bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Outcomes of Orbital Blowout Fracture Repairment by Transconjunctival Endoscopic Technique
Authors: Ye Yunyan , Hu Feng , Kong Qiao , Li Zhiguo
Published: February 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this case series is to present the benefits and results of using a transconjunctival endoscopic technique to repair orbital blowout fractures.
Patients and methods: In this retrospective interventional case series, 133 patients with ocular blowout fractures were enrolled. Between January 2021 and December 2022, these patients underwent transconjunctival orbital blowout fracture repair using an endoscopic technique and a Medpor-Titanium sheet implant.
Results: This study included 133 individuals (135 eyes) with orbital blowout fractures, 129 of whom were adults and 4 of whom were pediatric patients. 63 eyes had medial wall fractures, 23 eyes had inferior wall fractures, and 49 eyes had both types of wall fractures. Preoperative eyeball enophthalmos was 2.33 mm on average. In 132 eyes, postoperative exophthalmia improved by ≥2 mm, while it improved by < 2 mm in 6 eyes. After surgery, 73 individuals' diplopia disappeared one month after surgery. 42 patients' facial paresthesia recovered one to three months following surgery. After a 6-month follow-up, 131 out of 133 cases had been cured, and 2 had improved. There was a 100% effective rate and a 95.56% cure rate.
Conclusion: This article details the results and experience of using a transconjunctival endoscopic technique to repair orbital blowout fractures. The procedure is efficient in restoring orbital structure and improving visual function, and it has a low rate of postoperative complications.
Research of Water Quality Safety of Water Source Reservoir in Water Supply Project——a case Study of Mopanshan Reservoir
Authors: Hou Xinyue , Zheng Guochen , Liu Shanshan , Zhao Wei
Published: February 2024

Water reservoirs play a vital role in ensuring the drinking water health of urban residents. In order to study the water quality safety of water source reservoirs in water supply projects, the physical and chemical indexes of water quality in Mopansan reservoir was analyzed. The microbial diversity, community structure characteristics were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that the main exceeding standard indexof water quality of Mopan- shan Reservoir in 2022 was total nitrogen(TN). The microbial communities in the water body and sediments in the reservoir center and before the dam were com- posed of 380 genera. The microbial diversity in sediment was higher than that in water. The influence order of water quality factors on microbial community was DO > CODcr > TN > Mn2 + > Fe2+. Potential pathogenic microorganisms were detected in water and sediment samples. Although no coliform bacteria were detected, disinfection as a water supply source was still necessary. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the main water quality factors affecting microbial community structure were DO and TP in the dry season, but the pattern was not obvious in the wet season. Sodium hypochlorite has a good disinfection effect on tap water and can fully ensure water quality safety.
The value of health service-based research to health service organisations: a qualitative study with senior health service executives
Authors: Todd Angela L , Petrunoff Nicholas , Frommer Michael , Nutbeam Don
Published: February 2024

Background: Research evidence has had demonstrably improved health care practice and patient outcomes. However, systemic translation of evidence into practice is far from optimal. The reasons are complex, but often because research is not well aligned with health service priorities. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of senior health service executives on two issues: (1) the alignment between local research activity and the needs and priorities of their health services, and (2) the extent to which research is or can be integrated as part of usual health care practice.
Methods: In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior health leaders from four large health service organisations that are members of Sydney Health Partners (SHP), one of Australia’s nationally accredited research translation centres committed to accelerating the translation of research findings into evidence-based health care. Interviews were conducted between November 2022 and January 2023, and either audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim or recorded in interviewer field notes. A thematic analysis of the interview data was conducted by two researchers, using the framework method to identify common themes.
Results: Seventeen health executives were interviewed, including chief executives, directors of medical services, nursing, allied health, research, and other executive leadership roles. Responses to issue (1) included themes on re-balancing of curiosity- and priority-driven research; providing more support for research activity within health organisations; and helping health professionals and researchers discuss researchable priorities. Responses to issue (2) included identification of elements considered essential for embedding research in health care; and the need to break down silos between research and health care, as well as within health organisations.
Conclusions: Health service leaders value research but want more research that aligns with their needs and priorities. Discussions with researchers about those priorities may need some facilitation. Making research a more integrated part of health care will require strong and broad executive leadership, resources and infrastructure, and investing in capacity- and capability-building across health clinicians, managers and executive staff.
What impact does Urbanization have on the Water Green Utilisation Efficiency: An Empirical Study from China
Authors: Wang Jiangqiang , Shen Bo , Zhang Zhongyun
Published: February 2024

Balancing the relationship between rapid urbanization and water resources is crucial for the sustainable development of China. Water green utilisation efficiency (WGUE) is a significant indicator of the sustainability of water utilisation. The paper uses the super-efficiency SBM model with undesirable outputs to evaluate the WGUE in 30 provinces in China from 2010 to 2019, and it then uses the Tobit model to test the nonlinear effects of urbanization on WGUE empirically. The main conclusions are that (1) the WGUE in China is not evenly distributed: the eastern region is the most efficient, followed by the central region and the western region; the northeastern region is the lowest. Beijing and Shanghai were at the production frontier during the researched period. (2) There is an inverted U-shaped relationship between urbanization and WGUE. Urbanization is associated with water environmental degradation in an early stage. Nevertheless, after achieving a threshold level, it improves WGUE. (3) The increase in technical application level, trade openness and educational level can facilitate WGUE. (4) In the robustness tests, the regression results of coefficient direction and significance for the independent variables are consistent with the above results, therefore the empirical research had the good robustness. The research results also able to promote the sustainable use of water resource in China.
Transcriptome- and proteome-wide effects of a circular RNA encompassing four early exons of the spinal muscular atrophy genes
Authors: Luo Diou , Ottesen Eric , Lee Ji Heon , Singh Ravindra
Published: February 2024

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) genes, SMN1 and SMN2, produce multiple circular RNAs (circRNAs), including C2A-2B-3-4 that encompasses early exons 2A, 2B, 3 and 4. Here we report the transcriptome- and proteome-wide effects of overexpression of C2A-2B-3-4 in inducible HEK293 cells. Our RNA-Seq analysis revealed altered expression of ~ 15% genes (4,172 genes) by C2A-2B-3-4. About half of the affected genes by C2A-2B-3-4 remained unaffected by L2A-2B-3-4, a linear transcript encompassing exons 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 of SMN1/SMN2. These findings underscore the unique role of the structural context of C2A-2B-3-4 in gene regulation. A surprisingly high number of upregulated genes by C2A-2B-3-4 were located on chromosomes 4 and 7, whereas many of the downregulated genes were located on chromosomes 10 and X. Supporting a cross-regulation of SMN1/SMN2 transcripts, C2A-2B-3-4 and L2A-2B-3-4 upregulated and downregulated SMN1/SMN2 mRNAs, respectively. Proteome analysis revealed 61 upregulated and 57 downregulated proteins by C2A-2B-3-4 with very limited overlap with those affected by L2A-2B-3-4. Independent validations confirmed the effect of C2A-2B-3-4 on expression of genes associated with chromatin remodeling, transcription, spliceosome function, ribosome biogenesis, lipid metabolism, cytoskeletal formation, cell proliferation and neuromuscular junction formation. Our findings reveal a broad role of C2A-2B-3-4, a universally expressed circRNA produced by SMN1/SMN2.
OsPAD1, encoding a non-specific lipid transfer protein, is required for rice pollen aperture formation
Authors: Wang Qi-ming , Tian Yun-lu , Chen Ke-yi , Zhu Shan-shan , Xiong Ye-hui , Wang Chao-long , Yu Xiao-wen , Bai Wen-ting , Zheng Hai , You Shi-min , Hu Yang , Lei De-kun , Jian An-qi , Lu Jia-yu , Yu Hao , Zhang Xin , Ren Yu-long , Lei Cai-lin , Cheng Zhi-Jun , Lin Qi-bing , Jiang Ling , Zhao Zhi-gang , Wan Jian Min
Published: February 2024

Plant lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) are distinguished by their capacity to facilitate lipid transport in vitro between membranes. This includes the transportation of lipid constituents from the tapetum to the microspore, thereby playing a pivotal role in the synthesis and construction of the pollen wall, encompassing the formation of the pollen aperture. However, our understanding of LTPs and their role in pollen aperture formation in rice remains limited. In this study, we have isolated and characterized a male sterile rice mutant named as pollen aperture defect 1 (Ospad1). When compared to the wild type, Ospad1 mutant plants exhibit pollen grain abortion due to the absence of the fibrillar-granular layer, ultimately leading to the leakage of contents from the malformed aperture. OsPAD1 encodes a non-specific LTP and is specifically expressed in the tapetum and microspore during male development. Subsequently, in vitro lipid binding assays reveal that the recombinant OsPAD1 protein has the capability to bind to a broad spectrum of lipids. The malfunction of OsPAD1 results in disrupted lipid metabolism and compromised pollen aperture, ultimately leading to male sterility. Furthermore, yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescent complementation and pull-down assays all demonstrate that OsPAD1 can directly interact with OsINP1, an orthologue of a crucial aperture factor in Arabidopsis, together regulating rice aperture development. These findings offer new insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the function of LTPs in rice pollen aperture formation. This research holds potential implications not only for rice but also for other cereal crops.
Polymorphisms of ACACB Gene and Their Association with Milk Quality Traits in Yak
Authors: zhu chune , Wang Xiangyan , Qi Youpeng , Mi Baohong , Cui Changze , Chen Shaopeng , Shi Bingang , Hu Jiang , Zhao Zhidong , Zhao Fangfang , Liu Xiu , Wang Jiqing , Hao Zhiyun
Published: February 2024

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase beta (ACACB) is a rate-limiting enzyme involved in lipid syn-thesis and fatty acid oxidation. The results of our previous study showed that a total of seven SNPs were detected in the exon 37-intron 37, exon 46-intron 46, and intron 47 regions of the yak ACACB, and mutations in the ACACB were found to affect yak meat quality traits. However, the genetic effects of ACACB on yak milk quality traits have not been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ACACB polymorphisms on yak milk quality traits in Gannan yaks. In this study, A total of 202 Gannan yaks were included in the study. Analyze the different geno-types, diplotypes, and the presence or absence of haplotypes on milk quality. The seven SNPs were named as exon 37-intron 37 (exon 37: SNP1, intron 37: SNP2 and SNP3), exon 46-intron 46 (exon 46: SNP4, intron 46: SNP5), and intron 47 (SNP6 and SNP7). Apart from the SNP1, SNP2, SNP5, and SNP6 loci where the polymorphic information content (PIC) was low (PIC ≤ 0.25), the SNP3, SNP4, and SNP7 loci were all of intermediate polymorphic information status (0.25 < PIC < 0.5). The highest frequency of heterozygosity occurred at the SNP7 locus, and the two alleles were evenly distributed in the population compared to alleles at the other loci. There were no strong linkages between the SNPs (r2<0.33) except for a strong linkage disequilibrium observed between SNP1 and SNP2 (r2=0.89). Seven effective haplotypes and seven diplotypes were constructed for the Gannan yak ACACB gene. Correlation analysis showed that SNP1 and SNP7 were associated with lactose content (P<0.05), while SNP3 was significantly associated with the protein and monounsaturated fatty acid contents in the milk (P<0.05). SNP4 was significantly associated with both saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid contents (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively), while SNPs 5 and 7 were significantly correlated with the fat percentage (P<0.05) and SNP6 was significantly correlated with total solid content of the milk (P<0.05). Yaks with the H2H2 diplotype had significantly higher levels of milk fat than other diplotypes (P<0.05) while milk fat contents in animals carrying hap-lotype H2 were significantly higher than that in yaks carrying the deletion type (P<0.05). The findings of the present study suggest that polymorphisms in the yak ACACB affect milk quality and can be used as genetic markers for enhancing milk quality in yak populations. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the genetic characterization of milk quality traits in the Gannan yak.
Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: a retrospective study focused on oral intake at discharge
Authors: Taguchi Kazue , Obayashi Shigeru , Nishimoto Junji , Fujimoto Mikio
Published: February 2024

Study Design:
single-center retrospective cohort study.
Objectives
Dysphagia is a common secondary complication of cervical spinal-cord injury (CSCI); however, its long-term prognosis remains unknown. We aimed to clarify the characteristics of CSCI-related dysphagia using fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), and to identify factors associated with acquisition of full oral intake during hospitalization.
Setting:
An academic medical center in Japan.
Methods
Data of patients with CSCI-related dysphagia were retrospectively collected and compared between patients who achieved full oral intake during hospitalization (oral-intake group) and those mainly relying on feeding tubes for nutrition (parenteral-nutrition group).
Results
A total of 100 participants met the inclusion criteria. The oral-intake and parenteral-nutrition groups included 35 and 65 participants, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in age, length of hospital stay, and Barthel Index (BI) gain between the two groups. FEES revealed that only vallecular residues were significantly greater in the parenteral-nutrition group, with an effect size of 0.24, which was higher than that of other FEES parameters.
Conclusions
In this study, the oral-intake group tended to have younger age, longer duration of hospital stay, and higher BI gain. The detection of vallecular residues on FEES could be a prognostic factor for parenteral nutrition at discharge.
Sponsorship:
No commercial companies sponsored this study.
Transfer learning for crash design
Authors: Colella Giada , Lange Volker A. , Duddeck Fabian
Published: February 2024

When designing the structure of a new vehicle, car manufacturers need to ensure the compliance with strict safety requirements. Aiming to support the engineers in the early phase of this process, we propose a transfer learning framework for crashworthiness. This work explores the possibility to infer knowledge on future situations by exploiting data coming from past development processes. During the early phases of automotive development, assessing the crash safety implies dealing with the challenge of low data availability. Here, the engineers have no hardware test to rely on and can access only few finite element simulations. Under these circumstances, an attractive concept to investigate is the development of a machine learning approach able to learn from the past designs and to transfer the acquired knowledge to the new ones. Transfer learning can serve to this aim. With it, one learns the basic knowledge from a source domain A, and transfers it to a target domain B, characterized by low data availability. Here, we propose a transfer learning framework and apply it to an explicatory industrial crash example. The components produced in the past constitute the source domain; the new component design is the target domain. The proposed methodology can serve as an innovative solution to support car manufacturers in the early phase of vehicle development and thus improve the performance in crashworthiness scenarios.
Extra-articular screw placement strategy in Stoppa approach based on three-dimensional reconstruction model
Authors: Zhang Ruipeng , Zhang Shaojuan , Zheng Xuehong , Yin Yingchao , Wang Zhongzheng , Tian Siyu , Hou Zhiyong , Zhang Yingze
Published: February 2024

The study aimed to explore an extra-articular screw placement strategy in Stoppa approach. Radiographic data of patients who underwent pelvic computed tomography (CT) from January 2016 to June 2017 were imported into Materiaise’s interactive medical image control system (MIMICS) software for three-dimensional reconstruction. Superior and lower margins of acetabulum and ipsilateral pelvic brim could be observed simultaneously through inlet-obturator view. A horizontal line from superior acetabular margin intersected pelvic brim at point “A” and another vertical line from lower margin intersected pelvic brim at point “B” were drawn, respectively. Lengths form sacroiliac joint to “A” (a), “A” to “B” (b), and “B” to pubic symphysis (c) were measured. Patients were divided into four groups depending on gender and side difference of measured hemi-pelvis: male left (ML), male right (MR), female left (FL), and female right (FR). Lengths of adjacent holes (d) and spanning different holes (e) of different plates were also measured. Mean lengths of a, b, c in four groups were 40.94 ± 1.85mm, 40.09 ± 1.93mm, 41.78 ± 3.62mm, and 39.77 ± 2.23mm (P = 0.078); 40.65 ± 1.58mm, 41.48 ± 1.64mm, 40.40 ± 1.96mm, and 40.66 ± 1.70mm (P = 0.265); 57.03 ± 3.41mm, 57.51 ± 3.71mm, 57.84 ± 4.40mm, and 59.84 ± 4.35mm (P = 0.165), respectively. Mean d length of different plates was 12.23 mm. Average lengths spanning 1, 2, 3 and 4 holes were 19.33mm, 31.58mm, 43.80mm, and 55.93mm. Our data showed that zones a and c could be safely inserted three and four screws. Penetration into hip joint could be avoided when vacant 3-hole drilling was conducted in zone b. Fracture line in zone b could serve as a landmark for screw placement.
Response of soil nitrogen pool to nitrogen and phosphorus addition in the wet meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: LU Yanhua , Li Guang , Wu Jiangqi , Wang Haiyan
Published: February 2024

Background and aims
The soil nitrogen (N) conversion process is an important part of the N cycle in wetland ecosystems, which regulates the content of soil available N and determines the retention status of soil N. N deposition and phosphorus (P) input caused by human activities will change the soil N pool, thereby affecting the soil function and conversion process. However, the responses of soil nitrogen pools to N and P addition in the QTP remain unknown.
Methods
In this study, an experiment was carried out for two years in wetlands situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We analyzed the effects of N and P additions on soil nitrogen pool (i.e., blank control (CK), N addition (15 kg N ha− 1 yr− 1, N15), P addition (15 kg P ha− 1 yr− 1, P15), and NP co-addition (15 kg NP ha− 1 yr− 1, N15P15)), and discussed the main driving factors.
Results
The results showed that N and P addition significantly increased the contents of total nitrogen (TN) and ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) in 0-40cm soil layer, and decreased the contents of soil dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), but had no significant effect on the contents of soil microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN). The nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) content decreased under the N15 addition, and the TN storage was the highest under the P15 addition. Under each treatment, the surface soil (0-10cm) was more sensitive to N and P addition, while the deep soil was relatively stable. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that soil organic carbon (Explanation = 40.80%), soil density (Explanation = 8.70%), and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (Explanation = 8.40%) were the main environmental factors affecting the content of each N fraction under the N and P addition.
Conclusion
N and P addition would affect the stability and transformation of wetland soil nitrogen pool, and the nitrogen transformation process was mainly regulated by soil physicochemical properties.
Assessing Future Changes in Variability of Mainland Indochina Southwest Monsoon Rainfall
Authors: Oo Kyaw Than , KAZORA JONAH
Published: February 2024

Researching future changes in rainfall variability is critical to mitigating the possible effects of global warming, especially in areas where vulnerability is higher, such as South Asia. While changes in mean and extreme rainfall have received a great deal of attention, rainfall variability has received very little research, despite its substantive importance. This study endeavors to delve into the anticipated modifications in rainfall variability during the mainland Indochina southwest monsoon (MSWM) utilizing data derived from five ensemble models participating in the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). Employing band-pass filtering techniques on daily rainfall data, we discerned variability across an expansive spectrum of temporal scales. Our research indicates that, in the event of global warming, MSWM rainfall variability is expected to increase by roughly 10–25% throughout the whole region. Notably, this increased unpredictability appears uniformly throughout a wide range of time intervals. We find that changes in average rainfall significantly aid in explaining the majority of intermodel variances in the predicted MSWM rainfall variability. In order to get further insight into this phenomenon, we examine the effects of elevated atmospheric moisture content through the estimation of modifications resulting from an idealized local thermodynamic enhancement. We show that the increased atmospheric moisture, as suggested by the connection between Clausius and Clapeyron, accounts for most of the predicted changes in rainfall variability at all-time scales.
The effect of erythromycin in Macrolide-Resistant Bordetella pertussis: Inhibitory on Growth, Toxin Expression, and Virulence
Authors: Jiang Kaichong , Luan Yang , Wang Wei , Xue Da , Tang Shuyue , Peng Xiaokang , Liu Xiaoguai , Wang Zengguo
Published: February 2024

The macrolide-resistant Bordetella pertussis (MRBp) has appeared in Asian and even been prevalent in China. Causing of the antibiotic sensitivity test is not carried out in the clinic application, macrolide is still the first choice of antibiotic when MRBp infection. The macrolide therapy for pertussis needs to be revised. Macrolide is always shown a positive effect on other macrolide-resistant bacterium infenction in clinical application. However, the mechanism of macrolide on MRBp is unclear.This study conducted a representative isolate BP19147 (ptxP1/fhaB3-MRBp) under a series of sub-inhibitory concentrations of erythromycin. We measured the growth curve, biofilm formation and autoaggregation assay under SS broth. The relative genes expression was detected by RT-qPCR. The proteomics was detected by label-fee DIA. The MR isolate BP19147 is inhibited by sub-MIC of erythromycin and has a concentration-dependent effect. From the proteomics results, the Ptx, FHA, and pertactin do not show a statistical difference (p >0.05). Other virulence factors (including Dnt, Cya, and et al) show the statistical difference (p <0.05). In the KEGG enrichment, the BvgAS system, biofilm formation, and some adaptive systems are inhibited by erythromycin. The sub-MIC of erythromycin may reduce the virulence of MRBp, which will provide a theoretical basis for the rational use of erythromycin for MRBp infection and help the development of new antibiotics.
Musical note recognition in presence of harmonics without the fundamental
Authors: Albera Roberto , Lucisano Sergio , Urbanelli Anastasia , Aprigliano Alessandra , Morando Luca , Amoroso Antonio , Alexeev Maxim , Albera Andrea
Published: February 2024

Musical signals are complex periodic waveform characterized by the sum of different frequencies. The lower frequency is called fundamental while the other frequencies are called harmonics, and their frequency is multiple of the fundamental. The pitch of a sound is correlated with the value of the fundamental even though in many situations it can be impossible to perceive it. In these cases, it is possible to identify the pitch thanks to the perception of harmonics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the identification of the notes on the basis of the presence of consecutive harmonics only and to determine the importance of their distance from the fundamental. The study was carried out on 30 normally hearing musicians without absolute pitch. The acoustic signal was characterized by the association of four consecutive and two consecutive harmonics of central notes of the piano keyboard. The rate of correct identification ranged between and 8% and 100% with a better identification when stimuli were characterized by more harmonics and lower frequency. The results confirm that it is possible to identify a note on the basis of the presence of harmonics near to fundamental especially if the fundamental frequency is under 2000 Hz.
The BMAL1/HIF2A heterodimer modulates circadian variations of myocardial injury
Authors: Eltzschig Holger , Ruan Wei , Li Tao , Lee Jaewoong , Bang In Hyuk , Deng Wankun , Ma Xinxin , Yoo Seung-Hee , Kim Boyun , Li Jiwen , Yuan Xiaoyi , An Yu , Wang Yin-Ying , Liang Yafen , Deberge Matthew , Zhang Dongze , Zhou Zhen , Wang Yanyu , Gorham Joshua , Seidman Jonathan , Seidman Christine , Aranki Sary , Nair Ragini , Li Lei , Narula Jagat , Zhao Zhongming , Gorfe Alemayehu , Muehlschlegel Jochen , Tsai Kuang-Lei
Published: February 2024

Acute myocardial infarction stands as a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide1-6. Clinical studies have demonstrated that the severity of cardiac injury following myocardial infarction exhibits a circadian pattern, with larger infarct sizes and poorer outcomes in patients experiencing morning onset myocardial infarctions7-14. However, the molecular mechanisms that govern circadian variations of myocardial injury remain unclear. Here, we show that BMAL114-20, a core circadian transcription factor, orchestrates diurnal variability in myocardial injury. Unexpectedly, BMAL1 modulates circadian-dependent cardiac injury by forming a transcriptionally active heterodimer with a non-canonical partner, hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha (HIF2A)6,21-23, in a diurnal manner. Substantiating this finding, we determined the cryo-EM structure of the BMAL1/HIF2A/DNA complex, revealing a previously unknown capacity for structural rearrangement within BMAL1, which enables the crosstalk between circadian rhythms and hypoxia signaling. Furthermore, we identified amphiregulin (AREG) as a rhythmic transcriptional target of the BMAL1/HIF2A heterodimer, critical for regulating circadian variations of myocardial injury. Finally, pharmacologically targeting the BMAL1/HIF2A-AREG pathway provides effective cardioprotection, with maximum efficacy when aligned with the pathway's circadian trough. Our findings not only uncover a novel mechanism governing the circadian variations of myocardial injury but also pave the way for innovative circadian-based treatment strategies, potentially shifting current treatment paradigms for myocardial infarction.
Change in the order of activation of lower limb muscles relative to spinal extensors during the Janda test and change in postural balance in patients with LBP after muscle energy techniques
Authors: Wegner-Czerniak Katarzyna , Mączyński Jacek , Błaszczyk Anna , Ogurkowska Małgorzata Barbara
Published: February 2024

Purpose
The aim of this study was to investigate change in the order activation of legs muscles in relation to the spinal extensors during the Janda test and change postural balance in patients with LBP (low back pain) after FRS and ERS muscle energy techniques (MET).
Methods
The study included fifteen men (mean age 41.9 years) with chronic non-specific low back pain syndrome, working on an assembly line in the automotive industry. Activity and recruitment of the following muscles: biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus (GM) and erector spinae (ES) were measured with the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) during the hip extension (PHE) test. Pain levels and postural balance were analysed.
Results
MET translated into a reduction of muscle activation time in both the left and right side of the body (p<0.001). The change was observed in the following muscles: BF (p = 0.003) and GM (p = 0.004). A reduction in pain was obtained thanks to the MET therapy (p<0.001). It was observed that after the therapy, along with the later activation time of the GM muscle, the range of motion of the COP along the x-axis increased (p = 0.0368). Increased activation time of the RES (p = 0.0411) and the LES (p = 0.0350) muscles influenced a decrease in the COP range of motion along the x-axis.
Conclusion
The use of segmental muscle energy techniques in individuals with LBP improves the activation sequence of the ES, GM and BF muscles, which has an impact on postural balance. Diagnosis of the level and type of dysfunction used in MET enables restoration of muscle balance in the lumbar spine and lower limbs and reduction of pain.
Weak form quadrature shell elements based on absolute nodal coordinate formulation
Authors: He Zixuan , Li Huayi , Zhong Hongzhi
Published: February 2024

Weak form quadrature elements for moderately thick shells with arbitrary initial configurations are developed under the framework of continuum mechanics and the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF). Nodal variables of the element consist of the position vector, the transverse gradient vector and the transverse derivatives thereof at the shell mid-surface. In-plane gradient vectors which are not taken as nodal variables are obtained with the aid of the differential quadrature analog. Using the transverse gradient vector and one in-plane gradient vector, joint constraint equations for shells with discontinuous slopes are established. Simplified equations of motion with constant mass matrix result. The elements are applicable to analysis of shell structures undergoing large displacements and rotations. Five examples encompassing static and dynamic shell analysis, post-buckling analysis of shells, as well as analysis of shells with discontinuous mid-surface slopes are examined to assess the performance of the proposed elements. Satisfactory results are obtained, validating the efficacy of the proposed elements.
Individual performance niches may buffer population responses to climate change in estuarine fishes
Authors: Bellotto Clara , Fowler Ashley M. , Booth David
Published: February 2024

Climate change may impact individual organisms in different ways, a consideration often overshadowed by predominant focus on population effects in studies. We examined three estuarine fish species to determine if individual fish performance, persisted across winter water temperatures. Fish performance at 16°C (current Sydney winter estuarine water temperature) and 20°C (predicted under climate change) with low and high food regimes was compared using key physiological (growth, aerobic scope, burst speed) and behavioural parameters (foraging activity, boldness, shelter usage, predator escape response). We expected a strong positive relationship between performance at 16°C and 20°C for each parameter, and interactions with food level, however in general this was not found for any species. Relative performance was only maintained across temperatures for a few parameters, such as bite rate, boldness, and shelter response in one species (trumpeter Pelates sexlineatus), with aerobic scope in silver biddy Gerres subfasciatus, and boldness in fortescue Centropogon australis. Our results suggest that individuals’ fitness (directly via changes in growth, indirectly via behaviours) will be impacted by climate warming due to differences in relative performance among individuals across water temperatures. Changes in relative performance among individuals may initially compensate for a population-level response, thereby buffering the effects of climate change.
Enhancing oxidative phosphorylation through pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2 deficiency ameliorates cartilage degradation in surgically induced osteoarthritis
Authors: HAN Seungwoo , Han Jin , Kim Yoon Hee
Published: February 2024

Chondrocytes can shift their metabolism to oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) in early stages of osteoarthritis (OA), but as the disease progresses, this metabolic adaptation becomes limited and eventually fails, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. This study investigated whether enhancing OxPhos through pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) 2 affects the metabolic flexibility of chondrocytes and cartilage degeneration in surgical model of OA. Among the PDK isoforms, PDK2 expression was increased by IL-1β in vitro, and in articular cartilage of the DMM model in vivo, accompanied by an increase in phosphorylated PDH. Mice lacking PDK2 showed significant resistance to cartilage damage and reduced pain behaviors in DMM model. PDK2 deficiency partially restored OxPhos in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes, leading to an increased APT and NAD+/NADH ratio. These metabolic changes were accompanied by a decrease of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and senescence of chondrocytes, as well as the expression of MMP-13 and IL-6 following IL-1β-treatment. At the signaling level, PDK2 deficiency reduced p38 signaling and maintained AMPK activation, without affecting JNK, mTOR, AKT and NF-kB pathways. Among them, p38 MAPK signaling was critically involved in ROS production under glycolysis-dominant condition in chondrocytes. Our study provides the proof-of-concept for PDK2-mediated metabolic reprogramming towards OxPhos as a new therapeutic strategy for OA.
Development of a Novel Bivalent Vaccine Candidate against Hepatitis A Virus and Rotavirus Using Reverse Vaccinology and Immunoinformatics
Authors: Yarmohammadi Hassan , Sepahi Abbas Akhavan , Hamidi-fard Mojtaba , Aghasadeghi Mohammadreza , Bahramali Golnaz
Published: February 2024

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and rotavirus are mainly transmitted through fecal-oral and person-to-person contact, which cause severe gastrointestinal complications and liver diseases. This work used reverse vaccinology and immunoinformatic methods to create a novel bivalent vaccination against the rotavirus and HAV. The amino acid sequences of HAV-rotavirus proteins (VP1 and VP8*) were retrieved from GenBank. Multi-epitope DNA structures. Various computational approaches were employed to predict highly conserved regions and the most immunogenic B-cell and T-cell epitopes of VP8 and VP1 of rotavirus and HAV proteins in both humans and BALB/c. Moreover, the predicted fusion protein was analyzed regarding primary and secondary structures and homology validation. In this study, we used two highly conserved peptide sequences of VP8 and VP1 of rotavirus and HAV that induce T and B cell immunogenicity. According to T-cell epitope prediction, this area comprises 2713 antigenic peptides for HLA class II and 30 HLA class I antigenic peptides, both of which are virtually entirely conserved in the Iranian population. In this study, validation as well as analysis of the secondary and three-dimensional structure of the VP8*-rotavirus + AAY + HAV-VP1 fusion protein, with the aim of designing a multi-epitope vaccine with different receptors such as complications. TLR), 3,4 high immunogenic binding ability with immunological properties and interaction between multi-epitope target and TLR receptors were predicted, and it is expected that the target protein fusion has stable antigenic potency and compatible half-life. The above is suggested as universal vaccination programs.
The practice of drug emergency supply in China from a policy mix perspective
Authors: Jie-ying Zhang , Jun Li , Xue-ya Wang , Rui-xue Fan , Feng Zhao , Yi Tang , Jun-lin Zhang , Ning-ying Mao
Published: February 2024

Background
This study aims to analyze relevant policy texts, explore and determine the focal points and inadequacies of the Chinese government in guaranteeing supplies of medicines, and provide advice on how to make better policies about drug supply when public health emergencies occur.
Methods
We selected 559 documents that guided the support of drug supply during emergencies issued by governments at both the national and provincial levels from December 1, 2019, to February 28, 2023. In addition, we developed a four-dimensional analysis framework of the issuing agency, issuing period, policy tools, and drug supply chain to analyze specific policy items, determine their basic characteristics, and quantitatively analyze them from a policy mix perspective.
Results
The analysis using policy tools showed that the national government tended to call on stakeholders in all aspects of drug supply to fulfil their responsibilities, and both national and provincial governments tended to use incentive tools, such as opening up urgent drug supply tracks and applying financial incentives to promote drug supply. However, managing stakeholders’ behaviors in drug supply and the capacity building to guarantee drug supply are still lacking and require improvement. From the perspective of the drug supply chain, the national government has paid much attention to the distribution of drugs, whereas attention to the supply of drug substances has been lacking. As various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of policies related to drug supply increased slowly after a surge at the beginning of the pandemic and then rapidly decreased. From the policy mix perspective, the analysis showed that incentives were lacking in drug research and development, and capacity building was not discussed much in the drug manufacturing process.
Conclusions
We suggest enhancing the complementarity and cohesion of the policy content issued by national and provincial governments, strengthening the coordination and connection between policymaking bodies, optimizing the internal structure of policy tools, improving the performance of various policy strategies, and using appropriate policy tools to create policies suited to various stages of emergencies and drug supply chains.
Pyogenic granuloma of oral and maxillofacial region
Authors: Aldelaimi Afrah A. K. , Enezei Hamid H. , Humadi Thamer Yousif , Mohammed Khalil Abdullah , Aldelaimi Tahrir N.
Published: February 2024

Background A pyogenic granuloma (PG) represents a swiftly proliferating benign vascular tumor situated in the skin or subcutaneous tissue, commonly observed as a reactive lesion in the orofacial area. Causative factors encompass injuries, medications, calculus, infections, and hormonal changes. Typically manifesting in the period spanning the second ten years of life, it presents as an exophytic smooth lesion prone to bleeding upon simple probing.Objectives This research intended to scrutinize the clinicopathological characteristics of pyogenic granulomas in the oral and maxillofacial region.Methods Seventy participants, comprising 24 men (33%) and 48 women (67%), underwent surgical ablation of pyogenic granuloma in oral and maxillofacial regions utilizing 940nm and 980nm diode lasers. Standard tissue processing procedures were applied to all specimens, with subsequent slicing of paraffin-embedded blocks at a 5µm thickness for H & E staining. A microscopic examination via light microscopy was conducted on all slides to confirm the diagnosis.Results All cases underwent pyogenic granuloma surgical laser ablation, with 53 individuals (74%) aged 30 years or younger, 19 (26%) aged 30 years or more, 52 (72%) have duration less than six months,, and 20 (28%) have a six months or more.Conclusions Pyogenic granuloma emerges as a prevalent reactive lesion in the oral and maxillofacial domain. The diode laser demonstrates utility in oral and facial soft tissue surgery owing to its facile application, enhanced coagulation, avoidance of suturing, reduced swelling and pain, and its capacity for esthetically favorable outcomes, encompassing superior de-epithelialization, absence of bleeding, and improved repair. The roles of surgeons and pathologists are pivotal in diagnosing and treating pyogenic granuloma in oral and maxillofacial regions.
Manufacturing of spherical activated carbons using anion exchange resins and analysis of the properties
Authors: Park Jun Beam , Lee Dong Won , Lee Chang Ha , Hong Yeon Soo , Suh Jeong Kwon
Published: February 2024

Anion exchange resins that have diverse properties were selected to study properties suitable for spherical activated carbon manufacturing. In addition, stabilization methods were studied to overcome the low yield when spherical activated carbons are manufactured from anion exchange resins. Diverse properties of anion exchange resins such as the structures and functional groups were found to have large effects on the shape of the manufactured activated carbons. The porous structure of anion exchange resins was found to form cracks in the activation process, and the dimethylethanolammonium functional group was found to be unable to maintain the spherical shape due to its very low thermal stability. The O2 stabilization process was determined to be a very effective method for improving the yields of activated carbons manufactured from strongly basic anion exchange resins. However, activated carbons manufactured by carrying out a stabilization process in a gas containing O2 showed a decrease in benzene adsorption under a relative pressure of 0.01 or lower due to an increase in the O2 content, and the excessive or limited cross-linking on the surface changed the shape of the activated carbons. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture activated carbons considering whether they are stabilized or not and under conditions depending on the type and properties of the adsorbate. As a result of a benzene breakthrough experiment, activated carbons manufactured from anion exchange resins showed smaller performance decreases ranging from 7.0% to 9.0% in humid conditions compared to dry conditions. Therefore, anion exchange resins were identified as suitable precursors for manufacturing activated carbons for application to highly humid actual processes.
Perceived Stress among Graduate Students in Health Sciences at a Military University: A Mixed-Method Approach
Authors: Mushtaq Omar , Soh Michael , Dong Ting , Durning Steven J , Melton John , McCants Khalilah M. , Taylor Laura , Baumann Laura , Olapeju Bolanle
Published: February 2024

Background: There is a gap in the literature about the experiences of active-duty military students pursuing a graduate degree in health sciences at a university that emphasizes a military context. This exploratory study investigates how graduate students navigate stress in the context of a military university.
Method: The study applied a mixed-methods approach including a survey (N=59) and in-depth interviews (N=16) of students enrolled in a graduate program at the School of Medicine (368 students) and School of Nursing (187 students). Survey data was collected via email blasts to various health science departments. In the survey, students could opt-in to complete in-depth interviews. Survey data were analyzed using cross-tabulations while a phenomenological approach was employed to code and analyze qualitative data.
Results: Survey findings showed that more civilian students (70.6%) felt more noticeably and severely stressed than their active-duty counterparts (64.3%). Active-duty students were more likely to see their grades as a source of stress (76.2%) than their civilian counterparts (64.7%). Active-duty students were less likely to see finances as a source of stress (67.7%) than their civilian counterparts. Active-duty students were not as connected to their families and friends as their civilian counterparts were. The interviews found that active-duty students anticipated the coursework and were adept at juggling multiple demands; whereas, the civilian students centered their concerns around culture and collaboration. Active-duty students saw their program as less of a “big deal;” whereas, civilian students highlighted how they were concerned about the program and financial situations. Active-duty students relied on technical knowledge to understand their well-being; whereas, civilian students understood their well-being in holistic terms. Active-duty students focused on the idea of the individual, and how they take personal responsibility; whereas, civilian students focused more on self-care and compassion.
Conclusion: The study uncovered differences in perceptions regarding stress, stressors, and factors influencing active-duty and civilian students’ ability to handle stress. Study findings may inform the design of interventions to improve student well-being and resilience mechanisms among similar graduate school contexts.
BR or R-CHOP induction followed by rituximab maintenance in transplant-ineligible patients with mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Hoster Eva , Gutmair Katja , Cunningham Nicholas , Silkenstedt Elisabeth , Rimsza Lisa , Ramsower Colleen , Scott David , Gerrie Alina , Kluin-Nelemans Hanneke , Dreyling Martin , Villa Diego
Published: February 2024

There are no studies directly comparing the efficacy of bendamustine with rituximab (BR) as induction therapy followed by maintenance rituximab (Rm) against rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) followed by Rm in previously untreated, older, transplant-ineligible patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The objective of this international study was to retrospectively compare the efficacy of these two treatment regimens by pooling and comparing a clinical trial cohort with a population-based cohort. 140 patients treated with R-CHOP and 112 patients treated with BR were evaluable for the analysis of the primary endpoint progression-free survival (PFS). Patients receiving R-CHOP had a more favorable risk profile. Median PFS for the R-CHOP group was 3.93 years (95% CI: 2.79–5.30) and for the BR group 2.88 years (95% CI: 1.84–4.61, p-value = 0.12). The Hazard ratio of PFS of R-CHOP vs. BR adjusted for MIPI score was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.57–1.13, p-value = 0.2) and adjusted for MIPI score, Ki67 and cytology was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.51–1.40, p-value = 0.52). These data indicate that there was no difference regarding the efficacy between R-CHOP + Rm and BR + Rm for previously untreated, older patients with MCL.