bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nurse educators’ experiences of the use of Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE) at a university in South Africa
Authors: Serapelwane Maserapelo G , Mokgaola Onchebile I 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
There is an ongoing global debate on the reliability of Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE) as an assessment method at nursing education institutions, and South Africa is not exempt. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of nurse educators with the use of OSCE at a university in the North West province of South Africa.
Design and Methods:
The study applied a qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual design. Purposive sampling was used to select nurse educators who were facilitating the teaching and learning of undergraduate nursing students. The study conducted two focus group interviews at two selected campuses. The Tesch’s eight steps of analysis were used to analyse the raw data. Trustworthiness was ensured by applying the principles of credibility, confirmability, dependability, and transferability. All ethics measures were upheld throughout the study.
Results
The themes that emerged from the findings include among others the perceived effect of OSCE on students. This was evident from the emotional and psychological distress and the challenges surrounding the implementation of OSCE.
Conclusion
It is clear from the findings that the use of OSCE should be improved at the university in the North West province of South Africa.
Considerations for adapting digital competencies and training approaches to the public health workforce: An interpretive description of practitioners’ perspectives in Canada
Authors: Iyamu Ihoghosa , Ramachandran Swathi , Chang Hsiu-Ju , Kushniruk Andre , Ibáñez-Carrasco Francisco , Worthington Catherine , Davies Hugh , McKee Geoffrey , Brown Adalsteinn , Gilbert Mark 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Widespread digital transformation necessitates developing digital competencies for public health practice. We explored public health practitioners' experiences and perspectives on adapting digital competencies and training recommendations for Canada.
Methods
Between November and December 2023, we conducted an interpretive description using four focus groups with 19 public health practitioners in regional and federal health authorities across Canada, with at least 3 years’ experience in current roles and experience using digital technologies in practice. We explored practitioners’ experiences using digital technologies and sought their opinions on how digital competency recommendations previously identified could be adapted to Canada’s context. We analyzed verbatim transcripts using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results
We identified three main themes: a) public health systems must evolve to support new digital competencies; b) strengthen the basics before extending towards digital competencies; and c) focus on building general digital competencies with options for specialization where necessary. Findings emphasized matching workforce digital competencies to public health system capabilities and meaningfully integrating digital competencies within existing curricula. Such integration can consider how digital technologies change current public health practice to ensure practitioners are better able to address contemporary public health problems. Findings demonstrated roles for specialized programs as resources for learning within health systems and emphasized hands-on real-world training approaches.
Conclusion
We need integrated, systems-focused approaches to digital competencies cutting across the current public health curriculum, while creating space for specialized digital public health competencies and roles. Further research is needed to understand requirements for enacting these recommendations in practice.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in low-income childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Iannini Natalia Gomes , RODRIGUES CARLOS EWERTON MAIA 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with childhood onset Systemic Lupus Erithematosus (cSLE) and controls from Northeastern Brazil and to verify its association with specific SLE parameters and cardiovascular risk factors.Methods The prevalence of MetS was assessed cross-sectionally in 58 patients with cSLE and 18 age -matched controls from the local community, using the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Brazilian Association of Nutrology (ABRAN). Information was collected by clinical examination and standardized questionnaires, investigating the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), personal and family history of cardiovascular disease and obesity and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics.Results The prevalence of MetS according to ABRAN criteria was higher in cSLE than in controls (9% vs. 0%; p = 0.2) and according to IDF criteria was (10,3% vs 0%; p = 0.15), but without statistical significance. Importantly, 91.4% of patients were from a low-income household. Patients with MetS according to ABRAN also had lower ESR levels (p = 0.039), higher total cholesterol (p = 0.013), HDL-c (p = 0.007) and triglycerides (p = 0.001) and a lower albumin level (p = 0.016). Patients with MetS according to IDF had higher SDI scores (p = 0.036). Higher current dose of mycophenolate mofetil was noted (p = 0.033) and use of azathioprine was less frequent (p = 0.033) in the MetS.Conclusion The prevalence of Mets in the patients with cSLE seems to be low. There was association of MetS with higher cumulative damage indices. We did not observe any association with clinical manifestations, autoantibody profile and dose of corticosteroids.
Investigating the Impact of Plasma-Activated Water on Lentil Seed Sprouts Using Biochemical and Structural Properties
Authors: Asefi Narmela , Gone Sri S.J. Chandra , Singh Rakesh.K 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the interactions and effects of plasma-activated water (PAW) treatment on lentil seeds. A jet plasma system produces PAW by interacting 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen with water. Various exposure times to cold plasma (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, and 15 minutes) were applied, and the resulting changes in the physical and chemical properties of the PAW were examined. The pH of the PAW ranged from 7.4 to 2.92, which caused a nearly sixteen-fold increase in nitrate (NO3−) concentrations, while hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels remained constant. The germination rate of seeds treated with water exposed to plasma for 10 minutes was significantly higher than that of other treatments (p < 0.05). The flour analysis derived from sprouted seeds irrigated with PAW showed that protein solubility was highest at pH levels below 3 and above 7, while it decreased between pH 4 and 6. Moreover, PAW treatment resulted in an increase in GABA content in all samples compared to the control. The activities of α-amylase and phytase decreased as pH levels lowered. Electrophoresis revealed similar protein bands (17–170 kDa) across all samples. Additionally, FTIR analysis showed the degradation of all structural components except for the antiparallel β-sheet in the control sample, with the β-turn present in the treated samples and the aggregate β-sheet observed only in the sample treated for 4 minutes. NMR analysis demonstrated the disappearance of α C1H and β C1H anomer signals and increased methyl groups in the treated samples.
Recombinant human collagen hydrogels with different stem cell-derived exosomes encapsulation for wound treatment
Authors: Zeng Xiaoman , Gan Jingjing , Huang Danqing , Zhao Yuanjin , Sun Lingyun 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Exosomes-loaded hydrogels have potential value in wound treatment. Current studies focus on improving hydrogels’ biocompatibility and optimizing different stem cell-derived exosomes for better therapeutic effect. Herein, we present a novel biocompatible recombinant human collagen (RHC) hydrogel loading with different MSCs-derived exosomes for promoting wound healing. We modify the RHC with methacrylate anhydride (MA) at optimal concentration, generating collagen hydrogel (RHCMA) with ideal physiochemical properties for exosome delivery (MSC-exos@RHCMA). Exosomes derived from human adipose-derived MSCs (ADSC-exos), bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSC-exos) and umbilical cord MSCs (ucMSC-exos) are harvested from the culture supernatants and are loaded into RHCMA, respectively. These three hydrogel systems exhibit desired sustained release features, and can significantly improve cell proliferation and migration. In addition, these MSC-exos@RHCMAs show excellent therapeutic performance in treating the wounds of rats. Notably, we have demonstrated that the healing effect occurs best under the treatment of ucMSC-exos@RHCMA, following inflammatory resolution, angiogenesis, and collagen formation. These results would supply important value for the clinical application of MSC-exos in wound treatment in the future.
The role of gut-liver axis in the heat susceptibility of Chinese giant salamander
Authors: Zhai Runliang , Zhao Chunlin , Chang Liming , Liu Jiongyu , Zhao Tian , Jiang Jianping , Zhu Wei 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The Chinese giant salamander (CGS, Andrias davidianus), a flagship amphibian species, is highly vulnerable to high temperatures, posing a significant threat under future climate change. Previous research linked this susceptibility to liver energy deficiency, accompanied by shifts in gut microbiota and reduced food conversion rates, raising questions about the role of the gut-liver axis in mediating thermal intolerance. This study investigated CGS responses to a temperature gradient (10–30°C), assessing physiological changes alongside histological, gut metagenomic, and tissue transcriptomic analyses. Temperatures above 20°C led to mortality and delayed growth. Histological and transcriptomic data revealed metabolic exhaustion and liver fibrosis in heat-stressed salamanders, underscoring the liver's critical role in thermal intolerance. While heat stress altered the gut microbiota's community structure, their functional profiles, especially in nutrient absorption and transformation, remained stable. Both gut and liver showed temperature-dependent transcriptional changes, sharing some common variations in actins, heat shock proteins, and genes related to transcription and translation. However, their energy metabolism exhibited opposite trends: it was downregulated in the liver but upregulated in the gut, with the gut showing increased activity in the pentose phosphate pathway and oxidative phosphorylation, potentially countering metabolic exhaustion. These findings suggest that the gut and its microbiota are less sensitive to high temperatures than the liver, and the gut-liver axis may not be central to CGS thermal sensitivity. This study enhances mechanistic understanding of CGS heat susceptibility, providing a foundation for targeted conservation strategies in the face of climate change.
An integrated prognosis prediction model based on real-word clinical characteristics for immunotherapy in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lu Zhihao , Dong Liyuan , Ma Yue , Cao Guang , Chen Dongze , Dong Fengxiao , Jiao Xi , Cao Yanshuo , Liu Chang , Wang Yanni , Zhuo Na , Wang Fengyuan , Guo Yixuan , Dai Tingting , Zhang Shuwei , Jiao Hao , Zou Xingyue , Li Jian , Shen Lin , He Zhonghu , Zhang Yanqiao 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Introduction
The efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains suboptimal. This study aims to construct and validate a clinically accessible model to better identify populations that may potentially benefit from ICIs.
Methods
This study enrolled advanced ESCC patients treated with ICIs at Peking University Cancer Hospital from January 14, 2016, to January 26, 2024, forming the training cohort. Combined positive score (CPS) was recorded to evaluate the predictive value of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1). Baseline clinical characteristics and laboratory test results were identified as predictors through a 2-phase selection based on Cox proportional hazard regression and minimization of Akaike information criterion (AIC). The prediction model was internally validated using bootstrapping and externally validated in patients from Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital between January 10, 2019, and July 6, 2022.
Results
A total of 430 patients from Peking University Cancer Hospital and 184 patients from Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital were ultimately enrolled. PD-L1 expression failed to discriminate survival outcomes (HR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.74-1.19, P = .6). The final model incorporates 10 variables: stage, bone metastasis, line of therapy, treatment, lactate dehydrogenase, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 199, lymphocyte count, prognostic nutritional index, and systemic immune-inflammation index. The C-index was 0.725 (95%CI: 0.694-0.756) in the training cohort, 0.722 (95%CI: 0.688-0.751) after bootstrapping, and 0.691 (95%CI: 0.650-0.733) in the external validation cohort, outperforming PD-L1 in prognostic prediction and risk stratification. An interactive online prediction tool (https://escc-survival.shinyapps.io/shiny_app/) was subsequently developed.
Conclusions
This is the first model for individualized survival prediction in advanced ESCC patients treated with ICIs based on large-scale, high-quality real-world data, potentially guiding clinical decision-making and optimize treatment strategies.
Streamlined Protoplast Transfection System for In-vivo Validation and Transgene-free Genome Editing in Banana
Authors: Lakhani Hiralben , Kumar Naveen , Jangra Alka , Negi Sanjana , Dholariya Thobhanbhai , Tiwari Siddharth 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The advancement in CRISPR/Cas system has significantly streamlined genome editing in plants, rendering it simple, reliable and efficient. However, the development of transgene-free crops is a challenging task for vegetatively propagated plants like banana. In the present study, we established banana protoplasts based versatile and efficient platform for genome editing to overcome this limitation. Herein, a protocol has been optimized for protoplast isolation by considering leaf and embryogenic cell suspension (ECS) of banana cultivar Grand Naine. Freshly prepared ECS was identified as the best source for protoplast isolation. The protoplast viability and competency were checked by transfection with plasmid and RNP complex. Polyethylene glycol-mediated protoplast transfection using pCAMBIA1302 and pJL50TRBO vectors showed GFP expression with 30% and 70% efficiency, respectively, eventually proving the protocol's efficacy. Further, gRNAs targeting banana β-carotene hydroxylase gene are validated by in-vitro cleavage test and subsequently used for RNP complex formation with varied ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:5 and 1:10) of SpCas9 to gRNA1. Among these, 1:2 molar ratio proved best to generate indel frequency with 7%. Sequencing analysis of the target amplicon revealed mutations upstream of the PAM region, specifically with gRNA1, among the three in-vitro validated gRNAs. This study evaluated the effectiveness of gRNAs in-vitro and in-vivo, yielding inconsistent results that highlight the need for comprehensive in-vivo validation of their functionality. Conclusively, the optimized protocol for banana transfection has the potential to be harnessed for the generation of transgene-free genetically improved banana.
LncRNA-DRNPC competitively binds miR-27a to inhibit EBV-LMP1-mediated ER (Endoplasmic reticulum) stress-metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)
Authors: Cao Xianbao , Cai Lan , Li Tianshu , Feng Chun , Zhang Jinqian 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
The details of the regulatory mechanism in metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma related to lncRNAs are unclear.
Methods
The bio-functions of LncRNA-DRNPC-miR-27a-FAM172A interaction net in the relationships between ER stress, NPC invasion were investigated.
Results
There was high expression of miR-27a and low expression of LncRNA-DRNPC in NPC tumor tissues. LncRNA-DRNPC regulated miR-27a as a ceRNA, and miR-27a inhibited FAM172A expression, which participated in the regulation of ER stress-related NPC invasion induced by EBV-LMP1.
Conclusion
LncRNA-DRNPC competes with miR-27a mediated by FAM172A and participated in the regulation of the NPC cell invasion associated with ER stress.
Study on the longitudinal protection of low-frequency transmission lines for offshore wind power based on the difference of the absolute value of the imaginary part of the integrated impedance
Authors: Wang Chenqing , Tao Yan , Zhou Jinyu , Wu Xinyu ,   Shuping Gao2*
Published: November 2024

Abstract

For offshore wind power low-frequency transmission system fault, the fault current on both sides of the line by the influence of the control strategy of the amplitude is limited, the phase angle of the open swing increases, resulting in the failure of the traditional longitudinal differential protection criterion. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a longitudinal protection method for offshore wind power low-frequency transmission lines based on the absolute value difference of the imaginary part of the integrated impedance. The integrated impedance is defined as the ratio of differential voltage and differential current, and the corresponding protection criterion is proposed according to the characteristics of the integrated impedance during faults inside and outside the zone. By comparing the absolute value of the imaginary part with the integrating value, the in-zone and out-of-zone faults of low-frequency transmission lines can be recognized. Finally, the simulation model of offshore wind power low-frequency transmission system is constructed by using the PSCAD simulation platform, and the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed protection method is verified by processing the fault data through Matlab. The simulation results show that the protection method is theoretically almost independent of the control strategy at both ends, can be operated reliably and according to phase when different fault types occur at different locations of the line, and has a strong ability to withstand transition resistance.
Characterizing differences in the muscle transcriptome between cattle with alternative LCORL-NCAPG haplotypes
Authors: Rodrigues Fernanda Martins , Majeres Leif E. , Dilger Anna C. , McCann Joshua C. , Cassady Christopher J. , Shike Dan W. , Beever Jonathan E. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
The LCORL-NCAPG locus is a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on bovine chromosome 6 (BTA6) that influences growth and carcass composition in cattle. To further understand the molecular mechanism responsible for the phenotypic changes associated with this locus, twenty-four Charolais-sired calves were selected for muscle transcriptome analysis based on alternative homozygous LCORL-NCAPG haplotypes (i.e., 12 “QQ” and 12 “qq”, where “Q” is a haplotype harboring variation associated with increased growth). At 300 days of age, a biopsy of the longissimus dorsi muscle was collected from each animal for RNA sequencing.
Results
Gene expression analysis identified 733 genes as differentially expressed between QQ and qq animals (q-value < 0.05). Notably, LCORL and genes known to be important regulators of growth such as IGF2 were upregulated in QQ individuals, while genes associated with adiposity such as FASN and LEP were downregulated, reflecting the increase in lean growth associated with this locus. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed an overall trend of downregulation for pathways associated with adipogenesis, and upregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial-related transcripts in QQ individuals.
Conclusions
The differences in the muscle transcriptome between QQ and qq animals imply that muscle hypertrophy may be metabolically favored over accumulation of fat in animals with the QQ haplotype. Our findings also suggest this haplotype could be linked to a difference in LCORL expression that potentially influences the downstream transcriptional effects observed, though further research will be needed to confirm the molecular mechanisms underlying the associated changes in phenotype.
Uneven Landscapes Inhabited by Middle Miocene Mammals From La Pava and Collón Cura Formations in North Patagonia
Authors: Kramarz Alejandro G. , Bellosi Eduardo S. , Bond Mariano , Forasiepi Analía M. , Fernández Mercedes , Fernicola Juan Carlos , Aguirrezabala Guillermo , Rezende Daniella Teixeira 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The Collón Cura Formation (CCF) bears a diverse assemblage of Middle Miocene terrestrial mammals (the Colloncuran fauna) known from the end of XIX century. The CCF along with the La Pava Formation (LPF) constitutes the main syntectonic infill of intermontane basins in the extra-Andean NW Patagonia. The study of paleosols and terrestrial ichnofacies of both units in these basins, particularly in the Jacobacci basin (Rio Negro Province, Argentina), document the progressive environmental change since the end of the Miocene Climatic Optimum, related to the drying and cooling of southern South America. This change is recognized in the andic Mollisols and mollic Andisols bearing Coprinisphaera ichnofacies formed in subhumid grasslands or wooded-savannas (LPF), and in the xeric-vertic Andisols and andic Aridisols bearing Celliforma ichnofacies developed in semiarid woodlands or bushlands (CCF). However, a new U-Pb date of 14.38 ± 0.19 Ma (late Langhian), for the LPF at the Huahuel Niyeu valley in the Jacobacci basin, indicates that both landscapes co-existed likely following a vertical rainfall gradient (orographic precipitation). In the present work, we report the first mammals from the LPF recovered from the Huahuel Niyeu associated to the dated strata. They include Palaeothentes intermedius, Prozaedius sp., Proeutatus sp., Propalaehoplophorinae indet., Glossotheriopsis pascuali, Massoiamys obliquus, Pliolagostomus friasensis, Eusigmomys cf. E. oppositus, Pachyrukhos moyani, Hemihegetotherium tantillum, Protypotherium australe, Protypotherium praerutilum, Palyeidodon obtusum, Hyperoxotodon sp. nov?, Toxodontidae indet., and Astrapotheriidae indet. All these taxa (except P. intermedius) also occur in sediments of the CCF in Jacobacci and other basins of NW Patagonia. We conclude that the heterogeneous landscape developed in Jacobacci basin was inhabited by diverse functional groups of Colloncuran mammals adapted to different climatic and floristic settings, and therefore they are not sensitive to small-scale environmental heterogeneity. These palaeoecologic inferences could be extended to other Miocene basins and to other Cenozoic mammal faunas of Patagonia, which paleohabitats were generally deduced from feeding behaviors.