bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Harnessing IGF-1 and IL-2 as biomarkers for calcineurin activity to tailor optimal FK506 dosage in α-synucleinopathies
Authors: Zaichick Sofia , Caraveo Gabriela 
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Rise in Calcium (Ca2+) and hyperactive Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin represent two key determinants of a-synuclein (a-syn) pathobiology implicated in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Calcineurin activity can be inhibited with FK506, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved compound. Our previous work demonstrated a protective effect of low doses of FK506 against a-syn pathology in various models of a-syn related pathobiology.Methods: Control and a-syn-expressing mice (12-18 months old) were injected with vehicle or two single doses of FK506 administered 4 days apart. Cerebral cortex and serum from these mice were collected and assayed using a meso scale discovery quickplex SQ 120 for cytokines and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IGF-1.Results: In this study we present evidence that reducing calcineurin activity with FK506 in a-syn transgenic mice increased insulin growth factor (IGF-1), while simultaneously decreasing IL-2 levels in both cerebral cortex and serum.Discussion: The highly conserved Ca2+/calcineurin signaling pathway is known to be affected in a-syn-dependent human disease. FK506, an already approved drug for other uses, exhibits high brain penetrance and a proven safety profile. IL-2 and IGF-1 are produced throughout life and can be measured using standard clinical methods. Our findings provide two potential biomarkers that could guide a clinical trial of FK506 in PD patients, without posing significant logistical or regulatory challenges.
Causal association of gastroesophageal reflux disease with obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-related phenotypes: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Qin Shan , Wang Chi , Wang Xiaoqiu , Wu Wenzhong , Liu Chengyong 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundThe interactions and associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sleep-related phenotypes (SRPs), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are complex, thus it is hard to explore the effect and direction of causalities.Study objectivesA bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to explore causal associations of GERD with OSA and SRPs (including insomnia, morningness, sleep duration, ease of getting up, daytime napping, daytime dozing, and snoring).MethodsFirst, we gathered summary statistics from publicly available databases. Subsequently, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms without strong linkage (r2 ≤ 0.001) by referencing relevant genome-wide association studies that met genome-wide significance criteria. Our primary analysis relied on inverse variance weighted to estimate the causal relationship. To ensure the validity of our findings, we also conducted several sensitivity analyses. These included MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier to detect and correct for potential pleiotropic effects, MR-Egger to assess directional pleiotropy, and weighted median analysis to further evaluate heterogeneity and pleiotropy. For the initial MR analysis, when causality was indicated by the results, instrumental variables that were significantly linked to the aforementioned confounding factors were removed. We will re-analyze the data after excluding outcome-related single nucleotide polymorphisms to confirm that the results are still consistent with the previous results.ResultsGERD was found to increase the risk of OSA (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.37–1.70, p = 5.3 × 10−15), insomnia (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.10–1.19, p = 1.3 × 10−10), snoring (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04–1.13, p = 6.3 × 10−5) and less sleep duration (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.91–0.97, p = 3.7 × 10−4). According to the reverse-direction analysis, there is an elevated risk of GERD associated with OSA (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.02–1.12, p = 0.005), insomnia (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.60–2.37, p = 1.92 × 10−11) and snoring (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.37–2.21, p = 4.4 × 10−6).ConclusionGenetic susceptibility to GERD can elevate the likelihood of experiencing insomnia, snoring, and OSA, in addition to diminishing sleep duration. Conversely, a reverse MR analysis indicates that ameliorating any one of insomnia, snoring, or OSA can mitigate the risk of developing GERD.
The therapeutic effects of physical treatment for patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia: a narrative review
Authors: Di Ludovico Armando , Ciarelli Francesca , La Bella Saverio , Scorrano Giovanna , Chiarelli Francesco , Farello Giovanni 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundHereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) encompass a variety of neurodegenerative disorders that are characterized by progressive deterioration of walking ability and a high risk for long-term disability. The management of problems associated with HSP, such as stiffness, deformity, muscle contractures, and cramping, requires strict adherence to recommended physiotherapy activity regimes. The aim of this paper is to conduct a critical narrative review of the available evidence focusing exclusively to the therapeutic advantages associated with various forms of physical therapy (PT) in the context of HSP, emphasizing the specific benefit of every distinct approach in relation to muscle relaxation, muscle strength, spasticity reduction, improvement of weakness, enhancement of balance, posture, walking ability, and overall quality of life.MethodsTo conduct a literature review, the databases PubMed, Scopus, and DOAJ (last access in June 2023) were searched.ResultsThe PubMed search returned a total of 230 articles, Scopus returned 218, and DOAJ returned no results. After screening, the final list included 7 papers on PT treatment for HSP patients.ConclusionElectrostimulation, magnetotherapy, hydrotherapy, PT, robot-assisted gait training, and balance rehabilitation have the potential to increase lower extremity strength and decrease spasticity in HSP patients.
Identifying brain tumor patients’ subtypes based on pre-diagnostic history and clinical characteristics: a pilot hierarchical clustering and association analysis
Authors: Esposito Simona , Ruggiero Emilia , Di Castelnuovo Augusto , Costanzo Simona , Bonaccio Marialaura , Bracone Francesca , Esposito Vincenzo , Innocenzi Gualtiero , Paolini Sergio , Cerletti Chiara , Donati Maria Benedetta , de Gaetano Giovanni , Iacoviello Licia , Gialluisi Alessandro 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionCentral nervous system (CNS) tumors are severe health conditions with increasing incidence in the last years. Different biological, environmental and clinical factors are thought to have an important role in their epidemiology, which however remains unclear.ObjectiveThe aim of this pilot study was to identify CNS tumor patients’ subtypes based on this information and to test associations with tumor malignancy.Methods90 patients with suspected diagnosis of CNS tumor were recruited by the Neurosurgery Unit of IRCCS Neuromed. Patients underwent anamnestic and clinical assessment, to ascertain known or suspected risk factors including lifestyle, socioeconomic, clinical and psychometric characteristics. We applied a hierarchical clustering analysis to these exposures to identify potential groups of patients with a similar risk pattern and tested whether these clusters associated with brain tumor malignancy.ResultsOut of 67 patients with a confirmed CNS tumor diagnosis, we identified 28 non-malignant and 39 malignant tumor cases. These subtypes showed significant differences in terms of gender (with men more frequently presenting a diagnosis of cancer; p = 6.0 ×10−3) and yearly household income (with non-malignant tumor patients more frequently earning ≥25k Euros/year; p = 3.4×10−3). Cluster analysis revealed the presence of two clusters of patients: one (N=41) with more professionally active, educated, wealthier and healthier patients, and the other one with mostly retired and less healthy men, with a higher frequency of smokers, personal history of cardiovascular disease and cancer familiarity, a mostly sedentary lifestyle and generally lower income, education and cognitive performance. The former cluster showed a protective association with the malignancy of the disease, with a 74 (14-93) % reduction in the prevalent risk of CNS malignant tumors, compared to the other cluster (p=0.026).DiscussionThese preliminary data suggest that patients’ profiling through unsupervised machine learning approaches may somehow help predicting the risk of being affected by a malignant form. If confirmed by further analyses in larger independent cohorts, these findings may be useful to create potential intelligent ranking systems for treatment priority, overcoming the lack of histopathological information and molecular diagnosis of the tumor, which are typically not available until the time of surgery.
Bi-directional associations between gender-based harassment at work, psychological treatment and depressive symptoms
Authors: Paulin Johan , Peristera Paraskevi , Nyberg Anna 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to investigate the bi-directional associations between experienced and witnessed gender-based harassment (GBH) on the one hand, and depressive symptoms and psychological treatment on the other, in an occupational setting. GBH are behaviors that derogate, demean, or humiliate an individual based on his or her gender.MethodsThe analyses were based on data from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health at 2018 (T1) and 2020 (T2), including 6,679 working participants (60.3% women) with a majority in the age range of 45–64. Using cross-lagged structural equational models, we analyzed experienced and witnessed GBH in relation to depressive symptoms and having received psychological treatment (talked to a counselor or psychological professional) over time.ResultsOur results showed that neither experienced nor witnessed GBH was prospectively associated with depressive symptoms or psychological treatment over two years. Both higher levels of depressive symptoms (β = 0.002, p ≤ 0.001) and having received psychological treatment (β = 0.013, p = 0.027) weakly predicted experiences of GBH over time. Having received psychological treatment was furthermore weakly associated with witnessed GBH (β = 0.019, p = 0.012).DiscussionIn conclusion, the hypothesized associations between exposure to GBH and mental health outcomes were not statistically significant, while a weak reverse association was noted. More research addressing bidirectional associations between GBH and mental health outcomes are needed.
The beauty in imperfection: how naturalness cues drive consumer preferences for ugly produce and reduce food waste
Authors: Xiao Meizhen , Jiang Yi , Cao Binbin 
Published: November 2023

PurposeAn important reason for food waste is the rejection of ugly produce by consumers. Most previous research has examined the absolute negative impacts of ugly produce on consumers’ preferences, no research has examined the conditions in which consumers prefer ugly (vs. typical) produce instead.This research investigates the circumstances under which these aesthetic imperfections become advantageous.MethodsWe conducted two between-subject design randomized experiments featuring two produce categories to examine when and why consumers prefer ugly produce.ResultsWe found that naturalness cues boost and even reverse consumers’ preferences for ugly produce when combining ugly appearance with naturalness cues. The subtyping effect mediates the interaction of appearance (typical vs. ugly) of produce and naturalness cues (present vs. absent) on produce’s evaluations.DiscussionOur findings provide more cost-effective strategies for retailers to reduce food waste. This paper fills in the research gaps on taping into the novel condition in which consumers prefer ugly (vs. typical) produce and the psychological mechanism behind this process. Based on schema incongruity theory, we argue that naturalness cues, as an enabler corresponding to the incongruous features of ugly produce, facilitate consumers to resolve the schema incongruity triggered by the ugly appearance and, in turn, boost consumers’ preferences for ugly produce.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Urban Air Pollution in Bucharest City
Authors: Ilie Alexandru , Vasilescu Jeni , Talianu Camelia , Iojă Cristian , Nemuc Anca 
Published: November 2023

Urban air pollution is one of the major challenges that cities around the world face. Particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants are many times over the recommended airborne exposure, generating a strong impact on human health and city well-being. Considering Bucharest as a case study, this study aimed to investigate the patterns of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide concentrations. Multiyear data from the Romanian National Air Quality Monitoring Network were used to investigate spatial and temporal variability. All air pollutants presented a typical bimodal trend during the day, with specific double peaks corresponding to the morning rush hours and nighttime. Spatial variability in NO2 concentrations was observed, with almost double the concentration values in the city center during midday compared with those for the background and industrial areas. A weekly pattern of PM was noticed, with lower concentrations during the weekends in comparison with those during weekdays, more pronounced in the case of PM10 compared with the case of PM2.5. The fine particle fraction presented monthly and seasonal variability, with higher levels during the cold months compared with the warm months, mainly corresponding to the increased household heating. The estimated proportion of mortality attributable to annual exposure to an air PM2.5 above 5 μg/m3 in Bucharest ranged between 7.55% and 8.26%, with the maximum from 2021. By contrast, the estimated proportion of mortality attributable to PM10 and NO2 above 10 μg/m3 was significantly lower, with values around 4%. The results are useful in supporting environmental planning measures to decrease urban air pollution.
A Genome-Wide Association Study of Nigerien and Senegalese Sorghum Germplasm of Exserohilum turcicum, the Causal Agent of Leaf Blight
Authors: Prom Louis K. , Botkin Jacob R. , Ahn Ezekiel J. S. , Sarr Mame Penda , Diatta Cyril , Fall Coumba , Magill Clint W. 
Published: November 2023

In Senegal, sorghum ranks third after millet and maize among dryland cereal production and plays a critical role in the daily lives of millions of inhabitants. Yet, the crop’s productivity and profitability are hampered by biotic stresses, including Exserohilum turcicum, causing leaf blight. A total of 101 sorghum accessions collected from Niger and Senegal, SC748-5 and BTx623, were evaluated in three different environments (Kaymor, Kolda, and Ndiaganiao) in Senegal for their reactions against the leaf blight pathogen. The results showed that 11 out of the 101 accessions evaluated exhibited 100% incidence, and the overall mean incidence was 88.4%. Accession N15 had the lowest incidence of 50%. The overall mean severity was 31.6%, while accessions N15, N43, N38, N46, N30, N28, and N23 from Niger recorded the lowest severity levels, ranging from 15.5% to 25.5%. Accession N15 exhibited both low leaf blight incidence and severity, indicating that it may possess genes for resistance to E. turcicum. Also, the accessions evaluated in this study were sequenced. A GWAS identified six novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with an average leaf blight incidence rate. The candidate genes were found in chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9. Except for SNP locus S05_48064154, all five SNPs associated with the leaf blight incidence rate were associated with the plant defense and stress responses. In conclusion, the candidate genes identified could offer additional options for enhancing plant resistance against E. turcicum through plant breeding or gene editing.
Portos do Rio de Janeiro e Buenos Aires: paralelos e diferenças
Authors: Oakim Juliana , Honorato Cezar 
Published: November 2023

Rio de Janeiro e Buenos Aires são cidades fundadas como portos para escoamento da produção das colônias portuguesa e espanhola nas Américas. Ambas cidades, em dado momento, e em grande parte, em função da importância de uma cidade portuária diante do mecanismo do colonialismo, tornaram-se capitais.

Ademais, ambas as cidades, viveram a implantação do porto industrial capitalista na virada para o século 20, assim como viveram sua decadência em meados da década de 1960 com a modernização da tecnologia portuária e a consequente obsoletização das instalações construídas décadas antes – processo compartilhado com diversos portos pelo mundo.

Tanto em Buenos Aires como no Rio de Janeiro, políticas de revitalização das antigas áreas portuárias foram debatidas em meio ao processo de redemocratização com o fim das ditaduras do cone sul. No entanto, é neste momento que os caminhos, que seguiam em grande parte paralelamente, se diferenciam. Puerto Madero tornou-se uma importante referência de revitalização ainda na década de 1990, mesmo com seus acertos e erros. Já o Rio de Janeiro demoraria mais duas décadas para iniciar um processo ainda incipiente de revitalização da sua antiga zona portuária.

São estes paralelos e diferenças que este artigo explora.
A Case of Composite Odontoma of the Nasal Cavity in Childhood
Authors: Чекан В.Л. , Шулепова Э.А. , Ниделько А.А. , Рахманова В.И. , Сахаров И.В. 
Published: November 2023

В статье рассматривается случай составной одонтомы полости носа у ребенка мужского пола 14 лет с жалобами на затруднение носового дыхания, частые риносинуситы, периодические головные боли на протяжении 3 лет. Для диагностики данного заболевания использованы эндоскопическое исследование полости носа, компьютерная томография, гистологическое исследование. Составная одонтома состоит из нескольких зубов разной формы, размера и степени формирования костей. Анатомо-физиологические особенности строения и развития челюстных костей, смена зубов, период активного роста часто затрудняют своевременную диагностику новообразований, и первые симптомы остаются незамеченными. Описанный клинический случай представляет интерес как для оториноларингологов, так и для стоматологов, учитывая, что диагностика одонтом на сегодняшний день считается одной из сложных задач оториноларингологии и стоматологии из-за стертой клинической картины, редкости встречаемости заболевания.
The article deals with the case of a composite odontoma of the nasal cavity in a 14-year- old male child with complaints of difficulty in nasal breathing, frequent rhinosinusitis, recurrent headaches for 3 years. To diagnose this disease, endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity, computed tomography, and histological examination were used. Composite odontoma consists of several teeth of different shape, size and degree of bone formation. Anatomical and physiological features of the structure and development of the jaw bones, the change of teeth, the period of active growth, often make it difficult to diagnose neoplasms in a timely manner, and the first symptoms go unnoticed. The described clinical case is of interest to both otorhinolaryngologists and dentists, given that the diagnosis of an odontoma today is considered one of the most difficult tasks of otorhinolaryngology and dentistry due to the erased clinical picture and the rarity of the disease.
PENGUATAN PERAN AISYIYAH MELALUI BUDIDAYA TANAMAN OBAT KELUARGA DALAM UPAYA PENINGKATAN KESEHATAN MANDIRI
Authors: Haryanti Dwi Yunita , Ardia Regita C Dian Ratna Elmaghfuroh; M. Jaya Wijaya; 
Published: November 2023

Aisyiyah memiliki peran penting dalam mendukung kualitas kesehatan keluarga yang dimulai dari unit terkecil masyarakat. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pemahaman kepada mitra dalam upaya peningkatan kesehatan melalui sosialisasi literasi tentang terapi komplementer khususnya terapi herbal dan thibbun nabawi yang dilanjukan dengan penanaman tanaman obat keluarga. Metode yang digunakan dalam pengabdian ini adalah pemberian materi melalui ceramah dan presentasi serta penanaman tananaman obat keluarga. Pelaksanaan kegiatan pengabdian berupa sosialisasi literasi tentang terapi komplementer khususnya herbal dan thibbun nabawi. Peserta terlibat aktif mulai dari perencanaan kegiatan, pencarian lahan kosong untuk kebun tanaman obat keluarga hingga penanaman bibit dan pembentukan jadwal perawatan kebun. Kegiatan ini meningkatkan motivasi Aisyiyah untuk berperan dalam upaya promotive dan preventif kesehatan keluarga. Luaran dari kegiatan ini adalah peningkatan pengetahuan Aisyiyah dalam upaya peningkatan kesehatan mandiri, booklet penggunaan herbal yang telah memiliki penelitian dan uji klinis, thibbun nabawi dan kebun tanaman obat keluarga yang akan dibudidayakan dan dimanfaatkan oleh warga Aisyiyah maupun warga desa sekitar.
Kata Kunci: Peran Aisyiyah, Tanaman Obat Keluarga, Kesehatan Mandiri
PELESTARIAN ANGGREK SERAT ENDEMIK SULAWESI TENGGARA OLEH KARANG TARUNA WOILA MELALUI KULTUR JARINGAN
Authors: Taridala Sitti Aida Adha , Hadi Sudarmo Tresjia C. Rakian;  Wa Ode Alzarliani; Andi Septiana; 
Published: November 2023

Karang taruna Woila yang menjadi mitra PKM tidak memiliki aktifitas produktif, padahal terdapat potensi anggrek serat endemik Sulawesi Tenggara yang hanya ditemukan di daerah ini. Tujuan kegiatan adalah melakukan (1) edukasi tentang organisasi karang taruna dan peluang usaha, (2) sosialisasi dan edukasi tentang anggrek serat dan tehnik kultur jaringan, serta (3) pelatihan dan praktik kultur jaringan. Kegiatan PKM yang bermitra dengan Karang Taruna Woila diawali dengan sosialisasi untuk mengenalkan kegiatan yang akan dilakukan di Kelurahan Woitombo, Kecamatan Mowewe, Kabupaten Kolaka Timur. Selain Tim PKM dan peserta dari anggota Karang Taruna Woila sejumlah 16 orang, juga hadir Sekretaris Camat dan Camat Mowewe, serta Kepala SMA Negeri 1 Mowewe. Pemaparan materi dilakukan oleh Tim PKM UHO dengan dua materi pokok, yaitu tentang (1) organisasi karang taruna dan peluang usaha; serta (2) anggrek serat, dan tehnik kultur jaringan. Untuk menguji pengetahuan dan persepsi peserta , dilakukan pre-test sebelum penyampaian materi, dan post-test setelah penyampaian materi. Kegiatan selanjutnya adalah pelatihan dan praktek tehnik kultur jaringan yang diikuti oleh empat orang anggota karang taruna terpilih di Laboratorium Invitro Fakultas Pertanian UHO di Kota Kendari dan di Laboratorium Balai Benih Induk Hortikultura (BBIH) Sulawesi Tenggara.di Konawe Selatan. Kesimpulan yang dapat diambil adalah kegiatan PKM ini (1) didukung oleh pemeritah setempat, dan SMA Negeri 1 Mowewe, (2) setelah mengikuti sosialisasi dan edukasi, terjadi peningkatan pengetahuan, dan minat untuk melakukan budidaya anggrek serat, khususnya mengikuti pelatihan kultur jaringan, dan (3) pelatihan dan praktek kultur jaringan anggrek serat endemik Sulawesi Tenggara berhasil dilakukan oleh anggota Karang Taruna Woila.