bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ononin, a natural isoflavone glycoside, alleviates postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged mice by regulating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress
Authors: Li Ming , Peng Qingmei , Chen Changlin , Li Jiang , Zhu Min , Liu Qilin , Yang Simin , Gong Cansheng , Lin Jingyan , Yu Qingbo 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common and serious neurological complication. Currently, there is no effective clinical prevention and treatment for POCD. Ononin has been confirmed to exhibit potent neuroprotective effects in many diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether ononin could exert a neuroprotective role against POCD. The animal model of POCD was established in 18-month-old aged mice with unilateral nephrectomy. Ononin (30 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to aged mice 15 min before surgery. On postoperative day 3, the Morris water maze and open field tests were used to assess the changes in cognitive function. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were employed to examine the hippocampal levels of Iba1 and microglial activation on postoperative day 3, respectively. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to gauge the expression of hippocampal IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α on days 1 and 3 postsurgery. To reflect the oxidative stress status, the levels of hippocampal malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were detected using the corresponding assay kits on postoperative days 1 and 3. We found that anesthesia/surgery induced overt memory deficits in aged mice. Conversely, ononin pretreatment significantly rescued the cognitive impairment. Mechanically, anesthesia/surgery triggered acute increases in hippocampal IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, Iba1, and MDA, paralleled by a decline in SOD activity. This phenomenon was also partially reversed by ononin. Our findings provide evidence that ononin may ameliorate anesthesia/surgery-induced cognitive deficits through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which could be a novel preventive therapeutic strategy for POCD in elderly patients.
Cardiogenic Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Asztalos Ivor B , Hill Stephanie N , Schachtner Susan K , Palm Kelsey J , Nash Dutsin B 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Context: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a known cause of morbidity and mortality in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD), but reports about the burden of cardiogenic NEC frequently conflict.
Objective: To synthesize the extant literature on the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of NEC in patients with CHD.
Data Sources and Study Selection: Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE were searched from 1946 through 2023 for studies of NEC in infants 0-12 months of age with CHD.
Data Extraction: Risk of bias was assessed with validated tools for incidence and risk factors. Pooled estimates were meta-analyzed by risk of bias or synthesized without meta-analysis.
Results: Ninety-nine studies with a total of 100,809 participants were included. The incidence of cardiogenic NEC was 7.1% (95% CI 4.7-10.5%) in term infants and 13.0% (10.2-16.5%) in low birthweight preterm infants. NEC required surgery in 0.8% (0.5-1.1%) of term and 2.7% (2.0-3.7%) of premature infants, respectively. Only gestational age and birth weight were consistently associated with risk of NEC.
Limitations: Restricting pooled estimates to studies of moderate or low risk of bias significantly reduced the number of studies included.
Conclusions: Necrotizing enterocolitis is a common cause of morbidity in infants with CHD, but additional research is needed to determine which infants are at highest risk of developing NEC and would benefit most from a change in management.
Other: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to a prespecified protocol registered at the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021282114).
Impact of targeted interventions on healthcare-acquired infection prevention and control of Clostridium difficile infections
Authors: Zhang Sisi , Duan Juping , Zhang Lina , Liu Sidi , Meng Xiujuan , Peng Xiaobei , Liu Wei , Wu Anhua , Li Chunhui 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is one of the major causative factors leading to antibiotic-associated hospital-acquired and infectious diarrhea. Because C. difficile spores can be transmitted between healthcare systems, healthcare workers have become a key target for preventing and controlling C. difficile infection.
Methods
We conducted a 6-month intervention and collected 776 patients with diarrhea and 72 cases with hospital-onset C. difficile infection (HO-CDI) in Xiangya Hospital’s intensive care units (ICU). We created a questionnaire on prevention and control knowledge of C. difficile infection, investigated the correctness of healthcare workers' answers before and after the training, statistically described the use of antimicrobial drugs, and judged the validity of this study as a result of the rates of C. difficile infection and morbidities in the three phases.
Results
The rates of three-stage C. difficile infection (13.3%vs.8.79%vs.6.5%) and morbidities rate/10,000 hospital days (117.14%vs.99.30%vs.71.63%) decreased gradually. After the training, the knowledge, attitude, and practice on prevention and control of C. difficile infection among healthcare workers were much improved. Among all diarrhea patients, there was a decreasing trend in the utilization of cefoperazone sulbactam (P < 0.001), imipenem (P = 0.047), tigecycline (P = 0.044) in all three phases, and an increase in cefoxitin (P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the three phases of antimicrobial utilization among hospital-onset C. difficile infection patients.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that our training of healthcare workers on C. difficile infection was effective, enhancing healthcare workers' prevention and control awareness of C. difficile infection effectively reducing incidences and morbidities of C. difficile infection, and emphasizing the importance of healthcare workers in the healthcare process.
Multiple Linear Regression Modeling in Determining the Contribution of Landshape Factors on the Quantitative Attributes and Diversity of Trees
Authors: Abedi Roya 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
: Mountainous forests are a major part of the northwestern forests of Iran that are tasked to protect biodiversity. Therefore, mountainous conditions create diversity in landforms. Multiple linear regression models are used to create ‎the relationships between different attributes of the forest stands and various landforms to assess other characteristics ‎indirectly‎. In protective forests, the basal area and species diversity are the main attributes that are considered significant factors in forest planning and management. The main objective of current study was to understand the association of basal area and tree species diversity index with DBH, tree height, canopy cover, and landform indices in a natural mixed-species protected forest in northwest of Iran and develop estimation equations by using a multiple linear regression model.
Methods
The data collection from direct measurements of the stand to obtain the basic data (tree characteristics used to estimate the volume, basal area, etc.) was the systematic random method in various topographic conditions with diverse slopes and aspects located in Arasbaran forest, in the east Azarbayjan province of northwest Iran. After the data collection, in the second stage of the study, the dependent (basal area and diversity index) and independent (forest attributes and landform indices) variables were determined and the relationship between the factors was evaluated with the help of the multiple linear regression statistical method.
Results
The results of multiple linear regression showed that the Shannon diversity index was influenced by tree height, tree average crown diameter, AspE, TRASP, and SEI land shape indices. Cohen's f2 effect size of factors was 0.252, which is in the medium effect size range. In addition, we found that the basal area of trees was influenced by tree dbh, crown area, AspE, and SEI land shape indices. Cohen's f2 effect size was in the strong effect size category (0.323). In general, the multiple linear regression model results in the present study showed that the independent variables had a significant effect on dependent variables and these effects were at an acceptable level in the most cases.
Discussion
Our study highlights that modifications in basal area and diversity were corrected with landform indices which can be used as a base for organizing forest management plans including basal area increasing in protects forests with low commercial volume objects.
Development of a Molecular Assay for the Determination of Eimeria tenella Oocyst Viability
Authors: Kruth Perryn S , Whale Julia , Léveillé Alexandre N , Brisbin Jennifer , Barta John R 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Coccidiosis is a cosmopolitan disease with major impacts on the commercial poultry industry. The causative agents, Apicomplexan parasites of the genus Eimeria, infect epithelial cells of the intestine causing diarrhea, secondary infections, and negatively impacting meat or egg production. The infective parasite stage, the oocyst, is shed in feces and must sporulate over several days in the environment to reach infectivity. The number of viable, sporulated oocysts ingested is proportional to the severity of disease. The self-limiting and highly immunogenic nature of infection by Eimeria spp. make live vaccination an effective means of coccidiosis control. High prevalence of drug resistance and consumer demand for poultry products with no “human medically important antibiotics” or raised without antibiotics indicates an increasing role for vaccination in the control of coccidiosis going forward. Paramount to vaccine efficacy is the ability to administer precise numbers of viable oocysts to stimulate the development of immunity without causing disease. Unfortunately, no rapid and accurate method for determination of oocyst viability is presently available. Time-consuming and expensive live-infection trials are the current gold standard. Work completed for this study demonstrated the development of a molecular assay for the determination of Eimeria tenella Tyzzer, 1929 oocyst viability. The assay used the quantification of specific biomolecules to assess changes in gene expression in response to heat stimulation that indicates viability of a sample of oocysts. Data showed strong predictive value for infectivity of an oocyst sample as confirmed by oocyst output (fecundity) in infection trials. Use of the assay would be low cost compared to the planning, resources, execution, and data collection required for infection trials. Additionally, the assay was shown to offer results in hours versus days for the live infection trials. Development of this first-generation assay paves the way for further development of assays for the determination of viability in mixed species samples (multivalent vaccines), for vaccine quality control at hatcheries, and with application in environmental monitoring (“early warning” programs) and on-farm diagnostics.
Identification and structural characterization of novel bacteriocins by genome-wide screening of hypothetical mini-proteins in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Dutta Anirudha , Deb Suman , Dasgupta Bishista , Khatoon Aleya , Mal Arpita , Kauser Taskeen 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized small antimicrobial peptides secreted by bacteria to overcome colonization resistance from closely related competitive microorganisms. Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen, that colonizes the skin and nasal cavity of healthy individuals and causes both superficial and systemic infections. The bacteriocins are the primary tool of S. aureus to compete with other members of the human microbiota for effective colonization. Different S. aureus strains produce various bacteriocins with widely diverse target organisms, which are mostly unexplored. Identification of new bacteriocins and their target organism can help us to understand the ecology of the S. aureus infection and lead to finding better treatment. Moreover, bacteriocins can help in the alternative treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections as well as have major applications in food preservation and agriculture. A large section of the S. aureus genome encodes small proteins consisting of 100 or fewer amino acids called mini-proteins. Analyzing the amino acid sequence of the hypothetical mini-proteins for the co-occurrence of antimicrobial activity and signal for extracellular secretion, seven novel bacteriocins genes are identified from S. aureus NCTC 8325. Newly identified bacteriocin genes are found to have stress and starvation inducible upstream regulatory elements, which upregulate bacteriocin production in nutrient-limited or colonization-resistant induced stress environments. The identified peptides have a high net positive charge, which facilitates interaction with negatively charged bacterial membranes. Ab initio modeling of the peptides, molecular dynamic simulation and structural comparison with known AMPs identified structural elements important for membrane disruption and bactericidal activity.
Future options and their impact on the life cycle assessment and life cycle costing of Segment C/D passenger vehicles
Authors: Golkaram Milad , Ligthart Tom , Yildiran Aylin , Mehta Rajesh , Vogels Jack J.T.W.E. , Ferjan Spela , Someren Eugene 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Electrification is needed to improve the environmental performance of the transportation sector but must be accompanied by technological innovations that eliminate ecological hotspots over the vehicle’s lifetime. Additionally, the lifetime costs of electric vehicles must be reduced. This study uses the battery electric vehicle sustainability impact assessment model (BEVSIM) to analyse the effects of potential changes in recycled plastic content and its waste treatment, electricity grid, and the price of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Using recycled content in plastic parts improved their environmental performance in all categories except land use; e.g. using 40% recycled plastic reduced 107 kg CO2 eq. per passenger vehicle. Applying a combination of mechanical and pyrolysis technologies for plastic recycling improved several impact categories. However, a trade-off exists for a few impact categories. Finally, using 2030 and 2050 forecasts of electricity grid mixes revealed lifecycle CO2 emissions for BEVs to be 50% and 56% lower than ICE, respectively.
Population and community macroinvertebrates characterization in ephemeral stream in north Patagonian perennial forest relict (Rucamanque, 38°S, Araucanía, Chile)
Authors: Ríos-Escalante Patricio De los , González-Arratia Marcos , Cid-Alda Fernanda , Baaloudj Affef 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The benthic macroinvertebrates in Patagonian streams are characterized by the presence of abundant aquatic insect larvae stages and crustaceans that can be used as water quality bioindicators. The studied site is an ephemeral stream, present only during rainy season and located in Rucamanque, a north patagonian park that is a relict of pristine perennial forest located at the northwest side of Temuco city. Benthic macroinvertebrates were first studied at population level, considering the spatial distribution of the taxa reported to determine if macroinvertebrates have a random, uniform or aggregated pattern with respective Poisson, binomial and negative binomial distribution. As second step, data were studied at community scale using null models, based on random presence on species co-occurrence and niche sharing. The results revealed that taxa such as Nematoda, presented a random and in consequence a Poisson distribution, while other groups such as Neuroperlopsis sp. (Plecoptera order), Psephenidae (Diptera order) and Aegla sp. (Decapoda order) presented a uniform with binomial distribution, and species from Diptera order such as; Tipulidae, Simulidae, Chironomidae, from Plecoptera order such as Diamphinopsis sp., from Ephenoptera order such as Leptophlebiidae and Chiloporter sp, from order Trichoptera (Smicridea sp) and Oligochaeta (Tubifex sp.) presented an aggregated negative binomial distribution. The results of null models’ analysis revealed that species associations were random, whereas the taxa share niche due interspecific competition. The exposed results of spatial distribution and null models were similar to previous observations in other Patagonian pristine rivers. At population level, only Nematoda had random distribution whereas at community level the random presence of species co-occurrence is due the presence of low species number with many repeated taxa by sample, that also would have niche sharing.
Better together: Combining expert and citizen science data improves our understanding of occurrence patterns of lynx and wolves in Lower Saxony, Germany
Authors: Ludolphy Catharina , Gräber Reinhild , Strauß Egbert , Klages Inga , Reding Raoul , Anders Ole , Middelhoff Tomma Lilli , Balkenhol Niko 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The return of the two large carnivores wolf and lynx to the federal state of Lower Saxony, Germany, is a conservation success story. However, their return is accompanied by conflicts, which have to be resolved by comprehensive management strategies. Basis for such management is rigorous monitoring of spatial and temporal occurrence patterns of both species. Currently, there are two different monitoring approaches executed in Lower Saxony: the official one, established with the species’ return, is based on reporting opportunistic findings by the general public complemented with systematic camera trap surveys and scat searches. The other approach was implemented in 2014 as part of the “Wildlife Survey Lower Saxony”, an annual questionnaire sent out to owners and tenants of hunting districts, with the goal to obtain state-wide information on huntable wildlife. In this study, we therefore aimed to compare both monitoring approaches in terms of general, spatial and temporal congruence using an internal classification scheme. We showed that the different monitoring approaches provide similar information on the general development of lynx and wolf occurrence across Lower Saxony. Spatial differences were mainly found at the edges of known distributional ranges. In terms of temporal dynamics, the wildlife survey data seemed to be slightly ahead of the official monitoring programmes. We also found species-related differences, which may be related to different attitudes towards the two species. Overall, our findings indicate that the different approaches complement each other and inferences on species occurrence should be made in conjunction of the two data sets.
The impact of chemical fertilizer placement on crude protein synthesis in different organs of forage maize growing in semi-arid areas in China
Authors: wang hongli , Zhang guoping , Ma mingsheng , Fang yanjie , Hou huizhi , Lei kangning , Yin jiade 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

[Aim] Fertilizer placement affects the absorption and transport of nutrients, certainly affects protein synthesis in crops. This study aimed to elucidate the impact and regulation mechanisms of chemical fertilizer placement on crude protein synthesis in different organs of forage maize.
[Methods] The nitrogen/potassium (N/K) ratio, the activities of nitrate reductase [NR], glutamine synthetase [GS], and glutamic pyruvic transaminase [GPT], crude protein content in leaves, stems, and grains, as well as the relationships among the parameters were explored.
[Results] Deep fertilization (DF) significantly improved the N/K ratio. NR activity in DF increased by 26.30%, 35.56%, and 57.30% in leaves, stems, and grains when compared to conventional fertilization (CF), and by 54.22%, 43.27%, and 28.44% when compared to average fertilization (AF). GS activity in DF increased by 29.67%, 47.96%, and 47.46% in leaves, stems, and grains when compared to CF, and by 40.05%, 31.51%, and 40.62% when compared to AF. GPT activity in DF was significantly higher than CF and AF in grains and differences between treatments were significant. Crude protein content was significantly correlated with NR and GS activities in leaves, GPT activity in stems, as well as GS and GPT activities in grains. Crude protein content of leaves and grains in DF was significantly highert than CF and AF.
[Conclusion] DF significantly improvd crude protein synthesis, increased the crude protein content of forage maize by increasing the whole plant N/K ratio, NR and GS activities in leaves, as well as GS and GPT activities in grains.
Multifunctional Waveguide Design: Supercontinuum Generation, Modulation,
and Sensing with Photonic Crystal Arrays
Authors: Bigdeli Mahdi , Amirmazlaghani Mina 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Waveguides, with their ability to control electromagnetic wave propagation, underpin diverse technologies requiring precise light manipulation. Supercontinuum (SC) generation within waveguides offers broadband light sources vital for advanced imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy. This work addresses the need for highly efficient and versatile SC sources by exploring advanced waveguide designs. A focus is placed on materials like chalcogenide glasses, known for their superior nonlinear properties, and planar configurations enabling on-chip integration. We present a novel photonic crystal-enhanced waveguide, tailored for operation within the telecommunications wavelength range. Designed for supercontinuum generation, modulation, and sensing, this innovation offers a pathway towards multifunctional optical devices with far-reaching applications in communications and medicine. Additionally, we propose a suspended-core As$_2$Se$_3$
tapered rib waveguide configuration. Simulations demonstrate a broad SC spectrum ($1-1.6$ \textmu m) from this compact design, addressing challenges associated with fabrication complexity and loss. These results contribute to the ongoing development of more efficient and adaptable SC sources.
An Atypical Presentation of Autoimmune Hepatitis with Delayed Menarche in a Nigerian Adolescent: Case Report
Authors: Asogwa Promise Udoka , Basil Bruno , Adiri Winifred Njideka , Ugwu Nelson , Anigbo Gideon Ekene , Offia Evaristus , Orjioke Casmir 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease characterized by immune-mediated inflammation, necrosis, and potential progression to cirrhosis if not managed appropriately. This case report describes a rare presentation of AIH in a 16-year-old Nigerian adolescent with atypical features, including delayed menarche and bilateral leg swelling, but without jaundice which is a common symptom of liver dysfunction. The patient was initially misdiagnosed with other conditions before being correctly identified as having Type 1 Autoimmune Hepatitis following appropriate diagnostic evaluation, which included liver function tests, imaging, and autoantibody tests. She responded favourably to treatment with corticosteroids and azathioprine but her serum albumin remained low due to pre-existing cirrhosis. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of AIH, particularly in resource-limited settings where diagnosis of infectious liver diseases often overshadows autoimmune conditions. The delay in diagnosis and treatment emphasizes the need for increased awareness and improved diagnostic resources in the sub-African region. Early intervention with immunosuppressive therapy is crucial for managing AIH and preventing progression to advanced liver disease. This report further emphasizes the importance of a high index of suspicion for AIH in adolescents with unexplained liver disease, even in the absence of classic symptoms.