bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and molecular characterization of flavonoid biosynthetic genes and their expression analysis in wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) during leaf rust infection
Authors: Adhikary Maria , Deb Prasanta Kumar , Sarkar Biswatrish , Jha Shailendra Kumar , Kumar Manish , Mukhopadhyay Kunal 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major staple food worldwide. Puccinia triticina. forms infectious urediniospores causing leaf rust disease in bread wheat leading to an annual yield loss of ~15% globally. Evolution of new virulent strains and ability of urediniospores to traverse long distances in air pose a challenge on the prevailing leaf rust control techniques. Therefore, significant knowledge is required about the genes in wheat plants that can restrict disease development.Contemporary studies indicate that flavonoid biosynthetic genes are involved in transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation, growth, responses to environmental stimuli and signal transduction. We were able to identify flavonoids like apigenin and luteolin that were synthesized in wheat plants only after leaf rust infection In silico identification of contigs from four SOLiD-SAGE libraries and their functional annotation depicted the involvement of secondary metabolism pathways in retort to the disease development. The flavonoid biosynthetic pathway was discerned through KEGG mapping of the identified contigs and the key genes like Chalcone synthase, Flavanone 3-dioxygenase and Anthocyanidin synthase were characterized. Expression analysis of these genes at varied time points post pathogen infection on both resistant and susceptible wheat Near-Isogenic Lines, revealed their association with development, metabolism, and defense response regulation. Expression of these genes decreased significantly during pathogenesis in susceptible wheat plants compared to the resistant plants, indicating the transition in expression of flavonol accumulation possibly to combat leaf rust disease progression. Consequently, this study focuses on investigating flavonoid biosynthetic genes in wheat and their response during leaf-rust pathogenesis.
I Want To Be Safe: Understanding The Main Drivers Behind Vaccination Choice Throughout The Pandemic
Authors: Marini Marco , Demichelis Alessandro , Menicagli Dario , Mancini Giovanna , Panizza Folco , Bilancini Ennio , Cevolani Gustavo 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background Vaccines are one of the most significant achievements of modern medicine. However, vaccine hesitancy and refusal are widespread and can hamper immunization campaigns. During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitancy became particularly evident. Beliefs regarding vaccine efficacy and safety are prominent in shaping vaccine acceptance rates. This study investigated the impact of efficacy and safety perception on vaccine uptake in Italy throughout the pandemic.Methods We used a 70-item questionnaire distributed to a representative sample of 600 Italian speakers. The participants were asked to rate how effective/safe they perceived each vaccine dose and their willingness to receive a potential fourth dose.Results Our findings show that vaccine efficacy and safety perception changed during the pandemic, possibly shaping vaccination compliance. If at the time of the first dose the vaccine was deemed as more effective than safe, at the time of the third dose the assessment was reversed. Moreover, regarding a potential future vaccination, the role of beliefs regarding efficacy is negligible, whereas the role of beliefs regarding safety appears as still significant. The results of our experimental manipulation (framing effect) highlighted that framing vaccine-related information in terms of safety is much more effective that framing it in terms of efficacy in boosting the willingness to vaccinate. Moreover, we retraced the diachronic evolution of the reasons behind vaccination choice. We detected a decrease in infection-related reasons and a corresponding increase in social-related ones. Lastly, we reported a different evolution of trust attribution relative to public authorities and the scientific community.Conclusions The perception of vaccines is a constantly evolving process, influenced by various dynamic factors such as perception of efficacy and safety, levels of trust, and individual motivations. Our study sheds light on the complex dynamics that underlie the perception of vaccine safety and efficacy, and their impact on willingness to vaccinate. We discuss these results in light of bounded rationality, loss aversion and classic utility theory. This study traces the pandemic history in Italy by examining the evolution of beliefs, opinions, and trust of a representative sample of the population.
Rhythmicity of neuronal oscillations delineates their cortical and spectral architecture
Authors: Myrov Vladislav , Siebenhühner Felix , Juvonen Joonas , Arnulfo Gabriele , Palva Satu , Palva J. Matias 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Neuronal oscillations are commonly analyzed with power spectral methods that quantify signal amplitude, but not rhythmicity or "oscillatoriness" per se. Here we introduce a new method, the phase-autocorrelation functon(pACF), for direct quantification of rhythmicity. We applied pACF to human intracerebral stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) data to quantify rhythmicity and uncovered a spectrally and anatomically fine-grained cortical architecture of single- and multi-frequency neuronal oscillations. We also extended the pACF approach to measure "burstiness" of oscillatory processes and characterized regions with stable and bursty oscillations. We found that rhythmicity is double-dissociable from amplitude and constitutes a functionally relevant and dynamic characteristic of neuronal oscillations.
A novel gene-based model for prognosis prediction of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Yanxi , Li Peiran , Liu Yuqi , Geng Wei 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a significant global health challenge. The identification of reliable prognostic biomarkers and construction of an ac-curate prognostic model are crucial.
Methods
In this study, mRNNA expression data and clinical data of HNSCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used. Overlapping candidate genes (OCGs) were identified by intersecting differentially expressed genes (DEGs)and prognosis-related genes. Best prognostic genes were selected using LASSO-COX regression based on OCGs, and a risk score was developed using the Cox coefficient of each gene. The prognostic power of the risk score was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and time-dependent ROC analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were performed to identify independent prognostic parameters, which were used to construct a nomogram. The predictive accuracy of the nomogram was evaluated using calibration plots. Functional enrichment analysis of risk score related genes was performed to explore the potential biological pathways. External validation was conducted using data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and ArrayExpress databases.
Results
FADS3, TNFRSF12A, TJP3, and FUT6 were screened to be significantly related to prognosis in HNSCC patients. The risk score effectively stratified patients into high-risk group with poor overall survival (OS) and low-risk group with better OS. Risk score, age, clinical M stage, clinical N stage were regarded as independent prognostic parameters by Cox regression analysis and used to construct a nomogram. The nomogram performed well in 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 10-year survival predictions. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that tight junction was closely related to the cancer. In addition, the prognostic power of the risk score was validated by external data sets.
Conclusions
This study constructed a gene-based model integrating clinical prognostic parameters to accurately predict prognosis in HNSCC patients.
Development of novel sustainable biocomposite from polycaprolactone and Sesbania rostrata fiber
Authors: Krishnan Raja , Krishnan Raja , Muthusamy Kathirselvam , Shanmugam Senthil Kumar Marudhamuthu , Kadhiresan Santhanam 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

The best way to accelerate the application of polymer composites is by making them an environmentally friendly material that can degrade naturally without harming the environment. Hence, this work focuses on the development of biocomposite by reinforcing bark fibers of Sesbania rostrata (SRF) with polycaprolactone (PCL) biopolymer. Composite samples were fabricated by reinforcing untreated SRF and sodium bicarbonate-treated SRF to PCL at different weight proportions of 10, 15, 20, and 25%. The compressing moulding technique was used to develop the test specimens, and samples were subjected to mechanical, thermal, water absorption, wear, and morphological tests. Biocomposites made of 20 wt.% of chemically treated SRF with PCL yield better mechanical strength than other combinations. The thermal properties of biocomposite were not affected by the inclusion of untreated fibers and were improved by the inclusion of treated fibers. An increased fiber volume fraction in the biocomposites accounts for higher water absorption properties, whereas chemically treated fibers show a significant increase in water resistance. Wear test results expose that the weight loss of the biocomposites is mainly dependent on the contact temperature and adhesion between the SRF surface and the PCL matrix. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis of the fractured biocomposites reveals that failure occurs primarily due to fiber pull-out, debonding, and agglomeration.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients with acute coronary syndrome during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Ma Ruchao , Chen Gang , Wang Wei , Wei Taotao , Song Ruixia , Ma Guiqing , Feng Ying , Lin Xin 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is feasible for patients with complex coronary atherosclerotic disease in coronary revascularization. The safety and feasibility of Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) for circulatory support in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during high-risk PCI remain unclear.
Methods
This single-center retrospective study, 41patients with ACS who received VA-ECMO circulation-assisted PCI in Lanzhou University Second Hospital from January 2021 to September 2022. General clinical data, laboratory test results, short-term outcome, postoperative complications of patients were collected and analyzed.
Results
Among 41 patients, only one failed stent implantation due to severe tortuous vessels, 41 patients were successfully performed PCI, and no patient died during the operation. 12 (29.3%) patients occurred postoperative complications included postoperative infection occurred in 6 (14.6%) patients, 8 (19.1%) patients occurred hypotension, 1 (2.4%) patient occurred cerebral hemorrhage, 1 (2.4%) patient happened death due to retroperitoneal hematoma combined with acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock.
Conclusion
The PCI in complex and high-risk coronary artery lesions with VA-ECMO support is safe and feasible. The benefits of PCI with ECMO need to confirm by larger sample and randomized controlled trials in the future.
Analytical performance of free testosterone calculated by direct immunoluminometric method compared with Vermeulen equation: results from a clinical series.
Authors: Dalmiglio Cristina , Bombardieri Alessio , Mattii Elisa , Sestini Fausta , Fioravanti Carla , Castagna Maria Grazia , Fiorini Marcello , Dotta Francesco , Cantara Silvia 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Introduction: Testosterone is a hormone crucial for primary and secondary sexual development in both males and females. Free testosterone (FT) represents the biologically active form of T, and its measurement holds significant importance in clinical practice. While equilibrium dialysis or ultrafiltration are considered the gold standard for FT assessment, these methods are expensive and not widely accessible. As an alternative, the Vermeulen formula is a commonly utilized calculated method.
Methods: This clinical study involved 190 consecutive patients, comparing FT levels obtained through direct immunoluminometric assay and the Vermeulen formula. The comparison was performed using Passing-Bablok, Deming regressions, as well as the Bland-Altman plot. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were assessed.
Results: The calculated method, employing the Vermeulen formula, was considered the gold standard. Passing-Bablok regression indicated a good agreement between the two methods, with slopes close to 1. The Bland-Altman demonstrated overall agreement, but a potential proportional bias was observed in females. Deming regression confirmed excellent agreement and reliable estimates. Sensitivity and specificity analysis revealed that the direct method had a sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 93.4% considering all patients. However, sensitivity improved to 81.0% in males and dropped to 18.2% in females, likely due to the low number of true positive cases.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the direct method exhibited comparable performance to the calculated method, but caution should be exercised when interpreting results, particularly in females. Further studies are necessary to validate its sensitivity and specificity in larger series.
Exploring European consensus about the remaining treatment challenges and subsequent opportunities to improve the management of Invasive Fungal Infection (IFI) in the Intensive Care Unit.
Authors: Hoenigl Martin , Enoch David A , Wichmann Dominic , Wyncoll Duncan , Cortegiani Andrea 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Background:The global prevalence of invasive fungal infections (IFI) is increasing, particularly within Intensive Care Units (ICU), where Candida spp. and Aspergillusspp. represent the most important pathogens. Diagnosis and management of IFIs becomes progressively challenging, with increasing antifungal resistance and the emergence of rare fungal species.
The aim of this project was to identify challenges around diagnosing and managing IFIs in the ICU through a consensus survey focused on assessing current views on how IFI should be managed, the current status in different countries and perceived challenges to date amongst a multidisciplinary cohort of healthcare professionals involved in the care of IFI in the ICU.
Methods: Using a modified Delphi approach, an expert panel developed 44 Likert scale statements across 6 key domains concerning patient screening and minimal standards for diagnosis of IFIs in ICU; initiation and termination of antifungal treatments and how to minimise their side effects and insights for future research on this topic. These were used to develop an online survey which was distributed on a convenience sampling basis utilising the subscriber list held by an independent provider (M3 Global). This survey was distributed to intensivists, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists and antimicrobial/ICU pharmacists within the UK, Germany, Spain, France and Italy. The threshold for consensus was set at 75%.
Results: A total of 335 responses were received during the five-month period to collect responses. From these, 29/44 (66%) statements attained very high agreement (≥90%), 11/44 (25%) high agreement (<90% and ≥75%), and 4/44 (9%) did not meet threshold for consensus (<75%).
Conclusion: The results outline the need for physicians to be aware of the local incidence of IFI and the associated rate of azole resistance in their ICUs. Where high clinical suspicion exists, treatment should start immediately and prior to receiving the results from any diagnostic test. Beta-D-glucan testing should be available to all ICU centres, with results available within 48 hours, in order to inform the cessation of empirical antifungal therapy. These consensus statements and proposed measures may guide future areas for further research to optimise the management of IFIs in the ICU.
Classification of natural grassland based on attribute mathematical theory
Authors: Chen Xiang , Ren Huan-xia 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
In order to provide reference for the quantitative study of natural grassland classification, the classification model of natural grassland is proposed based on attribute mathematical theory. The inverse trigonometric function curves are adopted to optimize the piecewise linear curves, and construct rigorously the nonlinear attribute measurement functions, avoiding the influence of mutation points and linear variation zones of the piecewise linear functions on the accuracy of the model; the unascertained measurement distance replacing confidence criterion is employed as the attribute recognition criterion. The classification of natural grassland is divided into 3 grades, i.e. temperate desert type, temperate steppe type and meadow grassland type; the evaluation indexes and its classification standards are determined based on the comprehensive analysis of natural grassland attributes such as the ecological situation, reproduction ability and economic condition. The proposed model is applied in the classification of 31 natural grassland samples from western areas of China, the classification results can better reflect the grassland resources attributes between natural grassland samples, and agree well with that of grey relational analysis method, projection pursuit method, projection pursuit dynamic cluster method, set pair analysis method, and SOFM neural network method.
Food quality worsens with the consumption of alcoholic beverages in women with binge eating
Authors: Azevedo Lívia Dayane Sousa , de Souza Ana Paula Leme , Lima Deivson Wendell da Costa , João Luiza Lujan São , Santos Manoel Antônio dos , Pillon Sandra Cristina , Pessa Rosane Pilot 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Context:
The phenomenon of binge eating occurs simultaneously with disorders related to alcohol consumption due to the similarity between the symptoms of both conditions, such as lack of self-control, impulsivity and increased self-destructive behavior. The aim of the present study was to analyze the pattern of alcohol consumption in women with binge eating and verify its association with food quality.
Methods
This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study with a quantitative approach. Fifty women with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder participated in outpatient follow-up in specialized services for eating disorders in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, patterns of alcohol consumption, symptoms of binge eating and food intake were collected through 24-hour recall to assess the quality of food. Data were analyzed descriptively and comparatively using SPSS version 21.0. To verify the association between categorical variables, Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used.
Results
The women were young adults, predominantly without a partner, employed and with complete high school education. The majority (68%) had overweight, high cardiovascular risk (62%) and some level of binge eating symptoms. It was found that 38% of the participants showed problematic consumption of alcoholic beverages associated with lower quality food and low consumption of vegetables when compared to women who do not use alcoholic beverages.
Conclusions
Problematic consumption of alcoholic beverages in women with binge eating was frequent and affected the quality of food. These results are worrisome because these behaviors can impair nutritional status and drug therapy and compromise the prognosis of eating disorders.
Health Providers’ Self Reported Provision of Preconception Care and Associated Factors in Kisumu County-kenya
Authors: Morema Everlyne N , Ouma Collins , Egessa Robert , Nyachiro Lydia , Shisanya Morris 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background Preconception care (PCC) is the provision of health interventions to women and couples before conception occurs and is valuable in preventing and controlling noncommunicable diseases. In Africa, more so in Kenya, maternal and neonatal health indicators have remained poor. The key constraint limiting progress has been the gap between what is needed and what exists in terms of skills and human resources and infrastructure. This gap was yet to be measured for PCC in Kenya, more so in Kisumu County.
Methods. Using a cross-sectional design, this study specifically sought to determine the rate of self-reported PCC provision and to illustrate how it is influenced by health provider characteristics. Structured interviews were conducted with health providers (n=476) to ascertain their knowledge, perceptions and practice of PCC care. The significance of the differences in proportions was determined by the x2. Student’s t test and linear regression were used to show the relationship between the factors and the PCC provision rate.
Results. Self-reported PCC provision was estimated at 37%. There was a significant difference in the mean for cadres {nurses (M=70.04, SD=8.951) and non-nurses (M=71.90, SD=8.732); t (473) =-2.23, P=0.026)}, years of experience up to 5 years (M=72.04, SD=8.417) and more than 5 years (M=69.89, SD=9.283); t (465) =2.63, P = 0.009. PCC inclusion in reporting tool was a significant predictor (β=0.6, t (26) =8.64, P<0.001, 95% CI=0.46-0.74) of provision. The mean provision per level (M=60.21, SD=4.902; t (26) =-5.06, P<0.001) and type of service (M=69.36, SD=4.924; t (26) =4.63, P<0.001) were significantly different. The health workers felt PCC was an important service whose provision was low due to inadequate human capital investment.
Conclusion. Self-reported provision of PCC by health workers was relatively low and was influenced by the cadre of health workers and their years of experience. It was also demonstrated that the inclusion of PCC in reporting systems, the levels and types of facilities were significant predictors of self-reported provision of PCC. Investing in on-the-job training for health providers, especially nurses, establishing a reporting system for PCC activities, and providing care in primary health facilities in rural areas can improve PCC service delivery.
Predicting flap failure in head and neck surgery: Data Augmentation and Resampling for Data Imbalance
Authors: Tu Cheng Hung , Peng Guan Ju 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Objective
The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) is hampered by imbalanced data using artificial intelligent models for predicting free flap failure. Thus, we propose a new data preprocessing method with Gaussian Noise and Up-Sampling to increase the AUROC score.
Study design:
Case-control study
Setting:
Data were obtained from patients with head and neck cancer who underwent free flap reconstruction at Changhua Christian Hospital in Taiwan between May 2019 and June 2020.
Methods
The collected dataset was initially divided into training and validation sets. Subsequently, a data augmentation technique was employed on the training dataset to generate additional training data, thereby addressing the issue of imbalanced sample sizes between successful and unsuccessful outcomes. The rebalanced training data are then utilized to optimize the parameters of diverse machine learning frameworks, including logistic regression(LR), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), ensemble models, and multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLP).
Result
The AUROC values derived from the original data were respectively 0.50 for the SVM and 0.53, RF, and augmented data were significantly improved to 0.72 for SVM and LR, 0.58, and 0.57, RF. When the features “Age,’ ’Preoperative Hb level,’ and” total blood loss’ were removed, the dropped AUROC value was 0.3, indicating their highest importance.
Conclusion
The data augmentation method adopted in this study resolves the data imbalance problem and improves the efficacy of most machine learning models used to predict free flap failure in head and neck surgery.