bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bombyx mori RPL12 Participates in UV-Induced DNA Damage Repair and Interacts with BmNPV Bm65 Protein Only After Ultraviolet Radiation
Authors: Tang Qi , Chen Ceru , Huang Jiaying , Li Guohui , Zhu Feifei , Yu Qian , Sun Lindan , Chen Huiqing , Chen Liang , Ma Shangshang , Liu Xiaoyong , Chen Keping
Published: February 2025

Solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) may cause DNA damage. We first report in this study that the large subunit ribosome protein RPL12, from Bomby mori (BmRPL12), participated in UV-induced DNA damage repair. BmRPL12 enhanced the resistance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to UV radiation and facilitated faster repair of UV-induced DNA damage in silkworm cells. BmRPL12 mainly existed in the cytoplasm in the dimer forms, and the N-terminal nuclear export signal was crucial for the localization of BmRPL12. After UV radiation, BmRPL12 was unable to localize at the UV-induced DNA damage sites to participate in damage repair directly and might indirectly regulate UV-induced DNA damage repair. Our previous research found that BmNPV Bm65 was an important UV damage-induced endonuclease. Here, it was further found that in BmNPV-infected silkworm cells, BmRPL12 in monomeric forms interacted with the virus Bm65 protein only after UV radiation, and BmRPL12 specifically localized at the UV-induced DNA damage sites only in the presence of Bm65. We speculate that after viral infection in cells subjected to UV-induced DNA damage, viral protein Bm65 interacts with BmRPL12 and localizes BmRPL12 to sites of UV-damaged DNA.
Outcome Improvement with Last-Generation Devices in Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair: Insights from the Real-World MitraClip Florence Registry
Authors: Amico Mattia Alexis , Tedesco Sabato , Piazzai Chiara , Grossi Guido , Busi Gherardo , Panichella Giorgia , Migliorini Angela , Meucci Francesco , Valenti Renato , Di Mario Carlo , Carrabba Nazario
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Over the past two decades, MitraClip™ therapy has proven to be an effective and safe treatment for severe mitral regurgitation (MR), with more than 200,000 patients treated globally through continuous advancements in device design and implantation techniques. This retrospective, observational, single-center study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the latest generation of MitraClip compared to earlier models in the Real-World MitraClip Florence Registry. The primary efficacy endpoint was a comparison in terms of the rate of successful procedures, the time to device deployment and the duration of the hospital stay. The secondary safety endpoint regarded long-term all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure. Methods: Patients treated at our center from January 2016 to June 2022 were included. They were divided into two groups: those receiving early-generation devices (G1–G3) and those treated with the last-generation device (G4). All patients underwent a comprehensive preoperative echocardiographic assessment, with a re-evaluation before hospital discharge and after 12 months. A long-term follow-up focusing on all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure was conducted. Results: Of 131 patients, 81 received the last-generation device. The mean age was 79.4 years. Both groups exhibited a high burden of comorbidities (overall mean n = 2.85). Procedural success was high (97%) across groups, with a significantly better MR reduction (Grade ≤ 1) in the G4 group (47% vs. 70%, p = 0.009). The time to device deployment was significantly shorter with the G4 system (72 vs. 135 min, p < 0.001), and there was a trend towards shorter hospital stays (6.1 vs. 7.9 days, p = 0.08). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated better 5-year survival rates for the last-generation device group (p = 0.019), with no significant difference in rehospitalization rates (p = 0.186). Conclusions: The MitraClip G4 system in the real world for the treatment of severe MR is safe and effective, achieving immediate and durable procedural success, accompanied by an improved NYHA functional class. Moreover, a better long-term survival rate was observed, along with a comparable high rate of recurrent HF hospitalization, reflecting a high comorbidity burden in this frail population.
The Recurrence of Painful Neuromas of the Limbs Following TMR
Authors: Crosio Alessandro , Rosanda Elisa , Latini Francesca , Clemente Alice , Locatelli Francesco Maria , Magnani Mauro , Marenghi Letizia , Tos Pierluigi
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Neuropathic pain associated with neuromas is a complex clinical problem to treat. Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) has been demonstrated to treat pain both as a prophylactic procedure in amputated patients and in patients affected by painful neuromas. It is not clear what its role could be in chronic situations: the literature reports amazing results but also unsuccessful pain relief. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients treated with TMR for long-lasting painful neuromas in the upper and lower limbs. Following a clinical and instrumental diagnosis, all patients responded positively to a local anesthetic block. During follow-up visits, the NRS and DN4 questionnaires were used to assess improvement in pain. Results: Three patients were included in this study. TMR was performed 45 months after trauma. Two TMRs involved nerves of the upper extremity, in one case, the tibial nerve. The recipient muscles were the second lumbricalis, pronator quadratus, and flexor digitorum longus of the foot. After surgery, pain decreased for 3 months, but patients experienced a relapse that returned to levels close to the pre-operative period. The types of pain, as reported in DN4 questionnaire, changed slightly compared to those in the pre-surgical period. Follow-up ranged between 12 and 19 months. Conclusions: This small series collected the results of TMR in patients affected by long-lasting symptomatic neuromas in the upper and lower extremities. Despite what is published in other series, this procedure reduced pain for up to 6 months. At final follow-up, the type of pain changed slightly as reported in the DN4 questionnaire, and pain scores reduced by just one point as shown by the NRS. Our experience suggests that TMR might have a slight effect on long-lasting painful neuromas and in these cases, only short-term pain relief could be expected. This suggests using TMR as close as possible to the trauma in order to increase the chances of relieving pain.
Retinal Vascular Density and Thickness in Long-Term Type 1 Diabetes Without Visible Vascular Signs of Retinopathy
Authors: Sopeña-Pinilla Maria , Arias-Alvarez Marta , Lopez-Galvez Maria Isabel , Orduna-Hospital Elvira , Fernandez-Espinosa Guisela , Boned-Murillo Ana , Díaz-Barreda María Dolores , Tomas-Grasa Cristina , Pinilla Isabel
Published: February 2025

Background: This research seeks to evaluate alterations in blood flow and structural features within the superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) retinal capillary plexuses, as well as the choriocapillaris (CC), in patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1) who have no diabetic retinopathy (DR) over a period of 4 years. Additionally, the study examines changes in total and inner retinal thickness. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal analysis was conducted using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA), involving 25 eyes from 25 DM1 patients with a disease duration of over 15 years. Results: A significant rise in vascular density (VD) was observed in the SCP, with no changes in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) metrics. Minimal changes were noted in the DCP and CC. Morphological abnormalities were frequent, but few changes were noted over time. No major differences were found in overall retinal thickness or inner retinal layers. There was a negative correlation between disease duration and VD in the temporal area of the SCP, as well as between disease duration and GCL++ parafoveal thickness (from the inner limiting membrane (ILM) to the outer limit of the inner plexiform layer (IPL)), along with a reduction in GCL++ perifoveal thickness. Conclusions: In DM1 patients without DR, the SCP VD tends to increase over 4 years, with no notable changes in retinal thickness.
Clinical Features and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus-Infected Dermatoses
Authors: Koumaki Dimitra , Maraki Sofia , Evangelou Georgios , Koumaki Vasiliki , Gregoriou Stamatios , Kouloumvakou Stamatoula , Petrou Danae , Rovithi Evangelia , Zografaki Kyriaki , Doxastaki Aikaterini , Ioannou Petros , Gkiaouraki Ioanna , Rogdakis Antonios , Mavromanolaki Viktoria Eirini , Krasagakis Konstantinos
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses significant treatment challenges, particularly in community settings. Limited data are available on S. aureus-associated infected dermatoses (ID) in outpatient dermatology clinics. This study examines the clinical characteristics, microbiological profiles, resistance patterns, and treatment outcomes of dermatoses caused by S. aureus. Methods: Between January 2023 and January 2025, consecutive patients with confirmed S. aureus-associated SD were recruited in a dermatology clinic in Heraklion, Greece. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data were collected. Skin swabs underwent bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing following CLSI guidelines. Statistical analyses evaluated associations between clinical and microbiological findings. Results: Sixty-eight patients were included, 54.4% of whom were male, with a mean age of 46.7 years (± SD 25.1). MRSA was identified in 22.1% of cases and was significantly associated with female gender (p = 0.014). The most common diagnoses were eczema (35.3%) and folliculitis (19.1%). Oxacillin-resistant patients were more likely to receive systemic therapy (p = 0.039). Resistance rates were highest for benzylpenicillin (81.8%), levofloxacin (54.9%), and erythromycin (39.4%). Resistance rates for fusidic acid, clindamycin, mupirocin, and tetracycline were 38.2%, 20.6%, 16.9%, and 10.3%, respectively. Other pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, were isolated in 27.9% of cases. Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of MRSA in outpatient dermatology settings, emphasizing the need for local antimicrobial resistance surveillance to guide treatment strategies and improve outcomes in superinfected dermatoses.
Serum Spike Protein Persistence Post COVID Is Not Associated with ME/CFS
Authors: Fehrer Annick , Sotzny Franziska , Kim Laura , Kedor Claudia , Freitag Helma , Heindrich Cornelia , Grabowski Patricia , Babel Nina , Scheibenbogen Carmen , Wittke Kirsten
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 3–6% of people suffer from post-COVID condition or syndrome (PCS). A subset meets the diagnostic criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Studies have reported that SARS-CoV-2 proteins or RNA can persist after acute infection in serum or tissues, but their role in PCS is unclear. Methods: Here, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was analyzed in the serum of 121 PCS patients with predominant fatigue and exertional intolerance, of whom 72 met diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, 37 post-COVID recovered healthy controls, and 32 pre-pandemic healthy controls. Results: Spike protein was detected in the serum of 11% of recovered controls, 2% of PCS patients, and 14% of ME/CFS patients between 4 and 31 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, but not in pre-pandemic samples. The occurrence and concentration of spike protein did not correlate with infection or vaccination timepoints. In ME/CFS patients, spike protein presence was not associated with the severity of symptoms or functional disability. In 5 out of 22 patients who under-went immunoglobulin depletion, spike protein levels were reduced or undetectable after treatment, indicating binding to immunoglobulins. Conclusions: In summary, this study identified serum spike protein in a subset of patients but found no association with ME/CFS.
Characteristics, Therapeutic Approaches and Outcomes of Patients Older than 80 Years Old with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Compared with Younger Patients
Authors: Yeo Melissa R. , Voutsadakis Ioannis A.
Published: February 2025

Background: While advances in therapies have improved metastatic cancer survival rates, elderly patients with colorectal cancer often experience delayed diagnoses, receive less frequent systemic therapies, and show inferior survival outcomes compared to younger groups. Patients over the age of 80 years old face greater treatment risks due to frailty and comorbidities. In this article, we examine characteristics, treatment and outcomes in older adults with metastatic colorectal cancer. Methods: The medical records of all patients aged 80 years and above and comparable patients aged 65–75 years old, who were diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer at a cancer center over a six-year period, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Patients in the 80 years old and older group more frequently had right-sided primary colon cancer (71.5%), compared to younger patients aged 65–75 years old (34.1%, p = 0.006). Patients in the younger cohort more commonly presented with stage 4 disease at initial diagnosis (59.5%) compared to older patients (22.2%). Elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were more commonly identified in younger metastatic patients (76.3% vs. 46.4%, p = 0.013). Patients in the younger age group were more likely to have received previous neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy prior to metastatic progression (p = 0.02, and p = 0.01); however, a significant difference in palliative chemotherapy was not identified between the age groups of metastatic patients. The adverse effects of chemotherapy treatment were similar between the age groups. Conclusions: The active treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in patients aged 80 and above is feasible when tailored according to the patients’ performance status, comorbidities, and life expectancy. Understanding metastatic disease presentations in elderly patients can improve treatment outcomes in this challenging-to-treat group.
The Impact of Surgical Repair on Restlessness in Infants with Non-Incarcerated Inguinal Hernias: A Prospective Study
Authors: Schaffer Ortal , Blich Ori , Yulevich Alon , Niazov Eleonora , Armon Yaron , Zmora Osnat
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Pediatric inguinal hernias are usually described as asymptomatic unless they become incarcerated. Our aim was to evaluate possible restlessness associated with non-incarcerated inguinal hernias in infants. Methods: We performed a prospective multi-center cohort study that included infants, up to 18 months of age, with non-incarcerated inguinal hernias. Restlessness was evaluated by caregivers before (“Pre”) and after (“Post”) hernia repair using two scales, the soothability section of the Infant Behavioral Questionnaire (IBQ) and the Parents’ Restlessness Score (PRS) on a 1–5 scale (5—highest degree of restlessness), and then compared to matched healthy controls. The change in restlessness after surgery was evaluated by Parents’ Change in restlessness Score (PCS) and the difference between Pre- and Post-scores (Δ). A subgroup analysis for patients with Pre-PRS ≥ 3 was performed. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and possible associations with levels of restlessness were evaluated. Results: Seventy-nine infants, median corrected age 2.5 (1.6–4.8) months, were included in this study during June 2022 to July 2024. Infants with inguinal hernias were found to suffer significant restlessness as compared to controls [Pre-PRS = 3 (2–4) vs. 2 (2–2), respectively, p < 0.001]. After hernia repair, PRS restlessness scores improved [ΔPRS = 1 (0–2)] to the level of controls (Post-PRS = 2 (1–3), p = 0.5). The difference in IBQ scores between hernia patients prior to repair and control patients was not statistically significant [3.2 (2.3–4.1) vs. 3.1 (2.3–4.1), respectively, p = 0.28], although both Post-PRS and Post-IBQ scores significantly improved as compared to Pre-PRS and Pre-IBQ scores [2 (1–3) and 2.8 (1.7–3.6) vs. 3 (2–4) and 3.2 (2.3–41), p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively]. Fifty-two patients (66%) had Pre-PRS ≥ 3 and demonstrated a more pronounced improvement in restlessness following surgery [ΔPRS = 1.5 (1–2)]. Patients who had Emergency Department visits prior to hernia repair demonstrated both increased baseline restlessness and more pronounced improvement following repair as compared to patients with no visits (Pre-PRS = 3 (3–4) vs. 3 (2–3), p = 0.03; ΔPRS = 1.5 (1–2) vs. 0 (0–1), p < 0.01; ΔIBQ = 0.7 (0.02–1.45) vs. 0.12 (−0.5–1), p = 0.03). Conclusions: Non-incarcerated inguinal hernias in infants are associated with significant restlessness in most cases. Restlessness resolved after surgical repair.
Suicidality in Adolescence: Insights from Self-Reports on Depression and Suicidal Tendencies
Authors: Orlandi Marika , Casini Erica , Pratile Diletta Cristina , Iussi Chiara , Ghiazza Cecilia , Borgatti Renato , Mensi Martina Maria
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives. Suicide represents a primary global health concern, particularly among young individuals aged 15 to 29. Clinicians are actively engaged in efforts to prevent suicide and implement timely interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-reported measures in differentiating between adolescents exhibiting suicidal ideation (SI) only and those at risk or with a previous history of suicide attempts (SA). Methods. Seventy-eight adolescent patients (mean age: 15.53 ± 1.49) were classified into two groups using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Forty-five patients presented with SI but lacked a prior history of SA, while 33 adolescents had a documented history of either concrete or interrupted SA. Notably, all participants in the SA group also reported SI. Participants completed the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) and the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form (BDI-SF) to assess protective and risk factors associated with suicidality, as well as perceived depression. Results. Attraction toward life (AL) exhibited a negative correlation with perceived depression in both groups, whereas attraction toward death (AD) was positively correlated with depression in the SA group. In the SI group, scores for repulsion by life (RL) demonstrated a positive correlation with depression. Furthermore, RL scores were significantly higher in the SA group. ROC analysis revealed good accuracy for both assessment tools in differentiating the two groups. Conclusions. The BDI-SF and MAST are effective instruments for identifying adolescents at risk for suicide and implementing tailored preventive and therapeutic interventions. The user-friendly nature and adaptability make those self-report measures useful in various settings, allowing administration without clinician involvement.
Insulin Secretion and Insulin Sensitivity Change in Different Stages of Adult-Onset Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Milicic Tanja , Jotic Aleksandra , Lalic Katarina , Lukic Ljiljana , Macesic Marija , Stanarcic Gajovic Jelena , Stoiljkovic Milica , Milovancevic Mina , Rafailovic Djurdja , Bozovic Aleksandra , Lalic Nebojsa M.
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Previous studies reported impairments in insulin secretion during different stages of type 1 diabetes (T1D), while data regarding insulin sensitivity and immunological changes are still controversial. We analyzed the following: (a) insulin secretion, (b) insulin sensitivity, and (c) pro-inflammatory interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in peripheral blood in 17 healthy first-degree relatives in stage 1 (FDRs1) (GAD+, IA2+), 34 FDRs in stage 0 (FDRs0) (GAD−, IA2A−), 24 recent-onset T1D (R-T1D) patients in the insulin-requiring state (IRS), 10 in clinical remission (CR), and 18 healthy unrelated controls (HC). Methods: Insulin secretion was evaluated by an IVGTT and a glucagon stimulation test, expressed as a first-phase insulin response (FPIR) and a basal/stimulated C-peptide. Insulin sensitivity was tested by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, expressed as an M value. Results: FDRs1 had a lower FPIR than FDRs0 (p < 0.05) and HC (p < 0.001) but higher than RT1D-IRS (p < 0.001) and RT1D-CR (p < 0.01). Moreover, FDRs1 had lower basal/stimulated C-peptide than FDRs0 (p < 0.01/p < 0.05) and HC (p < 0.001/p = 0.001) but higher levels than RT1D-IRS (p < 0.001/p < 0.001). However, the M value was similar among FDRs1, FDRs0, and HC (p = 1.0) but higher than RT1D-IRS (p < 0.001) and RT1D-CR (p < 0.01), while RT1D-IRS and RT1D-CR had lower M than HC (p < 0.001; p < 0.001; respectively). FDRs1 had higher IL-17 than FDRs0 (p < 0.001) and HC (p < 0.05). RT1D-IRS had higher IL-17 than FDRs0 (p < 0.001) and HC (p < 0.001), which was similar to RT1D-CR vs. FDRs0 (p < 0.001) and HC (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Early changes in pre-T1D might involve an initial decline of insulin secretion associated with a pro-inflammatory attack, which does not influence insulin sensitivity, whereas later, insulin sensitivity deterioration seems to be associated with the prominent reduction in insulin secretion.
Rehabilitation Treatment for Shoulder Pain in Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Amadio Emanuele , Cimini Luca , Ruotolo Ilaria , Carlizza Alessandra , Berardi Anna , Marini Padovani Andrea , Sellitto Giovanni , Fabbrini Giovanni , Galeoto Giovanni
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Due to rigidity, musculoskeletal pain is more common in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) compared with age-matched older adults, and the shoulder is one of the body parts that is most involved. In the literature, there is no clear standard for the treatment of shoulder pain in people with PD. This clinical trial study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapy treatment for people with PD with painful shoulders. Methods: The main goals were improvements in pain intensity, balance, quality of life (QoL), and activities of daily living (ADL), evaluated with the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire 39 (PDQ-39), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ-R), 12-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-12), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scale, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Also, the evaluation comprised range of motion (ROM) evaluation with a goniometer and the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. The inclusion criteria of this study were a diagnosis of PD associated with shoulder pain, and a stage of disease of 1–2 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Results: The sample comprised 16 participants; the mean age of the participants was 72. Through feedback collected from the individuals participating in this study, it emerged that the rehabilitation approach specifically designed for individuals suffering from shoulder pain associated with Parkinson’s disease produced remarkable results. Conclusions: These results were confirmed by a series of statistically significant data, which showed significant improvements in several areas: joint mobility, muscle strength, motor coordination, the ability to perform daily activities, emotional state, pain reduction, QoL improvement, and balance in both dynamic and static conditions.
Optimizing Single-Position Prone Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Exoscopic Technology: A Review of Key Innovations
Authors: Quinones Christian , Wilson John Preston , Kumbhare Deepak , Guthikonda Bharat , Hoang Stanley
Published: February 2025

Minimally invasive spine surgery has advanced significantly over the past decade, integrating technologies such as intraoperative navigation, robotics, and artificial intelligence with innovative techniques such as single-position prone lateral transpsoas lumbar interbody fusion (proLIF). While proLIF offers excellent clinical outcomes for a wide range of lumbar pathologies, the lateral approach to lumbar spine presents technical and ergonomic challenges, including an increased need for soft-tissue dissection and unfavorable ergonomics for surgeons. This review details how the combination of emerging technologies has been applied in minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery. It also describes the novel application of an exoscope during navigation-guided proLIF. The benefits offered by the exoscope included high-resolution, three-dimensional visualization, enhanced maneuverability, and improved surgeon ergonomics. By combining emerging technologies with novel surgical approaches, this review demonstrates the recent advancements in minimally invasive spine surgery and underscores the exoscope’s potential to enhance visualization and optimize ergonomics for surgeons.
Association Between Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Low Muscle Mass in Korean Adults
Authors: Lee Do-Youn
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and restrictive pulmonary disease (RPD) are prevalent in older adults and are associated with systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduced physical activity, all of which may contribute to low muscle mass (LMS)—a loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. This study investigates the association between COPD, RPD, and sarcopenia using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 8980 participants aged 40 years and older from the 2008–2011 KNHANES. LMS was defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria, based on appendicular skeletal muscle mass adjusted for height squared (ASM/height2). Pulmonary diseases were identified via spirometry, and logistic regression models were used to assess associations, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors. Results: The prevalence of LMS was highest among participants with COPD (37.3%), compared to those with RPD (25.3%) and normal pulmonary function (25.9%). COPD was significantly associated with LMS after adjusting for confounders (OR: 1.543, 95% CI: 1.246–1.910). However, no significant association was observed between RPD and LMS (OR: 1.225, 95% CI: 0.997–1.505). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that LMS was independently associated with COPD but not with RPD, even after adjusting for confounding variables.
The Mechanism of Ammonia-Assimilating Bacteria Promoting the Growth of Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Authors: Li Rui , Zhang Qi , Chen Yuannan , Gao Yuqian , Yang Yanqing , Liu Qin , Kong Weili , Chai Haopeng , Sun Bingke , Li Yanan , Qiu Liyou
Published: February 2025

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are one of the most commonly grown edible mushrooms using compost, which contains high concentrations of ammonia. In this study, inoculation of the oyster mushroom culture substrate with ammonia-assimilating bacterium Enterobacter sp. B12, either before or after composting, reduced the ammonia nitrogen content, increased the total nitrogen content of the compost, and enhanced the mushroom yield. Co-cultivation with P. ostreatus mycelia on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates containing 200 mM NH4+, B12 reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in the mycelia and downregulated the expression of the ROS-generating enzymes NADPH oxidase A (NOXA) and the stress hormone ethylene synthase 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO). It also downregulated the expression of the ammonia-assimilating related genes in the mycelia, such as glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), glutamine synthetase (GS), ammonia transporter protein (AMT), and amino acid transporter protein (AAT), while upregulating its own ammonia-assimilation genes. These findings suggest that the mechanism by which B12 promoted oyster mushroom growth was that B12 assimilated ammonia, alleviated ammonia stress, mitigated ROS accumulation in the mycelia, and supplied ammonia and amino acids to the mycelia. To our knowledge, ammonia-assimilating bacteria are a novel type of mushroom growth promoter (MGP).
Analysis of Causative Factors and Potential Predictors of Onychomycosis: A Retrospective Single-Center Study in Poland
Authors: Jaworek Andrzej K. , Hałubiec Przemysław , Wojas-Pelc Anna , Szepietowski Jacek C.
Published: February 2025

Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection which has a considerable impact on the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze onychomycosis cases with respect to fungal species, infection sites, and patient demographics such as age and sex. Furthermore, we assessed whether simple clinical and demographic data could predict positive results for mycological culture. A retrospective analysis of 2722 patients who had nail samples investigated with direct microscopy and mycological culture was performed. The fungi most frequently identified were Trichophyton rubrum in the toenails and Candida albicans in the fingernails, with a detailed incidence varying by age and sex. Predictive models, including logistic regression and k-nearest neighbors, did not provide clinically useful accuracy. Therefore, it is necessary to perform confirmatory diagnostics before starting antifungal treatment.
Experts’ Perspectives on Private Forest Owners’ Priorities and Motivations for Voluntary Ecosystem Protection in Lithuania
Authors: Lukmine Diana , Mizaras Stasys
Published: February 2025

Lithuania has initiated the development of voluntary ecosystem protection measures within private forests, establishing protection agreements between the state and private forest owners. This article examines the priorities and motivations of private forest owners in the voluntary protection of ecosystems, based on the analysis of expert opinions. The Delphi sociological method was employed to assess expert opinions on the priorities and motivations of private forest owners regarding the voluntary protection of ecosystems. Twenty-nine experts responded to the survey, providing insights into the attitudes of Lithuanian private forest owners towards voluntary forest protection models and contract types, potential environmental protection instruments, the necessity of compensation for losses incurred due to forest management restrictions in protected areas, the proportion of protected forests, factors influencing the intention to engage in forest protection, motivations for voluntary forest protection, the “crowd-out” effect, sources of compensation for losses, the effectiveness of ecosystem protection mechanisms in Lithuanian forests, and the factors that diminish their effectiveness. Summarizing the experts’ findings, it can be concluded that the forest protection priorities of Lithuanian private forest owners, concerning the expansion of protected areas in private forests, protection models, and incentives for protection, are likely to align with the priorities and motivations identified in other European countries. A heterogeneity of priorities and motives was identified. Almost three-quarters of experts thought the current amount of protected forest in Lithuania is sufficient or is already more than necessary, and only about one in ten thought that is necessary for owners to protect more forest. Lithuanian private forest owners are mostly motivated by full financial compensation for losses. According to experts, the majority of private forest owners do not support forest protection models that lack financial compensation. It would be appropriate to implement both permanent and fixed-term protection agreements (contracts) with compensation, alongside the option of selling forests to the state. The level of compensation is identified as the most-significant factor influencing private forest owners’ willingness to engage in ecosystem protection. Experts highlight that the primary reasons for the ineffectiveness of private forest protection measures in Lithuania include inadequate and unjustified compensation, compensation amounts that are too low relative to forest owners’ income, insufficient information, and complex bureaucratic procedures.
The Interplay Between Carbon Storage, Productivity, and Native Tree Density of Agroforestry Systems
Authors: Alexander Laurence , Manson Sophie , Jain Vinni , Setiawan I Made , Sadnyana Made Dwi , Syirazi Muhammad , Wibowo Zefanya Ajiningrat , Sukmadewi Desak Ketut Tristiana , Campera Marco
Published: February 2025

Agroforestry has been widely suggested as a tool for storing carbon while also providing other ecosystem services like food and income production. A greater understanding of how carbon storage in agroforestry systems varies, and particularly how it is intertwined with the productivity of these systems, could enable farmers and policymakers to make changes that simultaneously increase carbon storage and alleviate poverty. In this study, we used allometric equations to evaluate the carbon storage in the biomass of two complex agroforestry systems in Bali, Indonesia—rustic where a native tree canopy is still present, and polyculture where all native trees have been removed, and the canopy consists only of cropping trees. We then compared these figures to that of a nearby primary forest and linked carbon storage to productivity for both agroforestry systems. We found that the primary forest (277.96 ± 149.05 Mg C ha−1) stored significantly more carbon than either the rustic (144.72 ± 188.14 Mg C ha−1) or polyculture (105.12 ± 48.65 Mg C ha−1) agroforestry systems, which were not significantly different from each other. We found productivity and carbon storage to be significantly positively correlated with each other within the polyculture system but not within the rustic system. We also found that for the rustic system, an increase in the density of native trees is accompanied by an increase in carbon storage, but no significant change in productivity. Consequently, we conclude that within the rustic system, carbon storage can be increased or maintained at a high value by the preservation and encouragement of large native trees, and that this need not necessarily result in a decrease in productivity.
Transformative Aspects of Agricultural Modernization and Its Land Use Requirements: Insights from Chinese Case Studies
Authors: Liu Jian , Li Yaowu , Bai Hui , Shang Kai , Deng Yixiu , Mao Junsong
Published: February 2025

Sustainable agriculture has been proposed by the United Nations as a key indicator of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It presents diverse features and rich connotations in the transformation towards modernization. However, for a long time in China, transformations of agricultural modernization have not been the concern of spatial planning, nor the emerging land use requirements of agricultural modernization under the trends of urban–rural integration, such as the application of modern technologies for the mechanization of agricultural production, the coexistence of multiple forms of business entities with agricultural enterprises as the main body, the extension of the industrial chain from the primary to the secondary and the tertiary, and the concentration of industrial spaces, as well as specific land use due to those transformations. This paper constructs an analytical framework of “business entity, business model, production technology, and production space” based on the literature studies and selects eight representative agricultural cases from Beijing, Zhejiang, and Yunnan to conduct field investigations and case studies to reveal the transformative aspects of agricultural modernization in China and its land use requirements, enriching the understanding of modern agriculture from the perspective of spatial planning. This study finds that the transformation of agricultural modernization has generated new requirements for the construction of necessary production facilities, but these requirements cannot be met in terms of land use due to the constraints imposed by China’s current land use regulations. The paper advocates for the development of agricultural parks, the optimization of land use regulations, and the allocation of agricultural land use in spatial planning in line with the trends of agricultural modernization, thus supporting the sustainable development of agriculture.
Universal Paediatric and Newborn Screening for Familial Hypercholesterolaemia—Challenges and Opportunities: An Australian Perspective
Authors: Bachmeier Caroline , Ungerer Jacobus , Pretorius Carel , Kassianos Andrew , Kostner Karam M.
Published: February 2025

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia is one of the most common genetic conditions leading to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. It can be diagnosed using a combination of clinical, biochemical, and genetic tools. Most guidelines recommend screening during childhood and treatment from the age of 8–10 years. However, screening remains sporadic in most countries and the majority of individuals remain undiagnosed. Registry studies have highlighted the ongoing delayed and low percentage of detection of FH in children. Universal early childhood screening models utilising a combination of biomarker-based and genetic testing have been trialled and are in practice in some countries. Newborn screening is a public health success story and one of the most effective public health measures. It offers universal screening for conditions that can result in significant morbidity or even death if left untreated. There has been renewed interest in including familial hypercholesterolaemia in newborn screening programmes. Using cord blood to identify familial hypercholesterolaemia has not yielded convincing results. However, novel screening approaches on dried blood spots that include biomarker-based lipid profile testing alone, in combination with confirmatory genetic testing, or first-line genetic testing have shown promising results. This provides the opportunity of early diagnosis and treatment of infants and their extended families. However, challenges are associated with the inclusion of familial hypercholesterolaemia in newborn screening programmes with significant impacts on the newborn, family members, and public health.
Power Transformer Prognostics and Health Management Using Machine Learning: A Review and Future Directions
Authors: Zemouri Ryad
Published: February 2025

Power transformers (PTs) play a vital role in the electrical power system. Assessing their health to predict their remaining useful life is essential to optimise maintenance. Scheduling the right maintenance for the right equipment at the right time is the ultimate goal of any power system utility. Optimal maintenance has a number of benefits: human and social, by limiting sudden service interruptions, and economic, due to the direct and indirect costs of unscheduled downtime. PT now produces large amounts of easily accessible data due to the increasing use of IoT, sensors, and connectivity between physical assets. As a result, power transformer prognostics and health management (PT-PHM) methods are increasingly moving towards artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, with several hundreds of scientific papers published on the topic of PT-PHM using AI techniques. On the other hand, the world of AI is undergoing a new evolution towards a third generation of AI models: large-scale foundation models. What is the current state of research in PT-PHM? What are the trends and challenges in AI and where do we need to go for power transformer prognostics and health management? This paper provides a comprehensive review of the state of the art in PT-PHM by analysing more than 200 papers, mostly published in scientific journals. Some elements to guide PT-PHM research are given at the end of the document.
GES-YOLO: A Light-Weight and Efficient Method for Conveyor Belt Deviation Detection in Mining Environments
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Kou Ziming , Wang Yandong
Published: February 2025

Conveyor belt deviation is one of the most common failures in belt conveyors. To address issues such as the high computational complexity, large number of parameters, long inference time, and difficulty in feature extraction of existing conveyor belt deviation detection models, we propose a GES-YOLO algorithm for detecting deviation in mining belt conveyors, based on an improved YOLOv8s model. The core of this algorithm is to enhance the model’s ability to extract features in complex scenarios, thereby improving the detection efficiency. Specifically, to improve real-time detection capabilities, we introduce the Groupwise Separable Convolution (GSConv) module. Additionally, by analyzing scene features, we remove the large object detection layer, which enhances the detection speed while maintaining the feature extraction capability. Furthermore, to strengthen feature perception under low-light conditions, we introduce the Efficient Multi-Scale Attention Mechanism (EMA), allowing the model to obtain more robust features. Finally, to improve the detection capability for small objects such as conveyor rollers, we introduce the Scaled Intersection over Union (SIoU) loss function, enabling the algorithm to sensitively detect rollers and provide a precise localization for deviation detection. The experimental results show that the GES-YOLO significantly improves the detection performance in complex environments such as high-noise and low-illumination conditions in coal mines. Compared to the baseline YOLOv8s model, GES-YOLO’s mAP@0.5 and mAP@0.5:0.95 increase by 1.5% and 2.3%, respectively, while the model’s parameter count and computational complexity decrease by 38.2% and 10.5%, respectively. The Frames Per Second (FPS) of the average detection speed reaches 63.62. This demonstrates that GES-YOLO achieves a good balance between detection accuracy and inference speed, with excellent accuracy, robustness, and industrial application potential.
Investigating the Performance of Retrieval-Augmented Generation and Domain-Specific Fine-Tuning for the Development of AI-Driven Knowledge-Based Systems
Authors: Lakatos Róbert , Pollner Péter , Hajdu András , Joó Tamás
Published: February 2025

Generative large language models (LLMs) have revolutionized the development of knowledge-based systems, enabling new possibilities in applications like ChatGPT, Bing, and Gemini. Two key strategies for domain adaptation in these systems are Domain-Specific Fine-Tuning (DFT) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). In this study, we evaluate the performance of RAG and DFT on several LLM architectures, including GPT-J-6B, OPT-6.7B, LLaMA, and LLaMA-2. We use the ROUGE, BLEU, and METEOR scores to evaluate the performance of the models. We also measure the performance of the models with our own designed cosine similarity-based Coverage Score (CS). Our results, based on experiments across multiple datasets, show that RAG-based systems consistently outperform those fine-tuned with DFT. Specifically, RAG models outperform DFT by an average of 17% in ROUGE, 13% in BLEU, and 36% in CS. At the same time, DFT achieves only a modest advantage in METEOR, suggesting slightly better creative capabilities. We also highlight the challenges of integrating RAG with DFT, as such integration can lead to performance degradation. Furthermore, we propose a simplified RAG-based architecture that maximizes efficiency and reduces hallucination, underscoring the advantages of RAG in building reliable, domain-adapted knowledge systems.
Symbolic Regression for the Determination of Joint Roughness Coefficient
Authors: Zhao Yuyang , Zhao Hongbo
Published: February 2025

In this study, a novel symbolic regression-based empirical equation has been developed to compute the joint roughness coefficient (JRC) value based on the statistical parameters of rock joints. The symbolic regression was adopted to map the nonlinear function, which represents the relation between the JRC and statistical parameters of the rock joint, based on the collected rock joint dataset. It is not necessary to presume the mathematical function form of the empirical equation, which is used to fit the rock joint data while using symbolic regression. The collected rock joint samples from the literature were used to investigate and illustrate the developed symbolic regression-based empirical equation. The performance of the developed empirical equation was compared to the traditional empirical equation. The results show that the generalization performance of the developed empirical equation is better than the traditional empirical equation. They proved that the symbolic regression-based empirical equation characterized the roughness property of rock joints well and that symbolic regression could be used to capture the complex and nonlinear relationship between JRC and the statistical parameters of rock joints. The developed symbolic regression-based empirical equation provides a scientific and excellent tool to estimate the JRC value of rock joints.
Assessment of Quality of Life in Lithuanian Patients with Multimorbidity Using the EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire
Authors: Vasiliauskienė Olga , Vasiliauskas Dovydas , Kontrimienė Aušrinė , Jaruševičienė Lina , Liseckienė Ida
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives: Despite the critical importance of effective healthcare management for patients with multimorbidity, robust and reliable tools for assessing health-related quality of life in Lithuania remain scarce. We aim to identify trends in the quality of life of patients with multimorbidity and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Lithuanian version of the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Materials and Methods: The study included patients between the ages of 40 and 85 (N = 498) who had at least two chronic conditions, arterial hypertension being a prerequisite. The participants completed a comprehensive set of questionnaires specifically prepared for the TELELISPA “Improved healthcare quality for patients with multimorbidity in Lithuania” project which included the translated EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. The predictive validity of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was assessed using correlations with the SF-36 and EQ-VAS scores, a random forest regression model. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and inter-item correlations. Trends in the quality of life in different patient groups were assessed with Chi-square tests. Results: The EQ-5D-5L questionnaire demonstrated high reliability and validity with a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.737, EQ-5D-5L random forest machine learning regression model RMSE value of 0.1396, and adequate scores from other measures. Lower quality of life was found in patients with multimorbidity who had chronic conditions such as angina pectoris, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, or joint diseases, as well as the patients who were older than 60 years of age, women, or unemployed. Different aspects of quality of life were also significantly negatively impacted by diabetes, asthma, and chronic kidney disease. Heart failure, joint diseases, and older age had the biggest negative effect on quality of life. Conclusions: It is found that the Lithuanian EQ-5D-5L questionnaire is suitable for the assessment of the quality of life in patients with multimorbidity and indicates lower quality of life among those with specific cardiovascular and joint disorder chronic conditions and, in particular, demographic groups.