bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate for improving sensitive skin symptoms
Authors: Zhang Xianghua , Kerob Delphine , Zhang Zhongxing , Tao Han , He Xiaofeng , Yi Yi , Fang Xiaofeng , Wang Wenna , Steel Andrew 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundSensitive skin is a common condition affecting a significant proportion of the population, and there is a growing demand for effective and safe management.AimTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate as an optimal care for facial sensitive skin.MethodsA total of 110 participants (64 in group A and 46 in group B) with facial sensitive skin applied the cream twice daily for 28 days. Group A evaluated their sensitive skin, product efficacy, and product use experience at D0 (15 min), D1, D14, and D28. In group B, skin barrier function‐related indicators were measured at baseline and on D1, D7, D14, and D28. Dermatologists evaluated tolerance for all participants.ResultsAfter 28 days of use, in group A, 100% of participants reported mildness and comfort with product use. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in skin barrier function‐related indicators, including increased stratum corneum moisture content, reduced erythema index, elevated sebum content, decreased trans‐epidermal water loss, and diminished skin redness parameter a* value (all p < 0.05). Dermatologist evaluations revealed excellent tolerance among all participants.ConclusionThe panthenol‐enriched cream with prebiotics and probiotic lysate exhibited substantial clinical efficacy in ameliorating facial sensitive skin conditions, coupled with a high safety profile.
Peer-reviewed presentation exchange in an undergraduate classroom
Authors: Kiselyov Kirill , Schunn Christian D. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Reading, presenting, and discussing peer-reviewed scientific reports, case studies, and reviews are essential to modern biology education. These exercises model crucial aspects of students’ future professional activities and introduce the students to the current scientific concepts and methodology, data analysis, and presentation. A common format for working with primary literature is a journal club: presenting and discussing research literature in front of peers, which has many merits. However, in large modern classrooms, this format is very time-consuming and stressful, especially since presenting is not a commonly taught skill. We argue that student groups for whom the current educational and professional paradigms present a challenge due to a historical lack of representation or wellness issues are deprived of a key educational opportunity. To solve this problem, we formulated an approach called Peer-Reviewed Presentation Exchange (PRPE), which focuses on collaborative analysis, presentation, and review of research literature that includes (i) voice-narrated research presentations by students, (ii) checklists generated by the instructor to establish expectations for an informative presentation or review, and (iii) presentation assignment and peer review process. We tested this approach in an undergraduate cell biology class over 3 years. Pre- and post-assessments show significant gains in self-efficacy and knowledge not only by students who presented but also by the students who reviewed the presentations; therefore, peer-reviewed presentations are an effective tool for learning. Exit surveys show that the approach is seen as beneficial by most students. Our approach allows every student to speak and ask questions in a low-stress creative environment. It is an excellent customizable, trackable, and scalable low-stakes assessment tool.
What are we missing in teaching the Luria-Delbrück experiment?
Authors: Zheng Qi 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

The importance of teaching the Luria-Delbrück experiment to biology students is increasingly recognized by educators, and improved pedagogical methods for teaching the classic experiment have been proposed and tested in the classroom. However, there are still obstacles that impede the proper teaching of the classic experiment. This note proposes two strategies to further improve the teaching of the classic experiment. The first strategy is to be frank with an inherent limitation of the classic experiment, and instructors should explain from a logical point of view why the classic experiment cannot be used to refute the possibility of directed mutation. The second strategy is to emphasize the pioneering work of Delbrück on developing the mutant distribution that enables researchers to estimate microbial mutation rates using data generated by fluctuation experiments, and instructors should shift their attention to the overlooked essential role of the mutant distribution.
Role of intestinal flora in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children
Authors: Zhang Jing , Shi Mengxuan , Zhao Chunna , Liang Guangcai , Li Chuan , Ge Xiaomeng , Pei Caixia , Kong Yawei , Li Dongdan , Yang Wenli , Cao Bingyan , Fu Libing , Yan Yinkun , Wu Jie , Zhou Jin , Fang Yongli , Meng Xi , Li Yong , Wang Liming 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

In China, 45% of adolescents with obesity develop fatty liver disease, a condition that increases the long-term risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer. Although the factors triggering nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) vary in children, the composition of intestinal microflora has been found to play an increasingly important role. However, evidence is limited on the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in Chinese children. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the fecal microbiome of Chinese children with NAFLD and further analyze the potential of flora in regulating NAFLD-related symptoms and metabolic functions. Specifically, the study applied a 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing to the fecal samples of pediatric patients with NAFLD, NASH, and NAFL, as well as healthy controls, to explore the correlation among NAFLD-related indexes, metabolic pathways, and gut flora. The findings showed that some fecal microbiota had a negative correlation with body mass index, and various NAFLD-related bacteria, including
Lachnoclostridium
,
Escherichia-Shigella
, and
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
, were detected. Consequently, the study concluded that the variation in gut microbiota might be more important in improving NAFLD/NASH compared with single species, providing a microbiota diagnostic profile of NAFLD/NASH.

IMPORTANCE
This study aims to characterize the gut microbiota in Chinese children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing. The results highlight the association between fecal microbiota and NAFLD in Chinese children, demonstrating distinct characteristics compared to adults and children from other countries. Based on the sequencing data from our cohort’s fecal samples, we propose a microbiota model with a high area under the curve for distinguishing between NAFLD and healthy individuals. Furthermore, our follow-up study reveals that changes in the relative abundance of microbial biomarkers in this model are consistent with variations in patients’ body mass index. These findings suggest the potential utility of the microbiota model and microbial biomarkers for diagnosing and treating NAFLD in children.
A clinical predictive model for pre-transplantation
Klebsiella pneumoniae
colonization and relevance for clinical outcomes in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Zhang Yu-Qi , Wu Wen-Qi , Xu Jie , Tang Zai-Xiang , Li Shi-Jia , Li Ling , Wu He-Qing , Ma Xiao , Liu Ji-Sheng , Wu De-Pei , Wu Xiao-Jin 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to establish a clinical prediction model to discriminate patients at high risk of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(KP) colonization before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and evaluate the impact of KP colonization on clinical outcomes after allo-HSCT. We retrospectively collected data from 2,157 consecutive patients receiving allo-HSCT between January 2018 and March 2022. KP colonization was defined as a positive test for KP from a pharyngeal or anal swab before allo-HSCT. Logistic regression was used to build a clinical prediction model. Cox regression analyses were performed to explore the effect of KP colonization on clinical outcomes. Among all the inpatients, 166 patients had KP colonization and 581 with no positive pathogenic finding before transplantation. Seven candidate predictors were entered into the final prediction model. The prediction model had an area under the curve of 0.775 (95% CI 0.723–0.828) in the derivation cohort and 0.846 (95% CI: 0.790–0.902) in the validation cohort. Statistically significantly different incidence rates were observed among patient groups with clinically predicted low, medium, and high risk for KP infection (
P
< 0.001). The presence of KP colonization delayed platelet engraftment (
P
< 0.001) and patients with KP colonization were more likely to develop KP bloodstream infections within 100 days after allo-HSCT (
P
< 0.0001). Patients with KP colonization had higher non-relapse mortality (
P
= 0.032), worse progression-free survival (
P
= 0.0027), and worse overall survival within 100 days after allo-HSCT (
P
= 0.013). Our findings suggest that increased awareness of risks associated with pre-transplantation bacterial colonization is warranted.

IMPORTANCE

Several studies have identified that
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(KP) is among the most common and deadly pathogens for patients in hospital intensive care units and those receiving transplantation. However, there are currently no studies that evaluate the impact of KP colonization to patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Our results confirm that pre-existing KP colonization is relatively common in a hematology transplant ward setting and negatively affects post-transplantation prognosis. Our clinical prediction model for KP colonization can support early intervention in patients at high risk to avoid subsequent bloodstream infections and improve survival outcomes. Altogether, our data suggest that increased awareness of risks associated with pre-transplantation bacterial colonization is warranted. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and to test early intervention strategies for patients at risk of complications from KP infection.
Fungal community dynamics associated with the outbreaks of sugarcane root rot disease
Authors: Ren Qingxiao , Khan Abdullah , Zhang Jinxu , Bao Yixue , Khan Muhammad Tahir , Wang Jihua , Xu Shiqiang , Zhang Muqing 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Sugarcane is a critical sugar and bioenergy crop in China. However, numerous factors, including root rot disease, hamper its yield. Root rot disease is a severe agricultural issue, reducing yield and threatening sustainable crop production. The current study aimed to explore the fungal community structure, identify and characterize the primary pathogen for sugarcane root rot in Guangzhou, China. Eighty-nine samples of sugarcane root, stalk, rhizosphere soil, and irrigation water were collected from five sites in Guangzhou, China. Subsequently, 276 fungal strains were isolated to identify the primary pathogens. The five most common genera identified were
Penicillium
,
Fusarium
,
Gongronella
,
Trichoderma
, and
Cladosporium. Fusarium
was more prevalent in the infected soil samples than in healthy ones. Pathogenic assays of the strains revealed that the strain GX4-46 caused 80% of the disease. The strain was confirmed as
Fusarium commune
through phylogenetic and genome sequence analysis. Rhizosphere soil samples from different regional crops were collected to better understand the fungal community structure and the primary pathogen. We observed a significant presence of
Fusarium
in irrigation water, indicating that the root rot disease could originate from the irrigation water and then spread as a soil-borne disease. This research is pioneering and one of the most comprehensive investigations on the occurrence and prevalence of sugarcane root rot disease. This study will serve as a reference for expanding the sugarcane industry and a foundation for further exploration and control of root rot.

IMPORTANCE

Sugarcane, a significant economic crop, faces challenges due to root rot pathogens that accumulate each year in plants and soil through ratoon planting. This disrupts soil microbial balance and greatly impedes sugarcane industry growth. Symptoms range from wilting and yellowing leaves to stunted growth and reduced seedling tillers. The rhizosphere microbiota plays an important role in plant development and soil health. Little is known about root rot fungal community structure, especially in sugarcane. Here, we focused on exploring the main causative pathogen of root rot in the area alongside a detailed survey of the rhizosphere soil of different severity sugarcane cultivars and rotation crops of the region. To validate the findings, we also investigated the irrigation water of the area. Our study revealed
Fusarium commune
as the causative pathogen of root rot in the area, primarily originating from water and later as soil-borne. Using
Trichoderma
can control the disease effectively.
Genome-wide bioinformatics analysis of human protease capacity for proteolytic cleavage of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein
Authors: Matveev Evgenii V. , Ponomarev Gennady V. , Kazanov Marat D. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily enters the cell by binding the virus’s spike (S) glycoprotein to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor on the cell surface, followed by proteolytic cleavage by host proteases. Studies have identified furin and transmembrane protease serine 2 proteases in priming and triggering cleavages of the S glycoprotein, converting it into a fusion-competent form and initiating membrane fusion, respectively. Alternatively, SARS-CoV-2 can enter the cell through the endocytic pathway, where activation is triggered by lysosomal cathepsin L. However, other proteases are also suspected to be involved in both entry routes. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide bioinformatics analysis to explore the capacity of human proteases in hydrolyzing peptide bonds of the S glycoprotein. Predictive models of sequence specificity for 169 human proteases were constructed and applied to the S glycoprotein together with the method for predicting structural susceptibility to proteolysis of protein regions. After validating our approach on extensively studied S2′ and S1/S2 cleavage sites, we applied our method to each peptide bond of the S glycoprotein across all 169 proteases. Our results indicate that various members of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type, type II transmembrane family serine protease, and kallikrein families, as well as specific coagulation factors, are capable of cleaving S2′ or S1/S2 sites. We have also identified a potential cleavage site of cathepsin L at the K790 position within the S2′ loop. Structural analysis suggests that cleavage of this site induces conformational changes similar to the cleavage at the R815 (S2′) position, leading to the exposure of the fusion peptide and subsequent fusion with the membrane. Other potential cleavage sites and the influence of mutations in common SARS-CoV-2 variants on proteolytic efficiency are discussed.

IMPORTANCE
The entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) into the cell, activated by host proteases, is considerably more complex in coronaviruses than in most other viruses and is not fully understood. There is evidence that other proteases beyond the known furin and transmembrane protease serine 2 can activate the spike protein. Another example of uncertainty is the cleavage site for the alternative endocytic route of SARS-CoV-2 entrance, which is still unknown. Bioinformatics methods, modeling protease specificity and estimating the structural susceptibility of protein regions to proteolysis, can aid in studying this topic by predicting the involved proteases and their cleavage sites, thereby substantially reducing the amount of experimental work. Elucidating the mechanisms of spike protein activation is crucial for preventing possible future coronavirus pandemics and developing antiviral drugs.
Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Inhibitor SHR2554 in Relapsed or Refractory Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma: Data from the First-in-Human Phase I Study
Authors: Song Yuqin , Jin Zhengming , Li Zhi-Ming , Liu Yanyan , Li Lanfang , He Chuan , Su Hang , Zhou Hui , Li Kunyan , Hao Siguo , Zuo Xuelan , Wu Jianyuan , Li Dengju , Wu Meng , Sun Xiuhua , Qi Junyuan , Cai Zhen , Li Zengjun , Li Yijing , Huang Yanhua , Shen Jie , Xiao Zhenyu , Zhu Jun 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Purpose:
Patients with peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) in the relapsed or refractory (r/r) setting have only a limited number of therapies available, and the prognosis is extremely poor. SHR2554 is an oral inhibitor against EZH2, a rational therapeutic target for lymphomas.

Patients and Methods:
This was a multicenter, two-part, phase I study of SHR2554 in r/r mature lymphoid neoplasms. In part I, 350 mg twice daily was established as the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) based on the findings during dose escalation and expansion; subsequently, selected lymphoma subtypes were recruited in clinical expansion cohorts to receive SHR2554 at RP2D. Here, we provide an in-depth assessment of SHR2554 at RP2D in subpopulation with r/r PTCL.

Results:
Twenty-eight patients were included for analysis (17 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and 11 not otherwise specified). Eighteen (64%) patients had received ≥2 lines of previous anticancer therapies. The objective response rate was 61% [95% confidence interval (CI), 41–78]. Responses were still ongoing in 59% (10/17) of the responders; estimated median duration of response was 12.3 months (95% CI, 7.4–not reached). Median progression-free survival was 11.1 months (95% CI, 5.3–22.0), and 12-month overall survival rate was 92% (95% CI, 72–98). The most common grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were decreased platelet count [nine (32%)] as well as decreased white blood cell count, decreased neutrophil count, and anemia [four (14%) for each]. No treatment-related deaths were reported.

Conclusions:
This extended follow-up analysis further supports SHR2554 as a therapeutic opportunity for patients with r/r PTCL.
Effects of a Mindfulness-based Intervention on Well-being Among Rural Adolescents with Academic Anxiety
Authors: Jaismin  , Chukkali Surekha , Jain Avni , Peter Anoop 
Published: January 2024

Background: Academic anxiety revolves around scholastic work and performance and can be detrimental to students’ health and overall subjective well-being. It has been found to be significantly high in adolescents, leading to consequences that prove to be detrimental to their academic performance, focus, and overall self-esteem. This phenomenon acts as a vicious cycle impacting all aspects of a student’s life. Method: The current study aimed to explore mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) as a possible option to deal with academic anxiety in rural adolescent students and improve their overall subjective well-being. A total of 600 students were screened for academic anxiety and a total of 47 students were subjected to an eight-week MBI. MBI aims to bring more present-moment awareness and cultivate overall well-being and thereby works against anxiety. Mixed repeated measures ANOVA was carried out to compare pre, post, and follow-up scores. Result: The results indicated a significant effect of MBI on adolescents, suggesting a significant decline in academic anxiety from pre-to-post and an increase in mindfulness and subjective well-being from pre-to-post and follow-up assessments. Conclusion: Academic anxiety and subjective well-being improved significantly with the MBI intervention, thereby implication that MBI is a feasible option for rural adolescents with academic anxiety.
Adoption intention of e-government application for public health risk communication: Risk information, social media competence and trust in the government
Authors: Chuah Soo-Cheng , Mohamad Arshad Afiza Azura , Mohd Arifin Azitadoly 
Published: January 2024

Backgrounds: Effective risk communication depends on the government’s ability to deploy the latest communication technologies to promptly educate its citizens of new hazards and assist them in making informed decisions. This study investigates the influence of risk information seeking, social media competency and trust in the government on the intention to adopt e-government apps for communicating public health risks. Design and methods: To achieve the study’s objective, a convenience sample of 149 Malaysian residents residing in Shah Alam was obtained via a structured questionnaire and subsequently analyzed using the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Method. The validity and reliability of the study were evaluated through the outer loadings, Average Variance Extracted (AVE), and Composite Reliability (CR). The influence of underlying factors on the outcome was evaluated by examining path coefficients, standard errors, and t-values. Results: The measurement model suggested to use three items to measure the risk information seeking and five to measure trust in the government information and social competence. Loadings ranged from 0.681 to 0.972. The three factors explained the 43.2% of the outcome variability, and all had a positive effect on the intention to adopt information from the e-government application with coefficients estimates ranging from 0.133 to 0.541. The model showed an adequate predictive relevance with Q2 = 0.381 Conclusion: Public health risk communication via e-government applications rely on the active and accountable engagement of the citizens. To stimulate higher acceptance and utilization of government digital services for sustainable health risk communication and management, the government must raise the public’s level of digital literacy and proficiency. By offering training programs and demonstrations, the government may also need to think about making investments in education about digital and technological skill levels.