bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of cis-enhancers associated with bone mineral density and periodontitis in the gene SOST
Authors: Chopra Avneesh , Song Jiahui ,   January Weiner 3rd, Beule Dieter , Schaefer Arne S. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

A haplotype block at the sclerostin (SOST) gene correlates with bone mineral density (BMD) and increased periodontitis risk in smokers. Investigating the putative causal variants within this block, our study aimed to elucidate the impact of linked enhancer elements on gene expression and to evaluate their role in transcription factor (TF) binding. Using CRISPR/dCas9 activation (CRISPRa) screening in SaOS-2 cells, we quantified disease-related enhancer activities regulating SOST expression. Additionally, in SaOS-2 cells, we investigated the influence of the candidate TFs CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (CEBPB) on gene expression by antisense (GapmeR) knockdown, followed by RNA sequencing. The periodontitis-linked SNP rs9783823 displayed a significant cis-activating effect (25-fold change in SOST expression), with the C-allele containing a CEBPB binding motif (position weight matrix (PWM) = 0.98, Pcorrected = 7.7 x 10− 7). CEBPB knockdown induced genome-wide upregulation but decreased epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes (P = 0.71, AUC = 2.2 x 10− 11). This study identifies a robust SOST cis-activating element linked to BMD and periodontitis, carrying CEBPB binding sites, and highlights CEBPB's impact on epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
Investigating the effect of mouthwash containing chitosan / magnesium oxide / silver nanocomposite on Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Omidpanah Neda , Safaei Mohsen , Dizaj Solmaz Maleki , Salimian Ali 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori is known to be the main cause of stomach cancer and may be transmitted through the mouth or feces. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of preparing a mouthwash consisting of chitosan / magnesium oxide, and silver nanocomposite against Helicobacter.
Methods: The new nanocomposite group was used as a test group, and five conventional antibiotic groups were used to compare the antimicrobial effects of the new material as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control. The two-way ANOVA test was used, and the data was analyzed by SPSS software version 24.
Results: The results showed that chitosan, magnesium oxide, and silver nanocomposite mouthwash in concentrations of 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 micrograms/ml have antibacterial effects against Helicobacter pylori. The two-way ANOVA analysis test showed that among all the substances tested, metronidazole had the largest lack of growth halo, so that this lack of growth halo had a significant difference compared to the rest of the groups (P<0.0001). Also, the lowest number of non-growth auras was related to the tested nanocomposite sample, which was statistically significantly different from all groups except gentamicin and amikacin (P<0.0001).
Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that the composition prepared in this study has significant effects in reducing Helicobacter pylori.
The interaction effect of superabsorbent and biochar on physiological properties of Satureja rechingeri under drought-stress
Authors: Beiranvandi mojgan , Fouladidorhani Maliheh , Arthur Emmanuel , Ahmadi Abdolreza 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

This study investigated the sole effect of cattle manure biochar (B) and Stockosorb superabsorbent (SA) and their combination on the physiological characteristics of savory (S.rechingeri Jamzad) under drought stress. A field experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design as a factorial split plot with three replications for two consecutive years. The treatments included three levels of drought stress (100, 80 and 60 % of FC) as DS0, DS1, and DS2 which were assigned as main plots, and the combination of two biochar rates of 0 and 10 t ha-1(B0 and B1), and two super absorbent Stockosorb® rates of 0 and 6 g per plant-1 (SA0 and SA1) were allocated as subplots. After two years, the results demonstrated that drought stress reduced relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, and dry shoot weight. Also, the proline, electrolyte leakage (EL%) rate, flavonoid content, photosynthetic pigments increased in plants. Individual application of biochar, and SA had a significant effect on the amount of RWC%, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content. Biochar application had no significant impact on proline content and the EL% rate; in comparison to the control treatment, the application of SA resulted in a 15.1% decrease in EL% rate and a 21.4% decrease in proline content. In summary, the application of cattle manure biochar and superabsorbent are suitable amendments to improve the physiological status of savory under drought-stress conditions.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients treated in trial and real world settings: comparison of randomized trials with a registry focus on rituximab
Authors: Al-Shami Ahmad , Almuhanna Fahad , AlMousa Mohammad , Saber Ahmad Al , Ali Yaser M. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate whether patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis enrolled in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies may differ in terms of characteristics that could modify treatment effects leading to effectiveness gap.
Methods: We conducted systematic literature reviews to identify RCTs with RA treated with rituximab. We compared this to data from the registry of RA cases on rituximab. We further used meta-regression analyses to assess the differences in DAS28 between RCTs and observational studies (The KRRD) by including the study design as a dichotomous covariate assessment of whether the baseline characteristics changed over time.
Results: Compared to Observational studies, the average DAS28 for RCTs are higher by 2.78 to 4.06 at baseline and 0.65 to 2.99 after baseline (P<0.001).
Furthermore, ESR and CRP declined over time in RCT patients, but not in patients participating in the registry. Overall, the patients in the registry were older than the RCT.
Conclusion: we found important differences between RA patients included in RCTs as compared with observational studies; in particular, patients with better prognostic factors were included in the RCTs, leading to a potential overestimation of the treatment effect.
The right ventricular dysfunction and ventricular interdependence in patients with T2DM and aortic regurgitation: an assessment using CMR feature tracking
Authors: Shen Li-Ting , Shi Ke , Yang Zhi-Gang , Guo Ying-Kun , Shi Rui , Jiang Yi-Ning , Yan Wei-Feng , Li Yuan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Patients with concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and aortic regurgitation (AR) can present with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of AR on RV impairment and the importance of ventricular interdependence using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR‑FT) in patients with T2DM.
Methods
This study included 229 patients with T2DM (AR−), 88 patients with T2DM (AR+), and 122 healthy controls. The biventricular global radial strain (GRS), global circumferential strain (GCS), and global longitudinal peak strain (GLS) were calculated with CMR‑FT and compared among the healthy control, T2DM (AR−), and T2DM (AR+) groups. The RV regional strains at the basal, mid, and apical cavities between the T2DM (AR+) group and subgroups with different AR degrees were compared. Backward stepwise multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine the effects of AR and left ventricular (LV) strains on RV strains.
Results
The RV GLS, LV GRS, LV GCS, LV GLS, interventricular septal (IVS) GRS and IVS GCS were decreased gradually from the controls through the T2DM (AR−) group to the T2DM (AR+) group. The IVS GLS of the T2DM (AR−) and T2DM (AR+) groups was lower than that of the control group. AR was independently associated with LV GRS, LV GCS, LV GLS, RV GCS, and RV GLS. If AR and LV GLSs were included in the regression analyses, AR and LV GLS were independently associated with RV GLS.
Conclusion
AR can exacerbate RV dysfunction in patients with T2DM, which may be associated with the superimposed strain injury of the left ventricle and interventricular septum. The RV longitudinal and circumferential strains are important indicators of cardiac injury in T2DM and AR. The unfavorable LV-RV interdependence supports that while focusing on improving LV function, RV dysfunction should be monitored and treated in order to slow the progression of the disease and the onset of adverse outcomes.
Knowledge, attitude, and food safety practices among university students in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania
Authors: Masiku Geni-Theresia T. , Mwijage Kelvin F.Mwijage , Ryoba Nyakorema N.Ryoba , Ngulinzila Noel J. , Mgimba Neema T. , Njambilo Maria M. , Shirima Laura J. , Mboya Innocent B. , Mavura Rehema A. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Food safety is a public health concern worldwide due to an increased morbidity and mortality risk associated with the outbreak of food-borne diseases. We aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and food safety practices (KAP) among university students in northern Tanzania. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 407 university students in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania. Participants completed an online, self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and summarized using descriptive statistics. The Chi-squared test compared the proportion of KAP by participant characteristics and the multiple logistic regression model used to determine the associated factors. Participants had a mean age (standard deviation) of 23.2 (2.6) years, 51.4% were males, and 83% were <25 years. The overall proportion of good knowledge, attitude, and food safety practices were 82.6%, 78.4%, 31.9%, respectively. Higher odds of knowledge and attitude on food safety were students from KCMUCo (OR= 2.36;95% CI; 1.33-4.17) and (OR=4.80; 95% CI; 2.67-8.63).Also higher odds of food safety practice were students with good knowledge (OR =1.80;95% CI; 1.03-3.13) .Good food safety knowledge but not attitudes was associated with good food safety practices. This shows the need to introduce practical food safety within college environments to help students improve food hygiene and safety practices.
Collection, characterisation, and recycling potential of disposable vape pens in the UK
Authors: Main Joseph , Gerassimidou Spyridoula , Iacovidou Eleni 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Since 2021, there has been a notable increase in the consumption of disposable vapes among British adults. The management of disposable vape waste lags behind, due to significant challenges associated with the complexity of the devices and their components. This study explores the prospects of recycling to foster sustainable practices in handling disposable vape pens, by setting up and analysing a vape recycling Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) scheme at Brunel University London. An external waste management company was contracted to oversee the scheme, with vape recycling bins placed across the campus. To augment participation and raise awareness about the initiative, a targeted campaign was launched. Analysis of collected vape waste revealed significant variability in collection rates across different collection points, with 67.9% of vapes collected belonging to two major brands. The scheme’s challenges centred on determining the recycling route for the collected vapes, due to safety concerns associated with Li-ion batteries, the only component that is recycled, and disassembling intricacies. On the positive side, policy and regulation are evolving in response to safety and environmental impacts associated with disposable vapes, with the UK planning to impose restrictions on their sales by 2025. Nonetheless, the management of existing disposable vape stock and inevitable wastage remains a complex challenge indicating the importance of educational programs, regulatory frameworks, and recycling infrastructures to effectively eliminate these problematic items from the market and enable the transition towards a sustainable future.
The Climatic Impacts on Rice Yield in the Indian State of Odisha: An Application of Just-Pope Production Function and Quantile Regression
Authors: Panda Janmejaya , Parashari Gopal Sharan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The relatively higher sensitivity of the agriculture sector to adverse climatic impacts poses significant challenges to the food security of developing nations, including India. While the climatic impacts on Indian agriculture are well documented, there is a dearth of research addressing the inter-regional diversities in the impacts. Furthermore, existing studies are mostly restricted to the impacts on mean agricultural yield, overlooking the impacts on yield variability. This study investigates climatic impacts on rice yield in Odisha, a coastal Indian state, employing district-level panel data from 1995 to 2017. This study uses the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) approach to estimate the climatic impacts on the mean yield and yield variance of rice. In addition, the study uses the quantile regression method to measure how climatic impacts differ across different quantiles of rice yield distribution. Using the agro-climatic zone level dummies empowers the study to account for local weather and soil conditions. The results of the study reveal substantial heterogeneity in the climatic impacts across agro-climatic zones and conditional quantiles of rice yield distribution. The heterogeneity in climatic impacts highlights the significance of strategic and tactical adaptation measures.
JEL Classification: Q50, Q51, Q54
Assessing the Risk of Heart Attack: A Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression Analysis of Heavy Metal Mixtures
Authors: Ibrahimou Boubakari , Hasan Kazi Tanvir , Burchfield Shelbie , Salihu Hamisu , Zhu Yiliang , Dagne Getachew , Rosa Mario De La , Melesse Assefa , Lucchini Roberto , Bursac Zoran 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: The assessment of heavy metals' effects on human health is frequently limited to investigating one metal or a group of related metals. The effect of heavy metals mixture on heart attack is unknown.
Methods: This study applied the Bayesian kernel machine regression model (BKMR) to the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to investigate the association between heavy metal mixture exposure with heart attack. 2972 participants over the age of 20 were included in the study.
Results: Results indicate that heart attack patients have higher levels of cadmium and lead in the blood and cadmium, cobalt, and tin in the urine, while having lower levels of mercury, manganese, and selenium in the blood and manganese, barium, tungsten, and strontium in the urine. The estimated risk of heart attack showed a negative association of 0.0030 units when all the metals were at their 25th percentile compared to their 50th percentile and a positive association of 0.0285 units when all the metals were at their 75th percentile compared to their 50th percentile. The results suggest that heavy metal exposure, especially cadmium and lead, may increase the risk of heart attacks.
Conclusions: This study suggests a possible association between heavy metal mixture exposure and heart attack and, additionally, demonstrates how the BKMR model can be used to investigate new combinations of exposures in future studies.
The ubiquitin E3 ligase UBE3A regulates GRIPAP1 and PACSIN1 proteins linked to the endocytic recycling of AMPA receptors
Authors: Drebushenko Laura , Belous Natalya , Lishcka Fritz W. , Zhou Qiong , Malci Ayse , Sidorov Michael S. , Burnett Barrington , Doughty Martin L 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by cognitive and language impairments, seizures, reduced or fragmented sleep, motor ataxia, and a characteristic happy affect. AS arises due to the neuronal loss of UBE3A, an E3 ligase that regulates protein abundance through the addition of lysine 48 (K48)-linked polyubiquitin chains to proteins targeted for degradation by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). Using a dual SMAD inhibition protocol to derive cortical neurons from human induced pluripotent stem cells, we examined UBE3A deletion effects on the neuronal proteome by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). LC-MS/MS identified 645 proteins differentially abundant between UBE3A knockout (KO) and isogenic UBE3A wild-type control cortical neurons. Proteins with increased abundance with UBE3A loss of function include GRIPAP1 and PACSIN1, synaptic proteins implicated in AMPA receptor recycling. We provide evidence UBE3A polyubiquitinates GRIPAP1 and PACSIN1 to regulate their protein turnover, providing novel insight into the pathogenic mechanism underlying the disease.
A Case Report of Breast Abscess Caused by Peptoniphilus harei after Endoscopic Breast-Conserving Surgery for Breast Cancer and Literature Review
Authors: He Siqi , Wang Zheng , Liu Xiaoling , Wei Wei , Li Guangxin 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background Breast abscess is a common infectious disease of the breast, but a breast abscess caused solely by Peptoniphilus harei is extremely rare. Endoscopic breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer is an emerging breast surgical technique that is considered a clean surgery with a low postoperative infection rate.
Case Presentation We report a case of a patient who underwent endoscopic breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer and developed a breast abscess in the surgical area after radiotherapy. Bacterial culture and identification confirmed that the abscess was caused by P. harei infection. After treatment with antibiotics targeting P. harei and active wound debridement, the patient recovered well.
Conclusions This is the first reported case of a breast abscess caused solely by P. harei after endoscopic breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer. Early identification of the pathogen and targeted treatment are crucial for successful management.
Development of a Structural Equation Model for Sustainable Construction Practices in Nigeria
Authors: Unegbu H. C. O. , Yawas D. S. , Dan-asabe B. , Alabi A. A. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

This study investigates the determinants of sustainable construction practices in Nigeria, focusing on the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the research examines the relationships between various independent latent constructs—organizational culture, government policies, financial implications, stakeholder processes, and technology availability—and their impact on sustainability outcomes. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 248 respondents from 10 sampled construction companies in Nigeria. The data collected was analysed using SIMPLEX Project in LISREL The result of the SEM highlight the paramount importance of government policies, exhibiting the highest path coefficients across all sustainability dimensions. Organizational culture significantly influences sustainability, with companies prioritizing sustainability more likely to adopt green technologies and eco-friendly practices. Financial resources, effective stakeholder engagement, and access to advanced technologies also positively impact sustainability outcomes. The study reveals significant cross-impacts among the three sustainability dimensions, demonstrating their interconnected nature. These insights provide valuable recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders to foster a sustainability-oriented culture, invest in technology, and engage stakeholders effectively.
Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric and adult patients with hemophilia
Authors: Zhang Shuxia , Xie Bangxiang , Lin Yanfang , Chen Chunrong , Yang Shu , Xu Shujuan , Chen Jing , Li Xin , Yang Feng’e , Huang Meijuan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated mortality rate of hemophilia patients is similar to that of the general population, but the risk of hospitalization and bleeding is higher. However, the specific impact of this infection on hemophilia patients remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on the infection susceptibility, symptoms, drug use, and social intercourse of patients with hemophilia.
Methods
A survey was distributed to 265 patients with hemophilia (185 adults and 80 children) in the Fujian hemophilia therapeutic center (Fuzhou City, China) during the COVID-19 pandemic, and data were collected between January 2022 and January 2023. The impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection on hemophilia symptoms, drug use, and social intercourse of these patients were investigated, and the association between the recovery time and disease conditions was explored in infected patients.
Results
During the pandemic, compared with adult patients, pediatric patients had significantly reduced social intercourse and outdoor activities because of the fear of contracting COVID-19 (85.0% vs. 66.5%). Bleeding events were also significantly fewer in children than in adults (61.2% vs. 81.1%). The SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was significantly higher in patients living in urban areas than in those living in rural areas (74.3% vs. 53.6%). The duration of achieving symptomatic recovery from COVID-19 was not significantly associated with hemorrhage, type and classification of hemophilia, presence of inhibitors, complications, and vaccination status.
Conclusion
Having COVID-19 infection did not significantly influence the symptoms and treatments in patients with hemophilia. Pediatric patients had significantly fewer bleeding events than adults.
Virtual staining-based tumor microenvironment model predicting prognosis of gastric cancer
Authors: Hong Yiyu , Chi Sang Ah , Lee Hye Seung , Hwang Inwoo , Kang So Young , Ahn Soomin , Kim Kyunga , An Ji Yeong , Choi Min Gew , Lee Jun Ho , Sohn Tae Sung , Bae Jae Moon , Kim Kyoung-Mee 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of tumor-associated stroma and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Assessment of tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) and TIL in the histopathological specimens can provide important prognostic information in various diverse solid tumors including gastric cancer (GC). However, implementation as a routine clinical biomarker has not been developed. In 320 GC patients, a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN)-based virtual cytokeratin and leukocyte common antigen staining approach and binary image processing techniques were developed with H&E-stained slide images to computationally quantify TSR and TIL [intratumoral (tTIL) and stromal (sTIL)]. Based on TSR and TIL, a TME-based prediction model (TMEPATH) was developed from a univariable cox regression model, and a beta coefficient for each level was used to define three-class subgroups to predict survival of the GC patients. Genomic alterations associated with those TME-based prognostic models were analyzed. Based on a cut-off value of 0.76, TSR was divided into TSR_low (n = 113) and TSR_high (n = 207) types. For TIL, two TIL subtypes were developed with optimal cut-off values (0.03). As TME subtype using simple TIL (TMEPATH) showed higher discrimination performance compared to TME subtype constructed with both sTIL and tTIL, TMEPATH was finally selected. GC TMEPATH showed low risk in 91 cases (28.4%) with best survival, 167 medium risk (52.2%), and 62 high risk (19.4%) with worst survival (HR p = 0.0061, C-index 0.545, 5 year-iAUC 0.55, 5 year-tAUC 0.548). This survival difference was validated in an outside cohort (n = 182) with clinical significances (HR p = 0.0064, C-index 0.539, 5 year-iAUC 0.539, 5 year-tAUC 0.534). Moreover, TSR, TIL, and TMEPATH were significantly associated with microsatellite instability, tumor mutation burden, and mutations of CDH1. In conclusion, GC can be classified into three TME subtypes based on TSR and TIL and could predict prognosis in patients with GC.