bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ground radiative measurements reveal negative longwave cloud feedback
Authors: Liu Lei , Huang Yi , Gyakum John 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Clouds profoundly influence Earth’s energy balance1-2. Observationally constraining cloud radiative feedback, a notably uncertain climate feedback mechanisms3-5, is crucial for improving predictions of climate change5-7. However, the quantification of cloud feedback faces challenges due to the complex effects of cloud changes on the energy balance, which are often entangled with the radiative impacts of other climate factors, and also due to the scarcity of long-term concurrent records of cloud properties and atmospheric radiation. In this work, we use an optimal spectral fingerprinting method designed to separate surface longwave cloud feedback from other surface forcings and feedbacks, by leveraging the unique spectral signatures of various meteorological variables in the long-term record of spectrally resolved downwelling longwave radiance at the Southern Great Plains site. We detect a prominent negative surface longwave cloud feedback, suggesting that cloud changes have a cooling effect on the surface and modulate the warming effect of increased greenhouse gas concentrations and atmospheric temperatures. Our findings establish a pivotal observational benchmark of radiative forcing and feedback needed for validating climate models.
Conformational cycle of a protease-containing ABC transporter in lipid nanodiscs reveals the mechanism of cargo-protein coupling
Authors: Mchaourab Hassane , Zhang Ruojing , Jagessar Kevin , Polasa Adithya , Brownd Matthew , Stein Richard , Moradi Mahmoud , Karakas Erkan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Protease-containing ABC transporters (PCATs) couple the energy of ATP hydrolysis to the processing and export of diverse cargo proteins across cell membranes to mediate antimicrobial resistance and quorum sensing. Here, we combine biochemical analysis, single particle cryoEM, and DEER spectroscopy in lipid bilayers along with computational analysis to illuminate the structural and energetic underpinnings of coupled cargo protein export. Our integrated investigation uncovers competitive interplay between nucleotides and cargo protein binding that ensures the latter’s orderly processing and subsequent transport. The energetics of cryoEM structures in lipid bilayers are congruent with the inferred mechanism from ATP turnover analysis and reveal a snapshot of a high-energy outward-facing conformation that provides an exit pathway into the lipid bilayer and/or the extracellular side. DEER investigation of the core ABC transporter suggests evolutionary tuning of the energetic landscape to fulfill the function of substrate processing prior to export.
A Comprehensive Study on the Effects of Electrocoagulation integrated in a Membrane Bioreactor Treating Sunflower Oil Refinery Wastewater on Treatment Performance, Biological Properties, and Fouling Behavior
Authors: Sharghi Elham Abdollahzadeh , Miri Marjan , Davarpanah Leila , Faridizad Ghazale 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of electrocoagulation integrated in a laboratory-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR), namely EC-MBR, on the treatment performance, activated sludge morphological characterization, and membrane fouling of MBR treating actual sunflower oil refinery wastewater. The EC-MBR system exhibited significantly higher chemical oxygen demand (COD) and oil and grease (O&G) removal efficiency compared to the MBR system. Additionally, both systems achieved excellent turbidity removal, with a percentage above 99%. The membrane fouling rate was higher in the EC-MBR system compared to the MBR system. Despite the decrease in the soluble microbial product (SMP) and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) concentration in the EC-MBR system, especially their protein fraction, the significant increase in MLSS and carbohydrates/protein ratio, and the decrease in the mixed liquor and the cake layer particles size were the main membrane fouling factors. The membrane fouling resistance distribution also showed that in the EC-MBR system, the pore blocking resistance percentage increased compared to MBR. According to FTIR analysis, the cake layer in the EC-MBR system had a higher carbohydrate compounds proportion compared to the MBR. The SEM images also reveal dense microbial clusters in the EC-MBR system, dominated by rod- and oval-shaped bacteria. EDX analysis detected Ca, K, O, Al, and P elements in both systems, with higher Al content in EC-MBR.
Narrative Medicine to Affect Empathy in Medication Counselling – A Pre-Post Intervention Study of a Course in Narrative Medicine for Pharmacists
Authors: Graabaek Trine , Rasmussen Anders Juhl , Mai Anne-Marie , Rossing Charlotte Verner , Andersen Merethe Kristine Kousgaard , Hedegaard Ulla 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Narrative medicine is a recent cross-disciplinary approach aiming to encourage empathy, reflection, professionalism, and trustworthiness through aesthetic activities such a reading fiction and creative writing.
Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate if a post-graduate course in narrative medicine affects the level of empathy among pharmacists.
Method
During 2020–2021, three courses in narrative medicine were evaluated in Odense, Denmark. The primary outcome was the pharmacists’ self-reported level of empathy measured with Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE).
Results
A total of 33 community and hospital pharmacists participated in the three courses. The pharmacists’ median age was 41 years, 91% were female, 76% were working at community pharmacy, and 47% were, according to themselves, rare readers. A statistically significant increase was found in mean total JSE score from 109.9 +/- 17.1 before the course to 115.7 +/- 14.6 after the course (p = 0.0362).
Conclusion
Following the course in narrative medicine the level of empathy for the pharmacists according to JSE was enhanced. We recommend that future studies also use patient-reported outcomes to explore if the self-experienced enhanced empathy among pharmacists reaches the patients’ confidence and well-being.
Complementary Feeding Practices and Associated Factors for Infants Attending Hawasa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Kasim Shemsu Gabiso , Nigussie Hilina Hailu 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Complementary feeding is defined as the process of starting additional food when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants. Inadequate infant feeding are the major causes of infant mortality and under-nutrition. Yet, very little is known about the determinants of complementary feeding practices in study area. This study assessed complementary feeding practices and associated factors for infants in Hawasa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Sidama Region, Ethiopia.
Methods
Cross sectional study design was used to assess complementary feeding practices and associated factors for infants attending Hawasa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital.
Result
Three hundred and ninety-five (395) mothers or caregivers were interviewed during the study making the response rate of 100%. More than half (66.3%) of respondents reported that they knew the reason for initiating complementary feeding while 58.9% knew when to start the complementary feeding for their infants; however 58.5% of them did not know the minimum frequency of complementary feeding in a day. The mean meal frequency for infants was 4.35 (± 1.24) (95% CI 3.3–3.6). The results show that only 19% of infants consume a minimum acceptable diet, 16% achieve minimum dietary diversity, and 44% reach minimum meal frequency. Multivariate regression analysis shows that mother’s/care taker’s knowledge about proper complementary feeding, mother’s age, mother’s employment status and father’s employment status are significant predictors of complementary feeding practices among infants aged 6–24 months in the study area.
Conclusion
Infants’ complementary feeding practices fell below the World Health Organization recommended level in terms of minimum acceptable diet and minimum meal frequency and minimum dietary diversity among infants aged 6–24 months in Hawasa University Comprehensive Specialized hospital. It’s important to raise awareness of mothers/care takers of infants through health practitioners in addition to ensuring employment of infants’ parents to ensure proper practices of complementary feeding among infants.
Caspase-3 is involved in nuclear remodeling of human satellite cells under stress conditions
Authors: Sancilio Silvia , Pietro Roberta Di , Mancinelli Rosa , Impicciatore Gianna , Stati Gianmarco , Fulle Stefania 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Satellite cells (SC) proliferation and differentiation play a crucial role in skeletal muscle regeneration after damage and adaptation in response to hypertrophic stimuli. Skeletal muscle ageing affects SC proliferation and differentiation and rely on an enhanced expression of several pro-apoptotic factors. As previous researches demonstrated a modified expression of some genes associated with SC antioxidant and repair activity due to age, in the present project we aimed at assessing the occurrence of apoptotic features in human SCs. Cells were collected from Vastus Lateralis of 9 young (27.3+2.0 years old) and 9 old (71.1+1.8 years old) subjects and cultured in serum-free medium to be collected at 4-24-48 and 72 h. Apoptosis was investigated with Annexin V/PI staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated nick-end labelling (TUNEL) technique, flow cytometry analysis of Caspase-8 activity and RT-PCR detection of transcripts of apoptotic genes. Interestingly, CAS9 and FOXO1 genes were found upregulated in aged SCs at all-time points tested. Furthermore, we showed the activation of caspase-3 enzyme after 72 h starvation in culture with a nice co-localization with myogenin and TUNEL-positive micronuclei in the elderly. Interestingly, after treatment for 24 h with a broad pan-caspase inhibitor Cbz-Val-Ala-Asp- fluoromethyl-ketone (z-VAD-fmk) no micronuclei neither myotube formation were revealed, suggesting the involvement of caspase enzymes in the nuclear remodelling occurring during myotube formation.
Manu on Lenti G2B Gene Therapy for β-Thalassemia
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Bing , Gao zhuying , Yang Zhi-Xue , Deng Dong-Hao , Zhang Feng , Zhang Zhi-Kang , Yu Bing , Zhang Yang-Yang , Lv Xiang , Nakamura Yukio , Gong An , Cheng Tao , Zhang Jian-Ping 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Gene therapy, particularly lentiviral vector-based approaches, has emerged as a crucial alternative for treating β-thalassemia, one of the most prevalent monogenic disorders worldwide. This study focuses on overcoming clinical challenges associated with existing HBB lentiviral vectors, characterized by suboptimal titers and inadequate β-globin expression. We have advanced the BB305 lentiviral vector, creating a novel HBB vector, G2B, specifically engineered for β-thalassemia gene therapy. The optimization involved refining the Locus Control Region (LCR) sequence length and incorporating mutated gamma globin HGB2 promoter into the BB305 vector. Our innovative G2B vector exhibits a significant ~4-fold increase in lentiviral titer and a 50% enhancement in β-globin expression compared to the clinical BB305 vector. In the Hbbth4/Hbb+ thalassemic hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell transplantation model, the G2B vector demonstrated remarkable therapeutic efficacy without altering integration safety profiles. These findings highlight the potential of the G2B vector in treating β-thalassemia and possibly other hemoglobinopathies. Our research offers a promising pathway toward more effective and affordable gene therapy options for β-thalassemia and similar genetic disorders.
Are there differences in taste preferences according to genetic polymorphisms? A study with children submitted to different methods of complementary feeding?
Authors: Neves Renata Oliveira , Rechenmacher Ciliana , Borges Rogério Boff , Goldani Marcelo Zubaran , Nunes Leandro Meirelles , Bernardi Juliana Rombaldi 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
The development of child taste preferences seems to play a crucial role in food preferences and health outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the differences in taste preferences according to genetic polymorphisms in children allocated to different methods of complementary feeding (CF). This was a secondary analysis derived from a randomized clinical trial involving distinct groups of children regarding the method of CF. The intervention occurred at 5.5 months old. At 12 months old, the Feeding Preferences Questionnaire (FPQ) was applied. Between 12–35 months old, the Taste Acceptance Test (TAT) was performed and oral mucosa was collected. Data were analyzed by intention to treat. The main analyses were performed using Pearson’s chi-square test.
Results
The duration of exclusive breastfeeding was associated with TAS1R3(rs35744813) (p = 0.039). The type of milk consumed at 12 months was associated with TAS1R2(rs9701796) (p = 0.022), and with the number of polymorphisms related to sweet taste perception (p = 0.013). As for the FPQ, there was an association between TAS1R3(rs35744813) with the preference for sour-tasting foods (p = 0.040), and between TAS2R16(rs846672) with the preference for umami-flavored foods (p = 0.042). Concerning the TAT, the infant’s reaction to the bitter taste was associated with TAS1R2(rs9701796) (p = 0.021), with TAS1R3(rs307355) (p = 0.008), and with the count of polymorphisms related to the sweet taste perception (p = 0.037); in addition, the reaction to the sour taste was associated with the count of polymorphisms related to the bitter taste perception (p = 0.048).
Conclusions
The study concluded that genetic polymorphisms act on infant food acceptance, generating differences in food preferences.
Intermittent hypoxia-induced enhancements in corticospinal excitability predict gains in motor learning and metabolic efficiency
Authors: Bogard Alysha T. , Hembree Thomas G. , Pollet Aviva K. , Smith Andrew C. , Ryder Stephanie C. , Marzloff George E. , Tan Andrew Quesada 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) enhances human motor function after incomplete spinal cord injury. Although the underlying mechanisms in humans are unknown, emerging evidence indicates that AIH facilitates corticospinal excitability to the upper limb. However, the functional relevance of this plasticity remains unexplored, and it is unclear whether similar plasticity can be induced for lower limb motor areas. We recently demonstrated that AIH improves motor learning and metabolic efficiency during split-belt walking. Thus, we hypothesized that AIH increases lower limb excitability and that these enhancements would predict the magnitude of motor learning and the corresponding reductions in net metabolic power. We assessed tibialis anterior (TA) excitability using transcranial magnetic stimulation and quantified changes in spatiotemporal asymmetries and net metabolic power in response to split-belt speed perturbations. We show that AIH enhances TA excitability and that the magnitude of this facilitation positively correlates with greater spatiotemporal adaptation. Notably, we demonstrate a novel association between increased excitability and reduced net metabolic power during motor learning and savings. Together, our results suggest that AIH-induced gains in excitability predict both the magnitude of motor learning and the associated metabolic efficiency. Determining indices of AIH-induced improvements in motor performance is critical for optimizing its therapeutic reach.
Comparison of anterior segment parameters of patients with myopia measured using 2 swept-source optical coherent biometry devices
Authors: Sun Bingqing , Ye Yuhao , Zhao Jing , Zhou Xingtao , Niu Lingling 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
This study assessed the agreement of anterior segment parameters of patients with myopia measured using 2 swept-source optical coherent biometry devices: the Colombo intraocular lens (IOL) and IOL Master 700.
Methods
Eighty patients (male/female, 22/58; average age, 29.11 ± 7.77 years) with myopia (159 eyes) were included in this study in May 2023. All participants underwent measurements using the IOL Master 700 and Colombo IOL to obtain axial length (AXL), central corneal thickness (CCT), lens thickness (LT), white-to-white (WTW), and front flat (K1) and steep (K2) corneal keratometry. The measurements by the 2 devices were compared using the generalized estimating equation, correlation analysis, and Bland-Altman plots.
Results
The Colombo IOL measured larger values for WTW (OR = 1.277, p < 0.0001) and lower values for K2 (OR = 0.587, p < 0.033). All anterior segment measurements by both instruments showed positive correlations (0.8079 < r < 0.9996, p < 0.01), with AXL demonstrating the strongest correlation (r = 0.9996, p < 0.0001). The intraclass correlation coefficients for AXLs measured by both instruments was 0.999 (p < 0.0001), and Bland-Altman plot indicated that the 95% limits of agreement ranged from − 0.078 to 0.11. The measurement deviations of K2, LT, WTW between IOL Master 700 and Colombo IOL were 0.526 D, -0.085 mm and − 0.244 mm, respectively.
Conclusions
The Colombo IOL and IOL Master 700 comparably measured CCT and AXL. However, their measurements of corneal refractive power, WTW and LT were significantly different, necessitating caution in using two devices interchangeably in clinical practice.
Vitamin D levels and bone mineral density of middle-aged premenopausal female football players: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Sakamoto Kimiko , Miyamori Takayuki , Someya Yuki , Nagao Masashi , Ishihara Yoshihiko , Kobayashi Yohei , Shimasaki Yu , Imai Junko , Ono Takeshi , Ikeda Hiroshi , Tashima Kohzo , Yoshimura Masafumi 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background:
The number of football teams in the senior categories has recently increased. Since outdoor sports entail players being exposed to sunlight, playing football may contribute to maintaining vitamin D stores and body mineral density and preventing osteoporosis. This study aimed to determine bone mineral density and vitamin D levels in middle-aged premenopausal female football players.
Methods:
The participants were premenopausal females in their 40s. We evaluated bone mineral density of the second to fourth lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck; serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels, which is the indicator of body vitamin D stores; and body composition. In addition, we administered a questionnaire survey on exercise habits and lifestyle. Ninety-two participants were placed into three groups: the football group (n=27), volleyball group (n=40), and non-exercise group (n=25).
Results:
Bone mineral density was higher in the football and volleyball groups than in the non-exercise group. The volleyball group had a significantly higher bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck than the non-exercise group. The football group had a significantly higher bone mineral density of the femoral neck than the non-exercise group. Serum 25-OHD levels were the highest in the football group and were significantly higher in the volleyball and non-exercisegroups.
Conclusions:
The present study found that middle-aged premenopausal football playershad higher body vitamin D levels and bone mineral densities than non-active females. These results suggest that playing football may contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis.
Using machine learning to explore the efficacy of administrative variables in prediction of subjective-wellbeing outcomes in New Zealand
Authors: Narayanan Anantha , Stewart Tom , Duncan Scott , Pacheco Gail 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The growing acknowledgment of population wellbeing as a key indicator of societal prosperity has propelled governments worldwide to devise policies aimed at improving their citizens' overall wellbeing. In New Zealand, the General Social Survey provides wellbeing metrics for a representative subset of the population (~ 10,000 individuals). However, this sample size only provides a surface-level understanding of the country's wellbeing landscape, hampering in-depth exploration into the determinants of population wellbeing and the impacts of governmental policies, particularly on smaller subgroups who may be of high policy interest. To overcome this challenge, comprehensive population-level wellbeing data is imperative. Leveraging New Zealand's Integrated Data Infrastructure, this study developed and validated the efficacy of three predictive models—Stepwise Linear Regression, Elastic Net Regression, and Random Forest—for predicting subjective wellbeing outcomes (life satisfaction, life worthwhileness, family wellbeing, and mental wellbeing) using census-level administrative variables as predictors. Our results demonstrated the Random Forest model's effectiveness in predicting subjective wellbeing, reflected in low RMSE values (~ 1.5). Nonetheless, the models exhibited low R2 values, suggesting limited explanatory capacity for the nuanced variability in outcome variables. While achieving reasonable predictive accuracy, our findings underscore the necessity for further model refinements to enhance the prediction of subjective wellbeing outcomes.
Early bactericidal activity of sitafloxacin against pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Nie Lihui , Tong jing , Wu Guihui , Du Juan , Shang Yuanyuan , Wang Yufeng , Wu Zhangjun , Xu Yuanhong , Ren Yi , Rao Youyi , Pang Yu , Gao Mengqiu 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Backgrounds:
Sitafloxacin is a quinolone broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, and its pharmacologic properties and in vitro data demonstrate that sitafloxacin has a potent killing effect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including drug-resistant strains, which is superior to that of other available quinolones. However, its efficacy in patients with primary-sensitive tuberculosis is unclear.
Objective
to evaluate the early bactericidal activity of sitafloxacin in patients with primary sensitive tuberculosis.
Methods
In this early bactericidal activity study, 30 patients with primary smear-positive tuberculosis were randomized to the once-daily oral administration of 200 mg sitafloxacin, 500 mg levofloxacin, or 300 mg isoniazid (INH) for 7 days. Sputum for quantitative culture was collected 2 days before the study of drug administration, followed by 16 hours of overnight sputum collected daily for 7 days of monotherapy. Colony-forming units (CFU) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were counted from the collected overnight sputum on agar plates to calculate the early bactericidal activity (EBA), defined as log10 CFU/ml sputum/day. The bactericidal activity was measured by measuring the first 2 days (early bactericidal activity) and the last 5 days (prolonged early bactericidal properties) of study drug administration.
Results
The early bactericidal activity of isoniazid (0.39 ± 0.22 log10CFU/ml/day) was higher than that of levofloxacin (0.26 ± 0.27 log10CFU/ml/day) and sitafloxacin (0.22 ± 0.25 log10CFU/ml/day), with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.08). Isoniazid prolonged early bactericidal activity (0.17 ± 0.16 log10CFU/ml/day) was higher than levofloxacin (0.14 ± 0.10 log10CFU/ml/day) and lower than sitafloxacin (0.26 ± 0.31 log10CFU/ml/day), with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.59). Early bactericidal activity (0–2 days) and extended early bactericidal activity (2–7 days) were similar for the three drugs; however, the extended early bactericidal activity of sitafloxacin showed higher activity than isoniazid and levofloxacin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sitafloxacin exhibits comparable early bactericidal activity, and higher extended early bactericidal activity relative to levofloxacin. In addition, this novel fluoroquinolone has good safety profile. Thus, our data highlights the potential of sitafloxacin in clinical management of drug-susceptible tuberculosis, as well as drug-resistant tuberculosis.