bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on Galectin-9 expression in decidual macrophages contributing to dysfunction of decidual NK cells during pregnancy
Authors: Wang Xiao , Wang Shuyan , Xu Xiaoyan , Jiang Yuzhu , Ren Liqin , Zhang Haixia , Li Zhidan , Liu Xianbing , Hu Xuemei , Ren Yushan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infection causes adverse pregnancy outcomes by affecting the expression of immunotolerant molecules in decidual immune cells. Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is widely expressed in decidual macrophages (dMφ) and is crucial for maintaining normal pregnancy by interacting with the immunomodulatory protein Tim-3. However, the effects of T. gondii infection on Gal-9 expression levels in dMφ during pregnancy, as well as the impact of altered Gal-9 expression levels on the maternal-fetal tolerance function of dNK cells, are still unknown.
Methods: Pregnancy outcomes of T. gondii infected C57BL/6 and Lgals9-/- pregnant mice models were recorded. The pathological change was evaluated by HE staining. The expression of Gal-9 in T. gondii infected dMφ were examined using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Expressions of Gal-9, JNK, p-JNK, FOXO1 were detected by Western Blot. The binding of FOXO1 to the promoter of Lgals9 was determined by ChIP-PCR. Supernatants from control or infected dMφ was co-cultured with purified human dNK cells with or without recombinant human Gal-9 protein (rhGal-9) or neutralized antibody of Tim-3, the expression of ERK, p-ERK, CREB, p-CREB, T-bet, IL-10 and IFN-γ were assayed by Western Blot.
Results: T. gondii infection promoted JNK phosphorylation and increased FOXO1 expression in dMφ, resulting in reduction of Gal-9 due to the elevated binding of FOXO1 with Lgals9 promoter. Downregulation of Gal-9 enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK and inhibited phosphorylation of CREB and expression of IL-10, and promoted the expression of T-bet and IFN-γ. In mice model, knockout of Gal-9 aggravated adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by T. gondii infection during pregnancy.
Conclusions: T. gondii infection suppressed Gal-9 expression in dMφ by activating the JNK/FOXO1 signaling pathway, and reduction of Gal-9 resulted in dysfunction of dNK via Gal-9/Tim-3 interaction. This study provided new insights for the molecular mechanisms of the adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by T. gondii.
Analysis of a Prototype Multi-DetectorFast-Neutron Radiography Panel
Authors: Young Christian , Browning Chloe , Thurber Ryan , Smalley Matthew , Liesenfelt Michael , Hayward Jason , McFarlane Nicole , Cooper Michael , Preston Jeff 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

A multi-detector fast neutron radiography panel was built using the pre-vious work on scalable neutron radiography using the IDEAS ROSSPADreadout module. A new aluminum housing was built to accommodate a large number of detectors tiled together. Additional changes tostartup and processing code were made to operate the detector as onecohesive unit. Spatial resolution of the full panel using Cs-137 gammas was reported to be 0.42 line pairs per centimeter at 90% MTFand 2.09 line pairs per centimeter at 10% MTF. Three neutron radio-graphs generated using a Cf-252 fission neutron source were used todetermine the spatial resolution of the panel for neutrons. The experiments had 90% MTF values of 0.24, 0.3, and 0.27 line pairs percentimeter and 10% MTF values of 1.30, 1.46, and 1.40 line pairs percentimeter. An example neutron radiograph was also used to provethat the radiography panel can perform true neutron radiography.
Perinatal Factors and its Association with Cardiometabolic Profile in Schoolchildren
Authors: Mansour Kamila Mohammad Kamal , Tornquist Luciana , Pfeiffer Karin Allor , Paiva Dulciane Nunes , Reuter Cézane Priscila 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Developmental origins of health and disease suggests a link between the periconceptual, fetal, and early infant phases of life and the persistent development of metabolic disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the associations between perinatal variables and cardiometabolic profile in school-aged children and adolescents.
METHODS
Retrospective study that used cross-sectional data from a database of a larger study named “Schoolchildren’s health”. The study was carried out using a sample comprising children and adolescents, ranging from 6 to 17 years old from both genders. All participants were enrolled in private and public schools in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil. A self-administered questionnaire was applied to children and parents, then anthropometric measurements of body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%) and waist circumference (WC) were obtained followed by a cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) test. ​The association of perinatal variables with BMI, WC, BF%, and CRF was tested by multiple linear regression, using the “Enter” input method, being the unstandardized coefficient (B) and 95% confidence intervals of the associations were estimated. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Statistical significance was established as p < 0.05.
RESULTS
A total of 1.431 children and adolescents were evaluated, with 803 (56.1%) of them being females and white subjects (83%) with mean age of 11.48 ± 2.75 years. Associations between perinatal factors and anthropometric measurements were found birth weight (BW) and BMI (B:1.13; 95%CI:0.74;1.51), BW and WC (B:2.20; 95%CI:1.37;3.04), BW and BF% (B:1.84; 95%CI:0.83;2.84). Gestational age also had associations with BMI (B:1.00; 95%CI:0.25;1.74); WC (B:1.88; 95%CI:0.25;3.50) and CRF (B:-168.91; 95%CI:-299.53;-38.29). Complications during pregnancy and BMI (B:0.48; 95%CI:0.02;0.93) and cesarean birth and BMI (B:0.43; 95%CI:0.01;0.86).
CONCLUSIONS
Associations exist between perinatal factors and future cardiometabolic profile. It is imperative to establish and reinforce efforts geared towards enhancing the health literacy of both adolescent boys and girls, along with pregnant women.
Photoperiodic plasticity of pigment-dispersing factor immunoreactive fibers projecting toward prothoracicotropic hormone neurons in flesh fly Sarcophaga similis larvae
Authors: Ohe Yutaro , Hasebe Masaharu , Hamanaka Yoshitaka , Goto Shin G. , Shiga Sakiko 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Larvae of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga similis exhibit photoperiodic responses to control pupal diapause. Although the external coincidence model is applicable to S. similis photoperiodic responses, it remains unknown how circadian clock system integrates day-length information. To explore the mechanisms underlying the photoperiodic control of pupal diapause, we examined the neural circuitry involving circadian clock lateral neurons (LNs) and prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) neurons, the latter possibly controlling the ecdysteroid production. We also examined the photoperiodic effects on LN-fiber patterns in third-instar S. similis larvae. Immunohistochemistry showed that PERIOD and a neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) were co-localized in four cells per hemisphere, and we named these PDF-LNs of S. similis. Single-cell polymerase chain reaction of backfilled neurons from the ring gland showed that two pairs of pars lateralis neurons with contralateral axons (PL-c neurons) expressed ptth. Double labeling with immunohistochemistry and backfills revealed that PDF-immunoreactive varicose fibers projected in the proximity of fibers from PL-c neurons. However, pdf receptor was not but glutamate-gated chloride channel was expressed in most PL-c neurons. L-glutamate but not PDF acutely inhibited the spontaneous firing activity of PL-c neurons. The number of PDF-immunoreactive varicosities of PDF-LNs in the dorsal protocerebrum was significantly higher under short-day than that under long-day conditions in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest that PDF-LNs, PTTH neurons, and glutamate signaling form a potential neural circuity for the photoperiodic control of pupal diapause and that photoperiod modifies the connectivity strength between PDF-LNs and their post- or pre-neurons in the circuitry.
Numerical simulation of deposition characteristics of microorganisms and particles mixed fouling in sewage heat exchange tube
Authors: Zhuang Zhaoyi , Zhao Jin , Zhang Caixia , Yin Haiyang 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Sewage source heat pump technology is an innovative way of energy recovery. It can use the heat in all kinds of sewage to heat and cool buildings. This technology not only saves energy, but also has good economic benefits. At present, the main problem of this technology is the fouling problem. Microbial fouling and particle fouling are the main components of fouling in sewage heat exchangers. In this paper, the mixed dirt composed of microbial dirt and particulate dirt is taken as the research object. The deposition characteristics of mixed fouling in sewage were studied by numerical simulation. The mathematical model of mixed fouling deposition was established. The effects of various factors on mixed fouling deposition were simulated and analyzed by using the model. The results show that when the flow rate increases from u = 0.5m/s to u = 1.5m/s, the thermal resistance value of mixed dirt equilibrium in winter condition decreases from 27.97×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 to 9.82×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1, a decrease of 64.9%. At this time, the thermal resistance in summer condition is reduced from 36.41×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 to 11.15×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1, a decrease of 69.4%. The higher the inlet temperature, the higher the deposition rate of mixed dirt, and the shorter the time required for thermal resistance to reach equilibrium. However, the inlet temperature has little influence on the thermal resistance of mixed dirt. When the particle size of microbial particles increases from 0.1mm to 0.5mm, the thermal resistance value of mixed dirt when it reaches equilibrium in winter condition increases from 17.34×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 to 21.55×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1, increasing by 24.3%. At this time, the thermal resistance in summer condition increased from 18.94×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 to 23.49×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1, an increase of 24.0%. When the size of hard particles increases from 1µm to 40µm, the thermal resistance in winter conditions increases from 14.52×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 to 19.56×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1, an increase of 34.6%. At this time, the thermal resistance in summer condition increased from 16.68×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 to 20.91×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1, an increase of 25.4%. The thermal resistance of mixed dirt increased by 0.97×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 in winter condition and 1.06×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 in summer condition with an increase of 200 mg/L microbial particle concentration. The thermal resistance increases by 7.3×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 in winter and 8.1×10− 4 m2·K·W− 1 in summer for every 200 mg/L increase in hard particle concentration. The research results of this paper can provide scientific basis for the design of sewage heat transfer system and have important engineering application value.
Simvastatin and Lovastatin inhibit Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation by interfering with the aggregation and amyloid formation of the TasA(28-261) –TapA(33-253) complex.
Authors: Verma Nidhi , Bajia Mamta , Yadav Abhishek Kumar , Chaudhary Chhavi , Meena Dhankesh , Yaday Jay Kant , Shukla Jayendra Nath , Swaroop Shiv , Pandey Janmejay 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Statins have been reported for diverse pleiotropic activities, including antimicrobial and antibiofilm. However, due to the limited understanding of their mode of action, none of the statins have gained approval for antimicrobial or antibiofilm applications. In a recent drug-repurposing study, we observed that two statins (i.e., Simvastatin and Lovastatin) interact stably with TasA(28-261), the principal extracellular matrix protein of Bacillus subtilis, leading to the inhibition of biofilm formation. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism underlying the biofilm inhibition remained elusive. In the present study, we examined the impact of these statins on the physiological activity of TasA(28-261, specifically its interaction with TapA(33-253) and aggregation into the amyloid-like structure using purified recombinant TasA(28-261) and TapA(33-253) in amyloid detection specific in vitro assays (i.e., CR binding & ThT staining assays). Results revealed that both statins interfered with amyloid formation by TasA(28-261)-TapA(33-253) complex, while neither statin inhibited amyloid formation by lysozyme, a model amyloid-forming protein. Moreover, neither statin significantly altered the expressions of terminal regulatory genes (viz., sinR, sinI) and effector genes (viz., tasA, tapA, and bslA) involved in biofilm formation by B. subtilis. These findings divulge that Simvastatin and Lovastatin inhibit biofilm formation by B. subtilis by interfering with the aggregation and amyloid formation by TasA(28-261)–TapA(33-253). These results represent one of the first experimental evidences for the underlying mechanism of antibiofilm activity of statins and offer valuable directions for future research to harness statins as antibiofilm therapeutics.
The Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Wound Infection:
A Systematic Review
Authors: Mahdizade ari Marzie , Shahroodian Soheila , Afifirad Roghayeh , Asadollahi Parisa , Asadi Arezoo , Darbandi Talihe , Ghanavati Roya , Darbandi Atieh 
Published: May 2024

Introduction::
This systematic review aimed to summarize the currently available
evidence on the effect of oral probiotic therapy on infected wound healing among patients who
underwent surgery

Materials and Methods::
An electronic search was conducted for articles published during 2010-
2022 in Embase, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the keywords
"probiotics," "prebiotics," "synbiotics," and "wound infection." The titles and abstracts of
2625 articles were screened, and 22 publications that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included.

Results::
The current review provides evidence of the beneficial effects of probiotics on wound
infection, significantly reducing the duration of antibiotic usage and the length of hospital stay
for patients, with no serious side effects reported. Wound infections following various surgeries,
such as abdominal wound surgery, colorectal cancer resection, periampullary neoplasms treatment,
liver and bile duct resection, pancreaticoduodenectomy, esophagostomy, dental wound
surgery, plastic surgery, and burns, are shown to be positively affected by probiotic usage. Although,
in some cases, the improvements were not statistically significant, overall, the administration
of probiotics appears to be satisfactory in this regard

Conclusion::
Probiotics demonstrate the ability to prevent the growth of pathogens and maintain
wound space sterility by recruiting M2 macrophages, which produce anti-inflammatory markers
and enhance the activity of phagocytic cells. Additionally, probiotics can reduce bacterial translocation
from their niche to other areas and inhibit the production of bacterial mediators that lead
to bacterial invasion.
Work Performance Among Workers without Disabilities after Industrial Accidents: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Hong Chong Min 
Published: May 2024

Background
Industrial accidents are work-related accidents and these accidents can result in disability. However, if workers receive appropriate treatment after an accident, they often recover without disability. Most of them return to their daily lives and work. When they return to work, they are expected to perform at the same level asbefore the accident.

Aim
This study was to identify the factors affecting the performance of workers resuming work without disability after industrial accidents.

Methods
This study was designed as a longitudinal study. Among workers who completed their industrial accident care, 2000 stratified random samples were investigated through a cohort survey by the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service, Labor Welfare Research Institute. The analysis of this study was conducted using data from 264 subjects without disabilities selected from among 2000 subjects. This study analyzed the data of the following variables: age, gender, education, marital status, health status before an industrial accident, occupational classification, claim duration, chronic disease, work performance, current health status, daily life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-efficacy of the subjects.

Results
The current health status, having a chronic disease, daily life satisfaction,overall life, and claim duration of less than 3 months accounted for 39.9% influence on work performance (F = 42.972, p ≤ 0.001), and the current health status influenced work performance the most.

Conclusions
It is important to support the workers so they can accomplish their work without failing. A system should be established to manage workers' health and chronic diseases. This may reduce health-threatening risks and prevent further industrial accidents and, could improve the work performance of workers resuming work after an industrial accident.
URBAN GROWTH IN KANO METROPOLIS NIGERIA- THE MODELS HOW IT IMPACTS THE ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Abdullahi Hashim , Asmawi M Zainora , Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak 
Published: May 2024

Rapid urban and population growth in the KNMA is distorting environmental quality. The initial data was obtained with the aid of geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) within 35 years (1984 to 2019) with three study periods of 1984, 1998, and 2019. While water pollution samples were taken and analyzed in the laboratory for physicochemical elements. The air pollution parameter consists of carbon monoxides (CO) and carbon dioxides (CO2) emission sensed. The Structural Equation Modelling (Smart PLS-SEM) is employed. However, this study solely covers the model development of the urban growth (land use changes, water, and air pollution). The Result uncovers that urban growth in KNMA = ∝ + RPG(P
Pengaruh Kecerdasan Spritual dan Sikap Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Pada Sekretariat DPRD Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara
Authors: Cendrawardani Debby Ismi , Razak Abdul , Asraf Asraf 
Published: May 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menganalisis: 1) Pengaruh secara simultan kecerdasan spritual dan sikap kerja terhadap kinerja pegawai pada Sekretariat DPRD Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara, 2) Pengaruh secara parsial kecerdasan spritual terhadap kinerja pegawai pada Sekretariat DPRD Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara dan 3) Pengaruh secara parsial sikap kerja terhadap kinerja pegawai pada Sekretariat DPRD Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara.Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan kuantitatif. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh Aparatur Sipil Negara pada Sekretariat DPRD Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara sebanyak 154 Orang. Pengambilan sampel dalam penelitian ini dengan menggunakan rumus slovin. Sehingga sampel dalam penelitian adalah sebanyak 61 Orang. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah menggunakan analisi deskriptif dan regresi linear berganda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa; 1) Kecerdasan spritual dan sikap kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja pegawai pada Sekretariat DPRD Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara. 2) Kecerdasan spritual berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja pegawai pada Sekretariat DPRD Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara dan 3) Sikap kerja berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja pegawai pada Sekretariat DPRD Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara.<div> </div>
Engagement With a Relaxation and Mindfulness Mobile App Among People With Cancer: Exploratory Analysis of Use Data and Self-Reports From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Schläpfer Sonja , Schneider Fabian , Santhanam Prabhakaran , Eicher Manuela , Kowatsch Tobias , Witt Claudia M , Barth Jürgen 
Published: May 2024

Background
Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer unique opportunities to support self-care and behavior change, but poor user engagement limits their effectiveness. This is particularly true for fully automated mHealth apps without any human support. Human support in mHealth apps is associated with better engagement but at the cost of reduced scalability.

Objective
This work aimed to (1) describe the theory-informed development of a fully automated relaxation and mindfulness app to reduce distress in people with cancer (CanRelax app 2.0), (2) describe engagement with the app on multiple levels within a fully automated randomized controlled trial over 10 weeks, and (3) examine whether engagement was related to user characteristics.

Methods
The CanRelax app 2.0 was developed in iterative processes involving input from people with cancer and relevant experts. The app includes evidence-based relaxation exercises, personalized weekly coaching sessions with a rule-based conversational agent, 39 self-enactable behavior change techniques, a self-monitoring dashboard with gamification elements, highly tailored reminder notifications, an educational video clip, and personalized in-app letters. For the larger study, German-speaking adults diagnosed with cancer within the last 5 years were recruited via the web in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Engagement was analyzed in a sample of 100 study participants with multiple measures on a micro level (completed coaching sessions, relaxation exercises practiced with the app, and feedback on the app) and a macro level (relaxation exercises practiced without the app and self-efficacy toward self-set weekly relaxation goals).

Results
In week 10, a total of 62% (62/100) of the participants were actively using the CanRelax app 2.0. No associations were identified between engagement and level of distress at baseline, sex assigned at birth, educational attainment, or age. At the micro level, 71.88% (3520/4897) of all relaxation exercises and 714 coaching sessions were completed in the app, and all participants who provided feedback (52/100, 52%) expressed positive app experiences. At the macro level, 28.12% (1377/4897) of relaxation exercises were completed without the app, and participants’ self-efficacy remained stable at a high level. At the same time, participants raised their weekly relaxation goals, which indicates a potential relative increase in self-efficacy.

Conclusions
The CanRelax app 2.0 achieved promising engagement even though it provided no human support. Fully automated social components might have compensated for the lack of human involvement and should be investigated further. More than one-quarter (1377/4897, 28.12%) of all relaxation exercises were practiced without the app, highlighting the importance of assessing engagement on multiple levels.