bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coeliac disease: the paradox of diagnosing a food hypersensitivity disorder with autoantibodies
Authors: du Pre M Fleur , Iversen Rasmus , Sollid Ludvig M
Published: February 2024

Serum antibodies to the autoantigen transglutaminase 2 (TG2) are increasingly harnessed to diagnose coeliac disease. Diagnostic guidelines for children give recommendation for a no-biopsy-based diagnosis through detection of high amounts of IgA anti-TG2 antibodies in serum with confirmation of positivity in a separate blood sample by characteristic autoantibody-staining of tissue. While measurement of IgA anti-TG2 also is important in the diagnostic workup of adults, the adult guidelines still mandate examination of gut biopsies. This requirement might well change in the future, as might the necessity for confirming autoantibody positivity by tissue staining. The key role of autoantibody serology for diagnosis of coeliac disease is paradoxical. Coeliac disease was considered, and still can be considered, a food intolerance disorder where autoantibodies at face value are out of place. The immunological mechanisms underlying the formation of autoantibodies in response to gluten exposure have been dissected. This review presents the current insights demonstrating that the autoantibodies in coeliac disease are intimately integrated in the maladapted immune response to gluten.
Addition of cribriform pattern 4 and intraductal prostatic carcinoma into the CAPRA-S tool improves post-radical prostatectomy patient stratification in a multi-institutional cohort
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc-Nhu Jennifer , Liu Kristen , Lajkosz Katherine , Iczkowski Kenneth A , van der Kwast Theodorus H , Downes Michelle R
Published: February 2024

Aims

Pre-surgical risk classification tools for prostate cancer have shown better patient stratification with the addition of cribriform pattern 4 (CC) and intraductal prostatic carcinoma (IDC) identified in biopsies. Here, we analyse the additional prognostic impact of CC/IDC observed in prostatectomies using Cancer of Prostate Risk Assessment post-surgical (CAPRA-S) stratification.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of treatment-naïve radical prostatectomy specimens from three North American academic institutions (2010–2018) was assessed for the presence of CC/IDC. Patients were classified, after calculating the CAPRA-S scores, into low-risk (0–2), intermediate-risk (3–5) and high-risk (6–12) groups. Kaplan-Meier curves were created to estimate biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival. Prognostic performance was examined using Harrell’s concordance index, and the effects of CC/IDC within each risk group were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Our cohort included 825 prostatectomies (grade group (GG)1, n=94; GG2, n=475; GG3, n=185; GG4, n=13; GG5, n=58). CC/IDC was present in 341 (41%) prostatectomies. With a median follow-up of 4.2 years (range 2.9–6.4), 166 (20%) patients experienced BCR. The CAPRA-S low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk groups comprised 357 (43%), 328 (40%) and 140 (17%) patients, and discriminated for BCR-free survival (p<0.0001). For CAPRA-S scores 3–5, the addition of CC/IDC status improved stratification for BCR (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.41 to 3.66, p<0.001) and improved the overall c-index (0.689 vs 0.667, analysis of variance p<0.001).

Conclusion

The addition of CC/IDC into the CAPRA-S classification significantly improved post-radical prostatectomy patient stratification for BCR among the intermediate-risk group (CAPRA-S scores 3–5). The reporting of CC and IDC should be included in future prostate cancer stratification tools for improved outcome prediction.
Integration of microfluidics in smart acoustic metamaterials
Authors: Nampoothiri Krishnadas Narayanan , Bansal Shubhi , Jha Abhishek , Mittal Prateek
Published: February 2024

Microfluidics has achieved a paradigm-shifting advancement in life sciences, automation, thermal management, and various other engineering streams. In recent years, a considerable amount of research has been conducted on the use of microfluidics in designing novel systems and fabricating next-generation smart materials that are capable of outperforming historical barriers and achieving unprecedented qualities. One such innovative development is the integration of fluidics into building artificially structured smart materials called acoustic metamaterials to achieve active tunability for a real-time controllable manipulation of acoustic waves. Leveraging the capability of microfluidics to automate the manipulation of liquid droplets, fluid streams, or bubbles in a required arrangement has revolutionised the development of actively tunable fluidics-integrated acoustic metamaterials for widescale applications. This review first discusses the prominent microfluidic actuation mechanisms used in the literature to develop fluidics-integrated smart acoustic metamaterials, and then it details integrated metamaterial design and extraordinary applications such as active acoustic wave manipulation or building tunable acoustic holograms etc. The following review concludes by providing the importance and future perspective of integrating microfluidic techniques with novel metamaterial designs, paving the way for innovative futuristic applications.
A d-SUMMABLE APPROACH TO DENG INFORMATION DIMENSION OF COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: RAMIREZ-ARELLANO ALDO , BORY-REYES JUAN
Published: February 2024

Several new network information dimension definitions have been proposed in recent decades, expanding the scope of applicability of this seminal tool. This paper proposes a new definition based on Deng entropy and d-summability (a concept from geometric measure theory). We will prove to what extent the new formulation will be useful in the theoretical and applied points of view.
moduli: A Disaggregated Data Management Architecture for Data-Intensive Workflows
Authors: Ceravolo Paolo , Catarci Tiziana , Console Marco , Cudré-Mauroux Philippe , Groppe Sven , Hose Katja , Pokorný Jaroslav , Romero Oscar , Wrembel Robert
Published: February 2024

As companies store, process, and analyse bigger and bigger volumes of highly heterogeneous data, novel research and technological challenges are emerging. Traditional and rigid data integration and processing techniques become inadequate for a new class of data-intensive applications. There is a need for new architectural, software, and hardware solutions that are capable of providing dynamic data integration, assuring high data quality, and offering safety and security mechanisms, while facilitating online data analysis. In this context, we proposemoduli, a novel disaggregated data management reference architecture for data-intensive applications that organizes data processing in variouszones.Working onmoduliallowed us also to identify open research and technological challenges.
A Contract-aware and Cost-effective LSM Store for Cloud Storage with Low Latency Spikes
Authors: Zhou Yuanhui , Zhou Jian , Lu Kai , Zhan Ling , Xu Peng , Wu Peng , Chen Shuning , Liu Xian , Wan Jiguang
Published: February 2024

Cloud storage is gaining popularity because features such as pay-as-you-go significantly reduce storage costs. However, the community has not sufficiently explored its contract model and latency characteristics. As LSM-Tree-based key-value stores (LSM stores) become the building block for numerous cloud applications, how cloud storage would impact the performance of key-value accesses is vital. This study reveals the significant latency variances of Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) under various I/O pressures, which challenges LSM store read performance on cloud storage. To reduce the corresponding tail latency, we propose Calcspar, a contract-aware LSM store for cloud storage, which efficiently addresses the challenges by regulating the rate of I/O requests to cloud storage and absorbing surplus I/O requests with the data cache. We specifically developed a fluctuation-aware cache to lower the high latency brought on by workload fluctuations. Additionally, we build a congestion-aware IOPS allocator to reduce the impact of LSM store internal operations on read latency. We evaluated Calcspar on EBS with different real-world workloads and compared it to the cutting-edge LSM stores. The results show that Calcspar can significantly reduce tail latency while maintaining regular read and write performance, keeping the 99
th
percentile latency under 550μs and reducing average latency by 66%. In addition, Calcspar has lower write prices and average latency compared to Cloud NoSQL services offered by cloud vendors.
Survey on Haptic Feedback through Sensory Illusions in Interactive Systems
Authors: Kurzweg Marco , Weiss Yannick , Ernst Marc O. , Schmidt Albrecht , Wolf Katrin
Published: February 2024

A growing body of work in human-computer interaction (HCI), particularly work on haptic feedback and haptic displays, relies on sensory illusions, which is a phenomenon investigated in perception research. However, an overview of which illusions are prevalent in HCI for generating haptic feedback in computing systems and which remain underrepresented, as well as the rationales and possible undiscovered potentials therein, have not yet been provided. Existing surveys on human-computer interfaces using sensory illusions are not only outdated but, more importantly, they do not consider literature across disciplines, namely, perception research and HCI. This article provides a systematic literature review of haptic feedback generated by sensory illusions. By reporting and discussing the findings of 90 publications, we provide an overview of how sensory illusions can be used and adapted to produce haptic feedback and how they are implemented and evaluated in HCI. We moreover identify current trends and research gaps and discuss ideas for possible research directions worth investigating.
MS-GDA: Improving Heterogeneous Recipe Representation via Multinomial Sampling Graph Data Augmentation
Authors: Chen Liangzhe , Li Wei , Cui Xiaohui , Wang Zhenyu , Berretti Stefano , Wan Shaohua
Published: February 2024

We study the problem of classifying different cooking styles, based on the recipe. The difficulty is that the same food ingredients, seasoning, and the very similar instructions result in different flavors, with different cooking styles. Existing methods have limitations: they mainly focus on homogeneous data (e.g., instruction or image), ignoring heterogeneous data (e.g., flavor compound or ingredient), which certainly hurts the classification performance. This is because collecting enough available heterogeneous data of a recipe is a non-trivial task. In this paper, we present a new heterogeneous data augmentation method to improve classification performance. Specifically, we first construct a heterogeneous recipe graph network to represent heterogeneous data, which includes four main-stream types of heterogeneous data: ingredient, flavor compound, image, and instruction. Then, we draw a sequence of augmented graphs for Semi-Supervised learning through multinomial sampling. The probability distribution of sampling depends on the
Cosine
distance between the nodes of graph. In this way, we name our approach as
Multinomial Sampling Graph Data Augmentation
(MS-GDA). Extensive experiments demonstrate that MS-GDA significantly outperforms SOTA baselines on cuisine classification and region prediction with the recipe benchmark dataset. Code is available at
https://github.com/LiangzheChen/MS-GDA
.
Dynamic Environment Responsive Online Meta-Learning with Fairness Awareness
Authors: Zhao Chen , Mi Feng , Wu Xintao , Jiang Kai , Khan Latifur , Chen Feng
Published: February 2024

The fairness-aware online learning framework has emerged as a potent tool within the context of continuous lifelong learning. In this scenario, the learner’s objective is to progressively acquire new tasks as they arrive over time, while also guaranteeing statistical parity among various protected sub-populations, such as race and gender when it comes to the newly introduced tasks. A significant limitation of current approaches lies in their heavy reliance on the i.i.d (independent and identically distributed) assumption concerning data, leading to a static regret analysis of the framework. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to note that achieving low static regret does not necessarily translate to strong performance in dynamic environments characterized by tasks sampled from diverse distributions. In this article, to tackle the fairness-aware online learning challenge in evolving settings, we introduce a unique regret measure, FairSAR, by incorporating long-term fairness constraints into a strongly adapted loss regret framework. Moreover, to determine an optimal model parameter at each time step, we introduce an innovative adaptive fairness-aware online meta-learning algorithm, referred to as FairSAOML. This algorithm possesses the ability to adjust to dynamic environments by effectively managing bias control and model accuracy. The problem is framed as a bi-level convex-concave optimization, considering both the model’s primal and dual parameters, which pertain to its accuracy and fairness attributes, respectively. Theoretical analysis yields sub-linear upper bounds for both loss regret and the cumulative violation of fairness constraints. Our experimental evaluation of various real-world datasets in dynamic environments demonstrates that our proposed FairSAOML algorithm consistently outperforms alternative approaches rooted in the most advanced prior online learning methods.
Electrochemical Removal of Gaseous Acetaldehyde Using Ag-Hg Bimetallic Catalyst with a Liquid-Free Electrolyte
Authors: Govindan Muthuraman , Yeom Dohyeon , Choi Youngyu , Kim Daekeun
Published: February 2024

Electrochemical methods have been widely used to remove gaseous pollutants that are dissolved in liquids. However, there have been no significant attempt made to remove gaseous pollutants in their gas state, especially through electrochemical method. In this study, we attempted to remove gaseous acetaldehyde (AA) through electro-oxidation using an Ag-Hg bimetallic catalyst coated on a Ni foam electrode at a gas–solid interface. The interface was induced by a semi-solid agar gel in a membrane-divided electrolytic cell. We confirmed the formation of Ag-Hg on the Ni foam electrode through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. We also found that the semi-solid gel was a suitable solid electrolyte, as evidenced by the absence of discernible redox peaks in cyclic voltammetry analysis and the high charge transfer resistance in electrochemical impedance analysis. Under inlet conditions of 15 ppm with a flow rate of 200 mL min−1, we could achieve up to 80% AA degradation. This was due to the effective transfer of electrons in the presence of the semi-solid gel, which was eight times higher than that obtained in the zero-gap method. In continuous operation of the electrochemical reactor with a single-pass of AA, we consistently achieved a removal capacity of 169.81 mg cm−2 h−1 over a 1-h period in an Ar atmosphere. These results demonstrate the practical applicability of this electrochemical system developed using a liquid-free electrolyte and a bimetallic catalyst for the electrode.
Pistachio Waste-Derived Activated Carbon Materials for Sustainable Energy Storage: Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Sathish S. , Navamathavan R.
Published: February 2024

This study explores the potential of utilizing pistachio waste which is of low-cost and eco-friendly precursor for the synthesis of activated carbon for supercapacitor applications. Pistachio shells, a common agricultural waste product, were subjected to a controlled pyrolysis process followed by the activation to produce activated carbon materials. The resulting activated carbon was characterized by using various analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical testing. The electrochemical performance of the pistachio waste-derived activated carbon was evaluated through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) measurements. The pistachio waste-derived activated carbon exhibits excellent capacitive behaviour, with a high specific capacitance and good cycling stability. The use of agricultural waste-derived activated carbon not only addresses the environmental concerns but also contributes to the development of green energy storage solutions.
Self-Powered Photodetectors on the Lateral CsPbBr3/CsPbI3 Perovskite Heterostructure Nanoplates
Authors: Tan Yalan , Zhong Xuying , Yan Qijie , Dou Wei , Wang Weike , Tang Dongsheng , Zhou Weichang
Published: February 2024

Self-powered photodetectors have attracted the extensive attention in the past years. Herein, we synthesized the lateral CsPbBr3/CsPbI3 perovskite heterosrtucture nanoplates using anti-solvent solution method and fabricated the self-powered photodetectors by transfer the Au-Au electrodes onto the surface of single CsPbBr3/CsPbI3 nanoplate. Under zero bias, this photodetector showed a reversible switching behavior under turn on/off illumination light with responsivity up to 0.887 mA W−1 and external quantum efficiency of 0.247%, benefiting from the intrinsic built-in electrical potential in the heterosrtuctures. These results enable a significant progress of all-inorganic halide perovskites toward the low-power consumption optoelectronics nanodevices.
Effect of Film Density on MgSiO3-Based Resistive Random-Access Memory
Authors: Jheng Fu-Yuan , Chang Sheng-Po
Published: February 2024

Different film density MgSiO3 based resistive random-access memorys (RRAMs) are fabricated to investigate the resistive switching behaviors. The X-ray diffraction results, set voltage, reset voltage, cycling endurance, and retention time are drawn for comparison. With the increasing oxygen ratio gas flow, the resistive switching characteristics of MgSiO3 RRAM are drastically elevated by changing the fabrication conditions of the RS layer. Moreover, we portray a filament model to explain the most likely mechanism associated with the generation and rupture of conductive filaments composed of oxygen vacancies. The high randomness among switching cycles for memory application should be prevented, but it is suitable for the physical unclonable function. The relationship between HRS and the next time set voltage shows a strong correlation, and the conduction mechanisms of the low-resistance state (LRS) and HRS correspond to ohmic conduction and space charge-limited conduction, respectively. Meanwhile, the RRAM undergoes 10,000 s retention tests, and the two resistance states can be distinguished without obvious alternation or degradation. A favorable cycling endurance and retention time achieved by optimizing the fabrication parameters of Cu/MgSiO3/Pt RRAM have the potential for nonvolatile memristors and information security applications.
Lipidomic signatures discriminate subtle hepatic changes in the progression of porcine nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Herrera-Marcos Luis V. , Martínez-Beamonte Roberto , Arnal Carmen , Barranquero Cristina , Puente-Lanzarote Juan J. , Lou-Bonafonte José M. , Gonzalo-Romeo Gonzalo , Mocciaro Gabriele , Jenkins Benjamin , Surra Joaquín C. , Rodríguez-Yoldi María J. , Alastrué-Vera Víctor , Letosa Jesús , García-Gil Agustín , Güemes Antonio , Koulman Albert , Osada Jesús
Published: February 2024

A NASH stage was obtained in crossbred pigs. Hepatic [PC(33:0), PC(33:1) and PC(34:0)] or plasma [FA 16:0, FA 18:0 and LPC(17:1)] species were sensitive parameters to detect subtle changes in development and regression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). These findings may delineate the liquid biopsy to detect subtle changes in progression or in treatments. Furthermore, phospholipid changes according to the insult-inducing NASH may play an important role in accepting or rejecting fatty livers in transplantation.
Multivalent, calcium-independent binding of surfactant protein A and D to sulfated glycosaminoglycans of the alveolar epithelial glycocalyx
Authors: Avcibas Rabia , Vermul Anna , Gluhovic Vladimir , Boback Nico , Arroyo Raquel , Kingma Paul , Isasi-Campillo Miriam , Garcia-Ortega Lucia , Griese Matthias , Kuebler Wolfgang M. , Ochs Matthias , Lauster Daniel , Lopez-Rodriguez Elena
Published: February 2024

SP-A and SP-D function has been related to innate immunity of the lung based on their binding to sugar residues at pathogen surfaces. However, their function in the healthy alveolus was considered as limited to interaction with surfactant lipids. Here, we demonstrated that these proteins bind to glycosaminoglycans present at typical cell surfaces like the alveolar epithelial glycocalyx. We propose a model where these proteins play an important role in interconnecting alveolar epithelial glycocalyx components.
Biofilm Formation, Pyocyanin Production, and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Wounds
Authors: Chimi Larissa Yetendje , Noubom Michel , Bisso Borel Ndezo , Singor Njateng Guy Sedar , Dzoyem Jean Paul
Published: February 2024

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most frequently resistant and dangerous bacteria isolated from infected wounds of patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of P. aeruginosa from infected wounds of patients in the Dschang District Hospital to evaluate their antibiotic susceptibility profiles and their ability to swarm and swim and correlate pyocyanin production with biofilm formation. Wound swab samples were collected and the identification of P. aeruginosa was performed using microbiological and biochemical tests. Their antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the broth microdilution method. Swarming and swimming were determined by measuring the diameters of motility in semisolid/low‐viscosity media. Furthermore, pyocyanin production and biofilm formation were evaluated spectrophotometrically using a microtiter plate. The prevalence of P. aeruginosa from infected wounds in our study population was 26%. All P. aeruginosa isolates were resistant to streptomycin and paromomycin, and the frequency of multidrug resistance (MDR) was 65.8%. All P. aeruginosa isolates showed the ability to produce biofilm and pyocyanin. Out of the 37 isolates screened, 19 including the reference strains (51.4%) were strong biofilm producers. A significant positive correlation was observed among biofilm formation, pyocyanin production, and the antibiotic resistance profile of the isolates. Findings from this study suggest that infected wounds could act as a reservoir for MDR and virulent P. aeruginosa. The presence of strong biofilm producers of P. aeruginosa in infected wounds is a serious public health concern. Therefore, surveillance programs to monitor and control MDR P. aeruginosa in these patients are required to prevent their dissemination in hospital settings.
The Interpretability of LSTM Models for Predicting Oil Company Stocks: Impact of Correlated Features
Authors: Firouzjaee Javad T. , Khalilian Pouriya
Published: February 2024

Oil companies are among the largest companies in the world whose economic indicators in the global stock market have a great impact on the world economy (Stevens, 2018) and market due to their relation to gold (Aijaz et al., 2016), crude oil (Henriques & Sadorsky, 2008), and the dollar (Huang et al., 1996). This study investigates the impact of correlated features on the interpretability of long short‐term memory (LSTM) (Peters, 2001) models for predicting oil company stocks. To achieve this, we designed a standard long short‐term memory (LSTM) network and trained it using various correlated data sets. Our approach is aimed at improving the accuracy of stock price prediction by considering the multiple factors affecting the market, such as crude oil prices, gold prices, and the US dollar. The results demonstrate that adding a feature correlated with oil stocks does not improve the interpretability of LSTM models. These findings suggest that while LSTM models may be effective in predicting stock prices, their interpretability may be limited. Caution should be exercised when relying solely on LSTM models for stock price prediction as their lack of interpretability may make it difficult to fully understand the underlying factors driving stock price movements. We have employed complexity analysis to support our argument, considering that financial markets encompass a form of physical complex system (Peters, 2001). One of the fundamental challenges faced in utilizing LSTM models for financial markets lies in interpreting the unexpected feedback dynamics within them.
Uncertainty‐Based Capacity Factors of Operational Wind Turbines Using the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) Method
Authors: Chang Tsang-Jung , Chang Kao-Hua , Yu Hsiang-Lin , Chen Chung-Yi , Pan Shu-Yuan
Published: February 2024

This study proposes a novel framework that couples the general likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) method with a deterministic forecasting approach to conduct a new uncertainty analysis approach for assessing the energy production of operational wind turbines installed in the Jhongtun wind farm at Penghu (an island in the middle of Taiwan Strait). The 10‐year measured data of wind speeds and energy output collected on these wind turbines is divided into two 5‐year data sets for the present analysis framework of execution and validation to demonstrate the predictability of the GLUE method. The present study considers 15 scenario testing cases with various time periods, i.e., twelve months, the strong‐wind (October‐March) regime, the weak‐wind (April‐September) regime, and one year, for the framework to investigate the applicability of the GLUE method on long‐term wind energy forecasting. In the execution framework, the 5‐year measured data is used by the GLUE method to access the uncertainties involved in the deterministic approach (i.e., the shape and scale parameters of the Weibull wind speed distribution (WWSD), the performance curve, and the capacity factor) with two confidence intervals of 50% and 90%. The framework is then validated by the measured capacity factors in the last 5‐year data and compared with the results of the uncertainty analysis approach by the Monte Carlo (MC) approach to discover the applicability of the new uncertainty analysis approach. From the simulated results, it is found that the proposed uncertainty analysis approach provides predictions of confidence intervals that match the measured data better than the MC‐based uncertainty analysis approach. Specifically, the proposed approach can match the measured capacity factors in all the simulated scenarios. Conversely, the MC‐based approach is found to create narrow confidence intervals that cannot completely capture the measured capacity factors, particularly for the strong‐wind, weak‐wind, and one‐year scenarios. Therefore, this novel uncertainty analysis approach is proven to be useful in predicting the uncertainties of wind energy production.
Species Composition of Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Selected Fruit Crops in Northeastern Ethiopia
Authors: Mihretie Aderajew , Weldehawariat Yitbarek , Abera Merkuz
Published: February 2024

A study was conducted to characterize the species composition of fruit flies in South Wollo and North Wollo administrative zones of northeastern Ethiopia. Fruit flies were collected using two methods: rearing from infested mango, guava, and sweet orange fruits and trapping the adults with male lures and food-based attractants. Three fruit fly species were recovered from the fruits collected: Bactrocera dorsalis, Ceratitis cosyra, and Ceratitis capitata; in addition to these species, Ceratitis fasciventris was trapped. Bactrocera dorsalis was the most abundant species and accounted for 97.9 and 78.89% of the total trapped and emerged adults, respectively. The number of B. dorsalis and C. capitata showed a significant difference among trapping locations and attractants. The highest number of B. dorsalis was trapped with methyl eugenol at Kalu (722.2 flies per trap per week). Among the indigenous fruit fly species, C. capitata was higher at Habru which was guava and coffee-dominated habitat, whereas C. cosyra was relatively higher at Kobo which is mango dominated. More adults were trapped in male lure traps (97.03%) than in food-based attractants (2.97%). Hence, fruit fly management should focus on guava and mango crops which host all the fruit fly species, including the dominant B. dorsalis.
The Meaning of Plants’ Names: A New Discovering Approach to Its Medicinal and/or Toxic Properties
Authors: dos Santos Dantas Lima Letícia , Felipe Domingues Passero Luiz , Indriunas Alexandre , de Souza Santos Ingrid , Francisco Uchôa Coqueiro Luíza , Alexandre Souza da Cruz Kayo , Batista de Almeida Adriana , Carlos Fernandes Galduróz José , Rodrigues Eliana
Published: February 2024

Some of the vernacular or scientific names are related to possible medicinal and/or toxic properties that can reveal the presence of potential bioactive agents, contributing to the discovery of new drugs and/or knowledge of the risks associated with their use. This study sought to list the scientific and vernacular names of plants whose lexicons are related to those possible properties of plants and to compare them with the “ethno” (ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological) and pharmacological data available in the scientific literature. A floating reading of the two classical and reference works on Brazilian medicinal plants was performed, and plants with vernacular and/or scientific names related to the possible medicinal and/or toxic properties were listed. Correlations between the meanings of the species’ names (lexicon) and their possible biological properties were made from their translation from Latin by consulting dictionaries. A bibliographic survey was conducted on the “ethno” and pharmacological data for each species. Finally, data from these three dimensions (lexicon, “ethno,” and pharmacology) were classified and compared using a bioprospection classification. It resulted in a list of 90 plant species belonging to 47 families. 66 of the 90 species presented “ethno” data from the scientific literature, while 46 species presented pharmacological data. Of these, 46 (69.7%) and 27 (58.7%), respectively, showed equivalence with the possible medicinal and/or toxic properties of plants according to their lexicons. According to this study, half of the plants investigated demonstrate equivalence in the three dimensions analyzed (lexicons, “ethno,” and pharmacological data from the scientific literature). Gastrointestinal and nervous system categories are among the most common in all three dimensions. Plant lexicons may be closely linked to the possible medicinal and/or toxic properties and the study of plant lexicons may represent one more approach for the search for new drugs, mainly considering the gastrointestinal, nervous, and parasites categories.
Sole and Combined Application of Biodigestate, N, P, and K Fertilizers: Impacts on Soil Chemical Properties and Maize Performance
Authors: Adekiya Aruna Olasekan , Ande Olufunmilayo Titilayo , Dahunsi Samuel Olatunde , Ogunwole Joshua
Published: February 2024

The fertilizing effects of biodigestate produced from biogas plants on crop and soil productivity are very scarce. Hence, a field study was conducted in 2022 at the Teaching and Research Farm of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. The study evaluated the effects of biodigestate fertilizer, applied alone or in combination with urea, single superphosphate, or muriate of potash fertilizers at low (N1, K1, and P1) and high (N2, P2, and K2) rates on soil chemical properties, growth, and yield of maize (Zea mays (L.)). The treatments were biodigestate alone (D), D + N fertilizer (urea) at 60 kg·ha−1 (DN1), D + N at 120 kg·ha−1 (DN2), D + P fertilizer (single superphosphate) at 30 kg·ha−1 (DP1), D + P at 60 kg·ha−1 (DP2), D + K fertilizer (muriate of potash) at 30 kg·ha−1 (DK1), D + K 60 kg·ha−1 (DK2), D + N1 + P1 + K1 (DN1P1K1), D + N2 + P2 + K2 (DN2P2K2) (10), and control. The 10 treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Results showed that both low and high rates of fertilizer application improved soil chemical properties, growth parameters, and yield of maize compared with the control. High fertilizer rates (N2, P2, and K2) significantly enhanced soil chemical properties and growth parameters, but lower rates (N1, P1, and K1) resulted in higher maize yield. DN1 fertilizer significantly increased maize yield compared with DN2, DP1, DP2, DK1, and DK2. Overall, the treatment of DN1P1K1 demonstrated the highest grain yield, likely due to optimal nutrient supply from N, P, and K fertilizers, along with an improved soil environment facilitated by the biodigestate. The study recommends a balanced and sustainable fertilizer application strategy of 60 kg·N·ha−1, 30 kg·P2O5·ha−1, and 30 kg·K·ha−1 with 2500 L·ha−1 of biodigestate to enhance maize production while minimizing cost and environmental impact. However, for those aiming for maize fodder production, a higher fertilizer rate of 120 kg·N·ha−1, 60 kg·P2O5·ha−1, and 60 kg·K·ha−1 with 2500 L·ha−1 of biodigestate is advised.
Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by Type IV Hiatal Hernia
Authors: Shirakabe Katsudai , Ozawa Naoya , Mochizuki Yoshihiro , Mizokami Ken
Published: February 2024

Type IV hiatal hernia of the esophagus is characterized by herniation of the stomach and associated organs, such as the spleen, large and small bowel, and pancreas, through the esophageal hiatus. It is a relatively rare form of hiatal hernia that sometimes requires emergency surgery due to gastric incarceration, volvulus, and strangulation. Of these, small bowel obstruction is extremely rare and requires surgery. We report the case of an 83‐year‐old woman who was admitted to the hospital for small bowel obstruction caused by an ileum that had incarcerated the esophageal hiatus; emergency laparoscopic surgery was performed.
Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Mental Health and Psychological Quality of Life among University Students: A GRADE-Assessed Systematic Review
Authors: Pan Yuanqing , Li Fusen , Liang Haiqian , Shen Xiping , Bing Zhitong , Cheng Liang , Dong Yi
Published: February 2024

Background. Psychological distress is a progressive health problem that has been linked to decreased quality of life among university students. This meta-analysis reviews existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that have examined the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on the relief of psychosomatic stress-related outcomes and quality of life among university students. Methods. The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO (formerly PsychLit), Ovid MEDLINE, ERIC, Scopus, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases were searched in November 2023 to identify the RCTs for analysis. Data on pathology (anxiety, depression, and perceived stress), physical capacity (sleep quality and physical health), and well-being (mindfulness, self-kindness, social function, and subjective well-being) were analyzed. Results. Of the 276 articles retrieved, 29 met the inclusion criteria. Compared with control therapies, the pooled results suggested that MBSR had significant effects, reducing anxiety (SMD = −0.29; 95% CI: −0.49 to −0.09), depression (SMD = −0.32; 95% CI: −0.62 to −0.02), and perceived stress (SMD = −0.41; 95% CI: −0.60 to −0.29) and improving mindfulness (SMD = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.59), self-kindness (SMD = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.30 to 1.12), and physical health (SMD = −0.59; 95% CI: −1.14 to −0.04). No significant differences were observed in sleep quality (SMD = −0.20; 95% CI: −0.06 to 0.20), social function (SMD = −0.71; 95% CI: −2.40 to 0.97), or subjective well-being (SMD = 0.07; 95% CI: −0.18 to 0.32). The quality of the evidence regarding sleep quality and physical health outcomes was low. Conclusions. MBSR therapy appears to be potentially useful in relieving functional emotional disorders. However, additional evidence-based large-sample trials are required to definitively determine the forms of mindfulness-based therapy that may be effective in this context and ensure that the benefits obtained are ongoing. Future studies should investigate more personalized approaches involving interventions that are tailored to various barriers and students’ clinical characteristics. To optimize the effects of such interventions, they should be developed and evaluated using various designs such as the multiphase optimization strategy, which allows for the identification and tailoring of the most valuable intervention components.
The Use of Evening Primrose Oil for Cervical Ripening in Low-Risk Women with Term Pregnancy: A Randomized Double-Blinded Controlled Trial
Authors: Ariana Shideh , Amjadi Nooshin , Kazemi Seyyedeh Neda , Ahmadli Zahra
Published: February 2024

Background: Several methods have been developed for cervical ripening. The data regarding the efficiency of evening primrose oil (EPO) are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of EPO use on cervical ripening in low-risk women with term pregnancy. Patients and Methods: Low-risk term pregnant women referred to the obstetrics clinic of Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran who were eligible according to the inclusion were randomized either to the case or control group. The case group received 1,000 mg vaginal EPO capsule, and the other group received a vaginal placebo capsule daily, similar to the original drug. The primary outcome was Bishop score, while the duration of labor phases and the inducing procedures were the secondary outcomes. Results: Forty-eight participants were randomized to each group and were considered for data analysis. Although Bishop score was not statistically different before the intervention, it was significantly higher in case group compared to the placebo group after the intervention (EPO = 5.83 ± 1.68, placebo = 5.19 ± 1.52, p value = 0.002). Four participants in the case group and two in the control group underwent cesarean section (p value = 0.677). The need for labor induction was significantly higher in the placebo group than EPO group (oxytocin injection: 10.4% vs. 31.3%, p value = 0.012, amniotomy: 75% vs. 41.7, p value = 0.001). Conclusion: The vaginal use of EPO could be considered as a safe and efficient approach for cervical ripening in low-risk term pregnant women.
Identification of TNF-α as Major Susceptible Risk Locus for Vitiligo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study in the Asian Population
Authors: Dutta Tithi , Sengupta Sambuddha , Adhya Suchismita , Saha Arpan , Sengupta Debmalya , Mondal Ritisri , Naskar Swarnadru , Bhattacharjee Samsiddhi , Sengupta Mainak
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Vitiligo is a common depigmentation disorder characterized by defined white patches on the skin and affecting around 0.5% to 2% of the general population. Genetic association studies have identified several pre-disposing genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for vitiligo pathogenesis; nonetheless, the reports are often conflicting and rarely conclusive. This comprehensive meta-analysis study was designed to evaluate the effect of the risk variants on vitiligo aetiology and covariate stratified vitiligo risk in the Asian population, considering all the studies published so far. Methods: We followed a systematic and comprehensive search to identify the relevant vitiligo-related candidate gene association studies in PubMed using specific keywords. After data extraction, we calculated, for the variants involved, the study-level unadjusted odds ratio, standard errors, and 95% confidence intervals by using logistic regression with additive, dominant effect, and recessive models using R software package (R, 3.4.2) “metafor.” Subgroup analysis was performed using logistic regression (generalized linear model; “glm”) of disease status on subgroup-specific genotype counts. For a better understanding of the likely biological function of vitiligo-associated variant obtained through the meta-analysis, in silico functional analyses, through standard publicly available web tools, were also conducted. Results: Thirty-one vitiligo-associated case-control studies on eleven SNPs were analysed in our study. In the fixed-effect meta-analysis, one variant upstream of TNF-α gene: rs1800629 was found to be associated with vitiligo risk in the additive (p = 4.26E−06), dominant (p = 1.65E−7), and recessive (p = 0.000453) models. After Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction, rs1800629/TNF-α was found to be significant at 5% FDR in the dominant (padj = 1.82E−6) and recessive models (padj = 0.0049). In silico characterization revealed the prioritized variant to be regulatory in nature and thus having potential to contribute towards vitiligo pathogenesis. Conclusion: Our study constitutes the first comprehensive meta-analysis of candidate gene-based association studies reported in the whole of the Asian population, followed by an in silico analysis of the vitiligo-associated variant. According to the findings of our study, TNF-α single nucleotide variant rs1800629G>A has a risk association, potentially contributing to vitiligo pathogenesis in the Asian population.
Dispensaries and Medical Marijuana Certifications and Indications: Unveiling the Geographic Connections in Pennsylvania, USA
Authors: Hirsch Annemarie G. , Wright Eric A. , Nordberg Cara M. , DeWalle Joseph , Stains Elena L. , Kennalley Amy L. , Zhang Joy , Tusing Lorraine D. , Piper Brian J.
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Pennsylvania opened its first medical marijuana (MMJ) dispensary in 2018. Qualifying conditions include six conditions determined to have no or insufficient evidence to support or refute MMJ effectiveness. We conducted a study to describe MMJ dispensary access in Pennsylvania and to determine whether dispensary proximity was associated with MMJ certifications and community demographics. Methods: Using data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, we geocoded MMJ dispensary locations and linked them to US Census Bureau data. We created dispensary access measures from the population-weighted centroid of Zip Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs): distance to nearest dispensary and density of dispensaries within a 15-min drive. We evaluated associations between dispensary access and the proportion of adults who received MMJ certification and the proportion of certifications for low evidence conditions (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, glaucoma, Huntington’s disease, opioid use disorder, and Parkinson’s disease) using negative binomial modeling, adjusting for community features. To evaluate associations racial and ethnic composition of communities and distance to nearest dispensary, we used logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for median income. Results: Distance and density of MMJ dispensaries were associated with the proportion of the ZCTA population certified and the proportion of certifications for insufficient evidence conditions. Compared to ZCTAs with no dispensary within 15 min, the proportion of adults certified increased by up to 31% and the proportion of certifications for insufficient evidence decreased by up to 22% for ZCTAs with two dispensaries. From 2018 to 2021, the odds of being within five miles of a dispensary was up to 20 times higher in ZCTAs with the highest proportions of individuals who were not White (2019: OR: 20.14, CI: 10.7–37.8) and more than double in ZCTAs with the highest proportion of Hispanic individuals (2018: OR: 2.81, CI: 1.51–5.24), compared to ZCTAs with the lowest proportions. Conclusions: Greater dispensary access was associated with the proportions of certified residents and certifications for low evidence conditions. Whether these patterns are due to differences in accessibility or demand is unknown. Associations between community demographics and dispensary proximity may indicate MMJ access differences.
The Effect of Time-Restricted Feeding on Postural Balance: From a Vestibular Perspective
Authors: Kocabay Aysun Parlak , Sendesen Eser , Yiğit Öznur
Published: February 2024

Introduction: The aims of the present study were to evaluate postural balance performance of the subjects on the time-restricted feeding (TRF) and reveal the effect of TRF on the vestibular system by comparing the results to those of traditional daily dietary (DD) condition. Methods: Sixteen adults (3 males, 13 females; mean age: 25.4 ± 4 years) who had experienced at least 1 month of TRF were included in the study. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and Head-Shake SOT (HS-SOT) – which evaluate proprioceptive, visual, and vestibular systems – were performed on TRF and DD conditions via the Computerized Dynamic Posturography system. Results: Significant differences were obtained between TRF and DD situations in SOT-5 (p = 0.008), SOT-6 (p = 0.01), and HS-SOT5 (p = 0.007) conditions in which the vestibular system dominated. Conclusion: We revealed that TRF has an effect on postural balance in the absence of proprioceptive and visual systems. This feeding model is a negative stressor that has a substantial effect on the vestibular system, but this impact is minimal once the proprioceptive and visual systems are intact. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first study to evaluate postural balance utilizing vestibular parameters in TRF.
Fluid Balance in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: Prescribing, Delivering, and Review
Authors: Baldwin Ian Charles , McKaige Amy
Published: February 2024

Background: Historically IV and enteral fluids given during acute kidney injury (AKI) were restricted before the introduction of continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs) when more liberal fluids improved nutrition for the critically ill. However, fluid accumulation can occur when higher volumes each day are not considered in the fluid balance prescribing and the NET ultrafiltration (NUF) volume target. Key Messages: The delivered hours of CRRT each day are vital for achievement of fluid balance and time off therapy makes the task more challenging. Clinicians inexperienced with CRRT make this aspect of AKI management a focus of rounding with senior oversight, clear communication, and “precision” a clinical target. Sepsis-associated AKI can be a complex patient where resuscitation and admission days are with a positive fluid load and replacement mind set. Subsequent days in ICU requires fluid regulation, removal, with a comprehensive multilayered assessment before prescribing the daily fluid balance target and the required hourly NET plasma water removal rate (NUF rate). Future machines may include advanced software, new alarms – display metrics, messages and association with machine learning and “AKI models” for setting, monitoring, and guaranteeing fluid removal. This could also link to current hardware such as on-line blood volume assessment with continuous haematocrit measurement. Summary: Fluid balance in the acutely ill is a challenge where forecasting and prediction are necessary. NUF rate and volume each hour should be tracked and adjusted to achieve the daily target. This requires human and machine connections.