bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Response of sulphur fertilization and weed management to performance of faba bean (Vicia faba L.)
Authors: Miah Md Abdus Salam , Mondal Mouli , Jha Shivanand , Sarkar Shubroto Kumar , Hasan Ahmed Khairul , Paul Swapan Kumar 
Published: May 2023

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from November 2021 to April 2022 to assess the effect of sulphur fertilization and weed management on yield performance of faba bean. The experiment consisted of three levels of sulphur viz. 0, 20 and 40 kg S ha-1 and four levels of weed management practices viz. control (weedy check), weed-free up to 30 days after sowing (DAS), weed-free up to 60 DAS, weed-free throughout the growth period. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The highest number of branches plant-1 (11.63), pods plant-1 (70.68), seeds pod-1 (5.50), 1000-seed weight (267.9 g), seed yield (2.72 t ha-1), and stover yield (2.93 t ha-1) were recorded with 40 kg ha-1. In the case of weed management, the highest number of branches plant-1 (10.16), pods plant-1 (66.03), seeds pod-1 (6.0), 1000-seed weight (266.7 g), seed yield (2.43 t ha-1), stover yield (2.85 t ha-1) and harvest index (45.80%) was found at weed free throughout the growth period. Whereas the lowest values of all parameters were found minimum in weedy check. In interaction, the highest number of branches plant-1 (13.0), pods plant-1 (78.69), seeds pod-1 (7.0), 1000-seed weight (269.5 g), seed yield (2.87 t ha-1), stover yield (2.98 t ha-1) and harvest index (49.37%) were found in 40 kg ha-1 S with weed-free throughout the growth period. Whereas the lowest parameters were found minimum in control. Therefore, application 40 kg ha-1 S along with weed-free conditions throughout the growth period appears as the suitable combination for faba bean cultivation.
Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. 10(1): 33-42.
Qur’anic Metaphors: Between the Historicity of Poetic Imagination and the Continuity of Context
Authors: Yousef Saad Mohammed Abdel-Ghaffar 
Published: May 2023

Due to their contextual breadth and hermeneutic continuities, Qur’anic metaphors are held to be manifestations of Qur’anic iʿjāz that outshine the metaphors and imagery found in pre-Islamic poetry: they transcend temporal and spatial limits and are accessible to all languages and cultures. The historicity of metaphors and rhetorical images that characterise the Arabic poetic heritage is contextualised by their location within the temporal and spatial regions in which they were produced, the conceptual connections to which have been lost due to changing cultural beliefs, ideas, and contexts. In contrast, Qur’anic rhetoric has enduring continuity due to its observance of similarities in the construction of its metaphors, as well as the fact these are revealed within a religious, legislative text, whose contexts enjoy a rich continuity that encompasses meaning and connotations that accommodate the knowledge paradigms of different cultures.
Evaluation of a supportive care app for coordinating caring networks: an analysis of the first 19,000 users
Authors: Singh Ben , Palmer Susan , Maher Carol 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundMajor illnesses such as cancer, and other traumatic life events, can lead to sudden increases in supportive care needs. This study aimed to describe engagement, acceptability and satisfaction with a supportive care networking app under real-world conditions.MethodsA total of 10,952 individuals used the app during the study period (2018–2022). The app is designed to enable “captains” to assemble a network of friends and family members to provide timely, and individually tailored, supportive care (including assistance with tasks such as taking children to school, cooking meals, grocery shopping, and transport to appointments). Engagement was determined from server data, whilst acceptability and satisfaction were captured using purposed-designed surveys.ResultsUsers were mostly female (76%) and aged between 30 and 49 years (61%). The most common reason for using the app was sudden illness (web: 81%; mobile: 64%). An average of 42 tasks were requested per network, with a 32% acceptance rate. Significantly more tasks were requested (web: 52.2 tasks per network; mobile: 31.7 tasks per network; p &lt; 0.001) and accepted (web: 43.2%; mobile: 20.2%; p &lt; 0.001) in the web app vs. the mobile app. Task requests in the web app most commonly related to food (43% of requested tasks), social (15% of requested tasks) and children (13% of requested tasks). The task acceptance rate differed by task categories (p &lt; 0.001), with tasks relating to transport, medical appointments and children accepted at the highest rates (56%, 52% and 49%, respectively). Acceptability and satisfaction data suggested that the app was well received and overall, participants were satisfied with the app.ConclusionFindings suggested that this support care networking app achieved widespread uptake for a wide variety of supportive care tasks. Future research focused on optimizing engagement with the mobile app and examining the effectiveness of the app for improving patient and hospital outcomes is warranted.
The influence of 17β-estradiol plus norethisterone acetate treatment on markers of glucose and insulin metabolism in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Cui Weijuan , Zhao Ling 
Published: May 2023

ObjectiveDespite the fact that some evidence suggests that the administration of 17β-estradiol plus norethisterone acetate influences glucose and insulin metabolism in women, these findings are still contradictory. Thus, we aimed to examine the impact of the co-administration of 17β-estradiol and norethisterone acetate on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting glucose, insulin and C-peptide concentrations in females by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsWe searched four databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) using specific keywords and word combinations. The random-effects model (DerSimonian and Laird model) was employed to compute the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the variations from baseline of HbA1c, fasting glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations.ResultsIn total, 14 RCTs were entered into the quantitative synthesis. The combined administration of 17β-estradiol and norethisterone acetate decreased HbA1c (WMD: -0.65%, 95% CI: -1.15 to -0.15; P=0.011), fasting glucose (WMD: -11.05 mg/dL, 95% CI: -16.6 to -5.5; P&lt;0.001) and insulin (WMD: -1.35 mIU/L, 95% CI: -2.20 to -0.50; P=0.001) levels. C-peptide concentrations’ declined only in females diagnosed with overweight/obesity or diabetes.ConclusionEvidence to date points out that the administration of 17β-estradiol and norethisterone acetate has a positive impact on glucose metabolism in women by reducing fasting glucose, HbA1c, and insulin values. Future studies need to confirm the potential benefits of this drug combination in the prevention and/or management of cardiometabolic disorders.
Sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia among patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Xiang Ting , Fu Ping , Zhou Li 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundSarcopenia and osteoporosis are closely interconnected and associated with adverse health outcomes. Osteosarcopenia is the concurrent presence of the two conditions and has rarely been reported in hemodialysis patients. Whether hemodialysis patients with osteosarcopenia are at greater risk of mortality than those with either condition alone remains unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of sarcopenia and its association with osteoporosis and to determine its impact on survival risk in hemodialysis patients.MethodsA total of 209 adults undergoing hemodialysis were enrolled from the dialysis center in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and our study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (number: ChiCTR2100043932). Muscle mass, handgrip strength, bone mineral density (BMD), and biochemical parameters were assessed. All deaths were recorded during a follow-up of 35.15 ± 15.37 months.ResultsSeventy-eight patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia, with a prevalence of 37.3%. After adjustment for potential confounders, age (OR=1.094, P &lt;0.001), female sex (OR= 3.44, P =0.005), diabetes (OR=3.756, P =0.008), CRP (OR=1.09, P =0.015), serum magnesium (OR=0.755, p=0.042) and BMI (OR=0.701, P &lt;0.001) were independently associated with sarcopenia. Among the 209 patients, 103 patients completed the BMD assessment. The prevalence of osteosarcopenia was 22.3%, while 20.4% of participants had sarcopenia alone and 12.6% had osteoporosis alone. The proportions of patients who died were 13.0% for nonsarcopenia&amp;nonosteoporosis, 15.4% for osteoporosis alone, 47.6% for sarcopenia alone, and 52.2% for osteosarcopenia. Cox regression analysis showed that osteosarcopenia was independently associated with all-cause mortality (HR=3.74, 95% CI: 1.172-11.938), while osteoporosis alone and sarcopenia alone were not.ConclusionPatients undergoing hemodialysis had a high incidence of sarcopenia and osteosarcopenia, muscle mass and strength showed a significant association with BMD, and osteosarcopenia might have a powerful impact on mortality in those patients.Clinical trial registrationhttp://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2100043932.
The association between weight-adjusted-waist index and total bone mineral density in adolescents: NHANES 2011–2018
Authors: Wang Xiaohua , Yang Shuo , He Gansheng , Xie Lin 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionThe weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) serves as an innovative obesity measure, seemingly surpassing body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in evaluating lean and fat mass. This study aimed to explore the relationship between WWI and total bone mineral density (BMD) in US adolescents.MethodsThis population-based study investigated adolescents aged 8–19 years with comprehensive WWI and total BMD data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018. WWI was computed by dividing WC by the square root of body weight. Weighted multivariate linear regression and smoothed curve fitting were employed to examine linear and non-linear associations. Threshold effects were determined using a two-part linear regression model. Additionally, subgroup analyses and interaction tests were conducted.ResultsMultivariate linear regression analysis revealed a significant negative association between WWI and total BMD in 6,923 US adolescents aged 8–19 years [β = -0.03, 95% CI: (-0.03, -0.03)]. This negative correlation remained consistent across all subcategories, with the exception of age, encompassing gender,ethnicity, and diabetes status subgroups. Furthermore, a non-linear relationship and saturation effect between WWI and total BMD were identified, with an inflection point at 9.88 cm/√kg.ConclusionsOur research demonstrated a notable negative relationship and saturation effect between WWI and total BMD among US adolescents.
Bioinformatics analysis reveals the landscape of immune cell infiltration and novel immune-related biomarkers in moyamoya disease
Authors: Cao Lei , Ai Yunzheng , Dong Yang , Li Dongpeng , Wang Hao , Sun Kaiwen , Wang Chenchao , Zhang Manxia , Yan Dongming , Li Hongwei , Liang Guobiao , Yang Bo 
Published: May 2023

Objective: This study aimed to identify immune infiltration characteristics and new immunological diagnostic biomarkers in the cerebrovascular tissue of moyamoya disease (MMD) using bioinformatics analysis.Methods: GSE189993 and GSE141022 were downloaded from the GEO database. Differentially expressed gene and PPI analysis were performed. After performing WGCNA, the most significant module associated with MMD was obtained. Next, functional pathways according to GSEA, GO, and KEGG were enriched for the aforementioned core genes obtained from PPI and WGCNA. Additionally, immune infiltration, using the CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm, immune-related biomarkers, and the relationship between these genes, was further explored. Finally, diagnostic accuracy was verified with ROC curves in the validation dataset GSE157628.Results: A total of 348 DEGs were screened, including 89 downregulated and 259 upregulated genes. The thistlel module was detected as the most significant module associated with MMD. Functional analysis of the core genes was chiefly involved in the immune response, immune system process, protein tyrosine kinase activity, secretory granule, and so on. Among 13 immune-related overlapping genes, 4 genes (BTK, FGR, PTPN11, and SYK) were identified as potential diagnostic biomarkers, where PTPN11 showed the highest specificity and sensitivity. Meanwhile, a higher proportion of eosinophils, not T cells or B cells, was demonstrated in the specific immune infiltration landscape of MMD.Conclusion: Immune activities and immune cells were actively involved in the progression of MMD. BTK, FGR, PTPN11, and SYK were identified as potential immune diagnostic biomarkers. These immune-related genes and cells may provide novel insights for immunotherapy in the future.
Soluble monomeric human programmed cell death-ligand 1 inhibits the functions of activated T cells
Authors: Liang Zhaoduan , Chen Wenfang , Guo Yunzhuo , Ren Yuefei , Tian Ye , Cai Wenxuan , Bao Yifeng , Liu Qi , Ding Peng , Li Yi 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionThe presence of soluble human programmed cell death-ligand 1 (shPD-L1) in the blood of patients with cancer has been reported to be negatively correlated with disease prognosis. However, little information exists about the mechanisms underlying high levels of shPD-L1 for promoting disease progression.MethodsIn this study, we first analyzed the correlations between shPD-L1 and apoptosis of T cells in patients with cancer, then tested the effect of shPD-L1 on T-cell functions and the production of regulatory T cells.ResultsWe found that the apoptosis of human peripheral PD-1+CD4+ T cells was significantly elevated in patients with cancer compared with healthy donors and was positively correlated with circulating PD-L1 levels in patients with cancer. In vitro, monomeric shPD-L1 significantly inhibited the proliferation, cytokine secretion, and cancer cell-killing activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) activated by either agonist antibodies or HATac (high-affinity T cell activation core)-NYE (NY-ESO-1 antigen). It also promoted CD4+ T cells to express forkhead family transcription factor 3 (FoxP3) for the conversion of induced T regulatory cells, which was more significant than that mediated by soluble human PD-L1 fusion protein (shPD-L1-Fc).DiscussionThese results confirm that soluble PD-L1 could be a candidate for inhibiting the functions of activated T cells, promoting peripheral tolerance to tumor cells, and implicating in system tumor immune escape in addition to the tumor microenvironment. This is an important mechanism explaining the negative correlation between peripheral blood PD-L1 levels and cancer prognosis. Therefore, understanding the roles of hPD-L1 in peripheral blood will be helpful for the development of precision immunotherapy programs in treating various tumors.
Seasonal and vertical variations of nutrient cycling in the world’s deepest blue hole
Authors: Chen Lin , Yao Peng , Yang Zuosheng , Fu Liang 
Published: May 2023

Nutrient cycling in anoxic seawaters is essential to marine ecosystem health and sustainability, yet it remains poorly understood. In this work, we analyzed dissolved inorganic nutrients as well as hydrochemical parameters in the Yongle Blue Hole (YBH) of the South China Sea in October 2019, which is the world’s deepest blue hole and is characterized by anoxia below the depth of 100 m. Nutrient data collected in two sampling campaigns in 2017 were also incorporated to examine the seasonal and vertical variations of nutrient cycling across steep redox gradients in the YBH. In response to the changes in redox conditions in different seasons, nutrients in the YBH showed significant seasonal variations. The nitrate maximum rose from a depth of 90 m in March 2017 to 60-80 m in October 2019, while the primary nitrite maximum concentration decreased from 0.5 μmol/L to 0.1 μmol/L. In October 2019, the nitrite decreased to below the detection limit at about 100 m, while in March 2017, it was 140 m. The regeneration of phosphate and silicate both started from around 40 m in October 2019 and from 80 m in March 2017. Silicate shows non-conservative adding behaviors relative to phosphate and DIN, and phosphate shows a similar but weaker adding behavior relative to DIN. The nutrient ratios also varied seasonally, especially for N/P, which fluctuated greatly on the surface at 80 m, while Si/N and Si/P fluctuated above 50 m. At the oxic-anoxic interface, extreme values of nutrient ratios were observed, and below 150 m, the N/P, Si/N, and Si/P were kept constant at about 17, 1.5, and 26, respectively. Seasonal and vertical variations of nutrient concentrations and ratios in the YBH reflect the impact of redox conditions on nutrient cycling in anoxic seawaters, especially during the transition from oxic to anoxic zone. And the high-resolution distributions of nutrients and hydrochemical parameters are helpful to better understand the nutrient cycling processes in highly dynamic coastal environments that are suffering deoxygenation.
Comparative assessment of small airway dysfunction by impulse oscillometry and spirometry in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma with and without fixed airflow obstruction
Authors: Liwsrisakun Chalerm , Chaiwong Warawut , Pothirat Chaicharn 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundSmall airways play a major role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. More data on small airway dysfunction (SAD) using spirometry and impulse oscillometry (IOS) in these populations are required. The objective of this study was to compare the two methods, spirometry and IOS, for SAD detection and its prevalence defined by spirometry and IOS in subjects with COPD and asthma with and without fixed airflow obstruction (FAO).DesignThis is a cross-sectional study.MethodsSpirometric and IOS parameters were compared across four groups (COPD, asthma with FAO, asthma without FAO, and healthy subjects). SAD defined by spirometry and IOS criteria were compared.ResultsA total of 262 subjects (67 COPD, 55 asthma with FAO, 101 asthma without FAO, and 39 healthy controls) were included. The prevalence of SAD defined by using IOS and spirometry criteria was significantly higher in patients with COPD (62.7 and 95.5%), asthma with FAO (63.6 and 98.2%), and asthma without FAO (38.6 and 19.8%) in comparison with healthy control (7.7 and 2.6%). IOS is more sensitive than spirometry in the detection of SAD in asthma without FAO (38.6% vs. 19.8%, p = 0.003) However, in subjects with FAO (COPD and asthma with FAO), spirometry is more sensitive than IOS to detect SAD (95.5% vs. 62.7%, p &lt; 0.001 and 98.2% vs. 63.6%, p &lt; 0.001, respectively).ConclusionSmall airway dysfunction was significantly detected in COPD and asthma with and without FAO. Although IOS shows more sensitivity than spirometry in the detection of SAD in asthma without FAO, spirometry is more sensitive than IOS in patients with FAO including COPD and asthma with FAO.
Shifting the balance: soluble ADAM10 as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Hershkovits Ayelet Sarah , Gelley Sivan , Hanna Rawad , Kleifeld Oded , Shulman Avidor , Fishman Ayelet 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionAccumulation of amyloid β in the brain is regarded as a key initiator of Alzheimer's disease pathology. Processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the amyloidogenic pathway yields neurotoxic amyloid β species. In the non-amyloidogenic pathway, APP is processed by membrane-bound ADAM10, the main α-secretase in the nervous system. Here we present a new enzymatic approach for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease using a soluble form of ADAM10.MethodsThe ability of the soluble ADAM10 to shed overexpressed and endogenous APP was determined with an ADAM10 knockout cell line and a human neuroblastoma cell line, respectively. We further examined its effect on amyloid β aggregation by thioflavin T fluorescence, HPLC, and confocal microscopy. Using N-terminal and C-terminal enrichment proteomic approaches, we identified soluble ADAM10 substrates. Finally, a truncated soluble ADAM10, based on the catalytic domain, was expressed in Escherichia coli for the first time, and its activity was evaluated.ResultsThe soluble enzyme hydrolyzes APP and releases the neuroprotective soluble APPα when exogenously added to cell cultures. The soluble ADAM10 inhibits the formation and aggregation of characteristic amyloid β extracellular neuronal aggregates. The proteomic investigation identified new and verified known substrates, such as VGF and N-cadherin, respectively. The truncated variant also exhibited α-secretase capacity as shown with a specific ADAM10 fluorescent substrate in addition to shedding overexpressed and endogenous APP.DiscussionOur in vitro study demonstrates that exogenous treatment with a soluble variant of ADAM10 would shift the balance toward the non-amyloidogenic pathway, thus utilizing its natural neuroprotective effect and inhibiting the main neurotoxic amyloid β species. The potential of such a treatment for Alzheimer's disease needs to be further evaluated in vivo.
Effects of herpes zoster vaccination and antiviral treatment on the risk of stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jia Yong-hui , Dong Yu-bo , Jiang Hai-yin , Li Ai-juan 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundEvidence suggests that there is an increased risk of stroke after herpes zoster (HZ). However, reports on the effects of HZ vaccination (HZV) and antiviral treatment on stroke risk are inconsistent. Thus, we examined these associations in a meta-analysis.MethodsTo identify relevant studies, we searched three databases for articles published up to January 2023. Random-effect models were examined to determine overall pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsThis review included 12 observational studies (six on HZV and seven on antiviral treatment). When comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated patients, vaccination was found to be associated with a lower risk of stroke (OR, 0.78; 95% CI 0.68–0.9; P = 0.001). A meta-analysis of self-controlled case series (SCCS) revealed evidence of a reduced OR in individuals who received the vaccine (OR, 1.14; 95% CI 0.94–1.37; P = 0.181) compared with unvaccinated individuals (OR, 1.36; 95% CI 1.15–1.61; P &lt; 0.001). Compared with untreated patients, antiviral therapy was not associated with a reduced risk of stroke (OR, 1.13; 95% CI 0.94–1.36; P = 0.201). The meta-analysis of the SCCS showed no evidence of a reduced OR in individuals who received antiviral therapy (OR, 1.33; 95% CI 1.17–1.51; P &lt; 0.001) compared to untreated individuals (OR, 1.45; 95% CI 1.25–1.69; P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that the HZV, but not antiviral treatment, decreases the odds of developing stroke.