bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Craniopharyngioma: A 20-year study on epidemiological features, clinical presentation, and survival outcomes in a tertiary care center from LMIC
Authors: Memon Fozia , Humayon Khadija Nuzhat , Riaz Quratulain , Arif Muzna , Huda Noor ul , Laghari Altaf Ali , Hilal Kiran , mushtaq naureen 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Introduction: Craniopharyngioma constitutes approximately 10% of primary brain tumors in children. It can cause considerable morbidity and mortality due to the local aggressiveness of the tumor itself or its management affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and optic pathway involvement. There is very scarce data available from LMIC which makes the management controversial where multidisciplinary teams are already not available in most of the centers. This is a single-center cross-sectional retrospective review of 20 years record of 49 patients with craniopharyngioma treated between 2001 to 2020 at Aga Khan University, hospital a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: We have assessed the epidemiological data of children presenting with the diagnosis of craniopharyngioma, treatment modalities used, and neurological, endocrine, and hypothalamic complications in these patients. The assessment involved a retrospective review of medical records and medical follow-up.
Results: Out of a total of 49 patients, 26(53%) were male, and 23 (46.9%) were female. The mean age was 9.5 years SD ±4.5 years. Most common symptoms at initial presentation were headache 41(83.6%), visual deficit 40(81.6%), nausea vomiting 26(53%), and endocrine abnormalities 16(32%). Treatment modalities used at our center include gross total resection 23(46.9%), subtotal resection without radiotherapy 14(28.5), and subtotal resection with radiation 12(24%) while 6(12.2%) patients received intracystic interferon. Histopathologic findings of the majority of patients- 40 (81%) revealed an adamantinomatous type of tumor Only 23(46.9%) children followed in clinic post-op Median follow-up after craniopharyngioma presentation was 5 years (±2.1SD, range: 2-10 years) Pituitary hormone deficiencies (98%), and visual disturbances (75%), were the most common long-term health conditions observed.
Conclusions: Since Pituitary hormone deficiencies and visual disturbance were the most common long-term health conditions observed in our study, these patients require a multidisciplinary team follow-up to improve their quality of life.
Diatom phytochromes integrate the entire visible light spectra for photosensing in marine environments
Authors: Jaubert Marianne , Duchene Carole , Bouly Jean-Pierre , Karlusich Juan Pierella , Selles Julien , Bailleul Benjamin , Bowler Chris , d’Alcalà Maurizio Ribera , Falciatore Angela 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Aquatic life is strongly structured by the distribution of light which, besides attenuation in intensity, exhibits a continuous change in the spectrum with depth. The extent to which light changes are perceived by phytoplankton is largely unknown. By focusing on marine diatoms, we here provide the first in vivo quantitative assessment of responses to spectral variations mediated by a marine phytochrome photoreceptor. Our findings reveal that diatom Phytochromes (DPH) display widely conserved R/FR absorption spectra but trigger photoreversible responses across the entire light spectrum, which results in activation of phytochrome responses by the blue/green light found at depth (400-520 nm) and inactivation by longer wavelengths (520-700 nm) at surface. This response to the spectral changes in aquatic systems makes DPH an ideal detector of optical depth, which responds in the opposite way to expectations based on the sole response to red and far-red light. Taken together our results provide a completely novel view on how information embedded in the underwater light field could be successfully exploited throughout the photic zone.
Genome-wide identification and analysis of ACP gene family in Brassica species in the Triangle of U model
Authors: Qian Fang , Zuo Dan , Feng Qun , Zhou Lizhou , Pang Biao , Hu Mingyang , Li Pengfei , Gu Lei , Wang Hongcheng , Du Xuye , Zhu Bin 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Acyl carrier proteins (ACP), which have been verified to be involved in a variety of biological processes related to plant growth and development and play a vital role in resisting biotic and abiotic stresses, are widely found in animals, plants, and microbial cells. The Brassica species in the Triangle of U model are not only widely cultivated crops for oilseed and vegetables but also serve as an ideal model for allopolyploid evolutionary analysis. However, the ACP gene family has been largely unknown in Brassica until now. Therefore, comprehensive identification and analysis of this gene family are necessary.
Results
Based on phylogenetic features and sequence similarity, we identified 26, 27, and 30 ACP genes in the allotetraploid B. juncea (2n = 4x = 36, AABB), B. napus (2n = 4x = 38, AACC), and B. carinata (2n = 4x = 34, BBCC), respectively. Additionally, we identified 14, 10, and 13 ACP genes in the A genome donor B. rapa (2n = 2x = 20, AA), B genome donor B. nigra (2n = 2x = 16, BB), and the C genome donor B. oleracea (2n = 2x = 18, C), respectively. The identified ACP genes (120) in the six Brassica species were classified into six clades. These genes were then chosen for investigation of gene structure and chromosome placement. The findings indicated that the majority of ACP genes maintained consistent gene structures and relatively stable positions on chromosomes. This finding suggests a high level of DNA-level conservation of ACP genes in the six Brassica species following polyploidization. Furthermore, collinearity analysis revealed that the expansion of most Brassica ACPs occurred primarily through segmental duplication during heterotetraploidization, with only a few genes undergoing whole-genome triplication (WGT). Subcellular localization predictions indicated that the ACP gene family of Brassica predominantly localizes to chloroplasts and mitochondria. Additionally, our tobacco transient expression system confirmed that these BnaACPs genes primarily localize to chloroplasts. Furthermore, the analysis of cis-acting regulatory elements revealed the association of these ACP genes with stress tolerance. Additionally, we demonstrated that certain BnaACPs genes exhibited high expression levels in response to salt stress, suggesting their significant role in salt stress response in Brassica species.
Conclusion
The aforementioned results provide a comprehensive understanding of the ACP genes in Brassica species within the Triangle of U model. Furthermore, our results can serve as a theoretical foundation for further analysis of the functions of ACP genes in Brassica plants.
Characterization of pressmud, and evaluating the growth, yield and metal uptake response of wheat to pressmud and phosphate fertilizer application on a metal-contaminated soil
Authors: Haider Basit , Imran Muhammad , Ashraf Muhammmad , Mahmood Sajid , Akram M. Ahmad , Arif Muhammad 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Use of industrial and municipal wastewater for crop irrigation adds toxic metals to soils. This causes a decline in crop productivity and metal contamination of food crops. This study characterized pressmud (PM), and evaluated growth, yield and grain metal accumulation response of wheat to PM and single super phosphate (SSP) application on a metal-contaminated soil. The mean values of different parameters of eight PM samples collected different sugar industries were; EC 4.81 dS cm-1, pH 5.74, cation exchange capacity 66 meq 100 g-1, nitrogen 2.1%, P2O52.90%, K2O (0.87%),organic carbon 35.09%, lead 1.32 mg kg-1and cadmium 8 µg kg-1. Furthermore, a preliminary soil survey conducted on eight fields continuously irrigated with wastewater, and the soil having highest DTPA extractable lead (5.022 mg lead kg-1) and cadmium (0.26 mg cadmium kg-1) concentration was selected for pot experiment. PM (control, 10 and 20 g kg-1soil) and SSP (0 and 250 mg kg-1soil) were uniformly mixed with soil. PM at both levels exhibited similar improvement in growth and yield attributes of wheat. The highest increases of 38, 37 and 131% in tillers, straw biomass and grain yield were observed with PM addition than control. The application of SSP improved yield at par as recorded with PM. Applying SSP in combination with PM did not exhibited added benefit in terms of increase in growth and yield. The increase grain yield on PM-amended soil was linked to improved nutrient acquisition and decreased metal accumulation. PM-amended soil had higher available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentration than control, which subsequently resulted in 2.96. 1.85 and 2.42-fold respective increase in their uptake by grains. The plants showed clear metal toxicity symptoms on leaves, while addition of PM alleviated those symptoms. Moreover, PM decreased accumulation of Cd and Pd in grains by 48 and 56%, respectively than control, while SSP effect was non-significant. Thus, PM improves wheat productivity through enhancing nutrient uptake and lessening metal absorption on a metal-contaminated soil.
Metformin inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells by inducing degradation of mutant p53 protein
Authors: Wu Guangbo , Zhang Meichao , Meng Yiling , Ying Yingxia , Zhang Suning , Chen Min , Li Dong , Yang Sunhu , Luo Meng 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignant tumors, which usually carries p53 gene mutation. Metformin has been reported to lower the risk of pancreatic cancer among diabetics. However, the underlying mechanism of the anti-tumor effects of metformin in pancreatic cancer is not fully elucidated. In our study, we observed that metformin had anti-tumor effects on pancreatic cancer cells with mutation of p53 gene. After administration of metformin in vitro, the cell cycle was induced to arrest at G0/G1 phase and apoptosis was significantly increased in PANC-1 and BxPc-3 cells. Meanwhile, the activity of SIRT1 was enhanced by metformin, resulting in the deacetylation and degradation of mutant p53 protein. Notably, knockdown of mutant p53 had similar effects to metformin, which inhibited the tumor growth and alleviated the suppression of p53 target genes in pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that metformin regulated the deacetylase activity of SIRT1 through AMPK and mTOR signaling pathways, which was the underlying molecular mechanism for its anti-tumor effects. These results provide new evidence that the anti-tumor effects of metformin may exert by inducing the degradation of mutant p53 in pancreatic cancer cells.
Effect of dietary phytase and protease supplementation on the growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility in juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) fed fish meal-free and phosphorus limiting diets
Authors: Coelho Rafael , Tacon Albert G. J. , Lemos Daniel 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
This study investigated the effects of exogenous enzyme supplementation, specifically phytase and protease, in fish meal-free and phosphorus-limited diets for juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei through two feeding trials The trials aimed to assess shrimp growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility simultaneously in a clear-water recirculating tank system (34 ppt, 30°C) employing a continuous feeding regime, with feces being collected on a daily basis throughout the feeding trials. In the first feeding 50-day feeding trial shrimp (3.4 g initial body weight) were fed diets supplemented with phytase (1000 and 2000 FTU/kg) and phytase together with protease (1000 FTU/kg + protease and 2000 FTU/kg + protease), in addition to animals fed a positive control (supplemented inorganic phosphate) and a negative control diet without supplementation. In the second shrimp feeding trial (4.3 g initial body weight), in addition to negative and positive controls, shrimp were fed increasing levels of phytase (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 8000 FTU/kg) over a 42-day experimental period. Both feeding trials showed beneficial effects phytase addition compared to the negative control, with significant improvements (P < 0.05) observed at dietary phytase levels of 2000 FTU/kg and above. Gains were obtained in growth performance (observed weekly growth of 1.46 and 1.86 g/week for shrimp fed the negative control and diet supplemented with 3000 FTU/kg, respectively), and apparent phosphorus digestibility increasing from 41.7% in animals fed the negative control diet to 52.9% in animals fed the 3000 FTU/kg supplemented. Results indicated that phytase supplementation yielded significant improvements in shrimp growth performance and phosphorus digestibility compared to the negative control. Notably, the observed benefits were evident at specific dietary phytase levels. However, the addition of protease supplements did not demonstrate any discernible effects on shrimp performance under the experimental conditions. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of phytase supplementation as a means to enhance nutrient utilization and promote optimal growth in Litopenaeus vannamei. Further investigations are warranted to explore the full range of benefits and mechanisms associated with protease supplementation in shrimp diets.
Envirotype approach for soybean genotype selection through the integration of georeferenced climate and genetic data using artificial neural networks
Authors: Leichtweis Bruno Grespan , Silva Letícia de Faria , Peixoto Marco Antônio , Peternelli Luiz Alexandre , Silva Felipe Lopes da 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The selection of better-evaluated genotypes for a target region depends on the characterization of the climate conditions of the environment. With the advancement of computer technology and daily available information about the weather, integrating such information in selection and interaction genotype x environment studies has become a challenge. This article presents the use of the technique of artificial neural networks associated with reaction norms for the processing of climate and geo-referenced data for the study of genetic behaviors and the genotype-environment interaction of soybean genotypes. The technique of self-organizing maps (SOM) consists of competitive learning between two layers of neurons; one is the input, which transfers the data to the map, and the other is the output, where the topological structure formed by the competition generates weights, which represent the dissimilarity between the neural units. The methodologies used to classify these neurons and form the target populations of environments (TPE) were the discriminant analysis (DA) and the principal component analysis (PCA). To study soybean genetic behavior within these TPEs, the random regression model was adopted to estimate the components of variance, and the reaction norms were adjusted through the Legendre polynomials. The SOM methodology allowed for an explanation of 99% of the variance of the climate data and the formation of well-structured TPEs, with the membership probability of the regions within the TPEs above 80%. The formation of these TPEs allowed us to identify and quantify the response of the genotypes to sensitive changes in the environment.
Determinants of the tax compliance and fairness perceptions of taxpayers on the online tax system. A case of Ghana
Authors: Agyekum Crentsil Kofi , Arkoh Isaac , Ibrahim Safia , Hudu Hamdia B. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

In the face of the growing digital economy of Ghana, the Ghana revenue authority as part of its goal to increase domestic revenue mobilization has introduced an online tax system. The objective of the study is to determine the determinants of taxpayers’ perception of the fairness of the tax system and the determinants of their tax compliance. Data were collected using questionnaires from 380 respondents and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Stata version 14. Results showed that there is a negative relationship between tax compliance and tax complexity. Educational level and income levels have a positive relationship with tax compliance. The people of Winneba generally have a poor perception of the fairness of the tax structure. Tax knowledge, compliance cost, and tax usage were significant determinants of the fairness perception of the people of Winneba. In this regard, the study recommends that policymakers should direct policy drafting to ease the resource cost the tax structure poses on the taxpayers, intensify tax education, and also further simplify the tax complexity.
JEL Classification code
E00 Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics: General
E42 Monetary Systems; Standards; Regimes; Government and the Monetary System; Payment Systems
H26 Tax Evasion and Avoidance
Utility of the 21-Month Neurodevelopmental Outcome for Predicting Neurodevelopmental Impairment at 36 Months for Preterm Infants &lt;29 Weeks Gestation
Authors: Lodha Abhay , Doucette Stefani , Tang Selphee , Kehler Heather , Creighton Dianne 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objective
To determine the sensitivity and specificity of the 21-month neurodevelopmental outcome for predicting the presence of neurodevelopmental impairment at 36 months corrected age in a population of preterm infants under 29 weeks gestation.
Study Design
This is a retrospective observational cohort study. Preterm infants born under 29 weeks gestation who were followed up at both 18–21 months and 36 months corrected age with outcome data available were enrolled.
Results
Overall, 713 preterm infants < 29 weeks gestation and were included in the final analysis. The specificity of the 21-month assessment for predicting neurodevelopmental impairment at 36 months corrected age was 66% (95% confidence interval[CI] 62–71%) with a positive predictive value of 61% (95% CI 56–66%).
Conclusion
In preterm neonates born < 29 weeks gestation, the 18–21 months corrected neurodevelopmental outcome had low specificity and positive predictive value for predicting the presence of neurodevelopmental impairment at 36 months corrected age.
A Nomogram Model and Therapeutic Efficacy Assessment for Geriatric Patient with Gastric Cancer: A SEER Database and External validation Study
Authors: An Wenxiu , Sun Xiaowan , Bao Lijie , Wang Weiguang , Zhao Yan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This research has delineated an all-encompassing survival prognostication model for geriatric patients afflicted by gastric cancer, elucidating the influence of diverse therapeutic modalities on the patient's prognosis. The primary aim herein is to aid clinical practitioners in the discernment of patient states and the judicious selection of apt therapeutic interventions.
Methods
In this investigation, the esteemed SEER database served as the foundation. We employed Cox regression analysis to identify pivotal risk factors governing overall survival (OS) in the venerable cohort afflicted by gastric cancer. Subsequently, we crafted a meticulous Nomogram model, subjecting it to the crucible of external validation data, with unwavering attention to the metrics of predictive accuracy, notably the concordance index (c-index), and the calibration curve. Lastly, we delved into the impact of diverse therapeutic modalities on patient OS, intimately scrutinizing the results through the lens of Kaplan-Meier curves.
Results
A total of 9,222 patients from the SEER database, alongside 209 validation cases from Liaoning Cancer Hospital, constituted our cohort. Cox regression analysis revealed several favorable independent prognostic factors, including being female, younger age at initial diagnosis, lower tumor grade, undergoing surgery, receiving chemotherapy, and having a single primary malignancy. The Nomogram's C-index garnered 0.723 from the SEER modeling data and 0.719 from the external validation data, with the calibration curve attesting to the commendable congruence between the predicted and observed survival rates of overall survival (OS). Through the discerning lens of Kaplan-Meier analysis, surgery emerged as the preeminent single treatment modality, generously benefitting patients across various tumor stages. Meanwhile, the elegant interplay of surgery and chemotherapy assumed the mantle of the most efficacious combined therapeutic approach. Indeed, this amalgamation exhibited superior efficacy, outperforming the solitary pursuit of surgery alone.
Conclusion
We established an OS nomogram prediction model for geriatric patients with gastric cancer, which may assist physicians in evaluating patient conditions. Surgery plus chemotherapy may be the most recommended form of treatment.
Flexible Dissolving Microneedle Array for Efficient DNA Vaccination by Electroporation-assisted Transdermal Immunization
Authors: Zhao Huiting , Wang Xu , Geng Zhanhui 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
DNA vaccination has emerged as an innovative approach for preventing and treating different diseases, including infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Although the results of ongoing clinical trials are promising, several limitations compromise the immunogenicity of these vaccines. Here, we present a novel immune strategy that combines transdermal immunization with skin electroporation to enhance the immunogenicity of the DNA vaccine. A flexible dissolving microneedle array (FDMNA) which contains 400 microneedles was developed. Each microneedle consists of a dissolving needle for delivering DNA vaccine and a flexible needle substrate for good tissue surface coverage. The FDMNA completely dissolve within 10 minutes after being inserted into the skin and transported the DNA into the immune-cell-rich epidermis and dermis layer. In vivo immunity tests were performed to observe the ability of FDMNA-mediated transdermal electroporation to induce immune response after the delivery of DNA. The result showed that, compared with the conventional immune method, the FDMNA induced nearly 16-fold higher levels of antibody immune response against ovalbumin in mice, providing sufficient immune protection. These findings suggest the potential utility of an FDMNA-based immune strategy for enhanced DNA vaccination