bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical study on Bifidobacterium lactis BL-99 assisting to improve functional dyspepsia
Authors: Zhang Qi , Li Guang , Zhao Wen , Zhou Limian , Zhang Xiaoxu , He Jingjing , An Peng , Liu Yinghua , Zhang Chengying , Zhang Yong , Liu Simin , Liu Wei-Hsien , Liu Fudong , Li Yixuan , Jiang Wenjian , Wang Xifan , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Qingyu , Fang Bing , Guo Meng , Zhao Yuyang , Ren Yimei , Niu Xiaokang , Li Dongjie , Zhang Chao , Shi Shaoqi , Wang Ran , Liu Xinjuan , Hung Wei-Lian , Ren Fazheng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder without known organic pathology changes. Recurrence symptoms and longer duration resulting in poor quality of life and high medical expenses for patients. Therefore, searching for a prolonged treatment of FD has considerable clinical value. This research aims at determining the efficacy of Bifidobacterium lactis BL-99 (BL-99) in improving gut microbiota and promoting digestion in patients with functional dyspepsia, and to determine the dose-effect relationship. In this randomized controlled trial, 300 subjects will be randomized into six group (mild placebo group, mild low dose group, mild high dose group, severe placebo group, severe low dose group, and severe high dose group). Except the mild placebo group, other groups will receive BL-99 and/or proton pump inhibitors (PPI). The efficacy of BL-99 to improve FD symptoms and the underlying mechanism, and the impact of BL-99 on gastrointestinal microbiota after PPI therapy will be evaluated. The clinical trial registry is at Chictr.org.cn ID ChiCTR2000041430.
Vaginal microbes alter epithelial transcriptome and induce epigenomic modifications providing insight into mechanisms for susceptibility to adverse reproductive outcomes
Authors: Elovitz Michal , Anton Lauren , Cristancho Ana , Ferguson Briana , Joseph Andrea , Ravel Jacques 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The cervicovaginal microbiome is highly associated with women's health, with microbial communities dominated by Lactobacillus species considered optimal. Conversely, a lack of lactobacilli and a high abundance of strict and facultative anaerobes, including Gardnerella vaginalis, have been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes. However, how host-microbial interactions alter specific molecular pathways and impact cervical and vaginal epithelial function remains unclear. Using RNA-sequencing, we characterized the in vitro cervicovaginal epithelial transcriptional response to different vaginal bacteria and their culture supernatants. We showed that G. vaginalis upregulates genes associated with an activated innate immune response. Unexpectedly, G. vaginalis specifically induced inflammasome pathways through activation of NLRP3-mediated increases in caspase-1, IL-1β and cell death, while live L. crispatus had minimal transcriptomic changes on epithelial cells. L. crispatus culture supernatants resulted in a shift in the epigenomic landscape of cervical epithelial cells that was confirmed by ATAC-sequencing showing reduced chromatin accessibility. This study reveals new insights into host-microbe interactions in the lower reproductive tract and suggests potential therapeutic strategies leveraging the vaginal microbiome to improve reproductive health.
Text mining technologies applied to free-text answers of students in e-assessment: an experimental study in Greek
Authors: Charitopoulos Angelos , Rangoussi Maria , Metafas Dimitris , Koulouriotis Dimitrios 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Educational text mining is a rapidly growing field, thanks to the adoption of current probabilistic and machine learning algorithms. The current study focuses on student e-assessment through open-ended questions that require answers in the form of free text (student essays). Their analysis and evaluation are resource-demanding tasks for the instructor, even when supported by modern e-learning platforms. Topic modelling through the Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm is employed in an experimental setup, aiming to (a) extract meaningful topics from the body of pooled student answers (interpretable in the educational context of the course), (b) align the extracted topics to the ‘native’ internal structure of the body of texts, and (c) produce recommendations for the teacher in the form of alternative (meaningful) restructurings of the e-assessment units and consequently of the course content units. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the extracted topic models yield positive results for the first two aims, while at the same time, and regarding the third aim, the extracted topic models directly recommend for the teacher possible restructurings of the course content. These recommendations are of practical use for the teacher, especially when he/she seeks to restructure a course, either by shrinking or by expansion (fewer or more internal units). In conclusion, topic modelling opens a spectrum of possibilities for the teacher interested to explore ways to improve the structure and organization of his/her course.
Adoption of ARDU Moldboard Plough in Arsi and West Arsi Zones, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Boka Ephrem , Dawid Ibsa 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This study was conducted with the objectives of quantifying the adoption rate and its determinants that affect the adoption of ARDU plough in the Arsi and West Arsi Zones. The data were collected from a sample of 192 farm households (90 adopters and 102 non-adopters of ARDU plough). Adopter farming experience was higher than that of non-adopter households and significant at 1% level of significance. Utilizing the ARDU moldboard plough had advantage of saving time of plough, reducing repetition of plough, turning over furrow slices, and serving for a long period of time. However, availability, portability, and easiness for Oxen to pull were the top three ranked constraints. The results of the binary logistics regression model indicate that adoption of ARDU moldboard plough was influenced by distance from extension services, total livestock holdings, and access to ARDU moldboard plough services. Since the ARDU moldboard ploughs has several advantages, demonstrations and scaling up of the technology, training microenterprises and individual firms for mass production, and modifying its weight, are very important.
Revealing How Internal Sensors in a Smart Battery Impact the Local Graphite Lithiation Mechanism
Authors: Lyonnard Sandrine , Olgo Annabel , Genies Sylvie , Franchi Romain , Septet Cédric , Jacquet Quentin , Berrod Quentin , Palm Rasmus , Chenevier Pascale , Villemin Elise , Villevieille Claire , Blanc Nils , Tardif Samuel , Raccurt Olivier 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Smart batteries, i.e. equipped with internal and external sensors, are emerging as promising solutions to enhance battery state of health and optimize operating conditions. However, for accurate correlations between the evolution of the cell parameters (e.g. temperature, strain) and physicochemical degradation mechanisms, it is crucial to know the reliability of sensors. To address this question, we performed a synchrotron operando wide-angle X-ray scattering experiment to investigate the local and global impact of the presence of internal sensors on a commercial prismatic Li-ion battery cell at various C-rates. We found that, while the overall electrochemical performance is unaffected, the sensors have a substantial impact on the local graphite lithiation kinetics and heterogeneities especially at a high C-rate. These results show the importance of controlling local deformations induced by internal sensors and tailoring the dimensions of these sensors to obtain reliable battery performance indicators and optimize smart batteries.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi travel the world with underground crop harvest
Authors: Alam Ayesha , Gabriel-Neumann Elke 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In recent years, the travel of potentially invasive plants, animals, and pathogens via international trading routes for fresh agricultural goods has been the subject of intensive research and risk assessment. Comparatively little is known about the potential impact of international food trade on the dispersal of symbiotic soil microorganisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The present study thus assessed the AM fungal inoculum potential of internationally traded underground crop harvest. Twenty batches of tubers, corms or bulbs originating from eight different countries were sampled and used to inoculate Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench plants grown in a heat-sterilized, sandy dune soil from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Results revealed that most of the underground crop harvest contained AM fungal propagules able to establish AM symbioses in the experimental microcosm. Though it is likely that most AM fungal propagules attached to harvest products will ultimately be eliminated in the waste or sewage stream, it is well possible that a certain portion would find their way into agricultural or natural ecosystems, e.g. via organic waste disposal or use of kitchen greywater for irrigation. Given the large volumes of underground crop harvest traded worldwide, its impact on AM fungal dispersal deserves further investigation and assessment of associated risks of adulteration of soil microbial communities. Future studies might also elucidate opportunities for the application of underground crop harvest sampling to the global study of AM fungal diversity in agricultural soils.
Effect of sodium butyrate on hepatic inflammatory injury mediated by the NLRP3 inflammatory pathway in subchronic fluoride-exposed mice
Authors: Li Wen , Ma Zhiyu , Su Cuijing , Liu Funing , Yan Nan , Duan Xiaoxu , Sun Zhenxiang , Wang Hongbo , Ma Yufei , Wang Zhengdong , Ren Fu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Excessive subchronic fluoride exposure can cause severe damage to detoxification organs, including the liver. Sodium butyrate has anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. However, relatively few studies have investigated the effects of sodium butyrate on liver injury caused by subchronic fluoride exposure. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect and mechanism of sodium butyrate on fluoride-induced hepatic inflammatory injury via the expression of nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3). Mice were subjected to randomization into four groups, each comprised of ten animals, and all groups received oral gavage treatment for 8 weeks. Following the treatment regimen, liver tissue specimens were collected for analysis. The levels of inflammatory factors and NLRP3 and its downstream proteins were measured to evaluate the therapeutic effect of sodium butyrate. The results of histological hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining showed that the hepatocytes in the subchronic fluoride-exposed group were loosely arranged, with obvious fatty vacuolar degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration, suggesting chronic inflammation. The gaps and arrangement of liver cells in the treatment group were similar to those in the control group, with less vacuolar degeneration and inflammatory infiltration. The results of the biochemical assay showed that the transaminase content in the liver tissue of the mice in the subchronic fluoride-exposed group increased, suggesting liver injury. In addition, the detection of oxidative stress indicators showed that chronic subchronic fluoride exposure could lead to an increase in the level of oxidative stress in the liver, and the treatment alleviated this increase. RT-qPCR results showed that compared with those in the control group, the mRNA levels of the inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, the NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream factors NLRP3, caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD) and IL-18 increased in the liver tissue of mice in the subchronic fluoride-exposed group. Treatment alleviated these changes, which proved that sodium butyrate released inflammatory factors during chronic subchronic fluoride exposure and inhibited the protein expression of activated NLRP3 to a certain extent. This result shows that sodium butyrate can play a protective role by antagonizing the production of activated inflammasomes and their downstream inflammatory factors in the livers of subchronic fluoride-exposed mice.
Dealing with Rare Beta Chain Hb Variants – Diagnostic Dilemmas
Authors: Dam Arpita Roy , Awasthi Ashutosh , Norain Mohd , Singh Moharpal , Pandit Jitendra Kr 
Published: May 2024

The diagnosis of inheritance of Hb Hope [b136(H14)Gly ? Asp, GGT[GAT] by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is difficult because Hb Hope has a HPLC elution pattern similar to that of Hb Pyrgos, Hb New York, Hb Kodaira, and Hb Phimai. This variant hemoglobin (Hb) is mildly unstable and has reduced oxygen affinity, but is generally innocuous clinically. We report the use of a capillary electrophoresis (CE) for diagnosis of a rare beta chain variant Hb Hope in two young female patients of Indian origin and mild normocytic anaemia. Hb Hope eluted with a retention time of 125–140 s (Zone 10) of CE electrophoregram. Thus, the CE method provides an accurate diagnosis of Hb Hope which is useful in genetic counseling, prevention and control programs for these hemoglobinopathies.
Cytomorphological Spectrum of Orbital and Peri-orbital Lesions – A Retrospective Study from A Tertiary Care Center, Manipur, India
Authors: Singh Yengkhom Daniel , Pukhrambam Gayatri Devi , Shimray Rachel , Laishram Sharmila , Sarangthem Babina , Persy Haobijam , Akham Ngamba , Khuraijam Sushma 
Published: May 2024

Background
Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a reliable, safe and simple diagnostic technique which is being implemented in diagnosing palpable and/or visible lesions in the body. This study was conducted for evaluating the role of FNAC as a routine screening/diagnostic tool in a spectrum of orbital and periorbital lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of FNAC in orbital and periorbital lesions.
Methods
A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Cytology section, Department of Pathology, RIMS for a period of 10 years from April 2013 to May 2022. A total of 95 cases with orbital and periorbital lesions were inducted in the study through purposive sampling. FNAC procedure was done using 10cc/20cc syringe with 23G/22G needle with or without a Cameco handle. Slides were stained using MGG (May-Grunwald Giemsa) and Pap (Papanicolaou) stains followed by their microscopic examination. Demographic parameters such as age and gender as well as clinical parameters such as size, site and duration of the lesion were analyzed.
Result
The mean age of patients was found to be 33 years with a slight male predominance (54 patients; 56.84%). The adequacy of FNAC was 96.82%. Epidermal Inclusion Cyst (30 cases; 31.58%) was the commonest lesion. Five cases (5; 5.26%) were malignant on cytopathology. By applying Kappa statistics, a near perfect agreement (k=0.86) between FNAC and histopathology was observed, being statistically significant, p=0.01 (<0.05).
Conclusion:
In our study, a high concordance/agreement was observed for the neoplastic lesions, thereby establishing FNAC as a useful tool for screening as well as diagnosing orbital and periorbital lesions. It surrogates other invasive procedures, eliminating complications in nonresectable or inapproachable lesions.
Role of MMP-9 and NF-κB in Diabetic Retinopathy: Progression and Potential Role of Bioflavonoids in the Mitigation of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: . Ritu , Goyal Ramesh K. , Narwal Sonia , Bhatt Alok , Sehrawat Renu , Devi Pooja , Gulati Monica , Singla Rajeev K. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract:
“Diabetes mellitus” is a chronic metabolic disorder manifested by elevated blood glucose levels,
primarily due to insufficient insulin production or resistance to insulin. Long-term diabetes results
in persistent complications like retinopathy, cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, causing significant
health risks. The most alarming microvascular consequence allied with diabetes is “diabetic
retinopathy,” distinguished by the proliferation of anomalous blood vessels in the eye, mainly in the retina,
resulting in visual impairment, diabetic macular edema, and retinal detachment if left untreated. According
to estimates, 27.0% of people with diabetes worldwide have retinopathy, which leads to 0.4 million
blindness cases. It is believed that mitochondrial damage and the production of inflammatory mediators
are the early indicators of diabetic retinopathy before any histological changes occur in the retina.
Moreover, it is evident that augmented oxidative stress in the retina further initiates the NF-κB/MMP-9
downstream signaling pathway. Interestingly, these downstream regulators, Nuclear Factor Kappa B [NF-
kB] and matrix metalloproteinases 9 [MMP-9], have been recognized as important regulators of the inception
and advancement of diabetic retinopathy. This diabetes and oxidative stress-induced MMP-9 are
believed to regulate various cellular functions, including angiogenesis and apoptosis, causing blood-retinal
barrier breakdown and tight junction protein degradation that further leads to diabetic retinopathy.
Thus, there is an emergency need for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Emerging treatment options
include anti-VEGF, laser treatment, and eye surgery, but these have certain limitations. This comprehensive
review explores the mechanisms of MMP-9 and NF-kB involvement in diabetic retinopathy and
bioflavonoids' therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action in inhibiting MMP-9 activity and suppressing
NF-kB-mediated inflammation. Clinical evidence supporting the use of bioflavonoids in mitigating
diabetic complications and future perspectives are also examined.
Synthetic and Natural Radioprotective Agents: Recent Status and their
Underlying Mechanism of Action
Authors: Mishra Juhi , Poonia Neelam , Lather Viney , Kumar Nishad Dhruv , Pandita Deepti 
Published: May 2024

Abstract::
Various substances possessing radiation scavenging properties, known as radioprotectors,
play a crucial role in shielding organisms from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation (IR)
by preventing cellular damage caused by free radicals. Initially, synthetic radioprotectors were
developed using thiol synthetic compounds. However, among these, only amifostine (WR-2721)
underwent clinical testing as a radioprotector. Various composites with different chemical structures
other than thiol compounds were also investigated. However, synthetic radioprotectors are
known to be associated with severe side effects, which lead to an inclination towards natural
substances. Plants and natural products have emerged as promising sources of radioprotectors,
renowned for their non-toxic nature across a broad range of doses and their cost-effectiveness.
Radioprotectors are employed in diverse pharmaceutical approaches to mitigate the toxicities
induced by radiation. The present review encompasses a detailed account of various synthetic
and naturally occurring compounds possessing radioprotective properties, and different investigations
related to their radioprotective action, ranging from free radicals scavenging to gene
therapy, have also been precisely covered. Numerous radioprotectors have different mechanisms
of action, and have proven benefits of naturally occurring compounds over chemically synthesized
ones.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Nomophobia Amongst the General Population in Makkah Province and Al-Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sheikh Bashar W. , Hariri Nahla H. , Alqahtani Muath A. , Aljabri Abdulkarim A. , Eterji Abdullah S. , Almutawa Saud M. , Aljohani Rahaf M. , Metair Sultan A. , Rawas Tala A. , Bawahab Nizar S. , Alhejaili Alaa J. 
Published: May 2024

Background
Nomophobia is a public health issue that involves the fear of being without a mobile phone. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of nomophobia and its relation to psychological factors, including depression and insomnia, among the general population in Makkah Province and Al-Madinah Province, Saudi Arabia.

Methods
This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted and data were obtained through a self-administered online questionnaire using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) for depression, the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).

Results
A total of 1022 participants completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of nomophobia was 96.7%. Moderate nomophobia was prevalent (47.8%). Based on the PHQ-2, possible depression was identified in 47.3% of the respondents. 37.1% had sub-threshold insomnia. In terms of personal psychiatric history, the most common mental disorders in the participants included generalized anxiety disorder (9.9%) and major depressive disorder (9.7%). 61.6% of them used mobile devices for more than four hours per day.

Conclusion
Nomophobia is prevalent in the Makkah and Al-Madinah provinces in Saudi Arabia. The risk of nomophobia was significantly higher for participants who spent more hours using mobile devices, those with possible depression, and those having irritable bowel syndrome.