bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Secondary Metabolites and Essential Oil Content of Some Origanum Species
Authors: Ağamirzaoğlu Muhsin , Valizadeh Negar , Rahimi Amir
Published: December 2024

Origanum genus is one of the most widely used herbs in folk medicine for its biological properties. This study was performed to determine the morphological and phytochemical properties of five species of Origanum including O. majorana, O. onites, O. syriacum, O. vulgare subsp. vulgare and O. vulgare subsp. hirtum as important ethnomedicinal plants. The study was performed at a Research Farm based at Urmia University, Iran. The plants were collected from various places for determining some quantitative properties, antioxidant compounds, and essential contents. The results showed that the highest plant height (86.4 cm) was observed in O. vulgare subsp. hirtum. The highest fresh weight and dry weight were observed in O. onites (826 and 250 g) and O. vulgare subsp. hirtum (727.64 and 230 g) species in comparison to others, respectively. However, the highest essential oil, essential oil yield per plant, and essential oil yield per ha were 5.26%, 1.71 g and 114 kg ha-1, respectively, which was observed in O. vulgare subsp. hirtum species. The quantitative analysis revealed higher content of total phenol (51.12%), flavonoid (6.93%), 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), (54.29%), superoxide (50.04%) and radical scavenging activities in O. vulgare subsp. hirtum species, but the O. onites species showed higher (21.60%) nitric oxide radical scavenging activities compared to other species. The essential oil analysis revealed that the thymol (6.90-59.89%), carvacrol (0.83-48.91%), γ-terpinene (6.55-18.20%), p-cymene (0.50-20.94%) and α-terpinene (2.71-4.28%) were the most prominent compounds in the studied species of the genus Origanum. Cluster analysis showed two main categories and high similarity between O. onites and O. vulgare subsp. hirtum. The findings of the current research indicate that O. vulgare subsp. hirtum was the best species in terms of phytochemical properties.
Change of Forage Yield and Quality Characteristics of White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) at Different Harvest Time
Authors: Çaçan Erdal , Özdemir Selim , Kökten Kağan , Uçar Rıdvan , Mokhtarzadeh Sam , Ekmekçi Muammer , Kutlu Mehmet Ali
Published: December 2024

This study was conducted to determine the yield and quality characteristics of white clover at different harvest time. The study was carried out according to the randomized blocks experimental design in 2021 and 2022, and the Rivendel variety of white clover was used as the plant material in the study. Four different harvest time of white clover, as early bloom, mid-bloom, full bloom, and after-bloom, were considered as the research subject. In the experiment, the plant height, green forage yield, dry matter yield, dry matter ratio, crude protein, crude protein yield, insoluble fiber in acid detergent (ADF), insoluble fiber in neutral detergent (NDF), relative feed value and phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium contents of white clover were investigated. It has been determined that the differences in all of these examined features in different harvest time of white clover were statistically significant. In the research, white clover reached the highest plant height (32.3 cm and 27.8 cm), green forage yield (38.367 kg ha-1 and 52.080 kg ha-1), dry matter yield (10.707 kg ha-1 and 13.424 kg ha-1), and crude protein yield (1987 kg ha-1 and 2544 kg ha-1) in full bloom in both years. In 2021, the highest crude protein and relative feed value and the lowest ADF and NDF ratios were obtained during early bloom and mid-bloom, while in 2022, the highest values for these characteristics were obtained only from early bloom stages. It was determined that the lowest phosphorus and potassium contents and the highest calcium and magnesium contents were obtained from the after bloom stage in both years. As a result, since the highest yield values and average quality values are obtained from the full bloom stage, it has been concluded that it was more advantageous for the producer to harvest the white clover at this stage.
Epibrassinolide Uygulamasının Soyanın Verim Performansına Etkileri
Authors: Şener Aykut , Kaya Muharrem , Kıcır Sedat
Published: December 2024

Bu araştırma, farklı dozlarda epibrassinolide (EBR) uygulamalarının soyanın verim ve bazı verim ögeleri üzerine etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla kurulmuştur. Tarla denemeleri Isparta ilinde yer alan Isparta Uygulamalı Bilimler Üniversitesi (ISUBÜ), Ziraat Fakültesi Eğitim, Araştırma ve Uygulama Çiftliği arazisinde 2022-2023 yıllarında iki yıl süre ile yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada, PG Victoria soya çeşidi tohum materyali olarak kullanılmıştır. Yapraklardan hormon uygulaması için ise Biosynth Carbosynth firmasına ait epibrassinolide (C28H48O6) bitki büyüme düzenleyicisi kullanılmıştır. Deneme tesadüf blokları deneme desenine göre 3 tekrarlamalı olarak kurulmuştur. Çiçeklenme öncesi dönemde bitkilere safsu ve EBR’nin 3 dozu (0.5, 1.0 ve 1.5 µM EBR) yapraktan pülverize edilerek uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada; soyanın %50 çiçeklenme gün sayısı, bitki boyu, ilk bakla yüksekliği, bitkide bakla sayısı, bitkide tane sayısı, bitkide tane ağırlığı, hasat indeksi, yüz tane ağırlığı, tane verimi ve yağ oranı özellikleri incelenmiştir. Farklı dozlarda EBR uygulanan soyanın; çiçeklenme süresi 56.0-59.7 gün, bitki boyu 67.13-102.43 cm, ilk bakla yüksekliği 10.23-14.03 cm, bitkide bakla sayısı 16.80-80.30, bitkide tane sayısı 42.73-193.53, bitkide tane ağırlığı 4.85-22.79 g, hasat indeksi %24.66-31.28, yüz tane ağırlığı 11.00-13.00 g, tane verimi 270.16-566.67 kg da-1 ve yağ oranı % 20.56-21.49 arasında değişim göstermiştir. Sonuçlar incelendiğinde; yıllar arasındaki iklimsel farklılıklardan kaynaklı geniş varyasyonlar olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda 0.5 µM EBR uygulamasının çiçeklenme süresini kısalttığı, bitki boyunu, bitkide bakla sayısını, bitkide tane sayısını, bitkide tane ağırlığını ve tane verimini arttırdığı belirlenmiştir. Bu dozun üzerindeki uygulamaların ise verim ögelerini olumsuz yönde etkilediği saptanmıştır. EBR’nin soyanın yüz tane ağırlığı üzerine etkisi yıllara göre değişim göstermiştir. Yağ oranı ise 0.1 µM EBR dozunda arttığı tespit edilmiştir.
Turkish Noodle (Erişte) Quality of Different Local Durum Wheat Varieties: Case Study of Lakes Region, Türkiye
Authors: Gül Hülya , Öztürk Ayşe
Published: December 2024

Wheat flour noodles are a staple in the diets of many countries, and their popularity has increased in recent years. The main component of noodles is wheat flour; therefore, the qualitative attributes of noodles are predominantly dependent on the quality of wheat used in their production. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the quality of noodles made from ten different local durum wheat varieties (LDW) sourced from the Lakes Region of Türkiye. The study measured various parameters like moisture, ash, color, breaking strength, deformation, and texture profile analysis (TPA) of noodles made from LDW flours. Moreover, the optimum cooking time (OKT), cooking loss (CL), swelling volume (SV), water absorption (WA), and sensory attributes of noodles were assessed. Regarding moisture and ash content, the noodles were found to have values ranging from 6.76 to 10.51% and 2.29 to 2.77, respectively. The noodles had an average brightness of 87.24, a redness of 1.26, and a yellowness of 17.74. Ak Buğday, Ankara 98, and Gediz 75 varieties demonstrated higher levels of yellowness than the other varieties. The Kızıltan91, Çeşit1252, and Ak Buğday cultivars showed more resistance to breakage while lower levels of deformation. Significant effects (P
Trakya Bölgesi Doğal Florasından Toplanan Önemli Bazı Üçgül (Trifolium spp.) Türlerinin Verim Unsurları ve Kalite Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi
Authors: Duman Emre İbrahim , Orak Adnan
Published: December 2024

Bu araştırmada Tekirdağ koşullarında Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü deneme ve uygulama arazisinde, 2020-2021 döneminde iki yıllık süre ile yürütülmüştür. Trakya Bölgesi Doğal Florasındaki Üçgül (Trifolium L.-Fabaceae) Türlerinin Taksonomisi, Dağılımı, Fenolojik, Morfolojik ve Bazı Kimyasal Özellikleri isimli TUBİTAK (119 O 950) projesi çerçevesinde yürütülen çalışmada toplanan farklı üçgül türleri materyal olarak kullanılmıştır. İlk yıl belirlenen bitki boyu, sap çapı, bitkide kömeç sayısı, bitki yeşil ot ve kuru ot verimleri değerlendirilerek belirlenen 6 farklı türe ait (T. repens, T. nigrescens, T. constantinopolitanum, T. pratense, T. striatum ve T. lappaceum ) 32 farklı genotip materyal olarak kullanılmıştır. İkinci yıl tesadüf bloklarında faktöriyel deneme desenine göre, 3 m uzunluğundaki parsellere 75x75cm olarak her türden en az 5 bitki olacak şekilde, 8 bitki köklü olarak şaşırtılmıştır. Damla sulama sistemi ile dikim sonrası sulama yapılmıştır. Bitkilerin ihtiyaç duyduğu nisan-eylül ayları arasında 6 aylık dönemde sulamaya devam edilmiştir. Araştırmanın ilk yılında yapılan değerlendirmede en düşük ve en yüksek veriler bitki boyunda 9.00- 64.67 cm, sap çapında 0,47-2,57 mm, bitkide kömeç sayısı 6.33-67.67, bitki yeşil ot verimi 19.70-624.00 g, bitki kuru ot verimi 3.37-138.36 g olarak belirlenmiştir. Araştırmanın ikinci yılında tekerrürlü olarak şaşırtılan bitkilerin sınır değerleri; bitki boyunda 9.77-24,78 cm, sap çapında 0.50-1.82 mm, bitkide kömeç sayısında 12.40-145,17 adet, bitki yeşil ot veriminde 85.77-2006,50 g, kuru ot veriminde ise 39.90-555,56 g olarak belirlenmiştir. %50 çiçeklenme döneminde biçilen üçgül türlerine ait genotiplerde kimyasal analiz sonuçlarına göre; ham protein oranı %11.87-18,85, ham selüloz oranı %20.80-28.33, ham kül oranı %6.95-10.37, ADF %31.07-42.78, NDF %42.58-55,69 arasında değişim göstermiştir.
Intra-annual consistent diet of lanternfish and krill in adult female southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina from the South Georgia population
Authors: Fraleigh DC , Costa DP , Cabrol J , McDonald BI , Crocker DE , Fleming AH , Goebel ME , Hückstädt LA
Published: December 2024

Southern elephant seals Mirounga leonina are top predators in the Southern Ocean and significant consumers of mesopelagic mid-trophic level prey while spending most of the year foraging out at sea. Yet, there is still considerable uncertainty regarding variability in the dietary composition between individuals and over time. We ran a suite of mixing models using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios from the vibrissae of 54 adult female southern elephant seals from the South Georgia population (2005-2009) and potential fish, squid, and krill prey. Our goals were to (1) estimate the dietary composition of this population as a whole, (2) compare the dietary composition of individuals between previously identified foraging strategies, and (3) quantify the degree of dietary consistency at the individual level throughout a long foraging migration. Models indicate that myctophid fish were the dominant prey item consumed (mean 45% of diet), followed by Antarctic krill and Antarctic jonasfish. However, there was considerable variability within and among groups of seals regarding specific prey items consumed and the degree of individual dietary specialization, possibly as a means of reducing intraspecific competition. Finally, our models provide evidence of most seals displaying dietary consistency throughout a foraging migration. These findings have important management implications for the South Georgia population in an uncertain future and highlight the need for more effective krill management along the western Antarctic Peninsula.
Chemical composition, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of essential oils from Artemisia herba-alba asso. and Artemisia huguetii caball. from Morocco: in vitro and in silico evaluation
Authors: El Ouardi Mohamed , Drioiche Aziz , El Makhoukhi Fadoua , Mabrouki Jamal , Hakmi Mohammed , Al kamaly Omkulthom , A. Alsfouk Bshra , Eddamsyry Brahim , Khamar Hamid , Zair Touriya , Alaoui El Belghiti Mohammed
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Morocco is home to a remarkable diversity of flora, including several species from the Artemisia genus. This study aims to thoroughly examine the chemical composition of essential oils derived from Artemisia species and assess their antibacterial and antioxidant properties through in vitro experiments and in silico simulations.

Methods

Samples of Artemisia herba-alba Asso. were collected from Boulemane and Ifrane in Morocco, while Artemisia huguetii Caball. was sampled from Tata, representing regions of the Central Middle Atlas and Western Anti-Atlas. Essential oils were extracted using hydrodistillation, and their chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated, and antioxidant properties were assessed using the DPPH assay. In silico predictions of antibacterial and antioxidant activities were performed using computational models.

Results

The extraction yields varied depending on the geographical origin, ranging from 1.54% to 2.78%. GC-MS analysis revealed significant differences in the chemical composition of the oils from different Artemisia species and regions, with a notable prevalence of oxygenated monoterpenes. Specifically, the oil from Boulemane was rich in thujone, the oil from Ifrane was predominantly composed of camphor, and the oil from Tata contained both camphor and thujone. The oils exhibited stronger antifungal than antibacterial properties, with Enterobacter cloacae strains showing high sensitivity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of approximately 12.5 mg/mL. The Boulemane oil of A. herba-alba displayed the highest antioxidant activity, effectively inhibiting DPPH at a concentration of 13.501 μg/mL.

Discussion

The in silico simulations predicted that the primary compounds in these essential oils, such as davanone, eucalyptol, camphor, and thujone, would exhibit potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These compounds were found to have favorable ADMET characteristics, including good blood-brain barrier permeability, gastrointestinal absorption, and skin penetration. Molecular docking studies revealed strong interactions between these compounds and key target proteins, such as NADPH-dependent catalase and dihydrofolate reductase. The stability of the protein-ligand complexes was confirmed by molecular dynamics, with davanone showing a significant impact. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the biological potential of Artemisia essential oils, highlighting davanone as a promising molecule for medicinal or pharmaceutical applications.
Development of a prediction nomogram for IgG levels among asymptomatic or mild patients with COVID-19
Authors: Yi Jianying , Liu Zhili , Cao Xi , Pi Lili , Zhou Chunlei , Mu Hong
Published: December 2024

Objective

COVID-19 has evolved into a seasonal coronavirus disease, characterized by prolonged infection duration and repeated infections, significantly increasing the risk of patients developing long COVID. Our research focused on the immune responses in asymptomatic and mild cases, particularly the critical factors influencing serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels and their predictive value.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis on data from 1939 asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients hospitalized between September 2022 and June 2023. Spearman methods were used to test the correlation between serum IgG and age, immunoglobulin M (IgM), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nucleic acid conversion time, and BMI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified independent key factors influencing serum IgG levels, which were integrated and visualized in a nomogram. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to predict the model’s diagnostic performance by calculating the AUC.

Results

Mild patients showed higher levels of IgG, IgM, and longer nucleic acid conversion times than asymptomatic patients, and a lower proportion of them had received ≥ 3 COVID-19 vaccine doses. Serum IgG was positively correlated with serum IgM and negatively correlated with age, PCT, IL-6, and BMI. Notably, it showed a moderate negative correlation with nucleic acid conversion time (r = -0.578, P < 0.001). Logistic regression results showed that younger age, lower IL-6 levels, ≥ 3 doses of vaccine, and no comorbidities were independent predictors of serum IgG levels ≥ 21.08 g/L. We used age, IL-6 levels, vaccine doses, and comorbidities to create a nomogram for predicting serum IgG levels, with the area under the ROC curve reaching 0.772.

Conclusion

Age, IL-6 levels, vaccination status, and comorbidities were independent predictors of serum IgG levels in asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 patients, facilitating risk stratification and clinical decision-making. Notably, receiving ≥3 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine was the most beneficial factor for elevated serum IgG levels.
Baicalin promotes β-1,3-glucan exposure in Candida albicans and enhances macrophage response
Authors: Pan Yiyuan , Shi Zhaoling , Wang Yadong , Chen Feng , Yang Yue , Ma Kelong , Li Wenqian
Published: December 2024

Among the diverse fungal opportunistic pathogens, Candida albicans garners significant attention due to its wide range of infections and high frequency of occurrence. The emergence of resistance and the limited number of antifungals drives the need to develop novel antifungal drugs. Although the natural product baicalin has been shown to trigger apoptosis in C. albicans in previous experiments, its influence on cell wall (CW) structure along with immune recognition remains elusive. In this work, baicalin showed a significant killing effect against C. albicans SC5314. Moreover, CW destruction, characterized by β-1,3-glucan unmasking and chitin deposition, was observed as a consequence of the treatment with baicalin. The RNA sequencing analysis revealed that treatment with baicalin resulted in eight hundred forty-two differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Sixty-five genes, such as GSC1, ENG1, CHS3, GWT1, and MKC1, were associated with CW organization or biogenesis. Baicalin-pretreated C. albicans SC5314 was phagocytosed more efficiently by RAW264.7 macrophages, accompanied by increased TNF-α and IL-1β production. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that baicalin could stimulate β-1,3-glucan unmasking by governing CW-associated gene expression in C. albicans SC5314, which contributes to macrophage recognition and clearance.
Projecting future migration with Bayesian hierarchical gravity models of migration: an application to Africa
Authors: Cottier Fabien
Published: December 2024

In this paper, I present and discuss a novel approach to parameterize a gravity model of migration using Bayesian hierarchical models with random intercepts that are free to vary by country of origin, destination, and directed origin-destination country pairs. I then utilize this model to project transboundary migration flows between African countries to the horizon 2050. To do so, I use data on projected future crop yields and water availability from the ISIMIP2b scenarios in combination with projections on future economic and demographic trends from the Shared Socio-Economic Pathways (SSPs). The results indicate that over the period 2010–2050 between 8 to 17 millions people are projected to migrate internationally on the African continent. Yet, only a small portion of these migrants will be induced to move because of climate change. To the contrary, comparisons between SSPs scenarios suggests that economic development will have a far larger impact on projected level of international migration on the continent than climate change.
Evaluation of online training to promote peer diffusion of climate change activism in the US
Authors: Dayton Lauren , Scherkoske Melissa , Countess Kennedy , Balaban Ariel , Miller Jacob , Wang Jaiye , Schneider Kristin , Latkin Carl
Published: December 2024

Enacting policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions requires climate change activism (CCA). CCA behaviors include volunteering/donating to organizations addressing climate change and lobbying policymakers. However, effective methods to promote CCA are not well understood. In August 2022, 622 US adults participated in a randomized control trial and one-month follow-up to assess the efficacy of the Climate Change Activism Peer Educator Training Program, a brief one-time training that aims to train people to talk to their social network members about engaging in CCA. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction. The CCA training increased self-efficacy in having conversations about CCA but did not significantly impact the frequency of communicating about or engaging in CCA. Study findings suggest that future CCA interventions target people motivated to take action about climate change for peer educators, tailor training modules to social network characteristics, integrate prompts to reinforce behavior change, and provide easy and specific targets for CCA.
Associations between self-reported sleep duration and incident cardiovascular diseases in a nationwide prospective cohort study of Chinese middle-aged and older adults
Authors: Zhao Qing , Zhu Yuan , Zhang Yu , Luo Huanyuan , Ma Yantao , Chen Xiaoshan , Gu Jiaming , Wang Lizhi
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study explores the correlation between sleep duration and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among middle-aged and older adults in China. Furthermore, we aim to investigate the association between sleep duration and incident CVD in this population, while assessing potential variations across different age and gender subgroups.

Methods

Utilizing data from the nationwide prospective survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018, involving 17,596 participants aged 45 years and above, we employed Cox proportional hazards regression models. These models were used to examine the impact of baseline sleep duration on CVD, considering age (middle-aged/elderly) and gender (male/female) groups.

Results

Over the 8-year follow-up, 2,359 CVD events were recorded. Compared to individuals sleeping 6–8 h per day, a short sleep duration (≤6 h/day) was significantly associated with an increased risk of CVD (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.03–1.33). Subgroup analysis revealed a more pronounced relationship in participants aged ≥60 years, where both short sleep duration (≤6 h/day) (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35) and long sleep duration (>8 h/day) (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.02–1.41) were significantly associated with an elevated risk of CVD. Specifically, among female participants, short sleep durations (≤6 h/day) was significantly associated with CVD (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05–1.47).

Conclusion

Short sleep durations can serve as predictive factors for CVD in China's population aged 45 and above, particularly among elderly female participants. Our study underscores the importance of considering sleep health as a critical aspect when formulating strategies for enhancing CVD prevention.
Case Report: Concurrent transcatheter aortic and mitral valve replacement for symptomatic concomitant aortic and mitral valve stenoses
Authors: Bussmann Benjamin Mothibe , Dawkins Sam , Newton James , Cahill Thomas
Published: December 2024

In patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), multi-valve disease is common and associated with worse outcomes. Despite multiple emerging transcatheter valve treatment options, no guidelines exist for the transcatheter treatment of multi-valve disease. We present a case of a 76-year-old patient with concomitant severe aortic valve stenosis and severe mitral valve stenosis who underwent concurrent TAVI and transcatheter mitral valve replacement. In this case report, we demonstrate the feasibility of concurrent double-valve transcatheter intervention to treat patients with multi-valve disease. We also highlight the role of the heart valve team to guide individual patient treatment strategies in the absence of clinical guidelines and the importance of multi-modality imaging to plan and execute the procedure.
SGLT2 inhibitors for alleviating heart failure through non-hypoglycemic mechanisms
Authors: Chen Ya-ru , Zhu Fang-yuan , Zhou Rong
Published: December 2024

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors afford significant cardiovascular benefits to patients with diabetes mellitus and heart failure. Three large randomized clinical trials (EMPAREG-Outcomes, DECLARE-TIMI58, and DAPA-HF) have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors prevent cardiovascular events and reduce the risk of death and hospital admission resulting from heart failure. Patients without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) also experience a similar degree of cardiovascular benefit as those with T2DM do. SGLT2 inhibitors could improve cardiac function through potential non-hypoglycemic mechanisms, including the reduction of the circulatory volume load, regulation of energy metabolism, maintenance of ion homeostasis, alleviation of inflammation and oxidative stress, and direct inhibition of cardiac SGLT1 receptors and antimyocardial fibrosis. This article reviews the mechanism through which SGLT2 inhibitors prevent/alleviate heart failure through non-hypoglycemic pathways, to support their use for the treatment of heart failure in non-T2DM patients.
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: a literature review and case study
Authors: Matta Anthony , Ory Magne Fabienne , Levade Thierry , Bonneville Fabrice , Ferrières Jean
Published: December 2024

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare but treatable inherited neurometabolic disorder that can lead to severe sequelae if left untreated. Chenodeoxycholic acid is a safe and effective treatment for CTX. Early diagnosis is essential to improve patient outcomes. Neurological disturbances, cataracts, and intractable diarrhea are key features to raise diagnostic suspicion and differentiate CTX from other metabolic disorders in patients with dyslipidemia and xanthomas. The diagnosis of CTX depends on high cholestanol plasma levels, undetectable plasma bile acids, neuroradiological findings, and CYP27A1 gene analysis. This review provides a stepwise approach to diagnosing patients with CTX, aims to improve physician awareness of CTX, and highlights the effectiveness of chenodeoxycholic acid as the standard of care. In addition, we report a unique case of CTX with major premature cardiovascular events, initially misdiagnosed as heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. This review also provides evidence to establish the c.470T>C (p. Leu157Pro) variant of the CYP27A1 gene as a likely pathologic variant.
Trends in sepsis-associated cardiovascular disease mortality in the United States, 1999 to 2022
Authors: Salman Malik , Cicin Jack , Abdul Jabbar Ali Bin , El-shaer Ahmed , Tauseef Abubakar , Asghar Noureen , Mirza Mohsin , Aboeata Ahmed
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, and sepsis significantly contributes to hospitalization and mortality. This study aims to assess the trends of sepsis-associated CVD mortality rates and variations in mortality based on demographics and regions in the US.

Methods

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database was used to identify CVD and sepsis-related deaths from 1999 to 2022. Data on gender, race and ethnicity, age groups, region, and state classification were statistically analyzed to obtain crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR). The Joinpoint Regression Program was used to determine trends in mortality within the study period.

Results

During the study period, there were a total of 1,842,641 deaths with both CVD and sepsis listed as a cause of death. Sepsis-associated CVD mortality decreased between 1999 and 2013, from AAMR of 65.7 in 1999 to 58.8 in 2013 (APC −1.06*%, 95% CI: −2.12% to −0.26%), then rose to 74.3 in 2022 (APC 3.23*%, 95% CI: 2.18%–5.40%). Throughout the study period, mortality rates were highest in men, NH Black adults, and elderly adults (65+ years old). The Northeast region, which had the highest mortality rate in the initial part of the study period, was the only region to see a decline in mortality, while the Northwest, Midwest, and Southern regions experienced significant increases in mortality rates.

Conclusion

Sepsis-associated CVD mortality has increased in the US over the past decade, and both this general trend and the demographic disparities have worsened since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Association of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic index with all-cause mortality during hospitalization in critically ill patients: a retrospective cohort study from MIMIC IV2.2
Authors: Qu Xiaolong , Liu Yuping , Nie Peng , Huang Lei
Published: December 2024

Background

The cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic index (CKMI), a novel functional indicator proposed in this study, aims to accurately reflect the functional status of the heart, kidneys, and metabolism. However, its ability to predict mortality risk in critically ill patients during their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aims to validate the correlation between the CKMI during hospitalization and all-cause mortality.

Methods

The study utilized the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV 2.2 (MIMIC-IV) dataset for a retrospective analysis of cohorts. The cohorts were divided into quartiles based on CKMI index levels. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality during ICU and hospital stay, while secondary endpoints included the duration of ICU stay and overall hospitalization period. We established Cox proportional hazards models and employed multivariable Cox regression analysis and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis to explore the relationship between CKMI index and all-cause mortality during hospitalization in critically ill patients. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted based on different subgroups.

Results

The study enrolled 1,576 patients (male 60.79%). In-patient and ICU mortality was 11.55% and 6.73%. Multivariate COX regression analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between CKMI index and the risk of hospital death [HR, 0.26 (95% CI 0.07–0.93), P = 0.038] and ICU mortality [HR, 0.13 (95% CI 0.03–0.67), P = 0.014].RCS regression model revealed that in-hospital mortality (P-value =0.015, P-Nonlinear =0.459) and ICU mortality (P-value =0.029, P-Nonlinear =0.432) increased linearly with increasing CKMI index. Subgroup analysis confirmed consistent effect size and direction across different subgroups, ensuring stable results.

Conclusion

Our research findings suggest that a higher CKMI index is associated with a significant reduction in both in-hospital and ICU mortality among critically ill patients. Therefore, CKMI index emerges as a highly valuable prognostic indicator for predicting the risk of in-hospital death in this population. However, to strengthen the validity of these results, further validation through larger-scale prospective studies is imperative.
Experimental study on soil improvement by electrochemical injection coupled with anode movement technique
Authors: Han Shaoyang , Yu Daiguang , Luo Haidong , Li Tianyi , Wang Yu , Zhang Yijiang
Published: December 2024

An improved electroosmotic method which involves coupling anode movement with injection of calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution into soils during the electroosmotic process was proposed in this paper. The laboratory-based experimental study was conducted in a custom-designed test set-up to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method. During the electroosmotic process, the drained water, drainage rate, electric current, electric resistance, power consumption, settlement, and penetration resistance were monitored. The experimental study showed that after treatment, the drainage volume was about 3.5 times that of the pure electroosmotic, 1.6 times that of the electroosmotic process with injection only, and 2.4 times that of the electroosmotic process with anode movement only. Further, electrochemical injection coupled with anode movement can significantly reduce the non-uniform electrochemical changes in the treated samples, resulting in a relatively uniform settlement and considerable cementation area throughout the sample. The results demonstrate that using this method can effectively alleviate anode corrosion, double the voltage gradient and mitigate the electric resistance increase, further enhancing electroosmotic treatment efficiency.
Student wellbeing and academic support in higher education
Authors: Wilson Fadiji Angelina , Eloff Irma
Published: December 2024

This study reports on the synergistic liaison between student wellbeing and academic support in higher education. The study took place at a large, urban university in South Africa within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brief interviews were conducted between September and November 2021, with undergraduate students (n = 645, Mage = 22; SD = 2) from a variety of scientific fields. The guiding question for the brief interviews was, ‘What contributes to your wellbeing at the university?’ Responses were captured in statu nascendi (as it develops) by fieldworkers from the helping professions and then transferred to a comprehensive Electronic Data Sheet. The raw verbal response data were analyzed using an open coding process where major and minor themes were initially indicated. A theme emerged around the intricacies of academic support and intrapersonal processes that are central to the wellbeing of students in higher education. Academic support was apparent in the provisioning of resources for learning, quality communication from lecturers, peer-to-peer support, and collective positive student experiences. Beyond these external resources, intrapersonal factors including a focus on the self, a sense of responsibility, and ensuring mental balance, while sustaining a sense of accomplishment academically, emerged as critical to student wellbeing. Efforts to continually improve student experience are still paramount within the higher education space, and this can be accompanied by psychosocial interventions aimed at promoting a strong sense of positive selfhood. These interventions could be designed to promote internal resources that allow students to capitalize on institutional provisioning in the achievement of academic goals and wellbeing.
From thankfulness to taking it for granted – a qualitative study of dental education during COVID
Authors: Goetz Katja , Reimer Ida , Wenz Hans-Jürgen , Hertrampf Katrin
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic brought public life to a standstill. For universities, this meant the suspension or corresponding adjustment of practical and theoretical teaching. In Germany, the Kiel Dental Clinic received special permits to start face-to-face teaching under appropriate hygienic conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study, which was conducted using a longitudinal qualitative panel, was to interview students and teachers over a period of three semesters under pandemic conditions regarding the effects of the pandemic on dental teaching at a structural, individual and social aspect in order to determine which strategies can be acquired for future teaching design.

Methods

Qualitative methods based on interviews were used for data collection. The same dental students from different semesters (6th, 8th and 10th) and the same teaching staff responsible for the content and implementation of courses within the dental curriculum were interviewed in the summer semesters of 2020 and 2021. The data analysis was performed by qualitative content analysis.

Results

A total of 27 students and 15 teaching staff participated. Our study team received interesting results on the implications of the teaching and learning situation from the start of the emergency transition to remote teaching and then to practical courses in face-to-face situations with specific regulations. Teaching under pandemic conditions resulted in a very stressful situation for the students and teaching staff. The learning process for teaching has led to an improvement in digital literacy for both groups over the last two years.

Discussion

This qualitative longitudinal study describes the different factors that played a role during the course of the various “Corona” semesters. The development process, from thankfulness to taking it for granted, demonstrated that students’ expectation towards the implementation of the courses increased. Simultaneously, the results clearly show that the degree of stress and anxiety among students and teachers increased also. The necessary self-structuring of everyday student life under COVID conditions was not possible for everyone. It was also noted that teachers in particular were aware of this and that they developed a certain vigilance towards students.
Education sector development and teacher identity construction: a reflective experience
Authors: Lawrent Godlove
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Tanzania, like other developing countries, has adopted numerous educational reforms geared towards addressing challenges rooted in either the colonial or post-colonial educational systems. However, the influence of these reforms on teacher professionalism is seldom studied. This study, therefore, gained insights into how the secondary education expansion policy related challenges affected teachers as teaching professionals.

Methods

The qualitative case study design was adopted in order to capture the holistic overview of the phenomena under exploration. Individual interviews, focus group discussion, and document analysis were utilized for gathering data. The main participants were teachers and school principals who were purposively selected from the Iringa region, Tanzania. The region promptly managed to build at least one secondary school in each ward (i.e., at least two villages) as per the government’s expansion enactment directives.

Results

It was revealed that the inadequate enactment of the expansion policy adversely affected teachers’ self-beliefs about their own teaching aptitudes, their apathy towards teaching, as well as their social status. These issues undermined successful implementation of the policy itself.

Discussion

The study adds to a growing body of literature around how teachers “construct” what secondary expansion means for them as both effective and ethical professionals.
Creating a bully-free Sierra Leone: a comprehensive approach involving prevention, intervention, and support for victims and bullies by teachers, parents, and community leaders
Authors: Osborne Augustus
Published: December 2024

Bullying poses a substantial challenge to the educational and social development of children in Sierra Leone. This conceptual analysis explores the critical roles of teachers, parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders in preventing and addressing this issue. It emphasizes the importance of a multi-faceted approach by examining the complexities of bullying within the Sierra Leonean context. The conceptual analysis differentiates between prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies, outlining specific actions aimed at both bullies and victims. Effective bullying prevention strategies include teacher training, parent involvement, and community collaboration, while intervention efforts focus on immediate support for victims and appropriate consequences for bullies. Additionally, postvention actions are discussed to support recovery and healing for those affected. It highlights the need for sustained efforts, data-driven approaches, and policy development to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students in Sierra Leone.
Influence of renal function on blood pressure control and outcome in thrombolyzed patients after acute ischemic stroke: post-hoc analysis of the ENCHANTED trial
Authors: Ren Xinwen , Chen Chen , Wang Xia , Li Qiang , Zhao Yang , You Shoujiang , Ouyang Menglu , Robinson Thompson , Lindley Richard I. , Arima Hisatomi , Chen Xiaoying , Chalmers John , Anderson Craig S. , Song Lili
Published: December 2024

Background

The effect of renal impairment in patients who receive intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is unclear. We aimed to determine the associations of renal impairment and clinical outcomes and any modification of the effect of intensive versus guideline-recommended blood pressure (BP) control in the BP arm of the International Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke Study (ENCHANTED).

Methods

We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the ENCHANTED BP arm, which involved 2,196 thrombolyzed AIS patients. Logistic regression models were used to define the association between eGFR and clinical outcomes of death, death or major disability [modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores 3–6], and major disability (mRS 3–5) at 90 days.

Results

Of the 2,151 patients with available baseline renal function data (mean age 66.9 years; 38% women), 993 (46.2%), 822 (38.2%), and 336 (15.6%) had normal (eGFR ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2), mildly (60–89), and moderate-to-severely impaired (<60) renal function, respectively. Compared with patients with normal eGFR, mortality was higher in those with moderate-to-severe renal impairment (adjusted odds ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.05–2.99; p = 0.031 for trend). However, the difference in death or major disability (mRS 3–6) was not significant between groups. There was no heterogeneity in the effect of intensive versus guideline-recommended BP-lowering treatment on death by grades of renal function (p for interaction = 0.545).

Discussion

The presence of moderate-to-severe renal impairment is associated with increased mortality in thrombolyzed patients with AIS. Renal function does not modify the effect of early intensive BP-lowering treatment on death in this patient group.
An update review of the application of single-cell RNA sequencing in pregnancy-related diseases
Authors: Zhou Zhiyi , Yang Xiuhua
Published: December 2024

Reproductive success hinges on the presence of a robust and functional placenta. Examining the placenta provides insight about the progression of pregnancy and valuable information about the normal developmental trajectory of the fetus. The current limitations of using bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis stem from the diverse composition of the placenta, hindering a comprehensive description of how distinct trophoblast cell expression patterns contribute to the establishment and sustenance of a successful pregnancy. At present, the transcriptional landscape of intricate tissues increasingly relies on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). A few investigations have utilized scRNA-seq technology to examine the codes governing transcriptome regulation in cells at the maternal-fetal interface. In this review, we explore the fundamental principles of scRNA-seq technology, offering the latest overview of human placental studies utilizing this method across various gestational weeks in both normal pregnancies and pregnancy-related diseases, including recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), preeclampsia (PE), preterm birth, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Furthermore, we discuss the limitations and future perspectives of scRNA-seq technology within the realm of reproduction. It seems that scRNA-seq stands out as one of the crucial tools for studying the etiology of pregnancy complications. The future direction of scRNA-seq applications may involve devolving into functional biology, with a primary focus on understanding variations in transcriptional activity among highly specific cell populations. Our goal is to provide obstetricians with an updated understanding of scRNA-seq technology related to pregnancy complications, providing comprehensive understandings to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, ultimately improving maternal and fetal prognosis.
Development and validation of a clinical prediction model for blastocyst formation during IVF/ICSI-ET
Authors: Liu Xingnan , Zhao Jingyun , Zhang Yi , Nie Zhaoyan , Li Qiaoxia , Guo Lina , Fan Chunhui , Zhang Jianfeng , Zhang Na
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to create and validate a clinical model that predict the probability of blastocyst formation in IVF/ICSI-ET cycles.

Methods

This study employed a retrospective methodology, gathering data from 4961 cleavage-stage embryos that cultured in the reproductive center’s of the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between June 2020 and March 2024. 3472 were in the training set and 1489 were in the validation set when it was randomly split into the training set and validation set in a 7:3 ratio. The study employed both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine the factors those influence in the process of blastocyst formation. Based on the multiple regression model, a predictive model of blastocyst formation during IVF was created. The calibration and decision curves were used to assess the effectiveness and therapeutic usefulness of this model.

Results

The following factors independently predicted the probability of blastocyst formation: the method of insemination, number of oocytes retrieved, pronuclear morphological score, the number of cleavage ball, cleavage embryo symmetry, fragmentation rate and morphological score and basal P levels of female. The receiver operating characteristic curve’s area under the curve (AUC) in the training set is 0.742 (95% CI: 0.724,0.759), while the validation set’s AUC is 0.729 (95% CI: 0.703,0.755), indicating a rather high clinical prediction capacity.

Conclusion

Our generated nomogram has the ability to forecast the probability of blastocyst formation in IVF, hence can assist clinical staff in making informed decisions.
Trace element zinc metabolism and its relation to tumors
Authors: Yao Guiping , Wang Zhiwei , Xie Rui , Zhanghuang Chenghao , Yan Bing
Published: December 2024

Zinc is an essential trace element in the human body, playing a crucial role in cellular metabolism.Dysregulation of zinc homeostasis can lead to abnormal cellular metabolism, contributing to diseases and closely related to tumor development. Adequate zinc intake can maintain zinc homeostasis in the body and support normal cellular metabolism. This review discusses the metabolic processes of zinc in the human body and its close relationship with tumorigenesis. It briefly describes zinc absorption, transport, storage, and release, as well as its important role in gene expression, signal transduction, oxidative stress, immune response, and apoptosis. It focuses on the abnormal cellular metabolism caused by excessive or insufficient zinc, the relationship between zinc homeostasis disruption and metabolic syndrome, and the mechanisms involved in tumor development. It analyzes how changes in the expression and activity of zinc transporters may lead to disrupted zinc homeostasis in tumor tissues. It points out that zinc deficiency is associated with various cancers, including prostate cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and breast cancer. The summary emphasizes that zinc metalloproteins could serve as potential targets for cancer therapy, and regulating the expression and activity of zinc transport proteins may offer new methods and strategies for clinical cancer treatment.