bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A double-layer PLGA/CoI-MeHA tissue engineering scaffold for urethral reconstruction
Authors: Chang Mingyang , Tan Qinyuan , Bian Ge , Zhang Ming , Lv Jianing , Su Junjie , Wang Xiaoqing
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Urethral injury caused by various reasons usually leads to urethral stricture. And severe urethral stricture can further induce complications such as bladder stones, fistulas, sepsis, and even renal failure. At present, surgical methods such as urethral reconstruction and end-to-end anastomosis are commonly used to solve this problem. But this treatment method often has a high recurrence rate. So simply relying on the repair of surrounding autologous tissue cells to reconstruct the urethra is difficult to achieve long-term stability, and constructing a suitable urethral graft is an effective and feasible solution.

Methods

Here, we designed and prepared a double-layer PLGA/CoI-MeHA tissue engineering scaffold to better simulate the natural anatomy of the urethra and achieve urethral tissue regeneration and reconstruction in patients with urethral stricture and Hypospadias caused by various reasons. The double-layer tissue engineering scaffold was generated using electrospinning and light curing technology.

Results

Through electrospinning and light curing technology, we successfully screened the PLGA/CoI (7:3) electrospun membrane and MeHA (40.72%) hydrogel. Furthermore, we successfully prepared PLGA/CoI-MeHA bilayer urethral stents loaded with rabbit urethral smooth muscle cells and rabbit urethral epithelial cells, respectively, and achieved favorable results for urethral defect repair and urethral reconstruction in rabbits. The mechanical characterization of the scaffold indicates that it has sufficient mechanical strength to meet experimental and clinical needs. In addition, it showed satisfactory biocompatibility in cell experiments and in the in vitro degradation experiments. The double-layer urethral stents demonstrated exceptional performance in repairing urethral defects in rabbits.

Discussion

We had successfully designed and prepared a double-layer PLGA/CoI-MeHA tissue engineering scaffold. The stent displayed sufficient mechanical strength, good biocompatibility and degradation characteristics, and effectively simulated the natural anatomy of urethra, achieving satisfactory urethral defect reconstruction results.
Hyperbolic extensions of constrained PDEs
Authors: Abalos Fernando , Reula Oscar , Hilditch David
Published: February 2025

Systems of partial differential equations (PDEs) comprising a combination of constraints and evolution equations are ubiquitous in physics. For both theoretical and practical reasons, such as numerical integration, it is desirable to have a systematic understanding of the well-posedness of the Cauchy problem for these systems. In this article, we first review the use of hyperbolic reductions, where the evolution equations are singled out for consideration. We then examine in greater detail the extensions, namely, systems in which constraints are evolved as auxiliary variables alongside the original variables, resulting in evolution systems with no constraints. Assuming a particular structure of the original system, we provide sufficient conditions for the strong hyperbolicity of an extension. Finally, this theory is applied to the examples of electromagnetism and a toy model of magnetohydrodynamics.
Progress in understanding Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease etiology from a molecular and cellular biology perspective
Authors: Zheng Xinda , Dong Zhuqing , Ding Xiaofei , Huang Qian , Tang Shengping , Zhang Yuchen , Li Boxiang , Liao Shijie
Published: February 2025

Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease (LCPD) is a hip disease caused by ischemia of the femoral epiphysis in children, which occurs in children aged 4–8 years (mean 6.5 years), with a male-to-female ratio of about 4:1. The disease has been reported for more than 100 years, but its etiology has not been elucidated. In recent years, a considerable amount of research has been carried out on the etiology of the disease, and the development of the disease is believed to involve a variety of molecular biological alterations, such as the COL2A1 mutation, which may be one of the causes of necrotic collapses of the epiphyseal cartilage matrix in LCPD. Tissue factor V Leiden mutation and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) abnormalities have also been reported in LCPD, but most theories need further confirmation. The in-depth study of LCPD cell biology has facilitated the suggestion regarding structural and/or functional abnormalities of microvascular endothelial cells in LCPD. This conjecture is supported by epidemiological and clinical evidence. Abnormal activation of osteoclasts, ischemic damage to epiphyseal cartilage, and activation of the bone marrow immune system all play important roles in the onset and progression of the disease. In this paper, we review the previous basic studies on LCPD and give an overview from the molecular biology and cell biology perspectives.
Monitoring skeletal muscle oxygen saturation kinetics during graded exercise testing in NCAA division I female rowers
Authors: Eserhaut Drake A. , DeLeo Joseph M. , Provost Jessica A. , Ackerman Kathryn E. , Fry Andrew C.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze changes in skeletal muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) kinetics during exercise in female rowers both acutely and longitudinally in relation to blood lactate (BLa). We also aimed to determine the agreement and statistical equivalence between physiological thresholds derived from SmO2 and BLa kinetics.

Methods

Twenty-three female NCAA Division I rowers were tested throughout the 2023–2024 academic year. Of these, 11 athletes completed at least two near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-equipped GXTs, with physiological data analyzed for longitudinal changes. A 7x4-min discontinuous GXT protocol was performed by all athletes. First and second SmO2 breakpoints (SmO2BP1 and SmO2BP2) were estimated via piecewise linear regression modeling, and BLa thresholds (LT1 and LT2) were calculated using ADAPT software. Paired-samples t-tests assessed differences, and equivalence was tested using two one-sided tests (TOST). Agreement was determined using Bland-Altman analysis yielding mean differences (MD) and 95% limits of agreement (LoA). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2,1) were also calculated.

Results

No difference was found between SmO2BP2 and LT2 (MD = −5.76W [95% LoA = −38.52 to 22.25W], p = 0.134), moderate-to-good levels of agreement (ICC2,1 = 0.67 [95% CI: 0.36–0.85], p < 0.001), and no statistical equivalence (p = 0.117). This was not the case for SmO2BP1 and LT1, with NIRS significantly underestimating LT1 (MD = −8.14W [95% LoA = −38.90 to 27.37W], p = 0.026), poor-to-moderate agreement (ICC2,1 = 0.24 [95% CI: −0.13–0.58], p = 0.10), and no statistical equivalence (p = 0.487). Additionally, SmO2 recovery kinetics (SmO2resat) during 1-min rest intervals increased in response to graded increases in exercise intensity (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.71), with higher intensities appearing to blunt this effect (step 6 – step 7: MD = −0.16%⋅s-1, p = 0.69). No statistically significant changes were observed in LT’s or SmO2BP’s throughout the 2023–2024 season.

Conclusion

In female collegiate rowers, NIRS may be a tool that compliments BLa testing when determining the second lactate threshold (i.e., LT2). However, significant inter-individual variablility exists between SmO2BP2 and LT2 paired with a lack of statistical equivalence suggest the two are not interchangeable. While not a standalone replacement, if used in combination with traditional BLa testing methods NIRS may be a complimentary tool that helps inform individual athlete training zone prescription.
Applications of synchrotron light in seed research: an array of x-ray and infrared imaging methodologies
Authors: Ashe Paula , Tu Kaiyang , Stobbs Jarvis A. , Dynes James J. , Vu Miranda , Shaterian Hamid , Kagale Sateesh , Tanino Karen K. , Wanasundara Janitha P. D. , Vail Sally , Karunakaran Chithra , Quilichini Teagen D.
Published: February 2025

Synchrotron radiation (SR) provides a wide spectrum of bright light that can be tailored to test myriad research questions. SR provides avenues to illuminate structure and composition across scales, making it ideally suited to the study of plants and seeds. Here, we present an array of methodologies and the data outputs available at a light source facility. Datasets feature seed and grain from a range of crop species including Citrullus sp. (watermelon), Brassica sp. (canola), Pisum sativum (pea), and Triticum durum (wheat), to demonstrate the power of SR for advancing plant science. The application of SR micro-computed tomography (SR-µCT) imaging revealed internal seed microstructures and their three-dimensional morphologies in exquisite detail, without the need for destructive sectioning. Spectroscopy in the infrared spectrum probed sample biochemistry, detailing the spatial distribution of seed macronutrients such as lipid, protein and carbohydrate in the embryo, endosperm and seed coat. Methods using synchrotron X-rays, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging revealed elemental distributions, to spatially map micronutrients in seed subcompartments and to determine their speciation. Synchrotron spectromicroscopy (SM) allowed chemical composition to be resolved at the nano-scale level. Diverse crop seed datasets showcase the range of structural and chemical insights provided by five beamlines at the Canadian Light Source, and the potential for synchrotron imaging for informing plant and agricultural research.
Effects of broad-leaved grass inhibitors and nitrogen fertilizer on seed production Elymus nutans in alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Lu Xin , Qi Juan , Su Junhu , Liu Yanjun , Zhang Aolong
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The alpine meadows of the Tibetan Plateau play a crucial role in the grassland ecosystem. However, due to the rapid growth and strong competitiveness of broad-leaved grasses, the nutritional resources and living space available for Gramineae species are severely restricted in this region. Broad-leaved grasses and noxious weeds have evolved into dominant population, severely limiting grassland production in alpine meadows. A shortage of premium seeds limits grassland ecosystem restoration efforts. Elymus nutans is regarded as a pioneer plant for restoring degraded grassland into meadows dominated by grasses, and for developing cultivated grassland in the Tibetan Plateau region, and the demand for native seeds of E. nutans is increasing.

Methods

Therefore, this study investigated the effect of combinations of four levels of a broad-leaved grass inhibitor (0, 0.9, 1.5, and 2.1 kg·hm-2) crossed with four levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg·hm-2) on seed production of E. nutans in Gannan alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Results

We observed that the grass inhibitor significantly (p < 0.05) influenced on fertile tillers (FT), spikelets per fertile tiller (SFT), seeds per spikelet (SS) and panicle length (PL), but not florets per spikelet (FS) (p = 0.145). Nitrogen fertilizer significantly influenced on FT, FS, SS, and PL (p < 0.001), but not SFT (p = 0.068). The interaction of the grass inhibitor and nitrogen fertilizer had no significant effect on any of these seed yield components (p > 0.05). Both the grass inhibitor and nitrogen fertilizer significantly influenced all indicators of seed production (p < 0.001), increasing their values in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, their interaction proved significant for all indicators (p < 0.001), except for actual seed yield (p > 0.05), demonstrating their synergistic effects. The maximum thousand seed weight (4.66 g) and actual seed yield (365 kg·hm-2) were observed at the highest doss of 2.1 kg·hm-2 of grass inhibitor and 225 kg·hm-2 of nitrogen fertilizer, which were 1.85-fold and 2.94-fold of the control, respectively. Furthermore, significantly positive correlations were observed among seed yield and all yield components. Pathway analysis showed that FT made significant direct contributions to the seed yield.

Discussion

This approach (using broad-leaved grass inhibitors and nitrogen fertilizer) effectively reduced competition from broad-leaved grasses and increased the proportion of E. nutans in the plant community composition, thus alleviating the shortage of E. nutans seeds for grassland ecological restoration.
Validation of stay-green and stem reserve mobilization QTLs: physiological and gene expression approach
Authors: Taria Sukumar , Arora Ajay , Kumar Sudhir , Krishna Hari , Meena Shashi , Singh Biswabiplab , China Malakondaiah Animireddy , S. Kousalya , Padaria Jasdeep Chatrath , Singh Pradeep Kumar , Alam Badre , Kumar Sushil , Arunachalam Ayyanadar
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Abiotic stress significantly reduces the wheat yield by hindering several physiological processes in plant. Stay-green (SG) and stem reserve mobilization (SRM) are the two key physiological traits, which can contribute significantly to grain filling during stress period. Validation of genomic regions linked to SG and SRM is needed for its subsequent use in marker-assisted selection in breeding program.

Methods

Using a physiological and gene expression approach, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for stay-green (SG) and stem reserve mobilization (SRM) were validated in a pot experiment study using contrasting recombinant inbred lines including its parental lines (HD3086/HI1500) in wheat. The experiment was laid down in a completely randomized design under normal (control, drought) and late sown (heat and combined stress) conditions during the 2022-2023 rabi season. Drought stress was imposed by withholding irrigation at the anthesis stage, whereas heat stress was imposed by 1-month late sowing compared to the normal sowing condition. Combined stress was imposed by 1-month late sowing along with restricted irrigation at the flowering stage. Superior lines (HDHI113 and HDHI87) had both SG and SRM traits, whereas inferior lines (HDHI185 and HDHI80) had contrasting traits, i.e., lower SG and SRM traits. HD3086 and HI1500 had SG and SRM traits respectively. Potential candidate genes were identified based on the flanking markers of the mapped QTLs using the BioMart tool in the Ensembl Plants database to validate the identified QTLs. Real-time gene expression was conducted with SG-linked genes in the flag leaf and SRM-linked genes in the peduncle.

Results and Discussion

In this study, HDHI113 and HDHI87 showed higher expression of SG-related genes in the flag leaf under stress conditions. Furthermore, HDHI113 and HDHI87 maintained higher chlorophyll a content of 7.08 and 6.62 mg/gDW, respectively, and higher net photosynthetic rates (PN) of 17.18 and 16.48 µmol CO2/m2/s, respectively, under the combined stress condition. However, these lines showed higher expression of SRM-linked genes in the peduncle under drought stress, indicating that drought stress aggravates SRM in wheat. HDHI113 and HDHI87 recorded higher 1,000-grain weights and spike weight differences under combined stress, further validating the identified QTLs being linked to SG and SRM traits. Henceforth, the identified QTLs can be transferred to developed wheat varieties through efficient breeding strategies for yield improvement in harsh climate conditions.
Effectiveness of brief online mindfulness-based intervention on different types of mobile phone addiction: mechanisms of influence of trait mindfulness
Authors: Zhang Zhiyu , Wu Lei , Lu Chu , Guan Tianming
Published: February 2025

Introduction

It is common for college students to suffer from mobile phone addiction, which can seriously affect their physical and mental health. The current study looked at the impact of a brief online mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on mobile phone addiction to address this problem. The mechanisms behind the influence of trait mindfulness (TM) on this process were also investigated in the current study.

Methods

Subjects were split into two groups for a randomized controlled trial: an experimental group and a control group. During brief online MBI, online assessments of mobile social networking addiction (MSNA), mobile game addiction (MGA), mobile information acquisition addiction (MIAA), and mobile short-form video addiction (MSVA) as well as TM were completed. The present study examined the effectiveness of the brief online MBI with a two-factor repeated measures ANOVA and explored the effects of TM on the four types of mobile phone addiction with hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) after a brief online MBI.

Results

Results revealed that the experimental group receiving brief online MBI showed a significant decrease in MSNA, MGA, MIAA, and MSVA at the post-test level compared to the pre-test. TM negatively predicted MSNA, MGA, MIAA, and MSVA.

Discussion

The present study found that the brief online mindfulness-based intervention can effectively reduce four types of mobile phone addiction. In addition, the present study revealed that as the levels of TM increased, all four types of mobile phone addiction decreased.
Development and validation of a secondary school classroom engagement instrument in math and science in the Ethiopian context
Authors: Berhanu Alemayehu , Semela Tesfaye , Moges Belay
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Classroom engagement is the most influential variable in predicting students’ academic achievement. However, a valid and reliable instrument for measuring students’ classroom engagement in the Ethiopian context remains unexplored. This study aimed to develop and validate an Ethiopian secondary school student classroom engagement instrument.

Method

A total of 119 items were selected through a rigorous literature review, and 40 of these items were initially drafted on the basis of expert judgment. These selected items were subsequently tested on 1,771 students: 383 for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), 1,346 for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and 42 for test–retest reliability. The internal consistency of the full scale and subscales of this tool were computed via Cronbach’s alpha. The measurements of invariance across gender and grade levels were analyzed to determine the level of equivalence of the instrument.

Results

The findings revealed that this tool is valid and reliable and measures six sub-constructs of the attribute of classroom engagement. Therefore, the use of such valid and reliable tools in future measurement studies of Ethiopian high school students’ mathematics and science classroom engagement is suggested.

Conclusion

Finally, scholars in math and science research would benefit from using this tool either to cross-validate or synthesize their studies.
Recognition and management of auditory verbal hallucinations in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Niemantsverdriet M. B. A. , Slotema C. W. , Franken I. H. A. , Brandsma J. , Verbraak M. J. P. M. , Deen M. L. , Blom J. D. , Van der Gaag M.
Published: February 2025

Background

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) are experienced by 25% of all people diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder. Since the impact of these hallucinations is often substantial, we asked ourselves how often they are discussed in clinical practice, whether they are treated, and if so, how and to what effect.

Methods

We studied the clinical files of 130 people under treatment at a specialized outpatient clinic for people with personality disorders, and compared the data on the presence and treatment of AVH to those collected in four prior scientific studies by our group.

Results

Of the 130 participants to those earlier studies, 42 had reported on experiencing AVH ≥ once per week. In 31% of the cases this had been missed by the treating healthcare professionals. Of the people suffering from severe AVH, a concurrent schizophrenia spectrum disorder was diagnosed in only 10%. A minority of 41% had received targeted treatment for their AVH. Doses of antipsychotics had been relatively low compared to those recommended for psychotic disorders, and yet all patients treated had reported a decrease in the frequency or severity (or both) of their AVH. Unfortunately, 93% also reported side effects, which led 57% of the group to discontinue this type of treatment. Nonpharmacological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy had been offered only to a minority of the participants.

Conclusion

Even in specialized clinical settings it remains challenging to establish the possible presence of AVH in people with a borderline personality disorder. And yet this is worth the effort because of the impact that these hallucinations tend to have, and the positive effects of antipsychotic treatment here presented. Further research is needed to develop algorithms to optimize doses in individual patients, to develop treatment guidelines, and to explore the effects of nonpharmacological treatments.
A systematic review of recovery high schools and collegiate recovery programs for building recovery capital among adolescents and emerging adults
Authors: Hennessy Emily A. , George Shane S. , Klein Morgan R. , O’Connor Jenny B. , Eddie David , Kelly John F.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Educational settings represent a prime opportunity for reaching adolescents and young adults (ages 12–27) experiencing substance use disorders (SUD). Recovery high schools (RHSs) were established to help adolescents in recovery finish their education while maintaining alcohol and other drug (AOD) abstinence and collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) were implemented for college and university students. With the continued proliferation of these programs, this review synthesizes the empirical literature on the impact of both types of educational recovery supports for youth.

Method

This review's methodology was based on a previous Campbell review on the same topic from 2017. We searched five public databases (May 2024), used PRISMA 2020 reporting guidelines, and followed Campbell Collaboration guidelines including Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis. Eligible studies focused on adolescent/emerging adult participants in RHSs or CRPs. Any outcome broadly related to SUD recovery was eligible. We included quantitative or mixed methods studies and allowed for cost-benefit/cost-effectiveness designs. Data from eligible studies were extracted in duplicate and assessed for quality (Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies) by four review team members. Two cost-benefit/cost-effectiveness studies included in the CRP review were rated for quality using a separate tool appropriate for these designs by a single reviewer.

Results

We identified 37 manuscripts representing 25 unique studies focused on RHS (K = 7: N = 14,209) or CRPs (K = 18: N = 2,795). In the RHS studies, participants were predominantly White (41%) and females represented 29% of the sample. No studies met the criteria for low risk of bias. In the CRP studies, participants were predominately white (89%) and had slightly less female than male participants (45%). 11 of the 16 studies that did not use cost-benefit analysis were rated as high risk of bias. The quality rating of the two studies using cost-benefit designs indicated that both studies had fairly rigorous approaches.

Discussion

This research base suggests that students who participate in RHSs and CRPs may demonstrate reductions in AOD use, and improvements in social and academic outcomes, although given the existing research designs, statements about the incremental public health utility of investing in these programs relative to other approaches of equal intensity or duration cannot be made with confidence.
Stent-assisted coil embolization of ruptured vertebral artery dissected aneurysm with severe stenosis of bilateral vertebral artery V4 segment by the transmountain technique: a case report and review of the literatures
Authors: Hao Guangzhi , Zhang Zijun , Han Yuwei , Huan Yu , Dong Yushu , Zhao Haiyang , Liang Guobiao
Published: February 2025

A 46-year-old woman presented with acute head and neck pain for 10 h. Head CT showed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) identified a ruptured dissected aneurysm of the right vertebral artery with severe artery stenosis. Moreover, an unruptured dissecting aneurysm and severe vascular stenosis were also found in the left vertebral artery. How to deal with ruptured bleeding aneurysm and prophylactically deal with contralateral unruptured dissecting aneurysm and the stenosis of the vertebral artery has become a thorny problem. By adopting the Transmountain technique, we used a single Enterprise-2 stent to cover the neck of the right ruptured vertebral artery dissection aneurysm and the severe stenosis of the distal vessel, while bypassing the vertebrobasilar artery junction to continue covering the severe stenosis and the unruptured dilated dissection of the contralateral vertebral artery. This new stent-assisted approach may provide a reference for clinicians in the treatment of complex dissection aneurysms.
A study on the therapeutic effect of precise clipping of intracranial aneurysms assisted by CTA and 3D-slicer software
Authors: He Chuan , Cao Gang , Yang Ying , Zhong Qi , Lei Yongsheng , Tan Xingshi , Lin Xiaohong , Chen Yaokun , Sun Wenxiao
Published: February 2025

Objective

To evaluate the application of Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) combined with 3D-Slicer software reconstruction technology in the diagnosis and preoperative planning of intracranial aneurysms, and to explore its positive significance in improving surgical outcomes for patients.

Methods

From January 2021 to December 2023, a total of 24 patients diagnosed with intracranial aneurysms (25 cases) underwent craniotomy clipping surgery. We utilized 3D-Slicer to render and fuse preoperative CTA image data, and to formulate individualized surgical plans, including approach, bone window, anticipated protection of the aneurysm-bearing artery and perforating arteries, and compared these with the actual surgical procedures. The actual intraoperative conditions were used as the diagnostic reference standard to compare and analyze the morphology of intracranial aneurysms, assessing the consistency between preoperative planning and actual operations. Additionally, intraoperative and postoperative complications and prognosis were analyzed.

Results

It was confirmed that among the 25 intracranial aneurysms, the combination of CTA and 3D-Slicer could effectively detect and reconstruct these aneurysms; quantifying the extent of bone window grinding could reduce the need for multiple bone grinding after opening the dura mater; the consistency in determining the stenosis of the aneurysm-bearing artery intraoperatively, the difficulty of reconstructing and separating the aneurysm neck, and the condition of the perforating arteries near the aneurysm was good, with Kappa values of 0.865, 0.779, and 0.635, respectively. However, the consistency in predicting the rupture orientation of the aneurysm was poor, with a Kappa value of 0.186. All aneurysms in this group were completely clipped, and no new signs of bleeding were found in the head CT within 24 h after surgery, and no signs of aneurysm recurrence were observed in the head CTA within 7 days.

Conclusion

In summary, combining 3D-Slicer technology with CTA can accurately assess intracranial aneurysms and provide key anatomical information required for craniotomy clipping surgery to formulate surgical plans, which has a positive significance in reducing surgical complications. These findings not only lay the foundation for further exploration of related issues but also provide clinical doctors with more scientifically effective guidance for diagnosis and surgical planning.
Bibliometric analysis of the Top 1000 most-cited articles in otolaryngology over the past decade: global research trends and hotspots
Authors: Wang Zhipeng , Yu Guodong
Published: February 2025

Background

The field of otolaryngology has achieved remarkable progress over the past decade due to technological advancements and interdisciplinary integration. Understanding research trends and hotspots is essential to drive further innovation and development.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted on Web of Science on November 22, 2024, to identify the top 1,000 most-cited otolaryngology publications from 2014 to 2024. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism v8.0.2, CiteSpace (6.2.4R), and VOSviewer (1.6.18) to visualize trends and research networks.

Results

The annual publication volume in otolaryngology decreased after 2014, with the United States dominating in both publication count and citation frequency. Influential journals and prominent authors were identified, and research areas expanded beyond traditional clinical management to interdisciplinary fields. Chronic rhinosinusitis, olfactory dysfunction, and machine learning emerged as key research hotspots.

Conclusion

Otolaryngology has made significant progress across multiple domains. Future research should focus on integrating artificial intelligence into clinical practice, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and advancing precision medicine and translational research. These efforts will be critical for addressing emerging challenges and capitalizing on new opportunities in the field.
Beyond Spectrograms: Rethinking Audio Classification from EnCodec’s Latent Space
Authors: Perianez-Pascual Jorge , Gutiérrez Juan D. , Escobar-Encinas Laura , Rubio-Largo Álvaro , Rodriguez-Echeverria Roberto
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a novel approach to audio classification leveraging the latent representation generated by Meta’s EnCodec neural audio codec. We hypothesize that the compressed latent space representation captures essential audio features more suitable for classification tasks than the traditional spectrogram-based approaches. We train a vanilla convolutional neural network for music genre, speech/music, and environmental sound classification using EnCodec’s encoder output as input to validate this. Then, we compare its performance training with the same network using a spectrogram-based representation as input. Our experiments demonstrate that this approach achieves comparable accuracy to state-of-the-art methods while exhibiting significantly faster convergence and reduced computational load during training. These findings suggest the potential of EnCodec’s latent representation for efficient, faster, and less expensive audio classification applications. We analyze the characteristics of EnCodec’s output and compare its performance against traditional spectrogram-based approaches, providing insights into this novel approach’s advantages.
Effect of Environmental Factors on Grassland Biodiversity and Biomass in the Zhangye Region
Authors: Liu Yazhou , Zhang Meiling , Zhao Youyi , Wei Jianzhou , Zhou Shengwei , Shi Xiaoyan
Published: February 2025

Grassland ecosystems, which are essential for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are increasingly vulnerable to degradation, primarily driven by climate change and soil variability. Understanding the influence of environmental factors on these indicators is critical for addressing grassland degradation and promoting sustainable land management practices. This study investigates the influence of environmental factors, particularly temperature, precipitation, and soil properties, on species diversity and biomass in the arid and semi-arid grasslands of the Zhangye region, China. Field sampling was performed at 63 sites to collect data on vegetation characteristics, biomass, and soil properties, complemented by climate data. This study investigates the mechanisms through which abiotic factors influence biomass and species diversity. The results indicate that soil moisture and relative humidity, as related factors, are significantly positively correlated with both species diversity and biomass, thereby highlighting the stress induced by temperature in arid ecosystems. Furthermore, soil bulk density and pH were identified as critical mediating factors that influence biomass indirectly through their impact on soil moisture. These findings underscore the complex role of climate–soil interactions in shaping grassland ecosystems and offer essential insights for developing adaptive strategies to manage and mitigate grassland degradation in response to climate change.
Potential Habitat Suitability Analysis Under Climate Change for the Native Grass, Kengyilia thoroldiana, on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Liu Qingqing , Zhang Hairong , He Miaohua , Shi Jianjun , Ma Yuan
Published: February 2025

Kengyilia thoroldiana (Oliv.) J. L. Yang, C. Yen, and B. R. Baum (K. thoroldiana) is a dominant species in the desertification area of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. In this study, based on 88 sample points of K. thoroldiana, the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) method was used to analyze the current dominant factors of the distribution area of K. thoroldiana and predict its potential distribution. The results showed that the training and test data area under the curve (AUC) were 0.934 and 0.944, which indicated the reliability of the predicted results. Based on climatic variables and the results of the “Jackknife” method, the results showed that temperature was the main driver of K. thoroldiana’s distribution. By simulating the potential distribution of K. thoroldiana, the highly suitable areas were mainly located in the west, south, and southeast of Qinghai, southwest Gansu, and eastern Tibet. In future climate scenarios, the total suitable area for K. thoroldiana showed an expanding trend. According to the Sustainable Development (SSP126) scenario, the highly suitable areas could increase by 4.72% from 2021 to 2040 compared with the current climate scenario, and the highly suitable areas could increase by 12.71% from 2041 to 2060. An increase in the suitable areas of K. thoroldiana is essential for the ecological restoration of degraded grasslands.
Effect of Doses, Application Dates, Adjuvants and Zinc Sulfate on Bromoxynil + Terbuthylazine + Nicosulfuron Weed Control Efficacy and Maize Grain Yield in Mid-West Poland
Authors: Idziak Robert , Szuba-Adamska Violetta , Waligóra Hubert , Sobiech Łukasz , Grzanka Monika , Szulc Piotr
Published: February 2025

It is possible to reduce herbicide doses while maintaining their high efficacy, provided they are applied with appropriately selected adjuvants and zinc sulphate in a split-dose system. The effect of multicomponent adjuvants and zinc sulphate on the efficacy of bromoxynil + terbuthylazine + nicosulfuron, applied once at full (144 + 400 + 40 mL ha−1) and in a split-dose system (herbicides applied twice, each time after new weed germination) at reduced doses (54 + 150 + 14 mL ha−1, on herbicide efficacy and grain yield was evaluated. At full dose, bromoxynil, terbuthylazine, and nicosulfuron greatly controlled lambsquarters (92–100%). Barnyard grass was controlled by 94–100%, at reduced 67–93%, with adjuvants in a split-dose system, as efficacy increased to 94–100%, and with zinc it increased to 88–91%. The efficacy of herbicides containing zinc sulphate and surfactant was 80–96%, with that of other adjuvants 97–99%. Regardless of the dose and application system, herbicide application increased grain yield by 11.4–13.9 t ha−1 compared to 4.8–5.0 from untreated check. The grain yield from split-dose treatments was comparable to that from plots with the recommended dose. The enhanced herbicide efficacy with adjuvants applied twice, despite higher treatment expenses, led to the development of maize plants and enhanced yields. This may ultimately translate into improved production profitability.
The Use of an Air-Inflated Pillow for Assisted Recovery After General Anaesthesia in Horses: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Vandaele Zoë , Van den Broeke Charlotte , Merchiers Alexandre , Schauvliege Stijn
Published: February 2025

Different assisted recovery techniques have been developed to enhance the safety and quality of equine recoveries. This case series evaluates the recovery of horses using an air-inflated pillow (Equi-lift®). With owner consent, the following data were collected from 19 horses undergoing open castration and 21 horses where a difficult recovery was anticipated: age, bodyweight, procedure, anaesthetic protocol, time required for proper positioning in the Equi-lift®, time to extubation, time to standing, number of attempts to stand, number of stimuli, behaviour during recumbency/first attempts, and overall impression. Horses were 1–24 years old, with a bodyweight of 483.5 ± 106.8 kg. The median time to properly position a horse into the system was 6 min (range: 1–15 min). The recovery duration was 42 min (range: 21–181 min), with a median of 4 attempts (range: 1–12 attempts) and 1 stimulus (range: 0–10) before fully standing. Recovery was calm in most horses (32/40) and moderate (with signs of anxiety and/or excitation) in 3/40 horses. In five horses, the use of this technique was discontinued. All horses recovered without any injuries or other immediate postoperative complications. In conclusion, this recovery technique shows promising results, but further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Missense Mutations in FDNC5 Associated with Morphometric Traits and Meat Quality in Hainan Black Goats
Authors: Huang Jing , Xu Mengning , Zhang Yuelang , Han Jiancheng , Zhou Hanlin , Wang Ke
Published: February 2025

Goats are widely recognized for their adaptability and resource efficiency, making them an excellent choice for sustainable farming. However, the Hainan Black goat (HNBG), a vital breed in southern China’s tropical regions, faces significant challenges that threaten its productivity and economic viability. Specifically, young HNBGs exhibit stunted growth and poor muscle development, indicating the breed may have more genetic defects that cause the poor phenotypes. The FNDC5 gene, which encodes the protein irisin, plays a key role in promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism by activating critical signaling molecules such as PGC-1α, thereby enhancing muscle endurance and metabolic efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the impact of missense mutations in the FNDC5 gene on growth and meat quality traits in HNBGs. We sequenced a population of HNBGs and identified three SNPs that could lead to amino acid substitutions. Notably, SNP1 (p.119A/V) and SNP2 (p.135R/H) showed strong linkage. Predictions on the structural effects of these mutations indicated that SNP1 (p.119A/V) and SNP3 (p.170W/G) could alter the secondary structure of the FNDC5 protein. Association analyses revealed that SNP1 (p.119A/V) and SNP2 (p.135R/H) were significantly associated with morphometric traits and meat quality. The phenotypic values of SNP1 and SNP2 co-mutants were significantly lower than those of other combined genotypes. Furthermore, gene expression levels of FNDC5 varied notably across individuals with different SNP1 genotypes. These findings suggest that FNDC5-SNP1 (p.119A/V) could serve as a promising genetic marker for selecting HNBGs with improved growth and muscle development, offering a potential pathway for enhancing key economic traits in this breed.
Effects of Willow Bark (Salix Extract) on Pain and Stress Following Disbudding of Organic Dairy Calves
Authors: Bacon Madison E. , Endres Marcia I. , Heins Bradley J.
Published: February 2025

Cautery disbudding is a painful procedure and major welfare concern in organic dairy production, which lacks effective and easily implemented methods of pain control. Willow bark (WB) has been used to treat chronic pain in humans, but there is no scientific evidence that WB has an analgesic effect in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an oral WB bolus on heart rate, salivary cortisol concentration, ocular temperature, and lying behavior (time, bouts, and bout duration) of 42 Holstein and crossbred calves. Heifer calves were born at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, MN organic dairy. Calves were disbudded from 4 to 7 weeks of age (42 ± 3 d) and randomly assigned to one of three treatments (n = 14 calves/treatment): hot iron disbudding with lidocaine (LID; 5 mL per horn bud), hot iron disbudding with oral WB (200 mg/kg), or sham disbudding (SD). Saliva samples and thermal images were collected 1 h before disbudding, at disbudding, and 5 min, 10 min, and every 30 min until 240 min after disbudding. Cardiac monitors recorded heart rates continuously throughout the 5 h study period. HOBO loggers recorded lying behavior during the 72 h following disbudding. The variables included in the statistical model for analyses were fixed effects of treatment, time, and the interaction between treatment and time, and calf was a random effect. The mean heart rate of LID calves (123.3 ± 2.8 beats/minute) and WB calves (124.5 ± 3.2 beats/minute) were higher than SD calves (110.8 ± 2.3 beats/minute). Salivary cortisol concentrations were higher for the LID calves (103.8 pg/mL) and for the WB calves (103.4 pg/mL) than for the SD calves (85.5 pg/mL). The ocular temperature was not affected by treatment group. There were fewer lying bouts 24 to 48 h after disbudding compared to the first 24 h after disbudding in both the LID and WB treatment groups. Treatment group did not affect lying time or lying bout duration. Neither LID nor WB alleviated the pain of calves throughout the post-disbudding period. The results highlighted the need to discover suitable options for pain mitigation of calves in organic livestock production.
Growth Performance, Health Parameters, and Blood Metabolites of Dairy Calves Supplemented with a Polyherbal Phytogenic Additive
Authors: Velázquez-Cruz Lucero Abigail , Mendoza-Martínez German David , Hernández-García Pedro Abel , Espinosa-Ayala Enrique , Díaz-Galván Cesar , Vázquez-Silva Gabriela , Orzuna-Orzuna José Felipe , Razo-Ortíz Pablo Benjamín , de la Torre-Hernández María Eugenia
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with increasing levels of a polyherbal phytogenic additive (PPA) on growth performance, health parameters, and blood metabolites of dairy calves. Forty female Holstein calves (43.35 ± 2.41 kg body weight and 25.1 ± 2.2 d of age) were housed in individual pens and randomly assigned to four treatments (n = 10) with increasing levels of PPA: 0 (CON), 2 (PPA2), 3 (PPA3), and 4 (PPA4) g PPA/d for 67 d. Compared to the CON treatment, supplementation with the PPA2 treatment increased (quadratic effect p = 0.02) the average daily gain and final body weight of the dairy calves. Also, a higher starter intake (SI), and intake of milk + milk replacer was observed (linear and quadratic effect p = 0.0001) in response to supplementation with the PPA2, PPA3, and PPA4 treatments. The evaluated treatments did not affect (p > 0.05) the feed conversion ratio, or the number of cases of diarrhea, pneumonia, and otitis. The evaluated treatments did not affect (p > 0.05) most of the hematological and biochemical blood parameters. However, compared to the CON treatment, supplementation with the PPA2 treatment increased (quadratic effect p < 0.05) the blood concentration of the segmented neutrophils and plasma protein. Likewise, the serum glucose concentration decreased (linear effect p < 0.05) with supplementation of the PPA2, PPA3, and PPA4 treatments. Compared with the CON treatment, the PPA4 supplementation decreased the serum urea concentration (linear effect p = 0.04). In conclusion, supplementation with 2 g/d of PPA can be used as a natural alternative to improve the growth rate and stimulate starter and milk + milk replacer intake in dairy calves without adverse effects on health parameters or blood metabolites.
The Effects of Acute Temperature Changes on Transcriptomic Responses in the Liver of Leopard Coral Groupers (Plectropomus leopardus)
Authors: Guo Yilan , Jin Chaofan , Wei Cun , Zhong Kangning , Gao Yurui , Li Peiyu , Qu Zhe , Bao Zhenmin , Wang Bo , Hu Jingjie
Published: February 2025

The leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) is a commercially significant tropical marine species. With the ongoing effects of global climate change, increasing attention has been focused on leopard coral grouper’s susceptibility to extreme cold weather. This study investigates the effects of acute cold exposure and temperature recovery on the liver of P. leopardus. Histological observations and enzyme activity assays revealed that temperature fluctuations caused significant disruptions to normal liver physiology, including lipid accumulation and alterations in antioxidant levels. Transcriptomic analysis of liver tissue identified 2744 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across three experimental groups: 25 °C (control), 13 °C (cold exposure), and rewarming at 25 °C (R-25 °C). Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these DEGs were significantly associated with biological processes such as lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense, as well as pathways related to metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and ferroptosis. Furthermore, dynamic regulation of lipid metabolism, immune responses, and oxidative stress pathways was observed in response to both cold stress and rewarming. Notably, several redox-related DEGs were identified, and their interactions with lipid metabolism were further explored. Additionally, representative DEGs associated with antioxidants and lipid metabolism, such as got1, gpx1a, gpt, and g6pcla.2, were validated by qRT-PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Taken together, this study provides a systematic analysis of the effects of acute cold exposure and temperature recovery stress on the liver of the leopard coral grouper, laying the groundwork for further research on the temperature stress responses in teleost species.
Taraxacum coreanum Inhibits Agonist-Induced Platelet Aggregation Without Affecting Blood Coagulation
Authors: Nam Gisuk , Kim Soyoung , Kwon Yun-Suk , Nam Kyung-Soo
Published: February 2025

Taraxacum coreanum Nakai (T. coreanum) is a traditional Korean plant widely consumed for its health benefits, but its role in thrombosis prevention remains unclear. This study examined the inhibitory effects of T. coreanum extract (TCE) on platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Using washed human platelets and platelet-rich plasma stimulated with collagen, thrombin, ADP, or TPA, TCE significantly inhibited platelet aggregation without cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, TCE reduced serotonin release, ATP release, calcium mobilization, P-selectin expression, integrin αIIbβ3 activation, and thromboxane A2 production. These actions involved the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 activity and modulation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling. TCE also enhanced the cAMP pathway, increasing PKA, VASP, and IP3R1 phosphorylation, and delayed thrombin-induced clot retraction. These results suggest that TCE exerts potent anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic effects by modulating key pathways involved in platelet activation and thrombus formation. Thus, TCE may represent a promising natural therapeutic agent for preventing thrombotic diseases.