bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diet and ideal food pyramid to prevent or support the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts
Authors: Rondanelli Mariangela , Gasparri Clara , Riva Antonella , Petrangolini Giovanna , Barrile Gaetan Claude , Cavioni Alessandro , Razza Claudia , Tartara Alice , Perna Simone
Published: May 2023

Many eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and cataracts are preventable and treatable with lifestyle. The objective of this review is to assess the most recent research on the ideal dietary approach to prevent or support the treatment of DR, AMD, and cataracts, as well as to construct a food pyramid that makes it simple for people who are at risk of developing these pathologies to decide what to eat. The food pyramid presented here proposes what should be consumed every day: 3 portions of low glycemic index (GI) grains (for fiber and zinc content), 5 portions (each portion: ≥200 g/day) of fruits and vegetables (spinach, broccoli, zucchini cooked, green leafy vegetables, orange, kiwi, grapefruit for folic acid, vitamin C, and lutein/zeaxanthin content, at least ≥42 μg/day, are to be preferred), extra virgin olive (EVO) oil (almost 20 mg/day for vitamin E and polyphenols content), nuts or oil seeds (20–30 g/day, for zinc content, at least ≥15.8 mg/day); weekly: fish (4 portions, for omega-3 content and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 0.35–1.4 g/day), white meat (3 portions for vitamin B12 content), legumes (2 portions for vegetal proteins), eggs (2 portions for lutein/zeaxanthin content), light cheeses (2 portions for vitamin B6 content), and almost 3–4 times/week microgreen and spices (saffron and curcumin). At the top of the pyramid, there are two pennants: one green, which indicates the need for personalized supplementation (if daily requirements cannot be met through diet, omega-3, and L-methylfolate supplementation), and one red, which indicates that certain foods are prohibited (salt and sugar). Finally, 3–4 times per week, 30–40 min of aerobic and resistance exercises are required.
A primer on in vivo cell tracking using MRI
Authors: Cheng Hai-Ling Margaret
Published: May 2023

Cell tracking by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a collection of multiple advantages over other imaging modalities, including high spatial resolution, unlimited depth penetration, 3D visualization, lack of ionizing radiation, and the potential for long-term cell monitoring. Three decades of innovation in both contrast agent chemistry and imaging physics have built an expansive array of probes and methods to track cells non-invasively across a diverse range of applications. In this review, we describe both established and emerging MRI cell tracking approaches and the variety of mechanisms available for contrast generation. Emphasis is given to the advantages, practical limitations, and persistent challenges of each approach, incorporating quantitative comparisons where possible. Toward the end of this review, we take a deeper dive into three key application areas – tracking cancer metastasis, immunotherapy for cancer, and stem cell regeneration – and discuss the cell tracking techniques most suitable to each.
Prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection among women in Xiamen, China
Authors: Shen Ye , Huang Yanru , Wang Wenbo , Zhang Jian , Chen Xiaolu , Zhang Lutan , Huang Xiaomei , Ge Yunsheng
Published: May 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HPV and genotype distribution among female populations in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, which can be conducive for local governments to formulate cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccine strategies.

Methods

Cervical swabs were collected from 47,926 participants aged 16–92 years at the Women and Children’s Hospital, Xiamen University, from November 2019 to June 2020. HPV DNA was extracted and detected using conventional PCR, followed by HPV subtype-specific hybridisation. HPV infection rates based on different groups were compared using the χ2 test. HPV prevalence and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using SPSS 19.0.

Results

The overall HPV prevalence among the 47,926 cervical swabs that were analysed was 15.13%, of which single, double, and multiple infections accounted for 76.83, 16.70 and 6.47%, respectively. The age-specific prevalence of HPV infection presented a “U” curve with a HPV prevalence peak observed in women aged <20 years. The gynaecology clinic group had significantly higher HPV positive rates than the health examination group (p < 0.001). The five most common HR-HPV subtypes in Xiamen were HPV52, 58, 16, 51, and 39 (2.69, 1.63, 1.23, 1.05, and 0.98%, respectively). The five most common LR-HPV subtypes were HPV54, 61, 81, 70, 34, and 84 (0.92, 0.86, 0.71, 0.45 and 0.35%, respectively).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that the 9-valent HPV vaccine is recommended for regular immunisation in Xiamen. It is necessary for elderly women to participate in HPV screening to decrease the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer.
Effects of organic fertilizers on yield, soil physico-chemical property, soil microbial community diversity and structure of Brassica rapa var. Chinensis
Authors: Zhang Xia , Li Jian , Shao Le , Qin Feng , Yang Jie , Gu Hongru , Zhai Pin , Pan Xiaoqing
Published: May 2023

The amount of chemical fertilizer for vegetables is on the high level in China. The use of organic fertilizers to meet the nutrient requirement of crops will be an inevitable practice in sustainable agriculture. In this study, we compared the effects of pig manure fertilizer, rabbit manure fertilizer and chemical fertilizer on yield, quality of Brassica rapa var. Chinensis, soil physico-chemical properties and microbial community by using two consecutive seasons of three fertilizers in a pot experiment. The results were as follows: (1) In the first season, the fresh yield of Brassica rapa var. Chinensis applying chemical fertilizer was significantly (p ≤ 5%) higher than those of applying the pig manure and rabbit manure fertilizer, and the results were the opposite in the second season. The total soluble sugar concentration of fresh Brassica rapa var. Chinensis applying rabbit manure fertilizer was significantly (p ≤ 5%) higher than those of applying pig manure fertilizer and chemical fertilizer in the first season, and the NO3-N content of fresh Brassica rapa var. Chinensis on the contrary. (2) The organic fertilizer increased the concentration of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and organic carbon in soil in both two seasons. Rabbit manure fertilizer increased the soil pH and EC and significantly (p ≤ 5%) reduced the soil NO3-N content. (3) The pig manure and rabbit manure fertilizer significantly (p ≤ 5%) increased the diversity and abundance of soil bacterial of Brassica rapa var. Chinensis, but had no significant effect on soil fungi. Pearson correlation analysis showed that soil TN, TP, organic carbon content and EC were significantly correlated with soil bacterial α - diversity. There were significant differences (p ≤ 5%) in the bacterial community structures between three treatments in two seasons, and significant differences (p ≤ 5%) in the fungal community structures between fertilizer treatments while not between two seasons. Pig manure and rabbit manure fertilizer decreased the relative abundance of soil Acidobacteria and Crenarchaeota, rabbit manure fertilizer significantly increased the abundance of Actinobacteria in the second season. Distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) showed that soil EC, TN, and organic carbon content were key physico-chemical factors in determining bacterial community structure in Brassica rapa var. Chinensis soil, and soil NO3-N, EC, SOC concentration and soil pH in the fungal community structure.
Comparison of gut microbiome composition in colonic biopsies, endoscopically-collected and at-home-collected stool samples
Authors: Nowicki Christina , Ray Lucille , Engen Philip , Madrigrano Andrea , Witt Thomas , Lad Thomas , Cobleigh Melody , Mutlu Ece A.
Published: May 2023

Aim

The goal of this study is to compare microbiome composition in three different sample types in women, namely stool brought from home vs. solid stool samples obtained at the time of an unprepped sigmoidoscopy vs. biopsies of the colonic mucosa at the time of an unprepped sigmoidoscopy, using alpha- and beta-diversity metrics following bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing. The findings may have relevance to health and disease states in which bacterial metabolism has a significant impact on molecules/metabolites that are recirculated between the gut lumen and mucosa and systemic circulation, such as estrogens (as in breast cancer) or bile acids.

Methods

Concomitant at-home-collected stool, endoscopically-collected stool, and colonic biopsy samples were collected from 48 subjects (24 breast cancer, 24 control.) After 16S rRNA sequencing, an amplicon sequence variant (ASV) based approach was used to analyze the data. Alpha diversity metrics (Chao1, Pielou’s Evenness, Faith PD, Shannon, and Simpson) and beta diversity metrics (Bray-Curtis, Weighted and Unweighted Unifrac) were calculated. LEfSe was used to analyze differences in the abundance of various taxa between sample types.

Results

Alpha and beta diversity metrics were significantly different between the three sample types. Biopsy samples were different than stool samples in all metrics. The highest variation in microbiome diversity was noted in the colonic biopsy samples. At-home and endoscopically-collected stool showed more similarities in count-based and weighted beta diversity metrics. There were significant differences in rare taxa and phylogenetically-diverse taxa between the two types of stool samples. Generally, there were higher levels of Proteobacteria in biopsy samples, with significantly more Actinobacteria and Firmicutes in stool (all p < 0.001, q-value < 0.05). Overall, there was a significantly higher relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae in stool samples (at-home collected and endoscopically-collected) and higher abundances of Tisserellaceae in biopsy samples (all p < 0.001, q-value < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our data shows that different sampling methods can impact results when looking at the composition of the gut microbiome using ASV-based approaches.
Solid-liquid equilibria of Sorel phases and Mg (OH)2 in the system Na-Mg-Cl-OH-H2O. Part I: experimental determination of OH− and H+ equilibrium concentrations and solubility constants at 25°C, 40°C, and 60°C
Authors: Pannach Melanie , Paschke Iris , Metz Volker , Altmaier Marcus , Voigt Wolfgang , Freyer Daniela
Published: May 2023

Sorel phases are the binder phases of the magnesia building material (Sorel cement/concrete) and of special concern for the construction of long-term stable geotechnical barriers in repositories for radioactive waste in rock salt, as potentially occurring brines are expected to contain MgCl2. Sorel phases, in addition to Mg(OH)2, are equally important as pH buffers to minimize solubility and potential mobilization of radionuclides in brine systems. In order to obtain a detailed database of the relevant solid-liquid equilibria and the related pHm values of the equilibrium solutions, extensive experimental investigations were carried out. Solid phase formation was studied by suspending MgO and Mg(OH)2 in NaCl saturated MgCl2-solutions at 25°C. Mg(OH)2 and the 3-1-8 Sorel phase were identified as the stable solid phases, while the 5-1-8 Sorel phase is metastable. Equilibration at 40°C did not lead to any solid phase changes. Both OH− and H+ equilibrium concentrations were analyzed as a function of MgCl2 concentration at 25°C and 40°C. In addition to our already published solid-liquid equilibria for the ternary system Mg-Cl-OH-H2O (25°C–120°C), the equilibrium H+ concentrations (pHm) determined at 25°C, 40°C and 60°C are now reported. Analyzing these data together with known ion-interaction Pitzer coefficients, the solubility constants for Mg(OH)2 and the 3-1-8 phase at these three temperatures, for the metastable 5-1-8 phase at 25°C and for the 2-1-4 phase at 60°C have been consistently calculated.
Impact of endobiliary radiofrequency ablation on survival of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma: a narrative review
Authors: Di Girolamo Elena , Belli Andrea , Ottaiano Alessandro , Granata Vincenza , Borzillo Valentina , Tarotto Luca , Tatangelo Fabiana , Palaia Raffaele , Civiletti Corrado , Piccirillo Mauro , D’Angelo Valentina , Fiore Francesco , Marone Pietro , Nasti Guglielmo , Izzo Francesco , de Bellis Mario
Published: May 2023

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare cancer originating from the biliary epithelium and accounts for about 3% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Unfortunately, the majority of patients are not eligible for surgical resection at the time of diagnosis, because of the locally advanced stage or metastatic disease. The overall survival time of unresectable CCA is generally less than 1 year, despite current chemotherapy regimens. Biliary drainage is often required as a palliative treatment for patients with unresectable CCA. Recurrent jaundice and cholangitis tend to occur because of reobstruction of the biliary stents. This not only jeopardizes the efficacy of chemotherapy, but also causes significant morbidity and mortality. Effective control of tumor growth is crucial for prolonging stent patency and consequently patient survival. Recently, endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) has been experimented as a treatment modality to reduce tumor mass, and delay tumor growth, extending stent patency. Ablation is accomplished by means of high-frequency alternating current which is released from the active electrode of an endobiliary probe placed in a biliary stricture. It has been shown that tumor necrosis releases intracellular particles which are highly immunogenic and activate antigen-presenting cells, enhancing local immunity directed against the tumor. This immunogenic response could potentially enhance tumor suppression and be responsible for improved survival of patients with unresectable CCA who undergo ERFA. Several studies have demonstrated that ERFA is associated with an increased median survival of approximately 6 months in patients with unresectable CCA. Furthermore, recent data support the hypothesis that ERFA could ameliorate the efficacy of chemotherapy administered to patients with unresectable CCA, without increasing the risk of complications. This narrative review discusses the results of the studies published in recent years and focuses on the impact that ERFA could have on overall survival of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.
Esketamine opioid-free intravenous anesthesia versus opioid intravenous anesthesia in spontaneous ventilation video-assisted thoracic surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fan Qisen , Luo Jinhui , Zhou Qianling , Zhang Yaoliang , Zhang Xin , Li Jiayang , Jiang Long , Lan Lan
Published: May 2023

Background

Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) provides adequate analgesia and can reduce postoperative opioid consumption, but its efficacy in spontaneous ventilation video-assisted thoracic surgery (SV-VATS) has not been demonstrated. We aimed to investigate the hypothesis that OFA could provide the same perioperative pain control as opioid anesthesia (OA), maintain safe and stable respiration and hemodynamics during surgery, and improve postoperative recovery.

Methods

Sixty eligible patients (OFA group: n=30; OA group: n=30) treated between September 15, 2022, and December 15, 2022, at The First Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University were included. They were randomized to receive standard balanced OFA with esketamine or OA with remifentanil combined with sufentanil. The primary outcome was the pain numeric rating score (NRS) at postoperative 24 h, and the secondary outcomes were intraoperative respiratory and hemodynamic data, opioid consumption, vasoactive drug dosage, and recovery in the post-anesthesia care unit and ward.

Results

There was no significant difference in the postoperative pain scores and recovery quality between the two groups. The OFA group had a significantly lower dose of phenylephrine (P=0.001) and a lower incidence of hypotension (P=0.004) during surgery. The OFA group resumed spontaneous respiration faster (P<0.001) and had a higher quality of lung collapse (P=0.02). However, the total doses of propofol and dexmetomidine were higher (P=0.03 and P=0.02), and the time to consciousness was longer (P=0.039) in the OFA group.

Conclusions

OFA provides the same level of postoperative pain control as OA, but it is more advantageous in maintaining circulatory and respiratory stability and improving the quality of pulmonary collapse in SV-VATS.
Construction of T cell exhaustion model for predicting survival and immunotherapy effect of bladder cancer based on WGCNA
Authors: Xue Yuwen , Zhao Guanghui , Pu Xiaoxin , Jiao Fangdong
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The prognosis of bladder cancer (BLCA) and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are determined by multiple factors. Existed biomarkers for predicting the effect of immunotherapy cannot accurately predict the response of BLCA patients to ICIs.

Methods

To further accurately stratify patients’ response to ICIs and identify potential novel predictive biomarkers, we used the known T cell exhaustion (TEX)-related specific pathways, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-g, and T- cell cytotoxicpathways, combined with weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to analyze the characteristics of TEX in BLCA in detail, constructed a TEX model.

Results

This model including 28 genes can robustly predict the survival of BLCA and immunotherapeutic efficacy. This model could divide BLCA into two groups, TEXhigh and TEXlow, with significantly different prognoses, clinical features, and reactivity to ICIs. The critical characteristic genes, such as potential biomarkers Charged Multivesicular Body Protein 4C (CHMP4C), SH2 Domain Containing 2A (SH2D2A), Prickle Planar Cell Polarity Protein 3 (PRICKLE3) and Zinc Finger Protein 165 (ZNF165) were verified in BLCA clinical samples by real-time quantitative chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Discussion

Our findings show that the TEX model can serve as biological markers for predicting the response to ICIs, and the involving molecules in the TEX model might provide new potential targets for immunotherapy in BLCA.
MONISEDA Project: Improving Analgosedation Monitoring in Spanish Pediatric Intensive Care Units
Authors: Mencía Santiago , Cieza Raquel , del Castillo Jimena , López-Herce Jesús ,   Sedation Group of Spanish Pediatric Critical Care Society (SECIP)
Published: May 2023

Background: Analgosedation (AS) assessment using clinical scales is crucial to follow the international recommendations about analgosedation. The Analgosedation workgroup of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Intensive Care (SECIP) carried out two surveys in 2008 and 2015, which verified the gap in analgosedation assessment in Spanish pediatric intensive care unit (PICUs). The objective of the study was to analyze how analgosedation assessment by clinical scales changed after a multicenter intervention program.

Methods: This is a multicenter pre–post study comparing the use of sedation, analgesia, withdrawal, and delirium scales before and after the MONISEDA project. Results were also compared with a control group formed by non-participating units. A survey about analgosedation management and monitoring was filled out before (year 2015) and after (year 2020) the implementation of the MONISEDA project in 2016. Results were compared not only between those periods of time but also between participant and non-participant PICUs in the MONISEDA project (M-group and non-M group, respectively). Data related to analgosedation of all patients admitted to a MONISEDA-participant PICU were also collected for 2 months.

Results: Fifteen Spanish PICUs were enrolled in the MONISEDA project and another 15 non-participant PICUs formed the control group. In the M-group, the number of PICUs with a written analgosedation protocol increased from 53 to 100% (p = 0.003) and withdrawal protocol from 53 to 100% (p = 0.003), whereas in the non-M group, the written AS protocol increased from 80 to 87% and the withdrawal protocol stayed on 80%. The number of PICUs with an analgosedation team increased from 7 to 47% in the M-group (p = 0.01) and from 13 to 33% in the non-M group (p = 0.25). In the M-group, routine use of analgosedation clinical scales increased from 7 to 100% (p < 0.001), withdrawal scales from 7% to 86% (p = 0.001), and delirium scales from 7 to 33% (p = 0.125). In the non-M group, the number of PICUs using AS scales increased from 13 to 100% (p < 0.001), withdrawal scales from 7 to 27% (p = 0.125), and delirium scales from 0 to 7% (p = 1).

Conclusions: The development of a specific training program improves monitoring and management of analgosedation in PICUs.
Developing a nomogram for predicting surgical intervention in pediatric intussusception after hydrostatic reduction
Authors: Zhuang Yize , Wang Xun , Fan Xia , Li Fei , He Guoqing , Luo Miao , Tang Yingming
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting surgical intervention in pediatric intussusception after hydrostatic reduction.

Methods

Children with intussusception who had treated with sonographically guided saline hydrostatic reduction as an initial treatment were enrolled in this study. The enrolled patients were randomly selected for training and validation sets, and the split ratio was 7:3. The medical records of enrolled patients were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into a surgery and a non-surgery group according to the results of the nonsurgical reduction. A model for predicting the risk of surgical treatment was virtualized by the nomogram using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The training set consisted of 139 patients and the validation set included 74. After logistic regression analysis using training set, duration of symptoms, bloody stools, white blood cells (WBCs), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), long-axis diameter, poor prognostic signs by ultrasound and mental state were identified as the independent predictors of surgical intervention for intussusception. A model that incorporated the above independent predictors was developed and presented as a nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram in the validation set was 0.948 (95% CI, 0.888–1.000). The calibration curve demonstrated a good agreement between prediction and observation. The decision curve analysis (DCA) curve showed that the model achieved a net benefit across all threshold probabilities.

Conclusion

Based on the predictors of duration of symptoms, bloody stools, WBCs, CK-MB, long-axis diameter, poor prognostic signs by ultrasound and mental state, we developed a nomogram for predicting surgical intervention after hydrostatic reduction. This nomogram could be applied directly to facilitate pre-surgery decision for pediatric intussusception.
Traumatic subgaleal hematoma drainage in an adolescent: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Aubert Blandine , Cadoux Manon , Sahyoun Cyril
Published: May 2023

Background

Subgaleal hematoma is a well-known life-threatening complication of instrumentation at birth. Even though most cases of subgaleal hematomas occur in the neonatal period, older children and adults are also at risk for subgaleal hematomas and their complications, following head trauma.

Objective

We hereby report the case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with a traumatic subgaleal hematoma requiring drainage and review the relevant literature regarding potential complications and indications for surgical intervention.

Results

Infection, airway compression, orbital compartment syndrome and anemia requiring transfusion are potential complications of subgaleal hematomas. Although rare, surgical drainage and embolization are occasionally required interventions.

Conclusion

Subgaleal hematomas following head trauma can occur in children beyond the neonatal period. Large hematomas may require drainage to relieve pain or when compressive or infectious complications are suspected. Although usually not life-threatening, physicians taking care of children must be cognizant of this entity when caring for a patient with a large hematoma following head trauma and in severe cases, consider a multidisciplinary approach.
Will EGFRvIII and neuronal-derived EGFR be targets for imipramine?
Authors: Li Zesheng , Wang Bo , Wu Jianjian , Han Lei
Published: May 2023

Tricyclic antidepressant is an old and well-established therapeutic agent with a good safety profile, making them an excellent candidate for repurposing. In light of the growing understanding of the importance of nerves in the development and progression of cancer, attention is now being turned to using nerve-targeting drugs for the treatment of cancer, particularly TCAs. However, the specific mechanism by which antidepressants affect the tumor microenvironment of glioblastoma (GBM) is still unclear. Here, we combined bulk RNA sequencing, network pharmacology, single-cell sequencing, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation to explore the potential molecular mechanism of imipramine in the treatment of GBM. We first revealed that the imipramine treatment is presumed to target EGFRvIII and neuronal-derived EGFR, which may play a pivotal role in treating GBM by reducing the GABAergic synapse and vesicle-mediated release and other processes thereby modulating immune function. The novel pharmacological mechanisms might provide further research directions.
Evaluation of the in vitro permeation parameters of topical ketoprofen and lidocaine hydrochloride from transdermal Pentravan® products through human skin
Authors: Adamiak-Giera Urszula , Nowak Anna , Duchnik Wiktoria , Ossowicz-Rupniewska Paula , Czerkawska Anna , Machoy-Mokrzyńska Anna , Sulikowski Tadeusz , Kucharski Łukasz , Białecka Marta , Klimowicz Adam , Białecka Monika
Published: May 2023

In the treatment of pain, especially chronic pain, the rule of multimodal therapy applies, based on various painkillers mechanisms of action. The aim of the conducted study was to evaluate the in vitro penetration of ketoprofen (KET) and lidocaine hydrochloride (LH) through the human skin from a vehicle with transdermal properties. The results obtained with the use of the Franz chamber showed statistically significantly higher penetration of KET from the transdermal vehicle as compared to commercial preparations. It was also shown that the addition of LH to the transdermal vehicle did not change the amount of KET permeated. The study also compared the penetration of KET and LH by adding various excipients to the transdermal vehicle. Comparing the cumulative mass of KET that penetrated after the 24-h study, it was observed that the significantly highest permeation was found for the vehicle containing additionally Tinctura capsici, then for that containing camphor and ethanol, and the vehicle containing menthol and ethanol as compared to that containing Pentravan® alone. A similar tendency was observed in the case of LH, where the addition of Tinctura capsici, menthol and camphor led to a statistically significant higher penetration. Adding certain drugs such as KET and LH to Pentravan®, and substances such as menthol, camphor or capsaicin, can be an interesting alternative to administered enteral drugs especially in the group of patients with multiple diseases and polypragmasy.
Effect of neglecting passive spinal structures: a quantitative investigation using the forward-dynamics and inverse-dynamics musculoskeletal approach
Authors: Meszaros-Beller Laura , Hammer Maria , Schmitt Syn , Pivonka Peter
Published: May 2023

Purpose: Inverse-dynamics (ID) analysis is an approach widely used for studying spine biomechanics and the estimation of muscle forces. Despite the increasing structural complexity of spine models, ID analysis results substantially rely on accurate kinematic data that most of the current technologies are not capable to provide. For this reason, the model complexity is drastically reduced by assuming three degrees of freedom spherical joints and generic kinematic coupling constraints. Moreover, the majority of current ID spine models neglect the contribution of passive structures. The aim of this ID analysis study was to determine the impact of modelled passive structures (i.e., ligaments and intervertebral discs) on remaining joint forces and torques that muscles must balance in the functional spinal unit.

Methods: For this purpose, an existing generic spine model developed for the use in the demoa software environment was transferred into the musculoskeletal modelling platform OpenSim. The thoracolumbar spine model previously used in forward-dynamics (FD) simulations provided a full kinematic description of a flexion-extension movement. By using the obtained in silico kinematics, ID analysis was performed. The individual contribution of passive elements to the generalised net joint forces and torques was evaluated in a step-wise approach increasing the model complexity by adding individual biological structures of the spine.

Results: The implementation of intervertebral discs and ligaments has significantly reduced compressive loading and anterior torque that is attributed to the acting net muscle forces by −200% and −75%, respectively. The ID model kinematics and kinetics were cross-validated against the FD simulation results.

Conclusion: This study clearly shows the importance of incorporating passive spinal structures on the accurate computation of remaining joint loads. Furthermore, for the first time, a generic spine model was used and cross-validated in two different musculoskeletal modelling platforms, i.e., demoa and OpenSim, respectively. In future, a comparison of neuromuscular control strategies for spinal movement can be investigated using both approaches.
Synergistic effect of carbon nanoparticles with mild salinity for improving chemical composition and antioxidant activities of radish sprouts
Authors: Halawani Riyadh F. , AbdElgawad Hamada , Aloufi Fahed A. , Balkhyour Mansour A. , Zrig Ahlem , Hassan Abdelrahim H.A.
Published: May 2023

The demand for healthy foods with high functional value has progressively increased. Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) have a promising application in agriculture including the enhancement of plant growth. However, there are few studies on the interactive effects of CNPs and mild salinity on radish seed sprouting. To this end, the effect of radish seed priming with 80mM CNPs on biomass, anthocyanin, proline and polyamine metabolism, and antioxidant defense system under mild salinity growth condition (25 mM NaCl). The results indicated that seed nanopriming with CNPs along with mild salinity stress enhanced radish seed sprouting and its antioxidant capacity. Priming boosted the antioxidant capacity by increasing antioxidant metabolites such as (polyphenols, flavonoids, polyamines, anthocyanin, and proline). To understand the bases of these increases, precursors and key biosynthetic enzymes of anthocyanin [phenylalanine, cinnamic acid, coumaric acid, naringenin, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, chalcone synthase (CHS), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H) and 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4CL)], proline [pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), proline dehydrogenase (PRODH), Sucrose, Sucrose P synthase, invertase) and polyamines [putrescine, spermine, spermidine, total polyamines, arginine decarboxylase, orinthnine decarboxylase, S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase, spermidine synthase, spermine synthase] were analyzed. In conclusion, seed priming with CNPs has the potential to further stimulate mild salinity-induced bioactive compound accumulation in radish sprouts.
Soil enzyme activities, soil physical properties, photosynthetic physical characteristics and water use of winter wheat after long-term straw mulch and organic fertilizer application
Authors: Yang Yonghui , Liu Hao , Wu Jicheng , Zhang Sensen , Gao Cuimin , Zhang Shuiqing , Tang Darrell W. S.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Inappropriate residue and nutrient management leads to soil degradation and the decline of soil quality and water storage capacity.

Methods

An ongoing field experiment has been conducted since 2011 to investigate the effects of straw mulching (SM), and straw mulching combined with organic fertilizer (SM+O), on winter wheat yield, including a control treatment (CK, no straw). We studied the effects of these treatments on soil microbial biomass nitrogen and carbon, soil enzyme activity in 2019, photosynthetic parameters, evapotranspiration (ET), water use efficiency (WUE), and yields over five consecutive years (2015-2019). We also analyzed the soil organic carbon, soil structure, field capacity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity in 2015 and 2019.

Results

Results indicate that compared with CK, SM and SM+O treatments increased the proportion of >0.25mm aggregates, soil organic carbon, field capacity, and saturated hydraulic conductivity, but decreased the soil bulk density. In addition, the SM and SM+O treatments also increased soil microbial biomass nitrogen and carbon, the activity of soil enzymes, and decreased the carbon-nitrogen ratio of microbial biomass. Therefore, SM and SM+O treatments both increased the leaf water use efficiency (LWUE) and photosynthetic rate (Pn), and improved the yields and water use efficiency (WUE) of winter wheat. The combination SM (4.5 t/ha)+O (0.75 t/ha) was more effective than SM alone, and both treatments were superior to the control.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, SM+O is recommended as the most effective cultivation practice.
ZIP4 is required for normal progression of synapsis and for over 95% of crossovers in wheat meiosis
Authors: Draeger Tracie N. , Rey María-Dolores , Hayta Sadiye , Smedley Mark , Alabdullah Abdul Kader , Moore Graham , Martín Azahara C.
Published: May 2023

Tetraploid (AABB) and hexaploid (AABBDD) wheat have multiple sets of similar chromosomes, with successful meiosis and preservation of fertility relying on synapsis and crossover (CO) formation only taking place between homologous chromosomes. In hexaploid wheat, the major meiotic gene TaZIP4-B2 (Ph1) on chromosome 5B, promotes CO formation between homologous chromosomes, whilst suppressing COs between homeologous (related) chromosomes. In other species, ZIP4 mutations eliminate approximately 85% of COs, consistent with loss of the class I CO pathway. Tetraploid wheat has three ZIP4 copies: TtZIP4-A1 on chromosome 3A, TtZIP4-B1 on 3B and TtZIP4-B2 on 5B. Here, we have developed single, double and triple zip4 TILLING mutants and a CRISPR Ttzip4-B2 mutant, to determine the effect of ZIP4 genes on synapsis and CO formation in the tetraploid wheat cultivar ‘Kronos’. We show that disruption of two ZIP4 gene copies in Ttzip4-A1B1 double mutants, results in a 76-78% reduction in COs when compared to wild-type plants. Moreover, when all three copies are disrupted in Ttzip4-A1B1B2 triple mutants, COs are reduced by over 95%, suggesting that the TtZIP4-B2 copy may also affect class II COs. If this is the case, the class I and class II CO pathways may be interlinked in wheat. When ZIP4 duplicated and diverged from chromosome 3B on wheat polyploidization, the new 5B copy, TaZIP4-B2, could have acquired an additional function to stabilize both CO pathways. In tetraploid plants deficient in all three ZIP4 copies, synapsis is delayed and does not complete, consistent with our previous studies in hexaploid wheat, when a similar delay in synapsis was observed in a 59.3 Mb deletion mutant, ph1b, encompassing the TaZIP4-B2 gene on chromosome 5B. These findings confirm the requirement of ZIP4-B2 for efficient synapsis, and suggest that TtZIP4 genes have a stronger effect on synapsis than previously described in Arabidopsis and rice. Thus, ZIP4-B2 in wheat accounts for the two major phenotypes reported for Ph1, promotion of homologous synapsis and suppression of homeologous COs.
Agendamelding and COVID-19: the dance of horizontal and vertical media in a pandemic
Authors: Minooie Milad , Taylor J. Benjamin , Vargo Chris J.
Published: May 2023

How are attitudes formed in the 21st Century, and who sets the agenda for initial COVID-19 coverage in the United States? We explore these questions using a random sample of 6 million tweets from a population of 224 million tweets collected between January 2020 and June 2020. In conjunction with a content analysis of legacy media such as newspapers, we examine the second-level agendamelding process during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The findings demonstrate that in the early weeks of the pandemic, public opinion on Twitter about the virus was distinctly different than the coverage of the issue in the traditional media. The attributes used to describe it on social media demonstrate users relying on their past experiences and personal beliefs to talk about the virus. In the 1st week of February, public opinion, traditional media, and social media converged, but traditional media soon becomes the main agenda setter of COVID-19 for 13 weeks. However, for the final 5 weeks of our sample, traditional media are taken over by social media. The findings also show that, except for a few weeks at the onset of the outbreak, Twitter users relied on their personal experiences far less than what statistical models predicted and allowed. Instead, traditional media and social media to shape their opinion of the issue.
“Getting on the same page” enhancing team performance with shared mental models—case studies of evidence informed practice in elite sport
Authors: Ashford Michael , Taylor Jamie , Payne Jared , Waldouck Dom , Collins Dave
Published: May 2023

Within high performing, team invasion sports, collective decision making and coordination between teammates are essential characteristics. There is a wealth of evidence supportive of shared mental models as being an important construct to underpin team coordination. Yet, to this point, there is limited research considering the coaches' voices in the application of shared mental models in high performance sport, nor the challenges coaches face throughout the process. Given these limitations, we provide two case studies of evidence informed practice which privilege the voice of coaches who work in elite rugby union. In doing so, we aim to offer a deeper insight regarding the development, implementation, and continued use of shared mental models to enhance performance. Through these first-person case studies, we present the development of two shared mental models and the processes taken, challenges faced, and coaching methods used to underpin them. The case studies are then discussed with implications for coaches' practice supporting the development of their players' collective decision making.
Research on agricultural technology gap between China and Africa and its optimization path: based on meta-frontier SBM and fsQCA
Authors: Lin Qingning , Wang Jingyi , Mao Shiping , Li Jingdong
Published: May 2023

Recently, COVID-19 pandemic, locust plague, drought and conflict have seriously affected the development of agriculture in Africa, which make Africa countries difficultly to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2. As the cornerstone of agricultural development, technological progress has made brilliant contributions to achieving food security and nutrition improvement in African countries. And as the largest economic and trade partner of Africa, analyzing the agricultural technology gap between China and African countries and exploring optimal paths also has great significance for achieving SDGs 8 and 9. Therefore, the paper used the Meta-frontier SBM model to measure the agricultural technology gap between China and African countries from 2003 to 2019, and explores sources of the gap. On this basis, 24 African countries were taken as samples to identify multiple paths for narrowing the technology gap between China and Africa with the help of the configuration analysis method of the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The results showed that the overall agricultural technology gap between China and Africa was narrowing, which was mainly caused by the reduction of pure technical inefficiency. However, sources of technology gap in African countries with different economic development levels were different. Configuration analysis found that agricultural technology innovation and institutional environment were the key conditional variables to narrow the agricultural technology gap between China and Africa. Five paths had been formed around two key conditional variables, and further summarized into three driving modes: “technology-environment” driving mode, “technology-organization” driving mode and “organization-environment” driving mode. Furthermore, this paper explored the multiple concurrent causality of narrowing the technology gap, which overcomes the deficiency of using regression methods. The paper highlights the importance of enhancing the integration of technical, organizational, and environmental conditions in African countries to collectively advance agricultural scientific and technological progress
Transmission of linezolid-resistant Enterococcus isolates carrying optrA and poxtA genes in slaughterhouses
Authors: Ni Juan , Long Xiaoqian , Wang Mengmeng , Ma Jiangang , Sun Yangying , Wang Wen , Yue Min , Yang Hua , Pan Daodong , Tang Biao
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The presence of linezolid-resistant enterococci found in animal-derived food has attracted attention for possible transmission to human-derived enterococci through the food chain. Linezolid-resistant enterococci in farms have been widely reported, but enterococci carrying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes poxtA, optrA, or cfr(D) in slaughterhouse environments have not been well addressed.

Methods

Enterococcus was isolated from the samples collected from two slaughterhouses in Hangzhou, and the Enterococcus carrying linezolidin-resistant genes was identified by PCR. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the Enterococcus carrying linezolidin-resistant genes was determined by microbroth dilution method. Finally, the whole genome of strains carrying two or more linezoline resistance genes was sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore Technology

Results

Here, 291 enterococci strains were isolated from 309 samples (94.17%). A total of 4 poxtA-positive enterococci and 42 optrA-positive enterococci were identified based on PCR. The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that the highest rate of florfenicol resistance was 97.82% and the rate of multidrug resistance (MDR) was 95.65%. Two strains carried multiple linezolid resistance genes, among which Enterococcus casseliflavus CQFYY22-063 cocarrying optrA, poxtA, and cfr(D) was isolated from the duck cecum, and Enterococcus faecium CQFYH22-006 cocarrying optrA and poxtA was isolated from slaughterhouse sewage for the first time. Furthermore, Oxford Nanopore Technology revealed that the optrA gene of strain CQFYY22-063 was located on the Inc18-type plasmid pFYY063-optrA-70K, and the poxtA and cfr(D) genes were located on the Inc18-type plasmid pFYY063- poxtA-12K. Meanwhile, the poxtA gene of strain CQFYH22-006 was located on the Rep3-type plasmid pFYH006-poxtA-25K, and the optrA gene was located on the chromosome.

Discussion

Together, linezolid resistance in slaughterhouses deserves extensive attention, indicating the need to strengthen the monitoring of different links in the food production chain within the One Health concept.
Limb-salvage surgery versus extremity amputation for early-stage bone cancer in the extremities: a population-based study
Authors: Zhu Yixu , Wu Xuesong , Zhang Wenjun , Zhang Haijun
Published: May 2023

Background

Many attempts have been made to induce limb salvage as an alternative to amputation for primary bone cancer in the extremities, but efforts to establish its benefits over amputation yielded inconsistent results with regard to outcomes and functional recovery. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and therapeutic efficiency of limb-salvage tumor resection in patients with primary bone cancer in the extremities, and to compare it with extremity amputation.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with T1-T2/N0/M0 primary bone cancer in the extremities between 2004 and 2019 were retrospectively identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program database. Cox regression models were used to test for statistical differences between overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). The cumulative mortality rates (CMRs) for non-cancer comorbidities were also estimated. The evidence level in this study was Level IV.

Results

A total of 2,852 patients with primary bone cancer in the extremities were included in this study, among which 707 died during the study period. Of the patients, 72.6% and 20.4% underwent limb-salvage resection and extremity amputation, respectively. In patients with T1/T2-stage bone tumors in the extremities, limb-salvage resection was associated with significantly better OS and DSS than extremity amputation (OS: adjusted HR, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55–0.77; p < 0.001; DSS: adjusted HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.58–0.84; p < 0.001). Limb-salvage resection was associated with significantly better OS and DSS than extremity amputation for patients with limb osteosarcoma (OS: adjusted HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55–0.87; p = 0.001; DSS: adjusted HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57–0.94; p = 0.01). Mortality from cardiovascular diseases and external injuries was remarkably declined in primary bone cancer in the extremities patients who underwent limb-salvage resection (cardiovascular diseases, p = 0.005; external injuries, p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Limb-salvage resection exhibited excellent oncological superiority for T1/2-stage primary bone tumors in the extremities. We recommend that patients with resectable primary bone tumors in the extremities undergo limb-salvage surgery as the first choice of treatment.
Agglomerate Size Evolution in Solid Propellant Combustion under High Pressure
Authors: Yue Songchen , Liu Lu , Liu Huan , Jiang Yanfeng , Liu Peijin , Pang Aimin , Zhang Guangxue , Ao Wen
Published: May 2023

Solid propellant combustion and flow are significantly affected by condensed combustion products (CCPs) in solid rocket motors. A new aluminum agglomeration model is established using the discrete element method, considering the burning rate and formulation of the propellant. Combining the aluminum combustion and alumina deposition model, an analytical model of the evolution of CCPs is proposed, capable of predicting the particle-size distribution of completely burned CCPs. The CCPs near and away from the propellant burning surface are collected by a special quench vessel under 6~10 MPa, to verify the applicability of the CCP evolution model. Experimental results show that the predicted error of the proposed CCP evolution model is less than 8.5%. Results are expected to help develop better analytical tools for the combustion of solid propellants and solid rocket motors.