bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food composition and feeding strategies of an invasive species, Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) inhabiting a eutrophic lake in Middle Black Sea region
Authors: Yazici Ramazan , Yazicioazlu Okan , Yilmaz Savas , Polat Nazmi
Published: November 2023

Diet composition and feeding features of the Prussian carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) were studied by analysing the stomach content of 155 fish specimens sampled from Lake Ladik during November 2009-October 2010. Five of the specimens had empty stomachs. A total of 29 prey taxa belonging to eight major groups comprising aquatic insects, Copepoda, Cladocera, Rotifera, Bacillariopyhta, Chlorophyta, Cyanobacteria and fish eggs were identified in 150 full stomachs. Diet composition showed slight seasonal variation. Cladocera was the most important prey item in all seasons, with peak abndance in spring. Feeding intensity exhibited seasonal change and was maximum in summer. Summer and autumn diets of this species showed the highest similarity. The study indicated that the Prussian carp in Lake Ladik showed both omnivorous and opportunistic feeding habits, exhibiting specialised feeding strategy on Cladocera, while they showed generalised feeding strategy on most prey items. The wide dietary plasticity of invasive Prussian carp can help their population to expand rapidly in different aquatic ecosystems.
Keywords: Alien species, Diet composition, Feeding habits, Lake Ladik, Prussian carp
Investigations on the performance of snubnose pompano Trachinotus blochii (Lacepede,1801) in a lowcost recirculating aquaculture system
Authors: P. P. Suresh Babu  , A. Anuraj  , Loka Jayasree , K. Raghu Ramudu  , K. Srinivasa Rao  , Narayan Dube Praveen , N. G. Vaidya  , S. M. Sonali  , Joseph Imelda
Published: November 2023

Farming of snubnose pompano Trachinotus blochii (Lacepede,1801) in a low cost recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) was attempted by stocking fingerlings (5.3±0.02 g) at 33 fish m-3 and fed on a commercial pellet feed (45% protein). After 210 days, a specific growth of 1.68% per day was observed with final average weight of 180.78±4.54 g and a production of 29.28 kg (4.88 kg m-3) with 81% survival. The fishes exhibited a condition factor of 1.61 with an allometric growth (b = 2.94). The data can be used as baseline for upscaling the farming of the species in commercial RAS systems.
Keywords: FCR, Fish growth, Mariculture, Water quality
Population parameters of red mullet Mullus barbatus ponticus Essipov, 1927, in the south-eastern Black Sea, Turkey
Authors: Samsun Serap
Published: November 2023

In this study, the population parameters of red mullet Mullus barbatus ponticus Essipov, 1927in the south-eastern Black Sea were studied. A total of 965 specimens were studied between November 2017 and September 2018. The total length of the specimens ranged from 9.5 to 21.0 cm (13.74±0.048 cm), while weight varied between 9.00 and 111.14 g (28.00±0.349 g). Their ages were between 1 to 4 and 79% of fish were 2 and 3 years old. Sex ratio (M:F) was determined as 1:1.42. The mean condition factor K was 1.03±0.003. Length-weight relationship and von Bertalanffy growth equations were W=0.0059*L3.2166 and Lt=36[1-e-0.0741(t+3.9775)] respectively. Total, natural and fishing mortality rates were Z=0.878 year–1, M=0.238 year–1 and F=0.640 year-1, respectively. The exploitation rate was calculated to be E=0.729, which is above the optimum exploitation level.Keywords: Exploitation, Growth, Length-weight relationship, Mortality, Stock assessment
3D Plotting of Gold Solubility and Gold Fineness: Quantitative Analysis of Ore-Forming Conditions in Hydrothermal Gold Deposits
Authors: Liang Yi , Ge Hangfei , Pei Qiuming , Huang Haonan , Hoshino Kenichi
Published: November 2023

The 3D plotting of gold solubility and gold fineness aims to illustrate how to quantify their correlations with ore-forming conditions in hydrothermal gold deposits. The thermodynamic calculation of the Au-Ag solid solutions in Mathematica and the 3D plotting in MATLAB are used to build isopleths of gold solubility and gold fineness at different temperatures (200℃, 400℃), pressures (0.1, 5 kbar), salinities (1, 40 wt% NaCl eq.), and sulfur concentrations (0.01, 0.5 mol/kg). The plot indicates that the ore-forming conditions have different correlations with gold solubility and gold fineness. Average rates of change for the correlations are quantified, showing distinct values in the four pH-logfO2 fields of (I) HSO4−, (II) SO42−, (III) H2S, and (IV) HS−, where dominant gold and silver complexes have different dependencies on the conditions. The quantification of the plots illustrates that a decrease in gold solubility by one order of magnitude is possibly caused by a decrease in temperature of ≥40℃, the salinity of ≥9.6 wt% NaCl eq. or sulfur concentration of ≥0.14 mol/kg, or an increase in pressure of ≥3 kbar, while a decrease in gold fineness by 100 units is possibly caused by a decrease in temperature of ≥14 ℃, pressure of ≥1.4 kbar, or salinity of ≥4 wt% NaCl eq., or an increase in sulfur concentration of ≥0.07 mol/kg. Quantification results suggest that a sharp decrease in temperature may result in large-scale gold mineralization and a great variation in gold fineness. In addition, the quantification reveals that the correlation between gold solubility and gold fineness can be expressed by a function, providing a rapid method for 3D plotting.
Identification of inulin-responsive bacteria in the gut microbiota via multi-modal activity-based sorting
Authors: Berry David , Riva Alessandra , Rasoulimehrabani Hamid , Cruz-Rubio José Manuel , Schnorr Stephanie , von Baeckmann Cornelia , Inan Deniz , Nikolov Georgi , Herbold Craig , Hausmann Bela , Pjevac Petra , Schintlmeister Arno , Spittler Andreas , Palatinszky Marton , Kadunic Aida , Hieger Norbert , Favero Giorgia Del , von Bergen Martin , Jehmlich Nico , Watzka Margarete , Lee Kang Soo , Wiesenbauer Julia , Khadem Sanaz , Viernstein Helmut , Stocker Roman , Wagner Michael , Kaiser Christina , Richter Andreas , Kleitz Freddy
Published: November 2023

Prebiotics are defined as non-digestible dietary components that promote the growth of beneficial gut microorganisms. In many cases, however, this capability is not systematically evaluated. Here, we develop a methodology for determining prebiotic-responsive bacteria using the popular dietary supplement inulin. We first identify microbes with a capacity to bind inulin using mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with inulin. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of sorted cells revealed that the ability to bind inulin was widespread in the microbiota. We further evaluate which taxa are metabolically stimulated by inulin and find that diverse taxa from the phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria respond to inulin, and several isolates of these taxa can degrade inulin. Incubation with another prebiotic, xylooligosaccharides (XOS), in contrast, shows a more robust bifidogenic effect. Interestingly, the Coriobacteriia Eggerthella lenta and Gordonibacter urolithinfaciens are indirectly stimulated by the inulin degradation process, expanding our knowledge of inulin-responsive bacteria.
Age Prevalence and Management of Breast Fibroadenoma at a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: a Five-year (2016-2020) Analytical Review
Authors: Ogochukwu Anaziah Grace
Published: November 2023

Background: Fibroadenomas are one of the most common benign tumors of the breast in women between 18-39 years of age. In the adolescent population, the overall incidence of fibroadenoma is 2.2% and accounts for 68% of all breast masses. It feels like a smooth lump in the breast. It is painless and moves easily when touched.
Method: Following the consecutive percutaneous needle or excision surgical biopsy all breast masses were grossed and processed according to the standard histological tissue processing techniques. 241 of 1038 breast tissues were diagnosed of fibroadenoma in the Nigerian tertiary hospital.
Result: Out of 82% of histology specimen received for the period of five years, 13% were excised breast masses and 5% was confirmed positive for fibroadenoma. Out of this 5% of positive cases from 2016 to 2020, there was a slight and irregular interval of 1-4% increase each year. The prevalence of fibroadenoma was mostly seen in youths of ages 18-39 years having 75%, followed by adolescence of ages <18 years with 22% and lastly older adults of ages 40-59 years with 3%. The cause of this prevalence is not confirmed but with the current view of fibroadenoma cases in this study it can be predicted that there might be subsequent increase of cases in of this specific age group in the future.
The slight annual increase indicates that breast fibroadenoma across the varying age groups underwent varying degrees of somatic mutations and harbored mutations in the exon (exon 2) of the mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12) gene of the stromal cells of the breast which led to the excessive proliferation.
Conclusion: The data presented showed high prevalence of fibroadenoma cases in ages 18-39 annually which indicates that these individuals in this age group experienced rapid instability of the estrogen or progesterone hormone either due to childbearing, abortion, or genetic hormonal abnormalities. This suggests that there might be increased rates of abortion occurring among this age group in Nigeria or lack of proper postnatal care in Nigeria tertiary hospitals. More clinical investigations need to be carried out to confirm these suspected reasons in Nigeria.
Potential Therapeutic Targets for Leishmaniasis: Modulating Cytokine Production and ECM Organization
Authors: Momeni Kavoos , Ghorbian Saeid , Ahmadpour Ehsan , Sharifi Rasoul , Berenji Fariba
Published: November 2023

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease that causes skin ulcers, which often receive inadequate treatment. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these wounds are complex and not well understood. In this study, we performed co-expression network analyses on RNAseq data from skin biopsies of CL and healthy samples and identified 6,096 differentially expressed genes, with 456 proposed causative biomarkers of skin ulcers in CL. We grouped these genes based on functional analysis into three important operational groups related to wound healing. Our results suggest that the genes responsible for producing tissue-damaging cytokines play a significant role in tissue damage and wound healing prevention. Additionally, we identified changes in the expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, which can disrupt ECM activity and fail to heal the wounds. Targeting these genes involved in ECM organization and MMP activity could potentially help to restore normal tissue repair processes and reduce tissue damage during Leishmania infection. However, further research is needed to fully understand the roles of these genes in the disease and their potential as therapeutic targets. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of CL-induced skin ulcers and can help develop better treatment strategies.
A retrospective study of a national survey of persons with severe mental illness living in rehabilitation care settings: Risks for re-hospitalization
Authors: Nisim Uzi , Zlotnick Cheryl , Roe David , Gelkopf Marc , Shadmi Efrat
Published: November 2023

Background
The high rates of psychiatric re-hospitalizations (also termed “revolving door”) presents a “wicked problem” which requires a systematic and holistic approach to its resolution. Israel’s mental-health rehabilitation law provides a comprehensive set of services intended to support the ability of persons with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) to rely on community rather than in-patient facilities for their ongoing care needs. Guided by the Health Behavior Model (HBM), we examined the relationship between psychiatric re-hospitalizations and the three HBM factors (predisposing factor: socio-demographic characteristics and health beliefs; enabling factor: personal and social/vocational relationships facilitated by rehabilitation interventions and services; and need factor: outcomes including symptoms, and mental health and functional status) among persons with SMI receiving rehabilitation services.
Methods
Logistic regression models were used to measure the association between re-hospitalization within a year and variables comprising the three HBM factors on the sample of consumers utilizing psychiatric services (n = 7,165). Model discrimination (area under the curve or AUC) was calculated for each factor separately and for all three factors combined.
Results
A total of 846 (11.8%) consumers were hospitalized within a year after the study began. Although multivariable analyses showed significant associations between re-hospitalization and all three HBM factors, the magnitude of the AUC differed: 0.61 (CI = 0.59–0.64), 0.56 (CI = 0.54–0.58), 0.78 (CI = 0.77–0.80) and 0.78 (CI = 0.76–0.80) for predisposing, enabling, need and the full three-factor HBM, respectively.
Conclusion
Findings revealed that among the three HBM factors, the need factor best predicted re-hospitalization. The enabling factor, comprised of: personal relationships and social/vocational activities facilitated by interventions and services, which represents many of the key goals of psychiatric rehabilitation, had the weakest association with reduced rates of re-hospitalization. Possible explanations may be inaccurate assessments of consumers' personal relationships and social/vocational activities by the mental healthcare professionals, problematic provider-consumer communication on the consumers' involvement in social/vocational activities, or ineffective methods of facilitating consumer participation in these activities. Clearly to reduce the wicked “revolving-door” phenomenon, there is a need for targeted interventions and a review of current psychiatric rehabilitation policies to promote the comprehensive integration of community rehabilitation services by decreasing the fragmentation of care, facilitating continuity of care with other healthcare services, and utilizing effective personal reported outcomes and experiences of consumers with SMI.
Clinical efficacy of metformin in familial adenomatous polyposis and the effect of intestinal flora
Authors: Zhou linxin , Zheng linfu , Xu binbin , Ye zhou , Li dazhou , Wang wen
Published: November 2023

Background and aims
:Metformin has been reported to inhibit the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer (CRC) by mediating changes in intestinal flora.Studies have also indicated that the occurance of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) may also be associated with changes in the intestinal flora.Therefore, we investigated the efficacy and safety of metformin in treating FAP and the association with intestinal flora.
Results
Compared with the baseline, the mean number and load of polyps in the areas of nanocarbon labeling and postoperative residuals in the test group were lower than those in the placebo group, while the diversity of intestinal flora species was increased. At the genus level, the relative abundance of g_Ruminococcus in the test group was lower than that at baseline, whereas the relative abundance of g_Lactobacillus was higher. All these changes were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
One-year metformin therapy for FAP is safe and effective, and maybe mediated by modulating the intestinal flora. This study provides new ideas and strategies for the prevention of adenomatous polyp carcinogenesis in FAP and possible mechanisms of preventive action.
Comparative analysis of flood wave modelling methodologies for reservoir failure based on structure from motion
Authors: Lee Jonghyuk , Lee Sang-ik , Jeong Youngjoon , Seo Byung-hun , Kim Dong-su , Seo Ye-jin , Her Younggu , Choi Won
Published: November 2023

Accurate prediction of flood waves from reservoir failures and their propagation is critical to effective flood hazard assessment and risk management. Flood waves are sensitive to floodplain topography, channel geometry, and hydraulic structures located along flow paths in downstream areas, and thus the accuracy of flood wave modelling is dependent on the precision and accuracy of the representation of those features. This study introduces a novel approach to flood wave modelling by accurately representing 3D objects in downstream areas using the Structure-from-Motion (SfM) technique. Through the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), this method captures topographic complexities, accounting for ground objects like bridges and trees that impact flood propagation. The 3D model offers enhanced representation of turbulent flow dynamics and computational efficiency, especially handling large topography datasets using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. Predictions from this new 3D approach were validated against recent reservoir failure observations and contrasted with traditional 2D models. The results revealed that the 3D model displayed a significant 84.4% reproducibility when juxtaposed with actual inundation traces. It was 35.5%p more accurate than the 2D diffusion wave equation (DWE) and 17.1%p more than the 2D shallow water equation (SWE) methods in predicting flood waves. The DWE was the least accurate among the results, whereas the SWE fared better but still struggled with intricate floodplains. In conclusion, the 3D method, combined with the structure-from-motion technique, emerges as a promising alternative to traditional modelling methods.
Color Fusion Effect on Deep Learning Classification of Uveal Melanoma
Authors: Yao Xincheng , Dadzie Albert , Iddir Sabrina , Abtahi Mansour , Ebrahimi Behrouz , Le David , Ganesh Sanjay , Son Taeyoon , Heiferman Michael
Published: November 2023

Background: Reliable differentiation of uveal melanoma and choroidal nevi is crucial to guide appropriate treatment, preventing unnecessary procedures for benign lesions and ensuring timely treatment for potentially malignant cases. The purpose of this study is to validate deep learning classification of uveal melanoma and choroidal nevi, and to evaluate the effect of color fusion options on the classification performance.
Methods: A total of 798 ultra-widefield retinal images of 438 patients were included in this retrospective study, comprising 157 patients diagnosed with UM and 281 patients diagnosed with choroidal nevus. Color fusion options, including early fusion, intermediate fusion and late fusion, were tested for deep learning image classification with a convolutional neural network (CNN). Specificity, sensitivity, F1-score, accuracy, and the area under the curve (AUC) of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were used to evaluate the classification performance. The saliency map visualization technique was used to understand the areas in the image that had the most influence on classification decisions of the CNN.
Results: Color fusion options were observed to affect the deep learning performance significantly. For single-color learning, the red color image was observed to have superior performance compared to green and blue channels. For multi-color learning, the intermediate fusion is better than early and late fusion options.
Conclusion: Deep learning is a promising approach for automated classification of uveal melanoma and choroidal nevi, and color fusion options can significantly affect the classification performance.
A Whole-Food, Plant-Based Randomized Controlled Trial in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Weight, Cardiometabolic, and Hormonal Outcome
Authors: Campbell Thomas M , Campbell Erin K , Culakova Eva , Blanchard Lisa , Wixom Nellie , Guido Joseph , Fetten James , Huston Alissa , Shayne Michelle , Janelsins Michelle C , Mustian Karen M , Moore Richard G , Peppone Luke J
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Breast cancer treatment is associated with weight gain, and obesity and its related cardiometabolic and hormonal risk factors have been associated with poorer outcomes. Dietary intervention may address these risk factors, but limited research has been done in the setting of metastatic breast cancer requiring systemic therapy.
Methods
Women with metastatic breast cancer on stable treatment were randomized 2:1 to an 8-week intervention (n = 21) or control (n = 11). The intervention included weekly assessment visits and an ad libitum whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet with provided meals. Cardiometabolic, hormonal, and cancer markers were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.
Results
Within the intervention group, mean weight decreased by 6.6% (p < 0.01) after 8 weeks. Fasting insulin decreased from 16.8 uIU/L to 11.2 uIU/L (p < 0.01), concurrent with significantly reduced insulin resistance. Total cholesterol decreased from 193.6 mg/dL to 159 mg/dL (p < 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol decreased from 104.6 mg/dL to 82.2 mg/dL (p < 0.01). Total testosterone was unchanged, but free testosterone trended lower within the intervention group (p = 0.08) as sex hormone binding globulin increased from 74.3 nmol/L to 98.2 nmol/L (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in cancer progression markers at week 8, although mean CA 15 − 3, CA 27.29, and CEA were lower in the intervention group (p = 0.53, p = 0.23, and p = 0.54, respectively) compared to control, when adjusted for baseline.
Conclusion
WFPB dietary changes during treatment for metastatic breast cancer are well tolerated and significantly improve weight and cardiometabolic and hormonal parameters. Longer studies are warranted to assess the durability of changes.
Trial registration
First registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03045289) on February 7, 2017.
“Simple Distant Look Test” wearing Polarized Glasses for Detection of Suppression in Intermittent Exotropia
Authors: Kim Seung-Hyun , Kim Soohyun , Baik Daniel
Published: November 2023

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of “Simple distant look test” with Polarized glasses in detecting suppression in patients with intermittent exotropiaMethods This prospective study was performed in patients with basic-type intermittent exotropia greater than 10 prism diopters (PD) at distance (6m) and near (33cm). Vectographic projector test (L29; Luneau Technology, Luneau, France) was used for distant suppression measurement. Positive “Simple distant look test” was defined as constant exodeviation of one eye at distance (6m). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were analyzed (GraphPad Prism® software, Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA).Results 60 patients were included, 40 patients with suppression and 20 patients without suppression. Mean angle of deviation was 20.2 ± 6.0 PD at distance and 20.3 ± 6.0 PD at near. The sensitivity of the test was 100%, the specificity was 95%, positive predictive value was 97.56% and negative predictive value was 100%.Conclusion Due to its simplicity and accuracy, the "Simple distance loot test” could be an alternative to other suppression tests and can be applied to a wide range of age groups.
Structural basis to identify a target site in Shiga-toxin for the inhibitor discovery against growth of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
Authors: Prabhudesai anuja , Shaikh Samir , Ashwinbhai Kayasth Zarna , Gupta Reeshu
Published: November 2023

Background: Certain peptides that can bind to Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) have been reported to treat Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections. However, their mechanisms of action remain unknown. We used the PEP-FOLD server to predict the 3-D structure of the five peptides that have been used against STEC growth. The modelled structures were docked with Stx2 using ClusPro server. The physiochemical properties of therapeutic peptides were computed using the ‘peptides’ package of the RStudio and ProtParam tool.
Results:Of these five therapeutic peptides, one tetravalent peptide (TVP) was shortlisted based on its interaction with the active sites of Stx2. The structure of stx2-TVP complex was evaluated using the ERRAT, iMODS, and Procheck servers. The 3D refined model of TVP was generated using Galaxyserver and evaluated using ERRAT, ANOLEA, and QMEAN. PyMOL was used to visualize the docking complexes. The current study demonstrated that blocking Y77-E259 and Y114-E167 interactions is required to inhibit STEC growth. Of the five therapeutic peptides used in this study, only MAPPPRRRRA (TVP) blocked the interaction between Y77 and E259 residues of the A1 subunit of Stx2, making it active and ultimately leading to STEC cell death. However, all therapeutic peptides showed strong polar interactions with Y77 and E259, but they did not block the Y77-E259 or Y114-E167 interactions. We also demonstrated that helix-loop-helix formation near the ribosome-binding site of Stx2 might lead to the differential gene expression regulated by Stx2. The 3D refined model of TVP showed a positive G-factor, high QMEAN score, low MolProbity score, and low energy zones in the ANOLEA profile compared to original TVP. Moreover, the low radius of gyration in the refined TVP during the molecular simulation suggests that it is more compact than the original TVP. However, the low antigenicity of TVP makes it an unsuitable drug candidate. We also evaluated three antibiotics that have been used as active ingredients in FDA-approved peptides. Only Oritavancin diphosphate showed strong polar interactions with Y77-E259 and also had the highest binding affinity.
Conclusions: This study identified a new target (Y77-E259) for inhibitor discovery against STEC growth.
Symmetries of algebras captured by actions of weak Hopf algebras
Authors: Calderon Fabio , Huang Hongdi , Wicks Elizabeth , Won Robert
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we present a generalization of well-established results regarding symmetries of 𝕜-algebras, where 𝕜 is a field. Traditionally, for a 𝕜-algebra A, the group 𝕜-algebra automorphisms of A captures the symmetries of A via group actions. Similarly, the Lie algebra of derivations of A captures the symmetries of A via Lie algebra actions. In this paper, given a category C whose objects possess 𝕜-linear monoidal categories of modules, we introduce an object SymC (A) that captures the symmetries of A via actions of objects in C. Our study encompasses various categories whose objects include groupoids, Lie algebroids, and more generally, cocommutative weak Hopf algebras. Notably, we demonstrate that for a positively graded non-connected 𝕜-algebra A, some of its symmetries are naturally captured within the weak Hopf framework.
2020 Mathematics Subject Classification. 18B40, 16T05, 18M05.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physician-Scientist Trainees to Faculty One Year into the Pandemic
Authors: Obradovic Aleksandar , Toubat Omar , Chen Nathan W. , Siebert Aisha , Jansen Carey , Christophers Briana , Leveille Etienne , Noch Evan , Kwan Jennifer M.
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Physician-scientists play a crucial role in advancing biomedical sciences. Proportionally fewer physicians are actively engaged in scientific pursuits, attributed to attrition in the training and retention pipeline. This national study evaluated the ongoing and longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on research productivity for physician-scientists at all levels of training.
Methods
A survey of medical students, graduate students, and residents/fellows/junior faculty (RFJF) was conducted from April to August 2021 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on individual stress, productivity, and optimism. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify associated variables and unsupervised variable clustering techniques were employed to identify highly correlated responses.
Results
A total 677 respondents completed the survey, representing different stages of physician-scientist training. Respondents report high levels of stress (medical students: 85%, graduate students: 63%, RFJF: 85%) attributed to impaired productivity concerns, concern about health of family and friends, impact on personal health and impairment in training or career development. Many cited impaired productivity (medical students: 65% graduate students: 79%, RFJF: 78%) associated with pandemic impacts on training, labs closures and loss of facility/resource access, and social isolation. Optimism levels were low (medical students: 37%, graduate students: 38% and RFJF: 39%) with females less likely to be optimistic and more likely to report concerns of long-term effects of COVID-19. Optimism about the future was correlated with not worrying about the long-term effects of COVID-19. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, all respondents reported increased prioritization of time with family/friends (67%) and personal health (62%) over career (25%) and research (24%).
Conclusions
This national survey highlights the significant and protracted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress levels, productivity, and optimism among physician-scientists and trainees. These findings underscore the urgent need for tailored support, including mental health, academic, and career development assistance for this biomedical workforce.
MRI-Visualized T2 Hyperintense Breast Lesions: Identifying Clinical and Imaging Factors Linked to Malignant Biopsy Outcomes
Authors: Bissell Mary Beth , Keshavarzi Sareh , Fleming Rachel , Au Frederick , Kulkarni Supriya , Ghai Sandeep , Freitas Vivianne
Published: November 2023

Purpose
To determine the malignancy rate for MRI-guided breast biopsies performed for T2 hyperintense breast lesions and to assess additional clinical and MRI characteristics that can predict benign and malignant outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective chart review of consecutive MRI-guided breast biopsies performed in two tertiary hospitals was conducted over two years. Biopsies performed for T2 hyperintense lesions were selected, and further lesion imaging characteristics and patient risk factors were collected. Univariate and multivariate modeling regression was used to determine additional imaging and patient factors associated with malignant outcomes for biopsies of T2 hyperintense lesions.
Results
Out of 369 MRI-guided breast biopsies, 100 (27%) were performed for T2 hyperintense lesions. Two biopsy-proven benign lesions were excluded as the patient was lost on follow-up. With a study cohort of 98 lesions, the final pathology results were benign for 80 (80%) of these lesions, while 18 (18%) were malignant. Using multivariate logistic modeling, patient age > 50 (OR 5.99 (1.49,24.08 95%CI), p < 0.05) and lesion size > 3cm (OR 5.54 (1.54–18.7), p < 0.01) were found to be important predictors of malignant outcomes for MRI biopsies performed for T2 hyperintense lesions.
Conclusion
Our study observed a high malignancy rate, challenging the assumption that T2 hyperintensity can be considered a benign imaging characteristic for otherwise suspicious MRI-detected lesions. Decision-making regarding tissue sampling should be made based on a thorough evaluation of more reliable additional demographic and imaging factors, including patient age and lesion size.
Selective agents, microbial ecology, and horizontal gene transfer underly the fate of resistance genes during biological wastewater treatment
Authors: Pruden Amy , Brown Connor , Maile-Moskowitz Ayella , Lopatkin Allison , Xia Kang , Logan Latania , Davis Benjamin , Zhang Liqing , Vikesland Peter
Published: November 2023

Activated sludge is the centerpiece of biological wastewater treatment, as it facilitates removal of sewage-associated pollutants, fecal bacteria, and pathogens from wastewater through semi-controlled microbial ecology. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is believed to facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within sewage-associated microbiota, in part because of the presence of selective agents such as residual antibiotics in sewage. However, convincing evidence that selective agents promote resistance within activated sludge via HGT, or otherwise, has remained elusive. Here we used lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) to simulate activated sludge treatment under controlled conditions. Replicate SBRs were fed field-collected municipal sewage augmented with either 0% or 10% hospital sewage to compare hypothetical low and high propensity conditions for ARG proliferation, respectively. Shotgun metagenomics, culture, pharmaceutical and personal care product screening, and bioinformatics were used to examine the impact of hospital sewage on SBR performance and the proliferation of ARGs. Hospital sewage had a modest impact on SBR performance and taxonomic composition determined via short read mapping. However, analysis of hospital- and municipal-sewage resistomes by the bioinformatic tool Kairos revealed microdiversity-level differences in ARG fate, including the disproportionate persistence of hospital-associated sulfonamide ARGs and municipal sewage derived macrolide ARGs. Correspondingly, it was found that levels of erythromycin and sulfamethoxazole sharply increased over the course of the experiment independent of hospital sewage. The relative abundances of metagenome assembled genomes bearing sulfonamide and macrolide ARGs showed drastically different trajectories in the presence of shifting antibiotic levels. In addition, in situ HGT events of the ARGs mphA and sul2 were detected in deeply sequenced samples. These included the potential transduction of mphA, which encodes an erythromycin phosphotransferase, between Dokdonella sp., Myxococcia, and Polyangia. Multiple potential pathways of transfer were noted for putative in situ HGT of sul2 between Bacteroidia, Gammaproteobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria. These findings highlight complex ecological interactions enveloping the dissemination of ARGs in activated sludge and implicate roles for selective agents, microbial ecology, and HGT.
Oxaliplatin lipidated prodrug synergistically enhances the anti-colorectal cancer effect of IL12 mRNA
Authors: Liu Hui , Du Yating , Zhan Desheng , Yu Wenjun , Li Yan , Wang Aiping , Yin Jianpeng , Cao Haiqiang , Fu Yuanlei
Published: November 2023

Chemotherapy drugs are the main way to treat cancer, but there are strong toxic side effects in anti-tumor, of which oxaliplatin (OXA) is a commonly used platinum anti-tumor chemotherapy drug, colorectal cancer (CRC), non-small cell lung cancer and gastric cancer and other malignant tumors have a good therapeutic effect, but OXA also has strong side effects such as peripheral neurotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, etc. Therefore, by modifying the structure of OXA and introducing long alkyl chains in the platinum coordination of OXA, we greatly improve the fat solubility of the drug, which is more conducive to the drug crossing the biofilm and improving the anti-tumor efficacy. In addition to chemotherapy, cytokines are one of the earliest immunotherapies used in the treatment of human cancer, based on this, we prepared a new type of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), wrapped with cytokines encoding interleukin-12 (IL12), which can directly deliver immune stimulation to tumors, and accumulate in tumors, improve the local immune environment of tumors, and directly or indirectly kill tumors. In this study, we combined the administration of modified prodrug OXA-LIP and mRNA-LNP, through in vivo pharmacodynamics and cytotoxicity experiments proving that combined administration can play a long-term anti-tumor effect, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy combination therapy is a very potential anti-tumor method, the combination of the two can play a synergistic effect, reduce the toxic side effects in tumor treatment, and the advantages in biological safety and anti-tumor activity provide broad application prospects for anti-cancer.
TEAD1, MYO7A and NDUFC2 are novel functional genes associated with glucose metabolism in BXD recombinant inbred population
Authors: Chi Xiaodong , Wu Yingying , Zhang Chao , Duan Shaofei , Li Yushan , Bajpai Akhilesh Kumar , Lu Lu , Yang Chunhua , Mi Jia , Tian Geng , Xu Fuyi , Qi Donglai , Xu Zhaowei
Published: November 2023

The liver is an important metabolic organ that governs glucolipid metabolism, and its dysfunction may cause Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, etc. Systematic investigation of the key factors related to hepatic glucose metabolism may be beneficial for understanding the underlying pathogenic mechanisms for obesity and diabetes mellitus. Here, we quantified oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) phenotypes and liver transcriptomes in BXD mice under chow and high-fat diet conditions. Our results demonstrated that plasma glucose levels in OGTT were significantly affected by both diet and genetic background. To further identify the candidate genes associated with hepatic glucose metabolism, and the results revealed 9 genetic regulating loci on chromosomes 1, 4, 7 and 11, respectively by QTL mapping. Moreover, TEAD1, MYO7A and NDUFC2 were identified as the candidate functional genes. Functionally, siRNA-mediated TEAD1, MYO7A and NDUFC2 significantly decreased the glucose uptake. RT-PCR assays confirmed that the down-regulation of those three candidates inhibited the transcription of genes related to insulin and glucose metabolism pathways. Consequently, our study uncovered the role of TEAD1, MYO7A and NDUFC2 that influenced the mitochondrial function in to regulate glucose homeostasis and provided novel targets for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of glucose metabolism-related diseases.
Detection of rare malignant cells in gastric lavage using Hexokinase 2 and single-cell sequencing for early-stage gastric cancer diagnosis
Authors: QIAN PEIYU , Sun Jie , Tao Yining , Mu Haoran , Yang Liu , Lu Peihua
Published: November 2023

Objective:Gastric cancer is a highly prevalent cancer. Endoscopy is the best way to diagnose gastric cancer at an early stage, but it relies on patient compliance and endoscopy physicians’ experience, which makes it difficult to be used as a screening method for a large population. The aim of this study is to develop a novel method for early gastric cancer diagnosis by detecting exfoliated tumor cells in gastric lavage.
Methods: In our experiment, Hexokinase 2 (HK2) was firstly used as a metabolic function-associated marker to detect gastric exfoliated tumor cells engaging increased glycolysis in gastric lavage. And further the malignancy of HK2-derived high glycolytic tumor cells (hgTCs) was examinedby single-cell sequencing (SCS) by surveying genome-wide copy number variation (CNV).
Results: In a study of 60 individuals including 10 gastric cancer patients (9 IA and 1 IIA), 26 precancerous lesions patients, 15 patients with benign gastric diseases, and 9 healthy controls, the HK2 test showed diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity were 80% (8/10 patients with gastric cancer IA and IIA) and 96% (23/24 patients with benign gastric diseases and healthy controls), respectively. One point that is worth paying attention to is that the diagnostic sensitivity in patients with severe dysplasia was 57% (4/7), which showed promising application prospects in gastric cancer early diagnosis and prevention.
Conclusions: Thus, our results demonstrated a new approach using a gastric lavage-based HK2 assay combined with SCS validation. It has the great potential to be used for early gastric cancer detection with high accuracy, especially to improve the quality of gastroscopy at the early stage.
Azzola as a novel bio-fertilizer and inorganic nitrogen on Marketable yield and quality response of tomato fruits
Authors: Zeleke Yenetiru Getaw , Haile Ashenafi , Kiflu Alemayehu , Alemayehu Habtamu
Published: November 2023

Many people are concerned about the environment and believe that organic products are healthier than conventional ones, so there is a growing demand for organic vegetable products. According to studies, organically grown tomato fruits contain higher levels of carotenoids, polyphenols, and antioxidants than conventionally grown tomatoes. Enhancing tomato marketable yield and quality through the application of optimal organic and inorganic fertilizers is a crucial agronomic practice. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on the marketable yield and quality characteristics of tomato fruits. A pot experiment with three replications and two fertilization treatments with four levels each (nitrogen as an inorganic fertilizer and Azzola as an organic fertilizer) was set up in a completely randomized design. The findings revealed that nitrogen and Azzola biofertilizer had a significant effect on fruit diameter and all quality parameters. The interaction effects of Azzola and nitrogen on cluster number per plant, flower number per cluster, fruit set percentage, and fruit number per cluster, and marketability were significant. Consequently, tomato growers are advised to apply 1.5 g of nitrogen and 75 g of Azzola.
Design, development and evaluation of a biomass fueled cabinet dryer for high quality cassava flour production
Authors: Asiru Wahabi Bolanle , Adegbite Suraju Adeyemi , Okewole Oyewole , Awoyale Wasiu , Kolawole Peter , Diallo Thierno A , Abass Adebayo
Published: November 2023

Cassava, a vital staple crop in developing countries, plays a significant role in ensuring food security and income generation for smallholder farmers. However, the lack of modern drying technology in rural area necessitate the need for a more efficient and controllable drying process which reduces post-harvest losses and ensure better product quality while taking sustainability into account by utilizing biomass as the energy source. Therefore, drying cassava roots to produce high-quality cassava flour was the goal of the biomass heat-generated cabinet dryer, which was designed and built for drying in rural locations. The main components of the dryer include heat exchanger, blower, and drying chamber unit which was designed based on engineering standards utilizing locally available materials. The drying chamber consists of two racks of 10 trays each for drying. The dryer was found to be capable of drying 40, 60, and 80 kg of wet cassava mash each batch, when the loading capacity was 2, 3, or 4 kg/tray. At temperatures ranging from 50 to 115°C, with drying duration of 10 to 120 minutes, thermal efficiency, drying time, and heating energy were investigated. Moisture levels reduced to 10.6%, 11.0% and 11.2% from initial moisture content of 38.21%. At 40 kg, 60 kg, and 80 kg material capacities, drying efficiencies averaged 74.77%, 59.22%, and 88.24%, respectively, with biomass efficiencies 3.0%, 3.5%, and 4.0%. Despite a low biomass efficiency, drying efficiency shows that the dryer is relatively efficient in drying. Hence, biomass fueled dryer should be employed for drying.
Association of systemic immune-inflammatory index with cancer prevalence and mortality: Results from NHANES 1999-2010
Authors: Zhang Yuzhuo , Jia Wenyu , Lan Tian , Zhang Xinru , Li Bangjie , Chen Ju , Li Yin , Tian Huaqin
Published: November 2023

Objective: To study the predictive effect of systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) on cancer prevalence and mortality.
Methods: Participants with SII and cancer status were screened from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database from 1999 to 2010, and their baseline characteristics were analyzed according to the SII tertile. Multivariable logistical or Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the associations between SII with cancer prevalence or mortality. The mortality was followed through December 31 2018. For further evaluation on associations of SII with specified outcomes, restricted cubic spline and two piecewise regression models were adopted.
Results: This study eventually included 26,049 individuals, of whom 2,432 were cancer patients. According to the SII tertile group, cancer prevalence increased significantly with the rise of SII. In the highest tertile of SII, SII was significantly related to cancer prevalence (OR=1.45, 95%CI= 1.31 - 1.61, p<0.05). Moreover, during a median follow-up of 12.75 year, 329, 351, and 1,202 cardiovascular, cancer and all-cause deaths occurred among cancer patients, respectively. The results indicated that highest level of SII was significantly associated with increased cardiovascular mortality (HR=1.80, 95%CI= 1.28 - 2.52), cancer mortality (HR=1.64, 95%CI= 1.28 - 2.09) and all-cause mortality (HR=1.56, 95%CI= 1.31- 1.85). The model adjusted for multiple covariates still showed the same trend. U-shaped dose-response associations between log-transformed SII (ln-SII) with prevalence and mortality of cancer were detected. The threshold values of ln-SII for the lowest risk associated with cancer prevalence, cardiovascular mortality cancer mortality and all-cause mortality were 5.44, 6.21, 6.27 and 6.21, respectively. Above thresholds, SII was positively associated with increased risk of above outcomes.
Conclusion: SII may be a potential earlier warning marker for the prevalence and mortality of total cancers.
Safety and effectiveness of a drug-loaded haemostatic sponge in chronic rhinosinusitis:A randomized, controlled, double-blind study
Authors: Jia Xujin , Meng Jia , Wang Jiayan , Wang Wei , Wu Di , Xu Ming
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel drug-loaded haemostatic sponge (DLHS) in the sinus. In this clinical trial, 49 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: group A (n = 25) had the DLHS placed into the sinus, and group B (n = 24) had the Nasopore placed after Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Endoscopic follow-up was performed for 12 weeks, and the findings were classified using the discharge, inflammation, polyps/oedema (DIP) endoscopic appearance scores. All patients completed questionnaires to evaluate their sinonasal symptoms by using the sinonasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Serum cortisol concentration in group A was measured prior to surgery and at days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after nasal surgery. Comparing group A and group B, at 2 weeks, no significant differences were observed in either objective or subjective parameters. The mean value of VAS for rhinorrhoea and DIP for oedema and the mean value of nasal adhesion appeared to be significantly lower in Group A than in Group B at 6 and 12 weeks, but a significant difference did not occur in SNOT-22 and VAS for dysosmia between the two groups at 6 and 12 weeks. The mean serum cortisol concentrations in group A at the follow-up were within normal limits without remarkable fluctuations. This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the DLHS with the possibility of being used in CRS patients.