bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative study on lubrication properties of biodiesel and bio-lubricant trans-esterified from desert seed oil with conventional lubricants
Authors: Adeoti M. O. , Jamiru T. , Adegbola T. A. , Abdullahi M. , Sulaiman I. , Aramide B.P. 
Published: August 2024

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on renewable and biodegradable energy sources among lubricant manufacturers due to the environmental impacts and limited availability of fossil-based engine oils. Biomass sources present a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional mineral oil sources. This study aims to produce and characterize biodiesel and biolubricant from desert date seed oil through transesterification. The result of the study was compared with the properties of conventional and commercial lubricants. The study employed transesterification to convert desert date seed oil into biodiesel and biolubricant. The produced biolubricant and biodiesel were characterized to determine their kinematic viscosity at 40°C, specific gravity, flash point, and pour point. These properties were then compared with those of other bio-lubricants and commercial base lubricants. For biodiesel, the yield was 56%, with a favorable acid value (0.98 mg KOH/g), iodine value (43.41 mg/g), and saponification value (197.4 mg KOH/g). Although, the specific gravity (1.876) was higher than ASTM standard. However, the flash point (112°C) and cloud point (11°C) were within acceptable ranges. The biolubricant produced from desert date oil showed promising results with a high kinematic viscosity of 67.54 mm2/s, a specific gravity of 1.876, a flash point of 120°C and a pour point (−5°C). These results obviously suggest the produced lubricant a suitable for automotive applications possessing good low-temperature performance. The flash point result and the physicochemical properties of the oil aligned well with industrial standards. The comparisons revealed that the produced biolubricant closely matched the properties of SAE VG 220 and SAE VG 40. The findings suggest that the biolubricant and biodiesel derived from desert date seed oil can serve as a viable substitute for petroleum-based lubricants in light gear applications and can be effectively used in two-stroke engines, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional lubricants.
The digital aspects of the wellbeing of university teachers
Authors: Buda András , Kovács Klára 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionIn the past few decades more and more studies have put the mental health and wellbeing of university lecturers in the limelight, especially considering the fact that lecturers’ scope of responsibilities have been significantly transformed and expanded as a result of the massification and diversification of and structural changes in higher education. These changes intensified the workload, already rather high, thus negatively affecting lecturers’ wellbeing. It is worth investigating how the increasingly marked presence of digital technologies affects the characteristics of teachers’ workload. In this study, we intend to investigate the impact of digitization on the various areas of workload and work activities of university lecturers at a large university with many faculties, on the one hand, and teachers of institutions teaching in minority languages, on the other.MethodsThe online questionnaire compiled and based on the findings of our previous qualitative study was completed by teachers at one of Hungary’s biggest universities, the University of Debrecen, and lecturers at other institutions of higher education providing for the Hungarian ethnic minority across borders and affiliated with the University of Debrecen, altogether 596 people. The database created obtaining the data was named Central and Eastern European Teachers in Higher Education (CEETHE, 2023), IBM SPSS 29 software was used to analyze the data.ResultsDigital technology plays a basic role in lecturers’ work. Its importance is shown by the fact that the majority of respondents (54%) experiences significant or very severe stress in connection to technological problems. The majority of time spent with digital devices is included in working hours, so these technologies play a prominent role in dissolving the boundaries between professional and private life. Furthermore, many people find their use more exhausting than mental work performed without relying on them.ConclusionBy continuously developing the digital competency of university lecturers it is possible to mitigate the stress triggered by technological problems as well as reduce screen time. It is necessary to ensure that institutions of higher education introduce policies that ensure work-life balance for teachers.
The effectiveness of 0.5 mg and 1mg of semaglutide in patients with type two diabetes and predictors of response: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Alenzi Sara , Alzahrani Abdullah , Aljaloud Afnan , Alanazi Kamayel , Alarfaj Sumaiah J. 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundSemaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs) approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at doses up to 1 mg. The results from randomized control trials and real-world studies revealed that weekly semaglutide was associated with significant improvements in HbA1c and body weight. To our knowledge, no study assessed the effectiveness of using semaglutide for patients with T2DM in the Saudi population. We aim to assess the effectiveness of once weekly SC 0.5 and 1 mg of semaglutide on HbA1c and weight reduction in patients with T2DM in the Saudi population within 12 months of use, evaluate the predictors of response, and compare the effect of the two doses.MethodThis is a retrospective cohort study conducted at Security Force Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Using electronic medical records of patients with type two diabetes who received semaglutide 0.5 or 1 mg for a total duration of at least 12 months of use.ResultsWithin the study period of semaglutide use, HbA1c significantly decreased from baseline by -2.1% (-2.3 to -1.91, 95% CI) (P &lt;0.001). While the mean change in weight was -6.19 kg (-6.66 to -5.72, 95% CI) (P&lt;0.001). Moreover, BMI, FBG, total cholesterol, LDL, and TG all decreased significantly from baseline (p&lt;0.001). When comparing the sub-groups of 0.5 and 1 mg doses, although results were numerically favorable of 1 mg, there were no statistically significant differences in HbA1c % (-2.1 ± 1.8 vs. -2.1 ± 1.9, p-value= 0.934, respectively), and weight (-6.1 ± 5 vs. -6.2 ± 4.4 kg, p-value=0.837, respectively). Significant predictors of HbA1c reduction were the duration of DM, baseline HbA1c, and insulin therapy. While the significant predictor for weight reduction was insulin therapy.ConclusionThis study is document the effectiveness of once-weekly SC semaglutide on glycemic control and weight loss in real-world practice. We recommend a starting goal dose of 0.5 mg and gradual increase of dose based individual patient response. further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of various semagltude doses.
Causality between herpes virus infections and allograft dysfunction after tissue and organ transplantation: a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Qiu Xiaojuan , Ma Tianjiao , Zhao Shishun , Zheng Zongyu 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundObservational studies have suggested that herpes virus infections increase the risk of allograft dysfunction after tissue and organ transplantation, but it is still unclear whether this association is causal. The aim of this study was to assess the causal relationship between four herpes virus infections and allograft dysfunction.MethodsWe used two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causality between four herpes virus infections — cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) — and allograft dysfunction after tissue and organ transplantation. Based on summary data extracted from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we chose eligible single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables. The Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main analysis method, supplemented by Weighted median and MR-Egger analyses. The MR-PRESSO test, MR-Egger intercept test, heterogeneity test, leave-one-out analysis and funnel plot were used to analyze the sensitivity of MR results.ResultsWe found EBV early antigen-D (EA-D) antibody levels and shingles were the only two variables associated with an increased risk of allograft dysfunction. No evidence of allograft dysfunction increasing the risk of the four herpes virus infections was observed. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of our results.ConclusionsOur results suggest that EBV and VZV are involved in graft rejection or dysfunction. However, the relationship between CMV and HSV infections and allograft dysfunction remains unclear and requires further clarification.
Immunological characterization of IgG subclass deficiency reveals decreased Tregs and increased circulating costimulatory and regulatory immune checkpoints
Authors: Wågström Per , Hjorth Maria , Appelgren Daniel , Björkander Janne , Dahle Charlotte , Nilsson Mats , Nilsdotter-Augustinsson Åsa , Ernerudh Jan , Nyström Sofia 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundImmunoglobulin G subclass deficiencies (IgGsd) comprise a wide clinical spectrum from no symptoms to repeated respiratory infections and risk for the development of lung damage. Our aims were to investigate whether the immunological phenotype of IgGsd patients on and off immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT) was reflected in the clinical features of IgGsd.MethodThirty patients with IgGsd were included in this prospective study of 18 months of IgRT, followed by 7-18 months of IgRT discontinuation. Blood samples were collected when patients were on and off IgRT and compared with samples from 34 cross-sectional healthy controls. An in-depth lymphocyte phenotyping was performed by flow cytometry and plasma levels of immune checkpoints were assessed.ResultsIgG3 subclass deficiency was most common. Patients with IgGsd had decreased levels of activated T cells and B cells and plasma levels of negative immune checkpoint molecules correlated negatively with T cell and B cell activation. The decreased T cell activation level was unaffected by IgRT, while the B cell activation was partly restored. Of note, decreased levels of activated regulatory T cells (Tregs) were found in IgGsd patients and was partly restored during IgRT. The profile of comorbidities did not associate with Treg levels.DiscussionIgGsd is associated with decreased B cell and T cell activation including Tregs, and increased plasma levels of negative immune checkpoint molecules. The consequence of reduced activated Tregs in IgGsd remains unclear. Decreased immune cell activation was partly restored during IgRT, demonstrating that IgRT may contribute to improved immune function in patients with IgGsd.
Effects of season and water quality on community structure of planktonic eukaryotes in the Chaohu Lake Basin
Authors: Zhang Yan , Han Maozhen , Wu Li , Ding Guoao , Liu Kai , He Kui , Zhao Jingqiu , Liao Yiwen , Gao Yun , Zhang Cui 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionAnalyzing the correlation between planktonic eukaryotic communities (PECs) and aquatic physicochemical parameters (APPs) provides important references for predicting the impact of climate change and human activities on aquatic ecosystems.MethodsTo assess the influence of seasons and APPs on PEC structures in lakes and rivers, we utilized high-throughput sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene to analyze PEC structures in a lake and seven rivers in the Chaohu Lake Basin and analyzed their correlations with APPs.ResultsOur results revealed that PEC structure was significantly affected by season, with the highest α-diversity observed in summer. Furthermore, we identified several APPs, including water temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, phosphate, total phosphorus, trophic level index (TLI), nitrate, ammonia nitrogen, and total nitrogen, that significantly influenced PEC structures. Specifically, we found that Stephanodiscus hantzschii, Simocephalus serrulatus, Cryptomonas sp. CCAC_0109, Pedospumella encystans, Actinochloris sphaerica, Chlamydomonas angulosa, Gonyostomum semen, Skeletonema potamos, Chlamydomonas klinobasis, Pedospumella sp., and Neochlorosarcina negevensis were significantly correlated to TLI, while Limnoithona tetraspina, Theileria sp., and Pseudophyllomitus vesiculosus were significantly correlated to the water quality index (WQI). However, our random forest regression analysis using the top 100 species was unable to accurately predict the WQI and TLI.DiscussionThese results provide valuable data for evaluating the impact of APPs on PEC and for protecting water resource in the Chaohu Lake Basin.
Contribution of advanced neuroimaging in diagnosis of cerebral syphilitic gumma: a case report
Authors: Shen Xinyi , Zhu Zhengyang , Li Xin , Zhang Wen , Zhang Xin , Zhang Bing 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundCerebral syphilitic gumma is a rare intracranial infectious disorder. Without a clear history of syphilis and comprehensive serological examinations, it’s challenging to diagnose it accurately prior to surgery through routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Advanced neuroimaging techniques have been widely used in diagnosing brain tumors, yet there’s limited report on their application in cerebral syphilitic gumma. This report presents a case of an elderly male patient with cerebral syphilitic gumma and analyzes its characteristics of advanced neuroimaging.Case presentationA 68-year-old male patient was admitted to our institution presenting with bilateral hearing loss complicated with continuing headaches without obvious cause. Laboratory tests indicated positive treponema pallidum. Conventional MRI showed nodules closely related to the adjacent meninges in bilateral temporal lobes. The patient underwent surgical resection of the nodule in the right temporal lobe due to the mass effect and the final pathological diagnosis revealed cerebral syphilitic gumma.ConclusionsWith the return of syphilis in recent years, accurate diagnosis of cerebral syphilitic gumma is a matter of great urgency. Advanced neuro-MRI can serve as a significant complement to conventional MRI examination.
Parent-child skin carotenoid level and vegetable intake relationships in users of children’s cafeterias in Japan
Authors: Kurotani Kayo , Ohkawara Kazunori , Takimoto Hidemi 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionStudies on the relationship between parental and child dietary intakes are limited in Asian populations. Here, we examined parent-child relationships in skin carotenoid levels and vegetable intake in a Japanese community.MethodsThe study participants were 58 children aged 6–15 years and 39 of their guardians (parents) using children’s cafeterias. Skin carotenoid levels were measured using the Veggie Meter®, and the number of vegetable dishes (equivalent to a serving of 70 g) was evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire.ResultsThe mean (standard deviation; SD) skin carotenoid levels were 366.8 (74.0) in children and 315.0 (101.4) in parents. The partial correlation coefficient between parents’ and children’s skin carotenoid levels, adjusting for cafeteria, sex, parental dietary supplement use, and household financial status, was 0.38 (P = 0.02); after adjustment for smoking status and BMI, the positive correlation was attenuated (r = 0.25, P = 0.14). A positive correlation was observed between parents’ and children’s vegetable dish intake (r = 0.30, P = 0.02).ConclusionThis cross-sectional study identified a positive correlation between parent-child intake of vegetable dishes, accounting for potential confounders. However, the positive correlation observed between parent-child skin carotenoid levels may have been attenuated by internal factors such as smoking and obesity.
Association between dietary copper, iron, zinc, selenium intake and osteopenia or osteoporosis in elderly hypertensive patients: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Mingji , Jia Long , Gao Rufeng 
Published: August 2024

AimThe study aimed to investigate the link between dietary copper, iron, zinc, selenium intake with osteopenia and osteoporosis in elderly hypertensive patients.MethodsThe data of hypertensive patients were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2010, 2013–2014, and 2017–2018. Data of dietary iron, zinc, copper and selenium intakes were obtained according to 24-h diet recall interviews. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were determined based on the bone mineral density. Weighted liner regression and weighted logistic regression were employed to assess the association between iron, zinc, copper, and selenium intakes with osteopenia and osteoporosis. All results were presented as β, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsIn total, 5,286 elderly hypertensive patients were included. Among them, 2,961 (56.02%) patients have osteopenia, and 566 (10.71%) have osteoporosis. After adjusting all covariates, dietary copper intake ≥the recommended daily allowance was positively correlated with bone mineral density on total femur (β = 0.086, 95% CI: 0.021–0.152) and femoral neck (β = 0.097, 95% CI: 0.016–0.178). Dietary zinc intake ≥the recommended daily allowance was also positively correlated with bone mineral density on total femur (β = 0.092, 95% CI: 0.030–0.153) and femoral neck (β = 0.122, 95% CI: 0.050–0.193). Dietary copper (O = 0.581, 95% CI: 0.394–0.858) and zinc (OR = 0.595, 95% CI: 0.429–0.827) intake ≥the recommended daily allowance levels were related to increased odds of osteoporosis in elderly with hypertension.ConclusionHigher dietary copper and zinc intake was associated with lower odds of osteoporosis in the elderly hypertensive patients. Higher dietary intake included copper and zinc may be beneficial for the bone health in the elderly hypertensive patients.
Adaptability and nutritional analysis of a newly isolated Chlorella sp. NeZha in brackish and marine environments with potential bioeconomic impacts
Authors: Yuan Shuai , Du Ming , Li Xianhui , Xu Ke , Zhang Kaining , Liu Xiaoya , Wang Jiangxin 
Published: August 2024

IntroductionThe microalga Chlorella sp. NeZha, recently isolated from a balcony environment, shows significant adaptability across various salinity conditions, including seawater (SeaW), freshwater (FreshW), and high salinity levels (45‰). This study investigates its potential for sustainable aquaculture and biotechnological applications.MethodsMorphological and genetic identification were conducted using optical microscopy and DNA sequencing. The microalga was cultivated in a 400 L outdoor photobioreactor, and its biochemical composition, including chlorophyll a, carbohydrate, protein, and lipid content, was analyzed. Its compatibility with zooplankton and growth in aquaculture wastewater were also evaluated.ResultsChlorella sp. NeZha produced chlorophyll a at concentrations exceeding seaweed and Spirulina by 10- and 5-fold, respectively, with a dry weight chlorophyll a content of 34.25 mg/g and 25 pg./cell. The microalga also contained carbohydrate (~33%), protein (~20%), and lipids (~14%). It was compatible with zooplankton species, such as rotifers and brine shrimp, and showed promising growth in aquaculture wastewater.DiscussionThe findings suggest that Chlorella sp. NeZha is a viable candidate for sustainable aquaculture and biotechnological applications, offering high nutritional value and environmental resilience. Its adaptability to diverse salinity conditions and ability to thrive in wastewater highlight its potential for bioremediation and use as feedstock for zooplankton. Further research is recommended to optimize its cultivation and explore broader applications.
The signature genes of cuproptosis associates with tumor immune microenvironment and predicts prognosis in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Shuhan , Lv Shijie , Li Xi , Lu Weiguo , Chen Shengjie 
Published: August 2024

BackgroundCuproptosis is a new form of cell death, which has great potential to be developed in tumors treatment. Our study aimed to explore the predictive value of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in various cancers, with a focus on kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC).MethodA total of 9502 pan-cancer patients from TCGA cohort were enrolled. The relationships between CRGs and overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) enrichment analysis was performed to explore the expression differences of CRGs. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between GSVA scores and patient survival. KEGG and GO analyses were employed to identify the biological functions and pathways. The expression and prognostic characteristics of FDX1 were examined to evaluate the correlation between FDX1 and KIRC. Cell experiments were conducted to verify whether FDX1 was involved in cuproptosis of Caki-1 cells induced by Elesclomol.ResultsPositive cuproptosis signature genes(pos.cu.sig) exhibited the correlation with prognosis in KIRC, and all of these genes showed differential expression between KIRC and normal tissues. The GSVA score of pos.cu.sig was associated with excellent survival (HR=0.61, P&lt;0.05), which can also serve as an independent prognostic factor for KIRC. There was a close correlation between pos.cu.sig and the tumor immune microenvironment in KIRC by KEGG and GO analysis. FDX1 expression was correlated with KIRC grade and positively associated with prognosis in KIRC patients. Compared with the control group, cell proliferation and migration were significantly inhibited, FDX1 expression was up-regulated, and Fe-S cluster protein content was decreased of Caki-1 cells after Elesclomol treatment.ConclusionsThis study provides compelling evidence that cuproptosis is closely linked to the prognosis of KIRC. FDX1 holds promise as a viable biomarker and therapeutic target for assessing the effectiveness of tumor immunotherapy in KIRC.