bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causal effects of dietary antioxidant vitamin intake and oxidative stress on the risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension: a mendelian randomization study.
Authors: Ji Xiang , Xi Qian , Liu Huaman , Dong Yao 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background:
Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the progression of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. The body's own antioxidant system (including GST, CAT, GPX, SOD) and dietary intake of antioxidants such as vitamin A (retinol), carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E have been proven to counter oxidative stress-related damage. However, no comprehensive studies have explored the correlation between these factors and the risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. [5] [5]
Methods:
Instrumental variables (IVs) for the four mentioned antioxidants were obtained from the largest GWAS dataset based on UK Biobank data, followed by a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. IVs, F-statistics, Cochran’s Q tests, and sensitivity analysis were used to examine the causal relationship between dietary antioxidant vitamin intake, oxidative stress, and pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. Cochran’s Q statistics were used to quantify the heterogeneity of the instrumental variable estimates. [7] [7]
Results:
The IVW method indicated an approximate 5.0% decreased risk of gestational hypertension per standard deviation (SD) increase in SOD (OR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.90-1.00, p = 0.048). For other oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidant vitamins, no significant causal effects on gestational hypertension were observed (Retinol: 0.79 (0.56–1.11), p = 0.18; Carotene: 1.03 (0.78–1.36), p = 0.81; Vitamin C: 0.79 (0.57–1.10), p = 0.16; Vitamin E: 1.16 (0.86–1.56), p = 0.32; GST: 1.00 (0.96–1.05), p = 0.93; CAT: 1.00 (0.96–1.05), p = 0.88; GPX: 1.01 (0.96–1.06), p = 0.74). Similar results were found for pre-eclampsia. [9] [9]
Conclusion:
This study suggests that SOD is closely related to the progression of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. However, vitamin supplements A, C, E, and carotenoids did not show significant improvement in gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia. [11] [11]
Integrative multi-omics analysis reveals the contribution of neoVTX genes to venom diversity of Synanceia verrucosa
Authors: Zhang Zhiwei , Li Qian , Li Hao , Wei Shichao , Yu Wen , Peng Zhaojie , Fuwen Wei , Zhou Wenliang 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Animal venom systems have been considered as valuable model for investigating molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypic evolution. The stonefish were reported as the most venomous and dangerous fish due to sever human envenomation and occasionally fatality, whereas the genomic background of their venom remained under investigated and poorly explored compared with other venomous animals.
Results
In this study, we followed modern venomic pipelines to decode the Synanceia verrucosa venom components. A catalog of 478 toxin genes were annotated based on our assembled chromosome-level genome. Integrative analysis of the high-quality genome, transcriptome of venom gland and proteome of crude venom revealed a mechanism underlined the venom complexity in S. verrucosa. Six tandem-duplicated neoVTX subunit genes were evidenced as the major source for the neoVTX protein production. Further isoform sequencing enabled us to uncover massive alternative splicing events with a total of 411 isoforms demonstrated by the six genes, further contributing to the venom diversity. We then characterized 12 dominantly expressed toxin genes in the venom gland, and 11 of them were evidenced to produce the venom protein components, with the neoVTX proteins as the most abundant for granted. Other major venom proteins included a presumed CRVP, Kuntiz-type serine protease inhibitor, calglandulin protein, and hyaluronidase. Besides, a few of highly abundant non-toxin proteins were also characterized and they were hypothesized to imply housekeeping or hemostasis maintaining roles in the venom gland. Notably, a gastrotropin like non-toxin proteins ranked as the second highest abundant proteins in the venom, which had never been reported in other venomous animals, contributing to the unique venom property of S. verrucosa.
Conclusions
The results decoded the major venom composition of S. verrucosa, and highlighted the contribution of neoVTX genes to venom composition diversity by demonstrating tandem-duplication and alternative splicing. The diverse neoVTX proteins in the venom as lethal particles are hypothesized to be pivotal to understand adaptive evolution of S. verrucosa. Further functional studies are encouraged to exploit venom components of S. verrucosa for pharmaceutical innovation.
Breaking the silence: How male and female bystanders influence victims of gender prejudice
Authors: Liao Zongqing , Yang Wanting , Duan Yuanni 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Purpose
This study aims to explore the specific psychological mechanisms of female victims coping with gender bias in bystander intervention (Study 1) and bystander neglect (Study 2), as well as the influence of bystander gender.
Methodology:
Two experiments recruited 208 participants who, after watching a first-person video of their experience of gender prejudice, filled out questionnaires measuring emotions, feelings of power, evaluation of the perpetrator and willingness to confront. A moderated mediation model was set up, and the bootstrapping method were applied.
Findings:
We found that the victim's feeling of power significantly mediated the relationship between anger and confrontation intention in bystander intervention. The victim's negative evaluation of the perpetrator significantly mediated between anger and confrontation intention in bystander neglect. Notably, both mediation models could be constructed only when the bystander was male rather than female.
Implications:
This study has important implications for gender bias. The results reveal the psychological mechanism of victims coping with gender bias, and call for groups of all genders to join in the anti-gender bias alliance.
Discovery of the potential biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy via integrating metabolomics and transcriptomics
Authors: Liu Shuang , Liu Jinmeng , Hui Peng , Teng Siying , Sun Yabin 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the major ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, and is a problem with significant global health impact. Epidemiologic projections show that the global burden of DR is not only increasing, but also shifting from high-income countries towards middle- and low-income areas. The identification of potential intervention targets for diabetic retinopathy is an important goal.
Methods
In this study, we collected vitreous fluid samples from the DR patients, analyzed the samples using LC-MS approach, and identified the differential metabolites through metabolomic analysis. Then, the differentially expressed genes were identified through the systematic transcriptomic analysis of DR-related dataset from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), followed by network profiling of metabolic-reaction-enzyme-gene.
Results
In this experiment, a total of 79 differential metabolites and 23 hub genes were discovered, of which 6 different metabolites and 3 hub genes were further evaluated as more potential biomarkers based on network analysis. According to the KEGG enrichment analysis, the potential biomarkers and gene-encoded proteins were found to be involved in the arginine biosynthesis, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and HIF-1 signaling pathway metabolism which was of significance for the diagnosis and treatment of DR. In particular, the combination of metabolites (Fumaric acid, Oxoglutaric acid, Proline, Farnesyl pyrophosphate) as well as the combination of HMOX1, NOS3, GPT exerted more accurate discrimination abilities between DR and non-DR groups, providing new ideas and basis for understanding disease progression and targeted therapy of DR.
Conclusion
By integrating metabolomics and transcriptomics, this study identified 6 different metabolites and 3 hub genes, whuich could provide a novel insight into the pathogenesis of DR and could be used as novel targets for the therapy of DR.
Exploring the lived experiences of maternal healthcare providers who contracted COVID-19: A descriptive phenomenological study
Authors: Bam Victoria , Amponsah Abigail Kusi , Kyei-Dompim Joana , Lomotey Alberta Yemotsoo , Adjei Rose Odotei , Wilson Dorothy 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Maternal healthcare providers are key stakeholders in safeguarding maternal and newborn health. This study employed a descriptive phenomenological design to explore the experiences of maternal healthcare providers who contracted the novel coronavirus disease, known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Ghana. A purposive sample of seven maternal healthcare providers from a quasi-government hospital were engaged in face-to-face interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The results showed that participants experienced shock and grief related to the diagnosis of COVID-19; stigmatization and neglect by family members and colleagues; and psychological distress due to uncertainties about disease outcome, fear of dying and infecting others. In addition, they experienced physical symptoms such as anosmia, chest pain, dyspnoea, and headache. Nevertheless, they shared positive experiences including the opportunity to spend time with family; receiving support from family, colleagues, and superiors; and good treatment at isolation centres. Finally, the results highlighted how participants managed COVID-19 using both conventional drugs and traditional treatments; preventive measures used, and recommendations for dealing with COVID-19. In conclusion, tailored and continuous psychosocial support for maternal healthcare providers is required to maintain their psychological well-being during future outbreaks. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that healthcare institutions prioritize the mental well-being of maternal healthcare providers during pandemics by providing accessible and culturally sensitive psychological support services. Furthermore, public health campaigns should focus on reducing the stigma associated with COVID-19 and promoting empathy and understanding towards healthcare workers.
Target detection in underground mines based on low-light image enhancement
Authors: Zhan Shanning , Li Shoubiao , Guo Haodong , Li Jiangtao , Wu Zhifei 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The working environment in underground mines is complex, with extreme conditions such as dim lighting, high dust levels, and high humidity, leading to difficulties in feature extraction, low detection and positioning accuracy when existing target detection algorithms are applied underground. Therefore, a target detection algorithm based on low-light image enhancement is proposed. Firstly, the LIENet image enhancement algorithm is introduced to enhance the quality and brightness of low-light images, designing a dual gamma enhancement curve to adjust image pixels, achieving adaptive brightness adjustment through a few iterations under the guidance of a non-reference loss function. Secondly, a hierarchical feature extraction method HFE is proposed, with a dual-branch structure designed to capture long-term correlations and local correlations of input images separately, increasing attention to the corner regions crucial for the detection task. Finally, the HFE method is combined with a feature pyramid structure, able to effectively obtain comprehensive feature representation information through a top-down global feature adjustment method. The proposed method is validated on a self-built dataset, and compared with other excellent detection algorithms, the average detection accuracy of the proposed algorithm reaches the highest. The mAP@0.5 reaches 96.96%, and mAP@0.5:0.95 reaches 71.1%, demonstrating the excellent detection performance of the proposed algorithm under low-light conditions in mines.
Evaluating the Safety and Usability of an Over-the-Counter Medical Device for Adults With Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss: Formative and Summative Usability Testing
Authors: Salwei Megan Elizabeth , Anders Shilo , Reale Carrie , Slagle Jason M , Ricketts Todd , Weinger Matthew B 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Only 15% of the nearly 30 million Americans with hearing loss use hearing aids, partly due to high cost, stigma, and limited access to professional hearing care. Hearing impairment in adults can lead to social isolation and depression and is associated with an increased risk of falls. Given the persistent barriers to hearing aid use, the Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule to allow over-the-counter hearing aids to be sold directly to adult consumers with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss at pharmacies, stores, and online retailers without seeing a physician or licensed hearing health care professional.

Objective
We evaluated the safety and usability of an over-the-counter hearing aid prior to Food and Drug Administration approval and market release.

Methods
We first conducted a formative usability test of the device and associated app with 5 intended users to identify outstanding safety and usability issues (testing round 1). Following design modifications, we performed a summative usability test with 15 intended users of the device (testing round 2). We concurrently conducted a test with 21 nonintended users (ie, users with contraindications to use) to ascertain if consumers could determine when they should not use the device, based on the packaging, instructions, and labeling (testing round 3). Participants were asked to complete 2‐5 tasks, as if they were using the hearing aid in real life. After each task, participants rated the task difficulty. At the end of each session, participants completed a 10-question knowledge assessment and the System Usability Scale and then participated in debriefing interviews to gather qualitative feedback. All sessions were video recorded and analyzed to identify use errors and design improvement opportunities.

Results
Usability issues were identified in all 3 usability testing rounds. There were minimal safety-related issues with the device. Round 1 testing led to several design modifications which then increased task success in round 2 testing. Participants had the most difficulty with the task of pairing the hearing aids to the cell phone. Participants also had difficulty distinguishing the right and left earbuds. Nonintended users did not always understand device contraindications (eg, tinnitus and severe hearing loss). Overall, test findings informed 9 actionable design modifications (eg, clarifying pairing steps and increasing font size) that improved device usability and safety.

Conclusions
This study evaluated the usability and safety of an over-the-counter hearing aid for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Human factors engineering methods identified opportunities to improve the safety and usability of this direct-to-consumer medical device for individuals with perceived mild-moderate hearing loss.
Is hyperventilation a common iatrogenic problem in the neonatal intensive care unit?
Authors: Bayoumi El Sebaie Dahlia , Alsharany Abuelhamd Walaa , Mohamed Abdelmomen Ahmed , Fawzy Kamal Amir 
Published: November 2024

Background. Mechanical ventilation is a critical intervention in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), but it has been associated with increased mortality and morbidity, particularly through complications like hyperoxemia and hypocapnia. This study aims to identify the incidence of these conditions in ventilated neonates and correlate them with ventilator parameters and related complications. Materials and methods. This observational study was conducted on 100 neonates who were mechanically ventilated in the NICU of Abo-Rish El Monira Hospital, Cairo University, between March and September 2019. Participants were selected based on their requirement for mechanical ventilation during NICU admission. Data collection included perinatal history, ventilator parameters, and arterial blood gas results. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson correlation, independent t-tests, and logistic regression analysis. Results. The incidence of hypocapnia was 82 %, while 77 % of neonates experienced arterial hyperoxemia. Hypocapnia was more frequent with prolonged mechanical ventilation, showing a significant positive correlation with the incidence (P < 0.001). Hyperoxemia was significantly associated with lower gestational age and birth weight (P = 0.002 and P = 0.005, respectively). There were no significant correlations of other ventilator parameters, including positive end-expiratory pressure and peak inspiratory pressure, with either hypocapnia or hyperoxemia (P > 0.05). Mortality rates were higher among neonates with hypocapnia (67.1 %) and hyperoxemia (65 %). Conclusions. Hyperoxemia and hypocapnia are common complications of mechanical ventilation in the NICU settings, with hypocapnia showing a higher incidence. Both conditions are associated with increased mortality, particularly among neonates with lower gestational age and birth weight. Managing ventilator settings and monitoring blood gases are critical in reducing these complications.
Issues of orphan diseases of the nervous system in children during wartime
Authors: Tsymbaliuk V.I. , Antypkin Y.G. , Kyrylova L.G. , Miroshnykov О.О. 
Published: November 2024

Background. The increasing number of orphan (rare) diseases, most of which have a prevalence of less than 1 : 1,000,000, poses a serious challenge for modern medicine. In most cases, diagnosis is delayed leading to irreversible changes in the body. The Department of Psychoneurology at the State Institution “Ukrainian Center of Maternity and Childhood of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine” has been involved in diagnosing and treating orphan diseases in children since 2012, with 80 % of cases accompanied by nervous system involvement. The purpose was to conduct a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients treated at the Department of Psychoneurology for Children with Perinatal Pathology and Orphan Diseases during the war in Ukraine. Materials and methods. During the full-scale invasion, 42 children with orphan diseases were hospitalized to the department. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of these inpatients was conducted to identify the specifics of diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment. Results. In 90 % of cases, orphan diseases presented with clinical masks of neurological pathologies, complicating early diagnosis. The highest percentage of diagnoses (38 %) occurred in children aged 1 to 5 years. Male children were more susceptible to orphan diseases (ratio 1 : 2). An important aspect of care was treatment: 21 % of children were referred to the department for developing treatment strategies by a multidisciplinary team. Conclusions. Despite the challenges, the Department of Psychoneurology at the State Institution “Ukrainian Center of Maternity and Childhood of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine” continues to successfully combat orphan diseases in children. Although the goal is to diagnose these diseases within the first year of life, it remains a challenge for the global medical community. The department also implements effective targeted treatment regimens through a multidisciplinary approach.
Political PR in International Digital Communications: The Experience of the Eurasian Media Space
Authors: Kolobova E. Yu. 
Published: November 2024

Digital media has become an integral part of the political life of citizens, as an increasing number of people around the world use digital media technologies for communication. Digital media contribute to the formation of socio-political factors that raise concerns about the spread of disinformation, information disagreements and political polarization.Aim. To analyze the tools, problems and opportunities of political PR in the context of digitalization of the media space in foreign countries and the EAEU countries.Tasks. To give significant ideas about the concepts of “political public relations” and “political communication”; to identify factors influencing political communication processes; to present international experience in the application of political PR in the context of digitalization of media; to formulate the possibilities for the development of Eurasian integration in the context of digitalization of the media space.Methods. The methodological basis of the scientific research was such modern general scientific research methods as: comparative analysis, statistical and structural-logical methods, content analysis of open sources of information.Results. The paper defines the role and importance of digital media in political PR activities, identifies traditional and modern factors of influence on political activity, as well as problems in the new digital reality. To build political communications with the audience, its impact and increase engagement, political organizations use new media technologies using multimodality. In practice, the digital inequality of the world population deprives a number of people of digital communication, and as a result, the necessary conditions for participation in the political and economic life of the country. The digital divide of the EAEU countries reduces the political communicative impact on citizens’ beliefs in the need to strengthen integration processes. It seems appropriate to introduce consistency in the formation of the Eurasian integration agenda and a single digital information field to increase the political culture of civic engagement in all EAEU member states.Conclusions. With the help of variation of resources, the necessary content is formed to create the necessary audience effect. Indeed, digital media has a number of advantages that have been proven in practice, however, political PR is influenced by the negative side of the development of digital communications — the spread of fake news, most of which cannot be traced to the source. Therefore, the transformation of digital opportunities, the distribution of political resources, the dissemination of political discourse and the structure of political opportunities in the digital age is the most relevant in the modern world. Using the example of the EAEU countries, it is proved that digitalization in the international media space causes the involvement of citizens of different countries in integration, generalization and formation of public support for the state.