bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Race, Ethnicity, and Payor status Impact the Surgical Approach and Postoperative Outcomes of Lung Cancer Amongst Patients within The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database
Authors: Watkins Ammara A. , Parsons Niharika , Shehata Dena G. , Vigna Carolina , Lagisetty Kiran , Bonner Sidra , Lopez Edilin , Wilder Fatima G. , Stock Cameron T. , Moffatt-Bruce Susan , David Elizabeth A. , Mitchell John D. , Habib Robert H. , Servais Elliot L.
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To evaluate demographics and quality metrics across racial and ethnic groups amongst patients undergoing lung resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) within the Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database (STS GTSD).

Summary Background:

Studies evaluating disparities amongst patients undergoing lung resection for NSCLC are limited.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort analysis of the STS GTSD was performed between 2015-2022. Multivariable logistic regression was performed for operation (wedge versus anatomic resection), operative approach (open versus minimally invasive), 30-day major morbidity, and combined 30-day morbidity/mortality. Non-Hispanic White patients were the reference group.

Results:

103,407 patients underwent resection between 2015-2022. Patients identified as White (88,153; 85.6%), Black (8,924; 8.6%), Asian/PI (4,028; 3.90%), American Indian (274; 0.26%), and Other race (2,028; 1.96%). Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to receive a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) (aOR 0.92 [0.86–0.98], 0.72 [0.70–0.75], respectively). Patients with Medicare (aOR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08–1.36) or dual Medicare-Medicaid coverage (aOR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.14–1.44) had higher odds of postoperative morbidity, as well as combined morbidity/mortality (Medicare: aOR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08–1.35; dual coverage: aOR 1.27, 95% CI: 1.13–1.42), compared to those with commercial insurance. These payor types were most prevalent among Black and Hispanic patients.

Conclusions:

Surgical volumes for racial and ethnic minorities with operable NSCLC remain disproportionately low. Black and Hispanic patients experience disparities in key quality metrics, including lower likelihood of receiving MIS. Payor status was strongly associated with postoperative complications. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions.
New Tumor Classification Using Invasion Depth in Biliary Tract Cancer Around the Cystic Duct Junction
Authors: Ushida Yuta , Watanabe Nobuyuki , Kawakatsu Shoji , Yamamoto Ryusei , Mizuno Takashi , Onoe Shunsuke , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Kokuryo Toshio , Igami Tsuyoshi , Yamaguchi Junpei , Sunagawa Masaki , Baba Taisuke , Shimoyama Yoshie , Ebata Tomoki
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To propose a shared T classification system for biliary cancers located around the cystic duct junction.

Summary Background Data:

These cancers include perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PCC), distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC), and cystic duct carcinoma (CDC), which are staged according to discrete tumor classification.

Methods:

From 2011 to 2019, patients with biliary cancers that clinically invaded the junction (junctional cholangiocarcinoma [JCC] ) were classified as having PCC, DCC, CDC, or unclassifiable tumor (UT) based on topologic predominance. The prognostic stratifying ability of the specific American Joint Committee on Cancer T system and depth-based classification were compared between patients with JCC and UT.

Results:

Among 191 patients with JCC, 63, 20, and 20 had PCC, DCC, and CDC, respectively; the remaining 88 (46%) had UT. The DCC group showed a better survival rate of 70% at 5 years than the other groups (48% for UT, 36% for PCC, and 29% for CDC). Specific tumor classifications of PCC, DCC, and CDC significantly stratified survival in 88 patients with UT, with c-indices of 0.611, 0.613, and 0.563, respectively. Stratified by depth-based classification (T1, ≤1 mm; T2, >1-5; T3, 6-10; and T4, >10 mm), the 5-year survival rates were 83%, 67%, 44%, and 0% in the UT cohort (P<0.001, C-index, 0.654) and 88%, 60%, 41%, and 24% in the entire JCC cohort (P<0.001, C-index, 0.632), respectively.

Conclusions:

The depth-based T classification significantly stratified survival in the clinical category of JCC and histologically defined UT. Cholangiocarcinoma and CDC in this region can be grouped under the banner of the JCC.
Gauging and controlling excitability in cortical disorders
Authors: Friedrichs-Maeder Cecilia , Lepeu Grégory , Baud Maxime O.
Published: February 2025

Purpose of review

Cortical excitability, defined as the cortex's responsiveness to incoming stimuli, is a fundamental concept in neuroscience and a targetable mechanism for controlling brain dysfunctions such as epilepsy, as well as other neurological and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we delineate the boundaries between physiological and pathological excitability, highlighting recent theoretical, experimental, and translational advances relevant to human brain disorders. Specifically, we describe the dynamic regulation of cortical excitability and propose practical means to monitor its known fluctuations as to guide therapeutic interventions.

Recent findings

From a conceptual standpoint, the last decade of research on cortical excitability has benefited from dynamical systems theory, which studies the behavior of nonlinear systems (here, the cortex) and their resilience to perturbations in different conditions (here, variable excitability). We review how fundamental relationships between excitability and resilience were verified in the brain in a series of recent studies. We also review natural fluctuations in cortical excitability, and how these may open windows of vulnerability for the expression of cortical dysfunctions. We then turn to the practicalities of measuring and monitoring cortical excitability, a latent variable that must be actively probed.

Practical means for gauging cortical excitability likely have broad applicability. To enable new developments in clinical practice, a principled design of pharmacological and neurostimulation therapies must leverage current understanding of cortical dynamics.
The ratio between SARS-CoV-2 RNA viral load and culturable viral titre differs depending on the stage of infection: a case study of household transmission in an adult male
Authors: Porter Michael K. , Viloria Winnett Alexander , Hao Linhui , Shelby Natasha , Reyes Jessica A. , Schlenker Noah W. , Romano Anne E. , Tognazzini Colton , Feaster Matthew , Goh Ying-Ying , Gale Jr Michael , Ismagilov Rustem F.
Published: February 2025

Effective public health measures for communicable diseases rely on the ability to identify infectious individuals and prevent transmission from those individuals. For severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the presence of replication-competent virus in specimens from an individual is the gold standard for confirming infectiousness. However, viral culture from clinical specimens is difficult and infrequently performed. Instead, infectiousness may be inferred based on the abundance of viral RNA (or viral load) in a specimen, which is more easily assessed. For this reason, understanding the relationship between RNA viral load and infectious viral titre has important implications for public health strategy. In this case report, we quantified incident, longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 viral loads collected from saliva and nasal-swab specimens, and viral titre from nasal-swab specimens. We observed that the relationship between viral load and viral titre decreases by over five orders of magnitude throughout the course of the infection. Our work demonstrates the potential for infectious virus even in specimens with low viral loads collected during the early phases of infection.
Specific Effects of Integrase Inhibitors on Gut Microbiota in Men Who Have Sex with Men with and without HIV
Authors: Cancio-Suárez Marta Rosas , Díaz-Álvarez Jorge , Díaz-García Claudio , Nieto Salas Luis Miguel , Sánchez-Conde Matilde , Moreno Elena , García-Ruiz de Morales Alejandro G. , Marín-Pedraza Laura , Crespillo-Andújar Clara , Fons-Contreras María , Ron Raquel , del Amo-de Palacio Ana , González-Sanz Marta , Moreno Santiago , Serrano-Villar Sergio
Published: February 2025

Background

HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) influence gut microbiota, affecting inflammation, immune function, and systemic health. However, isolating the effects of integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based ART on gut microbiota is complicated by confounding factors, including HIV status, immunosuppression, and sexual behavior.

Methods

This study examined three cohorts of men who have sex with men (MSM): 1) HIV-negative individuals using post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) (n=22), 2) PWH with <350 CD4 cells/μL before and after ART (n=21 and n=13, respectively), 3) PWH on long-term INSTI-based ART with >500 CD4 cells/μL (n=17). Fecal microbiota was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing, with functional profiling using PICRUSt2. To compare differences in bacterial abundance and functions, we used ANCOM-BC2.

Results

PWH showed significantly lower alpha diversity than HIV-negative participants, especially those with marked immunosuppression. Short-term ART in PEP users showed no significant impact microbiota, while beta diversity clustered by HIV status rather than ART exposure. Pro-inflammatory taxa, such asPrevotellaceae,were enriched in PWH, reflecting interactions between HIV and MSM status. Functional profiling indicated elevated genes linked to antibiotic resistance, metabolism, and stress in PWH. While INSTI-based ART caused minor functional changes, it increased beneficial genera likeBarnesiella.

Conclusions

While HIV significantly disrupts gut microbiota, INSTI-based ART preserves microbial diversity and community structure. Complementary microbiota-targeted interventions could enhance health outcomes for PWH.
Estimating heart rate variability using facial video photoplethysmography: a pilot validation study
Authors: Pstras Leszek , Okupnik Tymoteusz , Ponikowska Beata , Paleczny Bartlomiej
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Video photoplethysmography (vPPG) employs a digital camera to detect blood pulsations in the skin vasculature, which can be used to estimate various physiological parameters. In this study, we investigate the accuracy and precision of two heart rate variability (HRV) indices estimated using a smartphone camera and the facial vPPG technology Shen.AI Vitals.

Methods

The study group included 35 healthy volunteers (17 females) with median age 25 years (range 20–42 years). The subjects were in a sitting position, keeping their heads relatively still. A smartphone mounted on a tripod was used to acquire 1-min video recordings of participants’ faces. In parallel, a 1-lead chest electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded to obtain reference values of two analysed time-domain HRV indices: SDNN and lnRMSSD.

Results

For SDNN, the mean absolute error (MAE) was 3.5 ms (11.0% in relative terms) and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) was 4.5 ms (15.7%). For lnRMSSD, the MAE was 0.24 (7.3%) and RMSE was 0.31 (9.9%). Correlations between the vPPG-based and ECG-based HRV values were strong, with the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.98 for SDNN and 0.88 for lnRMSSD (P < 0.001 in both cases).

Conclusions

In a young, white population, the tested vPPG technology estimated HRV indices (SDNN and lnRMSSD) with acceptable accuracy in most subjects, with a slight systematic overestimation, especially for low values. The results should be confirmed in a larger study with greater diversity in age and skin tone.
Pyrimethamine and a potent analogue WCDD115 inhibit NRF2 by suppressing DHFR and one-carbon metabolism
Authors: Chembo Julius , Bowman Brittany M. , Lapak Kyle , Wilkerson Emily , Paiboonrungruang Chorlada , Cho Kevin , Medcalf Matthew R. , Patti Gary J. , Dolle Roland E. , Chen Xiaoxin , Zolkind Paul , Major Michael B.
Published: February 2025

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2/NRF2) is a critical mediator of the cellular oxidative stress response. Aberrant activation of NRF2 is common in lung and upper aerodigestive cancers, where it promotes tumor initiation and progression and confers resistance to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. As such, NRF2 therapeutic inhibitors are actively being sought. We previously reported that the antiparasitic drug Pyrimethamine (PYR) inhibits NRF2 in cell lines and in a NRF2-inducible genetically engineered mouse model. Here we design, synthesize, and define structure-activity relationships across a series of 25 PYR-based derivatives to reveal WCDD115 as a 22-fold more potent inhibitor of NRF2 (57nM versus 1.2µM). PYR is known to inhibit plasmodial and human dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). We found that WCDD115 inhibits hDHFR with 31-fold greater potency than PYR (144nM versus 4.49µM). Metabolomics showed strong similarities between PYR, WCDD115 and methotrexate. Genetic, pharmacological and metabolic epistasis studies reveal that DHFR inactivation is required for NRF2 suppression by WCDD115 and PYR. Global and targeted proteomics revealed overlapping profiles for WCDD115, PYR and methotrexate, including suppression of NRF2 oxidative stress response and activation of TP53 and the DNA damage response. Therefore, PYR and a novel potent derivative WCDD115 are effective, indirect inhibitors of NRF2 and its antioxidant functions. These data underscore the importance of one- carbon metabolism for the NRF2 signaling pathway and support a new therapeutic strategy to suppress NRF2-driven cancer biology.
Sleep duration and efficiency moderate the effects of prenatal and childhood ambient pollutant exposure on global white matter microstructural integrity in adolescence
Authors: Cotter Devyn L. , Kiss Orsolya , Ahmadi Hedyeh , de Jesus Alethea , Schwartz Joel , Baker Fiona C. , Hackman Daniel A. , Herting Megan M.
Published: February 2025

Background

Air pollution is a ubiquitous neurotoxicant associated with alterations in structural connectivity. Good habitual sleep may be an important protective lifestyle factor due to its involvement in the brain waste clearance and its bidirectional relationship with immune function. Wearable multisensory devices may provide more objective measures of sleep quantity and quality. We investigated whether sleep duration and efficiency moderated the relationship between prenatal and childhood pollutant exposure and whole-brain white matter microstructural integrity at ages 10-13 years.

Methods

We used multi-shell diffusion-weighted imaging data collected on 3T MRI scanners and objective sleep data collected with Fitbit Charge 2 from the 2-year follow-up visit for 2178 subjects in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study®. White matter tracts were identified using a probabilistic atlas. Restriction spectrum imaging was performed to extract restricted normalized isotropic (RNI) and directional (RND) signal fraction parameters for all white matter tracts, then averaged to calculate global measures. Sleep duration was calculated by summing the time spent in each sleep stage; sleep efficiency was calculated by dividing sleep duration by time spent in bed. Using an ensemble-based modeling approach, air pollution concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and O3were assigned to each child’s residential addresses during the prenatal period (9-month average before birthdate) as well as at ages 9- 10 years. Multi-pollutant linear mixed effects models assessed the associations between global RNI and RND and sleep-by-pollutant interactions, adjusting for appropriate covariates.

Results

Sleep duration interacted with childhood NO2exposure and sleep efficiency interacted with prenatal O3exposure to affect RND at ages 10-13 years. Longer sleep duration and higher sleep efficiency in the context of higher pollutant exposure was associated with lower RND compared to those with similar pollutant exposure but shorter sleep duration and lower sleep efficiency.

Conclusions

Low-level air pollution poses a risk to brain health in youth, and healthy sleep duration and efficiency may increase resilience to its harmful effects on white matter microstructural integrity. Future studies should evaluate the generalizability of these results in more diverse cohorts as well as utilize longitudinal data to understand how sleep may impact brain health trajectories in the context of pollution over time.
L-DOPA induces spatially discrete changes in gene expression in the forebrain of mice with a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Radlicka-Borysewska Anna , Ziemiańska Magdalena , Zięba Mateusz , Szumiec Łukasz , Bagińska Monika , Chrószcz Magdalena , Gołda Sławomir , Hajto Jacek , Korostyński Michał , Kreiner Grzegorz , Pera Joanna , Piechota Marcin , Parkitna Jan Rodriguez
Published: February 2025

L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is effective at alleviating motor impairments in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients but has mixed effects on nonmotor symptoms and causes adverse effects after prolonged treatment. Here, we analyzed the spatial profile of L-DOPA-induced gene expression in the forebrain of mice with an inducible progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons (the TIF-IADATCreERT2strain), with a focus on the similarities and differences in areas relevant to different PD symptoms. The animals received a 14-day L-DOPA treatment, and 1 h after the final drug injection, a spatial transcriptome analysis was performed on coronal forebrain sections. A total of 121 genes were identified as being regulated by L-DOPA. We found that the treatment had widespread effects extending beyond the primary areas involved in dopamine-dependent movement control. An unsupervised clustering analysis of the transcripts recapitulated the forebrain anatomy and indicated both ubiquitous and region-specific effects on transcription. The changes were most pronounced in layers 2/3 and 5 of the dorsal cortex and the dorsal striatum, where a robust increase in the abundance of activity-regulated transcripts, includingFos,Egr1, andJunb, was observed. Conversely, transcripts with a decreased abundance, e.g.,Plekhm2orPgs1, were identified primarily in the piriform cortex, the adjacent endopiriform nucleus, and the claustrum. Taken together, our spatial analysis of L-DOPA-induced alterations in gene expression reveals the anatomical complexity of treatment effects, identifying novel genes affected by the drug, as well as molecular activation in brain areas relevant to the nonmotor symptoms of PD.
A viral transduction approach for iPSC differentiation into cortisol-producing steroidogenic cells
Authors: Lee-Glover Laurie P. , Shutt Timothy E.
Published: February 2025

Steroid hormones are important signaling molecules that are primarily produced by specialized cells. The ability to culture steroidogenic cells is critical to study this important process. While a few steroidogenic cell lines are available for study, they are typically derived from cancer patients and do not reflect genetic alterations in steroidogenic genes that cause human disease. In this regard, iPSCs are a powerful tool for modeling human disease, as patient-derived iPSCs can be differentiated into a variety of different cell types. While other approaches exist to differentiate iPSCs into steroidogenic cells, they are typically complex and time consuming. In contrast, a simple approach based on lentivirus transduction of SF1, the master regulator of steroidogenesis, can differentiate multiple types of cultured cells into a steroidogenic state. However, we show here that this approach does not work for iPSCs. To circumvent this limitation, we report a simple adaptation that first differentiates iPSCs to embryoid bodies prior of SF1 transduction. With this modified approach, we provide a straightforward cost-effective approach to differentiate iPSCs into actively steroidogenic cells.
Local adaptation of the mosquito vector,Aedes aegypti,and implications for predicting the effects of temperature and climate change on dengue transmission
Authors: Dennington Nina L. , Grossman Marissa K. , Teeple Janet L. , Johnson Leah R. , Shocket Marta S. , McGraw Elizabeth A. , Thomas Matthew B.
Published: February 2025

There is concern that increases in temperature due to climate change could lead to shifts in the dynamics and distribution of mosquito vectors. Many current models assume there are ’average’ thermal performance curves for a given vector species transmission. However, this ‘one-size-fits-all’ assumption ignores the potential for local adaptation to create population-specific differences in thermal performance. In this study, we explored thermal performance of five independent field populations ofAe. aegyptifrom Mexico, together with a standard laboratory strain. We reared these six populations at temperatures between 13°C-37°C to generate thermal performance curves for a suite of life-history traits. Composite models integrating these traits revealed the effects of temperature on population growth rates and dengue virus transmission potential. The results provide strong evidence for the potential for local adaptation inAe. aegyptipopulations, challenging applicability of ‘one-size-fits-all’ thermal performance models to assess climate impact on mosquito-borne diseases.
Maximum entropy networks show that plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal associations are anti-nested and modular
Authors: Ajaz Sobia , Amin Nida , López-García Álvaro , Birt Henry , Pajares-Murgó Mariona , Lanfranco Luisa , Garrido José L. , Alcántara Julio M. , Rillig Matthias C. , Johnson David , Caruso Tancredi
Published: February 2025

Many applications of network theory to plant-mycorrhizal associations have used a bipartite description, in which one set of nodes is the plants, and the other set is the fungi. Most applications have relied on null models from algorithms that randomly rewire the observed connections to test for non-random patterns in the network. We used existing plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal datasets to apply a new, well validated generation of network models relaxing the very limiting assumptions of traditional null models. We focused on nestedness and modularity, which have been related to the functioning and stability of communities. Given the existent literature, we expected nestedness and modularity to be prevalent. We modelled plant-AM fungal associations using maximum entropy networks with a degree sequence, soft constraint to generate null distributions for nestedness and modularity. Most plant-AM fungal associations were anti-nested and modular. This pattern was consistent across habitat types and multiple spatial scales. Anti-nestedness can easily emerge from modularity when network patterns are determined by the identity of the plant and AM fungal nodes. Future studies will have to test how the observed patterns determine the ability of the associations to adapt to environmental changes.
Discovery of a Novel Double-Stranded DNA Virus Reveals its Long-term Co-evolution with Ants
Authors: Jiang Shengqiang , Zhang Liangliang , Guo Xingyu , Li Jianchao , Hu Jing , He Hong , Chen Hongying
Published: February 2025

Large double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses have been shown to have a wide host range in insects. However, their infection in ants has not yet been described. In this study, a novel filamentous virus, Camponotus japonicus labial gland disease virus (CjLGDV), was identified in the enlarged labial gland ofCamponotus japonicus. By transmission electron microscopy, the nucleus of infected labial gland cell was shown to be full of non-enveloped nucleocapsids, and enveloped virus particles were observed in the cytoplasm. Genome sequencing analysis shows that CjLGDV possesses a circular dsDNA genome of 142 kb. By sequence alignment, a CjLGDV-like viral genome was found inAnoplolepis gracilipes, and conservation of gene synteny was observed between CjLGDV and the CjLGDV-like virus. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that CjLGDV and CjLGDV-like virus represent two members of a novel virus family, distantly related to unclassified Apis mellifera filamentous virus and Apis mellifera filamentous-like virus. These viruses have common genomic characteristics and key conserved genes with the viral members in the orderLefavirales, classNaldaviricetes. By mining public databases, CjLGDV-related endogenous viral elements (EVEs) were detected in the genome of multiple ant species, and phylogenetic analysis indicated a long-term coevolutionary relationship between the EVEs and its host. These findings expand the known lineage of nuclear arthropod large DNA viruses (NALDVs), broaden our understanding of their host range, and reveal a long and frequent interaction history between CjLGDV and its ant hosts.
Supramolecular assembly of collagen mimetic peptide D-periodic fibrils and nanoassemblies
Authors: Cole Carson C. , Kreutzberger Mark A. B. , Klein Kevin , Cahue Kiana , Pogostin Brett H. , Farsheed Adam C. , Swain Joseph W.R. , Bui Thi H. , Dey Arghadip , Makhoul Jonathan , Dubackic Marija , Pal Antara , Olsson Ulf , Šarić Anđela , Egelman Edward H. , Hartgerink Jeffrey D.
Published: February 2025

The collagen triple helix assembles hierarchically into bundled oligomers, solvated networks and fibers. Synthetic peptide assemblies, driven by supramolecular interactions, can form single triple helices through intrahelical amino acid pairs, but the principles guiding interhelical associations into higher-order structures remain unclear. Here, we incorporate cation-πand electrostatic charge pairs to probe interhelical interactions and elucidate the mechanisms driving triple helix assembly into fibrils, nanotubes, and nanosheets. Introducing cation-πpairs into a fibrillating collagen mimetic resulted in D-periodic fibrils with pH-sensitive gelation. Modifying the presentation of interhelical interactions also enabled the characterization of another D-periodic fibril resembling cartilage collagens, featuring inner and outer triple helix layers. Enhancing electrostatic charge pairs promoted antiparallel assembly, leading to the formation of nanotubes and nanosheets. The packing behavior of triple helices correlates with the interhelical interactions, where parallel associations favor fibril formation, and antiparallel interactions drive nanotube and nanosheet assembly.
Ecology and sexual conflict drive the macroevolutionary dynamics of female-limited colour polymorphisms
Authors: Willink Beatriz , Ho Tammy Ai Tian , Svensson Erik I
Published: February 2025

Sexual conflict over mating has been documented in many species, both in the field and in experimental studies. In pond damselflies (family Coenagrionidae), sexual conflict maintains heritable female colour polymorphisms, with one female morph typically being a male mimic. However, it is not known whether sexual conflict can also explain the evolutionary origin of female-limited colour morphs, and if so, what ecological factors play a role in this macroevolutionary transition, by modulating the strength of the conflict. Furthermore, the effects of sexual conflict on phylogenetic diversification remain controversial, in particular, whether sexual conflict elevates speciation rates, extinction rates, or both. Here, we use phylogenetic comparative methods to show that female colour polymorphisms are more likely to evolve when population densities at breeding sites are high, and that these demographic conditions are more common at high latitudes and in open landscapes. We show that female-limited polymorphisms typically evolve from sexually dimorphic ancestors through the addition of a male-like female morph, consistent with the hypothesis of selection for male mimicry. Female colour polymorphisms increase both speciation and extinction rates, leading to higher evolutionary turnover of polymorphic lineages. We conclude that female colour polymorphisms evolve in a predictable fashion, and are likely driven by ecological conditions that increase the rate of pre-mating interactions and thus the intensity of sexual conflict. The effects of female colour polymorphisms on extinction differ from previous intraspecific studies and indicate contrasting long-term effects of sexual conflict at micro- and macroevolutionary scales.
Creating a novel digital intervention to bridge the organizational and personal health literacy gap by teaching the way patients learn: a process and application study
Authors: Joachim-Célestin Maud , Matangi Nishita , Rivas Lizbeth , Thiruvengadam Nikhil R. , Montgomery Susanne B.
Published: February 2025

Low literacy is on the rise in the USA and is one of the independent predictors of poor health outcomes. While much written health information is now adapted to lower reading levels, more needs to be done to address the gap between material content and target consumers’ comprehension ability which often is more complex than simple reading level adjustments. This paper describes the process of developing a culturally, context and literacy-aligned intervention that promotes and supports preventive lifestyle behaviors among low-income Latino women (Latinas).

Focus group discussions and key-informant interviews were conducted to identify needs, barriers and beliefs of low-income Latinas regarding obesity, healthy eating and physical activity. A simple literacy-aligned, culturally-appropriate and socio-economically acceptable (LACASA) framework and intervention were then created through an academic-community partnership: medical professionals and students, community health workers and researchers.

The curriculum – which included minimal and easy-to-read written material and power point presentations - was piloted and revised before being launched. The resulting lifestyle curriculum for high-risk low-income Latinas was well-received and was a good fit for the priority population.

Creating a program using the LACASA approach requires an interdisciplinary team to invest time working with key members of the priority population and a commitment to adjusting materials to the group’s literacy level and its cultural and economic realities. Programs created to serve low-income individuals with limited literacy cannot rely on pre-created curricula. Instead, these must be re-evaluated and adjusted to address both content core principles and specific contexts of the priority population.
MyoFuse: A fully AI-based workflow for automated quantification of skeletal muscle cell fusionin vitro
Authors: Lair Benjamin , Cazorla Clément , Lobeto Alicia , Labour Axel , Laurens Claire , Rustan Arild C. , Weiss Pierre , Flores-Flores Remy , Moro Cedric
Published: February 2025

Background

The myogenic fusion index (FI) is commonly used in skeletal muscle cell culture to assess the ability of myoblasts to form myotubes, as the ratio of myoblast nuclei fused with myotubes over the total number of myoblasts. The manual quantification of the FI from 2D microscopy images is tedious and biased, thus several automated methods have been developed. However, they still face challenges such as efficient nucleus segmentation and classification of fused and isolated myoblast nuclei. Here, we developed a novel workflow entirely based on AI for fully automated and unbiased quantification of the FI.

Results

Using current methods, we show that myoblast nuclei located above or below myotubes can significantly corrupt accurate FI computation. To circumvent this issue, we developed MyoFuse which enables an accurate and high-throughput segmentation and classification of myonuclei. It comprises a nuclei segmentation step using Cellpose, followed by a classification network trained with Svetlana. MyoFuse demonstrated strong accuracy when tested against manual annotation in mouse C2C12 and human primary myotubes. The trained classifier is able to differentiate myotube nuclei from myoblast nuclei based on myotube cytoplasm staining only. Experimental comparisons also highlighted that the previously developed methods lead to a significant overestimation of the FI.

Conclusion

In summary, we underscore the lack of accuracy of traditional methods for automated FI quantification. MyoFuse enables a direct and accurate segmentation of nuclei even in nuclei clusters frequently observed in myotubes. This workflow thus offers a new and more reliable method to evaluate the FI. It also limits the selection bias by processing large images.
Improved torque feedforward compensation method considering position tracking error compensation
Authors: Chen Lin , Ling Shan , Chen Tao , Cai Yukang , Pan Haihong
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the suppression of end-point vibrations in industrial robot systems that exhibit joint flexibility and are subject to external disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

The real-time position tracking error is effectively decomposed by using feedforward control based on a dynamic model. Various proportional-derivative controllers and adapted versions are used to compute real-time compensation torque for different position tracking errors. This approach aims to simultaneously achieve rapid response and stability in the control system, resulting in reduced end vibration in the industrial robot.

Findings

Experiments were conducted in torque compensation on a 6R industrial robot platform. Compared to the dynamic model calculate torque feedforward compensation method, the maximum reduction of the root mean square of the position error of each joint reached 77% and the minimum reduction was 36.2%. This enhancement improves the trajectory tracking accuracy and effectively suppresses the end-effector vibration.

Originality/value

An improved torque feedforward compensation method is proposed and verified. According to the experimental results, the method can effectively suppress vibration and further improve the trajectory tracking accuracy.
Determinants of Muslim investors in investing through green sukuk retail: an extended pro-environmental planned behavior approach
Authors: Timur Yan Putra , Ridlwan Ahmad Ajib , Rahim Syazwani Abd , Fikriyah Khusnul , Susilowati Fitriah Dwi , Canggih Clarashinta , Nurafini Fira , Badrul Munir Maryam Bte
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to determine the factors that influence investors’ behavioral intentions in investing in green retail sukuk through the constructs offered by the extended pro-environmental planned behavior (PEPB) theory and adding several other constructs such as perceived benefit (PB), perceived risk (PR) and religious value (RV).

Design/methodology/approach

Non-probability sampling was used to collect data from 460 Muslims living on Java who had invested in green sukuk retail and had a basic understanding of it as an alternative Islamic investment instrument. PLS-SEM was used to test the data with SmartPLS 3.0.

Findings

Perceived authority support (PAS) and perceived environmental concern (PEC) positively and significantly affect attitude (AT), subjective norm (SN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC). This study also shows that SN, PBC, PB, PR and RV boost INT significantly. AT has a positive but insignificant effect.

Research limitations/implications

This study has limitations from the demographic aspect of respondents who only accommodate respondents who are Muslim and live in Java Island.

Practical implications

This research suggests ways to socialize green sukuk investment to the public as potential investors by describing environmental benefits and how retail green sukuk can benefit investors and the environment. Competent parties who understand Islamic finance, and muamalah contracts can socialize beginner voters who do not understand the risks and rewards of green sukuk investments.

Social implications

This research suggests ways to socialize green sukuk investment to the public as potential investors by describing environmental benefits and how retail green sukuk can benefit investors and the environment.

Originality/value

This study introduces environmental-based constructs PAS and PEC, which are infrequently used in research models that measure the intention to invest in green investment instruments like green sukuk. Additional constructions like PB, PR and RV enhance research results.
Headwinds and tailwinds: insights from a research–practice partnership on identifying high-impact growth areas for school improvement
Authors: van Halem Nicolette , Lockton Marie , Trautman David , Liou Yi-Hwa , Daly Alan J.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

A growing body of research suggests that Research–Practice Partnerships (RPPs) are contributing to greater use of research in decision-making around school improvement efforts. The current study is part of an RPP including 11 K-12 schools in an urban fringe school district in California. This RPP aims to develop a deeper understanding of successful change efforts toward learner-centered education and the role of culture and climate. The current case study examines how, over time, this RPP developed into a data-driven dialogue around high-leverage areas for school improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

This mixed-methods study involves survey data and a series of individual principal interviews coupled with an innovative method, Conditional Mean Independent Correlations and growth functions, to support district decision-making.

Findings

This case study demonstrated that an RPP can both reveal and shape the ways in which principals examine the views and ideas that guide their leadership practices.

Research limitations/implications

Implications about weaving thriving ecosystems for learning and flourishing are discussed.

Originality/value

This study explores how an RPP fosters a learning ecosystem that empowers school leaders in setting strategic priorities and making informed leadership decisions, particularly in the complex environment of school improvement. The RPP approach provided the opportunity to discover and address different perspectives between research findings and principals’ ideas on high-leverage areas for improvement. By focusing on research-informed measures of critical elements such as culture and climate, this study contributes to the broader goal of developing equity-centered school improvement strategies through the work of RPP.
Developing a health region in the context of sustainable development – an attempt at conceptualization
Authors: Białk-Wolf Anna , Lubowiecki-Vikuk Adrian , Dryglas Diana , Illing Kai , Jędrzejczyk Tadeusz
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The aim of this article is to conceptually assess the healthiness of regions. A developed health region can become an attractive health tourism destination. Within the framework of the sustainable development paradigm, this article identifies key areas for development in the creation of health regions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this conceptual paper, a traditional narrative review was required. In addition to the scientific literature, the analyses included key reports and strategy documents from public institutions and organizations, the content of which was relevant to the issue addressed.

Findings

A conceptual framework of a health region based on sustainability has been constructed that can support practitioners seeking to develop a health-based region. As a result of a 3-stage conceptualization process, a set of 56 indicators was developed to describe the health characteristics of (1) the environmental sphere, with criteria including air quality, noise levels and natural assets, while taking into account needs for climate crisis resilience adaptation measure; (2) the social sphere concerning infrastructure, which includes elements of space use, transportation accessibility, accessibility for people with special needs, including especially people with disabilities and anthropogenic qualities, and (3) the economic sphere, which is an important element affecting the quality of life.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt to describe a health region in the context of sustainable development. The set of indicators is the result of conceptual work, providing a basis for further description of health regions and serving as an inspiration for regions wishing to prioritize health in their development.
A forensic engineering technique for analysis of an explosion incident
Authors: Tanapornraweekit Ganchai , Abeysinghe Thimira , Tangtermsirikul Somnuk
Published: February 2025

This article investigates the validity of current forensic practices to analyze an explosion event. The purpose of this study is to use forensic engineering techniques with the integrated models for the simulation of blast fragments and blast pressure to determine an explosive weight used in a bombing incident and later predict a lethal radius caused by blast pressure and a lethal zone caused by fragment impact. The real explosion incident at the Erawan shrine in central Bangkok on August 17, 2015, is selected as a case study. By comparing the structural damage at the blast site to the one obtained from finite element (FE) analyses, an estimated bare charge weight of TNT used in the incident can be obtained. It was found that an estimated bare charge of 3 kg TNT equivalent could have been used for the bomb. To confirm the validity of the calculated explosive weight, a combined lethal zone from blast pressure and scattered fragments was analyzed. Human damage due to the blast pressure is analyzed based on Bowen's lethality curves. The lethality zone from expelled fragments is drawn based on a 50% probability of lethality, which considers the hit density and kinetic energy of the fragment. The analyzed lethal zone agrees reasonably well with the actual observed human damage level. The proposed forensic engineering technique offers the potential for enhancing management and policies in homeland security, contributing to a safer community.
A Comparative Evaluation of Radiographic and Computed Tomography Results in Patients With Lower Respiratory Tract Infections With Positive and Negative Sputum Cultures: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Kaya Murat , İncekara Yaşar , Aslan Selda , Kaya Fatıma Merve , Şahin Ahmet
Published: February 2025

Background and aim

There is limited data on the correlation between findings of lower respiratory tract infections detected by chest computed tomography but not by chest radiography and sputum culture results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship among sputum culture results, chest radiographic findings and computed tomography outcomes in patients diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections.

Materials and Methods

Between January 2021 and September 2023, the clinical and radiological findings of patients diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections, both those with and without positive sputum cultures, were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

In the studied cohort, 65.4% (n = 172) of the patients were male and 34.6% (n = 91) were female, with an overall mean age of 67.18 ± 13.77 years. On chest computed tomography, consolidation was observed in 39.53% (n = 34) of patients with positive sputum cultures, compared to 23.72% (n = 42) of patients with negative cultures (p = 0,005). Furthermore, necrotising pneumonia findings were noted in 5.81% (n = 5) of culture‐positive patients and 1.13% (n = 2) of culture‐negative patients (p = 0.034). Infiltrative changes were detected in 81.4% (n = 70) of patients with positive cultures and 66.6% (n = 118) of patients with negative cultures on chest radiography (χ2 = 20,492; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The identification of findings on chest radiography is notably challenging in patients diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections due to the presence of non‐consolidative infiltrates and their respective anatomical locations. Moreover, the probability of detecting radiological findings on chest radiographs is enhanced in patients exhibiting positive sputum cultures.
Ex Vivo Preservation of Porcine Vascularized Composite Soft Tissue Allografts
Authors: Meyers Abigail , Kopparthy Varun Lingaiah , Lammers Jacob , Al‐Malak Mazen , Figueroa Brian , Ku Ying , Mulvihill Lianne , Khalaf Ryan , Reyes Jose , Jo Diane , Fodor R'ay , Sadeghi Payam , Rampazzo Antonio , Bassiri Gharb Bahar
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate ex vivo perfusion (EVP) for vascularized composite tissue preservation. We hypothesized that EVP could maintain allografts in near‐physiologic conditions for ≥ 24 h.

Methods

Twenty superior epigastric artery perforator‐based abdominal flaps were procured from 10 Yorkshire pigs. Flaps were preserved for 12 h (n = 5) or 24 h (n = 5) using EVP with an oxygenated colloid solution containing HBOC‐201 oxygen carrier (HbO2 Therapeutics, Souderton, PA). Contralateral flaps were cold storage controls (4°C) (n = 10). Hemodynamics, temperature, gases, metabolites, electrolytes, indocyanine green (ICG) angiography, and weight were analyzed. Biopsies were taken every 6 h for histology.

Results

Ischemia time was 16 ± 6 min. There were no significant differences between the 12 h EVP and 24 h EVP groups at perfusion end for the following parameters: MAP (p = 0.63), pH (p = 0.77), pO2 (p = 0.20), venous pCO2 (p = 0.22), lactate (p = 0.28), creatine kinase (p = 0.89), or myoglobin (p = 0.95). Electrolytes were also comparable at perfusion termination: sodium (p = 0.31), potassium (p = 0.61), and calcium (p = 0.29).

After 12 h, flaps in the 24 h EVP group demonstrated a significant weight decrease (−4.5% [−4.6%, −4.1%] weight change), compared to the 12 h EVP group (1.2% [−1.1%, 1.6%] weight change) (p = 0.03). At perfusion end, weight did not differ from baseline between the 24 h EVP (2.3% [0%, 3%]) and 12 h EVP groups (p = 0.37). SCS flap weight was unchanged from baseline at 12 h (p = 0.954) and 24 h (p = 0.616). ICG revealed well‐perfused flaps. H&E staining revealed preserved skin architecture without histopathological changes.

Conclusion

EVP preserved flaps for 24 h within physiologic parameters and without development of edema. EVP may extend preservation time for VCAs.
Anxiolytic Activity of Morellic Acid: Modulation of Diazepam's Anxiolytic Effects, Possibly Through GABAergic Interventions
Authors: Bhuia Md. Shimul , Eity Tanzila Akter , Chowdhury Raihan , Ansari Siddique Akber , Bappi Mehedi Hasan , Nayeem Md. Anin , Akter Farjana , Islam Muhammad Torequl
Published: February 2025

Background

Numerous studies suggest that morellic acid (MOR), highly available in Garcinia plants, has different physiological activities, including anti‐cancer, anti‐oxidant, and anti‐microbial activity.

Aim

In this investigation, we aimed to demonstrate the anxiolytic activity, along with the mechanism behind this activity of MOR, using in vivo and in silico studies.

Methods

For this, we used different doses of MOR (5 and 10 mg/kg) and administered this drug intraperitoneally to Swiss albino mice (male and female). Diazepam (DZP), a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, was used as a positive control at a dose of 2 mg/kg (i.p), and vehicle was used as a control group. In this test, various test protocols are used to assess the behavioral patterns of mice, including swing, hole cross, light–dark testing, and open field testing.

Results

This investigation revealed that MOR remarkably reduced the locomotor activity of mice in a dose‐dependent manner and produced calming behaviors like DZP. However, the findings showed that the combination of MOR and DZP synergistically reduced the locomotion of mice compared to the single therapy. On the other hand, from the computational study, the result demonstrated that MOR exhibited the highest binding scores (−9.2 kcal/mol) towards the GABAA receptor α3 subunit and −7.6 kcal/mol towards the GABAA α2 receptor. Whereas, DZP showed −6.6 and −7.3 kcal/mol docking affinity and FLU exerted −6.2 and −6.3 kcal/mol docking scores towards the GABAA receptor α2 and α3 subunits, respectively. The ligand interacted with the receptor by forming different hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds.

Conclusion

However, it is recommended that more precise and comprehensive preclinical investigations be required to demonstrate the exact mechanism behind the anxiolytic effects and conduct clinical trials to determine efficacy and safety.