bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exogenous Betaine Enhances Salt Tolerance of Glycyrrhiza uralensis through Multiple Pathways
Authors: Dong Xinping , Ma Xiaomei , Zhao Zhilong , Ma Miao 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. is a medicinal plant with high economic value. Despite the relatively strong salt tolerance of perennial individuals, its salt tolerance at the seedling growth stage is low. Improving its salt stress resistance at the seedling stage is the key to the cultivation of the plant using salinized land. In this study, we investigated the enhancement effect of exogenous glycine betaine (GB) on the growth of G. uralensis seedlings under NaCl stress conditions and analysed its physiological mechanism.
Results
The root growth of G. uralensis seedlings was severely inhibited under NaCl stress conditions, and the addition of GB could effectively alleviate the adverse effects of the salt stress; the application of 20 mM GB had the most significant alleviating effect. Compared with the NaCl-only treatment group, the application of 20 mM GB under NaCl stress conditions significantly increased total root length, total root surface area, and total root volume by 80.38%, 93.28%, and 175.61%, respectively, and obviously increased the GB content in its roots, stems, and leaves by 36.88%, 107.05%, and 21.63%, respectively, and their activity of betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (BADH2) was increased by 74.10%, 249.38%, and 150.60%, respectively. The GB-addition treatment significantly increased content of osmoregulatory substances (soluble proteins, sluble sugars and proline) in the roots and leave, markedly enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of antioxidant, and dramatically promoted salt secretion capacity of the leaves, which especially promoted the secretion of Na+.
Conclusions
In summary, the exogenous addition of GB is an effective way to significantly improve the salt tolerance of G. uralensis seedlings, and promotion of the synthesis of osmoregulatory substances, enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities, reduction of membrane lipid peroxidation products, and discharge of excess salts in the body (especially the significant promotion of the secretion of Na+) are the critical reasons why exogenous addition of GB was able to effectively alleviate the NaCl damage of G. uralensis seedlings.
Palm-based tototrienol-rich fraction (TRF) supplementation modulates cardiac sod1 expression, fxr target gene expression and tauro-conjugated bile acid levels in aleptinemic mice fed a high-fat diet
Authors: Shahrulni Nur Aliah Natasha Md , Goon Mohd Danial Mohd Efendy , Rahim Sharaniza Ab , Lew Sook Weih , Ibrahim Effendi , Kadir Siti Hamimah Sheikh Abdul 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) has been reported to protect the heart from oxidative stress-induced inflammation. It is, however, unclear whether the protective effects TRF against oxidative stress involve the activation of farnesoid-x receptor (fxr), a bile acid receptor, and the regulation of bile acid metabolites. In the current study, we investigated the effects of TRF supplementation on antioxidant activities, expression of fxr and its target genes in cardiac tissue, and serum untargeted metabolomics of high-fat diet-fed mice. Mice were divided into high-fat diet (HFD) with or without TRF supplementation (control) for six weeks. At the end of the intervention, weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), and random blood glucose were measured. Heart tissues were collected, and the gene expression of sod1, sod2, gpx and fxr and its target genes shp and stat3 was determined. Serum was subjected to untargeted metabolomic analysis using UHPLC-Orbitrap. In comparison to the control, the WC of the TRF-treated group was significantly higher (p > 0.05) than that of the HFD-only group, but there was no significant difference in weight or random blood glucose level. Downregulation of sod1, sod2 and gpx expression was observed in TRF-treated mice; however, only sod1 was significant when compared to the HFD only group. The expression of cardiac fxr and shp was significantly upregulated, but stat3 was significantly downregulated in the TRF-treated group compared to the HFD-only group. Biochemical pathways found to be influenced by TRF supplementation include bile acid secretion, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and biotin and cholesterol metabolism. In conclusion, TRF supplementation in HFD-fed mice affects antioxidant activities, and more interestingly, TRF also acts as a signaling molecule that is possibly involved in several bile acid-related biochemical pathways accompanied by an increase in cardiac fxr shp expression. This study provides new insight into TRF in deregulating bile acid receptors and metabolites in high-fat diet-fed mice.
Investigating the relationship between household food insecurity and pregnancy complications
Authors: Davoodi Marzieh 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Introduction
: Food insecurity, is an important health and social problem that affects millions of people around the world every day. Meanwhile, assessing the food insecurity situation in pregnant women is more important. IConsidering the contradictory results in previous studies and also the limited studies on the relationship between food insecurity and pregnancy complications in Iran, this study investigates the relationship between household food insecurity and pregnancy complications in mothers
method
This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 550 mothers referring to Yasuj health centers. Two food safety questionnaires from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and general information were used to collect data. Independent t-test and chi-square tests were used in statistical analysis.
Results
According to the findings, 62.3% of mothers had food security. And 37.7% of them had food insecurity, of which 27.1% were in the category of non-hunger insecurity, 9% were in the category of moderate hunger and 1.6% were in the category of severe hunger. In this study, various complications such as gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension were investigated and their relationship with food insecurity was assessed. There was a significant relationship between food insecurity and diabetes and blood pressure during pregnancy.
Conclusion
The results of the present study showed that living in food insecure households is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and gestational hypertension.
Implementation of a comprehensive and personalised approach for older people with psychosocial frailty in Valencia (Spain): Study Protocol for a pre-post controlled trial
Authors: Fernández-Salido Mirian , Alhambra-Borrás Tamara , Garcés-Ferrer Jorge 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
With aging the risk of frailty increases, becoming a common condition that exposes older people to an increased risk of multiple adverse health outcomes and decreased quality of life. It has been shown that the experience of loneliness increases with age and in particular frail older adults appear to be at higher risk of experiencing loneliness. In Valencia (Spain), the ValueCare project develops and applies a value-based care approach that addresses the multidimensional nature of frailty by implementing integrated and personalized care to tackle frailty and loneliness by improving the well-being and quality of life of older people experiencing psychosocial frailty.
Methods
This study presents the study protocol of a pre-post controlled design with a baseline measurement at inclusion, at the end of implementation and a follow-up measurement after 6 months of intervention. In Valencia (Spain), 120 participants over 65 years of age are recruited from primary care centres to receive the ValueCare comprehensive and personalised care plan according to the results and are compared with 120 participants receiving "usual care". An assessment questionnaire is designed using validated instruments and a personalised care plan is developed specifically for each participant based on the results obtained. Participants whose results confirm the presence of psychosocial frailty receive a psychosocial intervention plan that combines the use of motivational interviewing supported by the Transtheoretical Stages of Change Model, social workshops in the local context and the use of the ValueCare digital tool. The benefits of the intervention are assessed in terms of level of loneliness and psychological and social frailty.
Discussion
Addressing frailty as a multidimensional and multifactorial risk condition requires the development and implementation of comprehensive assessment and care models that address not only the physical condition but also the psychological and social condition in terms of prevention and reversal of social frailty and associated loneliness.
The ValueCare project in Valencia (Spain) focuses on providing tools that integrate social and health aspects with the support of information and communication technologies to promote active aging and social participation and improve the health, well-being and quality of life of older people experiencing loneliness.
Trial registration
ISRCTN registration number is ISRCTN25089186. The registration date is 16/11/2021.
Development and validation of pathological nomograms for predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients
Authors: An Yingqi , Gong Jianping , Xiao Aitang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The prediction of colorectal cancer (CRC) prognosis greatly influences clinical decision-making. The traditional tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system has limited prognostic accuracy in CRC patients. This study was designed to develop a more robust prognostic tool to aid in prognosis prediction for CRC patients.
Methods
Novel prognostic nomogram models were developed based on postoperative pathological findings from 2435 patients who underwent curative colorectal tumor resection. In the development cohort, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select parameters for inclusion in the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) nomograms. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were utilized to compare performance between the models and the traditional AJCC staging.
Results
Calibration plots indicated that the nomograms developed had good prognostic prediction capability. ROC analysis revealed that the OS-related nomogram predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS with AUCs of 0.786, 0.776, and 0.803, respectively, compared to 0.768, 0.750, and 0.782, respectively, for the TNM staging system. The DFS nomogram predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS with AUCs of 0.764, 0.777, and 0.789, respectively, in contrast to 0.762, 0.761, and 0.770 for TNM staging. DCA demonstrated that the developed nomograms provided greater net benefits than did the TNM staging system.
Conclusion
Our developed prognostic model demonstrated enhanced accuracy in predicting CRC prognosis compared to traditional staging methods. Utilizing this model in postoperative survival prediction for CRC patients could facilitate development of more suitable personalized treatment strategies.
Surgical Outcomes of Endogenous Endophthalmitis Caused by Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Jinshan Suo , Xuzhong Shen , Dan Li , Jing Jiang , Yiwen Qian , Xin Wang , Pei Zhang , Minggui Wang , Wang Zhiliang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Endogenous Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis has been a complex challenge for both ophthalmologists and physicians, characterized by its unpredictable onset, nonspecific initial symptoms, difficulty in early diagnosis, and serious implications for visual prognosis. To determine the surgical outcomes and visual acuity (VA)-related prognostic factors for patients with endogenous endophthalmitis caused by hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp-EE).
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients diagnosed with hvKp-EE at Huashan Hospital between September 2014 and January 2022. The statistical analysis involved hypothesis testing, which was conducted using the SPSS 26.0.
Results
We enrolled 51 eyes (43 patients) with hvKp-EE who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Postoperatively, the mean logMAR VA increased from 2.27 ± 0.57 to 2.15 ± 0.72. The VA preservation rate was 86.67%, with 26 eyes achieving a VA ≥ 20/2000. Vision improved in 21 patients during follow-up. A final VA > = 20/2000 was reported for 19 (79.17%) and 7 (25.93%) individuals who had early and late PPVs, respectively (p < 0.001). Late PPV surgery predicted poor visual results (p = 0.031). The average number of extraocular infection sites was 2.49. All patients received systematic antibiotics, and 22 of the 36 patients had liver abscesses drain. The hvKp-EE risk factors included corneal edema, poor preoperative VA, and late PPV.
Conclusions
HvKp-EE patients who underwent early vitrectomy had better VA results. Late surgery, ocular edema, and inadequate initial VA (worse than 20/2000) were risk factors for poor outcomes.
Naturally acquired adaptive immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae is impaired in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Ercoli Giuseppe , Selway Hugh , Folkmanaite Milda , Oulton Tate , Norris-Grey Caitlin , Nakajima Rie , Felgner Philip , Wren Brendan W. , Tetteh Kevin , Leandro Maria , Cambridge Geraldine , Brown Jeremy S. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased susceptibility to infection, including those caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Why RA is associated with increased susceptibility to S. pneumoniae is poorly understood. This study aims to assess the effects of RA and B cell depletion therapy on naturally acquired antibody responses to 289 S. pneumoniae protein antigens using a novel protein array.
Methods: IgG responses to S. pneumoniae were characterized in serum from RA patients and disease controls (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)) using whole-cell ELISA, a flow cytometry opsonization assay, and a S. pneumoniae protein array. For the RA patients, results were compared before and after B cell depletion therapy.
Results: Compared to a well characterized disease control group of ME/CFS patients, RA patients had reduced antibody responses to multiple S. pneumoniae protein antigens, with significant IgG recognition of approximately half the number of antigens along with reduced median strengths of these responses. Reduction in multiple array antigen-specific responses also correlated with reduced IgG opsonization of S. pneumoniae. Although B cell depletion therapy with rituximab did not reduce overall IgG recognition of S. pneumoniae in the RA group, it was associated with marked disruption of pre-existing IgG repertoire to protein antigens in individual patients.
Conclusion: These data show RA is associated with major disruption of naturally acquired adaptive immunity to S. pneumoniae, which can be assessed rapidly using a protein antigen array and is likely to contribute towards the increased incidence of pneumonia in patients with RA.
Accuracy of prediction from multi-environment trials to new locations using pedigree information and environmental covariates
Authors: Gudata Diriba Tadese , Piepho Hans-Peter , Hartung Jens 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Plant breeding trials are usually conducted across multiple testing locations to predict genotype performances in the targeted population of environments. The predictive accuracy can be increased by the use of adequate statistical models. We compared models with and without synthetic covariates (SC) and pedigree information under the identity, the diagonal and the factor-analytic variance-covariance structures of the genotype-by-location interactions. The model comparison was made to evaluate predictive accuracy of different models in predicting genotype performances in untested locations using the mean squared error of predicted differences (MSEPD) and the Spearman rank correlation between predicted and adjusted means. A multi-environmental trial (MET) dataset evaluated for yield performance in the dry low-land sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) breeding program of Ethiopia was used. For validating our models, we followed a leave-one-location-out cross-validation strategy. A total of 65 environmental covariates (ECs) obtained from the sorghum test locations were considered. From the actual ECs, SC were first extracted using multivariate partial least squared analysis. Then, the model was fitted accounting for pedigree information by linear mixed models. According to MSEPD, our results indicate that models accounting for SC improve prediction precision of genotype performances in the three of the variance-covariance structures compared to others without SC. The rank correlation was also higher for the model with the SC. When the SC was fitted, the rank correlation was 0.58 for the factor-analytic, 0.51 for the diagonal and 0.46 for the identity variance-covariance structure.
Local 2-connected bow-tie structure of the Web and of Social networks
Authors: Perekhodko Eugenia 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The explosive growth of the Web and of Social networks motivates the need for analyzing the macroscopic structure of their underlying graphs. Although the characterization of the structure of a graph with respect to its pairwise connectivity has been known for over 15 years, just one subsequent study analyzed the world inside the giant strongly connected component, where it has been shown that the largest strongly connected component has its own microscopic bow-tie structure defined with respect to pairwise 2-connectivity among its vertices. In this paper, we introduce the local microscopic bow-tie structure of the largest strongly connected component, demonstrating its self-similarity property. Our experiments, conducted on the several Web graphs and Social networks demonstrate clear structural differences between considered Web and Social networks.
Complexities in crisis-affected contexts: a comparative case study of Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response implementation
Authors: Mary Meighan , Tappis Hannah , Scudder Elaine , Creanga Andreea A 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Background
Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) systems provide an opportunity for health systems to understand the determinants of maternal and perinatal deaths in order to improve quality of care and prevent future deaths from occurring. While there has been broad uptake and learning from low- and middle-income countries, little is known on how to effectively implement MPDSR within humanitarian contexts -- where disruptions in health service delivery are common, infrastructural damage and insecurity impact the accessibility of care, and severe financial and human resource shortages limit the quality and capacity to provide services to the most vulnerable. This study aimed to understand how contextual factors influence MPDSR interventions within five humanitarian contexts.
Methods
Descriptive case studies were conducted on the implementation of MPDSR in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh, refugee settlements in Uganda, South Sudan, Palestine, and Yemen. Desk reviews of case-specific MPDSR documentation and in-depth key informant interviews with 76 stakeholders supporting or directly implementing mortality surveillance interventions were conducted between December 2021 and July 2022. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Dedoose software. Thematic content analysis was employed using an adapted implementation science framework to facilitate cross-case synthesis.
Results
Implementation of MPDSR interventions in the five humanitarian settings varied in scope, scale, and approach. Adoption of the interventions and fidelity to established protocols were influenced by availability of key inputs (e.g., financial and human resources), the implementation climate (leadership engagement, health administration and provider buy-in, and community involvement), and complex humanitarian-health system dynamics. Blame culture was pervasive in all contexts, with health providers often facing punishment or criminalization for negligence, threats, and violence. Across contexts, successful implementation was driven by integrating MPDSR within quality improvement efforts, improving community involvement, and adapting programming fit-for-context.
Conclusions
The unique contextual considerations of humanitarian settings call for a customized approach to implementing MPDSR that best serves the immediate needs of the crisis, aligns with stakeholder priorities, and supports health workers and humanitarian responders in providing care to the most vulnerable populations.
Macular vascular density alteration patterns in paediatric optic neuritis patients with serum MOG antibody positivity detected by optic coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Peng chunxia , Li Siyuan , Zuo Huaxin , LIU Xi , Tian Li rong , Zhang Ru , Li Li , Shi Wei 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose The retinal microvascular network plays a crucial role in inflammatory injury in paediatric optic neuritis (PON) with serum MOG antibody positivity (MOG+PON). This study compared retinal microvascular densities and structural alterations in MOG+PON eyes with paediatric isolated optic neuritis (PION) eyes and followed up with the final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after 6 months.
Methods A total of 29 children (52 eyes) with PON, including 15 MOG+PON cases (28 eyes), 6 PION cases (10 eyes), 2 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders associated PON(NMOSD-PON) cases (4 eyes), 6 MOG-associated disease (MOGAD) patients without ON-affected eyes (MOG+NPON) cases (10 eyes) and age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent superficial/deep retinal angiography density (SAD/DAD) by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Their BCVAs were followed up until 6 months after PON onsets.
Results MOG+PON cases had better final BCVAs than PION and NMOSD-ON. MOG+PON (35.7 ± 10.3% ) and PION (40.1 ± 10.3%) eyes experienced severe SAD reductions in contrast to MOGAD+NPON (48.7 ± 5.2%) and HCs eyes (55.6 ± 8.2%). However, DAD in MOG+PON eyes (48.5 ± 9.2%) and MOG+NPON eyes (53.1 ± 3.3%) increased compared to HC eyes (45.7 ± 9.6%; p = 0.028 and 0.009, respectively). SAD reduction occurred in acute PON and was detected as early as 2 weeks after PON onset.
Conclusions MOG+PON eyes had better final BCVAs than PION eyes, which displayed superficial retinal microvascular perfusion reductions and deep microvascular perfusion increases. SAD could be a sensitive surrogate for PON attacks in children with MOGAD.
Tracking the Initial Capacity Loss in Solid-State Batteries using in-situ Neutron Tomography and Raman Imaging
Authors: Yang Guang , Zhang Yuxuan , Bilheux Jean-Christophe , Self Ethan , Westover Andrew , Chen Jihua , Bilheux Hassina , Nanda Jagjit 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Despite their high ionic conductivity and manufacturing advantages, sulfide-based solid-state electrolytes face challenges with initial capacity loss during full cell cycling. We use neutron computed tomography and radiography for in situ lithium-ion tracking, which sheds light on lithium distribution and migration patterns. The research examines a battery with a 7Li anode, ß-Li3PS4 (LPS) electrolyte, and LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) cathode. Key findings reveal lithium accumulation at the LPS/NMC811 interface and in LPS pellet cracks, leading to significant initial capacity loss. The study concludes with strategies to improve cathode/sulfide interface engineering and reduce LPS pellet defects, aiming to enhance capacity retention in all solid-state batteries.