bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New insights into azelaic acid-induced resistance against Alternaria Solani in tomato plants
Authors: Haghpanah Mostafa , Jelodar Nadali Babaeian , Zarrini Hamid Najafi , Pakdin-Parizi Ali , Dehestani Ali 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
The effect of azelaic acid (Aza) on the response of tomato plants to Alternaria solani was investigated in this study. After being treated with Aza, tomato plants were infected with A. solani, and their antioxidant, biochemical, and molecular responses were analyzed.

Results
The results demonstrated that H2O2 and MDA accumulation increased in control plants after pathogen infection. Aza-treated plants exhibited a remarkable rise in peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities during the initial stages of A. solani infection. Gene expression analysis revealed that both Aza treatment and pathogen infection altered the expression patterns of the SlNPR1, SlERF2, SlPR1, and SlPDF1.2 genes. The expression of SlPDF1.2, a marker gene for the jasmonic acid/ethylene (JA/ET) signaling pathway, showed a remarkable increase of 4.2-fold upon pathogen infection. In contrast, for the SlNPR1, a key gene in salicylic acid (SA) pathway, this increased expression was recorded with a delay at 96 hpi. Also, the phytohormone analysis showed significantly increased SA accumulation in plant tissues with disease development. It was also revealed that tissue accumulation of JA in Aza-treated plants was increased following pathogen infection, while it was not increased in plants without pathogen inoculation.

Conclusion
The results suggest that the resistance induced by Aza is mainly a result of modulations in both SA and JA pathways following complex antioxidant and molecular defense responses in tomato plants during A. solani infection. These findings provide novel information regarding inducing mechanisms of azelaic acid which would add to the current body of knowledge of SAR induction in plants as result of Aza application.
Seed yield as a function of cytokinin-regulated gene expression in wild Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis)
Authors: Zhang Jinqing , Ha Xue , Ma Huiling 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) panicle development is a coordinated process of cell proliferation and differentiation with distinctive phases and architectural changes that are pivotal to determine seed yield. Cytokinin (CK) is a key factor in determining seed yield that might underpin the second “Green Revolution”. However, whether there is a difference between endogenous CK content and seed yields of Kentucky bluegrass, and how CK-related genes are expressed to affect enzyme regulation and downstream seed yield in Kentucky bluegrass remains enigmatic.

Results
In order to establish a potential link between CK regulation and seed yield, we dissected and characterized the Kentucky bluegrass young panicle, and determined the changes in nutrients, 6 types of endogenous CKs, and 16 genes involved in biosynthesis, activation, inactivation, re-activation and degradation of CKs during young panicle differentiation of Kentucky bluegrass. We found that high seed yield material had more meristems compared to low seed yield material. Additionally, it was found that seed-setting rate (SSR) and lipase activity at the stage of spikelet and floret primordium differentiation (S3), as well as 1000-grain weight (TGW) and zeatin-riboside (ZR) content at the stages of first bract primordium differentiation (S1) and branch primordium differentiation (S2) showed a significantly positive correlation in the two materials. And zeatin, ZR, dihydrozeatin riboside, isopentenyl adenosine and isopentenyl adenosine riboside contents were higher in seed high yield material than those in seed low yield material at S3 stage. Furthermore, the expressions of PpITP3, PpITP5, PpITP8 and PpLOG1 were positively correlated with seed yield, while the expressions of PpCKX2, PpCKX5 and PpCKX7 were negatively correlated with seed yield in Kentucky bluegrass.

Conclusions
Overall, our study established a relationship between CK and seed yield in Kentucky bluegrass. Perhaps we can increase SSR and TGW by increasing lipase activity and ZR content. Of course, using modern gene editing techniques to manipulate CK related genes such as PpITP3/5/8, PpLOG1 and PpCKX2/5/7, will be a more direct and effective method in Kentucky bluegrass, which requires further trial validation.
Bayesian sequential monitoring strategies for trials of digestive cancer therapeutics
Authors: Mulier Guillaume , Lin Ruitao , Aparicio Thomas , Biard Lucie 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
New therapeutics in oncology have presented challenges to existing paradigms and trial designs in all phases of drug development. As a motivating example, we considered an ongoing phase II trial planned to evaluate the combination of a MET inhibitor and an anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy to treat advanced oesogastric carcinoma. The objective of the paper was to exemplify the planning of an adaptive phase II trial with novel anti-cancer agents, including prolonged observation windows and joint sequential evaluation of efficacy and toxicity.

Methods
We considered various candidate designs and computed decision rules assuming correlations between efficacy and toxicity. Simulations were conducted to evaluate the operating characteristics of all designs.

Results
Design approaches allowing continuous accrual, such as the time-to-event Bayesian Optimal Phase II design (TOP), showed good operating characteristics while ensuring a reduced trial duration. All designs were sensitive to the specification of the correlation between efficacy and toxicity during planning, but TOP can take that correlation into account more easily.

Conclusions
While specifying design working hypotheses requires caution, Bayesian approaches such as the TOP design had desirable operating characteristics and allowed incorporating concomittant information, such as toxicity data from concomitant observations in another relevant patient population (e.g., defined by mutational status).
Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with inferior preoperative and postoperative shoulder function in elderly rotator cuff tear patients
Authors: Yang Yang , Zheng Binbin , Lin Xiaofang , Zhang Mengqin , Ye Yongzhi , Chen Haixiao , Zhou Xiaobo 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
The age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass is an important characteristic of sarcopenia, an increasingly recognized condition with systemic implications. However, its association with shoulder function in elderly patients with rotator cuff tears (RCT) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between low skeletal muscle mass and shoulder function in elderly RCT patients.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted on RCT patients who underwent chest computed tomography (CT) scans for clinical evaluation. Preoperative CT scan images of the chest were used to calculate the cross-sectional area (CSA) of thoracic muscle at the T4 level. The medical records were reviewed. Shoulder function was assessed using the ASES score and CMS score both preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Data on the preoperative range of motion (ROM) for the affected shoulder, were collected for analysis. Subgroup analyses by sex were also performed.

Results
A total of 283 RCT patients, consisting of 95 males and 188 females, with a mean age of 66.22 ± 4.89(range, 60–95 years) years were included in this retrospective study. The low muscle mass group showed significantly higher level of c-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) compared to the normal group(3.75 ± 6.64 mg/L vs. 2.17 ± 2.30 mg/L, p = 0.021; 19.08 ± 12.86 mm/H vs.15.95 ± 10.76 mm/H, p = 0.038; respectively). In the normal group, pre-operative passive ROM, including forward elevation, abduction, lateral rotation, and abductive external rotation, was significantly better than that in the low muscle mass group (127.18 ± 34.87° vs. 89.76 ± 50.61°; 119.83 ± 45.76° vs. 87.16 ± 53.32°; 37.96 ± 28.33° vs. 25.82 ± 27.82°; 47.71 ± 23.56° vs. 30.87 ± 27.76°, all p < 0.01, respectively). Similar results were found in the active ROM of the shoulder. The female low muscle mass group exhibited significantly poorer passive and active ROM (p < 0.05). The post-operative ASES scores and CMS scores of the female low muscle mass group were also statistically worse than those of the female normal group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
The results of present study revealed that the low skeletal muscle mass is associated with inferior ROM of the shoulder and per- and post-operative shoulder function, especially for elderly female patients.
A health promotion model-based intervention to enhance treatment adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Shahabi Nahid , Javdan Gholamali , Hosseini Zahra , Aghamolaei Teamur , Ghanbarnejad Amin , Behzad Ahmad 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to determine the effect of an intervention based on Pender’s health promotion model (HPM) on treatment adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsThe present quasi-experimental study with a 3-month follow-up was conducted in Bandar Abbas, a city in the south of Iran in 2023. The intervention group (IG) with a total number of 95 T2D patients was selected from Hormuz diabetes clinic and the control group (CG) with 95 T2D patients was selected from comprehensive health centers through a clustering sampling method. The educational intervention was implemented in 10 sessions to improve patients’ treatment adherence. The teaching methods in training sessions were lectures, joint discussions, Q&A, role-play and peer training. The participants were evaluated using a researcher-made questionnaire including the constructs of Pender’s HPM about T2D treatment adherence, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), and BMI. Independent-samples t-test, paired-samples t-test, covariance analysis and stepwise regression analysis were used. Data analysis was done in SPSS 26.FindingsThree months after the intervention, in comparison to the CG, the mean and standard deviation of treatment adherence benefits (p = 0.002), treatment adherence self-efficacy (p = 0.010), treatment adherence related affect (p = 0.001), interpersonal influences (p = 0.012), commitment to plan of action (p < 0.001), treatment adherence behavior (p = 0.022), treatment adherence experiences (p = 0.001) was higher in the IG. The mean and standard deviation of situational influences (p < 0.001), immediate competing demands and preferences (p = 0.018) were lower than the CG. The results obtained from the analysis of covariance proved the effectiveness of the intervention in the constructs of Pender’s HPM and HbA1C in participants of the IG (p < 0.001). The regression analysis showed, after the intervention, for every 1 unit of change in commitment to behavior planning, action related affect and perceived self-efficacy, compared to before the intervention, there were 0.22 units, 0.16 units and 0.26 units of change in the behavior score in the IG.ConclusionThe findings proved the effectiveness of the educational intervention in improving the constructs in Pender’s HPM and the blood sugar level of T2D patients. As the results of the educational intervention showed, the use of a suitable educational approach as well as the development of appropriate educational content for the target population can significantly improve the treatment adherence behavior.Trial registrationThis study is registered on the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20211228053558N1:https://www.irct.ir/trial/61741) and first release date of 17th March 2022.
Soluble CD44 in oral rinses for the early detection of cancer: a prospective cohort study in high-risk individuals
Authors: Raslan Shahm , Smith Drew H. , Reis Isildinha M. , Peifer Sophia J. , Forman Garrett , Ezeh Uche C. , Joshi Priyashma , Koester Margaret , Buitron Isabella , Al-Awady Abdurrahman , Halgowich Jerri , Liu Huaping , Gordon Claudia , Hooper Monica Webb , Sweeny Larissa , Franzmann Elizabeth J. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
There are 54,000 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer in the United States and more than 476,000 worldwide each year. Oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma make up most tumors with five-year survival rates of 50% due to prevalence of late-stage diagnoses. Improved methods of early detection in high-risk individuals are urgently needed. We aimed to assess the tumorigenic biomarkers soluble CD44 (solCD44) and total protein (TP) measured using oral rinses as affordable convenient screening tools for cancer detection.

Methods
In this prospective cohort study, we recruited 150 healthy current or former smokers through a community screening program. Baseline and four annual visits were conducted from March 2011-January 2016 with records followed until August 2020. Participants provided oral rinses, received head and neck exams, and completed questionnaires. SolCD44 and TP levels were measured and compared across groups and time. Participants were placed in the cancer group if malignancy developed in the study period, the suspicious group if physical exams were concerning for premalignant disease or cancer in the head and neck, and the healthy group if there were no suspicious findings. This analysis used two-sample t-test for comparison of means and two-sample Wilcoxon Test for comparison of medians. For subjects with follow-ups, estimated means of biomarkers were obtained from a fitted Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RANOVA) model including group, visit, and their interaction. Pairwise comparisons of mean solCD44 were made, including intergroup and intragroup comparison of values at different years.

Results
Most participants were males (58.7%), < 60 years of age. (90.7%), and Black (100%). Baseline mean solCD44 was elevated (2.781 ng/ml) in the cancer group compared to the suspicious group (1.849 ng/ml) and healthy group (1.779 ng/ml).

Conclusion
This study supports the feasibility of a CD44-based oral rinse test as an affordable and convenient adjunctive tool for early detection of aerodigestive tract and other cancers in high-risk populations.
Assessing one-shade composite resin color stability in response to everyday drinks
Authors: Duzyol Mustafa , Duzyol Esra , Çarıkçıoğlu Burak 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Objective
The aim of our study was to measure the color changes in one-shade composite resins when exposed to common drinks, such as tea, cola and coffee.

Materials/Methods
In our study, Omnichroma, Vitrra APS Unique, GC A’chord and Charisma Diamond One composite resins were used. Composite resins were placed in stainless steel molds with depths of 2 mm and diameters of 5 mm. Ten specimens were immersed in tea, 10 specimens were immersed in coffee, 10 specimens were immersed in cola and 10 specimens were immersed in distilled water in an incubator at 37 °C for 14 days. Color measurements were performed at the beginning of the study and after 24 h and 14 days. Color values ​​were measured using a CIE L*a*b* system with a spectrophotometer device. Color and translucency changes were calculated and data analyzed using one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, and post-hoc Tukey test (p < 0.05).

Results
The greatest color changes occurred in the tea and coffee groups; the smallest color change occurred in the control group. After 14 days, the greatest color change was observed in the Charisma + Coffee group; the smallest color change was observed in the Omnichroma + Water group. The transparency and contrast ratios changed in all groups, and the smallest change occurred in the Omnichroma control group.

Conclusion
Significant differences were found in the composite color changes after immersion in beverages. The color variations significantly differed depending on the beverage in which the specimens were immersed. The initial contrast ratio was markedly different from the examined materials.

Clinical significance
The study emphasizes the significance of common beverages on the color stability of one-shade composite resins, underlining the need of appropriate material selection for long-term aesthetic effects in one-shade composite resin restorations.
Identifying knowledge deficiencies in genetics education among medical students and interns in Saudi Arabia- A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zakariyah Abeer F. , Alamri Sadin A. , Alzahrani Manal M. , Alamri Aseel A. , Khan Muhammad A. , Hanbazazh Mehenaz A. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Understanding genetics is crucial for medical students, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where genetic disorders are prevalent owing to high rates of consanguineous marriages. This knowledge is essential for the early detection, prevention, and management of genetic disorders, and for incorporating medical genetics and genomics into patient care. This study aimed to assess the current state of genetics knowledge among medical students and interns across Saudi Arabia and to identify knowledge gaps in genetics.

Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and September 2023 involving 732 medical students from all regions of Saudi Arabia. The participants completed a validated questionnaire assessing their knowledge of basic genetics, genetic inheritance, genetic testing, and clinical genetics.

Result
Over 60% of medical students and interns reported that they considered themselves to have only slight knowledge in all areas of genetics. The results revealed a general lack of medical genetic understanding among students and interns, particularly regarding genetic inheritance and testing. For genetic inheritance, slight knowledge was found in 65.2% of pre-clinical, 60.1% of clinical, and 53.2% of interns, with significant differences between groups (p < 0.001). In genetic testing, 75.4% of pre-clinical, 83.9% of clinical, and 90.6% of interns showed slight knowledge, with significant differences across stages (p = 0.021). This study also found that lectures, genetics laboratories, and problem-solving sessions were the preferred resources for learning genetics.

Conclusion
The current study revealed a notable deficiency in the understanding of medical genetics among medical students and interns in Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding genetic inheritance and testing. This is consistent with previous research highlighting the widespread lack of genetics knowledge among medical students. Integrating more comprehensive genetics education, especially during the clinical years, could improve students’ preparedness and confidence in managing genetic disorders. These findings highlight the critical need for curriculum development to equip future physicians with the essential skills for managing genetic disorders.
Identification of tumor-specific T cell signature predicting cancer immunotherapy response in bladder cancer by multi-omics analysis and experimental verification
Authors: Liu Xiufeng , Chen Chujun , Li Jiashan , Li Linna , Ma Meng 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Numerous gene signatures predicting the prognosis of bladder cancer have been identified. However, a tumor-specific T cell signature related to immunotherapy response in bladder cancer remains under investigation.

Methods
Single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing from the Gene expression omnibus (GEO) database were used to identify tumor-specific T cell-related genes in bladder cancer. Subsequently, we constructed a tumor-specific T cell signature (TstcSig) and validated its clinical relevance for predicting immunotherapy response in multiple immunotherapy cohorts. Further analyses explored the immune characteristics of TstcSig in bladder cancer patients from other cohorts in the TCGA and GEO databases. Western blot (WB), multicolor immunofluorescence (MIF), qRT-PCR and flow cytometry assays were performed to validate the results of bioinformatics analysis.

Results
The established TstcSig, based on five tumor-specific T cell-related genes, could predict outcomes in a bladder cancer immunotherapy cohort. This was verified using two additional immunotherapy cohorts and showed better predictive performance compared to 109 published T cell signatures. TstcSig was strongly correlated with immune characteristics such as immune checkpoint gene expression, tumor mutation burden, and T cell infiltration, as validated by single-cell and spatial transcriptomics datasets. Notably, the positive correlation between TstcSig and T cell infiltration was confirmed in the TCGA cohort. Furthermore, pan-cancer analysis demonstrated the heterogeneity of the prognostic value of TstcSig. Tumor-specific T cells highly expressed CD27, IFNG, GZMB and CXCL13 and secreted more effector cytokines for tumor cell killing, as validated experimentally.

Conclusion
We developed a five-gene signature (including VAMP5, TIGIT, LCK, CD27 and CACYBP) based on tumor-specific T cell-related genes to predict the immunotherapy response in bladder cancer patients.
Barriers to the quality delivery of seasonal malaria chemoprevention in Chad and Burkina Faso: a qualitative exploration of caregivers and community distributors’ perspectives
Authors: Lasmi Kévin , Elimian Kelly , Donovan Laura , Tounaikok Narcisse , Traoré Adama , Gils Tinne , Rassi Christian , Marasciulo Madeleine , Richardson Sol , Tougri Gauthier , Diar Mahamat Saleh Issakha , Baker Kevin 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Recommended since 2012 by the World Health Organization (WHO), seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a community-based intervention to prevent malaria in children in African regions where malaria transmission follows a seasonal pattern. Following the publication of consolidated WHO guidelines for malaria, SMC is expected to reach more children in new geographies in future years. Though SMC has been shown to reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality, there is potential for quality improvement of the intervention implementation. Assisted by ten quality standards from a framework developed by Malaria Consortium, this paper aims to better understand the quality of SMC implementation and identify potential barriers to quality delivery of SMC.

Methods
A qualitative thematic analysis on data collected after the annual SMC rounds implemented in Burkina Faso and Chad in 2019 was conducted. Sixteen focus group discussions conducted with caregivers and community distributors were analysed. Three selected quality standards for SMC delivery; planning and enumeration; community engagement; and administration of SMC medicines provided overarching quality themes under which subthemes were identified.

Results
Eight subthemes relating to the three quality standards were identified. Although SMC was well accepted by communities in both settings, common barriers to the quality delivery of SMC were identified including difficulty ensuring adherence to the SMC administration protocol; difficulties reaching mobile populations; concerns around adverse drug reactions; rumours, and concerns about SMC safety; and community distributors’ working conditions. Context-specific barriers included: the suboptimal timeliness of the SMC round in Burkina Faso, and the lack of involvement of female caregivers in mobilization activities in Chad.

Conclusion
In the context of increased adoption of SMC, this paper provides relevant insights and recommendations for the improved implementation of SMC programmes. These include the integration of strategies addressing communities’ concerns around adverse drug reactions, gender-specific mobilization strategies, and attention to community distributors’ working conditions. It also highlights the importance and utility of further, robust research on the quality of SMC delivery.