bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pseudoprogression in CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumor: Case report
Authors: Zhao Xuan , Liu Yanfen , Qin Guohui , Ge Yan , Li Qinglong , Chen Xinfeng , Tian Ximei , Yu Yong , Ren Jiangtao , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2025

We reported the pseudoprogression in an elderly patient with advanced gastric cancer after chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy. The hepatic metastases enlarged 1 month after CAR-T cell infusion and then shrunk the next month as seen through computed tomography scanning. Based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes imaging, pathology, serum tumor markers, and clinical symptoms, we arrived at a diagnosis of pseudoprogression after CAR-T cell therapy, which has not been reported in previous studies. In this report, we provide detailed descriptions of the patient’s clinical presentation, imaging findings, treatment process, and follow-up outcomes. We believe that this case holds important implications for CAR-T cell therapy research and offers valuable insights for clinical practice.
Effective and sustainable prevention and control of pork tapeworm diseases in humans and pigs in Tanzania: a policy brief
Authors: Ngowi Helena A. , Makingi George , Mlowe Fredy , Wilson Christina , Kajuna Flora , Kabululu Mwemezi , Churi Ayubu , Nyangi Chacha , Nanyaro Mary-Winnie , Melkiory Innocent , Nonga Cosmas , Matembo Shanel V. , Ngowi Bernard James , Kivava Fatna , Kitundu Christina , Nyerere Antony , Mkupasi Ernatus
Published: January 2025

Pork tapeworm (Taenia solium) is a parasite that causes serious diseases in humans and pigs. The parasite causes epilepsy in humans and is estimated to be responsible for approximately 212 deaths per year in Tanzania. The parasite costs Tanzanian society approximately USD 8 million annually due to costs for management of epilepsy caused by the parasite (USD 5 million) and losses due to condemnation of infected pork (USD 3 million). Pork tapeworm diseases are currently not a control and prevention priority in Tanzania, and collaborative efforts among relevant sectors at various levels are limited. This policy brief recommends a One Health approach for effective and sustainable control of the pork tapeworm diseases. It puts forward fourteen actionable recommendations for the country to achieve this goal
Process-dependent ferroelectric and memristive properties in polycrystalline Ca:HfO2-based devices
Authors: Ferreyra C. , Badillo M. , Sánchez M. J. , Acuautla M. , Noheda B. , Rubi D.
Published: January 2025

Memristors are considered key building blocks for developing neuromorphic or in-memory computing hardware. Here, we study the ferroelectric and memristive response of Pt/Ca:HfO2/Pt devices fabricated on silicon by spin-coating from chemical solution deposition followed by a pyrolysis step and a final thermal treatment for crystallization at 800°C for 90 s. For pyrolysis temperature of 300°C, the annealed samples are ferroelectric while for 400°C a dielectric behavior is observed. For each case, we found a distinct, forming-free, memristive response. Ferroelectric devices can sustain polarization switching and memristive behavior simultaneously. Aided by numerical simulations, we describe the memristive behavior of ferroelectric devices arising from oxide-metal Schottky barriers modulation by both the direction of the electrical polarization and oxygen vacancy electromigration. For non-ferroelectric samples, only the latter effect controls the memristive behavior.
Cyclic testing of a steel-tube-enabled emulative precast column-to-column connection
Authors: Ji Ming-Ming , Chen Wei , Zeng Shi , Xiong Yan , Zhao Xin-Yu
Published: January 2025

Precast systems are increasingly favored in modern construction to meet the growing demands for faster project delivery, cost control, and enhanced quality assurance. Yet, the feasibility of connections between precast elements remains a crucial factor affecting the overall structural performance of these systems. Considering the versatility and dimensional consistency of structural steel sections, this study introduces an emulative column-to-column hybrid connection achieved by using welding-spliced steel tubes, with a view to improving assembly efficiency and on-site quality control. Reversed cyclic loading tests were conducted on five near full-scale column specimens to assess the seismic performance of the proposed connection. Results indicated that this connection method could provide seismic performance comparable to that of the traditional cast-in-place counterpart. Nevertheless, the anchorage of the column longitudinal rebars played a critical role, as inadequate anchorages led to significant reductions in the columns’ lateral capacity. For this reason, increasing the tube thickness was shown to be insufficient as a substitute for proper anchorage detailing. Moreover, it was found that the incorporation of the welded steel tubes shifted the plastic hinge region upward, resulting in a more extended damage zone—a consequence of the localized stiffening effect. Finally, existing equations and methods are employed to evaluate the lateral strength, load-displacement response, and plastic hinge length of the tested specimens.
Statistical properties and material partial factors of ECC material based on shear failure member
Authors: Yi Shixiang , Tang Zhongping , Shi Wei , Feng Fan , Liu Xiang
Published: January 2025

Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) material, as a hybrid material, also has uncertainties. In addition, the shear failure mechanism of reinforced ECC (R-ECC) member is different from that of ordinary reinforced concrete (RC) member, and a new material partial factor of ECC is needed. This paper conducted experiments for the statistical mechanics of ECC strength. The shear failure test data of 36 R-ECC members were collected, and four representative bearing capacity calculation models were also collected and assessed. Then, the limit state function of the shear capacity of R-ECC beams was derived, and the reliability indexes were calculated. To evaluate the ECC material partial factor reasonably, it was calibrated. The results indicate that ECC strength obeys a normal distribution, and the coefficient of variation can be taken as 6.0%. The calculated reliability index will increase with the increase of the material partial factor and the increase of the ratio k between dead load and live load. Considering the different k values comprehensively, for the guidelines GB 50068-2018, CSA S806, ACI 440.2R, CIDAR, fIB TG 9.3 and UK TR 55, the recommended values for the material partial factor are 1.20, 1.10., 1.15, 1.55, 1.05, and 1.05, respectively.
Chlamydophila psittaci pneumonia followed by lower gastrointestinal ischemic necrosis: a case report
Authors: Shao Shifeng , Liu Jun , Wu Zhenbing , Wu Shasha
Published: January 2025

Background

Psittacosis, also known as parrot fever, is an uncommon infectious disease caused by Chlamydophila psittaci (C. psittaci). While C. psittaci infections are usually not life-threatening, the pathogenesis and associated complications are not yet fully understood.

Case description

A 54-year-old male was hospitalized due to a cough, accompanied by expectoration and dyspnea. After admission, the patient's breathing rapidly deteriorated, and despite the use of a ventilator, it was challenging to maintain respiratory function. While initiating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and empirical anti-infection treatments, the alveolar lavage fluid was collected and examined by metagenomics next generation sequencing (mNGS). The mNGS result indicated C. psittaci. Subsequently, the anti-infection regimen was immediately adjusted. The respiratory function improved on the 13th day after admission, and ECMO was withdrawn. However, the patient developed abdominal distension and intestinal edema. After intravenous infusion therapy, intestinal ischemia and necrosis occurred and surgical resection was performed. The patient's condition improved after the operation and he was transferred to a local hospital for rehabilitation.

Conclusion

This case report demonstrates the development of intestinal ischemic necrosis following severe C. psittaci pneumonia. This unique association has not been reported previously and highlights the importance of potential gastrointestinal complications in severe C. psittaci pneumonia, which are often underestimated. Timely diagnoses and treatments of such infections and complications are necessary to achieve favorable clinical outcomes.
Application value of multi-disciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment combined with CBL teaching model in gynecological oncology practice teaching
Authors: Wen Fengrong , Mo Julan , Li Renxiang
Published: January 2025

Background

To explore the application value of multi-disciplinary collaborative diagnosis (MDT) and treatment combined with the case-based learning (CBL) teaching method based on real clinical cases in gynecological malignant tumor practice teaching.

Methods

A total of 120 clinical students who were interning in the Department of Gynecology in our hospital from January 2022 to June 2023 were selected and divided into a research group (n = 60) and a control group (n = 60) according to the random number table method. The research group adopted a MDT combined with the CBL teaching model, while the control group followed a traditional teaching model. After the two-month internship, the teaching faculty completed a self-evaluation form, and the students jointly evaluated the teaching effect through an exit assessment, which included basic theory, clinical skills, and case assessment. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the student’s recognition of the teaching model and collect their opinions and suggestions.

Results

The research group showed significantly higher scores in basic theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and case analysis assessments compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The questionnaire survey results indicated that the research group outperformed the control group in knowledge acquisition, learning initiative, learning interest, clinical analysis ability, clinical diagnosis, treatment thinking, teamwork ability, literature retrieval, and reading ability, and clinical language expression ability (p < 0.05). Students’ feedback suggested increasing doctor-patient communication time and improving the doctor-patient communication skills.

Conclusion

MDT combined with the CBL teaching model based on real clinical cases can effectively foster autonomous learning, enhance the application of basic theoretical knowledge, and improves the quality of clinical teaching in gynecology. This method is worthy of promotion in clinical teaching.
Analysis of ASAS health index and its influencing factors in ankylosing spondylitis: a prospective study based on the population of Chaoshan region
Authors: Li Aikang , Liang Rongji , Wu Liangbin , Cai Minghua , Chen Jiayou , Gong Yao , Zeng Shaoyin
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in the Chaoshan region and identify factors influencing the ASAS Health Index (ASAS-HI) to enhance comprehensive AS treatment strategies.

Methods

A survey of ASAS-HI was conducted on 82 AS patients from the rheumatology outpatient department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College. The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global Score (BAS-G) assessed overall health status, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (AS-QOL) evaluated quality of life, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) measured disease activity, and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) assessed functional difficulties. Inflammatory markers and patient data were collected, and univariate/multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore influencing factors of ASAS-HI.

Results

The mean ASAS-HI score was 3.52 ± 3.12. ASAS-HI was positively correlated with BASDAI (r = 0.478, p < 0.001), ASDAS-CRP (r = 0.406, p < 0.001), BASFI (r = 0.338, p < 0.002), and BAS-G (r = 0.335, p < 0.002). Patients with ASDAS-ESR ≥ 2.1, ASDAS-CRP ≥ 2.1, and spinal tenderness had significantly higher ASAS-HI scores than others (p < 0.001). Spinal tenderness and radiographic grading were identified as key influencing factors.

Conclusion

ASAS-HI is significantly impacted by disease activity and functional limitations. Early assessment of ASAS-HI is crucial for optimizing disease management in AS patients.
Analysis of the relevant factors for corneal graft rejection in the southern Liaoning region from 2019 to 2023
Authors: Yan Chunxiao , Zhang Zhijian , Jin Lin , Liu Mengxin , Wang Tianyi , Yang Jinghao , Zhang Lijun
Published: January 2025

Background

The study aimed to review the etiology of corneal blindness and investigate the relative risk of corneal graft rejection (CGR) in the southern Liaoning region.

Methods

The clinical records of 359 patients (394 eyes) who underwent corneal transplantation at the Department of Keratoconus of the Third People’s Hospital of Dalian from January 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The data included patients’ age, gender, occupation, diagnosis, surgical procedure, postoperative immune rejection, and neovascularization. The data were collected and descriptively analyzed to characterize the etiology of corneal blindness and to analyze the risk factors for postoperative immune rejection after corneal transplantation using logistic regression.

Results

The mean age of the patients who underwent corneal transplantation was 55.90 ± 0.80 years, and there were more male patients than female patients with corneal blindness. Infectious keratitis (41.1%) was reported as the leading cause of corneal blindness, and penetrating corneal transplantation was the main surgical procedure for the recovery of sight. Preoperative corneal vascularization and penetrating corneal graft rejection were identified as risk factors for immune rejection of corneal grafts. The preoperative corneal vascularization was performed (p = 0.044, OR = 2.607). Penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) was performed (p = 0.024, OR = 1.953), and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty was also performed (p = 0.801, OR = 1.088). Viral infections (p < 0.001, OR = 16.871) were the major risk factor for preoperative corneal neovascularization (CNV) compared to other etiologies, such as fungal infections (p < 0.001, OR = 0.018), mechanical ocular trauma (p < 0.001, OR = 0.034), immune keratitis (p = 0.023, OR = 0.152), and endothelial dysfunction (p < 0.001, OR = 0.054).

Conclusion

Infectious keratitis was identified as the major cause of corneal blindness in the southern Liaoning region over the past 5 years. Penetrating keratoplasty and preoperative corneal vascularization were the risk factors for corneal graft rejection. In addition, virus-derived keratitis was considered to be the main risk factor for corneal neovascularization, and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty was not found to have an effect on corneal graft rejection in this study.
Long-term rice-crab coculturing leads to changes in soil microbial communities
Authors: Ma Liang , Yang Tiexin , Dong Liqiang , Pan Zhengyan , Feng Yingying , Li Zhiqiang , Sun Fuyu
Published: January 2025

Purpose

In order to investigate the effects of a rice-crab coculture mode and its duration on the richness and diversity of the soil microbial community.

Method

Soil from long-term rice-crab coculture mode (MY), newly established rice-crab coculture mode (OY) and rice monoculture mode (N) were used to measured soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activity and 16S and ITS soil microbial communities.

Results

The results revealed that in terms of mode, the MBC, MBN and CAT of OY were significantly greater than those of N by 10.75, 23.47 and 30.71% (p < 0.05), respectively. The richness and diversity of the soil microbial communities changed little, and there was no difference in the main species. In terms of duration, the OM, SC and PPO contents of MY were significantly greater than those of OY by 21.96, 41.89 and 11.52% (p < 0.05), respectively. The soil fungi changed significantly, and the main species were Mortierella and Pseudeurotium in genus level. The soil physicochemical properties and soil enzymes explained 93.38 and 93.66%, respectively, of the variation in the soil microbial community, and OM and DHA were the main factors influencing the change in soil biodiversity.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that long-term rice-crab coculture mode altered the richness and diversity of the soil microbial community and soil carbon sequestration.
The transcriptional regulation effects of histidine, isoleucine and glutamate on free exopolysaccharide biosynthesis of Streptococcus thermophilus 937
Authors: Wa Yunchao , Zhao Xia , Zhang Chenchen , Qu Hengxian , Chen Dawei , Chen Xia , Huang Yujun , Gu Ruixia
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The free exopolysaccharide (f-EPS) produced by Streptococcus thermophilus is a natural texture modifier and has a variety of prebiotic activities. Our previous studies showed f-EPS production from S. thermophilus 937 was increased 2-fold in the presence of 15 mM of glutamate, isoleucine, and histidine in the chemically defined medium.

Methods

In this study, we used transcriptomics and qPCR to further explore the specific mechanism of the enhanced effect of 3 amino acids on the f-EPS biosynthesis of S. thermophilus 937.

Results

The mRNA-seq analysis and targeted pathway analysis indicated that genes associated with histidine/valine/leucine/ isoleucine/phenylalanine/tyrosine/tryptophan synthesis, galactose metabolism, purine metabolism and quorum sensing in S. thermophilus 937 were significantly upregulated under increasing concentrations of histidine, isoleucine and glutamate in chemically defined medium (CDM). qPCR results showed that the significant upregulation of galactose metabolism- and nucleotide sugar synthesis-related genes was attributed to the increase in glutamate concentration, and glutamate could induce the expression of galR. The upregulation of epsA, epsB, and epsD transcript levels was caused by the increase in histidine concentration. The upregulation of transcript levels of genes related to phenylalanine/tyrosine/tryptophan/histidine/ valine/leucine/isoleucine synthesis was caused by the increase in isoleucine concentrations.

Discussion

This indicates that 3 amino acids have different mechanisms for enhancing the biosynthesis of f-EPS in S. thermophilus 937.
Disruption of biological membranes by hydrophobic molecules: a way to inhibit bacterial growth
Authors: Valdez-Lara Alejandra Gabriela , Jaramillo-Granada Ángela M. , Ortega-Zambrano Daniel , García-Marquez Eristeo , García-Fajardo Jorge Alberto , Mercado-Uribe H. , Ruiz-Suárez J. C.
Published: January 2025

With antibiotic resistance increasing in the global population every year, efforts to discover new strategies against microbial diseases are urgently needed. One of the new therapeutic targets is the bacterial cell membrane since, in the event of a drastic alteration, it can cause cell death. We propose the utilization of hydrophobic molecules, namely, propofol (PFL) and cannabidiol (CBD), dissolved in nanodroplets of oil, to effectively strike the membrane of two well-known pathogens: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. First, we carried out calorimetric measurements to evaluate the effects of these drugs on model membranes formed by lipids from these bacteria. We found that the drugs modify their transition temperature, enthalpy of cohesion, and cooperativity, which indicates a strong alteration of the membranes. Then, inhibition of colony-forming units is studied in incubation experiments. Finally, we demonstrate, using atomic force and fluorescence microscopy, that the drugs, especially propofol, produce a visible disruption in real bacterial membranes, explaining the observed inhibition. These findings may have useful implications in the global effort to discover new ways to effectively combat the growing threat of drug-resistant pathogens, especially in skin infections.
Levamisole, as a viral vaccine adjuvant, induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses
Authors: Kim Gang Sik , Kwak Dong Yun , Kim Hyeong Won , Shin Seokwon , Ko Mi-Kyeong , Hwang Seong Yun , Park So Hui , Kim Dong Hyeon , Park Jong-Hyeon , Kim Su-Mi , Lee Min Ja
Published: January 2025

Introduction

An effective vaccination policy must be implemented to prevent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, the currently used vaccines for FMD have several limitations, including induction of humoral rather than cellular immune responses.

Methods

To overcome these shortcomings, we assessed the efficacy of levamisole, a small-molecule immunomodulator, as an adjuvant for the FMD vaccine. We conducted in vitro studies using murine peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) and porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in vivo studies using mice (experimental animals) and pigs (target animals). We evaluated levamisole-mediated modulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses; early, mid-term, and long-term immune-inducing effects; modes of action; and host defense against viral infection.

Results

Levamisole treatment promoted IFNγ secretion in murine PECs and porcine PBMCs. Additionally, it induced robust and long-lasting immune responses by eliciting high antibody titers and high virus-neutralizing antibody titers. By activating downstream signaling pathways of various pattern-recognition receptors, levamisole stimulated the expression of multiple cytokines and costimulatory molecules. Owing to these immunostimulatory effects, levamisole elicited host defense against viral infections in pigs. Our findings demonstrate the potential of levamisole as an immunostimulatory agent.

Discussion

The results also indicate that levamisole, as an adjuvant for animal vaccines, can elicit robust innate and adaptive immune responses, thereby enhancing host defense against viral infections. This study provides a promising approach for the development of improved FMD vaccine strategies in the future.
Insights into microbial compositions of the respiratory tract of neonatal dairy calves in a longitudinal probiotic trial through 16S rRNA sequencing
Authors: Tan Jia W. , Eicher Susan D. , Kritchevsky Janice E. , Bryan Keith A. , Dickey Aaron , Chitko-McKown Carol G. , McDaneld Tara G.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Probiotics are a promising intervention for modulating the microbiome and the immune system, promoting health benefits in cattle. While studies have characterized the calf lung bacterial profile with and without oral probiotics, simultaneous probiotic effects on the bacterial populations of multiple sites along the respiratory tract have not been characterized.

Methods

This study utilized the same pre-weaning diary calf group from our previous studies to characterize the bacterial populations present in the nostril and tonsil across control and treatment groups and nine sampling time points. DNA was exacted from the nostril and tonsil swabs and lung lavage fluids, and 16S ribosomal RNA gene hypervariable regions 1-3 were subsequently sequenced.

Results

Temporal variation in alpha bacterial diversity within the nostril, tonsil, and lung samples was observed, indicating distinct bacterial compositions among sampling time points. Oral probiotic treatment did not change alpha diversity in any respiratory tissue, however, spatial variability in bacterial taxa composition was observed among the three respiratory tract regions. While the majority of differentially abundant taxa in probiotic treated calves were unique to their anatomical location, a few were common to two anatomical locations and one Finegoldia amplicon sequence variant was differentially abundant in all three anatomical locations.

Discussion

In conclusion, these findings contribute to the understanding of the dynamic nature of bacterial diversity and the potential effects of probiotics within the bovine respiratory tract and provides insight for future studies of probiotics on animal health, disease prevention, and management.
All roads lead to Rome: the plasticity of gut microbiome drives the extensive adaptation of the Yarkand toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus axillaris) to different altitudes
Authors: Du Jianghao , Zheng Peng , Gao Weizhen , Liang Qianru , Leng Lin , Shi Lei
Published: January 2025

The gut microbiome was involved in a variety of physiological processes and played a key role in host environmental adaptation. However, the mechanisms of their response to altitudinal environmental changes remain unclear. In this study, we used 16S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS metabolomics to investigate the changes in the gut microbiome and metabolism of the Yarkand toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus axillaris) at different altitudes (−80 m to 2000 m). The results demonstrated that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum, Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospiraceae were the most abundant family, and the low-altitude populations had higher richness than high-altitude populations; Akkermansiaceae appeared to be enriched in high-altitude populations and the relative abundance tended to increase with altitude. The gut microbiome of three populations of P. axillaris at different altitudes was clustered into two different enterotypes, low-altitude populations and high-altitude populations shared an enterotype dominated by Akkermansia, Kineothrix, Phocaeicola; intermediate-altitude populations had an enterotype dominated by Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium. Metabolites involved in amino acid and lipid metabolism differed significantly at different altitudes. The above results suggest that gut microbiome plasticity drives the extensive adaptation of P. axillaris to multi-stress caused by different altitudes. With global warming, recognizing the adaptive capacity of wide-ranging species to altitude can help plan future conservation strategies.
Deciphering of differences in gut microbiota and plasma metabolites profile between non-obese and obese Golden Retrievers dogs
Authors: Cai Yazhen , Tang Huayu , Xiang Guilin , Yi Hongyu , Zhong Jie , Xie Zhaoxi , Hu Qinfeng , El Bouhi Romaissaa , Zhou Pan , Zhang Yong , Yan Honglin
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Golden Retrievers have a high risk of obesity, which is prevalent in dogs and is associated with inflammation and cancer, impairing the health and life expectancy of companion animals. Microbial and metabolite biomarkers have been proposed for identifying the presence of obesity in humans and rodents. However, the effects of obesity on the microbiome and metabolome of Golden Retrievers remains unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the signatures of serum biochemistry indexes, gut microbiota and plasma metabolites in non-obese and obese Golden Retrievers, aiming to recognize potential biomarkers of canine obesity.

Methods

A total of 8 non-obese (Ctrl group) and 8 obese (Obe group) Golden Retrievers were included in the present study to collect blood and feces samples for measurements. The fecal microbiome and plasma metabolome were determined using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively.

Results

Results showed that the alanine aminotransferase activity and total bilirubin concentration, which have been measured using serum biochemistry analysis, were higher in the Obe group than in the Ctrl group (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant difference in gut microbiota composition between the two groups (p < 0.05). The phyla Proteobacteria, Fusobacteriota, and Bacteroidota as well as genera Fusobacterium, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, Escherichia-Shigell, and Alloprevotella were more abundant, while phylum Firmicutes and genera Peptoclostridium, Blautia, Turicibacter, Allobaculum, and Erysipelatoclostridium were less abundant in the Obe group compared to the Ctrl group (p < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of citrulline and 11-dehydrocorticosterone were significantly higher in the Obe group than those in the Ctrl group (p < 0.05). Close correlations between serum biochemistry parameters, gut microbiome, and plasma metabolites were observed in the current study.

Conclusion

The obesity-induced shifts in serum biochemistry indexes, gut microbiota, and plasma metabolites profiles suggest that obese Golden Retrievers exhibit a different microbiome and metabolome than non-obese ones, and the certain metabolites like citrulline and 11-dehydrocorticosterone could be considered as potential biomarkers to recognize obese Golden Retrievers.
Trends and advances in Leptospira, a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Wang Wei , Gao Yamin , Ji Jianyu , Huang Zhai , Xiong Bin , Xiang Shulin
Published: January 2025

Background

Leptospirosis is an acute zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira, primarily transmitted to humans through contact with water or soil contaminated by the bacteria. It is globally distributed, with heightened prevalence in tropical regions. While prior studies have examined the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and risk factors of leptospirosis, few have explored trends and emerging topics in the field. This study applies bibliometric analysis to generate a visual knowledge map, identifying research hotspots and forecasting future trends in leptospirosis investigations.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC), encompassing all publications up to May 1, 2024. CiteSpace and VOSViewer software were used to analyze annual publication trends, as well as contributions from countries, institutions, journals, authors, references, and keywords, thereby pinpointing current research priorities and potential future directions.

Results

A total of 5,244 articles were included, sourced from 4,716 institutions, 955 journals, and 156 countries or regions. The United States led with 1,315 publications and had the most significant influence in the field. “PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases” published the highest number of articles (166), while “Infection and Immunity” garnered the most citations (6,591). Prominent research areas included restriction endonucleases, monoclonal antibodies, outer membrane proteins, water environments, detection methods, and antimicrobial agents. Research focus has shifted from early genomic and antigenic studies to investigations into outer membrane protein functions and environmental persistence, culminating in recent advances in molecular mechanisms and diagnostic technology development.

Conclusion

This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive snapshot of leptospirosis research, emphasizing collaborations and impact among authors, countries, institutions, and journals. It offers valuable insights into ongoing trends and serves as a reference for future collaboration and research opportunities in the field.
Hotspots and research trends of gut microbiome in polycystic ovary syndrome: a bibliometric analysis (2012–2023)
Authors: Wu Ruishan , Mai Zhensheng , Song Xiaoyan , Zhao Wenzhong
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological condition affecting individuals of reproductive age and is linked to the gut microbiome. This study aimed to identify the hotspots and research trends within the domain of the gut microbiome in PCOS through bibliometric analysis.

Methods

Utilizing bibliometric techniques, we examined the literature on the gut microbiome in PCOS from the Web of Science Core Collection spanning the period from 2012 to 2023. Analytical tools such as CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometric R packages were employed to evaluate various metrics, including countries/regions, institutions, authors, co-cited authors, authors’ H-index, journals, co-references, and keywords.

Results

A total of 191 publications were identified in the field of gut microbiome in PCOS, with an increase in annual publications from 2018 to 2023. People’s Republic of China was the most productive country, followed by the United States of America (USA), India. Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine were the top three most publications institutions. Thackray VG was identified as the most prolific author, holding the highest H-index, while Liu R received the highest total number of citations. The journal “Frontiers in Endocrinology” published the most articles in this domain. The most frequently co-cited reference was authored by Qi XY. The analysis of keyword burst detection identified “bile acids” (2021–2023) as the leading frontier keyword. Additionally, “gut dysbiosis,” “phenotypes,” “adolescents,” “metabolomics,” “metabolites,” “fecal microbiota transplantation,” and “IL-22” have emerged as the primary keywords reflecting recent research trends.

Conclusion

This bibliometric analysis explores how the gut microbiome influences endocrine and metabolic disorders related to PCOS, emphasizing its role in the development of PCOS and treatments targeting the gut microbiome. The findings serve as a valuable resource for researchers, enabling them to identify critical hotspots and emerging areas of investigation in this field.
Dissecting the biophysical mechanisms of oleate hydratase association with membranes
Authors: Lathram William A. , Neff Robert J. , Zalla Ashley N. , Brien James D. , Subramanian Vivekanandan , Radka Christopher D.
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the dynamics of oleate hydratase (OhyA), a bacterial flavoenzyme from Staphylococcus aureus, and its interactions with lipid membranes, focusing on the factors influencing membrane binding and oligomerization. OhyA catalyzes the hydration of unsaturated fatty acids, playing a key role in bacterial pathogenesis by neutralizing host antimicrobial fatty acids. OhyA binds the membrane bilayer to access membrane-embedded substrates for catalysis, and structural studies have revealed that OhyA forms oligomers on membrane surfaces, stabilized by both protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions. Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), we examined the effects of membrane curvature and lipid availability on OhyA binding to phosphatidylglycerol unilamellar vesicles. Our results reveal that OhyA preferentially binds to vesicles with moderate curvature, while the presence of substrate fatty acids slightly enhanced the overall interaction despite reducing the binding affinity by 3- to 4-fold. Complementary phosphorus-31 (31P) NMR spectroscopy further demonstrated two distinct binding modes: a fast-exchange interaction at lower protein concentrations and a longer lasting interaction at higher protein concentrations, likely reflecting cooperative oligomerization. These findings highlight the reversible, non-stoichiometric nature of OhyA•membrane interactions, with dynamic binding behaviors influenced by protein concentration and lipid environment. This research provides new insights into the dynamic behavior of OhyA on bacterial membranes, highlighting that initial interactions are driven by lipid-mediated protein binding, while sustained interactions are primarily governed by the protein:lipid molar ratio rather than the formation of new, specific lipid-protein interactions. These findings advance our understanding of the biophysical principles underlying OhyA’s role in bacterial membrane function and virulence.
Artificial molecular motors in biological applications
Authors: Fan Fuli , Liu Songshen , Yan Yuting , Zhang Peng , Che Kui
Published: January 2025

Molecular motors are the cornerstone for the maintenance of living systems and mediate almost all fundamental processes involved in cellular trafficking. The intricate mechanisms underlying natural molecular motors have been elucidated in detail, inspiring researchers in various fields to construct artificial systems with multi-domain applications. This review summarises the characteristics of molecular motors, biomimetic approaches for their design and operation, and recent biological applications.
Decreased prefrontal activation during verbal fluency task after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for depression in Alzheimer’s disease: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Zhao Yuanzhi , Qiu Conglong , Lin Ping , Yang Mei , Huang Ling , Zhao Zheng , Wu Xiangping , Zhou Dongsheng
Published: January 2025

Background

Studies have shown the clinical effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on depression in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The measurement of brain activation links neurobiological and functional aspects but is challenging in patients with dementia. This study investigated the influence of rTMS on cortical activation in patients with AD and depressive symptoms, measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during a verbal fluency task.

Methods

In this randomized, double-blind study, patients with AD and depression received either active rTMS (n = 17) or sham-rTMS (n = 16). Patients received 4 weeks of bilateral standard rTMS (1 Hz rTMS delivered to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and 10-Hz rTMS delivered to the left DLPFC).

Results

No significant changes were found in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI); however, significant changes were found for the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) and the depression score of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-depression; p < 0.05). The results showed a decrease in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin, as measured with fNIRS, from baseline to week 4 in CH41 (in right DLPFC; p = 0.0047, FDR-corrected). There was a negative correlation between the improvement in HAMD-17 severity in these patients and reduced oxygenated hemodynamic response of CH41 (r = − 0.504, p = 0.039).

Conclusion

The results indicated a positive effect of rTMS on depression in patients with AD. The underlying cortical changes were imaged using fNIRS. Prefrontal activation measured by fNIRS is a potential biomarker for monitoring the response of patients with depression in AD to rTMS treatment.
An exploration of distinguishing subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment based on resting-state prefrontal functional connectivity assessed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Pu Zhengping , Huang Hongna , Li Man , Li Hongyan , Shen Xiaoyan , Wu Qingfeng , Ni Qin , Lin Yong , Cui Donghong
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has shown feasibility in evaluating cognitive function and brain functional connectivity (FC). Therefore, this fNIRS study aimed to develop a screening method for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) based on resting-state prefrontal FC and neuropsychological tests via machine learning.

Methods

Functional connectivity data measured by fNIRS were collected from 55 normal controls (NCs), 80 SCD individuals, and 111 MCI individuals. Differences in FC were analyzed among the groups. FC strength and neuropsychological test scores were extracted as features to build classification and predictive models through machine learning. Model performance was assessed based on accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, and area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence interval (CI) values.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed a trend toward compensatory enhanced prefrontal FC in SCD and MCI individuals. The models showed a satisfactory ability to differentiate among the three groups, especially those employing linear discriminant analysis, logistic regression, and support vector machine. Accuracies of 94.9% for MCI vs. NC, 79.4% for MCI vs. SCD, and 77.0% for SCD vs. NC were achieved, and the highest AUC values were 97.5% (95% CI: 95.0%–100.0%) for MCI vs. NC, 83.7% (95% CI: 77.5%–89.8%) for MCI vs. SCD, and 80.6% (95% CI: 72.7%–88.4%) for SCD vs. NC.

Conclusion

The developed screening method based on resting-state prefrontal FC measured by fNIRS and machine learning may help predict early-stage cognitive impairment.
Hodological patterning as an organizing principle in vertebrate motor circuitry
Authors: Glover Joel C.
Published: January 2025

Hodological patterning refers to developmental mechanisms that link the location of neurons in the brain or spinal cord to specific axonal trajectories that direct connectivity to synaptic targets either within the central nervous system or in the periphery. In vertebrate motor circuits, hodological patterning has been demonstrated at different levels, from the final motor output of somatic and preganglionic autonomic neurons targeting peripheral motoneurons and ganglion cells, to premotor inputs from spinal and brainstem neuron populations targeting the somatic motoneurons and preganglionic autonomic neurons, to cortical neurons that delegate movement commands to the brainstem and spinal neurons. In many cases molecular profiling reveals potential underlying mechanisms whereby selective gene expression creates the link between location and axon trajectory. At the cortical level, somatotopic organization suggests a potential underlying hodological patterning, but this has not been proven. This review describes examples of hodological patterning in motor circuits and covers current knowledge about how this patterning arises.
Memory consolidation from a reinforcement learning perspective
Authors: Lee Jong Won , Jung Min Whan
Published: January 2025

Memory consolidation refers to the process of converting temporary memories into long-lasting ones. It is widely accepted that new experiences are initially stored in the hippocampus as rapid associative memories, which then undergo a consolidation process to establish more permanent traces in other regions of the brain. Over the past two decades, studies in humans and animals have demonstrated that the hippocampus is crucial not only for memory but also for imagination and future planning, with the CA3 region playing a pivotal role in generating novel activity patterns. Additionally, a growing body of evidence indicates the involvement of the hippocampus, especially the CA1 region, in valuation processes. Based on these findings, we propose that the CA3 region of the hippocampus generates diverse activity patterns, while the CA1 region evaluates and reinforces those patterns most likely to maximize rewards. This framework closely parallels Dyna, a reinforcement learning algorithm introduced by Sutton in 1991. In Dyna, an agent performs offline simulations to supplement trial-and-error value learning, greatly accelerating the learning process. We suggest that memory consolidation might be viewed as a process of deriving optimal strategies based on simulations derived from limited experiences, rather than merely strengthening incidental memories. From this perspective, memory consolidation functions as a form of offline reinforcement learning, aimed at enhancing adaptive decision-making.
Spinal muscular atrophy type 1 in the Caribbean: the first case report from the Dominican Republic
Authors: Martín-Sanz María Belén , Lucas-Muñoz Delvis , Colomé-Hidalgo Manuel
Published: January 2025

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive genetic neuromuscular condition affecting spinal motor neurons. The underlying cause of SMA is deletions or mutations in the SMN gene. It is classified into five variants based on age and clinical manifestations of the patient. In this report, we present the case discovery of a four-month-old male patient with SMA type 1, presenting with generalized hypotonia and regression of acquired neurodevelopmental milestones. Our study aims to illustrate, through a case report, the clinical analysis, therapeutic interventions, and progression until the patient’s demise. This aims to share the challenges in managing such patients and the strategies employed in their care plan. By documenting this case, our goal is to contribute to the understanding of SMA type 1 and emphasize the ongoing need for learning effective care strategies.
ID3RSNet: cross-subject driver drowsiness detection from raw single-channel EEG with an interpretable residual shrinkage network
Authors: Feng Xiao , Guo Zhongyuan , Kwong Sam
Published: January 2025

Accurate monitoring of drowsy driving through electroencephalography (EEG) can effectively reduce traffic accidents. Developing a calibration-free drowsiness detection system with single-channel EEG alone is very challenging due to the non-stationarity of EEG signals, the heterogeneity among different individuals, and the relatively parsimonious compared to multi-channel EEG. Although deep learning-based approaches can effectively decode EEG signals, most deep learning models lack interpretability due to their black-box nature. To address these issues, we propose a novel interpretable residual shrinkage network, namely, ID3RSNet, for cross-subject driver drowsiness detection using single-channel EEG signals. First, a base feature extractor is employed to extract the essential features of EEG frequencies; to enhance the discriminative feature learning ability, the residual shrinkage building unit with attention mechanism is adopted to perform adaptive feature recalibration and soft threshold denoising inside the residual network is further applied to achieve automatic feature extraction. In addition, a fully connected layer with weight freezing is utilized to effectively suppress the negative influence of neurons on the model classification. With the global average pooling (GAP) layer incorporated in the residual shrinkage network structure, we introduce an EEG-based Class Activation Map (ECAM) interpretable method to enable visualization analysis of sample-wise learned patterns to effectively explain the model decision. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves the superior classification performance and has found neurophysiologically reliable evidence of classification.
Harnessing the potential of human induced pluripotent stem cells, functional assays and machine learning for neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Yang Ziqin , Teaney Nicole A. , Buttermore Elizabeth D. , Sahin Mustafa , Afshar-Saber Wardiya
Published: January 2025

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) affect 4.7% of the global population and are associated with delays in brain development and a spectrum of impairments that can lead to lifelong disability and even mortality. Identification of biomarkers for accurate diagnosis and medications for effective treatment are lacking, in part due to the historical use of preclinical model systems that do not translate well to the clinic for neurological disorders, such as rodents and heterologous cell lines. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising in vitro system for modeling NDDs, providing opportunities to understand mechanisms driving NDDs in human neurons. Functional assays, including patch clamping, multielectrode array, and imaging-based assays, are popular tools employed with hiPSC disease models for disease investigation. Recent progress in machine learning (ML) algorithms also presents unprecedented opportunities to advance the NDD research process. In this review, we compare two-dimensional and three-dimensional hiPSC formats for disease modeling, discuss the applications of functional assays, and offer insights on incorporating ML into hiPSC-based NDD research and drug screening.