bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mycotoxigenic Fusarium species and zearalenone concentration in commercial maize kernels in northern Ghana
Authors: Opoku Nelson , Hudu Abdul Rashid , Addy Francis 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The fungal genus Fusarium contains many toxigenic pathogens of maize with associated yield losses, reduction of grain quality, and accumulation of mycotoxins in harvested grains. To determine zearalenone (ZEN) concentration and identify the various Fusarium species in commercial maize grains, a survey of 75 maize samples, collected from 11 market centres in the five regions in northern Ghana was identified based on morphological characteristics, sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region, and polymerase chain reaction using species-specific primers. ZEN levels were determined using HPLC. ZEN contamination was recorded in 33.3% of the maize samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.61 ng/g to 3.05 ng/g. F. verticillioides was the most prevalent species in the studied samples: 42.2% from the Upper East Region, 28.1% from the North East Region, 18.8% from the Upper West Region, 9.4% from the Savannah Region, and 1.6% for the Northern Region. Other fungal species found were F. equiseti and F. solani. A higher number of the Fusarium isolates were found in white maize (609 isolates from 27 samples) compared to yellow maize (225 isolates from 23 samples).
Land use influence on chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) diet in South Africa using stable isotopes
Authors: Overton Elizabeth Kennedy , Bernard Alice , Renaud Pierre-Cyril , Hall Grant , Guerbois Chloé , Fritz Hervé , Prugnolle Franck , Rougeron Virginie 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Anthropization processes affect wildlife feeding behaviours due to changes in resource availability related to land use and land cover change. To better understand the ecological responses of wildlife towards anthropogenic change, it is essential to evaluate whether human land use, characterized by high human-modified food availability, has an impact on wild animal feeding ecology. The chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) is interesting to study potential diet changes as it is largely present along a gradient of anthropized areas in Southern Africa. In this study, fecal samples from chacma baboon troops were collected in different land use habitats (peri-urban, agricultural and natural forest habitat) in the Garden Route, South Africa, and their isotopic ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) measured. Results showed significant differences between δ15N ratios according to land use, indicating significant higher protein intake in areas with human influence in comparison to natural forest habitats. Furthermore, the large majority of the collected samples were contained within the bracket that reflect the C3 ecosystem of the Garden Route region, with the exception of some samples showing higher δ13C ratios associated with the consumption of anthropogenic foods (containing sugar, corn and wheat). The potential protein increase, as well as sources of C4 plants present in the diets in anthropized areas suggests a visible dietary shift for this species between natural and transformed landscapes. In the future, it will be essential to determine whether and how the consumption of human-modified food could affect the health and associated fitness of chacma baboons.
Cerebrating and engagement: the key to reduce fresh produce waste within homes
Authors: Jansson-Boyd Cathrine , Mul Cari-lène , Raeva-Beri Daniela 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
A real-world study was conducted with the aim to reduce people’s fresh fruit and vegetables waste within their homes. For six weeks participants measured their fresh produce waste. Half the participants were impelled to complete food waste logs whilst the other half was a control group. This was followed by a six-month monitoring period to establish if changes would last. Fresh produce waste decreased with over a quarter of what the participants had wasted at the beginning of the six weeks, for all groups. Additionally, an attitude questionnaire distributed at the onset and at the end of the study showed a shift in pro-reduction of food waste. As this indicated that thinking about food waste prompts engagement, we tested this idea using a different sample group. A questionnaire measuring attitudes and cognition confirmed the importance of thinking and provided further insight into the findings from the first study.
An integrated meta-omics approach reveals the different response mechanisms of two anammox bacteria towards fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Authors: Qiao Xuejiao , Yu Ke , Ding Lingyun , Fang Fang , Fu Chenkun , Wei Ruqian , Chen Yizhen , Zheng Sihan , Wang Xisong , Yan Yan , Xu Nan , Tao Huchun , Zhang Lijuan 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background: The emerging fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) are highly influential in nitrogen removal from livestock wastewater. However, beyond the capability of nitrogen removal, little is known about the molecular mechanism (e.g., shift of core metabolism and energy allocation) of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria(AnAOB) under continuous FQ stress.
Results: This study investigated the effectsof ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and their mixture at concentrations detected in livestock wastewater on an anammox community in membrane bioreactors.It was found 20 μg/L FQs promoted nitrogen removal efficiency and community stability. Integrated meta-omics analysis revealed varied gene expression patterns between the two dominant AnAOB, Candidatus Brocadia sapporoensis (B AnAOB) and Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis (K AnAOB). The nitrogen metabolic processes were bolstered in B AnAOB, while those involved in anammox pathway of K AnAOB were inhibited. This difference was tentatively attributed to the up-regulation of reactive oxygen species scavenger genes (ccp and dxf) and FQ resistance gene (qnrB72) in B AnAOB. Importantly, most enhanced core biosynthesis/metabolism and close cross-feeding of B AnAOB with accompanying bacteria were also likely to contribute to higher levels of biomass yield and metabolism activity under FQ stress.
Conclusions: This finding suggests that B AnAOB has the advantage of higher nitrogen metabolism capacity over K AnAOB in livestock wastewater containing FQs, which is helpful for efficient and stable nitrogen removal by anammox community.
Hypoxia-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Evaluating the Efficacy of Resistance Training: Insights from microRNA Expression Profiling and Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Mei Tao , Hu Yang , Zhang Ying , Li Yanchun 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may play a crucial regulatory role in the process of muscle atrophy induced by high-altitude hypoxia and its amelioration through resistance training. However, research in this aspect is still lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to employ miRNA microarray analysis to investigate the expression profile of miRNAs in skeletal muscle from an animal model of hypoxia-induced muscle atrophy and resistance training aimed at mitigating muscle atrophy. The study utilized a simulated hypoxic environment (oxygen concentration at 11.2%) to induce muscle atrophy and established a rat model of resistance training using ladder climbing, with a total intervention period of 4 weeks. The miRNA expression profile revealed 9 differentially expressed miRNAs influenced by hypoxia (e.g., miR-341, miR-32-5p, miR-465-5p) and 14 differentially expressed miRNAs influenced by resistance training under hypoxic conditions (e.g., miR-338-5p, miR-203a-3p, miR-92b-3p) (∣Fold Change∣≥1.5, p༜0.05). The differentially expressed miRNAs were found to target genes involved in muscle protein synthesis and degradation (such as Utrn, mdm2, eIF4E), biological processes (such as negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent), and signaling pathways (such as Wnt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, mTOR signaling pathway). This study provides a foundation for understanding and further exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced muscle atrophy and the mitigation of atrophy through resistance training.
Prevotella promotes proliferation and migration in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by activating NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: fanyue Sun , Wang Baoyong , Yang Yuxin , Shi Xinpeng , Zhang Chao , Wang Yunshuai , Liu Haichao , Zhang Yu , Yang Tian , Liu XiaoDong , Luo Xiaoyong 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly fatal malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Although the relationship between the bacterial genus Prevotella and ESCC has attracted attention recently, its specific role and molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
Methods In this study, we employed 16S rDNA sequencing technology to analyze the differences in Prevotella in 25 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adjacent tissues (3 cm from the lesion). Subsequently, we co-cultured Prevotella with ESCC cells Eca109 and TE- 1, and through CCK8 assays, colony formation assays, and scratch assays, we investigated the influence of Prevotella on the proliferation and migration abilities of ESCC cells. Utilizing qT-PCR and protein immunoblot assays to examine the expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and NF-κB.
Results The relative abundance of Prevotella was markedly elevated in ESCC tissues as compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues. Upon infection, we observed a significant enhancement in the proliferation and migration capacities of ESCC cells. Besides, the stimulation by Prevotella led to a significant upregulation in the expression of essential EMT-associated proteins, including N-cadherin, Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), and Vimentin, in ESCC cells, with a concurrent downregulation of E-cadherin. Quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis further indicated that the mRNA levels of NF-κB and c-Myc and the protein expression of Bcl-xl and NF-κB were significant upregulation in ESCC cells by stimulating with Prevotella.
Conclusion Our research unveiled the pivotal role of Prevotella in the genesis and advancement of ESCC, proposing its influence on ESCC proliferation, migration, and EMT process via the NF-κB pathway, Our results offered a novel avenue for delving into the microbial mechanisms underpinning esophageal cancer.
Cost-Duration Variance Prediction (CDVP) System Using Explainable Bayesian Optimized Ensemble Machine Learning
Authors: elmousalami haytham 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This research introduces an integrated system for a novel management concept called automated cost-duration variance prediction (CDVP) system which allows to the project managers to look ahead at project budget, duration, and its variances at the project completion. To obtain the optimal results of each algorithm, the proposed system conducted Bayesian optimization for each developed algorithm. As a result, Extremely Randomized Trees (ET) was the optimal model for duration prediction at 2.53% and 0.961 for Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) and adjusted determination coefficient (R*2), respectively. AdaBoost Regressor (ABR) was the best model for duration variance prediction with 8.970 MAPE, and 0.949 R*2. On the other hand, the optimal model for project cost was a Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM) with 2.98% and 0.931 for MAPE and R*2, respectively. Extremely Randomized Tree (ET) was the best model for cost variance prediction with 4.151 MAPE, and 0.962 R*2. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) technique was employed to provide explanations for the key drivers that used as inputs for both cost and duration predictions.
Distinguishing Edema from Tumor Infiltration in High-Grade Glioma Patients: Initial Insights from quantitative MRI using Relaxometry
Authors: de Souza Letícia Mansano , Filho Sérgio Lourenço Polo , de Campos Brunno Machado , Cendes Fernando , de Souza Thiago Magalhães , Formentin Cleiton , Giglio Marcus Vinicius , Matias Leo Gordiano , Ghizoni Enrico 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Introduction: The differentiation between edema and tumor infiltration in high-grade gliomas is fundamental for surgical planning. However, this distinction is challenging using conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Relaxometry is a new technique for quantitative diagnosis using MRI, currently under assessment for some neurological disorders.
Methods: In this study, we report our initial experience using T2 multiecho relaxometry to differentiate perilesional edema from tumor infiltration in patients with high-grade gliomas. In order to have values for a comparative analysis, we assumed T2-hyperintensity surrounding the enhancing tumor represented vasogenic edema on meningiomas or metastasis, while it could be vasogenic edema or tumor infiltration on high-grade gliomas.
Results: Twenty patients with high-grade gliomas and 10 patients with metastases or meningiomas were included. Images were analyzed using Relaxo software. Mean T2 value in regions of hypersignal for the metastasis group was 196.8, compared to 407.3 in high-grade gliomas.
Discussion: Difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Our results suggest that the LNI relaxo software could be a helpful tool to differentiate edema and tumor infiltration in patients with high-grade gliomas, allowing for a more efficient preoperative planning and postoperative assessment of tumor infiltration resection rate.
Identification of Novel and De Novo Mutation in the SCN1A Gene By Exome Sequencing Confirms Dravet Syndrome in Moroccan Child: A Case Report
Authors: MOUHI Hinde EL , AMLLAL Nada , ABBASSI Meriame , NEDBOUR Ayoub , JALTE Meryem , LYAHYAI Jaber , ELALAOUI Siham CHAFAI , BOUGUENOUCH Laila , CHAOUKI Sana 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Dravet syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy characterised by recurrent seizures and cognitive impairment. It is mainly caused by mutations in the SCN1A gene in 90% of cases, which codes for the α subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel. In this study, we present one suspected case of Dravet syndrome in Moroccan child that underwent exome analysis and were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The mutation was identified in the SCN1A gene, and is a new mutation that has never been described in the literature. The mutation was found de novo in our case, indicating that it was not inherited from the parents. The mutation, SCN1A c.965-2A > G p.(?), is located at the splice site and results in an unknown modification of the protein. This mutation is considered pathogenic on the basis of previous studies. These results contribute to our knowledge of the SCN1A gene mutations associated with Dravet syndrome and underline the importance of genetic analysis in the diagnosis and confirmation of this disorder. Further studies are needed to better understand the functional consequences of this mutation and its implications for therapeutic strategies in Dravet syndrome.
A MRI radiomics-based model for prediction of pelvic lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer
Authors: Wang Tao , Li Yan-Yu , Ma Nan-Nan , Wang Pei-An , Zhang Bei 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Cervical cancer (CC) is a common malignancy of the female reproductive tract, and preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is essential. This study aim to design and validate a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics-based predictive model capable of detecting LNM in patients diagnosed with CC.
Methods
This retrospective analysis incorporated 86 and 38 CC patients into the training and testing groups, respectively. Radiomics features were extracted from MRI T2WI, T2WI-SPAIR, and axial apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) sequences. Selected features identified in the training group were then used to construct a radiomics scoring model, with relevant LNM-related risk factors having been identified through univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The resultant predictive model was then validated in the testing cohort.
Results
In total, 16 features were selected for the construction of a radiomics scoring model. LNM-related risk factors included worse differentiation (P < 0.001), more advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages (P = 0.03), and a higher radiomics score from the combined MRI sequences (P = 0.01). The equation for the predictive model was as follows: -0.0493-2.1410×differentiation level + 7.7203×radiomics score of combined sequences + 1.6752×FIGO stage. The respective area under the curve (AUC) values for the T2WI radiomics score, T2WI-SPAIR radiomics score, ADC radiomics score, combined sequence radiomics score, and predictive model were 0.656, 0.664, 0.658, 0.835, and 0.923 in the training cohort, while these corresponding AUC values were 0.643, 0.525, 0.513, 0.826, and 0.82 in the testing cohort.
Conclusions
This MRI radiomics-based model exhibited favorable accuracy when used to predict LNM in patients with CC. Relative to the use of any individual MRI sequence-based radiomics score, this predictive model yielded superior diagnostic accuracy.
Integrated genomic analysis of lung squamous cell carcinoma subtypes characterized by immunogenic cell death-relevant gene signature
Authors: Wang Yuhan , Wang Shuang , Ding Ran , Kong Jing , Xie Tian , Xu Bin , Fu Liming , Zhang Zequn , Zhang Erli 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose
A kind of regulatory cell death known as immunogenic cell death (ICD) can trigger anti-tumor immunity and aid in the adjustment of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Due to the very diverse and invasive nature of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), the identification of the immunogenic cell death related biomarkers for the distinction and prognosis of LUSC subtypes is essential for its therapy.
Patients and methods
504 LUSC samples' rna sequencing data was reviewed in our investigation. Unsupervised clustering methodology was used to examine the distinctive pattern of gene expression in the tumor microenvironment for genes associated to immunogenic cell death. A number of ICD-related subtypes and clinical traits are connected to the effectiveness of immunotherapy through these expression patterns. The presence of the immunological status and prognostic characteristics is then confirmed using the test data set.
Results
Through the consistent clustering of ICD-related gene expression profiles, subtypes with significant differences in immune score, immune cell infiltration level and prognosis survival were found in the two groups. At the same time, the prognosis prediction model of patients was constructed according to the differentially expressed immunogenic cell death-related genes, which can provide guidance for clinical treatment.
Conclusion
This research developed a prognostic model of LUSC with ICD-associated genes, which will help us better understand ICD and determine how to manage LUSC patients.
Application of Endoscopic Aspirator on Gasless Transoral Endoscopic Vestibular Thyroidectomy
Authors: Shao Shuai , Zeng Qinxin , Yu Huimin , Wang Haobin , Wu Jian , Wu Guoyang 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

BackgroundTransoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is gradually becoming mature.At the same time, the disadvantages of CO2 inflatable TOETVA are also widely recognized, and there is no uniform standard alternative.Here, we report our initial experience and discuss the safety and effectiveness of maintaining the operative space with endoscopic suction support in TOETVA.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 60 patients treated with our laparoscopic aspirator-supported TOETVA from March 2022 to June 2023.We extended the three-hole endoscopic suction device from the median incision of the oral vestibule into the operation space, pressed it down, and fixed it to support and maintain the stability of the space.Evaluate its surgical safety and prognosis.ResultsThe study included 60 patients who were treated with endoscopic aspirator-supported TOETVA.The average operation time was 141. 14±36. 15min.The average number of dissected lymph nodes was 4. 67±3. 75.Two of them were converted to laparotomy, and no serious postoperative complications occurred in any of the patients.Postoperative complications included 1 case of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, 1 case of transient hypoparathyroidism, and 8 cases of transient lower lip numbness.There was 1 case of postoperative skin injury and 4 cases of postoperative skin ecchymosis.Two cases of temporary loss of smell or taste recovered within 1-3 months.There is no evidence of specific complications associated with the use of suction to support the surgical space.ConclusionThe operation space of TOETVA is supported by a laparoscopic suction device, which is easy to operate, convenient to obtain materials, and optimizes the clarity of the surgical field, which has the potential for wide application.
Incorporating Topic and Property For Knowledge Base Synchronization
Authors: Tong Jiajun , Wang Zhixiao , Rui Xiaobin 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Open domain knowledge bases have been widely used in many applications, and it is critical to maintain their freshness. Most existing studies update an open knowledge base by predicting the change frequencies of the entities and then updating those unstable ones. In this work, we propose a novel topic-aware entity stability prediction framework which incorporates property and topic features of the entities to facilitate the prediction on their stability with graph structures, so that a knowledge base could be updated accordingly with favorable time and computation efficiency. Specifically, we first build an entity property graph for each entity, with its property names as edges and the property values as nodes, which models the various properties of the entities. Then, with the constructed entity property graph, we develop a Topic Classifier to label the topic information for the entity via unsupervised clustering. Finally, we treat the prediction task as a binary classification problem and solve it with an Entity Stability Predictor, which is designed to comprise two layers of Graph Convolution Networks, one pooling layer and one fully connected layer.The Entity Stability Predictor then predicts the stability of an entity based on its revision history acquired from the source encyclopedia webpage, wherein the topic information serves as strong supervision. Extensive experiments on collections of real-world entities have demonstrated the superior performance of our proposed method, and also well shown the benefits of each new module in our framework.