bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metalloproteinase-2 in failed back surgery syndrome caused by epidural fibrosis: can it play a role in persistent pain?
Authors: Bielewicz Joanna , Daniluk Beata , Kamieniak Piotr 
Published: September 2023

PurposeFailed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) occurs in 10–40% of patients treated surgically due to disk herniation (DH). There are several factors that can cause a predisposition to FBSS, but the exact pathomechanism has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) activities in a homogeneous group of FBSS patients with epidural fibrosis in comparison to its activity in patients with surgically treated DH.MethodsDH, FBSS, and control (CG) groups consisted of 30 subjects. The patients were assessed clinically by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF -MPQ), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Serum concentrations of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were measured by using the immunoenzymatic method.ResultsThere was a significantly higher MMP-2 expression (medians: 4797.49 vs. 2656.65; p &lt; 0.0001) and TIMP-2 concentration (medians: 166.40 vs. 109.60; p &lt; 0.0001) in the DH compared to the CG. Significantly higher MMP-2 expression (4219.95 vs. 2656.65; p &lt; 0.0001) and TIMP-2 concentration (medians: 150.17 vs. 109.60; p = 0.0003) were also found in the FBSS compared to the CG. The activity of MMP-2, measured as MMP-2/TIMP-2, did not significantly change between the DH, FBSS, and CG. MMP2 expression (p &lt; 0.0001) and TIMP-2 concentration (p &lt; 0.0001) were significantly higher in the DH than FBSS.ConclusionResults indicate the presence of a contribution of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in DH and FBSS. Unchanged activity of MMP-2 can indicate an insufficiency in the MMP-2 repair system in both diseases. Lower MMP-2 expression and TIMP-2 concentration in the FBSS group can reflect the chronicity of the process.
After-effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with parameter dependence on long-term potentiation-like plasticity and object recognition memory in rats
Authors: Chen Shanjia , He Xiaokuo , Wei XinChen , Huang Jiyi , Zhang Jie 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate the after-effects of 25-Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at 60, 100, and 120% resting motor threshold (rMT) on long-term potentiation (LTP) in the rat hippocampus, to clarify the intensity dependence of rTMS, and to determine whether it simultaneously affects learning and memory ability.MethodsFive rats were randomly selected from 70 male Wistar rats, and evoked rMT potentials were recorded in response to magnetic stimulation. The remaining 65 rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 13), including sham rTMS, 1 Hz 100% rMT, and 25 Hz rTMS groups with 3 subgroups of 60% rMT, 100% rMT, and 120% rMT. Five rats in each group were anesthetized and induced by a priming TMS-test design for population spike (PS) response of the perforant path-dentate gyrus in the hippocampus; the remaining eight rats in each group were evaluated for object recognition memory in the novel object recognition (NOR) task after the different rTMS protocols.ResultsForty-five percent (approximately 1.03 T) of the magnetic stimulator output was confirmed as rMT in the biceps femoris muscle. The PS ratio was ranked as follows: 25 Hz 100% rMT (267.78 ± 25.71%) &gt; sham rTMS (182 ± 9.4%) &gt;1 Hz 100% rMT (102.69 ± 6.64%) &gt; 25 Hz 120% rMT (98 ± 11.3%) &gt; 25 Hz 60% rMT (36 ± 8.5%). Significant differences were observed between the groups, except for the difference between the 25 Hz 120% rMT and the 1 Hz 100% rMT groups (p = 0.446). LTP was successfully induced over the 60-min recording period only in the sham rTMS and 25 Hz 100% rMT groups. Moreover, these two groups spent more time exploring a novel object than a familiar object during the NOR task (p &lt; 0.001), suggesting long-term recognition memory retention. In the between-group analysis of the discrimination index, the following ranking was observed: 25 Hz 100% rMT (0.812 ± 0.158) &gt; sham rTMS (0.653 ± 0.111) &gt; 25 Hz 120% rMT (0.583 ± 0.216) &gt;1 Hz 100% rMT (0.581 ± 0.145) &gt; 25 Hz 60% rMT (0.532 ± 0.220).ConclusionThe after-effect of 25-Hz rTMS was dependent on stimulus intensity and provided an inverted (V-shaped) bidirectional modulation on hippocampal plasticity that involved two forms of metaplasticity. Furthermore, the effects on the recognition memory ability were positively correlated with those on LTP induction in the hippocampus in vivo.
Machine learning-based early diagnosis of autism according to eye movements of real and artificial faces scanning
Authors: Meng Fanchao , Li Fenghua , Wu Shuxian , Yang Tingyu , Xiao Zhou , Zhang Yujian , Liu Zhengkui , Lu Jianping , Luo Xuerong 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundStudies on eye movements found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had abnormal gaze behavior to social stimuli. The current study aimed to investigate whether their eye movement patterns in relation to cartoon characters or real people could be useful in identifying ASD children.MethodsEye-tracking tests based on videos of cartoon characters and real people were performed for ASD and typically developing (TD) children aged between 12 and 60 months. A three-level hierarchical structure including participants, events, and areas of interest was used to arrange the data obtained from eye-tracking tests. Random forest was adopted as the feature selection tool and classifier, and the flattened vectors and diagnostic information were used as features and labels. A logistic regression was used to evaluate the impact of the most important features.ResultsA total of 161 children (117 ASD and 44 TD) with a mean age of 39.70 ± 12.27 months were recruited. The overall accuracy, precision, and recall of the model were 0.73, 0.73, and 0.75, respectively. Attention to human-related elements was positively related to the diagnosis of ASD, while fixation time for cartoons was negatively related to the diagnosis.ConclusionUsing eye-tracking techniques with machine learning algorithms might be promising for identifying ASD. The value of artificial faces, such as cartoon characters, in the field of ASD diagnosis and intervention is worth further exploring.
Nonlinear relationship between dietary calcium and magnesium intake and peripheral neuropathy in the general population of the United States
Authors: Wu Zhe , Yang Xuesong , Ruan Zhishen , Li Lianlian , Wu Jianlin , Wang Bin 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundCalcium and magnesium are essential minerals that have significant roles in nerve function and regulation. There may be a correlation between dietary calcium and magnesium intake and peripheral neuropathy. However, this relationship remains unclear and requires further study.MethodsData from 7,726 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2004 were analyzed in this study. The relationship between total dietary calcium and magnesium intake, as well as each quantile, and peripheral neuropathy was analyzed using a multifactor logistic regression model. To illustrate the dose–response relationship between calcium and magnesium intake and peripheral neuropathy, we utilized a restricted cubic spline (RCS) plot.ResultsOur analysis found a positive correlation between dietary intake of calcium and magnesium and peripheral neuropathy (calcium: OR 1.000, 95% CI 1.000–1.000; magnesium: OR 1.001, 95% CI 1.00–1.002). Participants in the first and third quantiles of dietary calcium intake had a significantly higher incidence of peripheral neuropathy than those in the second quantile (OR 1.333, 95% CI 1.034–1.719, OR 1.497, 95% CI 1.155–1.941). Those in the first and third quantiles of dietary magnesium intake also had a significantly higher incidence of peripheral neuropathy than those in the second quantile (OR 1.275, 95% CI 1.064–1.528, OR 1.525, 95% CI 1.231–1.890). The restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a U-shaped nonlinear relationship between dietary intake of calcium and magnesium and peripheral neuropathy.ConclusionThe study found a U-shaped non-linear relationship between dietary calcium and magnesium intake levels and peripheral neuropathy, indicating that both excessive and insufficient intake of calcium and magnesium can increase the incidence of peripheral neuropathy.
Improving feeding skills and transition to breastfeeding in early preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial of oromotor intervention
Authors: Comuk Balci Nilay , Takci Sahin , Seren H. Canan 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionOromotor therapy exercises used for preterm infants in the NICU might promote oral-motor skills and shorten discharge day. This study investigates the impact of an oral-motor therapy program on the successful transition to breastfeeding (BF) and the enhancement of feeding skills in preterm infants below 30 weeks of gestational age who experience feeding intolerance.MethodsThe intervention group received oral-motor therapy programme for one month, while the control group did not. The feeding skills were evaluated by Early Feeding Skills Assessment Tool (EFS) and Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Scales (POFRAS).ResultsThere was a significant difference in EFS and POFRAS scores, transition to bottle feeding at discharge and transition to BF after discharge between babies given oral-motor therapy programme and controls (p &lt; 0.05). While the transition time to full enteral feeds did not vary significantly between the groups, noteworthy outcomes were observed in the intervention group, including differences in feeding type at discharge, the nature of feeds at discharge, and the success of transitioning to breastfeeding after discharge.DiscussionWe conclude that the oromotor therapy exercises in NICU improves the quality of sucking, contributes to better oromotor skills and promotes transition to enteral feeding and BF in preterm babies.
Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT05845684).
Cardiovascular adverse effects associated with the use of anti-HER2 in breast cancer treatment
Authors: Valente Patricia Marques Soares , da Silva Paula Nogueira , da Silva Licínio Esmeraldo , Martins Wolney de Andrade , de Castilho Selma Rodrigues 
Published: September 2023

Background: Cancer represents an important public health problem with increasing incidence, prevalence, and mortality, affecting the entire Western population, especially in developed and developing countries. The use of monoclonal antibodies has revolutionized the treatment of cancer, but this treatment can cause adverse cardiovascular effects (AE).Objective: The objective of this paper is to identify and classify AE in breast cancer patients in the use of Trastuzumab in two health institutions.Methods: Retrospective study of medical records of patients with breast cancer Her 2+ submitted the therapy with trastuzumab in early and advanced stage of the disease. Review conducted in a university hospital and a private clinic, both located in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.Results: Cardiovascular events were late for trastuzumab, with predominance of moderate reactions. There was a predominance of dyspnea, increased blood pressure, fatigue and reduced left ventricular ejection.Conclusion: The results resemble similarities in the pattern of the institutions’ reactions. Identify possible AE and know the toxicity profile of trastuzumab can contribute to a safer therapy.
Application of a nerve stereoscopic reconstruction technique based on ultrasonic images in the diagnosis of neuralgic amyotrophy
Authors: Yu Miao , Ding Wenquan , Shao Guoqing , Li Miaozhong , Zhou Xiaoling , Liu Linhai , Li Xueyuan 
Published: September 2023

Objective: To propose a nerve stereoscopic reconstruction technique based on ultrasound imaging for site diagnosis, intuitive reflection of disease severity, and classification of neuralgic amyotrophy (NA).Methods: We enrolled 44 patients with NA who underwent high-frequency ultrasonography examination. Multiple sites on the normal side and the affected side were scanned to calculate the ratio of the cross-section area (CSA) of the affected side to the normal side at each location measured, i.e., the cross-section area swelling ratio (CSASR). The CSASR of 44 patients and 30 normal controls was analyzed to determine their threshold value for the diagnosis of NA. Then, ultrasound images of the cross-section were used to reconstruct the stereoscopic model of the nerve on the affected side and the normal side. Using the CSASR values in each measurement location, a CSASR stereoscopic model was developed.Results: The threshold value of CSASR for ultrasound diagnosis of NA was 1.55. The average diseased segments per patient was 2.49 ± 1.97, with an average overall length of 10.03 ± 7.95 cm. Nerve stereoscopic reconstruction could be conducted for swelling, torsion, incomplete constriction, and complete constriction.Conclusion: The ultrasound image reconstruction method proposed in this study can accurately determine the site, range, and type of neuropathies in patients with NA, and simultaneously provide complete and accurate data information and intuitive morphological information.
An evaluation based on the analytic hierarchy process and GGEbiplot on French fry potato genotypes in Yunnan, China
Authors: Liang Shumin , Jiang Wei , Yang Yan , Lu Lili , Whitworth Jonathan L. , Novy Richard G. , Bao Lixian , Yin Ziyou , Li Zhou , He Pinggen , Xu Youxian , Li Xianping 
Published: September 2023

A total of 33 potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars and breeding clones imported from the United States and two local cultivars (Yunshu 401 and Cooperation 88, CK) were planted and evaluated. To determine their suitability for processing into French fries at five locations (e1-e5) in Yunnan Province, China, we developed a comprehensive evaluation system using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Eleven evaluation indicators for French fry quality, yield, and agronomic characteristics with a relative importance (weight coefficients) of 0.483, 0.301 and 0.216, respectively, were used to analyze the 35 potato genotypes (designated g1-g35).The genotypes were ranked and the results revealed that (1) on the average, the 33 potato genotypes imported from the United States showed a lower performance compared to the local cultivars. Compared with the CK, they were classified as not vigorous (Mean 5.11 vs CK 7.75), matured earlier (Mean 5.79 vs CK 1.70), and had a low resistance to late blight (Mean 3735.59 vs CK 1418.55), requiring the use of fungicides to control the disease at the five trial locations. (2) The US cultivar ‘Defender’ (g3) ranked in the top six at all five test locations because it had higher yield (29.56 t h m-2), better fry quality (4.64), higher dry matter content (20.41%), better tuber length/width ratio (1.99), longer tubers (13.57cm), stronger plant vigor (7.17) and higher resistance to late blight (AUDPC: 3134.2). (3) By using GGEbiplot analysis, superior genotypes with high and stable yields were g3 and ‘Echo Russet’ (g33). ‘Yunshu 401’ (g34) and ‘Yukon Gem’ (g4) had high but not stable yields. The ideal test environments and hence experimental locations were Luquan (LQ, e2) and Lijiang (LJ, e4) which resulted in the best discrimination between genotypes among the five experimental locations in Yunnan. Overall, the developed evaluation system based on AHP and GGEbiplot analysis including 11 evaluation indicators for French fry quality, yield and agricultural traits can be a model for evaluation and promotion of new French fry cultivars, and evaluating and selecting the test location.
Insight into regulation of adventitious root formation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and exogenous auxin in tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) cuttings
Authors: Chen Weili , Shan Wenshu , Niu Tingting , Ye Tao , Sun Qinyu , Zhang Jiaxia 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionAdventitious root (AR) development, affected by various biotic and abiotic factors, is the most important procedure in tea plant (Camellia sinensis L.) cutting propagation. Establishing symbiotic relationships with most terrestrial plants, AMF (Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus) can mediate the AR formation of several herbaceous and woody plants in previous studies.MethodsIn this paper, effects of combined application of AMF and exogenous auxin on AR formation of cuttings from different tea plant varieties (‘Pingyangtezao’, ‘Longjing 43’ and ‘Longjingchangye’) were studied. Then we also performed RNA-Seq analysis with ‘Pingyangtezao’ cuttings aiming to find the possible auxin-related pathway of AM fungal regulation on AR formation. To accurately uncover the regulatory mechanism of AMF on AR formation of tea cuttings, rooting process were separated into four stages (S0, non-rooting; S1, AR protrusion; S2, AR formation and S3, AR elongation) at the same sampling time.Results and DiscussionResults showed that IBA treatment increased the mycorrhizal colonization rate, especially in ‘Pingyangtezao’ variety (from 37.58% to 46.29%). Both inoculating AMF and addition of IBA promoted the AR formation, and rooting of different tea plant varieties showed different dependence on auxin. AMF could alleviate the effect of auxin-related inhibitors (2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, L-α-(Aminooxy)-β-phenylpropionic acid and α-(phenylethyl-2-oxo)-IAA) on rooting of tea cuttings, even though the colonization of AMF was hindered at various degrees. Transcriptomic analysis showed that different numbers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at various rooting stages of tea cuttings with the most at S2 stage (1360 DEGs), indicating the increasing regulation by AMF with the development of AR. Similar trend was found in auxin-related DEGs, and family genes of YUC, GH, PIN, LAX, SAUR, AUX, and ABP involved in the AM fungal regulation on AR formation of tea cuttings. Additionally, AMF strongly mediated auxin transport and signal transduction pathways in tea cuttings as showed by the results of correlation analysis. Overall, interaction of AMF and exogenous auxin in promoting rooting and the preliminary mechanism of AMF regulating AR formation of tea cuttings was deciphered in this paper, which may provide a basis for further deep mechanistic research and cutting propagation of tea production.
Sustained organic amendments utilization enhances ratoon crop growth and soil quality by enriching beneficial metabolites and suppressing pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Fallah Nyumah , Pang Ziqin , Lin Zhaoli , Nyimbo Witness Joseph , Lin Wenxiong , Mbuya Sylvain Ntambo , Ishimwe Captoline , Zhang Hua 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionOrganic soil amendments such as filter mud (FM) and biochar (BC) can potentially influence the abundance and composition of metabolites. However, our current understanding of the stimulatory effects of FM and BC’s long-term impact on stress-regulating metabolites, such as abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), melatonin, and phenyllactic acid (PLA), and these substrates regulatory effects on disease-causing bacteria in sugarcane ratooning field, which is susceptible to nutrients depletion, diseases, etc., remain poorly understood. Additionally, little is known about how the long-term interaction of these substrates and compounds influences sugarcane ratooning soil enzyme activities, nutrient cycling, and crop growth performance.MethodsTo answer these questions, we adopted metabolomics tools combined with high-throughput sequencing to explore the stimulatory effects of the long-term addition of FM and BC on metabolites (e.g., PLA and abscisic aldehyde) and quantify these substrates’ regulatory effects on disease-causing bacteria, soil enzyme activities, nutrient cycling, and crop growth performance.ResultsThe result revealed that ratoon crop weight, stem diameter, sugar content, as well as soil physico-chemical properties, including soil nitrate (NH3+-N), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC), and β-glucosidase, marked a significant increase under the BC and FM-amended soils. Whereas soil available potassium (AK), NO3–N, cellulase activity, and phosphatase peaked under the BC-amended soil, primarily due to the enduring effects of these substrates and metabolites. Furthermore, BC and FM-amended soils enriched specific stress-regulating metabolites, including JA, melatonin, abscisic aldehyde, etc. The sustained effects of both BC and FM-amended soils suppressed disease-causing bacteria, eventually promoting ratooning soil growth conditions. A number of key bioactive compounds had distinct associations with several beneficial bacteria and soil physico-chemical properties.DiscussionThis study proves that long-term BC and FM application is one of the eco-friendly strategies to promote ratoon crop growth and soil quality through the enrichment of stress-regulating metabolites and the suppression of disease-causing bacteria.
A study on the mechanisms of teachers’ academic emotions and motivational beliefs on learning engagement in the context of online training
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Gao Siyuan , Ren Liling 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionIn the context of digital transformation of education, online training is one of the important ways for teachers to improve their professionalism and promote the quality of education. However, studies have shown that teachers’ online training suffers from insufficient learning engagement and other problems, so it is crucial to explore the factors influencing teachers’ learning engagement and their mechanisms of action in the context of online training.MethodsTaking 589 teachers who participated in online training as the research subjects, the study used the methods of survey research and statistical analysis to explore the influence mechanism of teachers’ academic emotions and motivational beliefs on online learning engagement based on the dual perspectives of control value theory and expectancy-value theory.ResultsThe study found that: (1) positive-high arousal academic emotions, training self-efficacy, and training task value significantly and positively predicted online learning engagement, respectively; (2) negative-high arousal and negative-low arousal academic emotions significantly and negatively predicted online learning engagement; (3) training self-efficacy and training task value mediated the relationship between positive-high arousal academic emotions, negative-high arousal academic emotions, negative-low arousal academic emotions and online learning engagement, respectively.DiscussionThe study concluded that by creating an immersive learning environment based on the educational meta universe, personalized and precise training based on big data and adaptive technologies, and establishing a multi-dimensional and three-dimensional online learning support service system, which can effectively improve teachers’ online learning engagement and enhance their online training quality and effectiveness.