bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Seed Germination of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by Salinity Stress: Insight of Enzymatic Activity
Authors: Samarah N.H. , AL-Quraan Nisreen , Al-Zyout Ruleen I. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Salinity stress inhibits seed germination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) due to osmotic stress and ion toxicity. Therefore, the objective of this study is to understand how salinity reduces seed germination of two lettuce cultivars, ‘Susan’ (the high salt-sensitive cultivar) and ‘Yafa’ (the low salt-sensitive cultivar), in relationship with the enzymatic activity of catalase and endo-β-mannanase during germination and seedling growth. The seeds of the two cultivars were sown in Petri dishes under low salinity (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 mM NaCl) in the first experiment and high salinity (0, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320 mM NaCl) in the second experiment for 8 days in a standard germination test to assess seed germination, mean time to germination, catalase, and endo-β-mannanase activities. Seedling emergence was also evaluated in different growing media of perlite, peatmoss, cocopeat, sand, and their combination. Salinity stress reduced seed germination percentage, seedling length, and increased mean time to germination in ‘Susan’ compared with ‘Yafa’. The highest seedling emergence was reported in perlite for ‘Susan’, while there was no difference in seedling emergence of ‘Yafa’ among growing media. Perlite had the lowest salinity (the lowest electrical conductivity values) among all growing media used in this study. The ‘Yafa’ had higher catalase and endo-β-mannanase activities during germination under salinity stress than the ‘Susan’ except for the 4th and 6th days post germination at the lower salinity stress. In conclusion, the high salt-sensitive cultivar of ‘Susan’ had lower seed germination and higher mean time to germination under salinity stress than the low salt-sensitive cultivar of ‘Yafa’, which was related to lower catalase and endo-β-mannanase activities during seed germination.
Out of randomness: How evolution benefits from modularity
Authors: Liu Chunxiuzi , Tang Shaohua , Que Linjie , Zhang Zecheng , Peng Lu , Dong Jiaxin , Cai Yaqi , Zhang Ke , Di Zengru , Hong Binbin , Liu Yu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Brute force random search, effective in exploring solution spaces, often becomes inefficient or infeasible in real-world scenarios with vast solution spaces. A more effective method, akin to natural evolution, involves recombining existing modules into new ones, a concept known as “evolution as tinkering” introduced by François Jacob. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for comprehending evolution and designing evolution-inspired algorithms. This study employs genetic algorithms (GAs) to quantitatively explore how evolution-like processes, marked by mutation and crossover, search for complex solutions. Compared to random search, GAs significantly improve the probability of finding solutions, especially complex ones. This improvement varies, showing biases towards more intricate solutions, likely due to the crossover process in GAs that facilitates the recombination of smaller modules into larger, more complex ones. Our experiments reveal that grouping module components rather than scattering them aids in forming larger, more complex solutions. This mirrors a pattern observed in real biological systems, where the sequences encoding individual genes are clustered together in all prokaryotic organisms. These findings highlight the importance of spatial correlations in the development of larger, more intricate modules and solutions, underscoring how modularity and modular recombination enhance solution space exploration.
Using Wearable Sensors and Machine Learning to Assess Upper Limb Function in Huntington's Disease
Authors: Nunes Adonay S. , Potter İlkay Yıldız , Mishra Ram Kinker , Casado Jose , Dana Nima , Geronimo Andrew , Tarolli Christopher G. , Schneider Ruth B. , Dorsey E. Ray , Adams* Jamie L. , Vaziri* Ashkan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Huntington's disease (HD), like many other neurological disorders, affects both lower and upper limb function that is typically assessed in the clinic - providing a snapshot of disease symptoms. Wearable sensors enable the collection of real-world data that can complement such clinical assessments and provide a more comprehensive insight into disease symptoms. In this context, almost all studies are focused on assessing lower limb function via monitoring of gait, physical activity and ambulation.

In this study, we monitor upper limb function during activities of daily living in individuals with HD (n = 16), prodromal HD (pHD, n = 7), and controls (CTR, n = 16) using a wrist-worn wearable sensor, called PAMSys ULM, over seven days. The participants were highly compliant in wearing the sensor with an average daily compliance of 99% (100% for HD, 98% for pHD, and 99% for CTR). Goal-directed movements (GDM) of the hand were detected using a deep learning model, and kinematic features of each GDM were estimated. The collected data was used to predict disease groups (i.e., HD, pHD, and CTR) and clinical scores using a combination of statistical and machine learning-based models.

Significant differences in GDM features were observed between the groups. HD participants performed fewer GDMs with long duration (> 7.5 seconds) compared to CTR (p-val = 0.021, d = -0.86). In velocity and acceleration metrics, the highest effect size feature was the entropy of the velocity zero-crossing length segments (HD vs CTR p-val <0.001, d = -1.67; HD vs pHD p-val = 0.043, d=-0.98; CTR vs pHD p-val = 0.046, d=0.96). In addition, this same variable showed a strongest correlation with clinical scores. Classification models achieved good performance in distinguishing HD, pHD and CTR individuals with a balanced accuracy of 67% and a 0.72 recall for the HD group, while regression models accurately predicted clinical scores. Notably the explained variance for the upper extremity function subdomain scale of Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) was the highest, with the model capturing 60% of the variance. Our findings suggest the potential of wearables and machine learning for early identification of phenoconversion, remote monitoring in HD, and evaluating new treatments efficacy in clinical trials and medicine.

*Jamie L. Adams and Ashkan Vaziri have contributed equally to this work as senior authors.
Preparation, characterization, and release behavior of β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes of trans-cinnamaldehyde
Authors: Li Jiazheng , Cui Zhao , Xiong Xi , Zhang Ruotong , Lu Weiwen , Cai Zhipeng , Fu Xuedan , Zhang Zhenhai , Ju Jianming 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Although β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion is known to improves the stability and solubility of trans-cinnamaldehyde (CA), but data on the in vitrorelease, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of such inclusion complexes are lacking. In this study, an inclusion complex of CA and β-CD (CA-β-CD) inclusion complex was prepared using a saturated solution method.Its in vitro release was determined using the dialysis bag method with a molecular cut-off of 1000 D, while its in vivo pharmacokinetics were studied in a rat model. A carrageenan-induced acute inflammation mouse model of foot swelling was used to evaluate the effects of the inclusion complex on drug efficacy. The CA-β-CD inclusion complex had a lower release rate within 2 h and a higher release rate than CA after 2 h in both release media. In vivopharmacokinetic studies of the CA-β-CD inclusion showed a decrease in peak concentration, a significant increase in half-life (p<0.05), and an increase in bioavailability. A pharmacodynamic study on the effects of the inclusion complex on toe swelling in mice showed that it had slightly slower effects than the CA, but a relatively long-lasting swelling inhibition effect. The above findings suggest that CA has a certain slow-release behavior in vitro and in vivo after being encapsulated by β-CD, which has an effect on the drug’s efficacy.
Abated crowding by fast-tracking the Throughput component of the ED for patients in no need of hospitalization with competency managed personnel
Authors: Larsen Jesper Juul , Lauridsen Halfdan , Gundersen Laurits , Riecke Birgit , Schmidt Thomas A 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Emergency department (ED) crowding is a major patient safety concern and has a negative impact on healthcare systems and healthcare providers. We hypothesized that it would be feasible to control crowding by employing a multifaceted approach consisting of systematically fast-tracking patients who are mostly not in need of a hospital stay as assessed by an initial nurse and treated by decision competent physicians.
Methods
Data from 108532 patients registered in a secondary care ED from the 4tth quarter of 2021 to the 4th quarter of 2023 was drawn from the electronic health record’s data warehouse using the SAP Web Intelligence tool and processed in the Python programming language. Crowding was compared before and after ED transformation from a uniform department into a high flow (α) and a low flow (β) section with patient placement in gurneys/chairs or beds, respectively. Patients putatively not in need of hospitalization were identified by nurse, placed in in the α setting and assessed and treated by decision competent physicians. Incidence of crowding, number of patients admitted per day and readmittances within 72 h following ED admission before and after changes were determined. Values are number of patients, mean ± SEM and mean differences with 95% CIs. Statistical significance was ascertained using Student’s two tailed t-test for unpaired values.
Results
Before and after ED changes crowding of 130% amounted to 123.8 h and 8.7 h in the latter. This is a difference of -115.3 ± 26.3 h with a 95% CI of -177.4 to -52.9, Δ% -93 (p = 0.03).
There was the same amount of patients / day amounting to 135.2 and 132.3 patients / day Δ% = -3.5 ± 1.7 patients 95% CI -7.5 to 0.5 (p >0.08)
There was no change in readmittances within 72 h before and after changes amounting to 8.9% versus 9.5%, Δ% = 0.5 ± 0.4% 95%CI -0.1 to 1.1 (p >0.09).
Conclusion
It appears feasible to abate crowding with unchanged patient admission and without an increase in readmittances by fast-track assessment and treatment of patients who are not in need of hospitalization.
Effect of Soil Factors on Shrub Communities in the Central Subtropical Climate
Authors: Sun Liu , Han Zhuodan , Wang Ning , Lv Kun 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
Shrub communities play a crucial role in forest restoration, soil and water conservation, and maintaining ecological balance in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the influence of environmental factors on the distribution characteristics of shrub plants, particularly in the subtropical region of China, remains poorly understood.
Materials and methods
Two subtropical areas with similar dimensions in southern Jiangxi and northeastern Guangxi, China were examined. We compared species composition, diversity and life forms in two subtropical regions, and quantified the niche width of the same species using Levins index (Bi). Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) and Redundancy Analysis (RDA) were employed to comprehensively explore the relationship between shrub community composition and environmental factors.
Results
Southern Jiangxi (with 100 recorded shrub species) and northeastern Guangxi (with 108 recorded shrub species) exhibit comparable species richness in their respective shrub communities. Southern Jiangxi had higher species diversity and a more pronounced dominance of certain species compared to northeastern Guangxi. Additionally, northeastern Guangxi had a higher proportion of aboveground-shoot plants and underground-shoot plants compared to southern Jiangxi. The niche width and niche overlap of the same species exhibit significant differences between the two regions. Low similarity in species composition between their respective shrub communities while RDA analysis highlighted significant correlations between soil physicochemical factors (C, N, P, pH), slope aspect with species composition emphasizing variations in explanatory power across different environmental factors.
Conclusion
Soil factors exert a significant influence on the structure and species composition of shrub communities in subtropical climates, underscoring the intricate interplay between soil properties and vegetation dynamics within ecosystems.
CSN6 aggravates inflammation and Myocardial injury in macrophage of sepsis model by MIF
Authors: Song qianying , Zhou Changming , Liu Yufei , Lv Huiyi , Zhang Cuiying 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Sepsis, one of the leading causes of death in critically ill patients, is characterized by multiple organ dysfunction caused by dysregulated immune response to infection. Hence, we investigated that the effects of CSN6 in sepsis and the underlying mechanism. RAW264.7 cell inducted with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). CSN6 protein expression of macrophage in vitro model of sepsis was increased. We collected 10 sepsis patients and single cell analysis CSN6 expression. CSN6 aggravated inflammation of macrophage in vitro model of sepsis. CSN6 aggravated ferroptosis of macrophage in vitro model of sepsis. CSN6 aggravated mitochondrial damage of macrophage in vitro model of sepsis. CSN6 induced MIF expression of macrophage in vitro model of sepsis. MIF inhibitor reduced the effects of CSN6 on inflammation and ferroptosis of macrophage in vitro model of sepsis. CSN6 protein at 11-ARG, 21-ARG, 31-LEU, 32-ASP linked MIF protein at 280-ASN, 366-SER.In conclusion, CSN6 aggravates inflammation and myocardial injury in macrophage of sepsis by MIF signaling, suggesting that targeting this mechanism of CSN6 may be a feasible strategy to anti-inflammation for sepsis or sepsis-induced myocardial injury.
Clinical Observation of the "Vertical-Horizontal VI" Surgical Technique in Eyelid Margin Tumor Excision and One-stage Reconstruction
Authors: Liu Xiaotian , Xie Weiwei , Li Zhen , Shao Yongqing , Zhu Jiaying , Zhao Hongbo , Bo Qingyun , Wu Guohai 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the application efficacy of the novel "Vertical-Horizontal VI" surgical technique in the excision and one-stage reconstruction of eyelid margin tumors.
Methods: This research enrolled 163 patients who underwent eyelid margin tumor excision at Ningbo Eye Hospital from September 2016 to December 2023. Based on different surgical indications, three techniques were utilized: simple excision, excision plus sliding flap, and the "Vertical-Horizontal VI" technique. The outcomes were assessed by comparing preoperative and postoperative photographs and using four postoperative outcome scores (scar score, eyelash score, eyelid margin contour, and eyelid function).
Results: The "Vertical-Horizontal VI" technique showed superior performance in scar scoring, with 96.26% of patients achieving the highest score (3 points), significantly better than the 71.43% with simple excision and 31.43% with excision plus sliding flap (P<0.05). In terms of eyelash scoring and eyelid margin contour scoring, the "Vertical-Horizontal VI" technique also showed significant advantages, with 100% and 96.26% of patients respectively obtaining the highest scores, far surpassing the other two techniques (P<0.05 for both). However, in eyelid function scoring, patients treated with all three methods achieved the highest score (3 points), indicating effective restoration of eyelid function with no significant differences (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The "Vertical-Horizontal VI" technique offers an innovative approach for the excision and one-stage reconstruction of eyelid margin tumors, particularly excelling in reducing scar formation, maintaining continuous eyelash line, preserving natural eyelid contour, and restoring normal eyelid function. These results suggest that the "Vertical-Horizontal VI" technique holds significant potential for treating eyelid margin tumors, contributing to potentially enhanced postoperative patient satisfaction and quality of life.
Numerical study of cavitation shock wave emission in the thin liquid layer by power ultrasonic vibratory machining
Authors: Gong Tai , Zhu Xijing , Ye Linzheng , Fu Yingze 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In the field of power ultrasonic vibration processing, the thin liquid layer nestled between the tool head and the material serves as a hotbed for cavitation shock wave emissions that significantly affect the material's surface. The precise manipulation of these emissions presents a formidable challenge, stemming from a historical deficit in the quantitative analysis of both the ultrasonic enhancement effect and the shock wave intensity within this niche environment. Our study addresses this gap by innovatively modifying the Gilmore-Akulichev equation, laying the groundwork for a sophisticated bubble dynamics model and a pioneering shock wave propagation model tailored to the thin liquid layer domain. Firstly, our study investigated the ultrasound enhancement effect under various parameters of thin liquid layers, revealing an amplification of ultrasound pressure in the thin liquid layer area by up to 7.47 times. The mathematical model was solved using the sixth-order Runge-Kutta method to examine shock wave velocity and pressure under different conditions. our study identified that geometric parameters of the tool head, thin liquid layer thickness, ultrasonic frequency, and initial bubble radius all significantly influenced shock wave emission. At an ultrasonic frequency of 60 kHz, the shock wave pressure at the measurement point exhibited a brief decrease from 182.6 MPa to 179.5 MPa during an increase. Furthermore, rapid attenuation of the shock wave was found within the range of R0-3R0 from the bubble wall. This research model aims to enhance power ultrasonic vibration processing technology, and provide theoretical support for applications in related fields.
Longitudinal Assessment of Coronary Plaque Regression Related to Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Using Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography
Authors: Zhang Tianhao , Gao Xuelian , Chen Tianlong , Zhang Hongkai , Zhang Xiaoming , Xin Yu , Shi Dongmei , Du Yu , Xu Lei , Zhou Yujie 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background:
Sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) is a novel oral drug for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with demonstrated cardiovascular benefits. Previous studies in apolipoprotein E knockout mice have shown that SGLT2i is associated with attenuated progression of atherosclerosis. However, whether this effect extends to T2DM patients with coronary atherosclerosis in real-world settings remains unknown.
Methods:
In this longitudinal cohort study using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), T2DM patients who underwent ≥ 2 CCTA examinations at our center between 2019 and 2022 were screened. Eligible patients had multiple study plaques, defined as non-obstructive stenosis at baseline and not intervened during serial CCTAs. Exclusion criteria included a CCTA time interval < 12 months, prior SGLT2i treatment, or initiation/discontinuation of SGLT2i during serial CCTAs. Plaque volume (PV) and percent atheroma volume (PAV) were measured for each study plaque using CCTA plaque analysis software. Patients and plaques were categorized based on SGLT2i therapy and compared using a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.
Results:
The study included 236 patients (mean age 60.5 ± 9.5 years; 69.1% male) with 435 study plaques (diameter stenosis ≥ 50%, 31.7%). Following SGLT2i treatment for a median duration of 14.6 (interquartile range: 13.0, 20.0) months, overall, non-calcified, and low-attenuation PV and PAV were significantly decreased, while calcified PV and PAV were increased (all p < 0.001). Meanwhile, reductions in overall PV, non-calcified PV, overall PAV, and non-calcified PAV were significantly greater in SGLT2i-treated compared to non-SGLT2i-treated plaques (all p < 0.001). PSM analysis showed that SGLT2i treatment was associated with higher reductions in overall PV (-11.77 mm3 vs. 4.33 mm3, p = 0.005), non-calcified PV (-16.96 mm3 vs. -1.81 mm3, p = 0.017), overall PAV (-2.83% vs. 3.36%, p < 0.001), and non-calcified PAV (-4.60% vs. 0.70%, p = 0.003). These findings remained consistent when assessing annual changes in overall and compositional PV and PAV. Multivariate regression models demonstrated that SGLT2i therapy was associated with attenuated progression of overall or non-calcified PV or PAV, even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, medications, and baseline overall or non-calcified PV or PAV, respectively (all p < 0.05). The effect of SGLT2i on attenuating non-calcified plaque progression was consistent across subgroups (all p for interaction > 0.05).
Conclusions:
In this longitudinal CCTA cohort of T2DM patients, SGLT2i therapy markedly regressed coronary overall PV and PAV, mainly result from a significant reduction in non-calcified plaque.
Long-time behaviour of supercritical finite circular mechanism branching processes
Authors: Li Junping , Hou Mixuan 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Let {Zna*b:n≥ 0} be a discrete-time branching process with circular mechanism a*b. For mechanism a, the offspring distribution is {aj:j≥ 0}. For mechanism b, the offspring distribution is {bj:j ≥0}. Let ma=∑j≥0 jaj and mb=∑j≥0 jbj . The extinction property of such branching processes is first studied. It is proved that Wn=Zna*b/γn ( γn=(mamb)k for n=2k and γn=(mamb)kma for n=2k+1) is an integrable martingale and hence converges to some random variable W. Then, under assumption that a0=b0=0, a1,b1>0 and aj,bj≠1 for any j≠ 1, we study the rates of convergence to zero as k→∞ of P(|Z2k+1a*b/Z2ka*b-ma |>ε), P(|Z2ka*b/Z2k-1a*b-mb |>ε),
P(|Wk-W|>ε)
P(|Z2k+1a*b/Z2ka*b-ma |>ε|W>δ),
P(|(Z2ka*b/Z2k-1a*b-mb |>ε|W>δ)
for ε>0 and δ>0 under various moment conditions on {aj} and {bj}. It is shown that the rates for the first two are geometric while the last three rates are always supergeometric under a finite moment generating function hypothesis.