bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β-Elemene promotes ferroptosis and reverses radioresistance in gastric cancer by inhibiting the OTUB1-GPX4 interaction
Authors: He Jiancheng , Li Ming , Bao Jiapeng , Peng Yifeng , Xue Wanjiang , Chen Junjie , Zhao Jun 
Published: October 2024

Introductionβ-Elemene, derived from Curcuma zedoaria (Wenyujin), is clinically recognized for inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell cycle progression, and reversing chemotherapy resistance in various cancers. However, its effects on radioresistant gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear.MethodsIn this study, radioresistant GC cell lines (MKN45/IR and AGS/IR) were established via multiple low-dose radiations. The impact of β-elemene on radiosensitivity was assessed using CCK-8 and clonogenic assays, with ferroptosis markers such as ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels measured. Additionally, the influence of β-elemene on GPX4 and its interaction with OTUB1 was examined through qRT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, and in vivo studies.ResultsOur findings indicate that β-elemene reverses radioresistance in GC cells and significantly inhibits cell growth when combined with radiotherapy. β-Elemene treatment elevated ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ levels, enhancing ferroptosis, which was confirmed by Ferrostatin-1 and Deferoxamine inhibition studies. Mechanistic analysis revealed that β-elemene disrupts the OTUB1-GPX4 interaction, leading to increased GPX4 ubiquitination and degradation, thus promoting ferroptosis. In vivo studies further demonstrated that β-elemene combined with radiotherapy significantly suppressed tumor growth compared to radiotherapy alone.DiscussionThese results suggest that β-elemene effectively modulates radioresistance in GC by targeting the GPX4 pathway and inducing ferroptosis. This highlights its potential as a therapeutic adjunct in radiotherapy for resistant GC cases.
Biochar addition enhances remediation efficiency and rapeseed yield in copper-contaminated soil
Authors: Sheng Ziwei , Luo Tao , Wang Linjie , Chen Min , Ma Bingbing , Liu Lijun , Wang Bo , Kuai Jie , Wang Jing , Zhao Jie , Xu Zhenghua , Zhou Guangsheng 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionSoil contamination with copper (Cu) threatens ecological security and human health. Rapeseed demonstrates potential in remediating copper-contaminated soil, and biochar-assisted phytoremediation is increasingly being employed to improve remediation efficiency. However, the combined application of them has not been thoroughly studied in terms of the synergistic effects and the mechanisms of their interaction.MethodsIn this regard, this study conducted a pot experiment to evaluate biochar-assisted remediation under Cu-contaminated soil with varying biochar application rates; Furthermore, the plant physiological mechanism and soil physicochemical properties involved in the biocharrapeseed system was explored.ResultsOur results showed that the exchangeable pool of copper in soil decreased by 10.0% and 12.3% with adding 5% biochar (BC1) and 10% biochar (BC2) relative to control (BC0), respectively, prior to rapeseed cultivation. The rapeseed cultivation for one season further reclaimed 4.9%, 9.0%, and 13.6% of the available copper in this soil by root extraction under the BC0, BC1, and BC2 treatments, respectively. The overall copper concentration in plants decreased by 23.7% under BC2 and 13.3% under BC1 compared to BC0. However, the plant’s dry biomass at BC1 and BC2 treatments increased by 1.7-fold and 2.7-fold relative to BC0, which offset the negative impact of the decreased copper concentration on phytoremediation. Physiological analysis showed adding 10% biochar decreased the MDA content by 36% in the leaf and 49% in the root, compared to BC0. The transmission electron microscopy for cell wall ultrastructure in root tips showed that biochar addition in Cu-contaminated soil increased the mechanical strength of the celL wall, explicitly increasing the thickness of the secondary cell wall. Further cell wall components analysis revealed a remarkable increment of the pectin content in BC2 relative to BC0, increased by 56% in the leaf and 99% in the root, respectively. Additionally, 10% biochar application led to a roughly 2-fold increase in seed yield via ameliorating the soil physicochemical properties and increasing the rapeseed growth.DiscussionThese findings offer insights into synergistic rapeseed-biochar use for Cu-contaminated soil remediation.
Effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions on COVID-19 transmission: rapid review of evidence from Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China
Authors: Faherty Laura J. , Nascimento de Lima Pedro , Lim Jing Zhi , Roberts Derek , Karr Sarah , Lawson Emily , Willis Henry H. 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundPrior to the development of COVID-19 vaccines, policymakers instituted various non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to limit transmission. Prior studies have attempted to examine the extent to which these NPIs achieved their goals of containment, suppression, or mitigation of disease transmission. Existing evidence syntheses have found that numerous factors limit comparability across studies, and the evidence on NPI effectiveness during COVID-19 pandemic remains sparse and inconsistent. This study documents the magnitude and variation in NPI effectiveness in reducing COVID-19 transmission (i.e., reduction in effective reproduction rate [Reff] and daily contact rate) in Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China.MethodsOur rapid review and narrative synthesis of existing research identified 126 studies meeting our screening criteria. We selected four contexts with &gt;5 articles to facilitate a meaningful synthesis. This step yielded an analytic sample of 61 articles that used data from China, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.ResultsWe found wide variation and substantial uncertainty around the effectiveness of NPIs at reducing disease transmission. Studies of a single intervention or NPIs that are the least stringent had estimated Reff reductions in the 10–50% range; those that examined so-called “lockdowns” were associated with greater Reff reductions that ranged from 40 to 90%, with many in the 70–80% range. While many studies reported on multiple NPIs, only six of the 61 studies explicitly used the framing of “stringency” or “mild versus strict” or “tiers” of NPIs, concepts that are highly relevant for decisionmakers.ConclusionExisting evidence suggests that NPIs reduce COVID-19 transmission by 40 to 90 percent. This paper documents the extent of the variation in NPI effectiveness estimates and highlights challenges presented by a lack of standardization in modeling approaches. Further research on NPI effectiveness at different stringency levels is needed to inform policy responses to future pandemics.
A qualitative study of how structural vulnerability shaped COVID-19 testing behaviors in Portland, Maine
Authors: Kohut Michael R. , Sclar Gloria D. , Nicoll Leslie , Fernandes Caroline , Volkers Andrew , Tucker Ann , Jacobs Elizabeth A. , Fairfield Kathleen M. 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundPeople with structural vulnerabilities (including immigrants, people who use drugs, and those who are unhoused or uninsured) are more likely to experience COVID-19 testing disparities relative to other groups. We documented barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 testing and explored how structural vulnerabilities created and/or exacerbated COVID-19 testing barriers.MethodsBetween 2021 and 2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 34 members of structurally vulnerable populations and 27 key informants who provide health and social services to them. Our abductive analysis was iterative, utilizing both inductive and deductive coding processes. Recognizing that adequate and appropriate testing for COVID-19 is a complex health behavior that involves both decision-making and issues related to access, we developed a hybrid model of COVID-19 testing behavior to organize reported barriers. We then used that model for more in-depth analysis of structural vulnerabilities in the context of testing.ResultsOur model of testing behaviors provides a framework for understanding the many barriers and facilitators relevant to COVID-19 testing. After identifying locally-reported barriers, we found that specific conditions—economic precarity, legal precarity, the confusing U.S. healthcare landscape, English-exclusive environments, and stigmatizing medical encounters—make adequate and appropriate testing less likely by making COVID-19 testing feel riskier (entailing legal, financial, and psycho-social risks) and making healthcare, and thus vicariously testing, more difficult to access.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic exposed disparities in health care delivery. To avoid under-testing and its associated health consequences during the next pandemic, public health efforts should address structural conditions to ameliorate risks and bolster testing infrastructure to improve access.
Rate, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection vs. primary infection in readmitted COVID-19 patients in Iran: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Shahrbaf Mohammadamin , Alimohamadi Yousef , Yousefi Arfaei Reza , Salesi Mahmood , Izadi Morteza , Raei Mehdi 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundCorona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has severely impacted global health, resulting in high morbidity and mortality, and overwhelming healthcare systems, particularly in Iran. Understanding reinfection is crucial as it has significant implications for immunity, public health strategies, and vaccine development. This study aims to identify rate and the risk factors associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reinfection and compare the clinical course of initial infection versus reinfection in readmitted COVID-19 patients in Iran.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to the end of 2022 in five hospitals in Iran. The study compared demographic and clinical data, vaccination status, and clinical outcomes between patients with reinfection (defined as a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 at least 90 days after the primary admission) and a control group (patients who had an initial confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection but were not readmitted with a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 at least 90 days after their primary infection). Risk factors for reinfection were evaluated using a regression model. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare post-clinical and laboratory outcomes between the matched case and control groups.ResultsOut of 31,245 patients, 153 (0.49%) experienced reinfections. The reinfection rate was significantly higher during B.1.617.2 and B.1.1.529 variant wave (p &lt; 0.001). After multivariable regression analysis, incomplete vaccination status (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.34–2.31, p = 0.021) and lack of booster vaccination (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.96–3.65, p = 0.001) were the risk factors for reinfection. Furthermore, reinfection was associated with atypical COVID-19 symptoms, and shorter ICU and hospital stays (p &lt; 0.001). The B.1.1.529 variant was significantly more common among reinfected patients (p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 reinfections are more frequently observed during waves of novel variants and are associated with a milder clinical course and shorter hospital stays. Full vaccination and booster doses can effectively reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections.
Assessment of the microbial contamination in “Do It Yourself” (DIY) stores - a holistic approach to protect workers’ and consumers’ health
Authors: Dias Marta , Gomes Bianca , Pena Pedro , Cervantes Renata , Gonçalves Sara , Carolino Elisabete , Twarużek Magdalena , Kosicki Robert , Ałtyn Iwona , Caetano Liliana Aranha , Viegas Susana , Viegas Carla 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionIn “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) stores, workers from the wood department are considered woodworkers. Given the health risks associated with woodworking, particularly from fungi and their metabolites, this study aims to assess microbial contamination and health risks for both workers and customers.MethodsThe study was developed in 13 DIY stores in Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal. It employed a comprehensive sampling approach combining active (MAS-100, Andersen six-stage, Coriolis μ, and SKC Button Aerosol Sampler) and passive (electrostatic dust collectors, surface swabs, e-cloths, settled dust, filters from vacuumed dust, filtering respiratory protection devices, and mechanical protection gloves) methods to assess microbial contamination. A Lighthouse Handheld Particle Counter HH3016- IAQ was used to monitor the particulate matter size, temperature, and humidity.ResultsThe wood exhibition area presented the highest fungal load, while the payment area exhibited the highest bacterial load. MAS-100 detected the highest fungal load, and surface swabs had the highest bacterial load. Penicillium sp. was the most frequently observed fungal species, followed by Aspergillus sp. Mycotoxins, namely mycophenolic acid, griseofulvin, and aflatoxin G1, were detected in settled dust samples and one filter from the vacuum cleaner from the wood exhibition area. Cytotoxicity evaluation indicates the wood-cutting area has the highest cytotoxic potential. Correlation analysis highlights relationships between fungal contamination and particle size and biodiversity differences among sampling methods.DiscussionThe comprehensive approach applied, integrating numerous sampling methods and laboratory assays, facilitated a thorough holistic analysis of this specific environment, enabling Occupational and Public Health Services to prioritize interventions for accurate exposure assessment and detailed risk management.
Aesthetic lip filler augmentation is not free of adverse reactions: lack of evidence-based practice from a systematic review
Authors: Coppini M. , Caponio V. C. A. , Mauceri R. , Pizzo G. , Mauceri N. , Lo Muzio L. , Campisi G. 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionIn the last decades, dermal fillers have gained widespread acceptance for cosmetic purposes since their approval for different health conditions, including lip augmentation and aesthetic intervention of the face. Unfortunately, while filler lip procedures are performed using biomaterials with improved physical characteristics, they are not devoid of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), including those with late-onset.MethodsThis systematic aims to investigate the ADRs associated with lip augmentation procedures using dermal fillers. A systematic review search was conducted in Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science to answer the PEO question: What are the ADRs in patients undergoing lip augmentation procedures with dermal fillers, and how frequent are they?ResultsThe risk of bias was assessed, and a systematic review was conducted. Nineteen studies were included. In total, 30 patients affected by filler lip ADRs were analyzed, of which 29 were females and only 1 was male with a mean age of 50.9 ± 12.8 years. Hyaluronic acid was the most commonly dermal filler used and granulomatous foreign body reaction was the most common filler lip reaction reported. The mean time between filler lip injection and granulomatous foreign body reaction onset was 57.9 ± 54 months (median 24 months).DiscussionNo study reported ADRs to regulatory authorities. Our results indicate that adverse reactions can occur even long-term after the aesthetic procedure. Therefore, ongoing short-term and long-term follow-up visits are essential, as biocompatible materials are not free from ADRs. Additionally, a lack of reporting ADRs to regulatory authorities has emerged, which is crucial for patient safety.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=534656, identifier: CRD42024534656.
Exploring mental functions utilised by male youth team-based ball-sport athletes within academy programs: a systematic review and meta-aggregation
Authors: Whitty Joshua P. , Gray Bon , Milne Nikki 
Published: October 2024

The rise of youth sport academies has led to a focus on long-term athletic development, and exploration into holistic approaches that incorporate psychological attributes to form biopsychosocial frameworks. The primary aim of this systematic review was to profile the psychological attributes of male youth team-based ball-sport athletes in academy-based programs and explore interactions between psychological attributes and athlete participation through the biopsychosocial model, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Six databases; PubMed, SPORTdiscus, Proquest, PsychINFO, Embase and Scopus were searched for relevant publications from root to 14th March 2024. The search returned 3306 records, and after applying the eligibility criteria 51 studies were included at full text and were critically appraised utilising the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Data synthesis revealed 178 mental functions measured across 12 ICF categories, via 66 psychometric tools. Meta-aggregation revealed mean scores for 34 mental functions across eight ICF categories and 12 sub-categories. Male youth team-based ball-sport academy athletes display high levels of orientation to self and high energy levels; moderate to high levels of motivation and self-regulation; moderate levels of psychosocial functions, conscientiousness, regulation of emotion, and organising and planning. Low levels of clinical indicators and burnout were observed. The ICF framework can be utilised as a biopsychosocial framework for sport practitioners looking to profile the multidimensional and complex attributes of team-based ball-sport youth athletes in academy programs.
Systematic Review Registration:https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9CE24.
Accumulative and adaptive responses of maize transpiration, biomass, and yield under continuous drought stress
Authors: Cui Yi , Tang Huiyan , Zhou Yuliang , Jin Juliang , Jiang Shangming 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionContinuous drought stress aggravates agricultural losses and threats food security. However, the responses of crops to continuous drought stress remain uncertain.MethodsTo make up the limitations of field experiment and achieve the setting of multiple continuous drought stress scenarios, AquaCrop model is calibrated and validated using field experiment data of summer maize in 2017 and 2018 seasons. Then, the whole growth processes under different continuous drought stress scenarios at two growth stages of maize are simulated. The quantitative responses of transpiration (Tr), biomass accumulation, and yield formation to continuous drought stress are analyzed.Results and discussionThe results show that when the maize encounters serious drought at the seedling stage, the reduction rates of Tr at the jointing stage, the tasseling stage, and the milking stage are 57.45%, 43.61%, and 5.24%, respectively. Drought stress at a growth stage of maize not only have negative impacts on transpiration and biomass accumulation at this stage, but also have after-effects on these elements at the subsequent stages. In addition, continuous serious drought at the seedling and jointing stages reduces yield by 100%, which is higher than the sum of the loss rates at these two stages [&gt;33.30% + 24.16%)], while the loss rate due to continuous light drought is lower than the sum [20.66% &lt; (18.80% + 12.45%)]. The impact of continuous drought stress at two growth stages generally exceeds the sum of the impacts of the two single stages. Nevertheless, drought at the seedling stage promotes the adaptability of maize to drought, alleviating the negative impacts of light drought at the jointing stage, while the adaptability disappears when drought at the jointing stage is serious. Therefore, in the actual production of maize, serious drought at the seedling stage should be avoided to ensure seed survival. Meanwhile, continuous drought at the seedling and jointing stages should be prevented to reduce the severe accumulative effects, which guides drought disaster reduction and sustainable agricultural production.
A new approach methodology to identify tumorigenic chemicals using short-term exposures and transcript profiling
Authors: Ledbetter Victoria , Auerbach Scott , Everett Logan J. , Vallanat Beena , Lowit Anna , Akerman Gregory , Gwinn William , Wehmas Leah C. , Hughes Michael F. , Devito Michael , Corton J. Christopher 
Published: October 2024

Current methods for cancer risk assessment are resource-intensive and not feasible for most of the thousands of untested chemicals. In earlier studies, we developed a new approach methodology (NAM) to identify liver tumorigens using gene expression biomarkers and associated tumorigenic activation levels (TALs) after short-term exposures in rats. The biomarkers are used to predict the six most common rodent liver cancer molecular initiating events. In the present study, we wished to confirm that our approach could be used to identify liver tumorigens at only one time point/dose and if the approach could be applied to (targeted) RNA-Seq analyses. Male rats were exposed for 4 days by daily gavage to 15 chemicals at doses with known chronic outcomes and liver transcript profiles were generated using Affymetrix arrays. Our approach had 75% or 85% predictive accuracy using TALs derived from the TG-GATES or DrugMatrix studies, respectively. In a dataset generated from the livers of male rats exposed to 16 chemicals at up to 10 doses for 5 days, we found that our NAM coupled with targeted RNA-Seq (TempO-Seq) could be used to identify tumorigenic chemicals with predictive accuracies of up to 91%. Overall, these results demonstrate that our NAM can be applied to both microarray and (targeted) RNA-Seq data generated from short-term rat exposures to identify chemicals, their doses, and mode of action that would induce liver tumors, one of the most common endpoints in rodent bioassays.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of triclosan exposure on human semen quality
Authors: Adegbola Cecilia Adedeji , Akhigbe Tunmise Maryanne , Adeogun Adetomiwa Ezekiel , Tvrdá Eva , Pizent Alica , Akhigbe Roland Eghoghosoa 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionTriclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal compound that is frequently found in personal care and consumer products, and its its impact on male reproductive health is a growing concern. Despite existing experimental studies demonstrating its potential threats to male fertility, reports on its effects on human semen quality remains limited and inconsistent. Therefore, this study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the relationship between triclosan exposure and semen quality.MethodsThis study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024524192) and adhered to PRISMA guidelines.ResultsThe study analyzed 562 screened studies, out of which five articles including 1,312 male subjects were finally included in the study. The eligible studies were geographically diverse, with three from China, one from Belgium, and one from Poland. More so, the eligible studies were both case-control and cross-sectional. The meta-analysis revealed that triclosan exposure significantly reduced sperm concentration (Standard Mean Difference (SMD) −0.42 [95% CI: −0.75, −0.10], P = 0.01) and sperm total motility (SMD −1.30 [95% CI: −2.26, −0.34], P = 0.008). Mechanistic insights from animal and in vitro studies showed that oxidative stress may mediate the adverse effects of triclosan on semen quality.DiscussionThis meta-analysis is the first comprehensive evaluation of the impact of triclosan on human semen quality, highlighting its potential to impair male fertility through reductions in sperm concentration and motility. However, the high heterogeneity among the included studies underscores the need for further high-quality research to establish more definitive conclusions regarding the effects of triclosan exposure on human reproductive health.