bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Israeli smoking cessation practitioner’s knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding electronic cigarettes
Authors: Aperman-Itzhak Tal , Izhak Marina Ben , Bar-Zeev Yael 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Fewer than 2.5% of people who smoke in Israel use evidence based smoking cessation support each year. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes( role in smoking cessation remains debated, with some clinical guidelines from other countries, albeit not in Israel, promoting it as a harm-reduction tool for people who smoke and are unable or unwilling to quit smoking. E-cigarettes are currently regulated in Israel as all other tobacco products, with restrictions on marketing and use. This study explored knowledge, attitudes, and practices of smoking cessation counselors in Israel towards e-cigarettes.
Methods
Online cross-sectional survey (March-May 2020) assessed Israeli smoking cessation counselors’ knowledge (10 true/false questions), attitudes (personal, general and regulation toward e-cigarettes, using 1–5 Likert scale), and recommendation practices (primary outcome: "do not use e-cigarettes" vs. recommending them in all or some circumstances). Logistic regression explored factors associated with recommending not to use e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.
Results
Overall, 90 Israeli smoking cessation counselors responded to the questionnaire. Mean knowledege score was 65.4% (SD 22.5), with only half correctly identifying e-cigarettes as tobacco-free. Mean personal attitude score was 3.5 (SD 0.9), with 78.9% agreeing that discussing e-cigarettes is part of their role. Mean general attitude score was 2.2 (SD 0.5), with 93.3% concerned about e-cigarettes as a gateway to tobacco use. Mean e-cigarettes regulation attitude score was 4.3 (SD 0.7), with 91.1% supporting a ban under age 21. A third of respondents (36.7%) recommended not to use e-cigarettes. Having a medical background (aOR = 6.6), stricter regulation attitudes (aOR = 4.9), and less positive general attitudes (aOR = 0.2) were associated with recommending not to use e-cigarettes.
Conclusion
Navigating the controversy surrounding e-cigarettes is crucial for optimal smoking cessation care. Negative counselors’ attitudes in Israel, linked to knowledge gaps and regulation framework, may hinder their use as a harm reduction tool for people who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking. Educational programs and clear guidelines are essential to facilitate evidence-based practices in smoking cessation.
JNK inhibition mitigates sepsis-associated encephalopathy via attenuation of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis
Authors: Gagnani Riya , Singh Harshita , Suri Manisha , Bali Anjana 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a severe complication of sepsis, leading to cognitive dysfunction and neuronal damage. C-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), a subset of the MAP kinase family, have attracted substantial interest for their role in cellular events during sepsis conditions. Previous investigations have established the involvement of JNK signaling against memory impairment and abnormal synaptic plasticity. However, the present study is the first to investigate the effects of JNK inhibition in sepsis-associated cerebral injury and cognitive impairments. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of SP600125, a selective JNK inhibitor, in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) mouse model of sepsis. CLP-induced sepsis resulted in significant cognitive impairments, as assessed by the open field test, inhibitory avoidance test, morris water maze, and novel object recognition test. Additionally, septic mice exhibited increased serum levels of neuronal injury markers (S100B and NSE), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), and oxidative stress markers (MDA), along with decreased antioxidant levels (GSH, SOD, and CAT). Histological analysis revealed neuronal pyknosis, degeneration, and loss of Nissl bodies in the cortex and hippocampus of septic mice. Furthermore, sepsis-induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction was evident from increased cerebral edema. Treatment with SP600125 (10, 30, and 50 mg/kg) significantly attenuated CLP-induced cognitive deficits, neuronal injury, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The present study provides preliminary evidence that JNK inhibition by SP600125 exerts neuroprotective effects against sepsis-induced encephalopathy in vivo via suppression of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
Environmental monitoring of La Concordia mine (Salta, Argentina): assessing heavy metal bioaccumulation and physiological responses of Parastrephia quadrangularis.
Authors: Gonzalez Matias A. , Cazón Josefina Plaza , Ruscitti Marcela 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The Puna region is distinguished by its extreme environmental conditions and highly valuable mining resources. However, the unregulated management of mine tailings poses a significant threat to the ecological integrity of this region. This study presents a comprehensive investigation to assess the environmental impacts of mine tailings at La Concordia mine (Salta, Argentina) and examines the physiological and biochemical adaptations of Parastrephia quadrangularis that enable its survival under this extreme conditions. Our findings reveal that prolonged weathering of mine tailings results in the generation of acid mine drainage characterized by low pH levels (< 3.5) and elevated concentrations of As, Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn. These levels exceed drinking water standards by 5–10 times for As, 6–13 times for Zn, 80–120 times for Pb, 20–380 times for Fe and 4–10 times for Cu. Soil analyses highlights low pH, high salinity and elevated concentrations of Zn (310 mg kg− 1), Pb (153 mg kg− 1) and Cu (128 mg kg− 1). Despite these harsh environmental conditions, 7 plant species where identified, with Parastrephia quadrangularis being the only species present at the most polluted site. This species exhibits high heavy metal bioaccumulation and robust tolerance mechanisms against heavy metal-induced oxidative damage, as evidenced by stable total chlorophylls and malondialdehyde content, and increased levels of carotenoids, proline and phenolic compounds. These findings emphasize Parastrephia quadrangularis as a promising candidate for revegetation and phytostabilization for sustainable mine closure programs in La Puna region.
Proteomic responses of host pigeonpea during interaction with Fusarium udum pathogen
Authors: Bankapura Mariyappa Ravikumara , Naik Manjunath Krishnappa , Sharma Mamta , T Swaroopa Rani , Mathur Pooja Bhatnagar , Moka Rajasekhar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

In India, pigeonpea is a drought-tolerant crop that is susceptible to more than 100 diseases, including viruses, bacteria, nematodes, fungus, and phytoplasma. The restrictions of utilising chemical fungicides make managing soil-born diseases, like Fusarial wilts, difficult. While using resistant cultivars is preferable, the emergence of novel disease variations frequently poses a challenge. The objectives of this study are to investigate root proteome responses, discover host plant proteins for cultivars that are resistant, and comprehend the molecular mechanisms behind the interactions between F. udum and pigeonpea. Proteomics was used to examine genotypes of pigeonpea fusarium wilt-susceptible (ICP 2376) and resistant (ICP 9174). To make ingress easier, seedlings were removed, cleaned, and chopped off. Both genotypes underwent total protein extraction, and the pigeonpea root protein underwent two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A combination search of PMF and MS/MS data against the taxonomy of Viridiplantae was used to identify proteins. The goal is to comprehend the molecular processes that control plant resistance and susceptibility. Twelve of the 141 differentially expressed protein locations in the interaction between F. udum and pigeonpea were satisfactorily characterised. Based on their biological roles, seven differentially expressed proteins were found in the resistant cultivar and categorised into seven functional groups. Proteome profiles provided insight into the defense mechanism of pigeonpea against Fusarium udum infection by identifying two proteins, R56 and S41, as components of the defense mechanism. Greater accumulation of R56 in resistant cultivars suggests F. udum-induced defense, whereas down-regulation of S41 in susceptible cultivars supports direct defense.
Bayesian inference of sex-specific mortality profiles and product yields from unsexed cattle zooarchaeological remains
Authors: Diekmann Yoan , Gillis Rosalind , Lu Ziye , Rudzinski Anna , Thomas Mark George 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Zooarchaeological age-at-death profiles for domesticated ruminants can be inferred from tooth eruption, replacement and wear. These profiles contain important information on slaughter management, and have been used informally to infer the goals of past husbandry strategies. In principle, sex-specific survival curves could inform on various productivity parameters, including herd growth rates and sustainability, milk and meat yields, macronutrient and calorie yields, and feed consumed. Knowledge of these parameter values would allow identification of differences in husbandry economics in different archaeological contexts. However, archaeological age-at-death profiles are rarely sex-specific and are typically derived from small sample sizes. As such, challenges remain in inferring sex-specific survival curves using explicit models that account for sampling uncertainty. We present a Bayesian method for inferring sex-specific survival curves from un-sexed cattle zooarchaeological age-at-death profiles that can accommodate data from any combination of age class boundaries. Our model relies on the assumption that asymmetric sex-specific slaughter leads to a sigmoidal change in sex ratio, which we show is broadly consistent with slaughter practices in modern unimproved cattle herds. By combining inferred sex-specific archaeological survival curves with ethnographic data from modern unimproved cattle, we generate estimates of herd growth rate, milk and meat yields, macronutrient and calorie yields, and feed consumed per animal. We use our framework to examine zooarchaeological age-at-death profiles previously proposed to be aimed at prioritizing milk or meat production, and a set of kill-off profiles from 10 Neolithic sites located across Europe. We infer that there is considerable scope for improvement in prehistoric slaughter management.
Erosion Mapping of Coated Composites: Simulating Conditions for Tidal Turbines Blades
Authors: Hassan Emadelddin , Stack Margaret M 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The tribological mechanisms of potential composite materials that could be used in tidal turbines considered the effects of various erosion parameters on the degradation modes, both with and without particles, in still and seawater conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a specialised epoxy erosion-resistant coating for glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) in resisting the impact of slurry erosion. Slurry erosion is a process by which solid particles suspended in a fluid medium impinge on a surface, causing material loss due to repeated impacts. The coating efficacy was evaluated through a series of tests, including three different speeds and six different impinging angles and the results were used to generate tidal turbine maps. The study provided insights into the durability and of the epoxy and potential use of the coating in tidal turbine blade industries where resistance to erosion is crucial for long-term performance and safety.
The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Existential Cognitive Therapy on Mental Pain and Fatigue Associated with Cancer in Women with Breast Cancer
Authors: Jalalpour Fatemeh , Safarzadeh Sahar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Cancer significantly impacts the physical and psychological well-being of patients. Breast cancer, in particular, can lead to various psychological distress, including mental pain and fatigue. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Existential Cognitive Therapy (ECT) in reducing mental pain and fatigue in women with breast cancer.
Methods
A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group was employed in this study. The target population comprised all women diagnosed with breast cancer and referred to pathology departments in Ahvaz, Iran, during 2023. A convenience sample of 60 participants was selected and randomly assigned to three groups of 20: ACT, ECT, and a control group. The ACT and ECT groups received 10 ninety-minute sessions of their respective therapies, while the control group received no psychological intervention. Data were collected using the Pain Questionnaire and the Cancer Fatigue Scale and analyzed using analysis of covariance.
Results
The results indicated that both ACT and ECT were significantly effective in reducing mental pain and fatigue in women with breast cancer (p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was found between the effectiveness of ACT and ECT in reducing mental pain and fatigue.
Conclusions
Both ACT and ECT can be effective interventions for reducing mental pain and fatigue in women with breast cancer.
Usability of three finger-stick whole blood HIV self-testing kits among men who have sex with men and female sex workers in Yaounde and Douala, Cameroon
Authors: NOAH Jean Pierre Yves AWONO , Ndie Justin , Ndongo Francis Ateba , Kana Rogacien , Yongwa Onesimus , Bonyohe Martial , Mboussam Plessy Hedgar , Avang Tatiana Palisson , Moulioum Fatima , Naah Félicité Tabala , Tchikangni Gutenberg , Nzaddi Audrey Djomo , Ketchaji Alice , Yepndo Carelle Djofang , Nguemkam Gildas , IV Charles Baudelaire Ndindjock , Seukam Brice , Yagaï Bouba , Anaba Ernest Désiré Mvilongo , Djoukwe Rina Estelle , Billong Serge , Hatzold Karin , Salla Annie Michele , Ateudjieu Jérôme , Bissek Anne Cécile Zoung - Kanyi 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
The use of fingerstick whole-blood HIV self-testing (HIVST) represents a novel approach to improving HIV screening, particularly among at-risk populations. However, there is currently a paucity of empirical evidence on its usability in Cameroon, necessitating the development of robust empirical evidence before this approach can be scaled up. This study assessed the usability of three HIVST kits among men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSWs) in Cameroon.
Materials and Methods
A study was conducted between 11 June and 22 June 2022 at 14 community-based organisations in Yaoundé and Douala. The study involved FSWs and MSM aged 21 and over. The participants were provided with counselling, unassisted finger-stick whole blood HIVST, and condoms. Data were collected using a questionnaire and three HIVST kits: Mylan, Sure Check, and Check Now. The analysis was conducted using SPSS 27 software.
Results
Of the 815 participants who completed the HIV blood self-test, the median age was 27 years and 56.1% were FSWs. One in ten participants had never undergone an HIV test. The successful test performance for the Check Now, Sure Check and Mylan tests were 98.5%, 97.8% and 94.7%, respectively. In addition, the proportions of correct interpretation of results were 83.1%, 79.3% and 79.8%. The agreement between a participant's blood-based HIV self-test result and those of trained investigator-observers results was moderate with Check Now (κ=0.486; 95% CI: 0.366-0.605; p=0.001), whereas agreement with Sure Check (κ=0.36) and Mylan (κ=0.372) was low. Similarly, the proportions of good usability were 82.0%, 77.9% and 75.3 respectively. On multivariate analysis, participants who had difficulty drawing blood with the micropipette were more likely to fail the self-test (aOR=0.1; 95% CI: 0.0-0.3; P = 0.005).
Conclusion
In Cameroon, key populations are utilising fingerstick whole blood HIV self-testing kits for HIV testing purposes. However, issues have been identified with regard to interpretation, thereby underscoring the necessity for further training in order to enhance the accuracy of these tests and optimise the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions.
Historical Population-Based Mutation Strategy with Adaptive Parameter Mechanism in Differential Evolution for PEM Fuel Cell Parameter Estimation
Authors: Aljaidi Mohammad , Jangir Pradeep , Agrawal Sunilkumar P. , Pandya Sundaram B. , Parmar Anil , Anbarkhan Samar Hussni , Abualigah Laith 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is regarded as a promising option for a sustainable and eco-friendly energy source. Accurate modeling of PEMFCs to identify their polarization curves and thoroughly understand their operational characteristics has captivated numerous researchers. This paper explores the application of innovative meta-heuristic optimization methods to determine the unknown parameters of PEMFC models, particularly focusing on variants of Differential Evolution such as the dynamic Historical Population-based mutation strategy in Differential Evolution (HiP-DE) augmented with a novel diversity metric. The efficacy of these optimization algorithms was evaluated across six different commercial PEMFC stacks: BCS 500-W PEM, Nedstack PS6 PEM, BCS 250-W PEM, HORIZON 500W PEM, H12 12W PEM, and 500W SR-12P, tested under a variety of operating conditions, resulting in analyses of twelve distinct PEMFCs. The objective function for the optimization problem was the sum of squared errors (SSE) between the parameter-derived results and the experimentally measured outcomes from the fuel cell stacks. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed methods, comparative analyses were conducted with results from previous studies. Additionally, the I/V and P/V curves derived from the HiP-DE application closely matched the datasheet curves for all cases examined. Ultimately, the PEMFC model utilizing the HiP-DE technique outperformed all compared JADE, SaDE, LSHADE, iLSHADE, PalmDE, PSO-DE, jSO, LPalmDE, and HARD-DE algorithms in terms of solution accuracy and convergence speed.
Investigation of TSRP reverses imatinib resistance through the PI3K / Akt pathway in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: He Ying , Ding Jiyuan , Liu Liqin , Chen Jiajun , Zhong Hong , Li Changyu , Xu Xiaofeng 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a malignant tumor of the blood system, so far there is no effective cure. Imatinib (IM), as the first-line drug for the clinical targeted treatment of CML, has some limiting factors such as drug resistance and relapse, and drug resistance has also emerged in combination with other drugs. At present, traditional Chinese medicine combined with targeted drugs in the treatment of tumor is a research hotspot. The total saponin of Rubus parviflolius (TSRP) has an effective anti-tumor activity. Our previous in vitro experiments showed that TSRP can effectively inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of CML cells K562, suggesting that TSRP can effectively reverse the drug resistance of IM, but the mechanism of drug resistance remains unclear. Studies have shown that the PI3K/AKT pathway is the main activation pathway of IM secondary resistance, and is considered to be an innovative therapeutic strategy for targeted cancer treatment, which may be an important mechanism of IM resistance. This project aims to reveal the possible mechanism of TSRP reversing IM resistance through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through both in vitro and in vivo experiments, providing experimental basis for TSRP combined with IM treatment of CML.
Transcriptomic profiling reveals sex-specific epigenetic dynamics involving kdm6b and H3K27 methylation in cerebral ischemia-induced neurogenesis and recovery
Authors: Radhakrishnan Mydhili , Undru Aditya , Patel Shashikant , Sharma Pooja , Kumar Arvind , Chakravarty Sumana 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Cerebral ischemic stroke ranks among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. A significant challenge, beyond the lack of effective therapies, is the frequent oversight of sex as a vital factor in stroke research. This study focuses on elucidating the sex-specific epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to neural damage and recovery in cerebral ischemia.In our previously reported study, we demonstrated that following ischemia-induced cerebral artery occlusion (ICAO), female striatal tissue exhibited an early reinstatement of H3K9me2 marks on the promoters of inflammatory genes compared to male striatal tissue. This restoration led to a reduction in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, ultimately contributing to accelerated recovery in females. Building upon these findings, the current study aimed to investigate the unidentified molecular pathways responsible for the accelerated recovery observed in females. To explore this, we performed illumina-RNA sequencing on striatal tissues 24 hours post-ICAO. Interestingly, our analysis revealed differential regulation of H3K27me2 marks on the promoters of various neurogenic genes at an early stage, which facilitated early neurogenesis in the female striatum. This investigation identifies an epigenetic modulator, kdm6b/jmjd3, targeting H3K27, and delineates its sex-specific role in neural stem cell proliferation. The findings contribute to a comprehensive model linking gender-specific epigenetic regulation, neurogenesis, and post-ICAO recovery. In conclusion, the identified epigenetic modulators and their roles in neurogenesis offer potential targets for refined therapeutic interventions, emphasizing the importance of personalized and sex-specific considerations in stroke studies.
Automation of lathe checks detection using deep learning
Authors: Marc Caroline , Marcon Bertrand , Denaud Louis , Girardon Stéphane 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Automated detection of lathe checks in wood veneers presents significant challenges due to the variability of lathe checks characteristics and the natural properties of wood. This study explores the use of two convolutional neural networks (U-Net architecture) to enhance the precision and efficiency of lathe checks detection in poplar veneers. Two U-Nets are employed sequentially to map lathe checks using semantic segmentation, followed by post-processing to denoise these mappings and extract lathe checks characteristics. The first U-Net, used for lathe checks detection, demonstrated strong performance in predicting crack presence, with precision and recall scores of 0.822 and 0.835, respectively. The second U-Net, used for lathe checks connection, further refined these predictions by linking disjointed lathe checks segments, thereby improving the overall lathe checks mapping process. Comparative analysis with manual methods revealed comparable or superior performance of the automated approach, especially for shallow lathe checks.