bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COMPARISON OF OVERALL AND POSTERIOR BOLTON RATIOS OF SKELETAL CLASS II MALOCCLUSION BEFORE AND AFTER DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF FOUR PREMOLAR EXTRACTIONS IN A PAKISTANI POPULATION
Authors: Wadood Sundas , Muhammad Saood  , Aiman Mehmood Shah  , Alam Mahnoor , Shujaat Sara , Asghar Tahira
Published: January 2024

Objectives: To fi nd whether diff erent premolar extraction patterns change the overall Bolton ratio from 91.30%, and the posterior Bolton ratio from 105.27% among the Pakistani population in a skeletal class II malocclusion.Materials and Methods: This Quasi Experimental study was conducted at at the Orthodontics Department of Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar on 30 dental models of skeletal class II patients. A Digital Vernier Caliper was used to measure the mesiodistal widths of the teeth me-sial to the second molar. Overall and posterior Bolton ratios were calculated before and after hypothetical extractions of the premolars. One-sample-t test was used to see if there was any significant diff erence between the overall and posterior Bolton ratios of the Bolton study and our study. Paired-samples-t test was used to fi nd the change in Bolton ratios before and after extractions. P value of ≤0.05 was considered signifi cant.Results: The mean overall and posterior Bolton ratios were 91.57±1.21% and 103.36±2.82%, respectively. Following premolars’ extractions in the pattern: all fi rst premolars, upper first with lower second premolars, upper second with lower fi rst premolars and all second premoalrs, the overall ratio decreased signifi cantly (p <0.05) to 90.29±1.54%, 90.55±1.61%, 89.47±1.62% and 89.72±1.59%, respectively, whereas the posterior ratio for all fi rst premolars and upper fi rst with lower second premolar extractions increased signifi cantly to 105.27±3.18% and 105.88±3.71% (p <0.05).Conclusion: Premolar extractions in skeletal class II malocclusion cause a signifi cant decrease in the overall Bolton ratio. The all fi rst premolars and upper fi rst with lower second premolar extractions pattern cause a signifi cant increase in the posterior Bolton ratio.
Polynomial Deceleration Parameter Explaining Bianchi Type I Model
Authors: Koly Jenia Fardousi , Hossain Md Nirab , Seum Rashedul Islam , Ali Md Showkat
Published: January 2024

The focus of the current research investigates the dynamical behavior of the universe within the framework of a new Bianchi type-I anisotropic, homogeneous astrophysical models with a modified theory of f(R, T) gravity. The significant effect of the model is to find solutions to the field equations using Polynomial Deceleration Parameter (PDP) which is a powerful tool to analyze the cosmic expansion history. Through a combination of theoretical analysis and graphical representation, we explore the consequences of f(R, T) gravity on the universe’s evolution for r = 1 to 5 polynomial value of DP. Our study unveils intriguing features in the context of this modified gravity theory, shedding light on its impact on cosmic expansion, acceleration, and potential deviations from standard cosmological models. The graphical representations provide intuitive insights, enhancing our comprehension of the complex interplay between geometry and matter content in the universe. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the universe’s behavior in alternative gravitational theories.
GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc. 43.1 (2023) 08- 25
Quantum State Reconstruction Through Online Shadow Tomography: Theoretical Framework and Simulation Results
Authors: Seum Rashedul Islam , Hossain Md Nirab , Koly Jenia Fardousi , Ali Md Showkat , Salem Nur Mohammad
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this research work is to learn the quantum states in an ideal environments analytically, computationally, and graphically. The analysis starts with the learning of quantum states in identity channels with the help of the Regularized Follow the Leader (RFTL) algorithm. Our machine will try to learn the states based on the previous information, which is called the online learning model. The objective of this problem is to minimize regret by utilizing a learning algorithm that successively anticipates quantum states through observed measurements and losses. We have to produce many copies of quantum state ρ to perform analysis on them, which indicates the use of the shadow tomography approach in an ideal situation. Our goal is to learn the shadow of the state ρ by using a series of measurement operators that have two outcomes in nature. Aaronson et al. [1] developed an online setting for a non-realizable case, where the maximum possible loss is O( √ Tn) for the best possible state up to T−measurements . It is noteworthy that this outcome is an extension of the Aaronson PAC-like findings [2].
GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc. 43.1 (2023) 65-74
La utilidad práctica del fideicomiso
Authors: Lantigua Linette
Published: January 2024

Este artículo busca fomentar el uso de la figura del fideicomiso, en escenarios en donde las garantías deban ser fortalecidas, además de promover una visión de apertura, para interesarse por las leyes relacionadas con el tema, debido a que las mismas suelen incluir incentivos adicionales para fomentar los negocios en las ramas a las que se enfoquen.

Sin duda, estas posibilidades impactan de manera importante y significativa en la trascendencia generacional y/o en el crecimiento de cualquier mipyme. Es por eso que presentaremos estadísticas de República Dominicana, en torno a los fideicomisos inmobiliarios de los últimos 5 años.
Entrevista a Suzelle Taveras
Authors: Taveras Suzelle
Published: January 2024

Hace 12 años, Suzelle Taveras, junto a su familia, identificó una necesidad y la supo volver negocio sostenible. Hoy basta con visitar su tienda (Bride to Be) y observar el éxito que ha logrado alcanzar al combinar su gran pasión por la moda y una necesidad del mercado, creando una propuesta innovadora.
Role of Cisplatin in Inducing Acute Kidney Injury and Pyroptosis in Mice via the Exosome miR-122/ELAVL1 Regulatory Axis
Authors: Zhu B , He J , Ye X , Pei X , Bai Y , Gao F , Guo L , Yong H , Zhao W
Published: January 2024

Although cisplatin is an effective chemotherapy drug for the treatment of various cancers, its clinical use is limited due to its side effects, especially nephrotoxicity. Unfortunately, acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by cisplatin remains one of the main challenges in effective cancer treatment. Evidence increasingly suggests that renal inflammation and pyroptotic inflammatory cell death of renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) mainly determine the progression and outcome of cisplatin-induced AKI. However, it is not clear how cisplatin regulates the pyroptosis of RTECs cells in AKI. The current study aimed to determine the regulation mechanism of AKI induced by cisplatin. We used cisplatin to induce AKI in vivo. We performed H&E staining of mouse kidney tissue sections and evaluated serological indicators of kidney injury (including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)). We used immunohistochemistry and western blot to detect the important substrate protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) and key target caspase-1 of pyroptosis, respectively. Cisplatin induced mouse AKI and RTECs pyroptosis. HK2 cell-derived exosomes treated with cisplatin influenced pyroptosis of the surrounding HK2 cells. Cisplatin-treated HK2 cells exosome-derived miR-122 regulated pyroptosis in the surrounding cells. Exosome-derived miR-122 affected cisplatin-induced AKI and HK2 cells pyroptosis by regulating the expression of embryonic lethal abnormal vision (ELAVL1). These results suggest that exosome miR-122 inhibited pyroptosis and AKI by targeting ELAVL1 under cisplatin treatment, and this offers a potential target for the treatment of AKI.
Elméleti alapok és tapasztalatok a szisztematikus fókuszált szakirodalmi áttekintés során
Authors: Kolnhofer-Derecskei Anita , Szászvári Karina , Tóth-Téglás Tünde , Reicher Regina
Published: January 2024

Tanulmányunkban egy tudományos kutatást megalapozó szakirodalmi gyűjtés és rendszerezés példáján keresztül mutatjuk be a rendszerező és szisztematikus szakirodalmazást valamint az üzleti tudományokban is egyre népszerűbb, új rendszerező szakirodalmi áttekintést segítő VosViewer alkalmazást és a PRISMA modellt. A PRISMA modell eredetileg az egészségügyi és orvosi kutatások területéből indult ki, melyet fokozatosan, talán, éppen a VosViewer népszerű, ingyenes alkalmazása tett ismertté az üzleti és közgazdaságtani tudományos kutatásokban. Mindezek mellett, a mesterséges intelligencia vezényelte chatbot alkalmazást is kipróbáltuk, hogyan segítheti a tudományos munka szakirodalmi áttekintő fázisát. Konkrét kutatás során tapasztaltuk meg ezek működését és fedeztük fel, tanultuk meg a használatukat, vagyis cikkünk nem könyvtár-, és információtudomány tudományos oldaláról, hanem a felhasználó szemszögéből, mégis tudományosan elemez, és értékel. Feltéve a kérdést, hogy miben nyújt hozzáadott értéket ez a technika a hagyományos vagy tradicionális szakirodalmi gyűjtéshez képest?  A vizsgált módszertani eljárást „szekunder adatokon” (más elemzések példáin) és egy esettanulmányon keresztül vezetjük végig, rámutatva annak igazi értékeire és buktatóira is. Eredményeink szerint megállapíthatjuk, hogy ezen új módszerek nem helyettesítik teljeskörűen a hagyományos szakirodalmi gyűjtést vagy rendszerzést, legkevésbe azok értő olvasását és feldolgozását, de kiváló kiindulási alapként szolgálnak a nemzetközi szakirodalom - angol, és tapasztalatunk szerint magyar nyelvű - tér-, és időbeli grafikus rendszerezéséhez, új irányt mutatva a kutatási résekre.
Az ágazati és vállalati értékteremtők azonosítása és alkalmazása
Authors: Nagyné Halász Zsuzsanna , Jámbor Balázs Róbert , Katits Etelka
Published: January 2024

Napjainkban a vállalkozások változékony és összetett versenykörnyezetben léteznek. A teljesítmény- és tulajdonosi érték különböző szempontjainak mérése is összetett és alapos körültekintést igényel. Számos üzleti intelligens eszköz létezik, amelyek közül az egyik a strukturált numerikus elemzés. A pénzügyi benchmark is ide tartozik, amelynek jelentősége felértékelődik a piacok bővülésének, de a piacokról való kivonulás idején is. Jelenleg többarányos módszert alkalmaznak és alig terjedt el ezek összekapcsolása a tulajdonosi érték-teremtéssel. A cél annak az EU-s irányelv megvalósításának vizsgálata, mely szerint a vállalatok rövid távú előnyök helyett hosszú távú, fenntartható értékeket teremthessenek. Bemutatjuk a pénzügyi benchmarkban a több információ- tartalmat nyújtó eszközök alkalmazását. Kutatási kérdéseink: Miért és hogyan épülhet egymásra a vállalati fenntartható gazdálkodás, a növekedés és az értékteremtés a gyakorlatban? Milyen kvantitatív és kvalitatív értékteremtőket lehet azonosítani az elmúlt évekből? Hol, és hogyan lehet alkalmazni a kapott eredményeket? Ezek a döntéshozó vezetők munkájának akár újra tervezését is szolgálják. Adatbázis- és eset elemzést végzünk a FINel pénzügyi szakértői rendszer elemző moduljával, amit kiegészítünk tartalomelemzéssel, valamint céges terep- és tanácsadói munka eredményeivel. A pénzügyi benchmarkot a magyar vármegyei top 1000 vállalatok ágazati mintája és AKI minta jelenti. Mindkét minta mérleg és eredménykimutatások aggregált adatait tartalmazza. Amíg a benchmarkok, mint referenciaértékek teljesítése vagy túllépése fontos sikert hozó jelzés, addig az alul teljesítés korai figyelmeztető jelzés, ami akár az adott cég értékrombolásához is vezethet.
Association of Vitamin-D insufficiency and infertility: A Literature Review
Authors: Stavros Sofoklis , Potiris Anastasios , Sgourali Sofia , Drakaki Εirini , Mavrogianni Despoina , Domali Ekaterini , Drakakis Peter
Published: January 2024

Vitamin D receptors are present in both male and female central neural system and reproductive system hence Vitamin D sufficiency or insufficiency affects fertility. The present review aims to determine a correlation between Vitamin D insufficiency and infertility. Regarding female infertility, it was found that Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with increased issues during conception and higher miscarriage rate. Furthermore, Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with lower FSH levels affecting follicle formation, maturation and ovulation. Regarding male infertility, Vitamin D and its Receptor have been identified in the prostate, seminal vesicles, epididymis, germ cells, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Sertoli cells. The prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency is higher among men with lower sperm count and lower motility. However, the relation between Vitamin D and testosterone levels remain unclear. The present review stresses the effects of Vitamin D insufficiency in both male and female infertility.
Infertility and female sexual dysfunction: A literature review
Authors: Bitsis Garyfalia , Domali Ekaterini , Drakaki Eirini , Drakakis Peter , Stavros Sofoklis
Published: January 2024

Female sexuality and fertility have been increasingly studied during the past decades. Although infertility was always viewed as a medical condition and treated by doctors, female sexual dysfunction was thought to be a psychological disorder until the late 90s. As a result, it is not until the beginning of 20th century that literature largely indicated that women diagnosed with infertility are more likely to experience sexual dysfunction. Both entities seem to be munltidimensional and complex conditions. Consequently, their treatment needs to include investigation of all the related aspects, such as the psychological assesment of the couple. The aim of this study is to review the literature on the complex relationship between infertility, its treatment and sexual dysfunction and to investigate the necessity of assesment of sexual function in women facing infertility. Scientific research published in the english language was used. The search for suitable studies was conducted with the research databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus using the keywords: sexual dysfunction, infertility, infertile couple, female sexuality. Overall, these studies revealed that sexual satisfanction is strongly impaired by the consequences of infertility. Furthermore, sexuality and fertility share many organic and non-organic risk factors that need to be profoundly investigated in the future.
Hemostatic Effect of Intrauterine Instillation of Oxytocin in Hysteroscopic Myomectomy: A Randomized Double Blinded Control Trial
Authors: Tantawy Walid Hitler Ahmed , Mamdouh Ahmed Mohamed , El-Hady Mahfouz Amir Hamdy Abd , Ghaleb Mahmoud Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Uterine myomas are benign, smooth muscle tumors of the uterus that are affected by estrogen and progesterone. Most fibroids are asymptomatic and require no intervention or further investigations. Fibroids arise from the uterine smooth muscles then migrate to a place of lower resistance becoming subserosal or submucous myomas or remains intra-myometrial. Aim of the Work: The main aim of this study was to investigate whether the intrauterine instillation of oxytocin into the distention medium during hysteroscopic myomectomy will reduce blood loss and improve surgical visibility. Patients and Methods: This Randomized controlled double blinded clinical trial was conducted at Early Cancer Detection Unit (ECDU) at Ain Shams University hospitals. This study included 60 women who were scheduled to undergo a hysteroscopic myomectomy were divided into two equal groups: Group A (Oxytocin group): 30 women underwent a hysteroscopic myomectomy with the use of 10 IU of oxytocin for every 1000 ml of the distending medium. Group B (Placebo group): 30 women underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy with the use of a sterile bacteriostatic water ampule for every 1000 ml of the distending medium. Results: Groups were comparable in demographic data (in terms of age) and surgical data sin term of (myoma size and number and duration of surgery) and intraoperative fluids and there was no statistically significant difference between groups. There were significant difference in Hgb and Hct drop in each group but control group showed more mean difference than oxytocin group. Our results showed that groups were comparable in post-operative need of blood transfusion and 2nd surgery and there was statistically significant difference between groups in post-operative Hgb and HCT. Groups were comparable in surgeon evaluation in term of visual fluid clarity and there was statistically significant difference between groups in surgeon rating bleeding. Our results showed that groups were comparable in complications in term of (uterine and medical) and there was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding complications. Conclusion: Complications during diagnostic hysteroscopy are common. Intrauterine instillation of oxytocin into the distention medium during hysteroscopic myomectomy reduce blood loss and improve surgical visibility. More studies with varied dosages and methods are needed to validate these findings.
Pleasure, quality or status? an analysis of drivers of purchase of fresh pork in China
Authors: Mulders Maartje D. G. H. , Grunert Klaus G. , Pedersen Susanne , Brunsø Karen , Zhou Yanfeng
Published: January 2024

What are consumers aiming to get when they buy fresh meat? Is it the emotional pleasure, the nutritional quality and functionality, or the status that goes with it? We examine this question for Chinese consumers buying fresh pork. In order to understand the driving forces for pork purchases, we use the concept of perceived value of a product, and distinguish emotional value, quality/performance and social value, together with price/value for money. We look at how perceived value of pork products in China is related to consumers’ attitude to these products and to their repeated purchase of these products. In addition, we look at how value perception and its role in determining attitude and purchase behavior differ between different consumer segments, distinguished based on their shopping behavior. An online survey was carried out in 5 Chinese 1st and 2nd tier cities. Respondents were segmented based on their usage of different ways of shopping for pork using latent class cluster analysis. Relationships between constructs were estimated using PLS. Quality/functional value was the strongest determinant of attitude, but emotional value was both the strongest direct determinant of purchase behavioral and the strongest determinant overall when taking effects mediated by attitude into account. Customer journey segments differed in their pattern of determinants of attitudinal and behavioral loyalty. We conclude that buying fresh meat is, for Chinese consumers, mostly driven by the expected pleasure and to a lesser degree by quality and functional properties like safety and healthiness. The latter do have an impact on consumers’ attitude to the product, but less so on their buying behavior, suggesting that attitude and purchase are driven by different mental processes. We discuss implications for future demand for fresh pork in China.
Spatiotemporal association between COVID-19 incidence and type 1 diabetes incidence among children and adolescents: a register-based ecological study in Germany
Authors: Rosenbauer Joachim , Stahl-Pehe Anna , Baechle Christina , Lanzinger Stefanie , Kamrath Clemens , Kuß Oliver , Holl Reinhard W.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Studies have shown an increased incidence of pediatric type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the detailed role of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the incidence increase in type 1 diabetes remains unclear. We investigated the spatiotemporal association of pediatric type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 incidence at the district level in Germany.

Methods

For the period from March 2020 to June 2022, nationwide data on incident type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents aged <20 years and daily documented COVID-19 infections in the total population were obtained from the German Diabetes Prospective Follow-up Registry and the Robert Koch Institute, respectively. Data were aggregated at district level and seven time periods related to COVID-19 pandemic waves. Spatiotemporal associations between indirectly standardized incidence rates of type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 were analyzed by Spearman correlation and Bayesian spatiotemporal conditional autoregressive Poisson models.

Results

Standardized incidence ratios of type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 in the pandemic period were not significantly correlated across districts and time periods. A doubling of the COVID-19 incidence rate was not associated with a significant increase in the incidence rate of type 1 diabetes (relative risk 1.006, 95% CI 0.987; 1.019).

Conclusion

Our findings based on data from the pandemic period indirectly indicate that a causal relationship between SARS-COV-2 infection and type 1 diabetes among children and adolescents is unlikely.
Research on a new power system development planning model based on two-tier planning
Authors: Fang Liu , Ke Xu , Yang Liu , Weiding Xu , Ruiguang Ma , Tiannan Ma , Yunche Su , Chang Liu , Wei Chen
Published: January 2024

With the rapid development of the power industry, the safe and stable operation of the power system has become an important basis for safeguarding economic and social development. In order to adapt to the trend of rapid growth of new energy sources and the demand for transformation and upgrading of the power industry, the capacity allocation scheme of the power system needs to be constantly optimized and adjusted. To address the development planning of new power systems, a new power system development planning model based on two-layer planning is constructed, taking into account the operational output results of various types of units and the interaction between the configuration schemes. Through the analysis of the evolution of the power system in a region in the next 15 years, the development pattern of the new power system in different stages under the high, medium, and low scenarios of new energy development is optimally calculated to guide the development of the power system. The results show that the model can provide a quantitative reference for decision-making on energy policies and power strategies in the medium and long term.
Multi-agent game operation of regional integrated energy system based on carbon emission flow
Authors: Zhang Li , Pan Dong , Wang Bao , Jia Jianxiong , Song Zhumeng , Zhang Xin
Published: January 2024

In the process of promoting energy green transformation, the optimization of regional integrated energy system faces many challenges such as cooperative management, energy saving and emission reduction, as well as uncertainty of new energy output. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-agent game operation method of regional integrated energy system based on carbon emission flow. First, this paper establishes a carbon emission flow calculation model for each subject, and proposes a comprehensive tariff model based on the carbon emission flow, which discounts the carbon emissions from the power supply side to the power consumption side. Secondly, considering the interests of each subject, this paper establishes the decision-making model of each subject. And the new energy uncertainty, the cost of energy preference of prosumers, and the thermal inertia of buildings are considered in the decision model. Finally, the model is solved using differential evolution algorithm and solver. The case study verifies that the comprehensive electricity pricing model based on carbon emission flow developed in this paper can play a role in balancing economy and low carbon.
The impact of SO2 emissions trading scheme on pollution abatement and labor market for industrial enterprises in China
Authors: Zhang Weijie , Zhang Panpan , Niu Xiaodi
Published: January 2024

To cope with the emissions permit trading program, industrial firms have to change production decisions, which may affect their pollution discharge, labor demand, and workers’ wage earnings. Using a time-varying difference-in-differences framework together with robustness checks, this research explores the impacts of the SO2 emissions trading scheme (SETS) on SO2 emissions, employment, and wages of industrial firms in China. It was noted that the program resulted in a remarkable decline not only in SO2 emissions but also in labor demands and wages. The mechanism analyses further show that emissions reduction is mainly driven by fossil energy input decrease rather than by desulfurization technology. The negative effects of employment and wages are driven by the negative output effect and insufficient technology rather than by the environmental substitute effect. Our findings contribute to the improvement of the market-oriented environmental permit trading program and development of regulated firms in developing countries.
Fecal carriage and genetic characteristics of carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales among adults from four provinces of China
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Ma Lan , Ding Xinying , Zhang Rong
Published: January 2024

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) is a global concern. This study investigated the prevalence of fecal colonization carriage and clonal dissemination of CRE among population in four provinces of China. A total of 685 stool samples were collected from four provinces in China. Among these samples, 141 and 544 were obtained from healthy and hospitalized individuals, respectively. The overall fecal carriage rate was 9.6% (65/685) with 4.26% (95% CI: 0.9–7.6) in healthy individuals and 10.84% (95% CI: 8.2–13.5) in hospitalized patients. The highest prevalence was in Henan province (18.35%, 95% CI: 9%–18.7%). Sixty-six CRE isolates were identified in Escherichia coli (56.06%, 37/66), Klebsiella (15.15%, 10/66), Citrobacter (13.63%, 9/66), Enterobacter (12.12%, 8/66), and Atlantibacter (1.51%, 1/66). All CRE strains carried carbapenemase genes and multiple antibiotics resistance genes, blaNDM−5 (77.27%, 51/66) was the most common carbapenemase gene, followed by blaNDM−1 (19.69%, 13/66). Antibiotic resistance genes, including blaIMP−4, and the colistin colistin resistance (mcr-1) gene were also identified. All CRE isolates belonged to different sequence types (STs). ST206 (36.84%, 14/38) in E. coli and ST2270 (60%, 6/10) in Klebsiella were significantly dominant clones. The results indicated the prevalence of CRE fecal carriage among adults of China, mostly blaNDM-producing E coli, which pose significant challenges for clinical management. Screening for CRE colonization is necessary to control infection.
Mapping yield and yield-related traits using diverse common bean germplasm
Authors: Reinprecht Yarmilla , Schram Lyndsay , Perry Gregory E. , Morneau Emily , Smith Thomas H. , Pauls K. Peter
Published: January 2024

Common bean (bean) is one of the most important legume crops, and mapping genes for yield and yield-related traits is essential for its improvement. However, yield is a complex trait that is typically controlled by many loci in crop genomes. The objective of this research was to identify regions in the bean genome associated with yield and a number of yield-related traits using a collection of 121 diverse bean genotypes with different yields. The beans were evaluated in replicated trials at two locations, over two years. Significant variation among genotypes was identified for all traits analyzed in the four environments. The collection was genotyped with the BARCBean6K_3 chip (5,398 SNPs), two yield/antiyield gene-based markers, and seven markers previously associated with resistance to common bacterial blight (CBB), including a Niemann–Pick polymorphism (NPP) gene-based marker. Over 90% of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were polymorphic and separated the panel into two main groups of small-seeded and large-seeded beans, reflecting their Mesoamerican and Andean origins. Thirty-nine significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) were identified between 31 SNPs and 15 analyzed traits on all 11 bean chromosomes. Some of these MTAs confirmed genome regions previously associated with the yield and yield-related traits in bean, but a number of associations were not reported previously, especially those with derived traits. Over 600 candidate genes with different functional annotations were identified for the analyzed traits in the 200-Kb region centered on significant SNPs. Fourteen SNPs were identified within the gene model sequences, and five additional SNPs significantly associated with five different traits were located at less than 0.6 Kb from the candidate genes. The work confirmed associations between two yield/antiyield gene-based markers (AYD1m and AYD2m) on chromosome Pv09 with yield and identified their association with a number of yield-related traits, including seed weight. The results also confirmed the usefulness of the NPP marker in screening for CBB resistance. Since disease resistance and yield measurements are environmentally dependent and labor-intensive, the three gene-based markers (CBB- and two yield-related) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) that were validated in this work may be useful tools for simplifying and accelerating the selection of high-yielding and CBB-resistant bean cultivars.
Bioactives and their roles in bone metabolism of osteoarthritis: evidence and mechanisms on gut-bone axis
Authors: Basak Sanjay , Hridayanka Kota Sri Naga , Duttaroy Asim K.
Published: January 2024

Bioactives significantly modify and maintain human health. Available data suggest that Bioactives might play a beneficial role in chronic inflammatory diseases. Although promised, defining their mechanisms and opting to weigh their benefits and limitations is imperative. Detailed mechanisms by which critical Bioactives, including probiotics and prebiotics such as dietary lipids (DHA, EPA, alpha LA), vitamin D, polysaccharides (fructooligosaccharide), polyphenols (curcumin, resveratrol, and capsaicin) potentially modulate inflammation and bone metabolism is limited. Certain dietary bioactive significantly impact the gut microbiota, immune system, and pain response via the gut-immune-bone axis. This narrative review highlights a recent update on mechanistic evidence that bioactive is demonstrated demonstrated to reduce osteoarthritis pathophysiology.
Case report: Interstitial implantation radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy and GM-CSF in oligometastatic platinum-resistant ovarian cancer
Authors: Qin Yi , Huang Shangke , Tang Junli , Fan Yu , Deng Xiangyu , Guan Ping , Zhang Zhenhua , Wen Qinglian , Li Dan
Published: January 2024

Background

Treatment for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is challenging. Currently, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is typically treated with non-platinum single-agent chemotherapy ± bevacizumab, but the prognosis is often extremely poor. In the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients, reports of triple therapy with interstitial implantation radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (PRaG for short) are relatively rare.

Case description

Here, we report a patient with oligometastatic platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The patient achieved partial response (PR) of the lesion and sustained benefit for more than six months after receiving interstitial implantation radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy along with GM-CSF.

Conclusion

This triple therapy may provide additional options for these patients.
Shifting the paradigm in RNA virus detection: integrating nucleic acid testing and immunoassays through single-molecule digital ELISA
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Wei Pei
Published: January 2024

In this review article, we explore the characteristics of RNA viruses and their potential threats to humanity. We also provide a brief overview of the primary contemporary techniques used for the early detection of such viruses. After thoroughly analyzing the strengths and limitations of these methods, we highlight the importance of integrating nucleic acid testing with immunological assays in RNA virus detection. Although notable methodological differences between nucleic acid testing and immune assays pose challenges, the emerging single-molecule immunoassay-digital ELISA may be applied to technically integrate these techniques. We emphasize that the greatest value of digital ELISA is its extensive compatibility, which creates numerous opportunities for real-time, large-scale testing of RNA viruses. Furthermore, we describe the possible developmental trends of digital ELISA in various aspects, such as reaction carriers, identification elements, signal amplification, and data reading, thus revealing the remarkable potential of single-molecule digital ELISA in future RNA virus detection.
Hyperammonemia in a carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency recipient after living-donor liver transplantation from a carrier donor: a case report
Authors: Kakiuchi Toshihiko , Nosho Tetsuya , Oka Masafumi , Tashiro Katsuya
Published: January 2024

Carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency is an autosomal recessive congenital urea cycle disorder (UCD) characterized by hyperammonemia. The recipients of liver transplantation (LT) for UCD are often children, and the potential donors are often the parents. Hereditary congenital diseases involving UCD entail the possibility of both parents being genetically heterozygous. Herein, we describe the case of a 12-year-old girl with CPS1 deficiency receiving a liver transplant (soon after birth) from her father, who had a heterozygous CPS1 mutation. She was referred to our hospital with respiratory distress after contracting two infections (respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus) within a short period, both of which presented with hyperammonemia. Medication for hyperammonemia quickly lowered the ammonia levels. The hyperammonemia was thought to be caused by the heterozygous mutation in the donor liver; moreover, it is likely that the low enzyme activity in the patient’s liver was increased due to the infections. This is the first study to report hyperammonemia in a CPS1 deficiency patient due to an infection after LT. Thus, patients with CPS1 deficiency should be aware of the development of hyperammonemia after LT.
Causal relationship of gut microbiota with diabetic nephropathy: a Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Yan Wei , Ge Ying , Wang Lina , Wang Yuntao , He Daikun
Published: January 2024

Background

Patients with DN (diabetic nephropathy) show remarkable variations in their gut microbiota composition. However, to date, no study has shown whether a causal relationship exists between gut microbiota composition and DN.

Methods

Here, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) investigation for identifying causal associations of gut microbiota with DN. Gut microbiota genetic data were gathered from the recent genome-wide association study pooled data of the MiBioGen consortium, which included 24 cohorts and 18,340 individuals.

Results

IVW(Inverse variance weighting) revealed that Verrucomicrobia [odds ratio (OR) = 1.390; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10–1.75; p = 0.005], Peptostreptococcaceae (OR = 1.284; 95% CI = 1.03–1.59; p = 0.012), Verrucomicrobiaceae (OR = 1.390; 95% CI = 1.10–1.75; p = 0.005), Akkermansia (OR = 1.390; 95% CI = 1.10–1.75; p = 0.005), Butyricimonas (OR = 1.261; 95% CI = 1.02–1.55; p = 0.031), Catenibacterium (OR = 1.278; 95% CI = 1.02–1.59; p = 0.030).

Conclusion

Two-sample MR analysis identified 12 microbial taxa in gut microbiota (one of which is yet to be officially named) that showed significant causal associations with DN; 8 of these taxa significantly increased the risk of DN, while the remaining 4 taxa (including the one without an official name) reduced the risk of DN. The precise mechanisms influencing the interactions of gut microbiota with DN occurrence remain unclear; hence, additional investigations should be conducted to clarify these mechanisms.
Antagonistic effects of Talaromyces muroii TM28 against Fusarium crown rot of wheat caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum
Authors: Yang Han , Cui Shuning , Wei Yanli , Li Hongmei , Hu Jindong , Yang Kai , Wu Yuanzheng , Zhao Zhongjuan , Li Jishun , Wang Yilian , Yang Hetong
Published: January 2024

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum is a serious threat to wheat production worldwide. This study aimed to assess the effects of Talaromyces muroii strain TM28 isolated from root of Panax quinquefolius against F. pseudograminearum. The strain of TM28 inhibited mycelial growth of F. pseudograminearum by 87.8% at 72 h, its cell free fermentation filtrate had a strong antagonistic effect on mycelial growth and conidial germination of F. pseudograminearum by destroying the integrity of the cell membrane. In the greenhouse, TM28 significantly increased wheat fresh weight and height in the presence of pathogen Fp, it enhanced the antioxidant defense activity and ameliorated the negative effects of F. pseudograminearum, including disease severity and pathogen abundance in the rhizosphere soil, root and stem base of wheat. RNA-seq of F. pseudograminearum under TM28 antagonistic revealed 2,823 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Most DEGs related to cell wall and cell membrane synthesis were significantly downregulated, the culture filtrate of TM28 affected the pathways of fatty acid synthesis, steroid synthesis, glycolysis, and the citrate acid cycle. T. muroii TM28 appears to have significant potential in controlling wheat Fusarium crown rot caused by F. pseudograminearum.
Factor analysis for construct validity of a trunk impairment scale in Parkinson’s disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sato Kazunori , Yamazaki Yuta , Kameyama Yoshihiro , Watanabe Koji , Kitahara Eriko , Haruyama Koshiro , Takahashi Yoko , Fujino Yuji , Yamaguchi Tomofumi , Matsuda Tadamitsu , Makabe Hitoshi , Isayama Reina , Murakami Yuhei , Tani Mami , Honaga Kaoru , Hatori Kozo , Oji Yutaka , Tomizawa Yuji , Hatano Taku , Hattori Nobutaka , Fujiwara Toshiyuki
Published: January 2024

Objectives

To investigate the construct validity of the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), which was developed to assess trunk impairment in patients with stroke, in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Design

This retrospective, cross-sectional study enrolled consecutive PD inpatients. Correlation analysis was performed to clarify whether the TIS assessment was related to other balance functions, lower extremity muscle strength, or walking ability. Factor analysis was performed to see how the background factors of TIS differ from balance function, lower limb muscle strength, and walking ability.

Results

Examining the data of 471 patients with PD, there were relationships between TIS and the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (r = 0.67), Barthel Index (r = 0.57), general lower limb extension torque (r = 0.51), two-minute walk test (r = 0.54), Hoehn and Yahr stage (r = −0.61), and Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III total points (r = −0.59). Factor analysis showed that TIS items were divided into three factors (an abdominal muscles and righting reflex component; a perception and verticality component; and a rotational component), differing from other scales that included clinical assessment items.

Conclusion

The TIS can be useful for assessing the underlying trunk impairment as a basis for activities of daily living, gait function, and balance ability in patients with PD.
NeuroDecodeR: a package for neural decoding in R
Authors: Meyers Ethan M.
Published: January 2024

Neural decoding is a powerful method to analyze neural activity. However, the code needed to run a decoding analysis can be complex, which can present a barrier to using the method. In this paper we introduce a package that makes it easy to perform decoding analyses in the R programing language. We describe how the package is designed in a modular fashion which allows researchers to easily implement a range of different analyses. We also discuss how to format data to be able to use the package, and we give two examples of how to use the package to analyze real data. We believe that this package, combined with the rich data analysis ecosystem in R, will make it significantly easier for researchers to create reproducible decoding analyses, which should help increase the pace of neuroscience discoveries.
Formoterol reduces muscle wasting in mice undergoing doxorubicin chemotherapy
Authors: Lima Junior Edson Alves de , Teixeira Alexandre Abilio de Souza , Silveira Loreana Sanches , Jové Queralt , Ladrón Natalia Álvarez , Pereira Marcelo G. , López-Soriano Francisco Javier , Argilés Josep M. , Brum Patrícia Chakur , Busquets Silvia , Neto José Cesar Rosa
Published: January 2024

Background

Even though doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy promotes intense muscle wasting, this drug is still widely used in clinical practice due to its remarkable efficiency in managing cancer. On the other hand, intense muscle loss during the oncological treatment is considered a bad prognosis for the disease’s evolution and the patient’s quality of life. In this sense, strategies that can counteract the muscle wasting induced by DOX are essential. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of formoterol (FOR), a β2-adrenoceptor agonist, in managing muscle wasting caused by DOX.

Methods and results

To evaluate the effect of FOR on DOX-induced muscle wasting, mice were treated with DOX (2.5 mg/kg b.w., i.p. administration, twice a week), associated or not to FOR treatment (1 mg/kg b.w., s.c. administration, daily). Control mice received vehicle solution. A combination of FOR treatment with DOX protected against the loss of body weight (p<0.05), muscle mass (p<0.001), and grip force (p<0.001) promoted by chemotherapy. FOR also attenuated muscle wasting (p<0.01) in tumor-bearing mice on chemotherapy. The potential mechanism by which FOR prevented further DOX-induced muscle wasting occurred by regulating Akt/FoxO3a signaling and gene expression of atrogenes in skeletal muscle.

Conclusions

Collectively, our results suggest that FOR can be used as a pharmacological strategy for managing muscle wasting induced by DOX. This study provides new insights into the potential therapeutic use of FOR to improve the overall wellbeing of cancer patients undergoing DOX chemotherapy.
Enhancing the accuracy of rotational velocity measurement for vortex beams within the optimal ability of phase retrieval algorithm
Authors: Wang Hongyang , Zhang Zijing , Yun Hao , Liu Hao , Zhao Yuan
Published: January 2024

The measurement of the rotational velocity using the rotational Doppler effect (RDE) of a vortex beam is easily affected by atmospheric turbulence, leading to dispersed orbital angular momentum (OAM), and reduced measurement accuracy. This study investigates the optimal ability of the Gerchberg-Saxton (GS) phase retrieval algorithm to compensate for the optical field and enhance the velocity measurement accuracy within the optimal range of intrinsic parameters, such as the number of GS iterations, and extrinsic parameters, such as the atmospheric turbulence intensity and beam properties. Through detailed theoretical and simulation analyses, we demonstrate the outstanding effectiveness of the GS algorithm in improving the velocity measurement accuracy. Simulations conducted for a system-target distance of zS-T = 500 m show a 29.88% improvement in the velocity measurement accuracy and a 1.03-fold increase in the spectral signal-to-noise ratio (SSNR) within the optimal range. It showcases advantages that set it apart from other methods. This study reveals the threshold of the ability of GS algorithm to significantly enhance the rotational velocity measurement accuracy, providing valuable insights to precision measurements of rotational velocities in free-space applications.
COVID-19 impairs oxygen delivery by altering red blood cell hematological, hemorheological, and oxygen transport properties
Authors: Rogers Stephen C. , Brummet Mary , Safari Zohreh , Wang Qihong , Rowden Tobi , Boyer Tori , Doctor Allan
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by impaired oxygen (O2) homeostasis, including O2 sensing, uptake, transport/delivery, and consumption. Red blood cells (RBCs) are central to maintaining O2 homeostasis and undergo direct exposure to coronavirus in vivo. We thus hypothesized that COVID-19 alters RBC properties relevant to O2 homeostasis, including the hematological profile, Hb O2 transport characteristics, rheology, and the hypoxic vasodilatory (HVD) reflex.

Methods: RBCs from 18 hospitalized COVID-19 subjects and 20 healthy controls were analyzed as follows: (i) clinical hematological parameters (complete blood count; hematology analyzer); (ii) O2 dissociation curves (p50, Hill number, and Bohr plot; Hemox-Analyzer); (iii) rheological properties (osmotic fragility, deformability, and aggregation; laser-assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORRCA) ektacytometry); and (iv) vasoactivity (the RBC HVD; vascular ring bioassay).

Results: Compared to age- and gender-matched healthy controls, COVID-19 subjects demonstrated 1) significant hematological differences (increased WBC count—with a higher percentage of neutrophils); RBC distribution width (RDW); and reduced hematocrit (HCT), Hb concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC); 2) impaired O2-carrying capacity and O2 capacitance (resulting from anemia) without difference in p50 or Hb–O2 cooperativity; 3) compromised regulation of RBC volume (altered osmotic fragility); 4) reduced RBC deformability; 5) accelerated RBC aggregation kinetics; and (6) no change in the RBC HVD reflex.

Discussion: When considered collectively, homeostatic compensation for these RBC impairments requires that the cardiac output in the COVID cohort would need to increase by ∼135% to maintain O2 delivery similar to that in the control cohort. Additionally, the COVID-19 disease RBC properties were found to be exaggerated in blood-type O hospitalized COVID-19 subjects compared to blood-type A. These data indicate that altered RBC features in hospitalized COVID-19 subjects burden the cardiovascular system to maintain O2 delivery homeostasis, which appears exaggerated by blood type (more pronounced with blood-type O) and likely plays a role in disease pathogenesis.
Ligand-binding properties of XaffOBP9, a Minus-C odorant-binding protein from Xyleborus affinis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhou Xiang , Zhang Kai , Qin Lei , Wu Qi , Deng Linan , Xu Zheyuan , Guo Jixing
Published: January 2024

Xyleborus affinis, one of the most important pests of rubber trees, has caused severe damage to the natural rubber industry in Hainan province. The ability to detect host plants through a sensitive and specific olfactory system is crucial for Xyleborus affinis. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are believed to bind and carry hydrophobic active compounds from the environment to the surface of olfactory receptor neurons. To investigate the potential functional role of the highly expressed XaffOBP9 in binding with semiochemicals, we cloned and analyzed the cDNA sequence of XaffOBP9. The results showed that XaffOBP9 contains a 411bp open reading frame that encodes 136 amino acids. Then XaffOBP9 was expressed in Escherichia coli. The binding affinity of the recombinant OBP to 15 different ligands (14 host plant volatiles and 1 aggregation pheromone) was then examined using a fluorescence competitive binding approach. The results demonstrated that XaffOBP9 exhibited broad binding capabilities and strong affinities for 14 ligands. The structure of XaffOBP9 and its interactions with fourteen ligands were further analyzed by modeling and molecular docking, respectively. Based on the docking result, we found hydrophobic interactions are important between XaffOBP9 to these ligands and three amino acid residues (L71, Y106, and L114) were highly overlapped and contributed to the interaction with ligands. Mutation functional assays confirmed that the mutant L114A showed significantly reduced binding capacity to these ligands. This study suggested that XaffOBP9 may be involved in the chemoreception of semiochemicals and that it is helpful for the integrated management of X. affinis.