bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Shenmai injection against chronic heart failure: a meta-analysis and systematic review of preclinical and clinical studies
Authors: Wu Yang , Li Tianli , Li Pochen , Peng HsuanChieh , Gao Ang , Wang Jisheng , Zhu Haiyan , Wang Xian 
Published: February 2024

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and preclinical efficacy of SMI in treating CHF, and to summarize the relevant mechanisms of action in order to provide evidence for its role in CHF treatment.Methods: A systematic computerized search of eight databases and three registry systems was performed, with the time frame spanning from the inception of the databases to 30 June 2023. Strict procedures were used for data extraction, quality assessment, and data analysis. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using RoB-2 and SYRCLE tools. Statistical analysis was performed using Rev Man 5.4 software, using either fixed-effects or random-effects models.Results: A total of 25 clinical trials (including test group 1,367 patients, control group 1,338 patients) and 11 animal studies (including 201 animals) were included in this review. The meta-analysis of clinical studies showed that SMI can improve cardiac function indicators (LVEF, LVFS, LVEDV, LVESV, LVEDD, LVESD) (p &lt; 0.00001), reduce BNP/NT-proBNP levels (p &lt; 0.01), and improve inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6) (p &lt; 0.00001) and endothelin (ET) levels (p &lt; 0.0001). In animal studies, SMI demonstrated improved cardiac function (LVEF, LVFS) (p &lt; 0.05), and improved heart failure markers (NT-proBNP, p &lt; 0.05) when compared to control groups.Conclusion: This study represents the first meta-analysis which includes both preclinical and clinical studies on SMI. Clinical and animal studies have shown that SMI can improve cardiac function in CHF patients through its anti-apoptotic effects, antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory effects, and improvement of myocardial metabolism. This study has certain limitations in terms of literature quality, quantity, and follow-up time. Therefore, the conclusions drawn from this study may require further validation through larger-scale, high-quality RCT trials.
Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. (haramonting) protects against allethrin-exposed pulmo damage in rats: mechanistic interleukins
Authors: Situmorang Putri Cahaya , Ilyas Syafruddin , Syahputra Rony Abdi , Nugraha Alexander Patera , Putri Mimmy Sari Syah , Rumahorbo Cheryl Grace Pratiwi 
Published: February 2024

Inhaling Allethrin (C19H26O3) may induce oxidative stress in lung cells by causing the formation of free radi-cals. Interleukins (IL) are a group of secreted cytokines or proteins and signaling molecules initially produced as an immune response by leukocytes. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. (haramonting) contains antioxidants that may prevent lung damage induced by allethrin-containing electric mosquito repellents. In this study, six groups of rats were exposed to allethrin via an electric mosquito repellent, including positive, negative, and comparison control groups and three groups were administered Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk at 100 mg/kg BW, 200 mg/kg BW, and 300 mg/kg BW. After 30 days, the pulmonary tissue and the blood were taken for immunohisto-chemical and ELISA analysis. The accumulation of inflammatory cells causes the thickening of the alveolar wall structures. Injuries were more prevalent in the A+ group than in the other groups. The connection between the alveoli and blood capillaries, which can interfere with alveolar gas exchange, is not regulated, and the lu-minal morphology is aberrant, causing damage to the alveolar epithelial cells. Exposure to electric mosquito coils containing allethrin can increase the expression of interleukin-1, interleukin-8, interleukin-9, and interleu-kin-18 in blood serum and tissues while decreasing the expression of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10. Like the Vitamin C group, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa can increase alveolar histological alterations by decreasing the ex-pression of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-9, and IL-18 while increasing IL-6 and IL-10. So that this plant can be developed in the future as a drug to prevent lung harm from exposure.
Decrease in beneficial bacteria and increase in harmful bacteria in Gastrodia seedlings and their surrounding soil are mainly responsible for degradation of Gastrodia asexual propagation
Authors: Wang Xi , Gao Yugang , Zang Pu , Zhang Ge , Yang Xinyu , Liu Qun 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionAsexual reproduction of Gastrodia elata Bl. f. glauca S. chow (GeB) produces degeneration with increasing number of GeB. Therefore, we analyzed the microorganisms of GeB seedlings and surrounding soil by Illumina Miseq high-throughput sequencing technology.MethodsIn this study, Illumina Miseq high-throughput sequencing technology was applied to analyze the types and quantities of GeB seedlings and surrounding soil microorganisms in the first to third generations of asexual reproduction, isolated and identified the dominant strains of GeB in the first to third generations and screened the antagonistic bacteria of its pathogenic fungi, and evaluated the effects of beneficial bacteria on the production performance of seedlings planted with GeB.ResultsWith an increase in the number of asexual reproductive generations, the number of pathogenic fungi and bacteria in GeB seedlings and the surrounding soil increased, and the number of beneficial fungi and bacteria decreased. Pseudomonas sp., Agrobacterium rhizomes, and Herbaspirillum hiltneri were isolated and identified in the first generation, and Trichoderma harzianum, Penicillium viridiatum, Fusarium oxysporum, and Novosphingobium sp. Were isolated and identified in the third generation. Antagonistic strains of the three pathogenic bacterial strains were screened. In conclusion, beneficial bacteria significantly improved the production performance of asexual reproductive seedlings planted with GeB.DiscussionIn conclusion, our findings suggested that the microorganisms of GeB seedlings and the surrounding soil change as the number of generations of GeB reproduction increases, disrupts the microecological balance of surrounding soil and endophytic microbiomes.This study provides a theoretical basis for the degradation of asexual reproduction in GeB.
Virtual Teaching Together: engaging parents and young children in STEM activities
Authors: Zucker Tricia A. , Mesa Michael P. , Assel Michael A. , McCallum Cheryl , DeMaster Dana 
Published: February 2024

IntroductionEarly informal learning experiences are essential for sparking long-term interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In a prior study, we found more promising parent involvement outcomes when families of young children were provided with STEM family education events along with home STEM activity kits compared to providing workshops alone. This study was a conceptual replication using the same program—Teaching Together STEM—to deliver educational workshops plus home activity kits; however, we varied the delivery method by using virtual “funshops” to evaluate if parents perceived this modality as feasible and useful.MethodsMuseum informal science educators introduced four units via virtual video chat sessions linked to 12 hands-on STEM activities that were mailed to families randomly assigned to the treatment group. Half of the families were assigned to a waitlist control group that received a portion of the virtual program after the posttest. Participants included 60 families with children aged 3 to 5 years from diverse linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds.ResultsOur results indicate no significant group differences in the primary outcome of parents’ involvement in informal STEM but a small, positive effect size (ES = 0.18) that was similar in magnitude to the prior, in-person study. Although parents mostly perceived the remote delivery as convenient and the materials as engaging for their child, there were no significant program impacts on children’s general science interests (ES = −0.19).DiscussionDespite the convenience, parents reported time was a barrier to doing STEM activities at home. Parents with lower education levels were less likely to attend, suggesting virtual approaches are not sufficient for ensuring broad access to family engagement programs for populations underrepresented in STEM.
Self-administered questionnaires enhance emotion estimation of individuals with autism spectrum disorders in a robotic interview setting
Authors: Konishi Shunta , Kuwata Masaki , Matsumoto Yoshio , Yoshikawa Yuichiro , Takata Keiji , Haraguchi Hideyuki , Kudo Azusa , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Kumazaki Hirokazu 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundRobots offer many unique opportunities for helping individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Determining the optimal motion of robots when interacting with individuals with ASD is important for achieving more natural human-robot interactions and for exploiting the full potential of robotic interventions. Most prior studies have used supervised machine learning (ML) of user behavioral data to enable robot perception of affective states (i.e., arousal and valence) and engagement. It has previously been suggested that including personal demographic information in the identification of individuals with ASD is important for developing an automated system to perceive individual affective states and engagement. In this study, we hypothesized that assessing self-administered questionnaire data would contribute to the development of an automated estimation of the affective state and engagement when individuals with ASD are interviewed by an Android robot, which will be linked to implementing long-term interventions and maintaining the motivation of participants.MethodsParticipants sat across a table from an android robot that played the role of the interviewer. Each participant underwent a mock job interview. Twenty-five participants with ASD (males 22, females 3, average chronological age = 22.8, average IQ = 94.04) completed the experiment. We collected multimodal data (i.e., audio, motion, gaze, and self-administered questionnaire data) to train a model to correctly classify the state of individuals with ASD when interviewed by an android robot. We demonstrated the technical feasibility of using ML to enable robot perception of affect and engagement of individuals with ASD based on multimodal data.ResultsFor arousal and engagement, the area under the curve (AUC) values of the model estimates and expert coding were relatively high. Overall, the AUC values of arousal, valence, and engagement were improved by including self-administered questionnaire data in the classification.DiscussionThese findings support the hypothesis that assessing self-administered questionnaire data contributes to the development of an automated estimation of an individual’s affective state and engagement. Given the efficacy of including self-administered questionnaire data, future studies should confirm the effectiveness of such long-term intervention with a robot to maintain participants’ motivation based on the proposed method of emotion estimation.
Mental distress, food insecurity and university student dropout during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020: evidence from South Africa
Authors: Wagner Fezile , Wagner Ryan G. , Makuapane Lerato P. , Masango Mxolisi , Kolanisi Unathi , Gómez-Olivé Francesc Xavier 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundStudent dropout has been a key issue facing universities for many years. The COVID-19 pandemic was expected to exacerbate these trends; however, international literature has produced conflicting findings. Limited literature from Africa has investigated the impact of COVID-19 on student dropout trends, despite the documented devastation, including increased risk of food insecurity and mental distress, caused by the pandemic.ObjectiveThis work seeks to understand the impact of food insecurity and mental distress on student dropout during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional research design, first-year undergraduate students from a large South African university were recruited via email to participate in a survey between September and October 2020. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to measure food insecurity and the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS) was used to measure mental distress. Multivariate regression was used to investigate factors associated with student dropout.ResultsThe student dropout rate was 10.5% (95% CI: 8.2-13.2). The prevalence of severe food insecurity was 25.7% (95% CI: 22.3-29.4) and the prevalence of severe mental distress symptoms was 26.7% (95% CI: 23.3-30.4). Dropout rates and levels of food insecurity were highest among students residing in remote areas during the lockdown at 19.2% and 43.6%, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression revealed that being male increased the probability of dropout almost three-fold (odds ratio (OR) = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.48-4.89, p =0.001)). Being moderately food insecure increased the odds of dropout more than two-fold (OR=2.50; 95% CI:1.12-5.55, p=0.025), and experiencing severe mental distress symptoms increased the odds of dropout seven-fold (OR=7.08; 95% CI:2.67-18.81, p&lt;0.001).ConclusionWhile acknowledging that various factors and complexities contribute to student dropout, the increased vulnerability to food insecurity and mental distress, stemming from issues such as widespread job losses and isolation experienced during the pandemic, may have also had an impact on dropout. This work reiterates the importance of directing additional support to students who are food insecure and those who are experiencing mental distress in order to mitigate university student dropout.
Measurement of Fitness and Predatory Ability of Four Predatory Mite Species in Tibetan Plateau under Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Xiang Dong , Wang Zhen , Xu Long , Wang Yunchao , Zhang Huanhuan , Yang Kun 
Published: February 2024

Predatory mites are biological control agents used in many countries against various vegetable pests, particularly spider mites. Despite the significant presence of predatory mites in the Tibetan plateau, there is limited research on their potential against spider mites in the area. This study investigated the fitness parameters and performance against TSSM of four predatory, including Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and three species from the genus Neoseiulus (Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans)), originally collected from fields in the Tibetan Plateau. Compared to the other three predatory species, A. swirskii exhibited the highest fecundity (11.60 ± 0.34) and the highest pre-adult survival rate (83.33 ± 3.33%). Since their juvenile survival rate (SR) was extremely low (13.33% ± 5.77%), most N. barkeri nymphs died before emergence. Compared to the other three predatory mites, A. swirskii showed the highest predation capacity against adult TSSMs at 15 d post-release (14.28 ± 2.24). Based on the results, A. swirskii was the most effective, and N. barkeri was the least effective in controlling two-spotted mites in the Tibetan Plateau among the four species tested in this study. Collectively, these findings imply notable advantages in employing A. swirskii for controlling two-spotted mites in the Tibetan Plateau. This study informs the development of a feasible biological control method based on suitable predatory mite species to manage TSSMs in the Tibetan Plateau.
Bacterial Adaptive Memory in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Endotracheal Tubes
Authors: Fernández-Barat Laia , López-Aladid Ruben , Vázquez Nil , Cabrera Roberto , Vila Jordi , Ferrer Miquel , Torres Antoni 
Published: February 2024

Objectives: To evaluate the expression dynamics of biofilm genes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) retrieved from endotracheal tubes (ETT) and to determine how gene regulation is attenuated in vitro where host–environmental factors are no longer present. Methods: Biofilm was grown (24 h) in tryptic broth soy plus 0.25% glucose for a clinical MRSA isolate in planktonic state and after sessile growth named ETT-MRSA (S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7). Gene expression of five biofilm-related genes (icaC, clfB, ebps, fnbB, and RNA III) was assessed consecutively from day 1 to day 4 after ETT growth through real-time PCR. 16S rRNA was used as a control. Results: The MRSA isolates retrieved from ETT were capable of producing biofilms dependent on ica. The gene expression dynamics of ETT-MRSA changed progressively compared to planktonic MRSA gene expression under both ambient air (p < 0.001) and ambient air with 5% CO2 (p < 0.001). Dynamic assessment of icaC expression in both atmospheric conditions showed progressive downregulation in vitro compared to in vivo ETT biofilms. The expression patterns of clfB and ebps genes were similar to icaC. In contrast, the expression of the RNA III gene showed progressive upregulation from day 1 to day 4 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: MRSA loses its biofilm gene expression in vitro, by adaptive features across multiple generations, as evidenced by the progressive downregulation of icaC and upregulation of RNA III. These findings underscore the significance of host–environment dependence in regulating bacterial biofilm genes, highlighting its importance in diagnostics. Bacterial strains lose their host-specific characteristics as they are cultured in vitro.
Patient-Level and Center-Level Factors Associated with Required Predonation Weight Loss among Obese Living Kidney Donors
Authors: Perry Jackson , McLeod M. Chandler , Reed Rhiannon D. , Baker Gavin A. , Stanford Luke A. , Allen Joshua , Jones Bernarez , Robinson Tayana , MacLennan Paul A. , Kumar Vineeta , Locke Jayme E. 
Published: February 2024

Key Points

Among obese living kidney donors, year of donation, preoperative body mass index, hypertension, and center percent of living kidney donor transplants were associated with required predonation weight loss.There were no significant differences in the likelihood of predonation weight loss requirement by race, sex, or age or by markers of preoperative metabolic dysfunction.

Background
The proportion of overweight/mildly obese living kidney donors (OLKDs) has increased in the past few decades, with significant center variation in the body mass index (BMI) of LKDs. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with required predonation weight loss among OLKDs (BMI, ≥30 kg/m2).

Methods
This retrospective cohort study surveyed 1097 OLKDs (1979–2020) (mean BMI, 33 kg/m2) about their donation experience. Bivariate analyses compared donor demographic and center characteristics by whether the donor reported predonation weight loss requirement. Generalized estimating equations with logit link were used to estimate marginal effects of patient-level and center-level factors. Multiple imputation using chained equations was implemented to account for missing values.

Results
Of 1097 OLKDs surveyed, 340 (31.0%) reported predonation weight loss requirement. Donors with a predonation weight loss requirement had slightly higher predonation BMIs and donated in more recent years at centers performing a lower percentage of living donor nephrectomies and with a lower median BMI. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, we observed transplant year (odds ratio [OR], 1.04 per year donation; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.07; P = 0.005), preoperative BMI (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.28; P < 0.01), preoperative hypertension (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.08 to 2.40; P = 0.02), and center percentage of living donor kidney transplants (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.00; P = 0.02) as significantly associated with a predonation weight loss requirement. The study found no differences in the likelihood of predonation weight loss requirement by race, sex, age, preoperative creatinine, preoperative metabolic dysfunction, or center-level median BMI of living donors.

Conclusions
These results suggest that both center-level and patient-level factors influence whether OLKDs are required to lose weight before donation. Future study is needed to determine whether predonation weight loss is associated with improved long-term postdonation outcomes.
EFFECT OF CuO NANOPARTICLES ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH IN ECHINACEA PURPUREA IN VITRO.
Authors: M. H. Ahmed  , Z. S. Omran  
Published: February 2024

This study was aimed to examin the effect of CuONPs on both seeds germination, seedling growth and comparing the method of soaking and adding to the culture medium, The research was implemented at PTC. Lab. College of Biotechnology - Al Nahrain University, during 2022 and 2023. The experimental design was factorial within CRD. It was included five experments and ten replicates (4X3). first experment was by using Sodium Hypochlorite (0.0, 1, 2 and 3%) with (5, 10, 15min) duartion time. The second experment was CuONPs (0, 25, 50, 75mg,L‾¹ ) combined with (3,6,9 and 12 day) Time duration, same factors wre examined after soaking seeds with CuONPs which represented the third experment, fourth and fifth experments soaked before culture seeds were cultured respictively with CuONPs (0.0, 25, 50, 75mg,L‾¹ ) for 1hour then culturing them on MS media. Results showed full reduction in the contamination rate of the selected E. purpurea explant recorded in 3% sodium hypochlorite at 10 and 15min. the highest rate of seeds germination were a chieved with CuONPs of 50 mg, L‾¹ for 9 days rated 7.80 germinated seeds in MS media culture method, at the soaking method the results clarify the highest CuONPs 75 mg, L‾¹ combined with 6,9 and 12 days of soaking a chieved the highest germination rate 10.0 seeds (100% germination).The results also showed that 50% of CuONPs increases shoot numbers 8.6 explant and dry weight 198 mg. 25% of CuONPs achieve the best shoot length 14.5 cm. in seeds soaking results showed the best shoot Nu. 8.7, shoot length 9.7 cm. and dry weight 204 mg. when seeds was soaked in 75 mg, L‾¹ of CuONPs.
ANTAGONISTIC ACTIVITY OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM ALOE VERA LEAVES AGAINST SOME PLANT PATHOGENIC FUNGI
Authors: M. A. A. Al Nuaimy  , S. N. Hawar  
Published: February 2024

The present study was aimed to test the antagonistic activity of endophytic fungi isolated from Aloe vera leaves against a number of plant-pathogenic fungi. The results showed that the highest antagonistic activity was exerted by Penicillium chermesinum against the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani, with an inhibition rate of 78.57%. Also, Talaromyces verruculosus and P. chermesinum showed their highest antagonistic activities against pathogenic fungus Fusarium 1 with inhibition rates of 61.79% and 61.53%, respectively, while T. verruculosus showed an inhibition rate of 62.91% against the pathogenic fungus Fusarium 2. Most of the endophytic fungi showed the least percentage of inhibition against Macrophomina phaseolina compared to the rest of the pathogenic fungi. The fungal filtrates showed a concentration-dependent inhibition rate against the plant pathogens, with a range of 0.00-48.13%. The highest inhibitory activity of Aspergillus niger was recorded at a concentration of 60% against Fusarium 2, R. solani, and Fusarium 1, with rates of 48.13, 37.39, and 36.66%, respectively. The results also showed the ineffectiveness of all fungal filtrates against the pathogenic fungus M. phaseolina. Chemical analysis of the filtrates of the endophytic fungi which showed antagonistic activity against pathogenic fungi was also conducted by using GC-MS. The results showed the presence of effective compounds with biological effects, such as Pentadecanoic acid, Oleic Acid, Limonene, cis-Vaccenic acid, Hexanedioic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester, Cycloheptasiloxane, and tetracamethyl-.