bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conceptualizing adolescents’ everyday stressors to underscore areas for support
Authors: Hellström Lisa , Sjöman Madeleine , Enskär Karin 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionIdentifying stressors in adolescents’ everyday life may prevent future mental health problems and could be used to promote wellbeing in school. To be able to identify possible coping tools in a school setting, the aim of this study is to conceptualize adolescents’ experiences of everyday stressors.MethodData was collected among 45 girls and 20 boys (aged 13–15) representing seven schools in Sweden. Participants were told to discuss everyday stressors in smaller groups and document important words/concepts. The documented notes were analyzed using a manifest linking process connected to domains and codes found in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework, following established linking rules.ResultsA total of 549 documented words/concepts connected to adolescents’ experiences of daily stressors were collected and revealed stressor related to the ICF domains activities and participation (42.8%), body functions (30.1%) and environmental factors (27%). Regarding activities and participation, adolescents in the study perceived demands relating to school and social life as most stressful. The demands were put on them by themselves, parents, school, and society and were combined with a lack of time to handle the demands. Further, stressors related to how they are perceived by others and comparisons with peers were stressors connected to body functions. Stressors relating to environmental factors included derogatory attitudes and a lack of support, from parents and school as well as from peers.DiscussionThe results are discussed in terms of take-aways for school’s health promotive work and potential coping tools for students.
Organizational communication competence of public secondary school principals through utilizing WhatsApp
Authors: Neiroukh Nader , Ansari Abdel Afu , Dalu Rida Abu , Khlaif Enas , Barahmaeh Dua’a , Zubeidi Jamal , Shtayeh Bilal , Daher Wajeeh 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionEffective communication is the heart of any organization. It is associated with employees’ job satisfaction and productivity and therefore, is responsible for the institution’s continuity and prosperity. In educational institutions, communication has been undergoing swift and significant changes that affected not only instructional strategies, but also administrative dimensions. The need for instant and precise information made digital mediums indispensable for school administration that helps in planning, following up, executing, and evaluating short-term and long-term goals. Since the start of the 21st century, a multitude of smartphone applications have surfaced, all designed to enhance communication. WhatsApp is one of the applications that stands as the most popular medium, which is widely spread and used on personal as well as professional basis. The question at hand is whether employing WhatsApp as a communication tool within educational institutions can effectively contribute to the development of communication competence, encompassing aspects such as communication motivation, communication knowledge, and communication skills.MethodsBased on the indicators used to measure communication competence in institutions, this qualitative study elicited relevant information through semi-structured interviews from 14 different government secondary school principals in Jerusalem and the West Bank about the approach principals employ WhatsApp to achieve competence.ResultsThe results of the study show that indicators of communication competence are achieved through the use of WhatsApp.
The adenosine A2A receptor in human sperm: its role in sperm motility and association with in vitro fertilization outcomes
Authors: Chen Houyang , Xing Genbao , Xu Wenqing , Chen Ying , Xia Leizhen , Huang Hua , Huang Jialv , Hong Qing , Luo Tao , Wang Hao , Wu Qiongfang 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundThe involvement of ATP and cAMP in sperm function has been extensively documented, but the understanding of the role of adenosine and adenosine receptors remains incomplete. This study aimed to examine the presence of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) and study the functional role of A2AR in human sperm.MethodsThe presence and localization of A2AR in human sperm were examined by western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. The functional role of A2AR in sperm was assessed by incubating human sperm with an A2AR agonist (regadenoson) and an A2AR antagonist (SCH58261). The sperm level of A2AR was examined by western blotting in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men to evaluate the association of A2AR with sperm motility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.ResultsA2AR with a molecular weight of 43 kDa was detected in the tail of human sperm. SCH58261 decreased the motility, penetration ability, intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and CatSper current of human sperm. Although regadenoson did not affect these sperm parameters, it alleviated the adverse effects of SCH58261 on these parameters. In addition, the mean level of A2AR in sperm from asthenozoospermic men was lower than that in sperm from normozoospermic men. The sperm level of A2AR was positively correlated with progressive motility. Furthermore, the fertilization rate during IVF was lower in men with decreased sperm level of A2AR than in men with normal sperm level of A2AR.ConclusionsThese results indicate that A2AR is important for human sperm motility and is associated with IVF outcome.
High-density genetic map and quantitative trait loci map of skin color in hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida bge. Var. major N.E.Br.)
Authors: Wang Dongsheng , Cheng Beibei , Zhang Jijun 
Published: May 2024

Fruit skin color is an important trait of the hawthorn tree, which has an important influence on fruit quality. Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. Major N.E.Br. Is one of the most widely cultivated varieties in China and has a long history of medicinal use. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the world due to its nutritional and medicinal values. Skin color is the focus of breeders and food processors. At present, skin color-related genes have still not been mapped. In this study, “Shandong Da Mianqiu” (♀, red skin color), “Da Huang Mianzha” (♂, yellow skin color) and 131 F1 hybrids were used to construct genetic map of hawthorn by RAD-seq, and QTL mapping was performed by combining these features with the hue angle and the observed color. In this study, 13,260 SNP was assigned to 17 linkage groups, with an integrated map covering 2,297.75 cM was constructed. A total of 5 QTLs related to hawthorn skin color were detected on LG1, LG3 and LG15. Whether hue angle or pericarp color acts as phenotype for QTL mapping, the candidate genes include bHLH086, WD repeat regions and Myb-like. bHLH, WD and Myb play an important role in the color regulation of Hawthorn skin color. These results lay a solid foundation for QTL mapping and molecular marker-assisted breeding of hawthorn.
E-learning readiness among dental students and faculty: a comparative study before and after the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Zahid Talal M. , Agou Shoroog 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the global adoption of e-learning, even in institutions that had previous reservations. Nevertheless, the impact of this transformation on dental education remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the e-learning readiness of dental students and faculty before and after COVID-19. It also explored their post-pandemic e-learning preferences for dental education.MethodsCross-sectional surveys were conducted at King Abdulaziz University’s Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia both before and after COVID-19. Faculty and students from two distinct cohorts were recruited at two time points. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire on e-learning readiness across multiple domains. Statistical analysis was performed using R v 3.6.3. Descriptive and group comparisons were conducted using chi-squared test, unpaired t-test, and Spearman’s correlation.Results1,057 responses (response rate = 99.8%) were analyzed: 2015 (n = 400) and 2021 (n = 657). Both faculty and students demonstrated significant improvements in e-learning readiness across all domains from 2015 to 2021. In 2021, faculty members scored significantly higher than students in almost all readiness domains, except for e-learning experience (p &lt; 0.001 for all domains). After the pandemic, both groups preferred a blended learning model: 75% traditional and 25% online education. A significant increase in typing and editing training requests by faculty and students was observed in 2021. Students showed a decline in training needs for web and online tool usage.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic pushed the rapid adoption of e-learning in dental education. In this study, faculty showed greater e-learning readiness, but students voiced concerns about missed in-person interactions, social isolation, and screen fatigue. Further multi-institutional studies are required for more comprehensive insights.
Nitrogen-cycling microbial communities respond differently to nitrogen addition under two contrasting grassland soil types
Authors: Ren Baihui , Ma Xinwei , Li Daiyan , Bai Long , Li Jiahuan , Yu Jianxin , Meng Meng , Li Haoyan 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionThe impact of nitrogen (N) deposition on the soil N-transforming process in grasslands necessitates further investigation into how N input influences the structural composition and diversity of soil N-cycling microbial communities across different grassland types.MethodsIn this study, we selected two types of grassland soils in northwest Liaoning, temperate steppe and warm-temperate shrub, and conducted short-term N addition experiments using organic N, ammonium N, and nitrate N as sources with three concentration gradients to simulate N deposition. Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology was employed to sequence genes associated with N-cycling microbes including N-fixing, ammonia-oxidizing and denitrifying bacteria, and ammonia-oxidizing archaea.Results and discussionThe results revealed significant alterations in the structural composition and diversity of the N-cycling microbial community due to N addition, but the response of soil microorganisms varied inconsistent among different grassland types. Ammonium transformation rates had a greater impact on soils from temperate steppes while nitrification rates were more influential for soils from warm-temperate shrubs. Furthermore, the influence of the type of N source on soil N-cycling microorganisms outweighed that of its quantity applied. The ammonium type of nitrogen source is considered the most influential driving factor affecting changes in the structure of the microbial community involved in nitrogen transformation, while the amount of low nitrogen applied primarily determines the composition of soil bacterial communities engaged in nitrogen fixation and nitrification. Different groups of N-cycling microorganisms exhibited distinct responses to varying levels of nitrogen addition with a positive correlation observed between their composition, diversity, and environmental factors examined. Overall findings suggest that short-term nitrogen deposition may sustain dominant processes such as soil-N fixation within grasslands over an extended period without causing significant negative effects on northwestern Liaoning’s grassland ecosystems within the next decade.
The combination of allicin with domiphen is effective against microbial biofilm formation
Authors: Li Shang , Wang Yutong , Xu Geweirong , Xu Yuqing , Fu Cuiyan , Zhao Quanlin , Xu Linjie , Jia Xinzhou , Zhang Yumeng , Liu Yi , Qiao Jiaju 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundMicroorganisms in biofilms are particularly difficult to control because of their increased survival and antibiotic resistance. Allicin and domiphen were employed to inhibit the microbial growth and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans strains.MethodsBroth microdilution method and checkerboard assay were conducted to determine the efficacy of allicin combined with domiphen against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. Microbial biofilm formation was measured using the crystal violet staining method and fluorescence microscopy. And the total viable count of the biofilm cells on material surface after the treatment with antimicrobial reagents was calculated with the plate count technique.ResultsThe two drugs showed synergistic effects against the pathogens with a fractional bactericidal concentration of less than 0.38. The combination of 64 μg/mL allicin with 1 μg/mL domiphen dispersed over 50% of the biofilm mass of S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. In addition, the drug combination reduced the total viable counts of E. coli and C. albicans biofilm cells on stainless steel and polyethylene surfaces by more than 102 CFU/mL.ConclusionThe combination of allicin and domiphen is an effective strategy for efficiently decreasing biofilms formation on various industrial materials surfaces.
Age-related compositional and functional changes in the adult and breastfed buffalo rumen microbiome
Authors: Xu Yixue , Feng Tong , Ding Zixu , Li Ling , Li Zhipeng , Cui Kuiqing , Chen Weihua , Pan Hongping , Zhu Peng , Liu Qingyou 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionThe buffalo is an important domestic animal globally, providing milk, meat, and labor to more than 2 billion people in 67 countries. The rumen microorganisms of buffaloes play an indispensable role in enabling the healthy functionality and digestive function of buffalo organisms. Currently, there is a lack of clarity regarding the differences in the composition and function of rumen microorganisms among buffaloes at different growth stages.MethodsIn this study, metagenomics sequencing technology was applied to examine the compositional and functional differences of rumen microorganisms in adult and breastfed buffaloes.ResultsThe results revealed that the rumen of adult buffaloes had significantly higher levels of the following dominant genera: Prevotella, UBA1711, RF16, Saccharofermentans, F23-D06, UBA1777, RUG472, and Methanobrevibacter_A. Interestingly, the dominant genera specific to the rumen of adult buffaloes showed a significant positive correlation (correlation&gt;0.5, p-value&lt;0.05) with both lignocellulose degradation-related carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and immune signaling pathways activated by antigenic stimulation. The rumen of breastfed buffaloes had significantly higher levels of the following dominant genera: UBA629, CAG- 791, Selenomonas_C, Treponema_D, Succinivibrio, and RC9. Simultaneously, the rumen-dominant genera specific to breastfed buffaloes were significantly positively correlated (correlation&gt;0.5, p-value&lt;0.05) with CAZymes associated with lactose degradation, amino acid synthesis pathways, and antibiotic-producing pathways.DiscussionThis indicates that rumen microorganisms in adult buffaloes are more engaged in lignocellulose degradation, whereas rumen microorganisms in breastfed buffaloes are more involved in lactose and amino acid degradation, as well as antibiotic production. In conclusion, these findings suggest a close relationship between differences in rumen microbes and the survival needs of buffaloes at different growth stages.
Development of a colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic assay for rapid detection of nasal mucosal secretory IgA against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Sun Baoqing , Chen Zhilong , Feng Bo , Chen Si , Feng Shilin , Wang Qian , Niu Xuefeng , Zhang Zhengyuan , Zheng Peiyan , Lin Ming , Luo Jia , Pan Yingxian , Guan Suhua , Zhong Nanshan , Chen Ling 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionInfection with SARS-CoV-2 begins in the upper respiratory tract and can trigger the production of mucosal spike-specific secretory IgA (sIgA), which provides protection against reinfection. It has been recognized that individuals with high level of nasal spike-specific IgA have a lower risk of reinfection. However, mucosal spike-specific sIgA wanes over time, and different individuals may have various level of spike-specific sIgA and descending kinetics, leading to individual differences in susceptibility to reinfection. A method for detecting spike-specific sIgA in the nasal passage would be valuable for predicting the risk of reinfection so that people at risk can have better preparedness.MethodsIn this study, we describe the development of a colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic (ICT) strip for detecting SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike-specific sIgA in nasal mucosal lining fluids (NMLFs).ResultsThe ICT strip was designed to detect 0.125 μg or more spike-specific sIgA in 80 μL of NMLFs collected using a nasal swab. Purified nasal sIgA samples from individuals who recently recovered from an Omicron BA.5 infection were used to demonstrate that this ICT strip can specifically detect spike-specific sIgA. The signal levels positively correlated with neutralizing activities against XBB. Subsequent analysis revealed that people with low or undetectable levels of spike-specific sIgA in the nasal passage were more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 reinfection.ConclusionsThis nasal spike-specific sIgA ICT strip provides a non-invasive, rapid, and convenient method to assess the risk of reinfection for achieving precision preparedness.
Technique notes on the management of superior sagittal or transverse sinus during the falcotentorial meningioma surgery: a case report
Authors: Liu Jun , Fan Di , Chen Ligang , Zou Zheng , Li Xinning , Zhou Minghao , Wen Zhongcheng , Gong Shun , Liang Guobiao 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundFalcotentorial meningiomas (FM) are surgical challenges for protecting sinus, and the technique notes on the management of superior sagittal or transverse sinus are required for good results.MethodsWe improved the technique notes on the management of superior sagittal or transverse sinus in three FM patients with signs of increased intracranial pressure or chronic headache.ResultsAll patients underwent surgeries in the prone position, and occipital/sup-occipital/sub-occipital craniotomy was performed. In one patient, the skull was removed traditionally with exposure of the confluence of sinuses, superior sagittal, and transverse sinus, while the longitudinal skull bridge was left to suspend the dura for protecting the superior sagittal sinus in one patient, and the transverse skull bridge was left to suspend the dura for protecting the transverse sinus in one patient. The dura was opened infratentorially or supratentorially to spare the sinus and then the “skull bridge” was suspended. The tumor was then removed completely without brain swelling or significant venous bleeding. Complete tumor resection was confirmed by early postoperative imaging, and all patients recovered well without postoperative morbidity.ConclusionThe authors recommend the “skull bridge” to suspend the dura for optimal control of the venous sinuses during FM surgery (less venous bleeding).
Longitudinal changes in sarcopenia was associated with survival among cirrhotic patients
Authors: Jiang Minjie , Hua Xin , Wu Muchen , Wu Jing , Xu Xiaotong , Li Juan , Meng Qinghua 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundSarcopenia is common in patients with liver cirrhosis and is an independent predictor of multiple clinical outcomes. Most studies to date have used a static assessment of sarcopenia. However, there is very limited data evaluating the temporal course of muscle area in cirrhosis. To bridge this gap in clinical studies, we performed a longitudinal analysis to evaluate the impact of changes in sarcopenia for cirrhotic patients.MethodsAdult patients with clinically diagnosed liver cirrhosis who underwent at least 2 abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans in the hospital were enrolled. The interval between the two abdominal scans was 6 ± 1 months. Patients were categorized into persistent non-sarcopenia, new-onset sarcopenia, sarcopenia to non-sarcopenia, and persistent sarcopenia based on changes in sarcopenia. Kaplan–Meier method and Log-rank tests were used to separately compare unadjusted survival curves by different statuses of sarcopenia. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the associations between different states of sarcopenia and overall mortality. The association between persistent non-sarcopenia and new-onset sarcopenia was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 307 patients were included for analysis. At the second assessment, 10.10% (31/307) patients were new-onset sarcopenia, 27.69% (85/307) with persistent sarcopenia status, while 13.03% (40/307) patients with sarcopenia developed non-sarcopenia and 49.19% (151/307) with persistent non-sarcopenia status. The overall survival rate was significantly lower in the persistent sarcopenia and new-onset sarcopenia than in the non-sarcopenia group and sarcopenia to non-sarcopenia group (p &lt; 0.001). Persistent sarcopenia (HR 5.799, 95%CI 1.563–21.521, p = 0.009) and new onset sarcopenia (HR 5.205, 95%CI 1.482–18.282, p = 0.010) were identified as poor prognostic factors for cirrhotic patients. The etiology of cirrhosis and the initial skeletal muscle mass were independent risk factors for new-onset sarcopenia.ConclusionSarcopenia is a dynamically changing process in patients with cirrhosis. Persistent and new-onset sarcopenia were independently and robustly associated with overall survival.
Identification of cachexia in lung cancer patients with an ensemble learning approach
Authors: Jia Pingping , Zhao Qianqian , Wu Xiaoxiao , Shen Fangqi , Sun Kai , Wang Xiaolin 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveNutritional intervention prior to the occurrence of cachexia will significantly improve the survival rate of lung cancer patients. This study aimed to establish an ensemble learning model based on anthropometry and blood indicators without information on body weight loss to identify the risk factors of cachexia for early administration of nutritional support and for preventing the occurrence of cachexia in lung cancer patients.MethodsThis multicenter study included 4,712 lung cancer patients. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was used to obtain the key indexes. The characteristics excluded weight loss information, and the study data were randomly divided into a training set (70%) and a test set (30%). The training set was used to select the optimal model among 18 models and verify the model performance. A total of 18 machine learning models were evaluated to predict the occurrence of cachexia, and their performance was determined using area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC).ResultsAmong 4,712 patients, 1,392 (29.5%) patients were diagnosed with cachexia based on the framework of Fearon et al. A 17-variable gradient boosting classifier (GBC) model including body mass index (BMI), feeding situation, tumor stage, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and some gastrointestinal symptoms was selected among the 18 machine learning models. The GBC model showed good performance in predicting cachexia in the training set (AUC = 0.854, accuracy = 0.819, precision = 0.771, recall = 0.574, F1 score = 0.658, MCC = 0.549, and kappa = 0.538). The abovementioned indicator values were also confirmed in the test set (AUC = 0.859, accuracy = 0.818, precision = 0.801, recall = 0.550, F1 score = 0.652, and MCC = 0.552, and kappa = 0.535). The learning curve, decision boundary, precision recall (PR) curve, the receiver operating curve (ROC), the classification report, and the confusion matrix in the test sets demonstrated good performance. The feature importance diagram showed the contribution of each feature to the model.ConclusionsThe GBC model established in this study could facilitate the identification of cancer cachexia in lung cancer patients without weight loss information, which would guide early implementation of nutritional interventions to decrease the occurrence of cachexia and improve the overall survival (OS).