore, increasing maternal age and comorbid conditions might have a more detrimental effect on neonatal outcomes than grand multiparity per se.
Validation of the Conventional Trauma and Injury Severity Score and a Newly Developed Survival Predictive Model in Pediatric Patients with Blunt Trauma: A Nationwide Observation Study
Authors: Toida Chiaki , Muguruma Takashi , Gakumazawa Masayasu , Shinohara Mafumi , Abe Takeru , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: September 2023

To date, there is no clinically useful prediction model that is suitable for Japanese pediatric trauma patients. Herein, this study aimed to developed a model for predicting the survival of Japanese pediatric patients with blunt trauma and compare its validity with that of the conventional TRISS model. Patients registered in the Japan Trauma Data Bank were grouped into a derivation cohort (2009–2013) and validation cohort (2014–2018). Logistic regression analysis was performed using the derivation dataset to establish prediction models using age, injury severity, and physiology. The validity of the modified model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Among 11 predictor models, Model 1 and Model 11 had the best performance (AUC = 0.980). The AUC of all models was lower in patients with survival probability Ps < 0.5 than in patients with Ps ≥ 0.5. The AUC of all models was lower in neonates/infants than in other age categories. Model 11 also had the best performance (AUC = 0.762 and 0.909, respectively) in patients with Ps < 0.5 and neonates/infants. The predictive ability of the newly modified models was not superior to that of the current TRISS model. Our results may be useful to develop a highly accurate prediction model based on the new predictive variables and cutoff values associated with the survival mortality of injured Japanese pediatric patients who are younger and more severely injured by using a nationwide dataset with fewer missing data and added valuables, which can be used to evaluate the age-related physiological and anatomical severity of injured patients.
Links between Sleep Apnoea and Insomnia in a British Cohort
Authors: Yu Yizhou
Published: September 2023

Poor sleep is a major public health problem with implications for a wide range of critical health outcomes. Insomnia and sleep apnoea are the two most common causes of poor sleep, and recent studies have shown that these disorders frequently co-occur. Comorbid insomnia and sleep apnoea can substantially impair quality of life and increase the overall risk of mortality. However, the causal and physiological links between sleep apnoea and insomnia are unclear. It is also unknown whether having a higher risk for one condition can increase the risk of developing the other. Here, we investigated links between sleep apnoea and insomnia in a British population using a combination of self-reported questionnaires and causal inference. We found that 54.3% of the cohort had moderate insomnia, 9.4% had moderate sleep apnoea, and that 6.2% scored high for both conditions. Importantly, having a higher risk of sleep apnoea was associated with a higher risk of insomnia and vice versa. To determine the causal directionality between sleep apnoea and insomnia, we used Mendelian randomisation and found evidence that sleep apnoea could cause insomnia, but not the reverse. To elucidate how both sleep apnoea and insomnia were linked to each other, we looked at the behavioural markers of poor sleep. We found that feeling fatigued after sleeping and having noticeable sleep problems were linked to a higher burden of both sleep apnoea and insomnia. In conclusion, our results show that sleep apnoea increases the risk of developing insomnia, and both conditions can result in fatigue. We highlight the importance of considering and treating the symptoms of both conditions.
Study on the Effects and Mechanism of Temperature and AO Flux Density in the AO Interaction with Upilex-S Using the ReaxFF Method
Authors: Qiao Shiying , Jiang Haifu , Zhai Ruiqiong , Liu Yuming , Li Tao , Xu Yanlin , Jiang Lixiang
Published: September 2023

Atomic oxygen (AO), which is one of the most predominant and conspicuous space environmental factors in the low earth orbit, leads to severe deterioration of polymeric materials in spacecraft. The AO flux density and ambient temperature vary while a craft orbits in space; thus, it is necessary to pay close attention to the flux density and temperature effects on the mechanism of the AO interaction with materials. In past years, polyimide has been widely used on spacecraft due to its excellent performance—that is the reason why we chose Upilex-S as the object for study. It was analyzed using the ReaxFF reactive force field molecular dynamics simulation, respectively from the aspect of impact-induced temperature variation, mass loss, reaction product and erosion yield. The results show that dense AO deposition on the surface impedes further erosion at low temperatures, and the AO interaction with Upilex-S is exacerbated as the ambient temperature increases. However, the accelerating rate is inversely proportional to the ambient temperature, which means the higher the ambient temperature is, the slower it increases. On the other hand, the interaction rate of AO induced to Upilex-S is aggravated as the flux density increases at the lower stage, while the interaction rate begins to drop as the flux density increases at the higher level. The AO erosion effect is a complicated process rather than a simple summation of single atomic oxygen interactions. Our study could be used as a technical reference for the wide usage of Upilex-S on spacecraft.
Association between Altered Thyroid Function and Prediabetes in Diet-Induced Prediabetic Male Sprague Dawley Rats
Authors: Pillay Malishca , Mosili Palesa , Akinnuga Akinjide , Sibiya Ntethelelo , Ngubane Phikelelani , Khathi Andile
Published: September 2023

There is a correlation between the existence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the development of thyroid disorders. Prediabetes is a progressive state of moderate insulin resistance that often precedes the onset of T2DM. However, the association between prediabetes and thyroid function is unknown. This study assessed changes in markers of thyroid function in diet-induced prediabetes. Twelve male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 12) were randomly assigned into two groups. Rats in the non-prediabetic (NPD) group were fed a standard rat diet, while rats in the prediabetic (PD) were fed a high-fat high-carbohydrate diet for 20 weeks to induce prediabetes. Thereafter, fasting blood glucose levels were measured. Plasma samples were assessed for triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroxine peroxidase (TPO) antibody, insulin, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations. The elevated blood glucose, HbA1c, and plasma insulin levels coincided with increased T3 and reduced T4 levels in the PD group when compared to the NPD group. There was also an increase in the concentration of TPO antibodies in the PD group. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between the thyroid hormone concentrations and HbA1c levels. In conclusion, these results indicated that there is a positive association between thyroid dysfunction and diet-induced prediabetes in rats.
Student Participation in Reading Classes in a Swedish Compulsory School for Students Diagnosed with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Edström Kattis
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a mini-ethnographic case study of student participation in reading classes in a Swedish compulsory school for pupils with intellectual disabilities (CSID). All children have equal rights to good education and there is a need for more research in these schools. The result is interesting for the field of inclusive education since the same students should be welcomed and included in mainstream school classrooms. The Participation Model’s (TPM’s) criteria for participation (acceptance, accessibility, autonomy, belonging, interaction, and involvement) were used, both as a definition of participation and as an analytical instrument. Six lessons were observed, and a student questionnaire was performed. The school offered a variety of reading classes weekly. The results indicated that most participation criteria were met. Observing and analysing a series of lessons offered a richer picture of student participation than just looking at one activity. The easy access to support from assistants and special education needs teachers also indicated both access to participation criteria and the risk of limiting other participation criteria. This study highlights more dilemmas; for example, when a high degree of the accessibility criterion was met, possibilities of interaction between students could also be limited.
Can Video Games Promote Moral Cognition? Supporting Epistemic Play in Papers, Please through Dialogue
Authors: Cabellos Beatriz , Pozo Juan-Ignacio
Published: September 2023

Research shows an increasing interest in video game use for educational purposes. However, their use does not always give rise to positive learning, particularly when moral learning is analysed. This result can be explained since video games promote pragmatic goals aimed at success. Therefore, we believe that to facilitate moral learning, it is necessary to promote a moral cognition focus on epistemic goals oriented towards reflection on the actions and events that take place in the game. To identify if epistemic goals can promote moral cognition with a video game, we used Papers, Please. In this game, players take on the role of a customs officer who should face moral dilemmas related to allowing immigrants to cross the border into their country. We analysed the dialogues and decisions made by 12 pairs of students through a category system. The dialogue between players facilitated greater moral activation compared to studies that analysed spontaneous play. In addition, we identified that the game mechanics that promoted moral conflicts between players fostered more moral dialogue. Likewise, when the players empathised with the immigrants, the moral dialogue was more frequent. Therefore, we believe that these characteristics should be considered when designing educational practices using video games to promote moral cognition.
Service Function Chaining to Support Ultra-Low Latency Communication in NFV
Authors: Erbati Mohammad Mohammadi , Tajiki Mohammad Mahdi , Schiele Gregor
Published: September 2023

Network function virtualization (NFV) has the potential to fundamentally transform conventional network architecture through the decoupling of software from dedicated hardware. The convergence of virtualization and cloud computing technologies has revolutionized the networking landscape, offering a wide range of advantages, including improved flexibility, manageability, and scalability. The importance of network capability in enabling ultra-low latency applications has been greatly amplified in the current era due to the increased demand for emerging services such as autonomous driving, teleoperated driving, virtual reality, and remote surgery. This paper presents a novel and efficient methodology for service function chaining (SFC) in an NFV-enabled network that aims to minimize latency and optimize the utilization of physical network resources, with a specific focus on ultra-low latency applications. In our proposed methodology, we offer flow prioritization and an adjustable priority coefficient factor (µ) to reserve a portion of physical network resources exclusively for ultra-low latency applications in order to optimize the deployment paths of these applications further. We formulate the SFC deployment problem as an integer linear programming (ILP) optimization model. Furthermore, we propose a set of heuristic algorithms that yield near-optimal solutions with minimal optimality gaps and execution times, making them practical for large-scale network topologies. Performance evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed methodology in enabling ultra-low latency applications in an NFV-enabled network. Compared to existing algorithms, our proposed methodology achieves notable enhancements in terms of the end-to-end delay (up to 22 percent), bandwidth utilization (up to 28 percent), and SFC acceptance rate (up to 13 percent).