bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Predictive Value of the Modified Frailty Index (mFI-5) on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients with High-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Zaki Peter , Herr Sanjeev , Doori Lana Al , Murtha Abigail , Evanson Davin , Nypaver Jakob , Busch Nisha , Beool Ramee , Vyas Praveer , Li Jenna , Leonardo Jody , Yu Alexander , Herbst John , Karlovits Stephen , Wegner Rodney E. , Shepard Matthew J. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose: High-grade gliomas (HGGs) are aggressive brain tumors associated with significant morbidity. This study aims to assess the utility of the 5-factor Modified Frailty Index (mFI-5) in predicting postoperative outcomes and overall survival in patients undergoing surgical resection for HGGs.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 196 patients treated surgically for GBM at our institution from January 2016 to January 2023. Patients were stratified into three groups based on their preoperative mFI-5 scores: prefrail (< 2), frail (= 2), and severely frail (> 2). Primary outcomes included 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year survival and progression-free survival. Secondary outcomes focused on hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission rates, and discharge status. Univariate and multivariate analyses evaluated the impact of frailty on these outcomes.Results: Frailty was significantly associated with adverse outcomes. The median progression free survival was 9.2 months in the prefrail, 6.9 months in the frail and 3.5 months in severely frail patients (p = 0.01). Furthermore, the 90-day OS was 89%, 91% and 75% for the prefrail, frail and severely frail group respectively (p = 0.03). However, there was no statistically significant difference in 12-month OS (64%, 70%, 58%; p = 0.72). The median survival for the cohort was 17.9 months in the prefrail, 15.4 months in the frail and 15.3 in the severely frail (p = 0.02). Severely frail patients demonstrated lower rates of symptomatic resolution (66%,53%, 33% respectively; p = 0.005), increased non-home discharge rates (24%, 55.9%, 75%, respectively; P < 0.001), and mRS > 2 upon discharge (5%, 26%, and 66% respectively; P < 0.001).Conclusion: The mFI-5 is a valuable tool for preoperative risk stratification in patients with GBM, predicting short-term survival and postoperative outcomes. Integrating frailty assessments into preoperative evaluations can aid in tailoring surgical and adjuvant therapies, potentially improving patient outcomes and optimizing resource allocation. This study supports the adoption of frailty assessments in neuro-oncological practice to enhance personalized care strategies for patients with HGGs.
Adaptation of Resistance Training is impaired in muscle-specific PGC-1α overexpressing mice
Authors: ZHANG Hai Peng , SONG Yan Lin , BAI Rong Yan , DING Ming Chao , XU Sheng Jia , XIA Tie Cheng , ZHAO Han Zhi , WANG Sen , ZHANG Chen Yu , Ma Ji Zheng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Resistance training (RT) is important for skeletal muscle health. However, compared with RT implemented alone, concurrent training can attenuate RT adaptations. We verify the effects of RT on muscle-enriched or hypertrophy-related miRNAs, mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) anabolic signaling proteins, and oxidative metabolism-related proteins in mice with different endurance muscle Phenotype. In the present study, we found that muscle-specific overexpression of PGC-1alpha attenuated RT adaptations and resulted in different expression of miR-222-3p and miR-206-3p after RT. The expression level of miR-206-3p and miR-222-3p in Wt+ mice (wild-type trained mice) was significantly higher than that in Tg+ mice (MCK-PGC-1α transgenic trained mice). This suggested that discordant miR-222-3p and miR-206-3p expression levels after RT may play a role in the mechanism contributing to the interference effects. With regard to protein expression,there was no difference in mTORC1 between the genotypes. Furthermore, the levels of parameters for oxidative metabolism were significantly higher in Tg mice than in Wt mice. Our study indicated miR-222-3p and miR-206-3pas novel molecules that could provide a new research direction into the mechanisms underlying the concurrent training effect.
Real-time mental workload measurement for four break configurations in cognitive tasks using the EEG-based workload index (EWI)
Authors: Arana-De-Las-Casas Nancy Ivette , Sáenz-Zamarrón David , Maldonado-Macías Aidé Aracely , De-La-Riva-Rodríguez Jorge 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The current real tasks in work environments are complex, they demand a large amount of cognitive work, which causes the need to carry out Mental Workload (MWL) studies during the execution of those tasks. In high-tech manufacturing processes, the human-machine systems adopted are technologically more complex than ever and, consequently, the MWL of employees has increased during their work activities. A high MWL can adversely affect employee well-being, causing new health problems, mainly cognitive. MWL has become a relevant workplace concern due to its relationship with poor performance, low productivity, human errors, accidents, and stress. In this project, a design of experiments framework was created to measure MWL through a graphical user interface (GUI) that contains the Dual N-back method, it is developed by subjects while they performed a set of cognitive tasks; and it is measured physiologically by electroencephalogram (EEG). The design integrated hardware (Cyton© card as EEG measurement equipment) and software (OpenBCI, MATLAB, EEGLAB) that automatically synchronizes the electroencephalogram (EEG) with the activity performed (stimulus), this was done by using the Lab Streaming Layer (LSL)© system, which allows real-time data transmission between applications in a computer. This study validated the EWI model as an index of MWL performance.
Abusive Supervision and Employee Participation in Decision Making as Moderators of Subordinate Silence and Innovative Work Behaviour among Civil Servants in Southeast Nigeria
Authors: Ezeaku Obumneme Timothy Chukwuezugo , Ebeh Richards Ebireonwu , Sydney-Agbor Ngozi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The increase in poor service delivery in Nigerian public service and the growing culture of silence have increased the cost of governance and affected national development. In view of this concern, this study examined abusive supervision and employee participation in decision making as predictors of subordinate silence and innovative work behaviour among middle-level civil servants in Southeast Nigeria.
Method
A multistage sampling technique was applied to select 524 middle-level civil servants aged between 36 and 59 years (M = 43.50 years; SD = 3.20). Four instruments were used for data collection: the Subordinate Silence Scale, the Innovative Work Behaviour Scale, the Abusive Supervision Scale and the Employee Participation in Decision Making Scale. A correlation design and moderated regression statistics were used to examine the seven hypotheses of the study.
Results
The results showed that abusive supervision significantly predicted subordinate silence (β = .98, p < .05, n = 524), whereas employee participation in decision making negatively predicted subordinate silence (β = − .18, p < .05, n = 524). Abusive supervision also negatively predicted innovative work behaviour (β = − .93, p < .05, n = 524), while employee participation positively predicted it (β = .63, p < .05, n = 524). Subordinate silence negatively predicted innovative work behaviour (β = − .589*, p < .05, n = 524). In the moderation model, abusive supervision in decision making had a significant effect (β = -1.6*, p < .05, n = 524), as did employee participation (β = 1.2*, p < .05, n = 524), on the relationship between subordinate silence and innovative work behaviour.
Conclusion
The findings imply that supervision abuse accelerated the negative effects of subordinate silence, which hampered innovative work behaviour, while employee participation in decision making reduced the negative effects and improved innovative work behaviour. We recommend that the civil service code be revised to protect bottom-level workers from abuse, while proactive measures are taken for civil service ethical violations.
Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Metals Consumed Through Plant-Based Anti-Diabetic Therapeutics Collected in the Northern Divisional City of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Nazmul , Zamir Rausan , Faruque Omar 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The present study investigates human health risks upon consumption of herbal medicines in terms of ten toxic metals in twenty plant-based anti-diabetic therapeutics. The analysis of metals was determined by an atomic absorption spectrometer after microwave-assisted digestion. The computation of hazard quotients (HQ) and hazard indexes (HI) of metals leads to the assessment of non-carcinogenic health risks. Carcinogenic risk was assessed based on cancer slope factor (CSF) and chronic daily intake (CDI) values. Comparison with WHO regulatory cut-off points for each metal: seven samples for Mn, twelve samples for Hg, three samples for Cu, eight samples for Ni, four samples for Cd, two samples for Pb, one sample for Cr, and eight samples for Zn are unsafe to consume. Non-carcinogenic human health risk is predicted for Mn in seven samples, Fe in one sample, Hg in ten samples, Cu in three samples, Ni in one sample, and Pb in two samples. HI values greater than 1 predict non-carcinogenic health risk in thirteen samples. Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) remains for Pb in one sample, Cr in one sample, Cd in three samples, and Ni in nine samples. To guarantee consumer safety, the implementation of strict monitoring is suggested.
A modified approach allows for inquiry of previously alien TEPs in peripheral blood, possibly related to lung cancer progress.
Authors: Zu Ruiling , Zeng Dan , Yin Xing , Yao Deng , Ling Han , Zhang Kaijiong , Xu Pingyao , Wang Dongsheng , Li Yuping , Luo Huaichao 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
While the PRP (platelet-rich plasma) method was the most widely used in the tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) research, there were still platelets in peripheral blood unextracted which are whose histology and function are currently alien.
Objectives
To prove the unextracted platelets existed, and to explore the correlation of the unextracted platelets with lung cancer progression.
Methods
A second centrifugation step was used to establish a modified approach, which was compared with the PRP method based on the PRR (platelet recovery rate). Sequencing analysis was used to explore the function of unextracted platelets.
Results
The modified approach improved the PRR to 100%, while the PRP method got the PRR at 70%. The PRR was negatively correlated with platelet volume, and positively correlated with platelet counts. Those results indicated that about 30% of platelets with larger sizes were unextracted in the PRP method. The Sequencing analysis revealed that those platelets are abundant in RNA and might be more pertinent to the progression of lung cancer connected with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.
Conclusions
This research raised a modified approach to collect the unextracted platelets omitted by the PRP method in peripheral blood, which provided technical support for TEPs’ application in liquid biopsy. We also proved those alien platelets might play a role in lung cancer progression, which would allow further mechanistic exploration.
Omics Based Screening of novel inhibitors against malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Saleem Maryam , Waqas Muhammad , Ahmad Bilal , Afzal Muhammad , Abdel-Maksoud Mostafa A. , Almutairi Saeedah Musaed , Razzaq Roha , Azeem Farrukh 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer affecting the pleural membrane. It is characterized by its rarity and lethality, presenting limited treatment avenues. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a crucial signaling protein that binds to and activates the VEGFR-2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2). This interaction initiates a signaling cascade promoting endothelial cell proliferation and migration, fostering the formation of new blood vessels and fueling tumor growth. In this study, immunogenic approaches were employed to predict potential antigenic epitopes targeting the VEGFR-2 receptor. These epitopes were utilized to construct a multi-epitope peptide, which was subsequently docked against VEGFR-2 receptors to assess binding capabilities and interactions. Three optimal epitopes from the vaccine construct were selected based on binding interactions. Peptides derived from these epitopes were then predicted and docked with VEGFR-2 receptors to analyze their binding abilities and interactions further. Moreover, three distinct datasets for MPM were selected, each representing a different condition: a normal dataset, a diseased dataset, and a dataset from treated individuals (using K-975 - Kirin). Common genes across these datasets were identified through Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis conducted on an online Galaxy server. Additionally, upregulated genes in malignant pleural mesothelioma were detected through NGS analysis, with sulf-1 identified as an upregulated gene protein. Molecular docking analysis against a phytochemical library was performed using sulf-1, leading to the selection of novel drugs acting as inhibitors against malignant pleural mesothelioma. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic properties of selected compounds were analyzed. This study aims to screen potential inhibitors targeting VEGFA, block the VEGFR-2 receptor using immunogenic and non-toxic peptides derived from VEGFA, and identify differentially expressed genes in malignant mesothelioma through RNA sequencing for virtual screening of potential inhibitors.
An Ensemble Event Extraction Method on News
Authors: Liu Lihua , Chen haiwen , Ge Ningchao , Xiao Kaiming , Wu Jibing , Li Xuan , Huang hongbin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Navigating through the complexities of news to extract pivotal events demands innovative methodologies to ensure accurate and reliable outcomes. This paper introduces a novel ensemble approach for event extraction, synergizing multiple models to enhance accuracy and reliability amidst the strategic and operational intricacies of news. A key metric, the Confidence Score (CS), quantifies the reliability and credibility of extracted events, serving as a robust indicator of a model's assurance in its predictions and providing a mechanism to navigate through ambiguities in the data. The paper offers a holistic representation and estimation of the confidence of individual model outputs. A comprehensive CS evaluation method is introduced, integrating consistency and prior confidence of multi-model output, and is augmented by an iterative update algorithm, enhancing CS evaluation accuracy by comparing consistency of pairwise outputs of identical arguments and updating the CS in a weighted manner based on prior scores.Experiments conducted on a dataset compiled from online news underscore the notable improvement of our method in comparison to both singular model and prevalent ensemble strategies, demonstrating its efficacy and potential applicability in practice.
Automated Design of State Transition Rules in Ant Colony Optimization by Genetic Programming: A Comprehensive Investigation
Authors: Lin Bocheng , Mei Yi , Zhang Mengjie 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The automated design of Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms has become increasingly significant, particularly in addressing complex combinatorial optimization problems. Although existing methods have achieved some success, they still face limitations, particularly the high dependency on expert knowledge, pre-solved data, and challenges in interpretability. Genetic Programming (GP), as a proven technology, has shown potential in optimizing the automated design state transition rules of ACO. However, existing research on GP-ACO is insufficient, particularly in terms of experimental validation and systematic evaluation. To address these issues, this study conducts comprehensive experiments to explore several key questions: the generality of GP-ACO on homogeneously distributed maps, the impact of different ACO variants on the learning capabilities of GP-ACO, the effect of 2-opt local search on the learning capabilities of GP-ACO, the enhancement of learning capabilities through the addition of more global information, and the interpretability of GP-ACO. The findings indicate that GP-ACO exhibits robust generality; variations among ACO variants have minimal impact on learning performance; 2-opt local search can somewhat diminish the performance of GP-ACO in the Max-Min Ant System (MMAS); additional global information can significantly enhance the learning capabilities of GP-ACO; and GP-ACO has good interpretability.
Ixeris polycephala extract alleviates progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats
Authors: Baek Eun Bok , Hwang Youn-Hwan , Hong Eun-Ju , Won Young-Suk , Kwun Hyo-Jung 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a urogenital disorder that is common in aging men. Ixeris polycephala (IP) is used in traditional medicine and contains pharmacologically active compounds. We herein evaluated the impact of IP on a testosterone-induced model of BPH in rats.
Methods
To generate the BPH model, daily subcutaneous administration of testosterone was applied for 4 weeks. During this period, the rats were also given a daily oral gavage of IP (150 mg/kg), finasteride (positive control, 10 mg/kg), or vehicle.
Results
Testosterone treatment was associated with a significantly higher prostate-to-body weight ratio, serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) level, and prostatic gene expression of 5α-reductase compared to untreated controls. Notably, IP plus testosterone co-treatment was associated with decreased epithelial thickness, down-regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cyclin D1, and up-regulation of pro-apoptotic signaling molecules, including caspase-3 and Bax. IP co-treatment also down-regulated inflammatory mediators, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and decreased inflammatory cell infiltration compared to the levels seen in the testosterone-induced BPH.
Conclusion
IP appears to protect rats against the progression of testosterone-induced BPH by inhibiting prostatic proliferation and inflammatory responses, and thus may have potential for clinical use against BPH progression.
Interaction capacity of 2, 10, 16, 24-tetrakis(benzhydryloxy) Zn(II) phthalocyanine complex with DNA
Authors: Arslantaş Ali , Ağırtaş Mehmet Salih 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The mechanism of interaction of peripheral tetra-substituted zinc (II) phthalocyanine complex with DNA was evaluated by various procedures in the present study. The DNA interaction capacity of 2, 10, 16, 24-tetrakis (benzhydryloxy) zinc (II) phthalocyanine complex was probed together with the electronic absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, electrophoresis, thermal denaturation and study of viscosity. DNA binding constant (Kb) and changes in the thermal melting profile of DNA by addition of ZnPc compound revealed that the complex has the capability to attach to CT-DNA by an intercalative binding mechanism. The binding constant Kb that is a crucial parameter for getting information on the binding mechanism, it was estimated to be 1.392 106 M− 1 owing to the electronic absorption analysis and else prominent instrument is fluorescence spectroscopy to clear up the interaction capacity of ZnPc with the DNA. Fluorescence spectrophotometric data provide the evidence that the compound can reacts with DNA thru an intercalative coupling formation pathway. By the outcomes of electrophoresis assays, the declines in the intensity of CT-DNA bands demonstrated that the ZnPc complex interacts with DNA. Further, the data of viscosity measurements demonstrated that the reaction of ZnPc with DNA is most likely via the intercalative binding pathway. All these experimental data revealed that the ZnPc compound interacts with DNA and the compound may be appropriate drugs for the treating cancer due to its DNA interaction activity.
Scalable camera traps for measuring the attractiveness of sugar baits to control malaria and dengue mosquitoes
Authors: Meza Felician C , Tenywa Frank C , Ashall Simon , Okumu Fredros O , Moore Sarah , Tripet Frederic 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) are one of the new promising interventions that can complement existing vector control tools. However, there is need to provide reproducible and quantitative information on the level of attractiveness of ATSBs under field conditions. To do so, we customized camera traps for close-up imaging and integrated them into a rugged ATSB monitoring station for day and night-time recording of mosquitoes landing on the baits.
Methods
The camera traps were evaluated, in a semi-field system and then in the field in rural Tanzania. In semi-field 2m x 5m x 2m net chambers, the camera trap was set up to record mosquitoes landing on either an attractive sugar bait (ASB), a blank ASB or 20% sucrose (w/v). Next, 198 mosquitoes (33 males and 33 females of Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles funestus and Aedes aegypti) were released into each chamber and allowed to seek a sugar-meal for 72h, with the camera recording images of mosquitoes present on the ASB at 1min intervals. In the field 16 camera traps were set in 16 households, 7 with ASB attractant, 7 with ASB blank and 2 with 20% sucrose (w/v). Human landing catch (HLC) was performed on the same nights as the camera trap recordings.
Results
Under the semi-field conditions, there were significantly more mosquitoes that visited the ASBs than the blank baits, with An. funestus visiting more frequently than An. arabiensis. There were no significant differences between females and male An. arabiensis visits, but female An. funestus visited more than their conspecific males. The duration of visits did not vary between the ASB and the blanks, nor between the mosquito species. Moreover, mosquitoes visited the ASB or sucrose equally, with An. arabiensis visiting the baits more than An. funestus. Female mosquitoes visited the baits more than the males. There was no significant difference in visit duration between all species. In the field study, a mean of 70 An. arabiensis were caught per person per night by HLC compared to 1 individual recorded per night on ASBs. There were significantly more visits by mosquitoes to the ASB than the ASB blanksand sucrose solution, with more An. arabiensisvisiting the baits than An. funestus or C. quinquefasciatus. Females of all species visited baits significantly more than males. Again, the duration of visits was similar between An. arabiensis, An. funestusand C. quinquefasciatus. Ae. aegypti very rarely visited ASBs in the semi-field experiments and none were observed on baits in the field.
Conclusions
The use of camera traps to record still images of mosquitoes present on ASBs provides robust, reproducible and quantitative information on their attractiveness under different environmental conditions. Therefore, camera traps are powerful tools for evaluating and improving the ATSB technology.