bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Value of Waist-to-height Ratio on Diabetes Incidence: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study
Authors: Ding Zhiyi , Keyu Guo , Jiaqi Li , Xia Li , Zhiguang Zhou , Lin Yang
Published: October 2023

Aims
To evaluate the association between waist to height ratio (WHtR) and incident type 2 diabetes （T2DM）and compared its predictive power with that of other anthropometric indices in East Asian population.
Methods
15464 people took part in this research. Participants were further divided into twelve subgroups according to age, WHtR, and sex. Multivariable. Cox regression analysis assessed the relationship between WHtR and incident T2DM. Restricted cubic splines were used to determine the shape of the association. The predictive power of the WHtR was examined and directly compared with other indices, using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).
Results
After a median follow-up of 5.4 years, 2.4% (373/15,464) participants developed diabetes. The incidence of diabetes increased with ascending WHtR (P< 0.001).Cox logistic regression analysis displayed that after adjusting for confounding factors, WHtR was signiﬁcantly associated with the incidence of T2DM. In the restricted cubic spline models, WHtR exhibited U-shaped relationships with T2DM in the middle-aged and elderly men groups, but J-shaped associations with T2DM in both the women and young men groups. Compared with BMI and WC, WHtR had no significant difference in predicting the incidene of T2DM(P> 0.05). Based on the highest Youden index, the optimal WHtR threshold was 0.49 in young men, 0.50 in middle and old men, 0.47 in young women, and 0.51 in middle and old women.
Conclusions
WHtR, an easy-to-understand and monitorable indicator, has comparable predictive power to WC and BMI in predicting the incidence of T2DM. It is recommended that Asian individuals should aim for a waist circumference that is half their height
Striatal dopamine depletion drives disease progression and network topology aberrations specifically by impairing left primary motor cortex network
Authors: Liu Jun , Chen Zhichun , Li Guanglu , Zhou Lichen , Zhang Lina
Published: October 2023

The understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying symptom severity and brain network aberrations in Parkinson’s disease (PD) can offer objective, theoretically supported targets to develop novel interventions to prevent the onset and progression of motor and non-motor symptoms. The objective of current study is to explore how stratal dopamine depletion, a pathogenic driver of PD, shapes symptom severity and brain networks. PD participants (n = 141) undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging from Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database were investigated. Based on the quartiles of striatal binding ratio (SBR) in striatum, PD patients were divided into Q1 group (SBR level rank: 0%~25%), Q2-3 group (SBR level rank: 25%~75%), and Q4 group (SBR level rank: 75%~100%). The associations between stratal dopamine depletion and clinical manifestations or brain networks were characterized by integrative brain network analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and mediation analysis. PD patients in Q1 group exhibited worsening motor and non-motor symptoms compared to Q4 group. Additionally, both structural and functional network topology significantly differ between Q1 and Q4 group. Specifically, the functional connectivity of left primary motor cortex (M1) was much lower in Q1 group, which mediated the topological disruptions of functional network. Importantly, impaired left M1 subnetwork and aberrant network topology mediated the effects of striatal dopamine depletion on motor and non-motor symptoms. These data demonstrate that striatal dopamine depletion specifically impairs left M1 subnetwork to disturb functional network topology and precipitate motor and non-motor symptoms, theoretically supporting left M1 is a realistic neuromodulation target for PD.
Cues to action, perceived risk, perceived benefits, perceived obstacles and executed safety behavior of preventing monkeypox infection among PLWH : a structural equation model
Authors: Qi Li , Yu Lan , Guo Ronghuang , Shen Ying , Li Xiaomei
Published: October 2023

Background Between June and August, there was an increase in monkeypox cases in China, and the mortality rate (7%) caused by monkeypox infection among people living with HIV(PLWH) is higher than that of the general population. It is particularly important for PLWH to adopt healthy behaviors to prevent monkeypox infection. Health education activities to prevent infection have been carried out through various channels, but we know very little about the prevention and control behaviors adopted by PLWH.
Methods The subjects of this cross-sectional study included 467 PLWHs from Heilongjiang Province, China. The questionnaire was collected through Questionnaire Star from August 11 to September 10, 2023, including general sociological data, cues to action(CA), perceived risk (PR), perceived benefits(PB), perceived obstacles(PO) and executed safety behavior(ESB) data. The effects of CA on PR, PB, PO, and ESB were calculated using a structural equation model, as well as the effects of PR, PB, and PO on ESB. We also calculated the intermediate effects of PR, PB, and PO between CA and ESB.
Results There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in gender, marital status, sexual orientation, fixed sexual partner, receiving HIV related treatment, heard of monkeypox, more accurate channels for obtaining information, more willing to access information channels, the most satisfactory channel for obtaining information and monkeypox cognition. There weren’t statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in education level and occupation. The structural equation indicates that cues to action(CA) was predictive factors for perceived risk (PR), perceived benefits(PB), perceived obstacles(PO) and executed safety behavior(ESB) (P < 0.001). Perceived risk (PR), perceived benefits(PB) and perceived obstacles(PO) were predictive factors for the executed safety behavior(ESB) (P < 0.01). PR played a mediating role of 33.99% between CA and ESB. PO played a mediating role of 6.9% between CA and ESB. PB didn’t play a mediating role between CA and ESB.
Conclusions This study indicates that preventing monkeypox behaviors among PLWH is better, but there is still a gap between correctly implementing preventive behavior by everyone. CA, PR, PB, and PO are predictive factors for ESB. PR and PO play a mediating role between CA and ESB. Therefore, increasing CA, PR, and PB, and reducing PO can be used to improve the ESB of monkeypox among PLWH.
Neuromuscular exercise reduces severe multisite pain among health care workers with recurrent low back pain
Authors: Virkkunen Tarja , Husu Pauliina , Tokola Kari , Taulaniemi Annika , Rinne Marjo , Parkkari Jari , Kankaanpää Markku
Published: October 2023

Background
Low back pain (LBP) is a common disorder among nurses, and multisite pain, which can lead to work disability, is a common problem among those nurses with LBP. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effects of neuromuscular exercise (NME) on severe multisite musculoskeletal pain in health care workers with recurrent LBP.
Methods
A total of 219 female health care workers aged 30 to 55 years who were suffering from recurrent LBP were allocated to two groups: an exercise group (n=110) and a control group, which consisted of non-exercising participants (n=109). Exercise intervention comprised NME sessions performed twice a week (60 minutes per session). Severe multisite pain was defined as a sum pain intensity score of 4 or above (Numeric rating scale NRS 0-10) at each pain site, frequency of pain daily or nearly daily, and at least 3 pain sites. Severe multisite pain was assessed by questionnaire at 4 time points (at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 months of neuromuscular exercise intervention).
Results
At baseline, 23% of the participants reported severe multisite pain. After 6 months of NME intervention, the prevalence of severe multisite pain decreased from 27% to 9% in the exercise groupbut increased from 19% to 24% in the control group (OR 0.20, 95% [CI 0.07, 0.54] as adjusted for several confounding factors). However, after the 24-month follow-up, the occurrence of severe multisite pain in the exercise group returned close to the baseline level and that of the control group increased over the baseline level.
Conclusion
The results of this study indicate that severe multisite musculoskeletal pain is a common health problem among health care workers with recurrent LBP. The 6-month NME intervention was effective in reducing severe multisite pain, but the effects were diluted once the intervention ended.
Trial registration: NURSE RCT, clinical trial registration NCT01465698
Impact of post RFA treatment on neosquamous epithelium microstructure
Authors: Skrobic Ognjan , Simic Aleksandar , Pesko Predrag , Kravic-Stevovic Tamara , Martinovic Tamara , Bumbasirevic Vladimir
Published: October 2023

Aims
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is effective treatment for Barrett’s esophagus (BE). Product of successful RFA is neosquamous epithelium (NSE), which resembles native squamous epithelium and has lower risk for neoplastic transformation. Dilated intercellular spaces (IS) are common microscopic feature of reflux induced injury of esophagus. The aim of this study was to analyze the ultrastructure of NSE by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), depending on the post RFA treatment modalities and to asses impact of these findings on BE recurrence.
Methods
Prospective observational clinical study based on TEM analysis of biopsy of specimens obtained from patients in whom CE of BE was achieved minimum 6 months after the last RFA session. In each patient biopsies were taken from NSE and proximal esophagus. Two groups of patients were defined according to the post RFA treatment: proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s) or laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF). Comparative analysis of IS length was made between two groups. Endoscopic surveillance with biopsies was conducted for 5 years.
Results
Overall 22 patients with CE of BE after RFA underwent complete study protocol, out of whom in 10 LNF was performed, while 12 were treated with PPI’s. The mean values of IS length in the proximal esophagus and NSE in LNF group were 0.378 ± 0.116 µm and 0.878 ± 0.354, while in PPI’s group 0.724 ± 0.325 µm and 1.228 ± 0.226 µm, respectively. Mean lenghts of IS were statistically significantly higher in PPI’s group both in NSE (p = 0.032) and proximal esophagus (p = 0.009). There were 5 BE recurrences after 5 years surveillance, 4 in PPI group and 1 in LNF group, without statistical significance (p = 0.084).
Conclusion
Dilated IS are commonly presented in NSE of patients with CE of BE with RFA
The spatiotemporal trend of human brucellosis in China and driving factors using interpretability analysis
Authors: Wen Xiaohui , Wang Yun , Shao Zhongjun
Published: October 2023

Human brucellosis has reemerged in China, with a distinct change in its geographical distribution. The incidence of human brucellosis has significantly risen in inland regions of China. To gain insights into epidemic characteristics and identify factors influencing the geographic spread of human brucellosis, our study utilized the XGBoost algorithm and interpretable machine learning techniques. The results showed a consistent upward trend in the incidence of human brucellosis, with a significant increase of 8.20% from 2004 to 2021 (95% CI: 1.70, 15.10). The northern region continued to face a serious human situation, with a gradual upward trend. Meanwhile, the western and southern regions have experienced a gradual spread of human brucellosis, encompassing all regions of China over the past decade. Further analysis using Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) demonstrated that higher GDP per capita and increased funding for education have the potential to reduce the spread. Conversely, the expansion of human brucellosis showed a positive correlation with bed availability per 1000 individuals, humidity, railway mileage, and GDP. These findings strongly suggest that socioeconomic factors play a more significant role in the spread of human brucellosis than other factors.
Storm Surge Induced by Tropical Storm Pabuk (2019) and Its Impact by Track Variation Scenarios on the Thailand Coast
Authors: Tsai Yu-Lin , Wu Tso-Ren , Yen Eric , Tanpipat Veerachai , Lin Chuao-Yao
Published: October 2023

Tropical Storm Pabuk, the most significant event in the past two decades, offered a unique opportunity to assess storm surge impact on the Gulf of Thailand coast. Employing the COMCOT-SURGE model with a two-layer nested-grid configuration, this study examined storm surges from offshore to nearshore driven by the ERA5 reanalysis winds and the 1980 Holland wind model. The spatial and temporal variations of storm surges due to Tropical Storm Pabuk were investigated. The ERA5 case indicated severe storm surges in Chumphon and Surat Thani and matched well with the measured surges in the timing and amplitude of peak surges. However, the HWM case showed the maximum storm surges shift southward, with more severe storm surges observed in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and poorly agreed with the observations. It is attributed to the environmental winds. Moreover, the effect of the radius of maximum winds was tested. This study focused on variations in storm tracks along the latitudinal axis and associated storm surges. Among the proposed track scenarios, the one landing between Chumphon and Surat Thani represented the most hazardous case to the Thailand coast, and Pabuk's track is the second one. Among all the proposed scenarios, Chumphon, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat face higher storm surge risks than other regions.
Different sedentary behavior domains present distinct associations with eating-related indicators
Authors: Júdice Pedro B. , Carraça Eliana V. , Santos Inês , Palmeira António L. , Jerónimo Flávio , Silva Marlene N.
Published: October 2023

Background
Unhealthful dietary patterns have been consistently associated with low levels of physical activity (PA), but studies dedicated to sedentary behavior (SB) are scarce, especially in adults. The few studies that investigated the association between SB and dietary patterns focused mostly on specific types of SB, such as TV-watching or screen time. SB can be accumulated in distinct domains (i.e., work, transport, and leisure-time), thus, it is key to investigate in depth the impact that different domains of SB can have on eating-related indicators. We aimed to investigate the associations between different SB domains and eating-related indicators, in a sample of adults.
Methods
Cross-sectional data from students, teachers, and staff from a Portuguese University was collected in November/2021 through an online survey. Data analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS software (version 28.0) and included descriptive statistics, partial correlations, and group comparisons using one-way ANOVA. Daily average SB at work/study, transport, and in leisure-time were self-reported and eating-related indicators were measured with several items from the Mediterranean Diet Score. Specific eating-related behaviors reflecting a protective eating pattern (e.g., eating breakfast regularly), and eating behavior traits (e.g., external eating) were also assessed. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight/height2. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire/Short-Form was used to assess PA.
Results
The sample included 301 adults (60.1% women), with a mean age of 34.5 years. Leisure-time SB was inversely associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (r=-0.20; p < 0.001) and with a protective eating profile (r=-0.31; p < 0.001). Higher transport SB was also related to lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (r=-0.20; p < 0.001) and to an unhealthier eating profile (r=-0.22; p < 0.001), but no associations were found for work-related SB (p > 0.05). These results persisted after the adjustment for BMI, age, sex, and self-reported PA.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that adults with higher levels of SB in leisure-time and transport domains tend to report less healthy eating-related behaviors, irrespective of BMI, age, sex, and PA level. This information may assist public health authorities in focusing their efforts and strategies on specific domains, thus promoting active forms of commuting, and reducing SB in the leisure setting.
An Effective Ensemble Learning Approach for Classification of Glioma Grades Based on Novel MRI Features
Authors: Hassan Mohammed Falih , Al-Zurfi Ahmed Naser , Abed Mohammed Hamzah
Published: October 2023

The preoperative diagnosis of brain tumor grades is important for therapeutic planning as it contributes to the tumors' prognosis. In the last few years, the development in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning contributed greatly to the medical area, especially the diagnosis of the grades of brain tumors through radiological images and magnetic resonance images. In addition, one of the biggest challenges faced by a physician in the medical field is how to assess the accurate grade of glioma that is due to the complexity of tumor descriptors that appear on medical images. In this work, we applied a new ensemble learning method based on novel MRI features to build a new classification system for glioma grading. Specifically, we assess the discriminatory ability of the selected features, integrated with the new ensemble learning method called Ensemble Learning based on Adaptive Power Mean Combiner (EL-APMC). Then we evaluate and compare the performance of the EL-APMC algorithm with 21 classifier models that represent state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms. Results show that the EL-APMC algorithm achieved the best performance in terms of classification accuracy and F1-score metrics over the MRI Brain Tumor dataset called BRAT2015. In addition, we showed that the differences in classification results among 22 classifier models have statistical significance. We believe that the EL-APMC algorithm is an effective method for the classification in case of small-size datasets, which are common cases in medical fields. The proposed method provides an effective system for the classification of glioma with high reliability and accurate clinical findings.
2020 Annual Report of National Clinical Database-Breast Cancer Registry: 10-Year Mortality of Elderly Breast Cancer Patients in Japan
Authors: Sagara Yasuaki , Kumamaru Hiraku , Niikura Naoki , Miyashita Minoru , Konishi Takaaki , Iwamoto Takayuki , Sanuki Naoko , Tanakura Kenta , Nagahashi Masayuki , Hayashi Naoki , Yoshida Masayuki , Kinukawa Naoko , Watanabe Chie , Toi Masakazu , Saji Shigehira
Published: October 2023

The Japanese Breast Cancer Society initiated the breast cancer registry in 1975, which transitioned to the National Clinical Database-Breast Cancer Registry in 2012. This annual report presents data from 2020 and analyzes the ten-year mortality rates for those aged 65 and older. We analyzed data from 93,784 breast cancer (BC) cases registered in 2020 and assessed 10-year mortality rates for 36,279 elderly patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2012.
In 2020, 99.4% of BC cases were females with a median age of 61. Most (65%) were diagnosed at early stages (Stage 0 or I). Breast-conserving surgery rates varied with stages: 58.5% at cStage I, 30.8% at cStage II, and 13.1% at cStage III. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was done in 73.6% of cases, followed by radiotherapy in 70% of those post-conserving surgery and chemotherapy in 21.1% post-surgery. Pathology showed that 63.4% had tumors under 2.0 cm, 11.7% had pTis tumors, and 77.3% had no axillary lymph node metastasis. ER positivity was seen in 75.1%, HER2 in 14.3%, and 30% had a Ki67 positivity rate above 30%.
Across all stages and subtypes, there was a trend where the 10-year mortality rates increased for individuals older than 65 years. In Stage I, many deaths were not directly linked to BC and, for those with HER2-type and triple-negative BC, breast cancer-related deaths increased with age. Within Stage II, patients older than 70 years with luminal-type BC often experienced deaths not directly linked to BC, whereas patients below 80 years with HER2-type and triple-negative BC, likely had breast cancer-related deaths. In Stage III, breast cancer-related deaths were more common, particularly in HER2 and triple-negative BC,.
Our prognostic analysis underscores distinct mortality patterns by stage, subtype, and age in elderly BC patients. It highlights the importance of personalized treatment strategies, considering subtype-specific aggressiveness, age-related factors, and comorbidities.
A Study on the Global Patterns in the Design and Development of Ventricular Assist Devices: A Visualization Approach
Authors: Sood Ajay Kumar , Ayyagari Kameswari Prasada Rao
Published: October 2023

A bibliometric analysis of 275 publications related to the design and development of Ventricular assist devices (VAD) has been conducted to analyze the developments in this research domain since 1990. This field of research has been witnessing a significant growth in terms of number of publications as more researchers are showing interest in this field, with the technological advancements in the past few years. This is first such bibliometric study in design and development of VAD, which uses data from both Scopus as well as Web of Science (WOS) databases. Research advancement in this domain can be divided into two stages: first stage (1990 to 2004) saw slow growth (N = 65) while second stage (from 2005 onwards) witnessed an increase in publications (N = 210). Most of the significant research work has been carried out in developed countries like USA, China, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom and France etc. This study presents a comprehensive examination of pivotal moments in the evolution of Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) research, along with potential avenues for future exploration in various VAD research domains such as the utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to enhance the design, utilization, and data-driven optimization of VADs.
Morbidity and hospitalisations among older adults with home care – a nationwide register study
Authors: Schmidt-Mende Katharina , Arvinge Cecilia , Cioffi Giovanni , Gustafsson Lars L , Modig Karin , Meyer Anna C
Published: October 2023

Background: Older adults with home care have potentially complex disease patterns and extensive use of health care. Increased understanding is necessary to tailor their social and medical care. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe patterns of morbidity and hospitalisations among community-dwelling older home care clients nation-wide and in subgroups defined by age, sex, and amount of home care.
Methods: Nationwide register-based cohort study in community-dwelling adults aged 70 and older receiving publicly funded home care in Sweden on January 1st 2019 as well as an age-and-sex matched comparison group. Using register data from inpatient and specialized outpatient care, we assessed the prevalence of sixty chronic diseases, frailty, and multimorbidity. We further calculated incidence rates and explored reasons for hospital admissions during two years of follow-up.
Results: We identified 138,113 persons with home care (mean age 85, 66% women, 57% ≥5 chronic diseases). The most common diseases were cardiovascular and eye conditions. Compared to their same-aged peers, home care recipients had a higher prevalence of almost all conditions, with an overrepresentation of neurological including dementia and psychiatric disease. Home care clients were hospitalized twice as often as their peers and one third of hospitalisations were due to injuries, infections, and heart failure. Hospitalisations for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, confusion, infections, and breathing difficulties were disproportionally more common among home care recipients.
Conclusion: Neurological diseases including dementia, and psychiatric diseases are overrepresented among home care clients, and they are hospitalized twice as often as their same-aged peers. Severe infections, falls and decompensated heart failure are the most common reasons for hospitalization, all of which are be potentially preventable by a well-functioning primary care. Potential strategies to improve care for older HC recipients include close collaboration between primary care, neurologists, and rehabilitative medicine; and the prevention of functional decline through fall prevention or prescription of anticoagulation to people with atrial fibrillation.
Kaempferol-induced mitochondrial damage promotes NF-κB- NLRP3-caspase-1 signaling axis-mediated pyroptosis in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Qi Xiafei , liu jiatong , Wang liuxiang , Gu Peixing , Song Siyuan , Shu Peng
Published: October 2023

Purpose：Gastric cancer （GC）is a gastrointestinal tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Owing to the high rate of postoperative recurrence associated with GC, the effectiveness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be compromised by the occurrence of severe undesirable side effects. In light of these circumstances, kaempferol (KP), a flavonoid abundantly present in diverse herbal and fruit sources, emerges as a promising therapeutic agent with inherent anti-tumor properties. This study endeavors to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of KP in the context of Gastric cancer while unraveling the intricate underlying mechanisms.
Methods：We employed methods of bioinformatics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking, followed by multiple experimental validations.
Result：Our investigations unveil that KP stimulation effectively promotes the activation of NLRP3 inflammatory vesicles within AGS cells by engaging the NF-κB signaling pathway. Consequently, the signal cascade triggers the cleavage of Caspase-1, culminating in the liberation of IL-18. Furthermore, we ascertain that KP facilitate AGS cell pyroptosis by inducing mitochondrial damage.
Conclusion：Our findings showcase KP as a compelling candidate for the treatment of Gastric cancer -related diseases, heralding new possibilities for future therapeutic interventions.
Effect of plant communities on bacterial, fungal and arbuscular mycorrhizal communities in a Central European grassland
Authors: Lepinay Clémentine , Větrovský Tomáš , Chytrý Milan , Dřevojan Pavel , Fajmon Karel , Cajthaml Tomáš , Baldrian Petr
Published: October 2023

BackgroundGrasslands provide fundamental ecosystem services that are supported by their plant diversity. However, the importance of plant taxonomic diversity for the diversity of other taxa in grasslands remains an open question. Here, we studied the associations between plant communities, soil chemistry and soil microbiome in wooded meadow of Čertoryje (White Carpathians, Czech Republic), a European hotspot of plant species diversity.ResultsHigh plant diversity was associated with treeless grassland patches with high primary productivity and high contents of soil nitrogen and organic carbon. In contrast, low plant diversity occurred in grasslands near solitary trees and forest edges. Fungal communities differed between low-diversity and high-diversity grasslands more strongly than bacterial communities, while the difference in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) depended on their location in soil vs plant roots. High-diversity plant communities had a higher diversity of fungi including soil AMF than grasslands with low plant diversity, different community composition and higher bacterial and soil AMF biomass. Root AMF composition differed only slightly between grasslands with low and high plant diversity. Trees dominated the belowground plant community in low-diversity grasslands, which influenced microbial diversity and composition.ConclusionsThe determinants of microbiome abundance and composition in grasslands are complex. Soil chemistry mainly influenced bacterial communities, while vegetation mainly affected fungal (including AMF) communities. Further studies on the functional roles of microbial communities are needed to understand plant-soil-microbe interactions and their involvement in grassland ecosystem services.
The Effect of SGLT2i on the GH/IGF1 Axis in Newly Diagnosed Male T2D Patients - A Prospective, Randomized Case-Control Study
Authors: Lin Jing , Zhan Liqin , Chen Zheng , Lin Xiaying , Liu Kaiyuan , zhu rongfeng
Published: October 2023

Purpose
To investigate the effect of SGLT2i on the GH/IGF1 axis in male patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Methods
Sixty male patients with newly diagnosed T2D were recruited, randomly assigned to Metformine+SGLT2i group and Metformine group after baseline assessment. All patients received standard lifestyle interventions, blood indices were obtained before and after 12 weeks of treatment.
Results
After 12 weeks of Metformine+SGLT2i treatment, patients' FPG (Fasting plasma glucose), HBA1c, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, and UACR were significantly improved (P<0.05). IGF1(P=0.01) and IGF1/IGFBP3 ratio (P<0.01) significantly increased, whereas GH, IGFBP3 did not change significantly. Metformine group reduced patients' FPG and HBA1c levels but did not affect IGF1, IGF1/IGFBP3 ratio, GH, IGFBP3 and HOMA-IR. Comparing Metformine+SGLT2i group and Metformine group, SGLT2i significantly improved HOMA-IR level [P=0.04], elevated IGF1/IGFBP3 ratio level [P=0.04], but had no significant effect on GH, IGF1 and IGFBP3. Correlation analysis showed that blood IGF1 level was negatively correlated with FPG, HBA1c, HOMA-IR, and positively correlated with IGFBP3. Regression analysis showed that FPG, testosterone had a negative effect on blood IGF1 level, and HOMAIR had no obvious effect on blood IGF1.
Conclusion
In male patients with newly diagnosed T2D, SGLT2i can increase IGF1/IGFBP3 ratio, alleviate insulin resistance, but it has no significant effect on GH and IGF1 levels. In addition, our study also showed that after Metformine+SGLT2i treatment, the blood IGF1 level increased, and insulin resistance improved, suggesting the positive role of IGF1 in newly diagnosed T2D.
Measures of inbreeding and heterozygosity-fitness correlations in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) from south-east Queensland, Australia
Authors: Hulse Lyndal S , Thia Joshua A , Schultz Bridie , Johnston Stephen D , Seddon Jenny M
Published: October 2023

Inbreeding threatens many species of conservation concern. Inbreeding decreases heterozygosity (increases homozygosity) and can drive up a population’s genetic load as deleterious mutations increase in frequency. Understanding how declining heterozygosity translates into declining fitness is of high importance for conservation practitioners. In this study, we investigated the potential effects of inbreeding on fitness traits in captive and wild populations of the iconic koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) from south-east Queensland, Australia. Using 5,757 ddRAD SNPs, we found that our sampled koalas were separated into three genetic groups: a captive group (N = 36) and two genetically distinct wild groups that were divided into northern (N = 41) and southern (N = 50) populations in the Gold Coast area. Inbreeding coefficients (FIS) were slightly lower in the captive population (0.003) compared to the wild northern (0.088). While the FIS value of the southern population (-0.006) suggests minimal inbreeding within the population. Heterozygosity-fitness correlations between four fitness traits (reproductive fitness, body mass, body condition score and disease expression) and SNP heterozygosity in each of the wild groups were non-significant. This lack of signal may have been due to small effect sizes (lower power), the greater influence of environmental contributors to measured traits, and/or possibly insufficient variation in inbreeding within the populations.
Personalized lower limb gait reconstruction modeling based on RFA-ProMP
Authors: Chunhong Zeng , Kang Lu , Zhiqin He , Qinmu Wu
Published: October 2023

To generate personalized gait reference trajectories for lower limb rehabilitation exoskeletons tailored to patients with different body types, we propose a combination of a random forest algorithm (RFA) with an attention mechanism and a mimicry learning method called Probabilistic Movement Primitives (ProMP). This approach aims to establish a personalized lower limb gait reconstruction model. Firstly, the RFA is utilized to map the individual body characteristic parameters and the relationship between gait speed and gait. It predicts the gait characteristics under a specified gait speed. Then, the ProMP is introduced to learn the probability distribution of normal gait data and perform the lower limb gait reconstruction based on the predicted gait characteristics. Experimental results demonstrate that the hip and knee curves reconstructed by RFA-ProMP exhibit the smallest error. Furthermore, the generated reference trajectory aligns with the original probabilistic reference trajectory. This method proves effective in generating personalized gait curves for the lower limbs.
On the efficiency of Intrapulse Difference Frequency Generation MIR systems
Authors: Bournet Quentin , Jonusas Mindaugas , Guichard Florent , Natile Michele , Zaouter Yoann , Joffre Manuel , Bonvalet Adeline , Druon Fréderic , Hanna Marc , Georges Patrick
Published: October 2023

Intrapulse Difference Frequency Generation (iDFG) is an interesting technique for generating femtosecond pulses in the Mid-Infrared (MIR) range with unique properties such as robust Carrier-Envelope Phase (CEP) stability. However, its efficiency is low compared to other techniques. In this paper, we describe an iDFG system operating within the 4 to 10 µm range that features an original architecture to enhance efficiency. First, we introduce an innovative technique on the generation process. This approach involves polarization and spectral phase shaping techniques on the driving pulse to maximize the number of photons enrolled in the process. Second, we demonstrate that the polarization shaping allows further enhancement of efficiency by recycling the iDFG signal to pump a subsequent optical parametric amplification (OPA) stage. These two concepts and the associated parameters optimization are described into details, and supported by experimental results. Combined with a high-power Yb-fiber-based pump laser, these techniques allow to achieve record efficiencies, and generate µJ-level, few-cycle, tunable, CEP-stable pulses in the MIR at repetition rates above 100 kHz.
Caffeic acid impedes the proliferation and migration of human prostate cancer through the suppression of STAT-3/ CDKs signaling axis
Authors: Yin Yuan , Wang Zhengyin , Hu Yujie , Wang Jia , Wang Yi , Lu Qun
Published: October 2023

Caffeic acid (CA) is considered a promising phytochemical that has inhibited numerous cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, it is gaining increasing attention due to its safe and pharmacological applications. In this study, we investigated the role of CA in inhibiting the STAT-3 phosphorylation-mediated suppression of the proliferation of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. The role of CA in proliferation and colony formation abilities was studied using MTT and colony formation assays. Tumour cell death and cell cycle arrest were identified using flow cytometry techniques. Migration and invasion assays detected the CA-mediated weakening of the respective abilities. The STAT3-related protein and MAPK mRNA expression levels, cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis in PC-3 cells were measured using Western blot and RT-PCR investigations, respectively. Treatment with CA inhibits PC-3 from proliferating and reduces STAT3 levels. The CA treatment reduced the PC-3 cell proliferation, enhanced the apoptosis rate, and reduced their capacity for migration and invasion. CA also decreased STAT3 phosphorylation, thereby inhibiting proliferation and anti-apoptotic proteins in PC-3 cells. CA also prevents prostate cancer cells from expressing cell cycle regulating protein expressions in PC-3 cells. Thus, CA might act as a therapeutical application against prostate cancer by targeting the STAT3 signaling axis.
Tapping into Teachers’ Voices and Technology with the Lens of Wellbeing
Authors: Mirzapour Fatemeh
Published: October 2023

Purpose: This phenomenological study aimed to investigate the positive and negative impacts of technology on teachers' physical and social aspects of well-being.
Methodology: The study was conducted with 12 teachers (seven females and five males) teaching in different high schools in Tabriz, Iran. Six had a BA, and six had a master's degree with at least five years of teaching experience. Semi-structured interviews and a narrative frame were used to gather data. MAXQDA version 2022 was used to analyze the collected data.
Findings: The results revealed that implementing digital tools had positive and negative impacts on teachers' physical and social well-being. Positive effects on physical well-being were saving time and energy, brain activation, better life quality, and less holiday working, but exhaustion, increased health risk, sleep disturbance, vision problems, gaining weight, reduced physical activity, and reduced productivity were the negative ones. Besides, teachers experienced positive social well-being, enabling communication among people across the globe, easier access and transfer of information and knowledge, and making more effective relationships and communication. Negative social well-being included adverse effects on child-family relationships, less interaction with colleagues, less time with family and friends, and reduced face-to-face interaction.
Practical Implication: Some pedagogical implications were presented.
Tailoring Electronic and Optical Properties of hBN/InTe and hBN/GaTe Heterostructures Through Biaxial Strain Engineering
Authors: Šolajić Andrijana , Pešić Jelena
Published: October 2023

In this research study, we systematically investigate the electronic and optical properties of van der Waals heterostructures (HSs) consisting of InTe (GaTe) and hBN monolayers, subjected to controlled biaxial strain. Our analysis demonstrates that the application of strain induces noteworthy alterations in the electronic band structure, enabling precise manipulation of the band gap and augmentation of the absorption properties of these structures. Employing density functional theory, we conduct a comprehensive examination of the influence of strain on the electronic and optical characteristics of these HSs. Our investigation showcases the remarkable potential of strain engineering in rendering these heterostructures into efficient and robust wide-range absorbers, particularly optimised for the visible spectrum, underscoring their relevance in various photonic and optoelectronic applications, paving the way for integration into advanced nanodevices.
Increasing the reliability of Heart Disease classification models using Class Balancing techniques with Feature Engineering
Authors: Sharma Neeraj , Lalwani Praveen
Published: October 2023

In this article, we explore the natural problem of class imbalance in the heart disease datasets. Aiming for a comprehensive examination of the class balancing techniques we train and test our models on three different datasets all suffering from different degree of class imbalance. The Healthcare dataset (mid size) and the BRFSS-2015 dataset (large dataset) having huge class imbalance, and the Iraq hospital dataset with mild class imbalance. Feature selection is done using backward elimination and Logistic Regression (LR), Adaptive Boosting (ADB), XGBoost (XGB), Random Forest (RF), and Ensemble classifiers are combined with the four popular class balancing techniques namely Random Under Sample, Random Over Sample, SMOTETomek, and ADASYN. As proven by results, Random Under Sampling and Random Over Sampling combined with Logistic Regression and ADA Boost proves the best combination for the highly imbalanced Healthcare Stroke Dataset and BRFSS-2015 dataset by producing almost 15%-20% increase in the in F1-Score of the minority class and AU-ROC making the classifier model more robust but with a minor decline in the overall accuracy. For the mildly imbalanced Iraq Hospital dataset the same combination marginally improves the F1-Score and AU-ROC without compromising on the overall accuracy and the F1-Score of majority class.
Tumor antigens and immunogenic cell death subtypes guided mRNA vaccine development for lower-grade gliomas
Authors: Yin Wen , Xie Dongcheng , Tang Guihua , Ren Caiping , Jiang Xingjun
Published: October 2023

Background: Accumulating evidence demonstrated the effectiveness of mRNA vaccine against many cancers, however, their development in LGGs is still urgently needed. In addition, increasing evidence demonstrated that Immunogenic cell death (ICD) was associated with antitumor immune response. Thus, the aim of our study was to identify potential LGG tumor antigens for mRNA vaccine development and select suitable patients for vaccination based on ICD subtypes.
Methods: Gene expression matrix and matched clinical information of LGG were downloaded from the UCSC Xena website and CGGA databases. Differential expression analysis was conducted by GEPIA, and altered genomes were obtained from cBioPortal. TIMER was used for immune cell infiltration analysis, consensus clustering for typing ICD subtypes, and WGCNA for identifying hub modules and genes related to ICD subtypes. Eighty-two glioma tissue samples were collected and immunohistochemical staining was used to validate the correlation between tumor antigens and co-stimulatory factors.
Results: We identified seven potential LGG tumor antigens significantly correlated with poor prognosis and strongly positively correlated with infiltration of antigen-presenting cells, including CREB3L2, DDR2, IRF2, NCSTN, RECQL, REST, and TGFBR1. Furthermore, we identified two ICD subtypes in LGGs with different clinical, cellular, and molecular characteristics. Icds1 is an immunological "hot" and immunosuppression phenotype with a worse prognosis, while Icds2 is an immunological cold phenotype with a better prognosis. Finally, WGCNA identified hub immune-related genes associated with ICD subtypes, which could be potential vaccination biomarkers.
Conclusion: In summary, CREB3L2, DDR2, IRF2, NCSTN, RECQL, REST, and TGFBR1 are LGGs’ potential tumor antigens for mRNA vaccine development. The Icds2 subtype is suitable for vaccination.
Me and My AI Bot: Exploring the 'AIholic' Phenomenon and University Students' Dependency on Generative AI Chatbots - Is This the New Academic Addiction?
Authors: Salah Mohammed , Abdelfattah Fadi , Alhalbusi Hussam , Mukhaini Muna Al
Published: October 2023

Amidst the buzz of technological advancement in education, our study unveils a more disconcerting narrative surrounding student chatbot interactions. Our investigation has found that students, primarily driven by intrinsic motivations like competence and relatedness, increasingly lean on chatbots. This dependence is not just a preference but borders on an alarming reliance, magnified exponentially by their individual risk perceptions. While celebrating AI's rapid integration in education is tempting, our results raise urgent red flags. Many hypotheses were supported, pointing toward a potential over-dependence on chatbots. Nevertheless, the unpredictable outcomes were most revealing, exposing the unpredictable terrain of AI's role in education. It is no longer a matter of if but how deep the rabbit hole of dependency goes. As we stand on the cusp of an educational revolution, caution is urgently needed. Before we wholly embrace chatbots as primary educators, it is imperative to understand the repercussions of replacing human touch with AI interactions. This study serves as a stark wake-up call, urging stakeholders to reconsider the unchecked integration of chatbots in learning environments. The future of education may very well be digital, but at what cost to human connection and autonomy?
Sequence-related Amplified Polymorphism and Target Region Amplification Polymorphism Markers-based Profiling of Sodium Azide and Ethyl Methanesulfonate-derived Black Rot-resistant Dendrobium sp. ‘Earsakul’ Mutants from In Vitro Mutagenesis and Selection
Authors: Chueakhunthod Witsarut , Khairum Apinya , Jaukwon Piyangkoon , Chantakot Theerawat , Woramit Tanandorn , Hualsawat Sasitorn , Tantasawat Piyada A.
Published: October 2023

To reveal the applicability of sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) and target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) markers to mutant genotyping and marker identification for resistance to black rot (Phytophthora palmivora) in orchids (Dendrobium sp. ‘Earsakul’), we fingerprinted four nonmutagenized controls and 12 black rot-resistant mutants obtained with in vitro sodium azide (NaN3) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis and in vitro selection using culture filtrate of P. palmivora. Each of the 20 SRAP and TRAP primer combinations yielded 375 and 384 scorable DNA bands, respectively, of which 94 (24.42%) and 88 (22.91%) were polymorphic, respectively. Mantel’s test cophenetic correlation coefficients of SRAP, TRAP, and SRAP/TRAP were 0.750, 0.921, and 0.861, respectively, indicating the efficiency of these markers, especially TRAP and SRAP/TRAP, for Dendrobium sp. ‘Earsakul’ mutant characterization. Moreover, the correlations between the matrices of cophenetic correlation values for the dendrograms of SRAP with TRAP, SRAP with SRAP/TRAP, and TRAP with SRAP/TRAP were 0.399, 0.566, and 0.793, respectively, and the dendrograms based on SRAP vs. TRAP and SRAP vs. SRAP/TRAP, with lower correlations, had more variations, i.e., the number of clusters, the members of clusters, and the placement of the materials, than the ones based on TRAP vs. SRAP/TRAP. Among the three dendrograms, all nonmutagenized controls were clustered together, whereas all the highly resistant and the most resistant mutants were distributed separately as individuals. Interestingly, the four SRAP and TRAP markers were significantly associated with black rot resistance. Overall, our results will be useful for facilitating future Dendrobium sp. ‘Earsakul’ breeding programs.
Late-spring Turfgrass Establishment without Herbicides
Authors: Muntz Andrew R. , Danneberger T. Karl , Street John R. , Gardner David S.
Published: October 2023

Spring establishment of turfgrass that is managed without herbicides is subject to weed competition, resulting in reduced turfgrass cover. The objective of this experiment was to find an acceptable method for spring turfgrass establishment without the use of pesticides. Thirty-six treatments consisting of three soil amendments combined with three turfgrass species or mixes, and four topdressings or fertilizers in a randomized complete block design were tested. Nutrient-deficient fill soil, fill soil blended with topsoil, and fill soil blended with leaf compost were used as growing media. ‘Firenza’ tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), an 80/20 mix of ‘Nu Destiny’ kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and ‘Nexus XD’ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), respectively, and ‘Firefly’ hard fescue (Festuca trachyphylla) were grown with topdressings consisting of biosolids, ash-amended biosolids, 16N–12.2P–3.3K starter fertilizer, and an unfertilized control. The treatments were mowed at 3 inches about once per week. Irrigation was supplied by an overhead sprinkler system (1 inch/week). During the 2010 field study, treatments of tall fescue established in a leaf compost–amended root zone were significantly denser and had a greater percentage of cover (P ≤ 0.05) compared with all other treatments. In 2011, treatments of tall fescue established in fill soil– and leaf compost–amended soils were significantly denser and had a greater percentage of cover (P ≤ 0.05) compared with all other treatments. Kentucky bluegrass/perennial ryegrass and hard fescue treatments had significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) levels of establishment compared with tall fescue. Topdressing treatments resulted in no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in turfgrass establishment.