bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Betulin, a Compound Isolated from Crinum asiaticum Bulbs Exerted Anti-Silicosis and Pulmonoprotective Effects Through the Inhibition of NF-κB activation in Rat model
Authors: Ofori Michael , Danquah Cynthia Amaning , Asante Joshua , Taribu Alhassan Abdul-Nasir , Sulemana Faisal , Asamoah Williams Adu , Anim Rechael Owusu , Gyan Prince 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Backgroung
Silicosis is an interstitial lung disease that causes shortness of breath, cough, fever, and blue skin and causes a heavy burden to patients both physically and mentally. Silicosis at the moment has no effective treatment, and patients depend on bronchodilators, antitussives, and mucolytic medicines for survival. After all other treatment alternatives have been exhausted, lung transplantation may be the sole choice. Betulin (BET) isolated from Crinum asiaticum bulbs (CAE) has exhibited a multitude of powerful pharmacological properties ranging from antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-microbial, and anti-viral activities. This work sought to investigate the anti-silicosis and pulmonoprotective effects of betulin and CAE as well as elucidating the possible mechanism in mitigating pulmonary silicosis in crystalline silica induced silicosis in rat model.
Method
In this study, anti-silicosis and pulmonoprotective effects of BET and CAE were investigated after rat models were subjected to lung injury through an intratracheal administration of crystalline silica. Rats were critically observed for morphological changes and were sacrificed. Lungs were harvested for biochemical and histological analysis.
Results
The results showed that CAE and BET reduced significantly (****p < 0.0001) the levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, hydroxyproline, collagen types I and III when compared with the negative control group. On broncho alveoli lavage fluid (BALF) biomarkers such as macrophages, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils, CAE and BET were able to reduce their levels significantly (****p < 0.0001). The CAE and BET were investigated for their anti-oxidant activity and were shown to increase the levels of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) while lowering the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). There was also an improvement in lung function when lung tissues were examined histologically.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CAE and BET possessed anti-silicosis effect and occurred through the down regulation of NF-κB and some pro-inflammatory cytokines and also acted as protective mechanisms, facilitating the preservation of the lung’s physiological integrity. The outcome of this study could for serve as leads in drug discovery in the production of anti-silicosis agents
From Imaging to Prognosis: Crafting Clinical Nomograms Based on a Multi-Sequence MRI Radiomics Model for Non- Invasive Glioma Survival Prediction
Authors: Fan Xiao , Zhang Hongjian , Huang Bin , Tao Jincheng , Li Jintan , Zhang Min , Zhang Hang , Hu Xixi , Wang Xiefeng , You Yongping , Zhang Junxia , Luo Hui , Yu Yun , Wang Yingyi 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
High incidence and malignancy call for non-invasive pre-surgery survival prediction in gliomas. Radiomics serves as a mature solution bridging this gap.
Methods
We retrospectively collected preoperative MRI from 353 patients with diffuse gliomas, comprising 108 from our institution (Center1) and 137 from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset (TCGA) as the training cohort, with an external 108 cases from Center1 serving as an independent test cohort. Radiomic features were automatically extracted from MRI, including structural image of T1WI, T2WI, T1CE, FLAIR, and functional image of DWI (b = 1000), and ADC maps. Following a series of feature engineering and machine learning procedures, features were selected to construct the prognostic model, culminating in the radiomics survival biomarker (RadSurv). The efficacy of individual structural and functional sequences and their combinations were evaluated at all glioma, glioblastoma (GBM) and non-GBM levels using the concordance index (C-index). The optimal all-sequence combination model's RadSurv then underwent Kaplan-Meyer analysis and Cox regression analysis, and we finally developed nomograms.
Results
T1CE, ADC and FLAIR led single-sequence performance, while DWI lagged. T1CE was optimal for all glioma (C-index = 0.799) and GBM (C-index = 0.706), whereas ADC for non-GBM (C-index = 0.917). Multi-sequence combinations didn't improve predictions (C-index Glioma = 0.787, C-index GBM = 0.689, C-index non−GBM = 0.893), but them win over adaptability. RadSurv effectively stratified risk for the all glioma, GBM and non-GBM populations through three predetermined cut-off values. Multivariate Cox regression confirmed RadSurv as an independent prognostic factor. The nomogram, constructed from RadSurv and age, accurately predicted survival probabilities and median survival times for glioma patients at various time points, especially for GBM.
Conclusions
The preoperative radiomics model's prognostic biomarker, RadSurv, effectively stratifies risk in glioma patients and, through nomograms, enables precise and quantifiable predictions of patient survival outcomes, warranting its utilization in clinical practice.
Dermatological Adverse Events in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with the Androgen Receptor Inhibitor Apalutamide: a Mono-centric Retrospective Study
Authors: Ren Zhao-Ting , Wang Qi , Wu Hui-Feng , Gu Hao-Chen , Li Xia-Wei , Tang Zhuangli 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Apalutamide, an androgen receptor inhibitor showed a good efficacy on prostate cancer (PCa). But its dermatological adverse events (dAEs) are common and threatening while relevant studies in China are limited.
Methods
This was a retrospective, single-center analysis. We included PCa patients who were hospitalized and received apalutamide treatment at one comprehensive hospital in eastern China from August 2020 to March 2023. These patients were categorized into two groups for comparative analysis: those with (dAEs+) and without dAEs (dAEs−) based on the presence or absence of rash or itching following apalutamide administration. Demographics, PCa clinical and treatment data were extracted from the EMRS. The clinical features of dAEs were collected through follow-up calls.
Results
Our study enrolled 90 individuals with an overall dAEs incidence of 50.0%. All dAEs occurred within one year following apalutamide use. Over half of dAEs+ patients suffered from pruritus, erythema or papules, and the dAEs were predominantly mild to moderate. Higher PSA levels were found in patients with dAEs.
Conclusions
Apalutamide-associated dAEs were common in the Chinese population, among which the majority were mild to moderate, with pruritus, erythema, and papules ranking as the most prevalent symptoms. Elevated PSA levels were documented in patients with dAEs.
Influence of serum uric acid on bone and fracture risk in postmenopausal women
Authors: Gómez-de-Tejada-Romero María-Jesús , Murias-Henríquez Carmen , Saavedra-Santana Pedro , Sablón-González Nery , Abreu Delvys Rodríguez , Sosa-Henríquez Manuel 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Aims Uric acid has been associated with several metabolic conditions, including bone diseases. Our objective here was to consider the relationship between serum uric acid levels and various bone parameters (bone mineral density, ultrasonographic parameters, vitamin D, PTH and serum calcium), as well as the prevalence and risk of fragility fracture.Methods An observational and cross-sectional study carried out on 679 postmenopausal women, classified into 3 groups according to their serum uric acid levels, in whom bone densitometry, calcaneus ultrasounds, PTH, vitamin D and serum calcium analysis were done. Bone fractures were collected through the clinical history and lateral spinal X-ray.Results Higher uric acid levels were found in women with older age, high BMI, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Higher levels of PTH and serum calcium were also observed, but did not effect on vitamin D. Serum uric acid was positively related to densitometric and ultrasonic parameters and negatively associated with vertebral fractures.Conclusions In the population of postmenopausal women studied, sUA levels were correlated with BMD, BUA, and QUI-Stiffness, and this correlation was independent of age and BMI. In addition, sUA was associated with a decrease in vertebral fractures. These results imply a beneficial influence of sUA on bone metabolism, with both a quantitative and qualitative positive effect, reflected in the lower prevalence of vertebral fractures.
Effect of environmental conditions on the wing morphometric variation in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in India
Authors: Sharma Gaurav , Bhutiani Rakesh , Sarma Devojit 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Aedes aegypti an efficient vector of different arboviral diseases, poses a significant global public health concern. Originating from Africa, this vector has invaded diverse ecological conditions worldwide. In India too, Ae. aegypti is wide spread and along with Ae. albopictus, contributed to over 0.2 million cases of dengue in 2022. Due to heterogeneous environmental settings in India, this vector has shown various intraspecific variations including its behavioral, genetic, and physiological characteristics. Thus, the present study hypothesized that there will be some differences in wing morphometrics across the country for this species. Considering this, we have sampled adults and immatures of Ae. aegypti from 12 distinct locations, representing five varied climatic regions of India. The immatures were reared to adult and the right wing was used to score the morphometric variations. A significant variation in wing size and shape was observed. The Mountain region supports the shortest (CS: 1.92 ± 0.24 mm) wing size mosquitoes while the Arid region exhibits the largest (CS: 3.95 ± 0.13 mm) wing size mosquito. After excluding the allometric effect, the Semi-arid region showed the greatest wide variety of wing shapes corresponding to a larger morphospace in CVA analysis. In addition, positive correlation (78%) was also observed between wing size and temperature. Conclusively, the study suggests the existence of varied population structures of Ae. aegypti in India based on wing morphometric analysis. This finding will be helpful towards focused actions and early measures to reduce the impact of these diseases carrying mosquitoes on public health.
Policy impact of the Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team: global perspective and UK case study
Authors: Elsland Sabine L , O’Hare Ryan M , McCabe Ruth , Laydon Daniel J , Ferguson Neil M , Cori Anne , Christen Paula 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Mathematical models and advanced analytics play an important role in policy decision making and mobilising action. The Imperial College COVID-19 Response Team (ICCRT) provided continuous, timely and robust epidemiological analyses to inform the policy responses of governments and public health agencies around the world. This study aims to quantify the policy impact of ICCRT outputs, and understand which evidence was considered policy-relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
We collated all outputs published by the ICCRT between 01-01-2020 and 24-02-2022 and conducted inductive thematic analysis. A systematic search of the Overton database identified policy document references, as an indicator of policy impact.
Results
We identified 620 outputs including preprints (16%), reports (29%), journal articles (37%) and news items (18%). More than half (56%) of all reports and preprints were subsequently peer-reviewed and published as a journal article after 202 days on average. Reports and preprints were crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic to the timely distribution of important research findings.
One-fifth of ICCRT outputs (21%) were available to or considered by UK government meetings. Policy documents from 41 countries in 26 different languages referenced 43% of ICCRT outputs, with a mean time between publication and reference in the policy document of 256 days. We analysed a total of 1746 policy document references. Two-thirds (61%) of journal articles, 39% of preprints, 31% of reports and 16% of news items were referenced in one or more policy documents (mean of 8 policy document references per output).
The most frequent themes of the evidence produced by the ICCRT reflected the evidence-need for policy decision making, and evolved accordingly from the pre-vaccination phase (severity, healthcare demand and capacity, and non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)) to the vaccination phase of the epidemic (variants and genomics).
Conclusion
The work produced by the ICCRT affected global and domestic policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of evidence produced by the ICCRT corresponded with changing policy needs over time. The policy impact from ICCRT news items highlights the effectiveness of this unique communication strategy in addition to traditional research outputs, ensuring research informs policy decisions more effectively.
The mediating role of compassion fatigue between perceived organization support and caring behavior among outpatient nurses in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Xingxing , He Fang , Tian Tian , Zhang Jun , Ji Yuanjiao , Zhong Yuexia 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
The caring behaviors of outpatient nurses play a crucial role in improving the quality of care in hospitals. Work resources and personal psychological resources have a significant impact on nurses’ caring behavior. Previous research has shown that perceived organizational support and compassion fatigue are linked to nurses’ caring behaviors. However, the specific relationship among these variables is less clear in the context of outpatient nurses working in high-stress environments.
Methods
A convenience sampling method was utilized to recruit 413 outpatient nurses from six tertiary hospitals in Xi’an, China, as research subjects between November 2023 and January 2024. The questionnaires used in the study included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Perceived Organizational Support Scale, the Chinese version of the Compassion Fatigue Brief Scale, and the Chinese version of the Caring Behavior Scale. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H rank-sum test, Spearman correlation analysis, and the PROCESS macro model 4.
Results
Spearman correlation analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between perceived organizational support and compassion fatigue (ρ=-0.547, P<0.01), as well as a significant positive correlation between perceived organizational support and caring behavior (ρ=0.469, P<0.01). Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between compassion fatigue and caring behavior (ρ=-0.641, P<0.01). Subsequent mediation analysis demonstrated that compassion fatigue partially mediated the relationship between perceived organizational support and caring behaviors. The overall impact of perceived organizational support on caring behavior (β=0.363) encompasses both its direct influence (β=0.131) and the indirect impact mediated by compassion fatigue (β=0.232). The mediating effect accounts for 63.9% of the total effect.
Conclusion
Compassion fatigue acts as a partial mediator in the relationship between perceived organizational support and the caring behavior of outpatient nurses. It is essential for nursing managers to effectively manage both the work resources and personal psychological resources of outpatient nurses to improve their caring behaviors in high-stress settings. By improving nurses’ organizational support resources, we can reduce the depletion of their personal psychological resources and alleviate negative emotions such as compassion fatigue. This, in turn, can improve nurses’ caring behavior and ultimately enhance the overall quality of nursing services in the hospital.
A New Apparatus for Seepage and Internal Erosion Soil Column Tests in Geotechnical Centrifuge
Authors: Guo Chang , Huang Bo , Fan Jiying , Zhang Wenyue , Tang Yao 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Understanding the hypergravity effect on seepage and internal erosion is the essential precondition for dam hydraulic disaster modeling using geotechnical centrifuges. Soil column testing is useful to bridge this knowledge gap, but previous attempts did not provide adequate functionality in centrifuge environments. This study develops a centrifuge-available apparatus for seepage and internal erosion soil column tests (CASIE). CASIE ensures a consistent and stable circulating water supply with no less than 34 000 ml/min at 80 g via double-bowl upstream and downstream water tanks and a vertical, multistage centrifugal pump. The hydraulic gradient can be controlled by adjusting the elevation of the upstream water tank using a servo lifting system with a vertical displacement range of 1.2 m and a maximum vertical speed of 155 mm/min. A rigid-wall permeameter is developed for multiple applications in soil column tests for seepage and internal erosion. The flowrate through the specimen can be measured using four parallel-installed oval gear flowmeters with a large measurement range of 10–10 000 ml/min. To validate the capabilities of CASIE, two suffusion (one form of internal erosion) tests were conducted at 1 g and 30 g. The results reveal that the scaling factor for the critical hydraulic gradient of 30 g to 1 g is 1/10. It is much less than the predicted value of 1, indicating that suffusion failure is more readily triggered in the hypergravity environment.
LsfA Peroxiredoxin and Ascorbate interact in the response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to H2O2
Authors: Netto Luis , Silva Rogerio Aleixo , Domingos Renato , Trujillo Madia , Machado Luciene , de Oliveira Cristiano , Baldini Regina 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, triggers host defenses, including oxidant release by phagocytes. Targeting bacterial antioxidants could reduce pathogen infectivity. This study investigates LsfA, a 1-Cys peroxiredoxin (Prx) involved in P. aeruginosa virulence. LsfA efficiently reduces various peroxides (106 - 107 M-1.s-1), while exhibited hyperoxidation resistance. Despite its substrate oxidizing promiscuity, LsfA displayed specific reduction by ascorbate. Moreover, the elucidation of the LsfA’s crystallographic structures in the reduced and sulfonic acid states at 2.4 and 2.0 Ǻ resolutions, respectively, unveiled possible ascorbate-binding residues. Small-angle X ray scattering (SAXS) and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) confirmed LsfA is a dimer regardless of its oxidative state. Microbiological assays, including a real-time analysis employing Hyper7, a genetically encoded probe showed that ascorbate enhanced H2O2 removal in a LsfA-dependent manner. Hence, our integrated structural, biochemical, and microbiological analyses underscored the significance of the ascorbate–LsfA pathway in P. aeruginosa response to H2O2.
Comparison of self-reported and physiological sleep quality from consumer devices to depression and neurocognitive performance
Authors: Akre Samir , Cohen Zachary , Welborn Amelia , Zbozinek Tomislav , Balliu Brunilda , Craske Michelle , Bui Alex 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between self-reported and physiologically measured sleep quality in individuals with depression and its impact on neurocognitive performance. Using data from 249 participants with medium to high depression monitored over 13 weeks, sleep quality was assessed via retrospective self-report and physiological measures from consumer smartphones and smartwatches. Correlations between self-reported and physiological sleep measures were generally weak. Machine learning models revealed that self-reported sleep quality could detect all depression symptoms measured on the Patient Health Questionnaire-14, whereas physiological measures only detected “sleeping too much” and low libido. Notably, only self-reported sleep disturbances correlated significantly with neurocognitive performance. Physiological sleep was able to detect changes in the self-reported sleep quality domains of sleep medication use and sleep latency. These findings emphasize that self-reported and physiological sleep quality are not measuring the same construct, and both are important to monitor when studying sleep quality in relation to depression.
Causal Relationship Between Inflammatory Cytokines and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Tian Danling , Chen Jinfeng , Liu Liang 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is defined as a chronic low-grade inflammatory reproductive endocrine disorder. PCOS can induce various metabolic disorders, which are associated with a state of mild and slow-acting inflammation. Nevertheless,it‘s uncertain that the causation about PCOS and inflammatory factors. The causality between inflammatory cytokines and PCOS was analyzed by bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) in this current probe. We performed an interactive MR study to assess the causal relationships between 91 inflammatory cytokines and PCOS using Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) data. We underwent dual-sample MR analysis with inverse variance weights (IVW) as the predominant MR methodology with multiple validity and heterogeneity analyses. MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, weighted mode and MR-PRESSO were analyzed as multiple likelihood sensitivity analyses to enhance the final results.The results came out interleukin-1-alpha (IL-1A) levels (odds ratio [OR] = 1.051, 95% fiducial interval [95% CI] = 1.009–1.095, P = 0.02) and oncostatin-M (OSM) levels ( [OR] = 1.041, [95% CI] = 1.001–1.082, P = 0.04) were positively associated with the development of PCOS. Moreover, interleukin-7 (IL-7) levels ([OR] = 0.935, [95% CI] = 0.884–0.989, P = 0.02); interleukin-15 receptor subunit alpha (IL15RA) levels ([OR] = 0.959, [95% CI] = 0.929–0.99, P = 0.01); and C-X-C motif chemokine 11 (CXCL11) levels ([OR] = 0.959, [95% CI] = 0.922–0.996. P = 0.03) were strongly negatively associated with PCOS. However, we did not find any strong positive results in the reverse analysis, suggesting that although inflammatory factors contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS, PCOS itself does not trigger inflammatory factor production.Our study provides genetic evidence for the connection between systemic inflammatory regulators and PCOS. Treatments targeting specific inflammatory factors may help to mitigate the risk of PCOS. The levels of five of the 91 inflammatory factors included in this study, namely, IL1A and OSM, were associated with PCOS. IL1A and OSM contribute to the progression of PCOS while IL-7, IL15RA, and CXCL11 levels are negatively correlated with the development of PCOS.
Improving Artificial Neural Network Performance with Zero Initialization
Authors: Seo Jongwoo , Koh Wuhyun 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This study explores zero initialization in artificial neural networks, mimicking synaptic resetting during sleep. Despite the common belief that zero initialization hinders learning by causing identical outputs, our approach diversifies outputs by initializing weights to zero and biases to random values. We evaluated models on Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (MNIST), Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR)-10, and CIFAR-100 datasets using multilayer perceptrons (MLPs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), residual networks (ResNets), vision transformers (ViTs), and multilayer perceptron mixers (MLP-Mixers). Results showed mixed outcomes: while zero initialization can hinder learning in some cases, it can also match or surpass random initialization in others, especially in plain neural network configurations. Among contemporary deep learning models, MLP-Mixers with zero initialization matched the performance of fully randomly initialized counterparts, despite half of the learnable parameters being set to zero. This study challenges the conventional view that zero initialization inherently degrades neural network performance.