bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cohort Profile: China Undergraduate Cohort for Environmental Health Study
Authors: Lu Peng , Miao Jiaming , Feng Shurong , Yang Liu , Dou Siqi , Ye Tingting , Yan Lailai , Li Shanshan , Guo Yuming
Published: August 2023

The China Undergraduate Cohort (CUC) is an ambispective cohort study with its major purpose to better understand the effects of lifetime environmental exposures on health outcomes. We recruited 5322 college students with an average age of 18.3±0.7 years in China from August 23, 2019 to October 28, 2019. Follow-up surveys were conducted annually. The dataset comprises individual demographic data (e.g. age, sex, height, weight, birth date, race, home address, annual family income, contact information), health-related behavior data (smoking status, smoking cessation, passive smoking exposure, drinking habit, physical activity, dietary status), lifestyle data (physical exercise, dietary habit, length of time spent outdoors), disease history (respiratory disease history, cardiovascular disease history, urinary system disease history, etc), mental health status data (sleep quality, self-reported stress, anxiety and depression symptoms), lung function and blood samples data. Preliminary results from our cohort have found the association between air pollution, summer heat and mercury exposure and lung function among young adults in China.
The Mentors in Violence Prevention Programme: impact on students’ knowledge and attitudes related to violence, prejudice, and abuse, and willingness to intervene as a bystander in secondary schools in England
Authors: Butler Nadia , Quigg Zara , Wilson Charley , McCoy Ellie , Bates Rebecca
Published: August 2023

Background
Violence is a leading cause of death and disability for young people and has serious impacts on prospects across the lifecourse. The education sector is a crucial setting for preventing youth violence through incorporating programmes that address attitudes and behaviours. The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) programme aims to change harmful attitudes and norms, and increase non-violent bystander intervention, through a peer education approach. To date there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of the intervention in UK school settings. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the programme on students’ attitudes and knowledge related to violence prevention.
Methods
The study employed a mixed methods design. Pre and post surveys measured changes in students’ (aged 11–18) attitudes and knowledge related to violence prevention and bystander behaviour, gender stereotyping, acceptability of violence, and perceptions of others’ willingness to intervene. Interviews/focus groups with programme delivers and students, and anonymised programme data were used to explore and supplement survey findings.
Results
Overall, perceptions of the programme content and delivery were positive. Several beneficial impacts of the programme were found for mentors (students delivering the programme), including significant positive changes on measures of knowledge and attitudes towards violence prevention and the bystander approach, acceptability of violence perpetration, and perceptions of other students’ willingness to intervene (effect sizes were small-medium). However, the study found no significant change on any of the outcomes amongst mentees (younger students receiving the programme from mentors). Despite this, qualitative evidence suggested mentees enjoyed the content of the programme and the peer-led delivery, and this built relationships with older students. Qualitative evidence also identified additional benefits of the programme for mentors, including leadership and communication skills, and increased confidence and supportive relationships.
Conclusions
Evidence from this study suggests MVP is effective as a targeted programme for mentors, but no significant evidence was found to demonstrate its effectiveness as a universal bystander and violence prevention programme for mentees. Whilst further research with more robust study design is needed, developing mentors as leaders in violence prevention is a valuable impact of the programme in its own right.
Putrescine modulates cadmium fixation ability of the cell wall to decrease cadmium accumulation in rice via a NO dependent manner
Authors: Wang Hao Yu , Li Su , Huang Jing , Zhu Xiao Fang , Shen Ren Fang , Zeng Da Li
Published: August 2023

Although putrescine (PUT) has been linked to plants' responses to cadmium (Cd) stress, the exact mechanism is yet elusive. The endogenous PUT concentration in the rice roots was enhanced by Cd stress in the current investigation, and exogenous PUT increased root cell wall hemicellulose level, which in turn increased its Cd binding capacity, concurrently decreasing the transcription level of genes such as Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein 1 (OsNRAMP1) and a major facilitator superfamily gene-OsCd1 that responsible for root Cd absorption. Finally, less Cd was accumulated in the rice as a result of the higher expression of Heavy Metal ATPase 3 (OsHMA3), and Cation/Ca exchanger 2 (OsCCX2) that were responsible for separating Cd into vacuole and getting Cd out of cells, respectively. Additionally, PUT enhanced endogenous NO levels, and its alleviatory effect was disappeared by a NO scavenger-cPTIO. In conclusion, PUT enhanced rice’s Cd resistance through regulating the generation of the NO and the binding capacity of the cell wall to Cd.
GLIM criteria represents a more suitable tool to evaluate the nutritional status and predict postoperative functional recovery of older patients with hip fracture
Authors: Wu Weicheng , Guo Zhening , Gu Zenghui , Mao Yongtao , She Chang , Gu Jun , Lv Bo , Xu Wei , Li Liubing
Published: August 2023

Purpose: Early recognition of malnutrition is of prime importance and essential for improving the prognosis of older patients with hip fracture. The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), The Short-Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) and The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) are widely used in malnutrition diagnose. However, the criteria for predicting postoperative hip joint function in aging patients with hip fractures during a long-term is still necessary. The objective of this study was to select the most appropriate criteria from the NRS-2002, the MNA-SF and the GLIM in predicting the postoperative recovery of hip joint function in a long-term.
Methods: This retrospective observational study included the 161 patients aged ≥65 years with hip fracture. Nutritional states of the patients were determined by the NRS-2002, the MNA-SF and the GLIM. The Harris Hip Joint Score (HHS), the primary outcome of this study, was used to evaluate the hip joint function. The HHS was classified into good recovery (HHS>75) and bad recovery (HHS<=75). Logistic regression models for hip joint function recovery were constructed. Both the ROC and the DCA were used to select the most predictive criteria.
Results: The overall mean age of the 161 patients was 77.90 ± 8.17. As a result, all of the NRS-2002 (OR: 0.06, 95%CI [0.01, 0.17]), the MNA-SF (OR: 0.05, 95%CI [0.00, 0.23]) and the GLIM (OR of moderate: 0.03, 95%CI [0.01, 0.11]; OR of severe: 0.02 [0.00, 0.07]) were predictive for recovery of hip joint function. Additionally, both the AUC of ROC (NRS-2002: 81.2 [73.8, 88.6], MNA-SF: 76.3[68.5, 84.2], GLIM: 86.2 [79.6,92.8]) and the DCA showed the GLIM was better than others.
Conclusion: Compared with NRS-2002 and MNA-SF, GLIM was a better nutritional assessment criteria to predict the postoperative recovery of hip joint function for older hip fracture patients in a long-term.
Categorizing and quantifying doctors’ extended responses and communication strategies in medical teleconsultations
Authors: Li Huaikui Kevin
Published: August 2023

This study analyzes 210 clinical teleconsultations using corpus software to categorize and quantify doctors’ extended responses and communication strategies. The results indicate that doctors’ extended responses can be divided into nine categories, with the highest frequency being treatment proposals (including justifications and difficulties in diagnosis) at 42.7%, followed by disease diagnoses (including disease causes and diagnosis difficulties) at 22.0%. The remaining categories have significantly lower frequencies, with the two categories, the introduction of organ or tissue functions and features, and alternative treatment proposals (involving justifications)having the lowest frequency at approximately 2% each. Brown & Levinson’s communication strategy framework is applied to categorize the strategies used in the responses. Four strategies are identified: baldly on-record strategy (BORS), positive politeness strategy (PPS), negative politeness strategy (NPS), and off-record strategy (ORS), each having multiple categories. Specifically, PPS and NPS respectively have five and seven, and BORS and ORS each have three. NPS is the most frequently used, accounting for 89% of all the cases. The category of providing justifications or explanations for a diagnosis has the highest percentage (41.9%), followed by making vague diagnoses and minimizing impositions (22.7% and 16.8% respectively). The remaining categories each have percentages less than 5%. The categories of apologizing and stating a diagnosis as a general clinical practice are the least used (0.9% each). PPS accounts for 9.1% of all the instances, with the category of making a consolation, wish or encouragement, or optimism being the most dominant (5.6%). Each of the remaining categories accounts for no more than 2%. The category of asking for a reason is the least used (0.1%). The overall frequency of BOR and ORS is less than 2%, with each of their categories accounting for less than 1%.
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and risk of long COVID symptoms: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Congdon Seth , Narrowe Zev , Yone Nang , Gunn Jacob , Deng Yuting , Nori Priya , Cowman Kelsie , Islam Marjan , Rikin Sharon , Starrels Joanna
Published: August 2023

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess whether treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was associated with a reduced risk of long COVID. We enrolled 500 adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 who were eligible for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir; 250 who took nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and 250 who did not. The primary outcome was the development of one or more of eleven prespecified long COVID symptoms, assessed through a structured telephone interview four months after the positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Multivariable logistic regression models controlled for age, sex, race/ethnicity, chronic conditions, and COVID-19 vaccination status. We found that participants who took nirmatrelvir/ritonavir were no less likely to develop long COVID symptoms, compared to those who did not take the medication (44% vs 49.6%, p = 0.21). Taking nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was associated with a lower odds of two of the eleven long COVID symptoms, brain fog (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38–0.88) and chest pain/tightness (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28–0.91). Our finding that treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was not associated with a lower risk of developing long COVID is different from prior studies that obtained data only from electronic medical records.
Taking a shortcut: evidence of path integration in fish
Authors: Sibeaux Adelaide , Newport Cait , Green Jonathan , Engelmann Jacob , de Perera Theresa Burt
Published: August 2023

Path integration is a powerful navigational mechanism whereby individuals continuously update their distance and angular vector of movement to calculate their position in relation to their departure location, allowing them to return along the most direct route even across unfamiliar terrain. While path integration has been investigated in several terrestrial animals, it has never been demonstrated in aquatic vertebrates, where movement occurs through volumetric space and sensory cues available for navigation are likely to differ substantially from those in terrestrial environments. By performing displacement experiments with Lamprologus ocellatus, we show that fish use path integration to navigate, alongside other mechanisms (allothetic cues and route recapitulation). By demonstrating that a teleost is capable of path integration, our results indicate that this mechanism is likely to be deeply rooted within the vertebrate phylogeny irrespective of the environment, and suggests that fish may possess a spatial encoding system that parallels that of mammals.
Correlation of DNA methylation of DNMT3A and TET2 with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Xueming , Li Zaikun , Gao Qingxi , Peng Yanan , Yu Yang , Hu Tenglong , Wang Wei
Published: August 2023

Oral squamous cellcarcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common malignancyworldwide. Abnormal epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, are hallmarks of cancer and implicated in the development of various tumors. DNA methylation is catalyzed by the DNA methyltransferase and ten-eleven translocation dioxygenase families, with DNMT3A and TET2 being the most widely studied members, respectively. The correlation of methylation β values and clinical features was conducted in patients with OSCC in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. DNA methylation and protein expression levels of DNMT3A and TET2in tissues were analyzed with methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and western blotting. To evaluate the effects of DNMT3A and TET2on the biological characteristics of OSCC, cell proliferation was assessed with 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, and cell migration capacity was quantified with wound healing and transwell assays. A survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier approach. The correlation between different methylation β values and clinical features was revealed. MSP revealed varying methylation degrees of DNMT3A and TET2 in OSCC tissues. Furthermore, western blotting showed that the protein expression levels were significantly different in cancer and surrounding healthy tissue samples. In vitro experiments demonstrated that DNMT3Aknockdown and TET2 overexpression could inhibit the proliferation and migration of OSCC. Survival analysis revealed that patients with high DNMT3A methylation levels showed higher survival rates.
Acclimation to higher temperature and feeding on antioxidants supplemented diets improved Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) resilience to heatwaves
Authors: Vazirzadeh Arya , Hosseinpour Fatemeh , Farhadi Ahmad , Sajadi Seyed Hossein
Published: August 2023

Coldwater species challenge with increasing water temperatures and fluctuations over the upper thermal limits of fish. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of acclimation to higher temperature and dietary antioxidants capacity on ameliorating the adverse effects of heat shocks in in rainbow trout. To this end, rainbow trout fingerlings were acclimated at optimal (14°C) and high (20°C) temperatures and fed on selenium (5 mg/kg) and polyphenol (2 g/kg) supplemented diets for 60 days and then were exposed to heat shocks by increasing water temperature up to 30°C. Growth performance, survival rate, haemato-immunological parameters and expression of HSP70α, HSP70β, HSP90β and IL-1β genes were measured to evaluate the hypothesises. The rainbow trout acclimated to 20°C and fed on antioxidants supplemented diets showed significantly higher aftershock survival rate. Moreover, fish acclimated to higher temperature showed higher red blood cell counts as well as serum total protein and albumin during acclimation trial and heat shocks phase. Acclimation to higher temperature and feeding on antioxidants remarkably enhanced fish immune and antioxidant capacity in comparison to fish adapted to cold water and fed on the basal diet measured by improved respiratory burst and lysozyme activities and upregulation of IL-1β expression during exposure of fish to heat shocks. Furthermore, fish acclimated to higher temperature, especially those fed on antioxidant supplemented diets showed lower expression level of HSPs genes during heat shock phase, indicating that high heat shocks were less stressful for this fish in comparison to cold water acclimated fish. This claim was also supported by lower cortisol level during heat shocks in fish acclimated to higher temperature. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that acclimation to higher temperature and/or fed on diets supplemented by selenium and polyphenol, can help to ameliorate the negative effects of the heat shock in rainbow trout.
Association Between Serum Folate and Lung Function in People with and without Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Results from NHANES 2007–2012.
Authors: wen Xiang , Yang Huajing , Wang Luyao
Published: August 2023

Background
The relationship between serum folate and pulmonary function in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear. Our study aims to explore the potential correlation between serum folate levels and pulmonary function.
Methods
We analyzed cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2007–2012), including individuals aged 40 years and above (n = 1062) with complete post-bronchodilator lung function data and serum folate measurements. COPD was diagnosed based on a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 0.70. Using a multivariable adjusted linear model, we assessed the association between serum folate levels and lung function indices, stratified by COPD status.
Results
Our study included 493 COPD patients and 569 individuals without spirometry-defined COPD. There were no significant differences in serum folate levels between the two groups. Adjusting for multiple factors, we observed that each 1 nmol/L increase in serum folate was significantly associated with improvements in FEV1 (2.54 mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58 to 4.5), FVC (3.58 mL, 95% CI 0.9 to 6.27), and PFE (7.73 mL, 95% CI 2.17 to 13.29) among COPD patients. However, no significant correlation was found between lung function and serum folate levels in non-COPD individuals.
Conclusions
Elevated serum folate levels are associated with better lung function in COPD patients, while folate levels do not significantly impact lung function in individuals without COPD.
Heat Propagation: A Fourth Mechanism Allowing Heat Transfer from Cold to Hot
Authors: Ma Yanbao , Qu Zhengxian , Wu Juhao
Published: August 2023

Fourier's law, governing heat conduction through temperature gradients, has been invalidated by heat waves observed in cryogenic heat-pulse experiments and reduced effective thermal conductivity (ETC) in nanoscale heat transfer. Despite persistent efforts over 150 years to find a replacement, this intriguing problem remains unresolved. Moreover, the root cause of reduced ETC and the generation mechanism and speed of second sound in hydrodynamic heat transfer have remained elusive. Our investigation reveals a groundbreaking discovery: a temperature-gradient-independent propagation of heat, encompassing both ballistic and hydrodynamic transfer, enables heat transfer from cold to hot without violating the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This identifies heat propagation as a fourth mechanism alongside conduction, convection, and radiation, revolutionizing traditional understanding of heat transfer beyond hot-to-cold scenarios. This discovery exposes the root cause for the breakdown of Fourier’s law and leads to a physics-based propagation-diffusion model to replace Fourier’s law. Incorporating the collective particle-wave duality of phonons, this model successfully replicates heat-pulse experiments and attributes reduced ETC to delayed heating effects. Furthermore, it challenges the established theory of hydrodynamic heat transfer driven by temperature gradients, offering an exceptionally efficient approach to thermal management, surpassing thermal conductivity limits, with profound implications across scientific and engineering disciplines.
An Efficient Blockchain-Based Verification Scheme with Transferable Authentication Authority
Authors: JIN XIUSHU , OMOTE KAZUMASA
Published: August 2023

In some situations, the transfer of authentication authority is necessary for user authentication. In traditional authentication, a trust mechanism based on a trusted party establishes trust between two unfamiliar entities. However, a trusted party's failure or malicious behavior could undermine the trust system. Additionally, traditional authentication methods often involve complex and time-consuming procedures and may incur high costs. With the advancement of technology, more decentralized authentication methods and blockchain-based identity verification solutions have been proposed to address these limitations and enhance the security and efficiency of trust establishment. There are still cases where the number of transfers of their authentication authority should be limited for authentication in blockchain networks. Meanwhile, an authentication scheme consisting only of efficient operations such as hash functions is desirable. However, to the best of our knowledge, blockchain networks have no authentication schemes that consist of only hash functions and allow the transfer of authentication authority. In this paper, we propose an efficient authentication scheme based on only a hash function that can limit the number of times authentication authority can be transferred by using hash chains and Hashcash techniques in a blockchain network. As a result, our scheme has the advantage of reducing the computational complexity and gas costs in smart contracts. Furthermore, we deployed the smart contracts on the Goerli test network and completed authentication, proving the solution's effectiveness. On the Goerli testnet, our smart contract consumed 304.6kgas when deployed and 29.9kgas when performing authentication.
The impact of residential environment on older people‘s capabilities to live independently: Evidence from Beijing
Authors: Chen Mengyuan , Hooimeijer Pieter , Bolt Gideon
Published: August 2023

Noticing the deficiencies of the traditional successful aging model, this study proposes a community-based approach to promote healthy aging that enables older people to adapt and self-manage from the capability approach perspective. Using hierarchical multiple regression analysis of data from 650 older adults (60 years and older) surveyed in Beijing, this study aims to unravel how the residential environment supports Chinese older adults' capabilities to live independently. The results show that inequalities in residential environments cause differences in older adults’ capabilities between neighborhoods. Four environmental factors (namely: home accessibility, pleasant surroundings, meeting opportunities, and life convenience) positively affect older adults’ capabilities to live independently. Meeting opportunities are more relevant for frail older adults. This study contributes to the understanding of how the residential environment supports healthy aging from the capability approach perspective. Results can be used to develop effective community-based policies.
The characteristic analysis of Phase-controlled array thermo-acoustic emission with multiple emitting surfaces
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang Dongdong , Zhou Jiayi , Su Yulei , Ding Huaikuang , Hu Hanping , Han Yuanzhao
Published: August 2023

Thermo-acoustic(TA) ultrasound has generated lots of interest during the last decade for its many advantages, especially combined with the phased-controlled array technology. In this paper, a theoretical expression about the TA phased array(TAPA) emission was established to study the different acoustic field based on the input heat flow frequencies, number, distances, area of TA emission surfaces, and phase change between emission surfaces. It is found that, the two emitting surfaces in a line pattern TAPA has the consist acoustic field with the single emitting surface in the semicircle. Meanwhile, applying different phases on the surface ,the scanning range will be narrowed by the increase of frequency, the area of the TA emission surface and the number of emission surfaces, but accordingly, the directivity of the TA wave will be enhanced. The increase of the distance between the emitting surfaces of the TAPA arranged in a cross shape does not affect the ultrasound pressure of the main TA ultrasound, but only increase the number and size of the side flaps; The increase of the area of the emitting surfaces will make the TA ultrasound increase in directivity, so the TAPA in a cross shape must reduce the distance of emitting surfaces to enhance the directivity, or increase the area of the emitting surfaces. This paper proposes a comprehensive study of the TAPA to help further research in the TAPA field.
Exploratory mass spectrometry of cerebrospinal fluid from persons with autopsy-confirmed LATE-NC
Authors: Gal Jozsef , Vary Calvin , Gartner Carlos A. , Jicha Gregory A. , Abner Erin L. , Ortega Yulica S. , Choucair Ibrahim , Wilcock Donna M. , Nelson Ruth , Nelson Peter
Published: August 2023

Background: Common neuropathologies associated with dementia include Alzheimer’s disease neuropathologic change (ADNC) and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic change (LATE-NC). Biofluid proteomics provides a window into the pathobiology of dementia and the information from biofluid tests may help guide clinical management.
Methods: Participants were recruited from a longitudinal cohort of older adults at the University of Kentucky AD Research Center. A convenience sample of clinically obtained lumbar puncture cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples was analyzed from 29 older adults that had autopsy confirmation of the presence or absence of LATE-NC. Nine of the participants had autopsy-confirmed LATE-NC. Antemortem CSF specimens were analyzed in two separate processes: From one group, aliquots were depleted of highly abundant proteins using affinity spin columns. Tryptic digests of sample proteins were subjected to liquid chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry using an Eksigent Ekspert nanoLC 400 system in line with a Sciex 6600+ mass spectrometer. Protein identification was performed using Protein Pilot (Sciex, ver. 5) software, and relative quantification was performed using the SWATH processing microApp in PeakView and MarkerView software (Sciex), respectively. Following data analyses, additional studies were performed using western blots.
Results: A total of 830 proteins were identified in the samples depleted of abundant proteins, and 730 proteins were identified in the non-depleted samples. Whereas some dementia-related proteins were detected (Aβ peptide and α-synuclein protein), others were not (TDP-43, TMEM106B, and tau proteins). When the Bonferroni correction was applied to correct for multiple comparisons, only 4 proteins showed differential expression (LATE-NC vs non-LATE-NC) in the nondepleted samples (RBP4, MIF, IGHG3 and ITM2B), whereas none showed statistically different changes in the depleted samples. Post-hoc western blots confirmed that RBP4 expression was higher in the LATE-NC cases at the group level, but there was overlap between the levels of RBP4 in LATE-NC and non-LATE-NC cases.
Conclusions: An exploratory assessment of CSF proteomes of autopsy-confirmed LATE-NC and non-LATE-NC cases from a community-based cohort failed to demonstrate a clear-cut proteomic fingerprint that distinguished the two groups. There was intriguing increase in RBP4 protein levels in CSF from LATE-NC cases. This may provide clues about pathogenetic mechanisms in LATE-NC.
Naturally occurring T-cell-mediated antitumor immune response to LINE-1 antigens in mice that can be enhanced by vaccination and TLR5 agonist
Authors: Leonova Katerina I. , Gleiberman Anatoli S. , Jaravine Victor , Trageser Nicholas H. , Novototskaya-Vlasova Ksenia A. , Antoch Marina P. , Kurnasov Oleg V. , Osterman Andrei L. , Andrianova Ekaterina L. , Gudkov Andrei V.
Published: August 2023

LINE-1 (L1) repeats, the most prevalent family of autonomous retrotransposons in mammalian genomes, encode two polypeptides: ORF1p and ORF2p. Although epigenetically repressed in healthy tissues, L1 elements often derepress in tumors, rendering L1 antigens potential targets for anticancer immunotherapy. To explore this potential, we established mouse tumor-derived cell lines expressing either ORF1p or a synthesized protein featuring projected T-cell epitopes of ORF2p, both fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). L1 antigen expression significantly diminished tumorigenicity and stimulated immunocyte infiltration within syngeneic tumors in immunocompetent mice. However, it did not affect cell growth in culture, tumor growth in immunodeficient SCID and RAG mice, or in immunosenescent old mice. Natural T-cell response to L1-expressing cells was enhanced by systemic stimulation of innate immunity by the TLR5 agonist entolimod or immunization with vaccine based on synthetic peptides representing predicted T-cell-reactive epitopes of L1 antigens. Prophylactic anti-L1 vaccination notably postponed tumor onset in MMTV-Her2/neu mouse breast cancer model and suppressed lung metastasis in B16 melanoma models. Additionally, it decelerated the aging-associated frailty index. We assume that intrinsic T-cell-mediated response to L1-expressing cells acts as a tumor suppressor and antiaging mechanism that can be further stimulated by immunomodulatory interventions.
Aqueous botanical extracts, via different extraction methods, for control of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Escobar-Garcia Hector Alonso , Nascimento Vinícius Ferraz , De Melo Márcio Aparecido , Ramalho Dagmara Gomes , De Bortoli Sergio Antonio
Published: August 2023

Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a vegetable pest of the genus Brassica worldwide. The development of new, safer bio insecticides with less negative impacts on human health, flora, fauna, and specific to the target is needed to combat this pest, particularly in small-scale organic agriculture. In this sense, the efficiency of 7 plant species in the form of aqueous botanical extracts was evaluated regarding the bio insecticide effect, using three extraction methods (orbital agitation, decoction, and infusion). There was a difference between the treatments, highlighting the decoction of Couroupita guianensis, which presented the highest efficiency (39%) for second-instar larvae of P. xylostella, followed by infusions of Codiaeum variegatum and Ruta graveolens, both with a 29% efficiency rate. The 3 extraction methods were statistically different, with decoction and orbital agitation presenting the best results.
Effect of olanzapine exposure on relapse and brain structure in patients with major depressive disorder with psychotic features
Authors: Mulsant Benoit H. , Kim Helena , Voineskos Aristotle , Neufeld Nicholas , Alexopoulos George , Bingham Kathleen , Flint Alastair , Marino Patricia , Rothschild Anthony , Whyte Ellen
Published: August 2023

Some data suggest that antipsychotics may adversely affect brain structure. We examined the relationship among olanzapine exposure, relapse, and changes in brain structure in patients with major depressive disorder with psychotic features. We analyzed data from the Study of the Pharmacotherapy of Psychotic Depression II trial (STOP-PD II), a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with psychotic depression who attained remission on sertraline and olanzapine and were randomized to continue sertraline plus olanzapine or placebo for 36 weeks. Olanzapine steady state concentration (SSC) were calculated based on sparsely-sampled levels. Rates of relapse and changes in brain structure were assessed as outcomes. There were significant associations between dosage and relapse rates (N = 118; HR = 0.94, 95%CI [0.897, 0.977], p = 0.002) or changes in left cortical thickness (N = 44; B = -2.0x10-3, 95%CI [-3.1x10-3, - 9.6 x 10-4], p < 0.001) and between SSC and changes in left cortical thickness (N = 44; B = -8.7 x 10-4, 95%CI [-1.4x10-3, -3.6 x 10-4], p = 0.001). Similar results were found for the right cortex. These associations were no longer significant when the analysis was restricted to participants treated with olanzapine. Our findings suggest that, within its therapeutic range, the effect of olanzapine on relapse or cortical thickness does not depend on its dosage or SSC. Further research is needed on the effect of olanzapine and other antipsychotics on mood symptoms and brain structure.
Fast and accurate taxonomic classification for viral genomes with VISTA
Authors: Bao Yiming , Zhang Tao , Guo Xutong , Zhang Xinran , Zheng Xinchang , Zhang Mochen
Published: August 2023

The exponential growth of viral genome sequences in public databases has created a pressing need for a universal, scalable, and automated taxonomic framework to facilitate comprehensive virus studies. Here, we present VISTA (Virus Sequence-based Taxonomy Assignment), a novel computational tool for virus taxonomy featuring a pairwise sequence comparison system and an automatic demarcation threshold identification framework. VISTA leverages physio-chemical property sequences, k-mer profiles and selected features to construct a comprehensive distance-based framework for taxonomic clustering. Through a systematic comparison with the Pairwise Sequence Comparison (PASC), we demonstrate that VISTA achieves significantly improved separation for taxonomic groups, establishes more objective taxonomic demarcation thresholds, and runs at a substantially faster speed. We successfully applied VISTA to the class Caudoviricetesand 38 other virus families, indicating that our approach is robust, scalable, and capable of providing taxonomy assignments for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses. Moreover, the application of VISTA to 679 unclassified phage genomes recovered from metagenomic data identified 46 novel virus families. VISTA is available as both a command line tool and a user-friendly web portal at https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/vista.
Validity of the Holmlund-Grooten Sub-maximal Arm Crank Ergometer-Test for Estimating Peak Oxygen Uptake in Wheelchair Users with Spinal Cord Injury.
Authors: Holmlund Tobias , Grooten Wilhelmus Johannes Andreas
Published: August 2023

Most tests for estimating peak aerobic capacity in men and women with motor-complete Spinal Cord Injury (mcSCI) require advanced laboratory technology, indicating there is a need for an easy-to-administer submaximal arm crank ergometry test. The present study aimed to determine the validity and psychometric properties of a newly developed Holmlund-Grooten test for estimating the absolute peak oxygen consumption in individuals with mcSCI. In total, 64 persons (16 females) with mcSCI performed a protocol including submaximal and maximal arm crank ergometry. Maximal and submaximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was measured using indirect calorimetry. A forward logistic regression model including heart rate, Watt, perceived exertion (Borg RPE) and several demographic variables were used to predict absolute VO2peak. The final prediction model included five significant (p < 0.05) variables (sex, Watt, injury level, heart rate, Borg RPE) that were able to predict absolute VO2peak (adjusted R2 = 0.79). The Holmlund-Grooten test showed excellent validity (ICC[3,1] = 0.89; 95%CI 0.83–0.93) and good psychometric properties: Standard Error of the Mean (SEM = 0.038 L·min− 1) and Minimal Detectable Change (MDC = 0.11 L·min− 1). No adverse events were reported. Separate tables for men and women and tetra- and paraplegia estimating VO2peak are presented for clinical use.
Structural variants in the Epb41l4a locus may cause disruption of TADs, misregulation of the Nrep gene, and neurodevelopmental outcomes
Authors: Salnikov Pavel , Korablev Alexey , Serova Irina , Belokopytova Polina , Yan Aleksandra , Stepanchuk Yana , Tikhomirov Savelii , Fishman Veniamin
Published: August 2023

Structural variations are a pervasive feature of human genomes, and there is growing recognition of their role in disease development through their impact on spatial chromatin architecture. This understanding has led us to investigate the clinical significance of CNVs in noncoding regions that influence TAD structures. In this study, we focused on the Epb41l4a locus, which contains a highly conserved TAD boundary present in both human chromosome 5 and mouse chromosome 18, and its association with neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Analysis of human data from the DECIPHER database revealed that CNVs within this locus, including both deletions and duplications, are correlated with neurological abnormalities, such as dyslexia and intellectual disability. To understand these associations, we generated mouse models with deletion and inversion mutations at this locus and carried out RNA-seq analysis to elucidate gene expression changes. We found that modifications in the Epb41l4a TAD boundary led to dysregulation of the Nrep gene, which plays a crucial role in nervous system development. These findings underscore the potential pathogenicity of these CNVs and highlight the crucial role of spatial genome architecture in gene expression regulation.
Modeling birth registration in Savannah Region using Linear Mixed Effects Model
Authors: Issah Fatawu , Jakperik Dioggban
Published: August 2023

Background: Birth registration is essential to organizations and the country for development planning purposes. The Births and Deaths Registry is the most important source of data on the size, composition, growth, and distribution of a country’s population at the national and sub-national levels. If a government’s birth records are incorrect, it may not allocate adequate resources to immunization programs, education budgets, or programs designed to combat exploitation. The study was conducted to identify the factors that influence birth registration in the Savannah region.
Method: The study used secondary data from 2020 and 2021 birth registration obtained from the Savannah regional births and deaths office. Two main analytical methods were used for the study; Linear Mixed Effects and Structural equation models.
Results: The variables that influence birth registrations are mothers’ and fathers’ education, occupation, informant and place of residence.
Conclusion: There is therefore the need to intensify education in the region, especially the rural areas and areas with high illiteracy rates to improve birth registration in the region.
Association between total testosterone/sex hormone-binding globulin and stress urinary incontinence: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Long Shouyi , Luo Huijiu , Zhu Han , Chen Shulian , Sun Xianwu , Li Guangjie
Published: August 2023

Background
Observational studies have reported associations between total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). However, the causal relationship between total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and SUI remains unclear.
Method
Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was performed using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for total testosterone from 425,097 individuals and sex hormone-binding globulin from 214,989 individuals, along with summary statistics of GWAS for SUI from 463,010 individuals. Instrumental variables (IVs) were selected using 73 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for total testosterone and 78 SNPs for sex hormone-binding globulin. Various MR methods, including inverse variance-weighted, MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and weighted mode, were employed to assess the causal relationship between total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and SUI. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using heterogeneity tests, pleiotropy tests, and leave-one-out sensitivity tests to validate the robustness of the data.
Results
Mendelian randomization analysis showed a significant association between total testosterone and SUI in IVW (OR = 0.9967; 95% CI:0.9945–0.9989, p = 0.0035), but no evidence of an effect of total testosterone on SUI was found in other methods. MR-Egger (OR = 0.9992, 95% CI: 0.9948–1.0037, p = 0.7463), weighted median (OR = 0.9990, 95% CI: 0.9954–1.0026, p = 0.5549). Additionally, in IVW (OR = 0.9988, 95% CI: 0.9979–0.9997, p = 0.0094), a causal relationship between sex hormone-binding globulin and SUI risk was also observed. However, no evidence of an effect of sex hormone-binding globulin on SUI was found in other methods. MR།Egger (OR = 0.9997, 95% CI: 0.9979–1.0014, p = 0.7334), weighted median (OR = 0.9992, 95% CI: 0.9978–1.0006, p = 0.2793).
Conclusion
The results of this study provide support for a causal relationship between total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and SUI. Higher levels of total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin are associated with a decreased risk of SUI. Additionally, the study's outcomes suggest the potential for improving or mitigating the severity of stress urinary incontinence through supplementation with total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin.
Comprehensive Analysis of m6A Modification in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice
Authors: Xu Chenzhen , Song Congkuan , Wang Wenjie , Liu Bohao , Li Guorui , Fu Tinglv , Hao Bo , Li Ning , Geng Qing
Published: August 2023

Background
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is the most prevalent post-transcriptional modification in mRNA, and plays significant roles in various diseases. Nevertheless, the precise functions of m6A modification in the formation of ALI remain unclear. In this study we explore the probable roles of m6A modification in ALI.
Methods
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was utilized to establish an ALI mouse model. Real-time qPCR, Western blotting and m6A dot blot were utilized to assess m6A methylation level. MeRIP-Seq and RNA-seq were utilized to explore differential m6A modifications and differentially expressed genes in ALI mice.
Results
Our findings showed that overall m6A methylation level was increased in ALI mice lung tissues, accompanied by lower levels of METTL3 and FTO. Notably, the protein expression of these methylases were different in various cells. There were 772 differently expressed m6A peaks in ALI as compared to the control group, with 316 being hypermethylated and 456 being hypomethylated. GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated these differentially methylated genes were associated with the calcium signaling pathway and cAMP signaling pathway. Furthermore, we identified 50 genes with distinct m6A peaks and mRNA expressions by combined analysis of MeRIP-Seq and RNA-Seq. KEGG analysis also demonstrated that these overlapped genes were closely associated with the calcium signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, etc.
Conclusions
m6A modification was paramount in the pathogenesis of ALI, and provided a foundation for the further investigation in the prevention and treatment of ALI.
The Gut-Brain Axis System: A Genetic Perspective on Smoking and Glioma Risk Using Mendelian Randomisation and Toxicogenomics
Authors: Hou Weiyu , Zhang Jiachen , Zhao Xueming
Published: August 2023

Several exposure factors are believed to increase the risk of glioma development and metastasis. However, few researches have figured out the mechanism behind it. In recent years, mendelian Randomisation studies have been popular to look for causality from a genetic perspective. Our study has found strong causality between nicotine consumption and glioma, and we have further investigated the specific molecules involved to provide a clearer explanation. We based our research on the gut-brain axis theory. The results not only indicate high independent risk of smoking on glioma, but also contribute to the development of gut-brain axis theory in the field of tumorigenesis, thereby promoting future advances in tumor therapy.
Somatic Embryogenesis and Genetic Fidelity in Camelina by RAPD Markers and Flow Cytometry
Authors: Bahmankar Moslem , Rahnama Hassan , Salehi Maryam , Noori Seyed Ahmad Sadat
Published: August 2023

Camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) is an oily, medicinal plant that is a member of the Brassicaceae family. It has a lot of important agronomic characteristics, including as good environmental adaptability and tolerance to cold, heat, pests, and diseases. The present investigation aimed to improve somatic embryogenesis, and camelina regeneration, and evaluate genetic stability in the regenerated plantlets using RAPD markers and flow cytometry. Two explants of the hypocotyl and cotyledon were used, together with four different combinations of PGRs made up of NAA, BAP, 2,4-D, and Kin, to optimize somatic embryogenesis and regeneration in Camelina. Because several somatic embryogenesis developmental phases could be observed on embryogenic calluses at the same time, the results suggested that somatic embryogenesis in camelina is a simultaneous occurrence. The greatest rate of somatic embryogenesis and regeneration was seen in the cotyledon explant grown in the MS + 0.3 mgL-1 NAA + 0.7 mgL-1 BAP. The results also revealed that the MS + 0.25 mgL− 1 IAA + 0.5 mgL− 1 NAA had the best rooting response and a favorable seedling survival rate. In the present work, RAPD markers were utilized for the first time in camelina to confirm the genetic fidelity of in vitro regenerated plants and their donor mother plant. The amplified products showed 64 different, scorable bands, and the regenerated plants were an identical replica of their donor mother plants. The fidelity of the ploidy level was assessed by flow cytometry, and the findings confirmed monomorphic patterns in both the regenerated plants and their donor mother plants. According to the present findings, it can be said generally that somatic embryogenesis may be advantageous for large-scale multiplication, breeding programs, and in vitro conservation in camelina.
Prognostic and Diagnostic Utility of Interleukin-6 in Pediatric Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension - A case control study
Authors: Abdallah Mohamed , Abouelhassan Mohamed , Hadwa Eman
Published: August 2023

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in pediatrics is a progressive disease with significant vascular remodeling, right sided heart failure, and death if left untreated. Elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in PAH patients is taken as an independent predictor of adverse outcome including mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare serum levels of IL-6 in children with PAH and healthy matched controls, and correlate between between IL-6 and degree of PAH, as well as mortality.
Method: IL-6 was measured by ELISA in serum samples in 40 children with PAH (age 1-12 years) and 40 age and sex matched healthy controls.
Results: There was statistically significant increase in IL-6 level among PAH cases compared with the controls (1.85 ng/L vs 1.30 ng/L, p-value =0.004). IL-6 at cut off point 1.45ng/L significantly predict pulmonary hypertension in children, (AUC=0.685, 75% sensitivity, and 65% specificity with p=0.002). There was no statistically significant association between IL-6 level and degree of PAH (p=0.218). There was no statistically significant association between IL-6 level and mortality (p=0.662).
Conclusion: IL-6 significantly predict PAH in pediatrics but there is no association between IL-6 level and degree of PAH or mortality. IL-6 may provide a less costly, and less invasive method for disease detection.