bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Socio-Emotional Competencies as a Key Dimension for Sustainability in Colombian Elite Athletes
Authors: Marín-González Fabián Humberto , Portela-Pino Iago , Funtes-García Juan Pedro , Martínez-Patiño María José 
Published: January 2024

UNESCO highlights socio-emotional, cognitive, and behavioral learning as critical for advancing sustainability. As major events, sports generate significant social, economic, and environmental impacts. This study analyzed how academic background, gender, age, sport type, and modality influenced elite Colombian Olympic and Paralympic athletes&#039; socio-emotional competencies. Methods: Colombian elite athletes who were members of the “Support to the Excellence Coldeportes Athlete” participated in the study. The total population studied included 334 Colombian elite athletes: mean age 27.10 ± 6.57 years old with 13.66 ± 6.37 years practicing his/her sports modality. The socio-emotional competencies of the participants were assessed using the Socio-emotional Competencies Scale (SECS). Results: Men scored higher in interpersonal regulation, self-awareness, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. Younger athletes (≤25 years) had higher self-consciousness. Individual versus team sports did not differ. Paralympians showed higher motivation, self-awareness, teamwork, and emotional regulation. University educated athletes scored higher in motivation, self-awareness, teamwork, and empathy. All competencies positively correlated. Conclusion: Individualized interventions targeting improved socio-emotional performance are vital for sustainability and should account for differences across gender, age, education, and disability status.
Sarcocystis spp. of New and Old World Camelids: Ancient Origin, Present Challenges
Authors: Wieser Sarah N , Giuliano Susana M , Reategui Ordoñez Juan , Barriga Marcapura Ximena , Olivera Marocho Luis V. M. , Chavez Fumagalli Miguel Angel , Schnittger Leonhard , Florin-Christensen Monica 
Published: January 2024

Sarcocystis sp. are coccidian protozoans belonging to the Apicomplexa phylum. As other members of this phylum, they are obligate intracellular parasites having a complex cellular machinery for the invasion of host cells. Sarcocystis spp. display dixenous life cycles, involving a predator and a prey as definitive and intermediate hosts, respectively. Specifically, these parasites develop sarcocysts in the tissues of their intermediate hosts, ranging in size from microscopic to visible to the naked eye, depending on the species. When definitive hosts consume sarcocysts, infective forms are produced in the digestive system and discharged into the environment via feces. Consumption of oocyst-contaminated water and pasture by the intermediate host completes the parasitic cycle. More than 200 Sarcocystis spp. have been described infecting wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, some of which are of economic or public health importance. Interestingly, Old World camelids (dromedary, domestic Bactrian camel, and wild Bactrian camel) and New World or South American camelids (llama, alpaca, guanaco, and vicuña) can each be infected by two different Sarcocystis species: Old World camelids by S. cameli (producing micro- and macroscopic cysts) and S. ippeni (microscopic cysts); and South American camelids by S. aucheniae (macroscopic cysts) and S. masoni (microscopic cysts). Large numbers of Old and New World camelids are bred for meat production, but the finding of macroscopic sarcocysts in carcasses significantly hampers meat commercialization. This review tries to compile the information that is currently accessible regarding the biology, epidemiology, phylogeny, and diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. infecting Old and New World camelids. In addition, knowledge gaps will be identified to encourage research that will lead to the control of these parasites.
Doenças diagnosticadas pelo Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária no decênio 2013-2022
Authors: Perosa Fernanda Felicetti , Gris Anderson Hentz , Piva Manoela Marchezan , Horn Vitor Waldir , Miglioranza Cesar Augusto , Neumann Schuck Bruna Luiza , Pelisser Giovana , Baldi Kelen Regina Ascoli , Gomes Teane Milagres Augusto , Mendes Ricardo Evandro 
Published: January 2024

Este trabalho apresenta a casuística de diagnósticos nos anos de 2013 a 2022 do Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária do IFC Campus Concórdia. Foram 2.162 diagnósticos em bovinos, 241 em ovinos e 520 em suínos, totalizando 2.923. Destes, 2.354 (80,5%) foram através de necropsias e 569 (19,5%) através de amostras formolizadas enviadas por veterinários. Em bovinos as doenças mais incidentes foram babesiose (93 casos - 4,4%), miosite clostridial (82 casos - 3,9%), leucose enzoótica bovina (80 casos - 3,9%), retículo pericardite traumática (70 casos - 3,3%), anaplasmose (65 casos - 3,1%) e intoxicação por nitrato/nitrito (64 casos - 3,1%). Considerando apenas as necropsias de bovinos, nos dez anos de atuação do LPV, foram necropsiados 1.769 animais, alcançando média de 177 necropsias de bovinos por ano. Do total de laudos emitidos de bovinos, as necropsias representaram 82% dos diagnósticos. Comparativamente, o Laboratório Regional de Diagnóstico da Universidade Federal de Pelotas detem uma uma média anual de 166 bovinos (necropsias e histopatológicos); e o Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria tem uma média anual de, combinando necropsias e histopatológicos, 149 diagnósticos. Salienta-se que algumas das enfermidades mais prevalentes aqui descritas são possivelmente preveníveis e, que os técnicos e produtores rurais deveriam investir em tais abordagens a fim de reduzir os prejuízos econômicos nas propriedades rurais.
Data Augmentation Improvement for a Breast Cancer Dataset: Fine-Tuning Bounding Box Coordinates and Segmentation Mask
Authors: Mahichi Hassan , Ghods Vahid , Sohrabi Mohammad Karim , Sabbaghi Arash 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women worldwide, and early detection through medical imaging techniques is crucial for effective treatment. Deep learning models have shown promising results in medical image analysis tasks, but traditional data augmentation methods often do not preserve the accuracy of bounding box and segmentation mask annotations. To address this issue, a proposed method for fine-tuning new coordinates of bounding box and segmentation mask during data augmentation methods cropping and rotation in the breast cancer dataset has been introduced. This method involves generating new images by applying cropping and rotation to the original images and adjusting the coordinates of the bounding box and segmentation mask to match the new image. Experiments conducted on a publicly available breast cancer dataset showed that the proposed method improved the accuracy of the bounding box and segmentation mask annotations while preserving the original information in the image. The proposed method is a promising approach to improve the accuracy of deep learning models for medical image analysis tasks. By dynamically adjusting the coordinates during augmentation, the proposed method can better preserve object shape and improve the accuracy of object detection and segmentation tasks. The approach can be easily integrated into existing data augmentation pipelines and has the potential to improve performance on a range of computer vision applications.
Protocol for a Systematic review of the application of the Kidney Failure Risk Equation and Oxford classification in estimating prognosis in IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Toal Michael , Fergie Ruth , Quinn Michael , Hill Christopher , O'Neill Ciaran , Maxwell Alexander P 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is a common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Outcomes are highly variable and predicting risk of disease progression at an individual level is challenging. Accurate risk stratification is important to identify individuals who are most likely to benefit from treatment. The Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) has been extensively validated in CKD populations and predicts the risk of ESRD at two and five years using non-invasive tests, however it’s predictive performance in IgAN is unknown. The Oxford Classification (OC) describes pathological features demonstrated on renal biopsy that are associated with adverse clinical outcomes that may also inform prognosis. The objective of this systematic review is to compare the KFRE with the OC in determining prognosis in IgAN.Methods A systematic review will be conducted and reported in line with PRISMA guidelines (PRISMA-P checklist attached as supplement). Inclusion criteria will be cohort studies that apply the KFRE or OC to determine the risk of CKD progression or ESRD in individuals with IgAN. Multiple databases will be searched in duplicate to identify relevant studies, which will be screened first by title, then by abstract and then by full text analysis. Results will be collated for comparison. Risk of bias and confidence assessments will be conducted independently by two reviewers, with a third reviewer available if required.Discussion Identifying individuals at the highest risk of progression to ESRD is challenging in IgAN, due to the heterogeneity of clinical outcomes. Risk prediction tools have been developed to guide clinicians; however it is imperative that these aids are accurate and reproducible. The OC is based on observations made by specialist renal pathologists and may be open to observer bias, therefore the utility of prediction models incorporating this classification may be diminished, particularly as in the future novel biomarkers may be incorporated into clinical practice.Systematic Review registration: Prospero no. CRD42022364569
First record of the lacewing species Croce filipennis (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae) and its family from Bangladesh based on morphological and molecular identification
Authors: Barkat Azizul Islam , Rahman Md. Mahfuzur , Alam Shofiul , Khandaker Ashfaqul Muid , ALAM MOHAMMAD SHAMIMUL 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Neuropterans are a small group of insects which have the potential of being used as agents of biological pest control, and as insect research models of longer life cycles. Despite over three hundred recorded species of Neuropterans from the Indian subcontinent, this group remains poorly studied in Bangladesh. In this study, the first occurrence of the speciesCroce filipennis (Westwood) (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae) and its family Nemopteridae have been reported from Bangladesh. The specimens were identified morphologically and to facilitate future identification of the species, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) gene was sequenced partially and analyzed. The sequenced region of the COX1 gene is 676 bp long (NCBI Genbank Accession no. OR250776). A molecular phylogenetic tree has been constructed to get insights into its relationship with other members of the order Neuroptera. Extensive surveys and collections of this group of insects are required to ascertain species and genetic diversity in this region.
Immune Gene-linked EST-SSR Marker Development for Coconut Scale Insects, Aspidiotus Destructor Signoret and Aspidiotus Rigidus Reyne
Authors: Alcasid Rochelle Escobin , Bautista Ma. Anita M. , Lantican Darlon V. , Latina Romnick A. , Caoili Barbara L. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The infestation of coconut scale insects (CSI), Aspidiotus destructor and A. rigidus, resulted in significant economic damages to the Philippine coconut industry in recent years. This incident demands a thorough understanding of the biological information of the insect pests to understand how they thrive and perpetuate despite of adverse ecological conditions. This research explored microsatellite mining, characterization, and marker design on two species of coconut scale insect. Using bioinformatics approaches, predominant dinucleotide repeats units (TA and TC), average length of 40bp and density of 728 SSRs/Mbp were observed in the microsatellite regions of the transcriptomes. A total of 18,480 and 1,681 EST-SSR markers were designed for A. destructor and A. rigidus, respectively. In addition, homology search of 4,369 immune genes from 4IN database against the transcriptome assemblies revealed 22 and 302 orthologs expressed by A. rigidus and A. destructor, respectively. This result provides insights into the expression of genes involved in evolutionarily conserved immune pathways (i.e.,Toll, Imd, JNK, and JAK- STAT) of these two coconut scale insect species. From the vast resource of EST-SSR markers, eight (8) immune gene-linked EST-SSR markers were deduced targeting effete (eff), autophagy 8 (Atg8), ras-like GTP-binding protein (rho1) and anterior open (aop). The polymorphic EST-SSR markers established in this research can be used for comprehensive genetic analysis of coconut scale insects towards safeguarding the country's vibrant coconut industry.
Causal inference of the effect of inflammatory cytokines on the risk of oral cancer：two-sample Mendelian randomization
Authors: Wan Guanqun , Xia Yinhua 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and oral cavity cancer risk using Mendelian randomization analysis.
Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomization was conducted using summary-level genome-wide association study data on 41 inflammatory cytokines and oral cavity cancer risk in Europeans. Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with cytokines (p<5x10-6) and oral cancer were selected as instrumental variables, excluding those in linkage disequilibrium. Inverse-variance weighted analysis was used as the primary method, supplemented by MR Egger, weighted median, simple and weighted mode methods. Sensitivity analyses included heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, leave-one-out, and funnel plot assessments. Multivariable MR analysis adjusted for smoking, alcohol, periodontitis and malnutrition was performed.
Results: In univariate MR analysis, increased beta-nerve growth factor (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.06–2.20), and decreased macrophage colony stimulating factor (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78–0.98) and interleukin-18 (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65–0.98) were causally associated with higher oral cancer risk. In multivariable MR analysis, the effects of beta-nerve growth factor (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.24–2.13) ,macrophage colony stimulating factor(OR:0.87, 95% CI:0.75–1.00)and interleukin-18 (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.67–0.99) remained significant after adjusting for exposures. No reverse causation was found.
Conclusions: This MR study provides evidence for causal effects of increased beta-nerve growth factor along with decreased macrophage colony stimulating factor and interleukin-18 on higher oral cavity cancer risk, independent of known risk factors. These inflammatory cytokines may represent etiologic targets for oral cancer prevention.
Oncogenic CD44 is required for pancreatic cancer cell tumorigenesis and CD44 gene knockout is a new strategy for targeted pancreatic cancer therapy
Authors: Zhou Quansheng , Liu Yuxi , Meng Mei , Zheng Nana , Zhang Mengli , Chen Yu , Liu Juntao , Li Xu , Song Xiaoxiao , Xu Peng 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
CD44 is a cancer stem cell marker and is aberrantly overexpressed in cancer stem/progenitor cells of malignant tumors. Overexpression of CD44 promotes carcinogenesis and is closely associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients, including pancreatic cancer. However, CD44-targeted drug against pancreatic cancer is unavailable in the clinical setting, and the effect of CD44 gene knockout on pancreatic cancer has not yet been reported in the literature. In this study, we investigated the effect of CD44 gene knockout on pancreatic cancer cell tumorigenesis. We found that CD44 genetic disruption notably inhibited pancreatic cancer cell tumorigenesis, migration, and invasion; increased intracellular DNA damage, sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to the anticancer drug cisplatin; and also suppressed tumor growth in xenograft mice. Mechanistically, CD44 genetic disruption suppressed expression of multiple oncogenic genes; particularly, the levels of oncogenic X-inactive specific transcription (Xist) were reduced for 35-fold through diminishing promoter activity, unraveling a novel oncogenic CD44-Xist axis in cancer cells. Additionally, CD44 genetic disruption inhibited the tumorigenic AKT and ERK signaling pathways, and concurrently activated the tumor-suppressive p38 and p53 signaling pathways. Our findings highlight the critical role of CD44 gene in pancreatic cancer and provide a new strategy for targeted pancreatic cancer therapy.
Grow and eat healthy: Mediating effect of food poverty and dietary diversity with evidence from Tanzania
Authors: Rashid Furaha , Lihawa Robert 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Agriculture and health are linked through natural environment, food production, nutrition and production of medicinal plants. The existing literature on the effect of food poverty and dietary diversity as mediating factors for agriculture on household’s health expenditure presents mixed results and are country specific. This study aimed at examining the link between agriculture and household’s health expenditure mediated by food poverty and dietary diversity using the nationally representative Tanzania household budget survey data 2017/18. We employed an instrumental variable generalized method of moment (IV-GMM) as a method of analysis. Results show that participation in agriculture solely has no effect on health expenditure but the effect stems from food poverty incidence and dietary diversity level as mediating factors. Food poor households had 54.1–55.7% lower health expenditure than food secure households. An additional food group consumed by a household leads to 11.3–11.6% increase in household health expenditure. Thus, policies aiming at improving health should go beyond merely fostering agricultural participation and instead place more emphasis on pro-poor and nutrition sensitive agriculture.
Peripheral doses outside the electron applicators in an Elekta Versa HD Linac
Authors: Maharaj Kapil Dev , Goodall Simon , Sabet Masheed , Dass Joshua , Ibrahim Mounir , Mahmood Talat , Rowshanfarzad Pejman 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Radiotherapy is an essential component of cancer treatment, but healthy tissues can be exposed to out-of-field doses, potentially causing adverse effects and secondary cancers. This study investigates peripheral doses outside the electron beam applicator in an Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator.
Methods
Peripheral doses outside the electron applicator were measured using 6, 9, and 12 MeV beams at their respective maximum dose depths while maintaining a 100 cm source-to-surface distance. Measurements employed EBT3 films within solid water phantoms. The influence of field size on penumbra width and peripheral doses were examined using various cutouts (6 x 6 cm², 10 x 10 cm², and a 5 cm diameter circle) within a 10 × 10 cm² applicator, with gantry and collimator angles set to 0 degrees. Additionally, the impact of collimator angles on penumbra width and peripheral doses was explored, enhancing the understanding of dose distribution. Measured profiles were also compared with those calculated using Monaco treatment planning system.
Results
Findings showed that both penumbra width and peripheral dose values increased with energy across different field sizes and collimator angles. Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) analysis indicated deviations of 1.8 mm for penumbra and 1.1% for peripheral doses between measured profiles and Treatment Planning System (TPS) predictions for all field sizes. Notably, peripheral doses remained below 5% of the maximum dose at distances ranging from 10 to 15 mm away from the field edges, suggesting the potential for implementation of supplementary shielding strategies.
Conclusion
This study highlights the critical importance of considering peripheral doses in radiotherapy, emphasizing the need to evaluate the impact on healthy tissues outside the primary treatment area to ensure patient safety and mitigate long-term treatment-related side effects. The findings underscore the necessity of implementing appropriate measures to minimize peripheral doses.
Association of essential oils and the coating film of cassava starch in the control of gray-mold in postharvest strawberry
Authors: Garcia Isadora Rodrigues , Sartorio Weliton Geraldo , Rocha Matheus Ricardo da , Gondo Cayo Yoshihiro , Dian Vanessa Sessa , Anjos Breno Benvindo Dos , Moraes Simone de Paiva Caetano Bucker , Arndt Stella , Costa Adilson Vidal , Queiroz Vagner Tebaldi , Alves Fábio Ramos , Xavier André da Silva , Moraes Willian Bucker 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The use of essential oils for plant disease management during the postharvest period has been a difficult task because of the high volatility of their active antifungal components. To reduce the essential oil volatilization, we mixed cassava and cinnamon essential oils in a coating film made of cassava starch and used it to control strawberries gray-mold (Botrytis cinerea) in the postharvest period. Chemical characterization revealed that eugenol was the major component in both essential oils with levels > 76%. In a preliminary in vitro assay, the essential oils showed a significant reduction in mycelial growth rate as well as a reduction in sporulation. Furthermore, in the confirmation in vivo experiment, in which we evaluated disease development for four days in strawberry fruits inoculated with B. cinerea, a decrease in disease infection rate was observed when the coating film was applied alone, compared to the control check. No disease was observed when essential oils were applied in association or not with the coating film, thus we were not unable to evaluate whether or not the coating film could increase the time of action of the essential oils. On the other hand, in the fungicide treatment without coating film, the disease reached ~ 80% severity on the fourth day of evaluation, however, fungicide in associating with the coating film totally inhibited disease development. Based on these results that the use of the cassava coating film has a promising effect in prolonging shelf life when applied alone and in association with other chemical control methods.