bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous pH monitoring using a sensor for the early detection of anastomotic leaks
Authors: Huynh Michelle , Tjandra Ricky , Helwa Nour , Okasha Mohamed , El-Falou Abdallah , Helwa Youssef
Published: May 2023

Anastomotic leaks (AL) and staple line leaks are a serious post-operative complication that can develop following bariatric surgery. The delay in the onset of symptoms following a leak usually results in reactive diagnostics and treatment, leading to increased patient morbidity and mortality, and a clinical and economic burden on both the patient and the hospital. Despite support in literature for pH as a biomarker for early detection of AL, the current methods of pH detection require significant clinician involvement and resources. Presented here is a polyaniline (PANI)-based pH sensor that can be connected inline to surgical drains to continuously monitor peritoneal secretion in real time for homeostatic changes in pH. During this study, the baseline peritoneal fluid pH was measured in two pigs using the PANI sensor and verified using a benchtop pH probe. The PANI sensor was then utilized to continuously monitor the changes in the pH of peritoneal effluent, as a gastric leak was simulated. The inline sensors were able to detect the resulting local changes in drainage pH within 10 min of leak induction. The successful implementation of this sensor in clinical practice can both enable high efficiency continuous monitoring of patient status and drastically decrease the time required to detect AL, thus potentially decreasing the clinical and economic burden incurred by gastric leaks.
The potential for plant growth-promoting bacteria to impact crop productivity in future agricultural systems is linked to understanding the principles of microbial ecology
Authors: Timmusk Salme , Pall Taavi , Raz Shmuel , Fetsiukh Anastasiia , Nevo Eviatar
Published: May 2023

Global climate change poses challenges to land use worldwide, and we need to reconsider agricultural practices. While it is generally accepted that biodiversity can be used as a biomarker for healthy agroecosystems, we must specify what specifically composes a healthy microbiome. Therefore, understanding how holobionts function in native, harsh, and wild habitats and how rhizobacteria mediate plant and ecosystem biodiversity in the systems enables us to identify key factors for plant fitness. A systems approach to engineering microbial communities by connecting host phenotype adaptive traits would help us understand the increased fitness of holobionts supported by genetic diversity. Identification of genetic loci controlling the interaction of beneficial microbiomes will allow the integration of genomic design into crop breeding programs. Bacteria beneficial to plants have traditionally been conceived as “promoting and regulating plant growth”. The future perspective for agroecosystems should be that microbiomes, via multiple cascades, define plant phenotypes and provide genetic variability for agroecosystems.
Genomic and in-vitro characteristics of a novel strain Lacticaseibacillus chiayiensis AACE3 isolated from fermented blueberry
Authors: Li Xin-Dong , Lin Yi-Cen , Yang Rui-Si , Kang Xin , Xin Wei-Gang , Wang Feng , Zhang Qi-Lin , Zhang Wen-Ping , Lin Lian-Bing
Published: May 2023

Numerous different species of LAB are used in different fields due to their unique characteristics. However, Lacticaseibacillus chiayiensis, a newly established species in 2018, has limited microorganism resources, and lacks comprehensive evaluations of its properties. In this study, L. chiayiensis AACE3, isolated from fermented blueberry, was evaluated by genomic analysis and in vitro assays of the properties. The genome identified genes associated with biofilm formation (luxS, ccpA, brpA), resistance to oxidative stress (tpx, trxA, trxB, hslO), tolerance to acidic conditions (dltA, dltC), resistance to unfavorable osmotic pressure (opuBB, gbuA, gbuB, gbuC), and adhesion (luxS, dltA, dltC). The AACE3 showed 112 unique genes, relative to the other three L. chiayiensis strains. Among them, the presence of genes such as clpP, pepO, and feoA suggests a possible advantage of AACE3 over other L. chiayiensis in terms of environmental adaptation. In vitro evaluation of the properties revealed that AACE3 had robust antibacterial activity against eight common pathogens: Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella choleraesuis, Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, AACE3 showed more than 80% survival rate in all tests simulating gastrointestinal fluid, and it exhibited high antioxidant capacity. Interestingly, the cell culture supernatant was superior to intact organisms and ultrasonically crushed bacterial extracts in all tests of antioxidant capacity. These results suggested that the antioxidant capacity may originate from certain metabolites and extracellular enzymes produced by AACE3. Moreover, AACE3 was a moderate biofilm producer due to the self-agglomeration effect. Taken together, L. chiayiensis AACE3 appears to be a candidate strain for combating the growing incidence of pathogen infections and antioxidant production.
Abundance trade-offs and dominant taxa maintain the stability of the bacterioplankton community underlying Microcystis blooms
Authors: Chen Jun , Zhang Tiange , Sun Lingyan , Liu Yan , Li Dianpeng , Leng Xin , An Shuqing
Published: May 2023

Microcystis blooms are an intractable global environmental problem that pollute water and compromise ecosystem functioning. Closed-lake management practices keep lakes free of sewage and harmful algae invasions and have succeeded in controlling local Microcystis blooms; however, there is little understanding of how the bacterioplankton communities associated with Microcystis have changed. Here, based on metagenomic sequencing, the phyla, genera, functional genes and metabolic functions of the bacterioplankton communities were compared between open lakes (underlying Microcystis blooms) and closed lakes (no Microcystis blooms). Water properties and zooplankton density were investigated and measured as factors influencing blooms. The results showed that (1) the water quality of closed lakes was improved, and the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were significantly reduced. (2) The stability of open vs. closed-managed lakes differed notably at the species and genus levels (p < 0.01), but no significant variations were identified at the phylum and functional genes levels (p > 0.05). (3) The relative abundance of Microcystis (Cyanobacteria) increased dramatically in the open lakes (proportions from 1.44 to 41.76%), whereas the relative abundance of several other dominant genera of Cyanobacteria experienced a trade-off and decreased with increasing Microcystis relative abundance. (4) The main functions of the bacterioplankton communities were primarily related to dominant genera of Proteobacteria and had no significant relationship with Microcystis. Overall, the closed-lake management practices significantly reduced nutrients and prevented Microcystis blooms, but the taxonomic and functional structures of bacterioplankton communities remained stable overall.
Implications of specific lysine residues within ataxin-3 for the molecular pathogenesis of Machado-Joseph disease
Authors: Pereira Sena Priscila , Weber Jonasz Jeremiasz , Bayezit Sercan , Saup Rafael , Incebacak Eltemur Rana Dilara , Li Xiaoling , Velic Ana , Jung Jaqueline , Macek Boris , Nguyen Huu Phuc , Riess Olaf , Schmidt Thorsten
Published: May 2023

Lysine residues are one of the main sites for posttranslational modifications of proteins, and lysine ubiquitination of the Machado-Joseph disease protein ataxin-3 is implicated in its cellular function and polyglutamine expansion-dependent toxicity. Despite previously undertaken efforts, the individual roles of specific lysine residues of the ataxin-3 sequence are not entirely understood and demand further analysis. By retaining single lysine residues of otherwise lysine-free wild-type and polyglutamine-expanded ataxin-3, we assessed the effects of a site-limited modifiability on ataxin-3 protein levels, aggregation propensity, localization, and stability. We confirmed earlier findings that levels of lysine-free ataxin-3 are reduced due to its decreased stability, which led to a diminished load of SDS-insoluble species of its polyglutamine-expanded form. The isolated presence of several single lysine residues within the N-terminus of polyglutamine-expanded ataxin-3 significantly restored its aggregate levels, with highest fold changes induced by the presence of lysine 8 or lysine 85, respectively. Ataxin-3 lacking all lysine residues presented a slightly increased nuclear localization, which was counteracted by the reintroduction of lysine 85, whereas presence of either lysine 8 or lysine 85 led to a significantly higher ataxin-3 stability. Moreover, lysine-free ataxin-3 showed increased toxicity and binding to K48-linked polyubiquitin chains, whereas the reintroduction of lysine 85, located between the ubiquitin-binding sites 1 and 2 of ataxin-3, normalized its binding affinity. Overall, our data highlight the relevance of lysine residues 8 and 85 of ataxin-3 and encourage further analyses, to evaluate the potential of modulating posttranslational modifications of these sites for influencing pathophysiological characteristics of the Machado-Joseph disease protein.
Associations of obesity-related indices with prediabetes regression to normoglycemia among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: a prospective study
Authors: Yang Hongguang , Zhang Minjie , Nie Jiaqi , Zhang Minzhe , Lu Gaolei , Chen Rui , He Qiqiang
Published: May 2023

Background

Prediabetes is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality, while its regression will decrease the risks. This study investigated the associations of six obesity-related indices (waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body roundness index (BRI), conicity index (CI), body shape index (ABSI), Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI), and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index) with prediabetes regression based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), enrolling middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

We included 2,601 participants with prediabetes from CHARLS, who were followed up from 2011–2012 to 2015–2016, with blood samples collected for measuring fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c. All the obesity-related indices at baseline and their dynamic changes were calculated and categorized into tertiles. Logistic regression analysis was applied to obtain the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Attributable fractions (AFs) and 95% CIs of these indices and the dynamic changes were calculated with the AF package in R software, and the cutoff values of initial obesity-related indices were obtained by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

During the 4-year follow-up period, 562 (21.61%) participants regressed from prediabetes to normoglycemia. They had lower initial BRI, WHtR, CI, ABSI, CVAI, and TyG than those who did not (P < 0.05). After multivariable adjustment, participants in the first tertile of initial BRI (OR, 1.45, 95%CIs, 1.09–1.93), WHtR (OR, 1.46, 95%CIs, 1.10–1.95), and CVAI (OR, 1.47, 95%CIs, 1.11–1.93) had increased odds of prediabetes regression compared with those in the highest tertile. Participants with decreased TyG (OR, 2.08; 95%CIs, 1.61–2.70) also had increased odds of prediabetes regression compared with those with increased TyG. The cutoff values of initial obesity-related indices were 4.374 for BRI, 0.568 for WHtR, 8.621 for TyG, 1.320 for CI, 0.083 for ABSI, and 106.152 for CVAI, respectively. The AFs were 21.10% for BRI < 4.374, 20.85% for WHtR < 0.568, 17.48% for CVAI < 107.794, and 17.55% for ΔTyG < 0, respectively.

Conclusion

Low initial BRI, WHtR, and CVAI, as well as TyG reduction, were significantly related to prediabetes regression to normoglycemia, and the AFs were around 20%. Less abdominal fat and insulin resistance reduction would benefit future health outcomes among people with prediabetes.
Case Report: Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma with PIK3CA mutation successfully treated with sirolimus
Authors: Wang Zuopeng , Yan Hanlei , Ma Yangyang , Yao Wei , Zheng Shan , Li Kai
Published: May 2023

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is an extremely rare, locally aggressive vascular neoplasm. The etiopathogenesis of KHE is still poorly understood. In the present study, we found a new mutation in KHE (c.685delA, p.Thr229fs). The KHE patient with the PIK3CA mutation showed complete regression after sirolimus treatment. We propose that the presence of the PIK3CA mutation in KHE may correlate with good response to sirolimus.
A nomogram for individually predicting the overall survival in colonic adenocarcinoma patients presenting with perineural invasion: a population study based on SEER database
Authors: Chen Junhong , Zhou Hao , Jin Hengwei , Liu Kai
Published: May 2023

Background

Colonic adenocarcinoma, representing the predominant histological subtype of neoplasms in the colon, is commonly denoted as colon cancer. This study endeavors to develop and validate a nomogram model designed for predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with colon cancer, specifically those presenting with perineural invasion (PNI).

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database supplied pertinent data spanning from 2010 to 2015, which facilitated the randomization of patients into distinct training and validation cohorts at a 7:3 ratio. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to construct a prognostic nomogram based on the training cohort. Subsequently, the nomogram’s accuracy and efficacy were rigorously evaluated through the application of a concordance index (C-index), calibration plots, decision curve analysis (DCA), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

In the training cohorts, multivariable analysis identified age, grade, T-stage, N-stage, M-stage, chemotherapy, tumor size, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), marital status, and insurance as independent risk factors for OS, all with P-values less than 0.05. Subsequently, a new nomogram was constructed. The C-index of this nomogram was 0.765 (95% CI: 0.755–0.775), outperforming the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system’s C-index of 0.686 (95% CI: 0.674–0.698). Calibration plots for 3- and 5-year OS demonstrated good consistency, while DCA for 3- and 5-year OS revealed excellent clinical utility in the training cohorts. Comparable outcomes were observed in the validation cohorts. Furthermore, we developed a risk stratification system, which facilitated better differentiation among three risk groups (low, intermediate, and high) in terms of OS for all patients.

Conclusion

In this study, we have devised a robust nomogram and risk stratification system to accurately predict OS in colon cancer patients exhibiting PNI. This innovative tool offers valuable guidance for informed clinical decision-making, thereby enhancing patient care and management in oncology practice.
Non-oncology drug (meticrane) shows anti-cancer ability in synergy with epigenetic inhibitors and appears to be involved passively in targeting cancer cells
Authors: Wang Yulu , Sharma Amit , Ge Fangfang , Chen Peng , Yang Yu , Liu Hongjia , Liu Hongde , Zhao Chunxia , Mittal Lovika , Asthana Shailendra , Schmidt-Wolf Ingo G. H.
Published: May 2023

Emerging evidence suggests that chemotherapeutic agents and targeted anticancer drugs have serious side effects on the healthy cells/tissues of the patient. To overcome this, the use of non-oncology drugs as potential cancer therapies has been gaining momentum. Herein, we investigated one non-oncology drug named meticrane (a thiazide diuretic used to treat essential hypertension), which has been reported to indescribably improve the therapeutic efficacy of anti-CTLA4 in mice with AB1 HA tumors. In our hypothesis-driven study, we tested anti-cancer potential meticrane in hematological malignance (leukemia and multiple myeloma) and liver cancer cell lines. Our analysis showed that: 1) Meticrane induced alteration in the cell viability and proliferation in leukemia cells (Jurkat and K562 cells) and liver cancer (SK-hep-1), however, no evidence of apoptosis was detectable. 2) Meticrane showed additive/synergistic effects with epigenetic inhibitors (DNMT1/5AC, HDACs/CUDC-101 and HDAC6/ACY1215). 3) A genome-wide transcriptional analysis showed that meticrane treatment induces changes in the expression of genes associated with non-cancer associated pathways. Of importance, differentially expressed genes showed favorable correlation with the survival-related genes in the cancer genome. 4) We also performed molecular docking analysis and found considerable binding affinity scores of meticrane against PD-L1, TIM-3, CD73, and HDACs. Additionally, we tested its suitability for immunotherapy against cancers, but meticrane showed no response to the cytotoxicity of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells. To our knowledge, our study is the first attempt to identify and experimentally confirm the anti-cancer potential of meticrane, being also the first to test the suitability of any non-oncology drug in CIK cell therapy. Beyond that, we have expressed some concerns confronted during testing meticrane that also apply to other non-oncology drugs when considered for future clinical or preclinical purposes. Taken together, meticrane is involved in some anticancer pathways that are passively targeting cancer cells and may be considered as compatible with epigenetic inhibitors.
Robotic versus laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer in patients with obesity: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Xianzhe , Zhu Lingling , Zhang Yan , Feng Qingbo
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The number of overweight patients with gastric cancer (GC) is increasing, and no previous study has compared laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) and robotic gastrectomy (RG) in obese patients with GC. To investigate the perioperative and oncologic outcomes of RG and LG in obese GC patients, we performed a meta-analysis of propensity matched scores and retrospective studies to compare the perioperative parameters, oncologic findings, and short-term postoperative outcomes between the two groups.

Methods

This study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. A search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register to identify eligible propensity matched scores and retrospective studies conducted and published before December 2022. Data on perioperative and oncological outcomes were included in the meta-analysis.

Results

Overall, we identified 1 propensity score match study and 5 randomized control trials of RG and LG, enrolling a total of 718 patients (197 and 521 patients received RG and LG, respectively). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of complications, bleeding, or lymph node dissection. Of note, RG had a longer procedure time (P = 0.03), earlier oral intake (P = 0.0010), shorter hospital stay (P = 0.0002), and shorter time to defecation (P < 0.00001).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis concluded that patients in the RG group had shorter hospital stays, earlier postoperative feeding, and earlier postoperative ventilation; however, no differences were found in blood loss, number of lymph nodes removed, or overall complications. RG is an effective, safe, and promising treatment for obese patients with GC, compensating for the shortcomings of laparoscopy and allowing for less trauma and faster recovery.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022298967.
Case report: Hepatectomy with Rex bypass for a child with hepatoblastoma and portal vein thrombosis
Authors: Kitagawa Norihiko , Shinkai Masato , Asano Fumio , Tsuzuki Yukihiro , Mochizuki Kyoko , Usui Hidehito , Yagi Yuma , Kawami Akio , Okumura Kazuyoshi , Yokosuka Tomoko , Goto Hiroaki , Nozawa Kumiko , Tanaka Mio
Published: May 2023

Pediatric liver tumors with portal vein obstruction are often candidates for liver transplantation. However, lifelong use of immunosuppressants and invasiveness to healthy donors in the case of living-donor liver transplantation is inevitable. Moreover, when lung metastasis is involved, the lung recurrence rate after liver transplantation is still high. Therefore, transplantation should be avoided as much as possible. In cases of tumors in the right lobe of the liver, complete resection of the portal vein trunk may be possible by creating a Rex bypass, but with the original method, end-to-side anastomosis to the umbilical portal vein is difficult in small children. We report a case of a 2-year-old girl with hepatoblastoma in whom a Rex shunt was created by end-to-end anastomosing the recanalized umbilical vein to the portal vein stump with interposing a vein graft, and the right lobe was successfully resected along with the tumor.
Beta-blocker exposure and survival outcomes in patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a retrospective cohort study (BETAPANC)
Authors: Le Bozec Antoine , Brugel Mathias , Djerada Zoubir , Ayad Marya , Perrier Marine , Carlier Claire , Botsen Damien , Nazeyrollas Pierre , Bouché Olivier , Slimano Florian
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Preclinical studies have demonstrated the possible role of beta-adrenergic receptors in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor invasion and migration. The current study aimed to explore the possible association between survival outcomes and beta-blocker (BB) exposure in patients with advanced PDAC.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 182 patients with advanced PDAC. Clinical [age, sex, BMI, cardiovascular condition, presence (SBB) or absence (NSBB) of beta-1 selectivity of BB, exposure duration, and multimorbidity], oncological (stage and anticancer treatment regimen), and biological (renal and liver function) data were collected. The endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for survival outcomes associated with BB exposure were estimated using Cox regression model and propensity score (PS) methods.

Results: Forty-one patients (22.5%) were exposed to BB. A total of 104 patients progressed (57.1%) to PDAC and 139 (76.4%) patients died at the end of follow-up (median, 320 days; IQR, 438.75 days). When compared to the non-exposed group, there was no increase in survival outcomes associated with BB use (OS: HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 0.80–2.39, p = 0.25; PFS: adjusted HR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.48–1.88, p = 0.88). Similar results were obtained using the PS method. Compared to no BB usage, SBB use was associated with a significant decrease in OS (HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.16–2.80, p < 10−2).

Conclusion: BB exposure was not associated with improved PDAC survival outcomes. Beta-1-selectivity was not independently associated with any differences.
Differential responses from the left postcentral gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, and precuneus to meal ingestion in patients with functional dyspepsia
Authors: Chen Yiping , Yu Risheng , DeSouza Joseph F. X. , Shen Yuze , Zhang Hanyun , Zhu Chunpeng , Huang Peiyu , Wang Caihua
Published: May 2023

Background

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is most often a meal-induced syndrome. Studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) reported abnormal connectivity in areas related to pain processing in FD. However, only a few studies have attempted to determine how meal ingestion affects the brain's working patterns. Through rs-fMRI, this study observed how meal ingestion affected brain regions related to visceral hypersensitivity and emotional response networks in FD patients.

Methods

A total of 30 FD patients and 32 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled and underwent clinical investigations. Rs-fMRI was performed twice after a 4-h fast and 50 min after a meal. The mean functional connectivity strength (FCS) values were extracted from brain regions with significant differences to show the trend of changes related to meal ingestion after FCS analyses.

Results

Depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and weight loss were more common in FD patients (P ≤ 0.001). Compared with HCs (corrected cluster P-value < 0.05), FD patients had significantly higher FCS in the right middle frontal gyrus before meals and higher meal-induced FCS in the left postcentral gyrus. HCs had greater meal-induced activation in the right precuneus and anterior cingulate cortex. FD patients had a decreasing trend in the right inferior frontal gyrus compared to the increasing trend in HCs. We only found anxiety to be negatively correlated with FCS in the right inferior frontal gyrus in FD (r = −0.459, p = 0.048, uncorrected).

Conclusions

In this study, we discovered that FD patients have different perceptual and emotional responses to food intake in defined brain areas, providing promising impetus for understanding pathogenic brain mechanisms in FD.
Impact of social determinants of health on individuals living with generalized myasthenia gravis and implications for patient support programs
Authors: Hughes Tom , Anderson Ashley E. L. , Habib Ali A. , Perez Kathy , Bergin Cathleen , Suchotliff Sharon , Zvosec Cecilia , McDaniel Dajzsa , Sato Mai , Whangbo Albert , Phillips Glenn
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are important contributors to health outcomes, and better understanding their impact on individuals diagnosed with rare, chronic diseases with high burden and unmet need is critical. Characterizing SDOH burden can help improve the design of patient support programs (PSPs), using targeted approaches to remove barriers to access.

Methods

This study used a mixed-methods strategy employing a quantitative survey, which was designed based on qualitative interviews, to understand the unmet needs and awareness/utilization of PSPs among individuals living with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) and experiencing SDOH barriers. The survey was completed by 38 individuals living with gMG, of which the majority were non-White/Caucasian, unemployed, low income, and enrolled in public insurance. Common SDOH challenges, awareness/utilization of available PSPs, and unmet needs were identified.

Results

Financial and mental health concerns were the most common among individuals living with gMG and experiencing SDOH barriers throughout diagnosis, accessing treatment, initiating treatment, and continuing treatment. Awareness and utilization of existing support services were low, especially when accessing treatment. Educational, financial, and personalized support with high “human touch” were commonly perceived as the most valuable resources.

Implications

To better serve the needs of individuals with gMG experiencing SDOH barriers, PSPs should use a targeted approach to offer services tailored to harder-to-reach populations. Further, providers, advocacy groups, manufacturers, and public organizations in the gMG ecosystem should strengthen collaborations with PSPs to enable individuals living with gMG to access the services they need to improve their health outcomes.
Language function of the superior longitudinal fasciculus in patients with arteriovenous malformation as evidenced by automatic fiber quantification
Authors: Zong Fangrong , You Zhaoyi , Zhou Leqing , Deng Xiaofeng
Published: May 2023

The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) is a major fiber tract involved in language processing and has been used to investigate language impairments and plasticity in many neurological diseases. The SLF is divided into four main branches that connect with different cortex regions, with two branches (SLF II, SLF III) being directly related to language. However, most white matter analyses consider the SLF as a single bundle, which may underestimate the relationship between these fiber bundles and language function. In this study, we investigated the differences between branches of the SLF in patients with arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which is a unique model to investigate language reorganization. We analyzed diffusion tensor imaging data of AVM patients and healthy controls to generate whole-brain fiber tractography, and then segmented the SLF into SLF II and III based on their distinctive waypoint regions. The SLF, SLF II, and III were further quantified, and four diffusion parameters of three branches were compared between the AVMs and controls. No significant diffusivity differences of the whole SLF were observed between two groups, however, the right SLF II and III in AVMs showed significant reorganization or impairment patterns as compared to the controls. Results demonstrating the need to subtracting SLF branches when studying structure-function relationship in neurological diseases that have SLF damage.
Virtual reality and collaborative learning: a systematic literature review
Authors: van der Meer Nesse , van der Werf Vivian , Brinkman Willem-Paul , Specht Marcus
Published: May 2023

Background: While research on Virtual Reality’s potential for education continues to advance, research on its support for Collaborative Learning is small in scope. With remote collaboration and distance learning becoming increasingly relevant for education (especially since the COVID-19 pandemic), an understanding of Virtual Reality’s potential for Collaborative Learning is of importance. To establish how this immersive technology can support and enhance collaboration between learners, this systematic literature review analyses scientific research on Virtual Reality for Collaborative Learning with the intention to identify 1) skills and competences trained, 2) domains and disciplines addressed, 3) systems used and 4) empirical knowledge established.

Method: Two scientific databases—Scopus and Web of Science—were used for this review. Following the PRISMA method, a total of 139 articles were analyzed. Reliability of this selection process was assessed using five additional coders. A taxonomy was used to classify these articles. Another coder was used to assess the reliability of the primary coder before this taxonomy was applied to the selected articles

Results: Based on the literature reviewed, skills and competences developed are divided into five categories. Educational fields and domains seem interested in Virtual Reality for Collaborative Learning because of a need for innovation, communities and remote socialization and collaboration between learners. Systems primarily use monitor-based Virtual Reality and mouse-and-keyboard controls. A general optimism is visible regarding the use of Virtual Reality to support and enhance Collaborative Learning

Conclusion: Five distinct affordances of Virtual Reality for Collaborative Learning are identified: it 1) is an efficient tool to engage and motivate learners, 2) supports distance learning and remote collaboration, 3) provides multi- and interdisciplinary spaces for both learning and collaborating, 4) helps develop social skills and 5) suits Collaborative Learning-related paradigms and approaches. Overall, the reviewed literature suggests Virtual Reality to be an effective tool for the support and enhancement of Collaborative Learning, though further research is necessary to establish pedagogies.
A trajectory of social innovations for the direct purchase of organic food by food services: a case study in Florianópolis, Brazil
Authors: Pugas Adevan da Silva , Rover Oscar José , Martinelli Suellen Secchi , Teodolino Francele Contarini
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Although interest in the so-called short food supply chains (SFSC) has grown in recent decade, studies and social innovations that emerged from this phenomenon have made little progress in involving food actors outside the home. The article analyzes the conditioning factors for forming short food supply chains involving food services and organic farmers’ organizations, understanding them as potential social innovations.

Methods

The research used questionnaires with food services, participant and non-participant observations, and secondary data analysis with regional farmers’ organizations in the Greater Florianópolis region.

Results

Food services, which mostly do not yet purchase organic products from local producers, are interested in integrating purchasing initiatives directly from farmers and their organizations. However, they have presented several conditions for this. Nevertheless, farmers have the capacity, at least in part, to respond to the required conditions due to their innovative trajectory and socio-organizational capacity.

Discussion

The provision of food services, associated with the trajectory of social innovations in SFSC by farmers around Florianópolis, shows a potential to converge different interests for the generation of new initiatives, following the innovative trajectory led by social actors who work with the rural area. This could increase the impact of ongoing SFSC initiatives, ensuring consumers access local food, even when eating out.
The effect of the enhanced recovery after surgery program on radical cystectomy: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Zhou Yongheng , Li Rongyang , Liu Zhifeng , Qi Wenqiang , Lv Guangda , Zhong Minglei , Liu Xigao , Zhu Meikai , Jiang Zhiwen , Chen Shouzhen , Shi Benkang , Zhu Yaofeng
Published: May 2023

Background

Bladder cancer is the ninth most common malignant tumor worldwide. As an effective evidence-based multidisciplinary protocol, the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program is practiced in many surgical disciplines. However, the function of ERAS after radical cystectomy remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to research the impact of ERAS on radical cystectomy.

Methods

A systematic literature search on PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library databases was conducted in April 2022 to identify the studies that performed the ERAS program in radical cystectomy. Studies were selected, data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers, and quality was assessed using a random effects model to calculate the overall effect size. The odds ratio and standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) served as the summary statistics for the meta-analysis. A sensitivity analysis was subsequently performed.

Results

A total of 25 studies with 4,083 patients were enrolled. The meta-analysis showed that the complications (OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.63–0.90), transfusion rate (OR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.39–0.90), readmission rate (OR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.64–0.96), length of stay (SMD = −0.79; 95% CI: −1.41 to −0.17), and time to first flatus (SMD = −1.16; 95% CI: −1.58 to −0.74) were significantly reduced in the ERAS group. However, no significance was found in 90-day mortality and urine leakage.

Conclusion

The ERAS program for radical cystectomy can effectively decrease the risk of overall complications, postoperative ileus, readmission rate, transfusion rate, length of stay, and time to first flatus in patients who underwent radical cystectomy with relative safety.

Systematic Review Registration

https://inplasy.com/, identifier INPLASY202250075.
A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Young Men’s Gambling and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Brambilla Rebecca , Mshana Gerry Hillary , Mosha Neema , Malibwa Donati , Ayieko Philip , Sichalwe Simon , Kapiga Saidi , Stöckl Heidi
Published: May 2023

Objectives: The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Tanzania is one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. There are very few studies on the co-occurrence of gambling and IPV and none from LMICs, despite gambling being a behaviour associated with gender norms exalting masculinity underlying IPV perpetration.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey data of 755 currently partnered men aged 18–24 from Mwanza, Tanzania were analysed to investigate whether gambling was associated with past-year physical, sexual, emotional and economic IPV. We conducted bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions to control for potential confounders, based on their significant association bivariately with the main outcome variables.

Results: Of the men who gambled, 18 percent perpetrated physical IPV, 39 percent sexual IPV, 60 percent emotional IPV and 39 percent economic IPV. Gambling was significantly associated with sexual (aOR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.70–3.97), emotional (aOR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.12–2.14) and economic IPV (aOR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.02–1.88) after controlling for confounders.

Conclusion: The analysis shows that gambling is associated with IPV perpetration. More research is needed to understand how current IPV prevention efforts can be expanded to include problem gambling treatment.
Assessment of Intrinsic Vulnerability Using DRASTIC vs. Actual Nitrate Pollution: The Case of a Detrital Aquifer Impacted by Intensive Agriculture in Cádiz (Southern Spain)
Authors: Chilaule Sérgio Mateus , Vélez-Nicolás Mercedes , Ruiz-Ortiz Verónica , Sánchez-Bellón Ángel , García-López Santiago
Published: May 2023

The degradation of groundwater quality due to nitrate is a widespread issue in heavily agricultural areas and a major concern for public health. Improving knowledge of the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers with respect to the actual contamination is crucial for adequate water management and for complying with the European directives aimed at protecting this valuable resource. In this study, we applied the well-established DRASTIC method to assess the intrinsic vulnerability of the Benalup aquifer, a detrital aquifer located in the southern Iberian Peninsula that supports important agricultural activity. The model was compared with in situ measurements of this ion, evidencing a lack of agreement between the most vulnerable zones and those that display higher nitrate concentrations. This fact should not be interpreted as an inadequacy in the vulnerability model, but as a result of several factors such as (i) the marked heterogeneity in land uses and the spatial variability in contaminant sources, (ii) the construction and exploitation characteristics of the water boreholes, (iii) the sampling procedure and depth to the water table, and (iv) transport and degradation processes within the porous medium. All these aspects can lead to discrepancies between the actual distribution of contamination and vulnerability models such as DRASTIC. All these factors should be carefully considered in the design of a sampling network in order to achieve a representative picture indicating the extent of contamination and the overall chemical quality of the system.
Research on Receiving Seeds Performance of Belt-Type High-Speed Corn Seed Guiding Device Based on Discrete Element Method
Authors: Ma Chengcheng , Yi Shujuan , Tao Guixiang , Li Yifei , Wang Song , Wang Guangyu , Gao Feng
Published: May 2023

Because the initial speed of the seeds leaving the seed disk is too high, they collide and bounce off the inner wall of the seed guide tube, resulting in poor sowing quality when corn is sown at high speeds above 12 km/h. This study clarifies the primary factors affecting the stability of seed receiving and the accuracy of the seed entering the seed cavity, establishes the dynamic model of seed clamping, transportation, and releasing, and investigates the belt-type high-speed corn seed guiding device with the seed receiving system as the research object. It also proposes an improved method of adding herringbone lines on the finger surface to address this issue. Using EDEM software, a virtual experiment of seed-receiving performance was conducted, and the change trend of stress on seeds with and without a herringbone pattern and different wheel center distance as well as the change trend of the speed of seeds with various feeder wheel speeds and finger length, were both examined. The outcomes of the simulation demonstrate that the herringbone-lined feeder wheel could increase the stress on seeds. The average value of the stress on the seeds is the highest at the wheels’ center distance of 37 mm. The stability and speed fluctuation of seeds introduced into the seed cavity were better when the feeder wheel speed was 560 r/min. The speed of fluctuation and stability of the seeds introduced into the seed cavity were better when the finger length was 12 mm. The high-speed camera test on the test bench was used to verify the seed guiding process in accordance with the simulation results, and the outcomes were largely consistent. The study’s findings can serve as a theoretical foundation for a belt-type high-speed corn seed guiding device optimization test.
Nutritional Characterization Based on Vegetation Indices to Detect Anthocyanins, Carotenoids, and Chlorophylls in Mini-Lettuce
Authors: Clemente Andressa Alves , Maciel Gabriel Mascarenhas , Siquieroli Ana Carolina Silva , Gallis Rodrigo Bezerra de Araujo , Luz José Magno Queiroz , Sala Fernando César , Pereira Lucas Medeiros , Yada Rickey Yoshio
Published: May 2023

When obtaining new cultivars or monitoring the nutritional composition of lettuce, new techniques are necessary given the high cost and time required to conduct laboratory analyses of plant composition by conventional methods. The objective of this study was to evaluate different vegetation indices for the estimation of anthocyanin, chlorophyll, and carotenoids in mini-lettuce genotypes with different leaf colors and different typologies from red, green, and blue (RGB) images. The contents of pigments were evaluated in 15 lettuce genotypes, in addition to the soil plant analysis development (SPAD) index and vegetation indices in the visible range. The variability among genotypes was confirmed by the Scott-Knott test (p < 0.05) and multivariate analysis. Linear regressions were obtained between the green leaf index (GLI) and leaf pigments. GLI was a good predictor for estimating the contents of anthocyanin (r = −0.83; r2 = 0.75), carotenoid (r = −0.59; r2 = 0.43), chlorophyll a (r = −0.69; r2 = 0.48), chlorophyll b (r = −0.62; r2 = 0.39), and total chlorophyll (r = −0.77; r2 = 0.65) in red and green mini-lettuce. The high-performance phenotyping technique can be used to evaluate leaf pigments in breeding programs, as well as in crops for monitoring biofortification levels in lettuce.
The Inhibitory Mechanism of Eugenol on Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Its Induced Disease Resistance of Passion Fruit
Authors: Sun Yanzheng , Shuai Liang , Luo Donglan , Ba Liangjie
Published: May 2023

The inhibitory effects and mechanisms of eugenol were studied in pathogenic fungi that were isolated from passion fruit affected with naturally occurring fruit rot; additionally, the effect of eugenol treatment on fruit rot resistance in passion fruit was investigated. The corresponding results demonstrated that the pathogenic fungus causing passion fruit rot was Lasiodiplodia theobromae and that the minimal inhibitory concentration of eugenol against L. theobromae was 0.30 mg/mL. Eugenol significantly inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination of this fruit rot fungus. Further, nucleic acid release, electrical conductivity, and protein and soluble sugar content of the fruit rot fungus gradually increased with increasing eugenol concentrations. Propidium iodide staining revealed that the cell membrane integrity of L. theobromae hyphae was disrupted when treated with eugenol. In addition, eugenol treatment inhibited the spread of disease spot diameter after inoculation with L. theobromae, effectively increased APX, SOD, CAT, POD, 4CL, C4H, and PAL activities, promoted the accumulation of disease-stage-related proteins CHI and GLU, and increased the total phenol and flavonoid content during storage in passion fruit. Overall, these results suggest that eugenol has good application prospects for the effective control of fruit rot in passion fruit.
Wind Vulnerability of Flexible Outdoor Single-Post Billboards
Authors: Salgado-Estrada Rolando , Galván Arturo , Moreno-Martínez Jatziri Y. , Elvira-Hernández Ernesto A. , Carpio Franco , Herrera-May Agustín L. , Zamora Castro Sergio A. , Herrera-Díaz Israel E.
Published: May 2023

Increased temperature due to global climate change is increasing the magnitude and frequency of extreme winds making billboard structures more vulnerable. This paper proposes a methodology to determine the structural safety of flexible outdoor single-post billboards. A CFD model of a flexible single-post billboard was performed as an example. Resultant wind forces were obtained for the previous model using different wind speeds. A mechanical numerical model of the billboard was realized, and this was subjected to the resultant wind forces. Internal forces for the most vulnerable places of the billboard were obtained for all different adopted wind speeds. Next, a reliability analysis of the billboard was performed considering several values for the bias factor and coefficient of variation for the internal forces caused by wind. Safety levels determined from the reliability analysis indicate that a billboard designed with a nominal wind speed of 180 km/h cannot achieve the target probability index of 3.2 for wind speed higher or equal to 200 km/h for any of the adopted probabilistic parameters. Significant differences in the found safety levels for the evaluated probability parameters indicate that billboard structures could undergo safety values below the target one with changes in the case where wind characteristics endanger this type of structure.
The Effect of Freezing Raw Material on the Quality Changes and Safety of Salted Anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus, Linnaeus, 1758) at Cold Storage Conditions
Authors: Koral Serkan , Köse Sevim , Pompe Matevž , Kočar Drago
Published: May 2023

This study demonstrates the effects of the freezing and frozen storage of anchovies prior to brining and dry-salting on quality changes and food safety during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C). Fresh anchovies were divided into two groups, one of which was used as a control representing fresh raw material; the other was the experimental group and consisted of frozen and thawed anchovies stored at −18 °C for a year. Five different salt concentrations were used for brining (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) in addition to the dry-salting method. Microbiological, chemical, physical and sensory analyses were carried out during storage. Salt concentration and salting method had significant effects on the shelf-life of salted anchovy products, with the highest shelf-life corresponding to dry-salted anchovies (p < 0.05). The effect of using frozen and thawed raw materials for salting on the shelf-life depended on the processing method since the experimental dry-salted group had a shelf-life one month longer than that of the control group, while the opposite situation occurred for the brined samples, with one exception. Strong correlations were usually found between sensory values and chemical quality parameters (R2: 0.83–0.99 for the control group and 0.63–0.99 for the experimental group). The results demonstrated that the experimental group, with some exceptions, had better values for most quality and food safety parameters in comparison to the control group, indicating the advantage of using frozen and thawed raw materials before salting to prevent spoilage and enhance food safety. Considering that the experimental group was produced from one-year-stored raw material compared to the control group, the advantage of the freezing and frozen storage of anchovies can be accepted as much higher versus when freezing is not implemented. The positive effect is due to the fact that frozen anchovies absorb salt faster after thawing, especially in groups with high salt concentrations. Therefore, it can be concluded that frozen salted anchovies can be utilized for longer as they have a longer shelf-life, particularly when using either the 30% brining or dry-salting method.