bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantification and characterization of airborne microplastics and their possible hazards: a case study from an urban sprawl in eastern India
Authors: Mandal Mamun , Roy Anamika , Singh Pardeep , Sarkar Abhijit 
Published: December 2024

One significant way that microplastics (MPs) are transported from the air into soil and water is through deposition. Nevertheless, little is known about the contributing causes and the geographical distribution of MPs in urban air deposition. The present study determined the spatial distribution of MPs and their potential ecological risk in Malda City, West Bengal, India (from December 2023 to February 2024). The average deposition fluxes of MPs were ranging from 122.25 ± 76.96 to 387 ± 89.23 n m−2 d−1. Most of the MPs were found in small-sized (50–100 µm) with transparent (35.51%) and white (33.19%) in color. The dominant chemical compositions, such as PE (∼32%), PVC (∼24%), and PET (∼20%), and in the case of shapes such as fragments (∼38%) and films (∼29%) were the dominant types of MPs found. The geographic heterogeneity seen in the MPs distribution under investigation was mostly caused by human activity and the regions’ commercial nature. The MPs deposition fluxes are also affected by rainfall and wind speed. MPs in the deposition may provide a greater ecological concern, according to the early evaluation. According to this study, human activity has a major influence on the source and dispersion of atmospheric MPs that are deposited in urban areas.
In-depth analysis of serum antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus lifecycle proteins, and EBNA1, ANO2, GlialCAM and CRYAB peptides in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Vasilenko Nicole , Tieck Maria P. , Michel Tanja , Schembecker Sonja , Schwarz Patricia , Guenther Anna , Ruschil Christoph , Poli Sven , Ziemann Ulf , Giede-Jeppe Antje , Gabernet Gisela , Dulovic Alex , Kowarik Markus C. 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundA strong association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been established but the exact role of EBV in MS remains controversial. Recently, molecular mimicry between EBNA1 and specific GlialCAM, CRYAB and ANO2 peptides has been suggested as a possible pathophysiological mechanism. The aim of this study was to analyse anti-EBV antibodies in MS patients against (I) EBV lifecycle proteins, (II) putative cross-reactive peptides, and (III) during treatment.MethodsIn this retrospective cross-sectional study, 258 serum samples were included consisting of EBV-negative (n = 25) and EBV-positive (n = 36) controls, 192 MS samples including untreated relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) with and without relapses, secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS) patients, and 106 patients on 8 different treatment regimens. IgG and IgM antibody titers against EBV docking/fusion proteins (gp350, gh/gp42, gh/gL/gp42), immediate early antigen (BZLF1), early antigens (EA p85, EA P138, EA P54), capsid antigens (VCA P18, VCA P23, VCA gp125) and late antigens (EBNA1) were measured. Specific EBNA1 and GlialCAM, CRYAB and ANO2 peptides were synthesized and also incorporated in our custom magnetic bead based multiplex assay.ResultsWe observed significantly elevated IgG antibody titers in EBV-positive controls, RRMS with and without relapse, SPMS and PPMS patients for all lifecycle antigens except for several early antigens when compared to EBV-negative controls. Significantly higher IgG antibody titers were observed in RRMS patients for fusion proteins and EBNA1 peptides when compared to EBV-positive controls. An MS specific response was observed for ANO2 but not for GlialCAM or CRYAB. No significant treatment effects or a specific IgM response were detectable.ConclusionThe MS-specific, differential antibody response to EBV antigens confirms an altered immunological response to EBV in MS patients. EBV reactivation does not appear to play an important role in MS pathogenesis and no differential antibody signatures were observed between MS disease phases. The MS-specific anti-ANO2 antibody response suggests a potential role for EBNA1 as an antigenic driver, although the exact role of anti-ANO2 antibodies needs to be determined. The precise pathophysiological role of EBV in MS remains uncertain and requires further investigation.
Targeting liver cancer stem cells: the prognostic significance of MRPL17 in immunotherapy response
Authors: Shao Jingjing , Zhao Tianye , Liu Jibin , Kang Peipei 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundLiver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) ranks as the foremost cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and its early detection poses considerable challenges. Current prognostic indicators, including alpha-fetoprotein, have notable limitations in their clinical utility, thereby underscoring the necessity for discovering new biomarkers to improve early diagnosis and enable personalized treatment options.MethodThis investigation employed single-cell analysis techniques to identify stem cell-associated genes and assess their prognostic significance for LIHC patients, as well as the efficacy of immunotherapy, utilizing nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) cluster analysis. A diagnostic model for LIHC was developed and validated through multiple datasets and various machine learning clustering methods. The XGBOOST algorithm identified MRPL17 as the most significant prognostic gene among those associated with stem cells. Additionally, the research explores the relationship between MRPL17 expression and immune cell infiltration. Immunofluorescence staining of LIHC tissue samples was conducted to evaluate the expression and prognostic value of MRPL17, as well as its correlation with KI67.ResultsThrough single-cell analysis, this study identified 14 essential stem cell-related genes, highlighting their significance in the diagnosis, prognostication, and potential treatment strategies for LIHC patients. Various machine learning algorithms indicated that MRPL17 is particularly associated with patient prognosis and responses to immunotherapy. Furthermore, experimental results demonstrate that MRPL17 is upregulated in LIHC and correlates with poor prognosis, as well as positively correlating with KI67.ConclusionCancer stem cells are pivotal in the mechanisms of immune evasion within the tumor microenvironment and have a substantial impact on treatment results. This study experimentally validated MRPL17 as a promising prognostic biomarker, emphasizing the need to target liver cancer stem cells to improve patient prognosis and enhance treatment effectiveness.
Trends and hotspots of stereoelectroencephalogram from 2002 to 2023: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Wang Tianren , Dong Hengxin , Li Kaiwei , Feng Tao , Yang Yanfeng , Chen Sichang , Lu Di , Wei Penghu , Shan Yongzhi , Zhao Guoguang 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundStereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), as a minimally invasive method that can stably collect intracranial electroencephalographic information over long periods, has increasingly been applied in the diagnosis and treatment of intractable epilepsy in recent years. Over the past 20 years, with the advancement of materials science and computer science, the application scenarios of SEEG have greatly expanded. Bibliometrics, as a method of scientifically analyzing published literature, can summarize the evolutionary process in the SEEG field and offer insights into its future development prospects.MethodsThis article selected all the literature records retrieved on November 4, 2024, from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The search terms were as follows: “Stereo-electroencephalography” or “Stereo electroencephalography” or “Stereo-EEG” or “Stereo EEG” or “SEEG.” The document types included were research articles and reviews. For analysis, VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package “bibliometrix” were employed to analyze various aspects of the SEEG field, including authors, institutions, countries and regions, and research hotspots.ResultsWe reviewed a total of 1,383 non-duplicate literature records from 2002 to 2023, including 1,241 research articles, 116 review articles and 26 letters. Observing the annual publication trends, there has been an overall increase since 2002. The most influential journal in this field is Epilepsia. Other journals with considerable impact include Clinical Neurophysiology, Epileptic Disorders, Epilepsy Research, NeuroImage, and Epilepsy &amp; Behavior. The top 5 most influential scholars are Bartolomei F, Tassi L, Nobili L, Russo GL, and Mc Gonigal A. As for the analysis of countries and regions, France occupies a leading position in this field with its early start, while China and the United States have also emerged as focal points since 2020. Research on SEEG has expanded beyond its initial use for localizing epileptic foci and thermo-coagulation treatments and have been employed as a medium to facilitate real-time prediction of epileptic seizures and enabling the exploration of brain network connectivity.ConclusionAs a minimally invasive tool for collecting intracranial electroencephalographic signals, SEEG continues to offer vast potential for development and application. Advances in electrode materials and robotic-assisted stereotactic techniques, have enabled SEEG to simultaneously sample multiple brain regions, acquire electrical signals from deep brain structures. These advantages significantly enhance the precision of epileptic focus localization in diagnosis and treatment, addressing the limitations of subdural electrodes. Through bibliometric analysis, this paper traces the developmental trajectory of SEEG and identifying key technological milestones, thereby providing a reference for scholarly research directions.
Exploring how researchers consider nutrition trial design and participant adherence: a theory-based analysis
Authors: Worthington Anna , Coffey Taylor , Gillies Katie , Roy Rajshri , Braakhuis Andrea 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionNutrition trials are important for informing dietary and clinical guidelines. Central to the success of these trials is participant adherence to dietary behaviors. However, trials commonly experience poor adherence. This study seeks to understand if and how researchers consider supporting participant adherence to dietary behaviors and their relationship to using behavior change science when designing trials.MethodsA mapping exercise was undertaken to create matrices that describe the landscape of current nutrition trials. A total of 12 researchers participated in semi-structured, one-on-one interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using (i) the theoretical domains framework (TDF) to identify themes in current practice and beliefs, and (ii) the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior model to identify barriers and enablers to using behavior change science in the design of nutrition trials.ResultsTwenty-two belief statements were identified across all 14 TDF domains and were conceptualized as 5 key themes with respect to designing nutrition trials to improve participant adherence: (i) what was done, (ii) how it was done, (iii) why it was done, (iv) adherence challenges, and (v) conflicting beliefs. Regarding using behavior change science when designing trials, some researchers felt this would be beneficial but lacked the knowledge and skills to do so, while others were skeptical of its value over the current experience-based practice.DiscussionResearchers are motivated to encourage participant adherence to dietary behaviors, and, consciously and subconsciously, implement a range of strategies through non-systematic methods in their trials. Future publications would benefit from the explicit documentation of levels of adherence to dietary behaviors and strategies implemented to improve adherence.
Based on the N2N-SAMP for sparse underwater acoustic channel estimation
Authors: Wang Zhen , Wang Maofa , Wang Yangzhen , Zhu Zhenjing , Shang Guangtao , Zhao Jiabao , Hu Ning 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionOrthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is widely recognized for its high efficiency in modulation techniques and has been extensively applied in underwater acoustic communication. However, the unique sparsity and noise interference characteristics of the underwater channel pose significant challenges to the performance of traditional channel estimation methods.MethodsTo address these challenges, we propose a sparse underwater channel estimation method that combines the Noise2Noise (N2N) algorithm with the Sparsity Adaptive Matching Pursuit (SAMP) algorithm. This novel approach integrates the N2N technique from image denoising theory with the SAMP algorithm, utilizing a constant iteration termination threshold that does not require prior information. The method leverages the U-net neural network structure to denoise noisy pilot signals, thereby restoring channel sparsity and enhancing the accuracy of channel estimation.ResultsSimulation results indicate that our proposed method demonstrates commendable channel estimation performance across various signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions. Notably, in low SNR environments, the N2N-SAMP algorithm significantly outperforms the traditional SAMP algorithm in terms of Mean Squared Error (MSE) and Bit Error Rate (BER). Specifically, at SNR levels of 0 dB, 10 dB, and 20 dB, the MSE of channel estimation is reduced by 58.95%, 76.08%, and 19.42%, respectively, compared to the SAMP algorithm that selects the optimal threshold based on noise power. Furthermore, the system’s BER is decreased by 12.35%, 26.41%, and 29.62%, respectively.DiscussionThe findings suggest that the integration of N2N and SAMP algorithms offers a promising solution for improving channel estimation in underwater communication channels, especially under low SNR conditions. The significant reduction in MSE and BER highlights the effectiveness of our proposed method in enhancing the reliability and accuracy of underwater communication systems.
The influence of parental involvement on students’ math performance: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Xueshen , Wei Yun 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionMany studies have confirmed that parental involvement can affect students’ academic performance, but few focus on the influence of parental involvement on students’ math performance by using meta-analysis. This meta-analysis investigates the influence of parental involvement on students’ math performance, along with their moderators.MethodsThrough searching Google Scholar, ERIC, EBSCO, Web of Science and ProQuest databases, a total of 25 empirical studies between 2015 to 2024 were published and 42 independent effect sizes were included. The estimation of effect size was obtained by converting the Fisher’s correlation coefficient and investigating the publication bias that affects meta-analysis studies. This study also conducted heterogeneity tests of the magnitudes grouped according to different moderators.Results and discussionThe results found parental involvement to had a significantly positive influence on the math performance of students. The analysis of moderating variables found participant, involvement type, grade level, geographical region, and evaluation content all had moderating effects. Finally, the research findings were discussed and suggestions were provided for how parents can be more effectively involved in students’ mathematical learning.
The impact of urban agglomeration planning on depression in older adults
Authors: Liu Ya , Yan Li , Wang Yujue , Tang Xiaotang , Gao Ming , Yang Jiayu , Liu Zuoyan , Hu Xiuying 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionThe residential environment significantly impacts the mental health of older adults. Urban agglomeration planning, while fostering regional economic development, also influences the psychological well-being of this demographic.MethodsThis study investigates the effects of urban agglomeration planning on depression levels in older adults, utilizing cohort data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and the multi-temporal double-difference-in-differences (DID) model.ResultsOur findings reveal that urban agglomeration planning alleviates depression by enhancing green spaces, improving air quality, and advancing digital infrastructure development. Moreover, these benefits are particularly pronounced among older females, residents of Central and Western regions, and those with lower educational attainment.ConclusionBased on our research findings, we recommend expediting the dissemination of urban agglomeration construction experiences to alleviate depression among older adults. In the implementation of policies, it is essential to consider objective conditions such as geographical location and educational level. The formulation of differentiated urban agglomeration planning to promote mental health among older adults.
Enhancing the health and well-being of international students: insights from changes in their lifestyle post-COVID-19
Authors: Ma Jingru , Saita Kazuya , Kaneko Fumiko , Okamura Hitoshi 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic’s global impact has been profound, particularly for vulnerable populations, such as asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants. Likewise, international students, who fall under the immigrant category umbrella, have faced considerable challenges throughout the pandemic. This study aimed to identify insights for enhancing Japanese international students’ health and well-being by investigating how epidemic prevention policies implemented by schools and the government influenced changes in their lifestyles during the post-pandemic era.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted and inductive thematic analysis performed using NVivo software, to investigate the lifestyle changes of 20 (8 male and 12 female) international students (mean age: 31.5 years) at Hiroshima University, Japan, during the post-pandemic era.ResultsThe analysis revealed alterations in lifestyle habits and interpersonal relationships in the aftermath of the pandemic, with most international students continuing to practice some of the epidemic prevention and health behaviors they had adopted during the pandemic, including handwashing (n = 10), mask-wearing (n = 12), and physical distancing (n = 4), as a matter of habit. However, some of these epidemic prevention and health behaviors have not persisted as habits after the pandemic. However, there has been an increased emphasis on maintaining family relationships (n = 5).DiscussionAddressing language and information dissemination barriers that international students may encounter when accessing medical services, and providing them with employment guidance and support more suited to their current situation, are conducive to enhancing their health and well-being. Additionally, enhancing international students’ public awareness is crucial for safeguarding their health and preparing them for potential future public health emergencies.
Predicting grip strength-related frailty in middle-aged and older Chinese adults using interpretable machine learning models: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Yu Lisheng , Cao Shunshun , Song Botian , Hu Yangyang 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionFrailty is an emerging global health burden, and there is no consensus on the precise prediction of frailty. We aimed to explore the association between grip strength and frailty and interpret the optimal machine learning (ML) model using the SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) to predict the risk of frailty.MethodsData for the study were extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database. Socio-demographic, medical history, anthropometric, psychological, and sleep parameters were analyzed in this study. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to filter the model for the best predictor variables and constructed six ML models for predicting frailty. The feature performance of six ML models was compared based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and the light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) model was selected as the best predictive frailty model. We used SHAP to interpret the LightGBM model and to reveal the decision-making process by which the model predicts frailty.ResultsA total of 10,834 eligible participants were included in the study. Using the lowest quartile of grip strength as a reference, grip strength was negatively associated with the risk of frailty when grip strength was &gt;29.00 kg for males or &gt;19.00 kg for females (p &lt; 0.001). The LightGBM model predicted frailty with optimal performance with an AUROC of 0.768 (95% CI 0.741 ~ 0.795). The SHAP summary plot showed that all features predicted frailty in order of importance, with cognitive function being considered the most important predictive feature. The poorer the cognitive function, nighttime sleep duration, body mass index (BMI), and grip strength, the higher the risk of frailty in middle-aged and older adults. The SHAP individual force plot clearly shows that the LightGBM model predicts frailty in the individual decision-making process.ConclusionThe grip strength-related LightGBM prediction model based on SHAP has high accuracy and robustness in predicting the risk of frailty. Increasing grip strength, cognitive function, nighttime sleep duration, and BMI reduce the risk of frailty and may provide strategies for individualized management of frailty.
A patient with concurrent EBV-negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma: a case report
Authors: Satoskar Monika A. , Lordo Matthew R. , Jones Daniel M. , Nowacki Nicholas B. , Brammer Jonathan E. , Reneau John C. , Voorhees Timothy J. 
Published: December 2024

IntroductionDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that accounts for approximately a quarter of all lymphomas in the United States. It is rare to have co-occurring T cell lymphoma with DLBCL as they often develop following treatment of DLBCL rather than concomitantly.Case presentationWe report a 71-year-old male patient diagnosed with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) -negative DLBCL with concurrent angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). A right inguinal lymph node biopsy demonstrated aggressive B-cell lymphoma consistent with DLBCL with the non-germinal center immunophenotype that was EBV-negative. Furthermore, abnormal T-cells with irregular nuclear contours were found in T cell receptor sequencing with monoclonal gamma and beta T cells. A bone marrow biopsy demonstrated occasional large atypical CD3+PD1+ T cells with corresponding identical T-cell receptor clones in the lymph node biopsy. Next-generation sequencing from the lymph node biopsy demonstrated dual inactivating TET2 mutations.ConclusionComposite DLBCL and AITL is a rare occurrence and the absence of EBV is even more so. Given the rare nature of having these two hematologic malignancies simultaneously, no standard of care exists. However, R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) is a regimen commonly used in both malignancies individually, and therefore this patient was treated using this approach achieving a partial remission after four cycles of therapy. Unfortunately, he developed refractory disease 1 month after completion of six cycles of R-CHOP.