bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virus-like particle: a nano-platform that delivers cancer antigens to elicit an anti-tumor immune response
Authors: Ning Weisen , Yan Sheng , Song Yongyao , Xu Hanning , Zhang Jinling , Wang Xiaomei
Published: January 2025

Virus-like particles (VLPs), as a unique form of nanocarrier, predominantly encompass hollow protein shells that exhibit analogous morphology and structure to naturally occurring viruses, yet devoid of genetic material. VLPs are considered safe, easily modifiable, and stable, making them suitable for preparation in various expression systems. They serve as precise biological instruments with broad applications in the field of medical biology. Leveraging their unique structural attributes and facile modification capabilities, VLPs can serve as an effective platform for the delivery of tumor antigens, thereby stimulating the immune system and facilitating the eradication of tumor cells.
Recognition of Staphylococcus aureus by the pattern recognition molecules langerin, mannan-binding lectin, and surfactant protein D: the influence of capsular polysaccharides and wall teichoic acid
Authors: Hymøller Kirstine Mejlstrup , Christiansen Stig Hill , Schlosser Anders Grønnegaard , Skov Sørensen Uffe B. , Lee Jean C. , Thiel Steffen
Published: January 2025

The innate immune system plays a critical role in the rapid recognition and elimination of pathogens through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Among these PRRs are the C-type lectins (CTLs) langerin, mannan-binding lectin (MBL), and surfactant protein D (SP-D), which recognize carbohydrate patterns on pathogens. Each represents proteins from different compartments of the body and employs separate effector mechanisms. We have investigated their interaction with the Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium whose cell wall contains two key glycopolymers: capsular polysaccharide (CP) and wall teichoic acid (WTA). Using a langerin-expressing cell line and recombinant langerin, MBL, and SP-D, we demonstrated that langerin, MBL, and SP-D all recognize nonencapsulated S. aureus. However, the bacterium may produce CP that effectively shields S. aureus from recognition by all three CTLs. Experiments utilizing mutant S. aureus strains confirmed that WTA is a ligand for MBL, but that langerin likely interacts with an additional unknown ligand. A competition assay revealed that MBL and SP-D inhibit langerin’s interaction with S. aureus, highlighting the intricate redundancy and cooperation within the innate immune system. This study highlights the dynamic interplay of langerin, MBL, and SP-D in recognizing specific surface structures on S. aureus and provides insight into how this pathogen evades innate immune recognition.
Adaptation of global primary production model to the Greenland Sea conditions: parameterization and monitoring for 1998-2022
Authors: Cherkasheva Aleksandra , Manurov Rustam , Kowalczuk Piotr , Loginova Alexandra N. , Zabłocka Monika , Bracher Astrid
Published: January 2025

Phytoplankton are responsible for releasing half of the world’s oxygen and for removing large amounts of carbon dioxide from surface waters. Despite many studies on the topic conducted in the past decades, we are still far from a good understanding of ongoing rapid changes in the Arctic Ocean and how they will affect phytoplankton and the whole ecosystem. An example is the difference in net primary production modelling estimates, which differ twice globally and fifty times when only the Arctic region is considered. Here, we aim to improve the quality of Greenland Sea primary production estimates, by testing different versions of primary production model against in situ data and then calculating regional estimates and trends for 1998-2022 for those performing best. As a baseline, we chose the commonly used global primary production model and tested it with different combinations of empirical relationships and input data. Local empirical relationships were taken from measurements by the literature and derived from the unpublished data of Institute of Oceanology of Polish Academy of Sciences across the Fram Strait. For validation, we took historical net primary production 14C data from literature and added to it our own gross primary production O2 measurements. Field data showed good agreement between primary production measured with 14C and O2 evolution methods. From all the model setups, those including local chlorophyll a profile and local absorption spectrum best reproduced in situ data. Our modelled regional annual primary production estimates are equal to 346 TgC/year for the Nordic Seas region and 342 TgC/year for the Greenland Sea sector of the Arctic defined as 45°W-15°E, 66°33′N-90°N. These values are higher than those previously reported. Monthly values show a seasonal cycle with less monthly variability than previously reported. No significant increase or decrease in primary production was observed when studying regionally averaged trends. The accuracy of the selected here model setups to reproduce the field data in terms of Root Mean Square Difference is better than in the related Arctic studies. The improved primary production estimates strengthen researchers’ ability to assess carbon flux and understand biogeochemical processes in the Greenland Sea.
Adverse childhood experiences and health outcomes: a 20-year real-world study
Authors: Martins Bárbara , Taveira-Gomes Tiago , Gomes Joana Costa , Vidal-Alves Maria João , Magalhães Teresa
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) refer to traumatic life events occurred in childhood that comprise abuse (e.g., psychological, physical, sexual), neglect (psychological and physical), indirect violence or household dysfunctions. Such experiences ultimately lead to severe short-, medium- and long-term consequences for the victim’s health. The goal of this study is to analyze the prevalence of health outcomes in children <16 years of age, who were suspected of ACEs by physicians. The specific objectives consist of analyzing 3 health outcome groups: (a) traumatic injuries and intoxications; (b) mental health disorders; and (c) physical disorders.

Methods

We performed a real-world, retrospective, observational, cross-sectional, and multicentric study, using complementary data from electronic health records and healthcare registries from the local healthcare unit of Matosinhos, generated between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2021 (total child population <16 years observed during that period=40 536). Keywords and ICD-9, ICD-10, and ICPC-2 codes were applied to find data on the victims.

Results

Just over 2% of children were referred to as victims in the available information (n=918). Social problems, injuries and intoxications, mental health disorders, and physical disorders were observed at higher percentages in suspected victims than in the total analyzed population.

Discussion

These results reveal that child victims of ACEs may be underdiagnosed, which, given the aforementioned (and described in the literature) severe consequences for their current and future health, should be taken as a critical warning for healthcare professionals. Detections and reports are fundamental for early treatment, aiming to avoid an escalation of damage and prevent re-victimization.
Cellular cross-talk drives mesenchymal transdifferentiation in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Chatterjee Arunita , Tumarin Jacqueline , Prabhakar Sharma
Published: January 2025

While changes in glomerular function and structure may herald diabetic kidney disease (DKD), many studies have underscored the significance of tubule-interstitial changes in the progression of DKD. Indeed, tubule-interstitial fibrosis may be the most important determinant of progression of DKD as in many forms of chronic glomerulopathies. The mechanisms underlying the effects of tubular changes on glomerular function in DKD have intrigued many investigators, and therefore, the signaling mechanisms underlying the cross-talk between tubular cells and glomerular cells have been the focus of investigation in many recent studies. Additionally, the observations of slowing of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline and reduction of proteinuria by recent drugs such as SGLT-2 blockers, whose primary mechanism of action is on proximal tubules, further strengthen the concept of cross-talk between the tubular and glomerular cells. Recently, the focus of research on the pathogenesis of DKD has primarily centered around exploring the cross-talk between various signaling pathways in the diabetic kidney as well as cross-talk between tubular and glomerular endothelial cells and podocytes with special relevance to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). The focus of this review is to provide a general description of cell-to-cell cross-talk in the diabetic kidney and to highlight these concepts with evidence in relation to the physiology and pathophysiology of DKD.
Effects of combined inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth-promoting rhizosphere bacteria on seedling growth and rhizosphere microecology
Authors: Zeng Wanli , Xiang Dan , Li Xuemei , Gao Qian , Chen Yudong , Wang Kunmiao , Qian Yingying , Wang Luoping , Li Jing , Mi Qili , Huang Haitao , Xu Li , Zhao Mingfang , Zhang Yingzhen , Xiang Haiying
Published: January 2025

The effects of rhizosphere microorganisms on plant growth and the associated mechanisms are a focus of current research, but the effects of exogenous combined inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on seedling growth and the associated rhizosphere microecological mechanisms have been little reported. In this study, a greenhouse pot experiment was used to study the effects of single or double inoculation with AM fungi (Funneliformis mosseae) and two PGPR (Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp.) on the growth of tobacco seedlings, together with high-throughput sequencing technology to reveal associated rhizosphere microecological mechanisms. All inoculation treatments significantly increased the aboveground dry weight; root dry weight; seedling nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake; plant height; stem thickness; maximum leaf area; chlorophyll content; total root length, surface area, and volume; and average root diameter. The highest values for these indices were observed in the combined treatment of F. mosseae and Pseudomonas sp. SG29 (A_SG29). Furthermore, the A_SG29 treatment yielded the highest diversity indexes and largest percentages of significantly enriched bacterial taxa, and significantly promoted the colonization of AMF in tobacco roots and Pseudomonas in rhizosphere soil. Differential metabolic-pathway predictions using PICRUSt2 showed that the A_SG29 treatment significantly increased the metabolic pathway richness of tobacco rhizosphere microorganisms, and significantly up-regulated some metabolic pathways that may benefit plant growth. Co-inoculation with F. mosseae and Pseudomonas sp. SG29 promoted tobacco-seedling growth by significantly improving rhizosphere microbial communities' structure and function. In summary, the combined inoculation of AMF and SG29 promotes tobacco seedling growth, optimizes the rhizosphere microbial community's structure and function, and serves as a sustainable microbial co-cultivation method for tobacco seedling production.
Effects of antibiotic therapy on the early development of gut microbiota and butyrate-producers in early infants
Authors: Qiu Jun , Wu Sha , Huang Ruiwen , Liao Zhenyu , Pan Xiongfeng , Zhao Kunyan , Peng Yunlong , Xiang Shiting , Cao Yunhui , Ma Ye , Xiao Zhenghui
Published: January 2025

Background

Antibiotics, as the most commonly prescribed class of drugs in neonatal intensive care units, have an important impact on the developing neonatal gut microbiota. Therefore, comprehending the effects of commonly used antibiotic therapy on the gut microbiota and butyrate-producers in early infants could provide information for therapeutic decision-making in the NICU.

Objectives

To explore the effects of antibiotic therapy on the early development of gut microbiota and butyrate-producers in early infants.

Methods

A total of 72 infants were included in the study. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing on stool swab samples collected from neonatal intensive care unit patients who received amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AC, n = 10), moxalactam (ML, n = 28) and non-antibiotics (NA, n = 34). We then compared the taxonomic composition between treatment regimens, focusing on differences in butyrate-producers.

Results

Our study showed that there were significant differences in Shannon index (p = 0.033) and Beta diversity (p = 0.014) among the three groups. At the family level, compared with the other two groups, the relative abundance of Clostridiaceae (p < 0.001) and Veillonellaceae (p = 0.004) were significantly higher, while the relative abundance of Enterococcidae (p < 0.001) was significantly lower in the NA group. The relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.022) in the AC group was greater than that in the other two groups. Additionally, butyrate-producers (p < 0.001), especially Clostridiaceae (p < 0.001), were noticeably more abundant in the NA group. The relative abundance of Clostridiaceae and butyrate-producers were the lowest in the ML group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We found that antibiotic therapy had an adverse impact on the initial development of gut microbiota and leaded to a reduction in the abundance of butyrate-producers, particularly Clostridiaceae. Furthermore, moxalactam had a more pronounced effect on the gut microbiota compared to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.
Association of player position and functional connectivity alterations in collegiate American football players: an fMRI study
Authors: Griffith Owen , Bai Xiaoxiao , Walter Alexa E. , Gay Michael , Kelly Jon , Sebastianelli Wayne , Papa Linda , Slobounov Semyon
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Resting state-fMRI, provides a sensitive method for detecting changes in brain functional integrity, both with respect to regional oxygenated blood flow and whole network connectivity. The primary goal of this report was to examine alterations in functional connectivity in collegiate American football players after a season of repetitive head impact exposure.

Methods

Collegiate football players completed a rs-fMRI at pre-season and 1 week into post-season. A seed-based functional connectivity method, isolating the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), was utilized to create individual functional connectivity maps. During group analysis, first, voxel-wise paired sample t-tests identified significant changes in connectivity from pre- to post-season, by player, and previous concussion history. Second, 10 DMN ROIs were constructed by overlaying an anatomical map over regions of positive correlation from one-sample t-tests of pre-season and post-season. These ROIs, plus the LpCun, were included in linear mix-effect modeling, with position or concussion history as covariates.

Results

66 players were included (mean age 20.6 years; 100% male; 34 (51.5%) non-speed position players). The 10 DMN ROIs showed no alterations from pre-season to post-season. By concussion history, the right temporal ROI demonstrated a significant effect on baseline functional connectivity (p = 0.03). Speed players, but not non-speed players, demonstrated a significant decrease in functional connectivity in the precuneus from pre- to post-season (p < 0.001).

Discussion

There are region-specific differences functional connectivity related to both position and concussion history in American collegiate football players. Player position affected functional connectivity across a season of football. Position-specific differences in head impact exposure rate and magnitude plays a crucial role in functional connectivity alterations.
A narrative review focusing on randomized clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation for COVID-19 disease
Authors: Huang Limi , Song Zhiwei , Lu Chaosheng , Wang Shenwen , Guo Changsheng , Lai Xin-He , Zhao Zhenfeng
Published: January 2025

Current evidence is inconsistent on whether vitamin D supplementation can prevent COVID-19 infection or improve its clinical outcomes. To better understand and look into the issue, we went through the background knowledge of COVID-19 and vitamin D, searched in Pubmed [by using key words in the title containing “randomized clinical trial”, “COVID-19”, and “vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D, or cholecalciferol, or calcidiol, or calcifediol) supplementation”] for publications of studies on vitamin D/supplementation in COVID-19 patients, especially those about the randomized clinical trials (RCTs). After reviewing these papers, we did a short background review of vitamin D and the pathophysiology of COVID-19, summarized the key features of the 25 RCTs in text and tabulated in a table of some of the features, commented, compared and discussed the differences between RCTs (for example, change the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration from nmol/L to ng/mL, making the comparison easier). The take-home question of the review is that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration is an important indicator of the supplementation effect of vitamin D correction but may not be reliable in predicting the supplementation effect on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19.
Beyond gluten-free diet: a critical perspective on phase 2 trials on non-dietary pharmacological therapies for coeliac disease
Authors: Scalvini Davide , Scarcella Chiara , Mantica Giulia , Bartolotta Erica , Maimaris Stiliano , Fazzino Erica , Biagi Federico , Schiepatti Annalisa
Published: January 2025

Coeliac disease is an immune-mediated chronic enteropathy, with a prevalence of around 1% in the general population and occurring in genetically susceptible individuals after the ingestion of gluten proteins present in wheat, rye and barley. Currently, a strict lifelong gluten-free diet is the cornerstone of treatment of coeliac disease. However, maintaining strict dietary adherence is challenging for many patients, due to the high costs, the highly restrictive nature of the diet and the impact on patients’ quality of life. Moreover, a tiny minority of coeliac patients can develop pre-malignant/malignant complications of coeliac disease, a group of conditions, that despite being rare, are still burdened by a poor prognosis due to the lack of effective therapies. Therefore, the development of pharmacological treatments as an alternative to or supportive of a gluten-free diet is still an unmet need. The identification of new pathogenetic targets in the last years has enabled the development of several candidates molecules, many of which have been investigated in phase 2/3 clinical trials. In this narrative review we aim to summarise the investigational therapies that have been evaluated in phase 2/3 trials and provide a critical overview on the latest advances in this field.
KAE ameliorates LPS-mediated acute lung injury by inhibiting PANoptosis through the intracellular DNA-cGAS-STING axis
Authors: Chen Yonghu , Wu Xilin , Jiang Zhe , Li Xuezheng
Published: January 2025

Background

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe condition characterized by inflammation, tissue damage, and persistent activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway, which exacerbates the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and promotes the progression of ALI. Specific inhibition of this pathway has been shown to alleviate ALI symptoms. Kaempferol-3-O-α-L-(4″-E-p-coumaroyl)-rhamnoside (KAE), an active compound found in the flowers of Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms through which KAE regulates the cGAS-STING pathway in the context of ALI.

Methods

ALI was induced using LPS. Lung damage and anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effects were assessed by H&E staining, lung edema index, and SOD, MDA, and ELISA assays. NO release and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured by JC-1 and Griess methods. The impact of KAE on the cGAS-STING pathway and PANoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunofluorescence.

Results

KAE significantly alleviated lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary injury by reducing inflammatory cell infiltration, alleviating pulmonary edema, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and decreasing levels of inflammatory cytokines in mouse lung tissues. In both in vitro and in vivo analyses, KAE downregulated the expression of key components of the cGAS-STING pathway, including cGAS, STING, p-TBK1, and nuclear factor-κB. KAE also reduced the assembly and activation of the PANoptosome, thereby attenuating apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. Additionally, KAE inhibited cGAS activation by restoring the MMP, which reduced the release of cytosolic DNA.

Conclusion

KAE improve ALI by inhibiting the release of cytosolic DNA and suppressing cGAS-STING pathway activation, thereby protecting cells from PANoptosis. Our findings provide valuable insights for the development and application of novel therapeutic strategies for ALI.
Mapping the priority conservation areas for three endangered Cupressaceae plants under climate change in China
Authors: Shen Lei , Zhai Duanqiang , Lu Xinyong
Published: January 2025

The establishment of conservation areas is an important strategy for endangered species conservation. In this study, we investigated the distributions of suitable habitat areas for three level 1 endangered Cupressaceae plants (Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Glyptostrobus pensilis, and Thuja sutchuenensis) in China and used the Marxan model to delineate the priority conservation areas for each species. The results showed that M. glyptostroboides had the broadest suitable growing area under the current climate in China and is followed by G. pensilis, with an area of 91 × 104 km2, and T. sutchuenensis had the smallest suitable habitat areas at only 7 × 104 km2. Affected by climate change, the suitable ranges of these three Cupressaceae species moved largely northward at the middle and end of this century, with a latitudinal increase of 0.46–1.99°. T. sutchuenensis will face an extremely high extinction risk by the end of this century; 65.54% of its southern suitable habitat area will no longer be suitable for growth. Based on the effects of climate change, M. glyptostroboides priority conservation areas should be established in the Yangtze River Basin; G. pensilis priority conservation areas should be established in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, and Jiangxi; and T. sutchuenensis protection districts should be established at the intersection of the northeastern part of Sichuan Province and the northern part of Chongqing. This study helps to clarify the impact of climate change on endangered species.
The role of light in regulating plant growth, development and sugar metabolism: a review
Authors: Wu Wenyuan , Chen Long , Liang Rentao , Huang Shiping , Li Xiang , Huang Bilei , Luo Huimin , Zhang Miao , Wang Xiaoxun , Zhu Hua
Published: January 2025

Light provides the necessary energy for plant photosynthesis, which allows plants to produce organic matter and energy conversion, during plant growth and development. Light provides material energy to plants as the basis for cell division and differentiation, chlorophyll synthesis, tissue growth and stomatal movement, and light intensity, photoperiod, and light quality play important roles in these processes. There are several regulatory mechanisms involved in sugar metabolism in plants, and light, as one of the regulatory factors, affects cell wall composition, starch granules, sucrose synthesis, and vascular bundle formation. Similarly, sugar species and genes are affected in the context of light-regulated sugar metabolism. We searched the available databases and found that there are fewer relevant reviews. Therefore, this paper provides a summary of the effects of light on plant growth and development and sugar metabolism, further elaborates on the mechanisms of light effects on plants, and provides some new insights for a better understanding of how plant growth is regulated under different light conditions.
The Bergen Facebook addiction scale: a reliability generalization meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Jian-Ling , Jin ZhengCheng , Liu Chang
Published: January 2025

The Bergen Facebook addiction scale (BFAS) is a screening instrument frequently used to evaluate Facebook addiction. However, its reliability varies considerably across studies. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the BFAS and its adaptation, the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and to identify which study characteristics are associated with this reliability. We performed a reliability generalization meta-analysis involving 173,641 participants across 127 articles, which reported 147 Cronbach’s alpha values for internal consistency. The random-effects model revealed that the pooled Cronbach’s alpha values were 0.8535 (95% CI [0.8409, 0.8660]) for the BFAS and 0.8248 (95% CI [0.8116, 0.8380]) for the BSMAS. Moderator analyses indicated that the mean and standard deviation of the total scores accounted for 10.06 and 36.7% of the total variability in the BFAS alpha values, respectively. For the BSMAS, the standard deviation of the total scores and sample size accounted for 13.54 and 10.22% of the total variability alpha values, respectively. Meta-ANOVA analyses revealed that none of the categorical variables significantly affected the estimated alpha values for either the BFAS or BSMAS. Our findings endorse the BFAS and BSMAS as reliable instruments for measuring social media addiction.
Early childhood deprivation and the impact of negative life events on mental health in later life: a test of the stress sensitization hypothesis
Authors: Rizeq Jala , Kennedy Mark , Miseih Kirellos , Liao Wangjingyi , Sonuga-Barke Edmund J. S.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Early life exposure to adversity and stress has been shown to sensitize young people to later negative life events (LEs), leading to increased susceptibility to mental health problems. We explored this question by testing whether exposure to severe institutional deprivation moderated the effect of adolescent exposure to LE on early adult depression and anxiety. To test the specificity of these effects, we contrasted the effects on these outcomes with neuro-developmental problems (autism and disinhibited social engagement), known from previous studies to be associated with deprivation from early childhood.

Methods

Participants were 170 adoptees from the English and Romanian Adoptees study. Of these, 124 (66 females) grew up as infants and small children in severely depriving Romanian orphanages before being adopted into UK families before the age of 43 months. The remainder were UK adoptees (16 females) with no history of deprivation who were placed before the age of 6 months. For this analysis, data on emotional problems, autism, and disinhibited social engagement were used at both age 15 years and in early adulthood (23–25 years) using standardized questionnaire and interview measures. Exposure to independent, dependent, and peer-related LE was measured at age 15 years.

Results

In all models, there were continuities in all outcomes between adolescence and adulthood (ps < .05). Dependent LE had a main effect on emotional symptoms, with higher exposure to dependent LE predicting an increase in emotional symptoms between age 15 and young adulthood. For independent and dependent LE, there were no interactions between deprivation and LE. For peer-related LE, the interaction was significant for emotional problems, but not deprivation-specific problems (i.e., autism/disinhibited social engagement)—the group of individuals exposed to early extreme deprivation and elevated peer-related LE had elevated emotional problems.

Discussion

There was no evidence that early severe institutional deprivation increased susceptibility to depression and anxiety following exposure to independent or dependent LE in general. However, it appeared to sensitize adolescents to the effects of peer-related LE specifically. We discuss possible mechanisms by which difficulties in peer relations might influence the emergence of depression and anxiety to already vulnerable individuals.
Awareness of lung cancer among urban residents in Sichuan Province and its impact on their willingness to choose medical institutions for cancer screening
Authors: Chai Qi , Li Ruicen , Bao Ting , Yang Zhibo , Liu Qing , Chen Feng
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the current level of knowledge about lung cancer among urban residents in Sichuan Province and to assess its influence on their willingness to choose county-level or lower-level medical institutions for cancer screening.

Methods

A total of 31,184 urban residents of Sichuan Province were included in the cross-sectional study. Binary logistic regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to assess the influence effect.

Results

The results showed that (1) only 23.88% of the residents self-reported having good knowledge about lung cancer. They mainly acquired knowledge from the media (43%) and medical staff (42%). Only 33.5% of the participants had undergone lung cancer screening, with the main reasons being periodic physical examinations (54%) and physician recommendations (23%). (2) Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that knowledge of lung cancer was significantly associated with the participants’ willingness to undergo lung cancer screening at county-level or lower-level medical institutions [OR = 1.185, 95% CI (1.113 -1.263), p < 0.001]. (3) Using PSM, it was found that the willingness of residents who had good knowledge of lung cancer-related topics increased by 2.8% after using kernel matching, by 3.1% after using one-to-one nearest neighbor matching, and by 2.4% after using radius matching with a caliper size of 0.001. (4) After stratifying by psychological status, we found that among residents with unstable psychological status, the willingness of those who had good knowledge of lung cancer increased by 5.3% after using kernel matching, by 3.6% after using one-to-one nearest neighbor matching, and by 4.9% after using radius matching with a caliper size of 0.001.

Discussion

Improving urban residents’ understanding of the disease could help improve the current situation of hierarchical diagnosis and treatment.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024556625.
Effects of tai chi based on information and communication technology for patients with mild cognitive impairment on cognitive and physical function: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yezi , Wang Qingjie , Ren Yuanyuan , Mao Xiaokun
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study evaluated the effectiveness of tai chi, enhanced by communication technologies, in improving cognitive and physical functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment, and to compare these effects with traditional tai chi.

Methods

A systematic search across four academic databases identified 16 studies with 1,877 participants. Data were expressed as weighted or standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

A meta-analysis revealed significant improvements in Mini-Mental State Examination scores and Timed Up and Go results in patients with mild cognitive impairment following tai chi intervention. Subgroup analysis indicated that both communication technology-based tai chi and traditional tai chi produced varying improvements in cognitive and physical function.

Conclusion

This study confirms the importance of tai chi for cognitive and physical functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Compared with traditional tai chi, communication technology-based tai chi showed greater benefits in promoting rehabilitation. The effective and feasible interventions could improve the physical health of many older adult patients, these findings provide valuable insights and decision-making guidance for clinical practice and public health with older patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO, CRD42023449711, available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023449711.
Vascularized composite allograft deceased donation in the United States
Authors: Cherikh Wida S. , Noreen Samantha M. , Lewis Alexandra , Booker Sarah E. , Howell Jesse , Schnellinger Erin M. , Wainright Jennifer L. , Curran Christopher C.
Published: January 2025

Vascularized composite allograft (VCA) transplantation represents a significant advancement in reconstructive surgery and offers hope to individuals who experienced congenital disorders or severe tissue injuries to restore physical appearance, function, and enhance quality of life. VCA recovery introduces complexities to conventional solid organ recovery, and there remain concerns regarding the potential impact of VCA recovery on non-VCA organs for transplant. The current retrospective study examines deceased donor characteristics and observed-to-expected (O/E) organ yield ratios for 51 VCA donors recovered in the US between July 4, 2014 and March 31, 2024, compared with a contemporary cohort of non-VCA donors recovered in 2023. Among the VCA donors, 17 donated a uterus, 15 each donated head and neck and upper limbs, 4 were abdominal wall donors, and 2 donated external male genitalia. The findings indicate that VCA donors tended to be younger (18–34 years old), predominantly White, non-Hispanic, and had no history of diabetes, along with lower weight, lower kidney donor profile index, and lower ejection fraction. The analysis revealed that VCA donors had higher observed overall organ yield than expected (O/E: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.16–1.33), with better-than-expected organ yields across VCA types. The number of deceased VCA donors in the US is still relatively small compared to the overall donor population. As the field continues to evolve and more data becomes available, further analyses need to be conducted to understand the demographics of VCA donors and the potential impact of VCA donation within the donation and transplant system.
Observational cohort study of a group-based VR program to improve mental health and wellbeing in people with life-threatening illnesses
Authors: Kettner Hannes , Glowacki David R. , Wall Justin , Carhart-Harris Robin L. , Roseman Leor , Hardy Joseph L.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness (LTI) is often accompanied by feelings of fear, uncertainty, and loneliness that can severely impact mental health. Relatively few interventions are available to address the existential concerns of individuals facing LTI, while treatment of the underlying physical ailment typically remains the priority of the healthcare system. Research has shown that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAT) holds promise for supporting mental health in people with LTIs. However, PAT’s potential in this population remains curtailed by several limitations, including regulatory and accessibility issues. Novel approaches that could provide some of the benefits of psychedelic experiences, while avoiding associated challenges, would therefore be highly desirable for supporting the mental wellbeing of people with LTIs. Among such interventions, virtual reality (VR)-based experiences have been suggested as a promising candidate. We here evaluate a program that includes weakly representational, multi-user VR experiences based on a design aesthetic previously described as “numadelic,” which has been demonstrated to elicit self-transcendent experiences comparable to psychedelics.

Methods

A prospective cohort study design was used to assess the effects of “Clear Light” (CL), a group-based, 6-session multimedia program that included VR experiences, video calls, and text chats spanning 3 weeks. Participants were individuals suffering from LTIs that self-selected to participate in the CL program. A total of N = 15 participants were evaluated based on assessments 1 week before and after the program, using self-report measures of anxiety, depression, wellbeing, and secondary psychological outcomes.

Results

The intervention was well-tolerated among participants. Significant improvements with moderate effect sizes were observed on self-reported measures of anxiety, depression, and wellbeing. Secondary measures assessing demoralization, connectedness, and spiritual wellbeing also showed significant improvements.

Discussion

This observational study demonstrated the feasibility and potential benefits of a group-based VR program that can be delivered at-home to people suffering from LTIs. While conclusions are presently limited by the lack of randomization or a comparison group, our findings strongly suggest further research is warranted, including randomized controlled trials.
NTRK amplification occurs frequently in pan-TRK immunopositive dedifferentiated liposarcomas
Authors: Lippai Zoltán , Papp Gergő , Szuhai Károly , Sápi Johanna , Dezső Katalin , Sápi Zoltán
Published: January 2025

The neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor (NTRK) gene family is of rising importance as their fusions are oncogenic, and specific target drugs are available to inhibit the chimera proteins. Pan-TRK antibody, which shows the overexpression of the NTRK1-2-3 genes, is a useful tool to detect tumors with or without NTRK gene alterations, due to high negative predictive value. Though it is well known that pan-TRK immunopositivity is usually not connected to NTRK fusion, the role of other possible genetic alterations is under-researched. In our previous work, we found 3 NTRK1 amplified cases out of 6 cases with recurrent NTRK1 tyrosine kinase domain mutation pair, so we extended our investigation to a larger series to estimate amplification frequency. Pan-TRK immunopositivity was seen in 76 of the 132 dedifferentiated liposarcomas cases, followed by NTRK1-2-3 break-apart FISH tests in 76 pan-TRK positive cases to detect oncogenic fusions or other copy number alterations of these genes. None of the pan-TRK immunopositive dedifferentiated liposarcomas showed absolutely certain sign of fusion, however, 18 (28%) cases showed amplification of one of the genes, 13 had polysomy, 34 were normal, 11 were not evaluable. The extent of pan-TRK immunoreaction showed a positive correlation (p = 0.002) with the NTRK status found by FISH. Analyzing publicly available data from large series of 265 liposarcoma samples consisting of both well-differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcoma case, 23 (8.6%) cases showed a mutual exclusive amplification of the NTRK genomic loci in a non-preselected, independent patient population indicating that our findings are presented in other cohorts. Our results underline the so far not revealed frequent occurrence of NTRK amplifications which might be important in the TRK inhibition therapy.
Design and Experiment of Electric Uncrewed Transport Vehicle for Solanaceous Vegetables in Greenhouse
Authors: Guan Chunsong , Zhao Weisong , Xu Binxing , Cui Zhichao , Yang Yating , Gong Yan
Published: January 2025

Despite some rudimentary handling vehicles employed in the labor-intensive harvesting and transportation of greenhouse vegetables, research on intelligent uncrewed transport vehicles remains limited. Herein, an uncrewed transport vehicle was designed for greenhouse solanaceous vegetable harvesting. Its overall structure and path planning were tailored to the greenhouse environment, with specially designed components, including the electric crawler chassis, unloading mechanism, and control system. A SLAM system based on fusion of LiDAR and inertial navigation ensures precise positioning and navigation with the help of an overall path planner using an A* algorithm and a 3D scanning constructed local virtual environment. Multi-sensor fusion localization, path planning, and control enable autonomous operation. Experimental studies demonstrated it can automatically move, pause, steer, and unload along predefined trajectories. The driving capacity and range of electric chassis reach the design specifications, whose walking speeds approach set speeds (<5% error). Under various loads, the vehicle closely follows the target path with very small tracking errors. Initial test points showed high localization accuracy at maximum longitudinal and lateral deviations of 9.5 cm and 6.7 cm, while the average value of the lateral deviation of other points below 5 cm. These findings contribute to the advancement of uncrewed transportation technology and equipment in greenhouse applications.
Identifying Tomato Growth Stages in Protected Agriculture with StyleGAN3–Synthetic Images and Vision Transformer
Authors: Huo Yao , Liu Yongbo , He Peng , Hu Liang , Gao Wenbo , Gu Le
Published: January 2025

In protected agriculture, accurately identifying the key growth stages of tomatoes plays a significant role in achieving efficient management and high-precision production. However, traditional approaches often face challenges like non-standardized data collection, unbalanced datasets, low recognition efficiency, and limited accuracy. This paper proposes an innovative solution combining generative adversarial networks (GANs) and deep learning techniques to address these challenges. Specifically, the StyleGAN3 model is employed to generate high-quality images of tomato growth stages, effectively augmenting the original dataset with a broader range of images. This augmented dataset is then processed using a Vision Transformer (ViT) model for intelligent recognition of tomato growth stages within a protected agricultural environment. The proposed method was tested on 2723 images, demonstrating that the generated images are nearly indistinguishable from real images. The combined training approach incorporating both generated and original images produced superior recognition results compared to training with only the original images. The validation set achieved an accuracy of 99.6%, while the test set achieved 98.39%, marking improvements of 22.85%, 3.57%, and 3.21% over AlexNet, DenseNet50, and VGG16, respectively. The average detection speed was 9.5 ms. This method provides a highly effective means of identifying tomato growth stages in protected environments and offers valuable insights for improving the efficiency and quality of protected crop production.
Pretreatment of Palm Kernel Cake by Enzyme-Bacteria and Its Effects on Growth Performance in Broilers
Authors: Liu Yue , Liu Ying , Cao Yunhe , Wang Chunlin
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to improve palm kernel cake by reducing anti-nutritional factors with enzymes and enhancing its nutritional value through microbial fermentation. It also examined the effects of these treatments on palm kernel cake in broiler chicken diets. Palm kernel cake was hydrolyzed using xylanase and mannanase under various conditions. Co-fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum QZSL and Saccharomyces boulardii mafic-1701 was assessed under different parameters. In the animal experiment, 350 male Cobb broiler chicks were divided into seven groups: a control group provided a corn-soybean meal diet, and groups provided diets containing 10% and 20% palm kernel cake, enzyme-hydrolyzed palm kernel cake, and bacteria-enzyme co-fermented palm kernel cake. Optimal conditions for enzymatic hydrolysis of palm kernel cake are 55 °C, pH 3.0, and a 1:2.5 feed-to-water ratio. Adding 0.1 g xylanase and 1.0 g mannanase to 10 g palm kernel cake for 12 h increased reduced sugar content to 139.33 mg/g and reduced neutral detergent fiber to 43.92%. For solid-state fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum QZSL and Saccharomyces boulardii mafic-1701, optimal conditions are 37 °C, 5% inoculation, 20% moisture, 3 days fermentation, and a 7:3 bacterial ratio. Animal experiments showed significant improvements in broilers’ growth, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, immune function, and intestinal health. Enzyme-bacteria co-fermentation of palm kernel cake boosts its nutritional value and enhances broiler intestinal health.
Resveratrol Alleviates NEFA-Induced Oxidative Damage in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells by Restoring Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Sun Longwei , Huang Junpeng , Dou Xiangyang , Dong Zhenyu , Li Yuan , Tan Shujing , Yu Ran , Li Chengmin , Zhao Weiguo
Published: January 2025

In periparturient dairy cows, high non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) caused by a severe negative energy balance induce oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction, which pose a severe challenge to the dairy industry. Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenolic compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and multiple other physiological effects. However, its effect on oxidative damage triggered by NEFAs in bovine mammary epithelial cells is rarely reported. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of RES in NEFA-challenged BMECs. The results showed that RES ameliorated NEFA-induced oxidative damage by upregulating antioxidant enzyme expression and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, exogenous NEFAs resulted in a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, energy metabolism (NAD+/NADH ratio), abnormal mitochondrial structure and an increase in apoptosis levels. RES treatment restored mitochondrial function in NEFA-stressed BMECs, as evidenced by the increase in MMP, ATP generation and NAD+/NADH ratio accompanying the decline in mitochondrial structural abnormalities and cell apoptosis. In addition, in vivo studies in a mouse model of oxidative damage induced by high-fat diet (HFD) demonstrated that RES alleviated oxidative damage (decreased MDA content) and mitochondrial dysfunction (decreased expression of Drp1 and Fis1 and increased levels of Mfn2, Cyt C mRNA and ATP production) in mammary gland tissue. Overall, these findings suggested that RES could alleviate NEFA-induced oxidative damage in BMECs by modulating mitochondrial function, thereby contributing to the prevention and treatment of oxidative damage in perinatal dairy cows with a negative energy balance.
Molecular Characterization and Expression of unc-13d in the Sex Reversal of Monopterus albus
Authors: Lian Zitong , Meng Fang , Xia Xueping , Fang Junchao , Tian Haifeng , Hu Qiaomu
Published: January 2025

Monopterus albus is a protogynous hermaphroditic fish that changes from female to male, but the underlying sex change mechanism remains as-yet unknown. In this study, we firstly cloned and characterized the sequence and protein structure of unc-13d of M. albus. We found that the genomic structure of unc-13d was different from other species. Expression was detected in the developing gonad by applying qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. We found that the expression of unc-13d in the ovotestis was higher than in the ovary and testes. A strong signal of unc-13d was detected in oocytes and granulosa cells in the ovary and spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes in the testes. We found that the promoter methylation of unc-13d was negatively correlated with gene expression in developing gonads, especially at site 114. A dual-luciferase assay was designed and revealed that dmrt1 regulates promoter activity opposite to foxl2. In summary, during sex reversal, DNA methylation affects the binding of the transcription factor dmrt1 and foxl2 in the promoter region through methylation and demethylation interactions to regulate the expression of unc-13d during gonadal development.