bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistent enhancement of basolateral amygdala-dorsomedial striatum synapses causes compulsive-like behaviors in mice
Authors: Lee In Bum , Lee Eugene , Han Na-Eun , Slavuj Marko , Hwang Jeong Wook , Lee Ahrim , Sun Taeyoung , Jeong Yehwan , Baik Ja-Hyun , Park Jae-Yong , Choi Se-Young , Kwag Jeehyun , Yoon Bong-June
Published: January 2024

Compulsive behaviors are observed in a range of psychiatric disorders, however the neural substrates underlying the behaviors are not clearly defined. Here we show that the basolateral amygdala-dorsomedial striatum (BLA-DMS) circuit activation leads to the manifestation of compulsive-like behaviors. We revealed that the BLA neurons projecting to the DMS, mainly onto dopamine D1 receptor-expressing neurons, largely overlap with the neuronal population that responds to aversive predator stress, a widely used anxiogenic stressor. Specific optogenetic activation of the BLA-DMS circuit induced a strong anxiety response followed by compulsive grooming. Furthermore, we developed a mouse model for compulsivity displaying a wide spectrum of compulsive-like behaviors by chronically activating the BLA-DMS circuit. In these mice, persistent molecular changes at the BLA-DMS synapses observed were causally related to the compulsive-like phenotypes. Together, our study demonstrates the involvement of the BLA-DMS circuit in the emergence of enduring compulsive-like behaviors via its persistent synaptic changes.
BPG4 regulates chloroplast development and homeostasis by suppressing GLK transcription factors and involving light and brassinosteroid signaling
Authors: Tachibana Ryo , Abe Susumu , Marugami Momo , Yamagami Ayumi , Akema Rino , Ohashi Takao , Nishida Kaisei , Nosaki Shohei , Miyakawa Takuya , Tanokura Masaru , Kim Jong-Myong , Seki Motoaki , Inaba Takehito , Matsui Minami , Ifuku Kentaro , Kushiro Tetsuo , Asami Tadao , Nakano Takeshi
Published: January 2024

Chloroplast development adapts to the environment for performing suitable photosynthesis. Brassinosteroids (BRs), plant steroid hormones, have crucial effects on not only plant growth but also chloroplast development. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of BR signaling in chloroplast development remain unclear. Here, we identify a regulator of chloroplast development, BPG4, involved in light and BR signaling. BPG4 interacts with GOLDEN2-LIKE (GLK) transcription factors that promote the expression of photosynthesis-associated nuclear genes (PhANGs), and suppresses their activities, thereby causing a decrease in the amounts of chlorophylls and the size of light-harvesting complexes. BPG4 expression is induced by BR deficiency and light, and is regulated by the circadian rhythm. BPG4 deficiency causes increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and damage to photosynthetic activity under excessive high-light conditions. Our findings suggest that BPG4 acts as a chloroplast homeostasis factor by fine-tuning the expression of PhANGs, optimizing chloroplast development, and avoiding ROS generation.
Microbially mediated mechanisms underlie soil carbon accrual by conservation agriculture under decade-long warming
Authors: Tian Jing , Dungait Jennifer A. J. , Hou Ruixing , Deng Ye , Hartley Iain P. , Yang Yunfeng , Kuzyakov Yakov , Zhang Fusuo , Cotrufo M. Francesca , Zhou Jizhong
Published: January 2024

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) in croplands by switching from conventional to conservation management may be hampered by stimulated microbial decomposition under warming. Here, we test the interactive effects of agricultural management and warming on SOC persistence and underlying microbial mechanisms in a decade-long controlled experiment on a wheat-maize cropping system. Warming increased SOC content and accelerated fungal community temporal turnover under conservation agriculture (no tillage, chopped crop residue), but not under conventional agriculture (annual tillage, crop residue removed). Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) and growth increased linearly over time, with stronger positive warming effects after 5 years under conservation agriculture. According to structural equation models, these increases arose from greater carbon inputs from the crops, which indirectly controlled microbial CUE via changes in fungal communities. As a result, fungal necromass increased from 28 to 53%, emerging as the strongest predictor of SOC content. Collectively, our results demonstrate how management and climatic factors can interact to alter microbial community composition, physiology and functions and, in turn, SOC formation and accrual in croplands.
Neutrophil activation and clonal CAR-T re-expansion underpinning cytokine release syndrome during ciltacabtagene autoleucel therapy in multiple myeloma
Authors: Yang Shuangshuang , Xu Jie , Dai Yuting , Jin Shiwei , Sun Yan , Li Jianfeng , Liu Chenglin , Ma Xiaolin , Chen Zhu , Chen Lijuan , Hou Jian , Mi Jian-Qing , Chen Sai-Juan
Published: January 2024

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is the most common complication of chimeric antigen receptor redirected T cells (CAR-T) therapy. CAR-T toxicity management has been greatly improved, but CRS remains a prime safety concern. Here we follow serum cytokine levels and circulating immune cell transcriptomes longitudinally in 26 relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients receiving the CAR-T product, ciltacabtagene autoleucel, to understand the immunological kinetics of CRS. We find that although T lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages are the major overall cytokine source in manifest CRS, neutrophil activation peaks earlier, before the onset of severe symptoms. Intracellularly, signaling activation dominated by JAK/STAT pathway occurred prior to cytokine cascade and displayed regular kinetic changes. CRS severity is accurately described and potentially predicted by temporal cytokine secretion signatures. Notably, CAR-T re-expansion is found in three patients, including a fatal case characterized by somatic TET2-mutation, clonal expanded cytotoxic CAR-T, broadened cytokine profiles and irreversible hepatic toxicity. Together, our findings show that a latent phase with distinct immunological changes precedes manifest CRS, providing an optimal window and potential targets for CRS therapeutic intervention and that CAR-T re-expansion warrants close clinical attention and laboratory investigation to mitigate the lethal risk.
Single-cell mapping of lipid metabolites using an infrared probe in human-derived model systems
Authors: Bai Yeran , Camargo Carolina M. , Glasauer Stella M. K. , Gifford Raymond , Tian Xinran , Longhini Andrew P. , Kosik Kenneth S.
Published: January 2024

Understanding metabolic heterogeneity is the key to uncovering the underlying mechanisms of metabolic-related diseases. Current metabolic imaging studies suffer from limitations including low resolution and specificity, and the model systems utilized often lack human relevance. Here, we present a single-cell metabolic imaging platform to enable direct imaging of lipid metabolism with high specificity in various human-derived 2D and 3D culture systems. Through the incorporation of an azide-tagged infrared probe, selective detection of newly synthesized lipids in cells and tissue became possible, while simultaneous fluorescence imaging enabled cell-type identification in complex tissues. In proof-of-concept experiments, newly synthesized lipids were directly visualized in human-relevant model systems among different cell types, mutation status, differentiation stages, and over time. We identified upregulated lipid metabolism in progranulin-knockdown human induced pluripotent stem cells and in their differentiated microglia cells. Furthermore, we observed that neurons in brain organoids exhibited a significantly lower lipid metabolism compared to astrocytes.
Functional neuronal circuits emerge in the absence of developmental activity
Authors: Barabási Dániel L. , Schuhknecht Gregor F. P. , Engert Florian
Published: January 2024

The complex neuronal circuitry of the brain develops from limited information contained in the genome. After the genetic code instructs the birth of neurons, the emergence of brain regions, and the formation of axon tracts, it is believed that temporally structured spiking activity shapes circuits for behavior. Here, we challenge the learning-dominated assumption that spiking activity is required for circuit formation by quantifying its contribution to the development of visually-guided swimming in the larval zebrafish. We found that visual experience had no effect on the emergence of the optomotor response (OMR) in dark-reared zebrafish. We then raised animals while pharmacologically silencing action potentials with the sodium channel blocker tricaine. After washout of the anesthetic, fish could swim and performed with 75–90% accuracy in the OMR paradigm. Brain-wide imaging confirmed that neuronal circuits came ‘online’ fully tuned, without requiring activity-dependent plasticity. Thus, complex sensory-guided behaviors can emerge through activity-independent developmental mechanisms.
A micro-architectured material as a pressure vessel for green mobility
Authors: Jeong Yoon Chang , Han Seung Chul , Wu Cheng Han , Kang Kiju
Published: January 2024

A shellular is a micro-architectured material, composed of a continuous smooth-curved thin shell in the form of a triply periodic minimal surface. Thanks to the unique geometry, a shellular can support external load by co-planar stresses, unlike microlattice, nanolattice, and mechanical metamaterial. That is, the shellular is the only stretching-dominated material with the highest strength at a density of less than 10−2 g/cc. Therefore, it is expected to support internal pressure, too, by the bi-axial tensile stresses like a balloon. For more than 300 years, spherical and cylindrical vessels have been viable yet compromised options for storing pressurized gases. However, emerging green mobility necessitates a safer and more spatially conformable storage solution for hydrogen than spherical and cylindrical vessels these conventional vessels. In this study, we propose to use the shellular as a pressure vessel. Due to the distinct topological nature – periodic micro-cells constituting the triply periodic minimal surface, the alternative pressure vessel can be tailored individually for spatial requirements while ensuring safety with leak-before-break. For a given constituent material and prescribed pressure, the achievable internal volume-per-total weight of a P-surfaced, cold-stretched, double-chambered shellular vessel with a number of cells more than 15 × 15 × 15 can exceed the practical upper bound of both spherical and cylindrical vessels. For the applications, a thin shell with the large surface area of this micro-architecture is ideal for interfacial transfer of heat or mass between its two sub-volumes under internal pressure.
Diagnostic utility of 7T neuromelanin imaging of the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lakhani Dhairya A. , Zhou Xiangzhi , Tao Shengzhen , Patel Vishal , Wen Sijin , Okromelidze Lela , Greco Elena , Lin Chen , Westerhold Erin M. , Straub Sina , Wszolek Zbigniew K. , Tipton Philip W. , Uitti Ryan J. , Grewal Sanjeet S. , Middlebrooks Erik H.
Published: January 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that presents a diagnostic challenge due to symptom overlap with other disorders. Neuromelanin (NM) imaging is a promising biomarker for PD, but adoption has been limited, in part due to subpar performance at standard MRI field strengths. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of ultra-high field 7T NM-sensitive imaging in the diagnosis of PD versus controls and essential tremor (ET), as well as NM differences among PD subtypes. A retrospective case-control study was conducted including PD patients, ET patients, and controls. 7T NM-sensitive 3D-GRE was acquired, and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) volumes, contrast ratios, and asymmetry indices were calculated. Statistical analyses, including general linear models and ROC curves, were employed. Twenty-one PD patients, 13 ET patients, and 18 controls were assessed. PD patients exhibited significantly lower SNpc volumes compared to non-PD subjects. SNpc total volume showed 100% sensitivity and 96.8% specificity (AUC = 0.998) for differentiating PD from non-PD and 100% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity (AUC = 0.996) in differentiating PD from ET. Contrast ratio was not significantly different between PD and non-PD groups (p = 0.07). There was also significantly higher asymmetry index in SNpc volume in PD compared to non-PD cohorts (p < 0.001). NM signal loss in PD predominantly involved the inferior, posterior, and lateral aspects of SNpc. Akinetic-rigid subtype showed more significant NM signal loss compared to tremor dominant subtype (p < 0.001). 7T NM imaging demonstrates potential as a diagnostic tool for PD, including potential distinction between subtypes, allowing improved understanding of disease progression and subtype-related characteristics.
Testing the effectiveness of interactive training on sexual harassment and assault in field science
Authors: Cronin Melissa R. , Zavaleta Erika S. , Beltran Roxanne S. , Esparza Melanie , Payne Allison R. , Termini Valerie , Thompson Joseph , Jones Megan S.
Published: January 2024

Fieldwork is a critical tool for scientific research, particularly in applied disciplines. Yet fieldwork is often unsafe, especially for members of historically marginalized groups and people whose presence in scientific spaces threatens traditional hierarchies of power, authority, and legitimacy. Research is needed to identify interventions that prevent sexual harassment and assault from occurring in the first place. We conducted a quasi-experiment assessing the impacts of a 90-min interactive training on field-based staff in a United States state government agency. We hypothesized that the knowledge-based interventions, social modeling, and mastery experiences included in the training would increase participants’ sexual harassment and assault prevention knowledge, self-efficacy, behavioural intention, and behaviour after the training compared to a control group of their peers. Treatment–control and pre-post training survey data indicate that the training increased participants’ sexual harassment and assault prevention knowledge and prevention self-efficacy, and, to a lesser extent, behavioural intention. These increases persisted several months after the training for knowledge and self-efficacy. While we did not detect differences in the effect of the training for different groups, interestingly, post-hoc tests indicated that women and members of underrepresented racial groups generally scored lower compared to male and white respondents, suggesting that these groups self-assess their own capabilities differently. Finally, participants’ likelihood to report incidents increased after the training but institutional reports remained low, emphasizing the importance of efforts to transform reporting systems and develop better methods to measure bystander actions. These results support the utility of a peer-led interactive intervention for improving workplace culture and safety in scientific fieldwork settings.

Protocol registration

"The stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on August 24, 2022. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21770165.
Exploring health literacy categories among an Iranian adult sample: a latent class analysis
Authors: Yekaninejad Mir Saeed , Hajiheidari Ahmadreza , Alijanzadeh Mehran , Yahaghi Rafat , Karimi Zahra , Rahmani Jalal , Yazdi Nahid , Jafari Elahe , Alijani Hashem , Zamani Narges , Fotuhi Razie , Taherkhani Elham , Buchali Zeinab , Zarenejad Masoume , Mahmoudi Narges , Shahmahdi Najmeh , Poorzolfaghar Leila , Ahmadizade Safie , Shahbazkhania Azam , Potenza Marc N. , Lin Chung-Ying , Pakpour Amir H.
Published: January 2024

General and electronic health literacy are important factors engaging in healthy behaviors and maintaining good health. The present study explored demographic factors associated with general and electronic health literacy in the Iranian adult population. Via stratified cluster sampling, trained interviewers visited adult residents in Qazvin Province, Iran between January, and April 2022. The participants (N = 9775; mean age = 36.44 years; 6576 [67.3%] females) completed the Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA) assessing health literacy and the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) assessing electronic health literacy. Demographic data, including age, gender, educational level, marital status, and living location (city or rural), were collected. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify the participants into different health literacy/electronic health literacy levels. The relationships between health literacy/electronic health literacy levels and demographic factors were examined using χ2or analysis of variance. The LCA used HELIA scores to suggest five classes of health literacy and eHEALS scores to suggest three classes of electronic health literacy. For general and electronic health literacy, similar relationships were with demographic factors: females as compared with males had better general/electronic health literacy; younger people as compared with older people had better general/electronic health literacy; higher educational level was associated with better general/electronic health literacy; and city residents as compared with rural residents had better general/electronic health literacy. In conclusion, Iranian governmental agencies may wish to target on males, older adults, people with low educational level, and rural residents to improve their health literacy.
A robust microbiome signature for autism spectrum disorder across different studies using machine learning
Authors: Peralta-Marzal Lucia N. , Rojas-Velazquez David , Rigters Douwe , Prince Naika , Garssen Johan , Kraneveld Aletta D. , Perez-Pardo Paula , Lopez-Rincon Alejandro
Published: January 2024

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in sociability and repetitive behaviour, however there is a great heterogeneity within other comorbidities that accompany ASD. Recently, gut microbiome has been pointed out as a plausible contributing factor for ASD development as individuals diagnosed with ASD often suffer from intestinal problems and show a differentiated intestinal microbial composition. Nevertheless, gut microbiome studies in ASD rarely agree on the specific bacterial taxa involved in this disorder. Regarding the potential role of gut microbiome in ASD pathophysiology, our aim is to investigate whether there is a set of bacterial taxa relevant for ASD classification by using a sibling-controlled dataset. Additionally, we aim to validate these results across two independent cohorts as several confounding factors, such as lifestyle, influence both ASD and gut microbiome studies. A machine learning approach, recursive ensemble feature selection (REFS), was applied to 16S rRNA gene sequencing data from 117 subjects (60 ASD cases and 57 siblings) identifying 26 bacterial taxa that discriminate ASD cases from controls. The average area under the curve (AUC) of this specific set of bacteria in the sibling-controlled dataset was 81.6%. Moreover, we applied the selected bacterial taxa in a tenfold cross-validation scheme using two independent cohorts (a total of 223 samples—125 ASD cases and 98 controls). We obtained average AUCs of 74.8% and 74%, respectively. Analysis of the gut microbiome using REFS identified a set of bacterial taxa that can be used to predict the ASD status of children in three distinct cohorts with AUC over 80% for the best-performing classifiers. Our results indicate that the gut microbiome has a strong association with ASD and should not be disregarded as a potential target for therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, our work can contribute to use the proposed approach for identifying microbiome signatures across other 16S rRNA gene sequencing datasets.
The prognostic evaluation of ALBI score in endoscopic treatment of esophagogastric varices hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis
Authors: Liu Yuhua , Wu Shengnan , Cai Shanshan , Xie Bushan
Published: January 2024

To analyze the independent risk factors for recurrent bleeding and death within 1 year after endoscopic treatment of esophagogastric varices hemorrhage (EGVB) in patients with liver cirrhosis, and to validate the predictive value of ALBI score for recurrent bleeding and death within 1 year after endoscopic treatment of EGVB in patients with liver cirrhosis. A total of 338 patients with EGVB who received endoscopic treatment for the first time in the Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 1, 2016 to March 1, 2020 were selected. A database was established to analyze the patients’ demographic data, surgical variables and postoperative outcomes. All patients were contacted and followed up to verify the predictive value of ALBI score for recurrent bleeding and mortality. 130 patients had rebleeding within 1 year after surgery (38.5%). 66 patients died within 1 year after surgery (19.5%). Patients with ALBI grade 3 had significantly higher rebleeding and mortality rates than those with grades 1 and 2. The AUC was used to compare the predictive value of the four scores for rebleeding and mortality within one year after endoscopic surgery. Both ALBI scores had the largest AUC. The ALBI score has certain predictive value for rebleeding and mortality within 1 year after endoscopic therapy in patients with cirrhotic EGVB.
Validated assays for the quantification of C9orf72 human pathology
Authors: Salomonsson S. E. , Maltos A. M. , Gill K. , Aladesuyi Arogundade O. , Brown K. A. , Sachdev A. , Sckaff M. , Lam K. J. K. , Fisher I. J. , Chouhan R. S. , Van Laar V. S. , Marley C. B. , McLaughlin I. , Bankiewicz K. S. , Tsai Y.-C. , Conklin B. R. , Clelland C. D.
Published: January 2024

A repeat expansion mutation in the C9orf72 gene is the leading known genetic cause of FTD and ALS. The C9orf72-ALS/FTD field has been plagued by a lack of reliable tools to monitor this genomic locus and its RNA and protein products. We have validated assays that quantify C9orf72 pathobiology at the DNA, RNA and protein levels using knock-out human iPSC lines as controls. Here we show that single-molecule sequencing can accurately measure the repeat expansion and faithfully report on changes to the C9orf72 locus in what has been a traditionally hard to sequence genomic region. This is of particular value to sizing and phasing the repeat expansion and determining changes to the gene locus after gene editing. We developed ddPCR assays to quantify two major C9orf72 transcript variants, which we validated by selective excision of their distinct transcriptional start sites. Using validated knock-out human iPSC lines, we validated 4 commercially available antibodies (of 9 tested) that were specific for C9orf72 protein quantification by Western blot, but none were specific for immunocytochemistry. We tested 15 combinations of antibodies against dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) across 66 concentrations using MSD immunoassay, and found two (against poly-GA and poly-GP) that yielded a 1.5-fold or greater signal increase in patient iPSC-motor neurons compared to knock-out control, and validated them in human postmortem and transgenic mouse brain tissue. Our validated DNA, RNA and protein assays are applicable to discovery research as well as clinical trials.
A single intranasal dose of essential oil spray confers modulation of the nasopharyngeal microbiota and short-term inhibition of Mannheimia in feedlot cattle: a pilot study
Authors: Magossi Gabriela , Schmidt Kaycie N. , Winders Thomas M. , Carlson Zachary E. , Holman Devin B. , Underdahl Sarah R. , Swanson Kendall C. , Amat Samat
Published: January 2024

Five essential oils (EOs) were previously characterized in vitro and identified as candidate EOs for the development of an intranasal EO spray to mitigate bovine respiratory disease (BRD) pathogens. In the present study, these EOs were evaluated for their potential to (i) reduce BRD pathogens, (ii) modulate nasopharyngeal microbiota, and (iii) influence animal performance, feeding behavior and immune response when a single dose administered intranasally to feedlot cattle. Forty beef steer calves (7–8 months old, Initial body weight = 284 ± 5 kg [SE]) received either an intranasal EO spray (ajowan, thyme, fennel, cinnamon leaf, and citronella) or PBS (Control; n = 20/group) on day 0. Deep nasopharyngeal swabs were collected on days (d) -1, 1, 2, 7, 14, 28, and 42 and processed for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, qPCR, and culturing. Significant effects of EO on community structure (d1), microbial richness and diversity, relative abundance of some dominant phyla (d1, d2, and d14), and the overall interaction network structure of the nasopharyngeal microbiota were detected. The relative abundance of Mannheimia was lower in the EO calves (4.34%) than in Control calves (10.4%) on d2, and M. haemolytica prevalence on d7 as compared to control calves. Feed intake, average daily gain, feeding behavior, and blood cell counts were not affected by EO treatment. Overall, a single intranasal dose of EO spray resulted in moderate modulation of nasopharyngeal microbiota and short-term inhibition of Mannheimia while not influencing animal performance, feeding behavior or immune response. Our study, for the first time, shows the potential use of intranasal EO to mitigate BRD in feedlot cattle.
Singlet fission initiating organic photosensitizations
Authors: Tsuneda Takao , Taketsugu Tetsuya
Published: January 2024

The feasibility of singlet fission (SF) in organic photosensitizers is investigated through spin-flip long-range corrected time-dependent density functional theory. This study focuses on four major organic photosensitizer molecules: benzophenone, boron-dipyrromethene, methylene blue, and rose bengal. Calculations demonstrate that all these molecules possess moderate $$\pi$$
π
-stacking energies and closely-lying singlet (S) and quintet (triplet–triplet, TT) excitations, satisfying the essential conditions for SF: (1) Near-degenerate low-lying S and (TT) excitations with a significant S–T energy gap, and (2) Moderate $$\pi$$
π
-stacking energy of chromophores, slightly higher than solvation energy, enabling dissociation for triplet-state chromophore generation. Moreover, based on the El-Sayed rule, intersystem crossing is found to simultaneously proceed at very slow rates in all these photosensitizers. This is attributed to the fact that the lowest singlet excitation of the monomers partly involves $$n\pi ^*$$

n

π
∗

transitions alongside the main $$\pi \pi ^*$$

π

π
∗

transitions. The proposed mechanisms are strongly substantiated by comparisons with experimental studies.
Tracing the COVID-19 spread pattern in India through a GIS-based spatio-temporal analysis of interconnected clusters
Authors: Gupta Mousumi , Sharma Arpan , Sharma Dhruva Kumar , Nirola Madhab , Dhungel Prasanna , Patel Ashok , Singh Harpreet , Gupta Amlan
Published: January 2024

Spatiotemporal analysis is a critical tool for understanding COVID-19 spread. This study examines the pattern of spatial distribution of COVID-19 cases across India, based on data provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The research investigates temporal patterns during the first, second, and third waves in India for an informed policy response in case of any present or future pandemics. Given the colossal size of the dataset encompassing the entire nation’s data during the pandemic, a time-bound convenience sampling approach was employed. This approach was carefully designed to ensure a representative sample from advancing timeframes to observe time-based patterns in data. Data were captured from March 2020 to December 2022, with a 5-day interval considered for downloading the data. We employ robust spatial analysis techniques, including the Moran’s I index for spatial correlation assessment and the Getis Ord Gi* statistic for cluster identification. It was observed that positive COVID-19 cases in India showed a positive auto-correlation from May 2020 till December 2022. Moran’s I index values ranged from 0.11 to 0.39. It signifies a strong trend over the last 3 years with $$r^2$$

r
2

of 0.74 on order 3 polynomial regression. It is expected that high-risk zones can have a higher number of cases in future COVID-19 waves. Monthly clusters of positive cases were mapped through ArcGIS software. Through cluster maps, high-risk zones were identified namely Kerala, Maharashtra, New Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. The observation is: high-risk zones mostly fall near coastal areas and hotter climatic zones, contrary to the cold Himalayan region with Montanne climate zone. Our aggregate analysis of 3 years of COVID-19 cases suggests significant patterns of interconnectedness between the Indian Railway network, climatic zones, and geographical location with COVID-19 spread. This study thereby underscores the vital role of spatiotemporal analysis in predicting and managing future COVID-19 waves as well as future pandemics for an informed policy response.
Counter-on-chip for bacterial cell quantification, growth, and live-dead estimations
Authors: Rahman K. M. Taufiqur , Butzin Nicholas C.
Published: January 2024

Quantifying bacterial cell numbers is crucial for experimental assessment and reproducibility, but the current technologies have limitations. The commonly used colony forming units (CFU) method causes a time delay in determining the actual numbers. Manual microscope counts are often error-prone for submicron bacteria. Automated systems are costly, require specialized knowledge, and are erroneous when counting smaller bacteria. In this study, we took a different approach by constructing three sequential generations (G1, G2, and G3) of counter-on-chip that accurately and timely count small particles and/or bacterial cells. We employed 2-photon polymerization (2PP) fabrication technology; and optimized the printing and molding process to produce high-quality, reproducible, accurate, and efficient counters. Our straightforward and refined methodology has shown itself to be highly effective in fabricating structures, allowing for the rapid construction of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic devices. The G1 comprises three counting chambers with a depth of 20 µm, which showed accurate counting of 1 µm and 5 µm microbeads. G2 and G3 have eight counting chambers with depths of 20 µm and 5 µm, respectively, and can quickly and precisely count Escherichia coli cells. These systems are reusable, accurate, and easy to use (compared to CFU/ml). The G3 device can give (1) accurate bacterial counts, (2) serve as a growth chamber for bacteria, and (3) allow for live/dead bacterial cell estimates using staining kits or growth assay activities (live imaging, cell tracking, and counting). We made these devices out of necessity; we know no device on the market that encompasses all these features.
An AI-based novel system for predicting respiratory support in COVID-19 patients through CT imaging analysis
Authors: Farahat Ibrahim Shawky , Sharafeldeen Ahmed , Ghazal Mohammed , Alghamdi Norah Saleh , Mahmoud Ali , Connelly James , van Bogaert Eric , Zia Huma , Tahtouh Tania , Aladrousy Waleed , Tolba Ahmed Elsaid , Elmougy Samir , El-Baz Ayman
Published: January 2024

The proposed AI-based diagnostic system aims to predict the respiratory support required for COVID-19 patients by analyzing the correlation between COVID-19 lesions and the level of respiratory support provided to the patients. Computed tomography (CT) imaging will be used to analyze the three levels of respiratory support received by the patient: Level 0 (minimum support), Level 1 (non-invasive support such as soft oxygen), and Level 2 (invasive support such as mechanical ventilation). The system will begin by segmenting the COVID-19 lesions from the CT images and creating an appearance model for each lesion using a 2D, rotation-invariant, Markov–Gibbs random field (MGRF) model. Three MGRF-based models will be created, one for each level of respiratory support. This suggests that the system will be able to differentiate between different levels of severity in COVID-19 patients. The system will decide for each patient using a neural network-based fusion system, which combines the estimates of the Gibbs energy from the three MGRF-based models. The proposed system were assessed using 307 COVID-19-infected patients, achieving an accuracy of $$97.72\%\pm 1.57$$

97.72
%
±
1.57

, a sensitivity of $$97.76\%\pm 4.08$$

97.76
%
±
4.08

, and a specificity of $$98.87\%\pm 2.09$$

98.87
%
±
2.09

, indicating a high level of prediction accuracy.
Mean performances, character associations and multi-environmental evaluation of chilli landraces in north western Himalayas
Authors: Singh Thakur Narender , Joshi A. K. , Vikram Amit , Yadav Nitin , Prashar Sakshi
Published: January 2024

Even though many varieties have been recommended across agro-climate zones of Himachal Pradesh, yet the information on stability is lacking in this State. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to identify high yielding stable genotypes among various pre-adapted landraces. The material consists of 20 chilli landraces including check i.e. DKC-8. The experiment was laid out in a RCBD. The data were recorded and analyzed to work out mean performances and the inferences were drawn for parameters of variability, correlation coefficients, path coefficients and stability analysis. As per mean performances, CS7 and CS9 were earliest in flowering, CS13 is earliest in days to ripe maturity, CS10 had highest plant height and CS9 had highest average fruit weight and ripe fruit yield plant−1. High PCV and GCV were recorded for ripe fruit yield plant−1. Heritability and genetic advance were recorded maximum for plant height in summer seasons and were recorded maximum for number of ripe fruits plant−1 in winter season. Correlation coefficients showed that number of ripe fruits plant−1 and average ripe fruit weight were positively and significantly correlated with ripe fruit yield plant−1. Path coefficient analysis in summer and winter seasons showed that average ripe fruit weight had the highest positive direct effect on ripe fruit yield plant−1. The pooled data over environments were analyzed to estimate the interaction effects between genotypes × environment. The mean sum of squares due to genotypes, environments and genotypes × environment interaction were significant for all the characteristics. CS1, CS3, CS6, CS10, CS13, CS15 were adapted to all environments, CS7 and CS9 were specifically adapted to favourable environment and CS2 was specifically adapted to unfavorable environment for 50% flowering, landraces CS1, CS2 and CS3were well adapted to all environments for ripe maturity whereas landraces CS6, CS10 and CS19 were well adapted to all environment for number of ripe fruit and ripe fruit yield.
Paclitaxel-induced inhibition of NSCLC invasion and migration via RBFOX3-mediated circIGF1R biogenesis
Authors: Xu Zhanyu , Zheng Liping , Li Shikang
Published: January 2024

We previously reported that circIGF1R is significantly downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and tissues. It inhibits cancer cell invasion and migration, although the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. The invasion and migration of NSCLC cells was analyzed by routine in vivo and in vitro functional assays. Fluorescent in situ hybridization, luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms. Mechanism of action of paclitaxel-induced RBFOX3-mediated inhibition of NSCLC invasion and migration was investigated through in vitro and in vivo experiments.Our study reveals that circIGF1R acts as a Competing Endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-1270, thereby regulating Van-Gogh-like 2 (VANGL2) expression and subsequently inhibiting NSCLC cell invasion and migration via the Wnt pathway. We also found that RNA binding protein fox-1 homolog 3 (RBFOX3) enhances circIGF1R biogenesis by binding to IGF1R pre-mRNA, which in turn suppresses migration and invasion in NSCLC cells. Additionally, the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel was shown to impede NSCLC invasion and migration by inducing RBFOX3-mediated circIGF1R biogenesis.RBFOX3 inhibits the invasion and migration of NSCLC cells through the circIGF1R/ miR-1270/VANGL2 axis, circIGF1R has the potential to serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC.
Benzo[a]pyrene disrupts LH/hCG-dependent mouse Leydig cell steroidogenesis through receptor/Gαs protein targeting
Authors: Lazzaretti Clara , Roy Neena , Paradiso Elia , Capponi Chiara , Ferrari Tommaso , Reggianini Francesca , Sperduti Samantha , Perri Carmela , Baschieri Lara , Mascolo Elisa , Varani Manuela , Canu Giulia , Trenti Tommaso , Nicoli Alessia , Morini Daria , Iannotti Francesca , Villani Maria Teresa , Vicini Elena , Simoni Manuela , Casarini Livio
Published: January 2024

Steroidogenesis of gonadal cells is tightly regulated by gonadotropins. However, certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), induce reproductive toxicity. Several existing studies have considered higher than environmentally relevant concentrations of BaP on male and female steroidogenesis following long-term exposure. Also, the impact of short-term exposure to BaP on gonadotropin-stimulated cells is understudied. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of 1 nM and 1 µM BaP on luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin (LH/hCG)-mediated signalling in two steroidogenic cell models, i.e. the mouse tumor Leydig cell line mLTC1, and the human primary granulosa lutein cells (hGLC) post 8- and 24-h exposure. Cell signalling studies were performed by homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay, bioluminescence energy transfer (BRET) and Western blotting, while immunostainings and immunoassays were used for intracellular protein expression and steroidogenesis analyses, respectively. BaP decreased cAMP production in gonadotropin-stimulated mLTC1 interfering with Gαs activation. Therefore, decrease in gonadotropin-mediated CREB phosphorylation in mLTC1 treated with 1 μM BaP was observed, while StAR protein levels in gonadotropin-stimulated mLTC1 cells were unaffected by BaP. Further, BaP decreased LH- and hCG-mediated progesterone production in mLTC1. Contrastingly, BaP failed to mediate any change in cAMP, genes and proteins of steroidogenic machinery and steroidogenesis of gonadotropin-treated hGLC. Our results indicate that short-term exposure to BaP significantly impairs steroidogenic signalling in mLTC1 interfering with Gαs. These findings could have a significant impact on our understanding of the mechanism of reproductive toxicity by endocrine disruptors.
Stochastic biological system-of-systems modelling for iPSC culture
Authors: Zheng Hua , Harcum Sarah W. , Pei Jinxiang , Xie Wei
Published: January 2024

Large-scale manufacturing of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is essential for cell therapies and regenerative medicines. Yet, iPSCs form large cell aggregates in suspension bioreactors, resulting in insufficient nutrient supply and extra metabolic waste build-up for the cells located at the core. Since subtle changes in micro-environment can lead to a heterogeneous cell population, a novel Biological System-of-Systems (Bio-SoS) framework is proposed to model cell-to-cell interactions, spatial and metabolic heterogeneity, and cell response to micro-environmental variation. Building on stochastic metabolic reaction network, aggregation kinetics, and reaction-diffusion mechanisms, the Bio-SoS model characterizes causal interdependencies at individual cell, aggregate, and cell population levels. It has a modular design that enables data integration and improves predictions for different monolayer and aggregate culture processes. In addition, a variance decomposition analysis is derived to quantify the impact of factors (i.e., aggregate size) on cell product health and quality heterogeneity.
A revised nomenclature for the lemur family of protein kinases
Authors: Mórotz Gábor M. , Bradbury Neil A. , Caluseriu Oana , Hisanaga Shin-ichi , Miller Christopher C. J. , Swiatecka-Urban Agnieszka , Lenz Heinz-Josef , Moss Stephen J. , Giamas Georgios
Published: January 2024

The lemur family of protein kinases has gained much interest in recent years as they are involved in a variety of cellular processes including regulation of axonal transport and endosomal trafficking, modulation of synaptic functions, memory and learning, and they are centrally placed in several intracellular signalling pathways. Numerous studies have also implicated role of the lemur kinases in the development and progression of a wide range of cancers, cystic fibrosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. However, parallel discoveries and inaccurate prediction of their kinase activity have resulted in a confusing and misleading nomenclature of these proteins. Herein, a group of international scientists with expertise in lemur family of protein kinases set forth a novel nomenclature to rectify this problem and ultimately help the scientific community by providing consistent information about these molecules.
Identifying key players in complex networks via network entanglement
Authors: Huang Yiming , Wang Hao , Ren Xiao-Long , Lü Linyuan
Published: January 2024

Empirical networks exhibit significant heterogeneity in node connections, resulting in a few vertices playing critical roles in various scenarios, including decision-making, viral marketing, and population immunization. Thus, identifying key vertices is a fundamental research problem in Network Science. In this paper, we introduce vertex entanglement (VE), an entanglement-based metric capable of quantifying the perturbations caused by individual vertices on spectral entropy, residing at the intersection of quantum information and network science. Our analytical analysis reveals that VE is closely related to network robustness and information transmission ability. As an application, VE offers an approach to the challenging problem of optimal network dismantling, and empirical experiments demonstrate its superiority over state-of-the-art algorithms. Furthermore, VE also contributes to the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with significant distinctions in hub disruption indices based on VE between ASD and typical controls, promising a diagnostic role for VE in ASD assessment.
Work–family interference in urban China: gender discrimination and the effects of work–family balance policies
Authors: Xu Yuehua , Zhang Shujie , Li Manyuan , Liu Depeng , Zhao Haichuan , Tang Guiyao
Published: January 2024

Family responsibility discrimination is a form of discrimination against men and women because of their caregiving responsibilities. Unlike prior studies that have predominantly focused on Western contexts, this study shifts attention to observers’ differentiated discrimination against men and women in China involved in work–family interference. The findings across four main experiments (N = 2577) suggest that shouldering family responsibility in the context of both family interference in work and work interference in family would stimulate more discrimination against men in urban China. We also explore whether a firm’s work–family balance policies can mitigate such discrimination. The results demonstrate that such policies mitigate supervisors’ discrimination against men involved in family interference in work but not observers’ discrimination against men involved in work interference in family. Post-hoc experiments and further tests (N = 931) demonstrate the robustness of our findings and show additional insights. Our findings suggest that gender discrimination in non-Western contexts can be very different.
An individual participant data meta-analysis of psychological interventions for preventing depression relapse
Authors: Breedvelt Josefien J. F. , Karyotaki Eirini , Warren Fiona C. , Brouwer Marlies E. , Jermann Françoise , Hollandare Fredrik , Klein Nicola , de Jonge Margo , Klein Daniel N. , Farb Norman , Segal Zindel , Biesheuvel Leliefeld Karolien E. M. , Jarrett Robin , Vittengl Jeffrey , Thase Michael , Ma Helen , Kuyken Willem , Shallcross Amanda J. , van Heeringen Cornelis , Hoorelbeke Kristof , Koster Ernst , Williams Mark , Huijbers Marloes J. , Speckens Anne , Cuijpers Pim , van Oppen Patricia , Gilbody Simon , Bockting Claudi L.
Published: January 2024

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability worldwide; identifying effective strategies to prevent depression relapse is crucial. This individual participant data meta-analysis addresses whether and for whom psychological interventions can be recommended for relapse prevention of major depressive disorder. One- and two-stage individual patient data meta-analyses were conducted on 14 randomized controlled trials (N = 1,720). The relapse risk over 12 months was substantially lower for those who received a psychological intervention versus treatment as usual, antidepressant medication, or evaluation-only control (hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.48–0.74). The number of previous depression episodes moderated the treatment effect, with psychological interventions demonstrating greater efficacy for patients with three or more previous episodes. Our results suggest that adding psychological interventions to current treatment to prevent depression relapse is recommended. For patients at lower risk of relapse, less-intensive approaches may be indicated.
Advanced temperature sensing with Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Ba2GdV3O11 phosphors through upconversion luminescence
Authors: Kachou Ikhlas , Saidi Kamel , Ekim Utku , Dammak Mohamed , Çelikbilek Ersundu Miray , Ersundu Ali Erçin
Published: January 2024

Optical thermometry is a non-contact temperature sensing technique with widespread applications.
Enhancing the electrochemical properties of a lithium–sulfur battery using a modified separator with a phase-inversion layer
Authors: Li Songwei , Pang Shengli , Qian Xinye , Jin Lina , Shen Xiangqian
Published: January 2024

The PVDF-PMMA-KB (PPK) layer on the separator was prepared by a phase-inversion method. PPK served as a blocking layer for lithium polysulfides. The PPK layer is beneficial for the transport of Li ions and inhibition of polysulfides.
Structure–property relationship of pea protein fibrils in stabilization of HIPEs and the encapsulation, protection, controlled release and oral delivery of carotenoids for alleviating intestinal inflammation
Authors: Liu Yanhua , Zhang Xiaorong , Zhao Ran , Nian Yingqun , Hu Bing
Published: January 2024

The highly flexible and worm-like pea protein fibrils prepared at 25 mM NaCl show superior emulsifying properties to stabilize HIPEs, which show stronger capability to encapsulate, protect and delivery carotenoids to alleviate intestinal inflammation.
An overview of 6-shogaol: new insights into its pharmacological properties and potential therapeutic activities
Authors: Yang Chenglu , Chen Weijian , Ye Binbin , Nie Ke
Published: January 2024

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has traditionally been used as a cooking spice and herbal medicine for treating nausea and vomiting.
Hydrogen bonded polymer complex thin films for highly stretchable gas barriers
Authors: Fisher Sarah G. , Chiang Hsu-Cheng , Iverson Ethan T. , Chang Edward , Grunlan Jaime C.
Published: January 2024

Highly flexible buffer-cured hydrogen bonded polymer complex coating demonstrates high oxygen barrier up to 50% strain.
Dispersion engineering of cellulose nanofibres in polyols: for controlled microstructure of high-performance polyurethane foam
Authors: Haridevan Hima , Evans David A. C. , Martin Darren J. , Annamalai Pratheep K.
Published: January 2024

An efficient control over the microstructure and physical properties of polyurethane foam is demonstrated through dispersion engineering of cellulose nanofibre, a biosourced nanoadditive, in polyols with a broad range of rheological characteristics.