bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age‐specific providers needed for transition‐age youth
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2025

“Transition‐age youth” means those years when an adolescent turns into an adult. It's a gradual transition, but problems may arise, especially when there is no appropriate mental health care. It is a time when youth are particularly vulnerable to stress, and also when serious mental health problems can derail their move into adulthood. The years of being home and protected by parents, perhaps, are over. College, jobs, and concerns about the “real world” can take over. Furthermore, the inner world — depression, anxiety, suicide, substance use, bullying, romance, even possible first‐episode psychosis which takes place during these years, can emerge. Medically, the pediatrician is probably leaving the child's medical team, and new providers — adult providers — will be taking over. These providers don't know the child the way the pediatrician does.
Treatment retention better with methadone than buprenorphine
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2025

A recent study comparing the effectiveness of buprenorphine and methadone found that the risk of discontinuation was greater with buprenorphine than methadone. For the study, the researchers looked at a retrospective cohort of patients via databases in British Columbia, Canada. The study covered a total of 30,891 patients, who received treatment from 2010 to 2020.
CMPK2 promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation via mtDNA‐STING pathway in house dust mite‐induced allergic rhinitis
Authors: Zheng YaoMing , Xie YaDong , Li JiaYing , Cao YuJie , Li Min , Cao Qing , Han MiaoMiao , Lou HongFei , Shu YiLai , Xiao Hui , Li HuaBin
Published: January 2025

Background

House dust mite (HDM) is the leading allergen for allergic rhinitis (AR). Although allergic sensitisation by inhaled allergens renders susceptible individuals prone to developing AR, the molecular mechanisms driving this process remain incompletely elucidated.

Objective

This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying HDM‐induced AR.

Methods

We examined the expression of cytidine/uridine monophosphate kinase 2 (CMPK2), STING and the NLRP3 inflammasome in both AR patients and mice. Additionally, we investigated the role of CMPK2 and STING in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in AR.

Results

The expression of CMPK2, STING and the NLRP3 inflammasome was significantly increased in the nasal mucosa of AR patients compared to non‐AR controls. A positive correlation was found between CMPK2 expression and the levels of STING, NLRP3, ASC, CASP1 and IL‐1β. HDM treatment up‐regulated the expression of CMPK2, and CMPK2 overexpression enhanced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human nasal epithelial cells (HNEPCs). Additionally, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production following HDM exposure contributed to mitochondrial dysfunction and the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which activated the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS)‐STING pathway. Remarkably, depletion of mtDNA or inhibition of STING signalling reduced HDM‐induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in HNEPCs. In vivo, genetic knockout of CMPK2 or STING alleviated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and ameliorated clinical symptoms of AR in mice.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that HDM promotes the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome through the up‐regulation of CMPK2 and ensuing mtDNA‐STING signalling pathway, hence revealing additional therapeutic target for AR.

Key points

Cytidine/uridine monophosphate kinase 2 (CMPK2) expression is up‐regulated in the nasal mucosa of patients and mice with allergic rhinitis (AR).

CMPK2 caused NLRP3 inflammasome activation via mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)‐STING pathway.

Blocking CMPK2 or STING signalling significantly reduced the activation of NLRP3 in house dust mite (HDM)‐challenged mice and human nasal epithelial cells (HNEPCs).
Naringenin Inhibits Ferroptosis in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells of Diabetic Nephropathy Through SIRT1/FOXO3a Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhou Yi , Hu Tianchi , Zeng Huarong , Lin Lin , Xie Huan , Lin Rong , Huang Mengya
Published: January 2025

Naringenin has the potential to regulate ferroptosis and mitigate renal damage in diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, it remains unclear whether the naringenin's effects in DN are linked to its ability to regulate ferroptosis. This study investigated the potential anti‐ferroptosis properties of naringenin in high glucose (HG)‐induced renal tubular epithelial cell models. HK‐2 cells were cultured in HG medium to establish the DN cell model. HK‐2 cells were treated with different doses of naringenin to explore the effect of naringenin. The CCK‐8 results show that 50 μM ~ 200 μM of naringenin do not affect the viability of HK‐2 cells and the viability of HG‐induced HK‐2 cells increase in a dose‐dependent manner with naringenin treatment. Additionally, naringenin increased the levels of IL‐10 while decreasing the levels of IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and ROS in HG‐induced HK‐2 cells. Naringenin also reduced the levels of Fe2+, oxidized lipid ROS, MDA, 4‐HNE, ACSL4, and TFR1 in HG‐induced HK‐2 cells, while increasing the levels of non‐oxidized lipid ROS, SOD, GSH‐Px, SLC7A11, and GPX4. Meanwhile, naringenin restored the levels of MMP, ATP and MPTP opening, reduced OCR in HG‐induced HK‐2 cells. Furthermore, naringenin reversed the decreased expression of SIRT1, p‐FOXO3a, Nrf2 and Nuclear Nrf2 caused by HG. SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 and Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 attenuated the effects of naringenin on ferroptosis in HG‐induced HK‐2 cells, with EX527 demonstrating a stronger reversal effect on ferroptosis than ML385. These results suggest that naringenin inhibits ferroptosis in HG‐induced HK‐2 cells mainly through SIRT1/FOXO3a signaling pathway. This finding further enhanced our understanding of the mechanism behind naringenin's protective effect on DN.
Livestock shifts lepidopteran herbivore community due to intraguild elimination in Mediterranean agroforestry systems
Authors: Gaytán Álvaro , Canelo Tara , Pérez‐Izquierdo Carlos , Bonal Raúl
Published: January 2025

Livestock grazing and trampling have been shown to reduce arthropod populations. Among arthropods, defoliating lepidopterans are particularly important for their impact on trees, the keystone structures of agroforestry systems. This study investigates the impact of livestock on the community of defoliating lepidopterans in agroforestry systems. We conducted both experimental and observational studies in the mid‐west and western regions of the Iberian Peninsula. In our field experiment, we sampled lepidopteran caterpillars in areas with livestock and in areas where livestock had been excluded for short and long periods. To validate our experimental results, we conducted a field survey across seven areas with and without livestock in the western Iberian Peninsula. Our findings revealed that after 2 years from the start of the experiment, the exclusion of livestock led to an increase in the abundance and species richness of lepidopterans, as well as shifts in their community composition. Our experimental findings were corroborated by our field survey. Interestingly, we found that the differences in community composition among exclusions were primarily due to species nestedness. Livestock exclusion consistently favored species that pupate in the ground, suggesting that livestock can alter the lepidopteran community by predating or accidentally trampling these species. This study underscores the significant role livestock play in modifying the community of defoliating lepidopterans in Mediterranean agroforestry systems (oak savannahs), with important implications for food webs and species interactions.
Lengths of Stay and Stopover Strategies of Western Sandpipers During Migration at Two Sites in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Blondin Anne L. , Drever Mark C. , Flemming Scott A. , Easton Wendy E. , Maftei Mark , Zharikov Yuri , Warnock Nils , Nol Erica
Published: January 2025

An accurate estimate of length of stay is necessary to derive passage population size for birds using a migration stopover site. In this study, we used VHF tags and a Motus automated telemetry array to estimate the length of stay of 385 Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) migrating through two stopover sites in British Columbia, Canada (Tofino and Fraser River Estuary) over the course of seven migration periods (three northward and four southward) from 2018 to 2021. The average length of stay of Western Sandpipers at the Tofino site on the west coast of Vancouver Island varied from 2 to 6 days and was shorter than the length of stay at the Fraser River Estuary, where the average length of stay varied from 4 to 8 days. At both sites, adult birds had shorter stopovers during southward migration, juvenile birds had longer stopovers compared to adults, and birds with lower mass at capture had longer stopovers. Morphology of adults and juveniles varied between the two sites. Birds captured at Tofino had shorter tarsi, as well as higher mass during southward migration compared to Western Sandpipers captured at the Fraser River Estuary. We also assessed prey availability at the two stopover sites, and we found that invertebrate density was greater in Tofino compared to the Fraser River Estuary during northward migration. Variation in minimum stopover length and morphology between sites suggests that individuals from different overwintering populations may use different routes along the west coast of North America. Western Sandpipers stopping at Tofino have a shorter length of stay during both migration periods and arrive heavier during southward migration, characteristics typical of “hop” migrants who travel shorter distances between stopover sites. Different stopover sites offer a unique set of site characteristics used by birds exhibiting varying migration strategies, highlighting the importance of conserving a diversity of migration stopover locations.
Modeling Climate‐Driven Vegetation Changes Under Contrasting Temperate and Arid Conditions in the Mediterranean Basin
Authors: Bianchini Marco , Tarhouni Mohamed , Francioni Matteo , Fiorentini Marco , Rivosecchi Chiara , Msadek Jamila , Tlili Abderrazak , Chouikhi Farah , Allegrezza Marina , Tesei Giulio , Deligios Paola Antonia , Orsini Roberto , Ledda Luigi , Karatassiou Maria , Ragkos Athanasios , D'Ottavio Paride
Published: January 2025

This study investigates climate change impacts on spontaneous vegetation, focusing on the Mediterranean basin, a hotspot for climatic changes. Two case study areas, Monti Sibillini (central Italy, temperate) and Sidi Makhlouf (Southern Tunisia, arid), were selected for their contrasting climates and vegetation. Using WorldClim's CMCC‐ESM2 climate model, future vegetation distribution was predicted for 2050 and 2080 under SSP 245 (optimistic) and 585 (pessimistic) scenarios. Two spectral indices, NDVI (temperate area) and SAVI (arid area), served as vegetation proxies, classified into three classes using K‐means (NDVI: high = mainly associated with woodlands, medium = shrublands, continuous grasslands and crops, low = discontinuous grasslands, bare soil, and rocks; SAVI: high = mainly associated with woods, olive trees, and crops, medium = shrublands and sparse olive trees, low = bare soil and saline areas). Classes validated with ESA WorldCover 2020 data and sampled via 1390 presence‐only points. A set of 33 environmental variables (topography, soil, and bioclimatic) was screened using Pearson correlation matrices, and predictive models were built using four algorithms: MaxEnt, Random Forest, XG Boost, and Neural Network. Results revealed increasing temperatures and declining precipitation in both regions, confirming Mediterranean climate trends. Vegetation changes varied by area: in the temperate area, woodlands and shrublands were stable, but discontinuous grasslands expanded. In the arid area, woodlands gained suitable habitat, while bare soil declined under the pessimistic SSP 585 scenario. Both areas showed an upward shift for shrublands and grasslands. The models indicated significant shifts in areal distribution and environmental conditions, affecting habitat suitability and ecosystem dynamics. MaxEnt emerged as the most reliable algorithm for small presence‐only datasets, effectively predicting habitat suitability. The findings highlight significant vegetation redistribution and altered ecosystem dynamics due to climate change, underscoring the importance of these models in planning for future ecological challenges.
MetaRange.jl: A Dynamic and Metabolic Species Range Model for Plant Species
Authors: Blechschmidt Jana , Cabral Juliano Sarmento
Published: January 2025

Process‐based models for range dynamics are urgently needed due to increasing intensity of human‐induced biodiversity change. Despite a few existing models that focus on demographic processes, their use remains limited compared to the widespread application of correlative approaches. This slow adoption is largely due to the challenges in calibrating biological parameters and the high computational demands for large‐scale applications. Moreover, increasing the number of simulated processes (i.e., mechanistic complexity) may further exacerbate those reasons of delay. Therefore, balancing mechanistic complexity and computational effectiveness of process‐based models is a key area for improvement. A promising research direction is to expand demographically explicit metapopulation models by integrating metabolic constraints. We translated and expanded a previously developed R metapopulation model to Julia language and published it as a Julia module. The model integrates species‐specific parameters such as preferred environmental conditions, biomass and dispersal ability with demographic rates (e.g., reproductive and mortality rates) derived from local temperature and biomass via the metabolic theory of ecology. We provide a simple application example for the model in which we illustrate a typical use case by predicting the future occurrence of Orchis militaris in Bavaria under different climate change scenarios. Our results show that climate change reduces habitat suitability overall, but some regions like the Franconian Forest and the Alps see increased suitability and abundance, confirming their role as refugia. Simulating metapopulation dynamics reveals that local population dynamics and dispersal are crucial for accurate predictions. For instance, increasing dispersal distance reduces overall abundance loss but also lessens population growth in refugia. This highlights the importance of measuring traits like dispersal ability to improve climate change forecasts.
Remotely‐Sensed Game Trails Are a Behavioral Footprint That Explains Patterns of Herbivore Habitat Use
Authors: Stears Keenan , Schmitt Melissa H. , Peel Mike J. , Ramalevha Tsumbedzo , McCauley Douglas J. , Thompson Dave I. , Burkepile Deron E.
Published: January 2025

Trade‐offs between food acquisition and predator avoidance shape the landscape‐scale movements of herbivores. These movements create landscape features, such as game trails, which are paths that animals use repeatedly to traverse the landscape. As such, these trails integrate behavioral trade‐offs over space and time. Here, we used remotely sensed imagery to analyze the density of game trails with spatial environmental variables to understand landscape‐scale patterns of herbivore habitat use in an African savanna. Woody plant cover was the best predictor of game trail density, with the highest densities correlating with intermediate woody plant cover. We also explored how patterns of game trail density compared to two known measures of herbivore habitat use (i.e., dung counts and maximum entropy modeling) and found strong quantitative fits. To understand the patterns revealed by the density of game trails, we explored the trade‐off between food acquisition and perceived predation risk across a woody plant cover gradient. Using behavioral observations, we found that the relationship between woody plant cover and the distribution of game trails was likely driven by the risk and reward trade‐off, with less vigilance and more feeding occurring in areas with a high density of game trails and intermediate woody cover. Ultimately, we show that game trails are a novel data source that can be used to identify broadly‐occurring patterns of herbivore habitat use over large spatial scales.
Effects of Nutritional Status During Sexual Maturation and Resource Availability on the Resource Allocation of Females in Burying Beetles
Authors: Wang Wenxia , Zhou Guojun , Zhang Wei , Tian Kai , Yao Lunguang
Published: January 2025

Resource availability should have consequences for life‐history functions and trade‐offs among them because it influences the amounts of resources allocated to different functions. Nutritional status during a key developmental window (sexual maturation) may also have an important impact on life‐history functions and such trade‐offs. However, less is known about whether and how they interact to influence the resource allocation of individuals. Here, we simultaneously manipulated female nutritional status during sexual maturation and resource availability during breeding in a burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. We then monitored the main and interactive effects of these two factors on somatic maintenance and reproductive performance of burying beetle females. We found that variation in nutritional status during sexual maturation affects the resource allocation of burying beetle females only at the pre‐hatching stage. Poor‐fed females compensated for the initial differences in energy reserves by feeding from the carcass or engaged in terminal investment strategy and invested heavily at the post‐hatching stage. Specifically, poor‐fed females allocated more into somatic maintenance (gained more weight) and less into reproduction (provided less pre‐hatching care) than well‐fed females, whereas they provided a similar amount and duration of post‐hatching care. In addition, burying beetles with different nutritional statuses vary in their response to resource availability. Poor‐fed females allocated more into both somatic maintenance (gained more weight) and reproduction (provided more pre‐hatching care) when bred on large versus small carcasses, whereas well‐fed females tend to work near their maximum capacity and thus show no response to resource availability. Finally, our findings suggest that poor‐fed females did not suffer a future cost in offspring performance. Meanwhile, a large carcass allowed females to produce more and heavier offspring. These findings enhance our understanding of how important nutritional status during a key developmental window and resource availability during breeding is for the expression of resource allocation.
Unveiling the Potential of Metal Diborides for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Sadeghi Ebrahim , Chamani Sanaz , Peighambardoust Naeimeh Sadat , Aydemir Umut
Published: January 2025

Electrocatalytic water splitting (EWS) driven by renewable energy is vital for clean hydrogen (H2) production and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. While IrO2 and RuO2 are the leading electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and Pt for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic environments, the need for efficient, stable, and affordable materials persists. Recently, transition‐metal borides (TMBs), particularly metal diborides (MDbs), have gained attention due to their unique layered crystal structures with multicentered boron bonds, offering remarkable physicochemical properties. Their nearly 2D structures boost electrochemical performance by offering high conductivity and a large active surface area, making them well‐suited for advanced energy storage and conversion technologies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the critical factors for water splitting, the crystal and electronic structures of MDbs, and their synthetic strategies. Furthermore, it examines the relationship between catalytic performance and intermediate adsorption as elucidated by first‐principle calculations. The review also highlights the latest experimental advancements in MDb‐based electrocatalysts and addresses the current challenges and future directions for their development.
Torsional Response of a Two‐Storey Low‐Damage Concrete Wall Test Building
Authors: Gu Anqi , Lu Yiqiu , Henry Richard S. , Rodgers Geoffrey W. , Zhou Ying
Published: January 2025

In recent earthquakes, poor performance and collapse of buildings attributed to inelastic torsion responses have been reported. The torsional responses of buildings have been extensively studied with analytical models, but large‐scale experiments considering seismic‐induced torsion demands on buildings are rare. A shake‐table test of a two‐storey, low‐damage concrete wall building with strength asymmetry in the plan view was recently conducted, and the response of the building to both unidirectional and bi‐directional loadings at the design‐level earthquake intensity is presented. Analysis of the results includes the global responses of the structural components and the centre of mass for the test building, the strength response of unbonded post‐tensioned walls, the interaction between the translational strengths and torque, the total absorbed energy related to the torsional rotation, and variations in the eccentricities of the centres of rigidity and strength. Furthermore, the seismic response of the test building is explained with a comparison to previously published torsional mechanisms. Key outcomes from the analysis of the test results included: (1) an increase in the strength asymmetry and bi‐directional loading both amplifies the torsional rotations and effects the displacement and strength responses of the structural components along the perimeter of the diaphragm; (2) the comparison to previous torsional mechanisms shows a desirable level of agreement and supports the utilization of these mechanisms to assess the torsional performance of low‐damage wall buildings with irregularities; and (3) despite exhibiting a strong torsional response, the test building with the asymmetric strength configurations still achieved the low‐damage performance targets.
Exploring Illumination and Communication: A Comprehensive Analysis of LED Lighting in Modern Interior Architectural Designs, Enhanced by Weighted Sum Model and Cluster Analysis for Informed Lighting Selection
Authors: Sathiamoorthy Keerthana , Ganesan Indumathi
Published: January 2025

The study of light is crucial in modern interiors, as it dispels darkness and enhances both functionality and aesthetics. From the primal flicker of flames in ancient caves to the advanced light emitting diode (LED) systems of today, lighting has been pivotal in shaping our surroundings and experiences. In contemporary interior architectural designs, lighting fulfills not only functional roles but also greatly influences the aesthetics and atmosphere of a space. Light has been an integral element in sleek interior architecture. With the advancements in LED technology, the approach to illuminating spaces has been transformed providing energy‐efficient solutions. This paper explores the role of LED lighting in modern interior architectural designs focusing on its impact on illumination and communication. Using a weighted sum model and cluster analysis, the various LED lighting configurations are evaluated for their suitability in different spaces. Performance metrics such as illuminance levels, uniformity, adherence to standards, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and bit error rate (BER) are analyzed. By varying the configurations of LED array per position from 10 × 10 to 100 × 100 the performance across different scales is assessed. The results offer insights for selecting LED lighting options that optimize functionality, aesthetics and energy efficiency in modern interior spaces.
Tartary Buckwheat Bran and Fructus Aurantii Combination (TBB‐FA): A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Functional Dyspepsia via Modulation of Gut Microbiota, Short‐Chain Fatty Acids and Purine Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Di , Zeng Xiaobo , Wang Xinge , Wen Wen , Wang Ping , Xu Shijun
Published: January 2025

This study evaluates the therapeutic impact of Fructus aurantii (FA) stir‐baked with tartary buckwheat bran (TBB) on functional dyspepsia (FD), employing a reserpine at the dose of 5 mg/kg to rats. FA, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is processed with TBB to enhance its gastrointestinal motility benefits. The study's objectives were to assess the impact of this preparation on intestinal flora, SCFA levels, and metabolomic profiles in FD. Rats were divided into groups receiving different treatments, with the TBB‐FA group showing a 7.15–33.2 times increase in fecal SCFA levels, specifically propionate and butyrate, compared to the Fructus aurantii (FA) stir‐baked with wheat bran (WB) group (WB‐FA) (p < 0.05). Metabolomics identified 23 serum and 11 intestinal mucosal biomarkers associated with FD, predominantly linked to the purine metabolic pathway. Results indicated a significant positive correlation (r ≥ 0.7) between the abundance of Bacteroides and the expression of propionate and isobutyrate in fecal samples post‐TBB‐FA treatment. This suggests that TBB‐FA may enhance beneficial gut bacteria and SCFA production, potentially modulating the purinergic signaling pathway, which is implicated in gastrointestinal motility. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that TBB‐FA could be a promising therapeutic approach for FD by improving gut microbiota and SCFA levels and highlights the purinergic signaling pathway as a novel target for treatment. The findings pave the way for further research into the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and modern therapeutic strategies for FD.
Identification of Sensory Drivers of Liking of Plant‐Based Milk Using a Novel Palm Kernel Milk—The Effect of Reformulation and Flavors Addition Through CATA and PCA Analysis
Authors: Tong Shi‐Cheng , Siow Lee Fong , Lee Yee‐Ying
Published: January 2025

There is a growing demand for a plant‐based diet (meat analogue/plant‐based milk) due to an increase in awareness towards health issues, environmental sustainability, and animal ethical issues. The replacement of dairy has recently been one of the market efforts to fulfill such demand. Yet, challenges arise when consumers are reluctant to accept plant‐based milk (PBM) due to the mismatch of organoleptic profile between PBM and the actual dairy. Hence, this study aims to understand the sensory drivers of liking in PBM through the development of a novel palm kernel milk (PKM 1.0). Furthermore, the study also aimed to examine the effect of reformulation (PKM 2.0) and flavor addition on sensorial acceptability improvement. Results showed that PKM 2.0 appeared similar to almond milk but is nutritionally denser like soymilk and oat milk. An acceptance score of 5.17 out of 9 was obtained for PKM 2.0 which is only slightly lower than 6.18 out of 9 and 6.36 out of 9 for oat milk and soymilk, respectively. Introducing flavors significantly improves the sample acceptance and reduces “bland” attributes. A high acceptance score of 7.24 out of 9 was obtained for chocolate‐flavored PKM along with a strong correlation with “rich”, “sweet”, and “creamy” attributes. A correlation matrix showed that “smooth”, “sweet”, “roasted”, “creamy”, and “rich” are the attributes the consumers desired.
Preliminary Evidence for Perturbation‐Based tACS‐EEG Biomarkers of Gamma Activity in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Palmisano Annalisa , Pezanko Luke R. , Cappon Davide , Tatti Elisa , Macone Joanna , Koch Giacomo , Smeralda Carmelo L. , Romanella Sara M. , Ruffini Giulio , Rivolta Davide , Press Daniel Z. , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro , El‐Fakhri Georges , Santarnecchi Emiliano
Published: January 2025

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by impaired inhibitory circuitry and GABAergic dysfunction, which is associated with reduced fast brain oscillations in the gamma band (γ, 30–90 Hz) in several animal models. Investigating such activity in human patients could lead to the identification of novel biomarkers of diagnostic and prognostic value. The current study aimed to test a multimodal “Perturbation‐based” transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation‐Electroencephalography (tACS)‐EEG protocol to detect how responses to tACS in AD patients correlate with patients' clinical phenotype.

Methods

Fourteen participants with mild to moderate dementia due to AD underwent a baseline assessment including cognitive status, peripheral neuroinflammation, and resting‐state (rs)EEG. The tACS‐EEG recordings included brief (6′) tACS blocks of gamma (i.e., 40 Hz) stimulation administered through 4 different montages, with Pre/Post 32‐Channels EEG for each block. Changes in tACS‐EEG and rsEEG γ band power with respect to baseline were adopted as a metric of induction and compared with cognitive scores and neuroinflammatory biomarkers.

Results

We found positive correlations between 40 Hz‐induced γ activity in fronto‐central‐parietal areas and patient cognitive status and negative ones with neuroinflammatory markers. Participants with greater cognitive impairment exhibited less γ induction and higher peripheral neuroinflammation. The same analysis performed with spectral power from baseline rsEEG resulted in no significant correlations, promoting the value of tACS‐based perturbation for capturing individual differences in pathology‐related brain features.

Conclusions

Our work suggests a link between tACS‐induced γ band spectral power and clinical severity, with weaker γ induction corresponding to more severe clinical/cognitive impairment. This study provides preliminary support for the development of novel physiological biomarkers and therapeutic targets based on disease severity.
Rapid Fabrication of Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Foams With Encapsulated Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Chronic Wound Treatment
Authors: Thai Nghia Le Ba , Fittante Emily , Ma Zhen , Monroe Mary Beth
Published: January 2025

Chronic wounds present a major healthcare challenge around the world, and significant hurdles remain in their effective treatment due to limitations in accessible treatment options. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with multifunctional differentiation and modulatory properties have been delivered to chronic wounds to enhance closure but have limited engraftment when delivered without a scaffold. In this study, hybrid porous hydrogel foams composed of modified polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin were developed that are suitable for rapid and facile MSC encapsulation, fully degradable, and supportive of wound healing. Rapid fabrication and encapsulation within porous foams was achieved using a cytocompatible gas blowing process. The hybrid hydrogels have tunable degradation rates based on chemistry, with complete mass loss achieved within 2–6 weeks, which is compatible with chronic wound closure rates. High encapsulated A375 epithelial cell and MSC viability with maintained cell functionality over 2 weeks reveals the potential of these hydrogels to serve as cell delivery systems for chronic wound treatment. An ex vivo porcine skin wound model demonstrated enhanced healing after application of cell‐laden hydrogel foams. Overall, hybrid hydrogel foams with encapsulated therapeutic cells have the capacity for robust wound healing and are a promising platform for chronic wound dressings.
Inhibition of GPR4 Attenuates the Formation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Through Inhibiting the SP‐1/VEGF‐A Signaling
Authors: Lei Chenggang , Zhou Qian , Lv Lizhen , Liu Di , Qian Haiyun
Published: January 2025

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a severe cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is partly attributable to endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory response, and angiogenesis.

G protein‐coupled receptor 4 (GPR4), a proton‐sensitive G protein‐coupled receptor that is abundantly expressed in vascular endothelial cells, has been associated with numerous physiological functions. Nevertheless, its potential involvement in the development of AAA remains unexplored.

In this study, we examined the impact of GPR4 deletion on the development of AAA in ApoE‐deficient mice. The mice were categorized into four distinct groups: the ApoE−/− with saline group, the ApoE−/−GPR4−/− with saline group, the ApoE−/− with Ang II group, and the ApoE−/−GPR4−/− with Ang II group. AAA were induced in the ApoE−/− mice through the perfusion of angiotensin II (Ang II). Notably, GPR4 was substantially elevated in the AAA tissues from both human subjects and experimental mice. The deletion of GPR4 substantially decreased the formation of Ang II‐induced AAA, damages to elastin, and the expression of aortic inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), as well as vascular endothelial growth factor A/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF‐A/VEGF‐R2), in ApoE−/− mice. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were transfected with lenti‐viral GPR4 shRNA and subsequently stimulated with Ang II. Our findings indicate that the knockout of GPR4 attenuated Ang II‐induced angiogenic tube formation in HAECs by decreasing the expression of VEGF‐A and VEGF‐R2. Furthermore, GPR4 knockout also hindered the activation of specificity protein‐1 (SP‐1) by reducing its expression and transcriptional activity. Notably, the overexpression of SP‐1 reversed the inhibitory effects of GPR4 knockout on angiogenic tube formation and the expression of VEGF‐A/VEGF‐R2. This suggests that the protective effects of GPR4 knockout are achieved through the inhibition of SP‐1. In summary, the absence of GPR4 impeded AAA formation, indicating that GPR4 could potentially serve as a therapeutic target for AAA.
Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress, Apoptosis, and Redox Signaling: Key Players in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Üremiş Nuray , Üremiş Muhammed Mehdi
Published: January 2025

Neurodegenerative diseases are significant health concerns that have a profound impact on the quality and duration of life for millions of individuals. These diseases are characterized by pathological changes in various brain regions, specific genetic mutations associated with the disease, deposits of abnormal proteins, and the degeneration of neurological cells. As neurodegenerative disorders vary in their epidemiological characteristics and vulnerability of neurons, treatment of these diseases is usually aimed at slowing disease progression. The heterogeneity of genetic and environmental factors involved in the process of neurodegeneration makes current treatment methods inadequate. However, the existence of common molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of these diseases may allow the development of new targeted therapeutic strategies. Oxidative and nitrosative stress damages membrane components by accumulating ROS and RNS and disrupting redox balance. This process results in the induction of apoptosis, which is important in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases through oxidative stress. Studies conducted using postmortem human samples, animal models, and cell cultures have demonstrated that oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, and apoptosis are crucial factors in the development of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. The excessive production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, elevated levels of free radicals, heightened mitochondrial stress, disturbances in energy metabolism, and the oxidation and nitrosylation of cellular macromolecules are recognized as triggers for neuronal cell death. Challenges in managing and treating neurodegenerative diseases require a better understanding of this field at the molecular level. Therefore, this review elaborates on the molecular mechanisms by which oxidative and nitrosative stress are involved in neuronal apoptosis.
Extending the MST Model to Large Biomolecular Systems: Parametrization of the ddCOSMO‐MST Continuum Solvation Model
Authors: Cunha R. D. , Romero‐Téllez S. , Lipparini F. , Luque F. J. , Curutchet C.
Published: January 2025

Continuum solvation models such as the polarizable continuum model and the conductor‐like screening model are widely used in quantum chemistry, but their application to large biosystems is hampered by their computational cost. Here, we report the parametrization of the Miertus–Scrocco–Tomasi (MST) model for the prediction of hydration free energies of neutral and ionic molecules based on the domain decomposition formulation of COSMO (ddCOSMO), which allows a drastic reduction of the computational cost by several orders of magnitude. We also introduce several novelties in MST, like a new definition of atom types based on hybridization and an automatic setup of the cavity for charged regions. The model is parametrized at the B3LYP/6‐31+G(d) and PM6 levels of theory and compared to the performance of IEFPCM/MST. Then, we demonstrate the robustness of the parametrization on the SAMPL2, SAMPL4, and C10 datasets. The ddCOSMO/MST models provide errors of ~0.8 and ~3.2 kcal/mol for neutrals and ions, respectively, showing a remarkable balanced and accurate description of cations and anions.
Relationship Between Patient Demographics and Biologic Therapy Use in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. A Single Center Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Shehab Mohammad , Alsayegh Abdulwahab , Alabdulhadi Munirah , Snober Shahed , Aleissa Nouf , Alfadhli Ahmad
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Biologic therapies treat patients with moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to investigate the demographics of biologic therapy use and its association with patient characteristics, a topic that has not yet been thoroughly assessed in our region.

Methods

Electronic health record data from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2023, were collected at a tertiary care IBD center in Kuwait. The primary outcome of this single‐center cross‐sectional study was to assess the demographics of use of various biologic therapies among patients with IBD. The secondary outcome was to assess whether the type of biologic therapy differed based on gender, age, and IBD type.

Results

Among the 513 patients using biologic therapy in this study, there were 210 (40.9%) on adalimumab (ADL), 154 (30.0%) on infliximab (IFX), 112 (21.9%) on ustekinumab (UST), and 33 (6.4%) on vedolizumab (VDZ). Patients taking VDZ were more likely to have ulcerative colitis (UC) (p < 0.001) and were more likely to be over 30 years old (p < 0.001). In contrast, patients on UST were less likely to be over 30 (p = 0.011) and more likely to have Crohn's disease (CD) (p < 0.001). In addition, patients on ADL were more likely to have Crohn's disease (p = 0.003), as were patients on IFX (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients taking VDZ were more likely to have UC and be over 30 years of age, while those on UST were more likely to be under 30 years of age and to have CD. Additionally, patients on ADL and IFX were more likely to have CD. This study highlighted the need for further research evaluating physicians' preferences and the effectiveness of different biological therapies in patients with IBD.
Transoral Laser Microsurgery Versus Radiotherapy for T1–T2 Glottic Cancer with Anterior Commissure Involvement: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Vasudevan Srivatsa Surya , Bryan Elizabeth , Ericksen Elise , Alla Anika , Asarkar Ameya A. , Olinde Lindsay , Katz Sanford , Nathan Cherie‐Ann O.
Published: January 2025

Objective

To identify the most effective treatment modality for achieving favorable outcomes in early glottic tumors with anterior commissure involvement (ACI).

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect.

Review Methods

Random‐effects proportional meta‐analysis model is used to evaluate the oncological and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) versus radiation therapy (RT) in early glottic (T1–T2) cancer with ACI.

Results

From a total of 736 studies, 40 studies were included, comprising 2666 early glottic tumor patients with ACI. TLM (52%) and upfront RT (48%) were the primary treatment groups. TLM had better 5‐year overall survival (OS) (84.5% [80.3%–88.0%] vs. 79.4% [75.7%–82.7%]). Similarly, TLM‐treated patients had better 3‐year pooled disease‐free survival (DFS) compared with RT‐treated patients (82.7% [77.1%–87.1%] vs. 73.3% [23.8%–96.0%]). TLM exhibited a better 5‐year local control rate (LCR) than RT (77.2% vs. 71.6%). In our temporal analysis, TLM had a higher 5‐year LCR than RT (78.2% vs. 63.5%) in 2001–2012, with similar rates in 2013–2024 (76.8% vs. 78.4%). TLM‐treated patients had higher laryngeal preservation rates compared with RT patients (93% [90.6%–94.8%] vs. 87.6% [82.8%–91.2%]).

Conclusions

Our meta‐analysis is the first in the literature to compare the outcomes between TLM and RT‐treated patients with ACI in early glottic tumors. TLM‐treated patients appear to have superior 5‐year OS and laryngeal preservation compared with upfront RT‐treated patients. However, both TLM and RT exhibited comparable oncological outcomes in early glottic tumor patients with ACI during the recent period from 2013 to 2024. Laryngoscope, 2025
Establishing Artificial Grassland on Extremely Degraded Alpine Meadow Changes the Soil Fungal Community and Function in the Qilian Mountain Area
Authors: Zhao Wen , Yin Ya‐li , Li Shi‐xiong , Song Jiang‐qin , Dong Yi‐ling , Su Shi‐feng
Published: January 2025

The establishment of artificial grasslands is a recognized method for restoring severely degraded alpine meadows, yet its impact on soil fungi remains poorly understood. To investigate the impact of artificial grassland establishment on soil fungal communities, we selected a typical 4‐year‐old artificial grassland as the research subject, with non‐degraded and extremely degraded alpine meadows serving as controls. Soil fungal communities and functional groups were analyzed using Illumina sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes, and functional groups were predicted using the FUNGuild database. The results indicated that artificial grassland establishment had a significant impact on vegetation properties, while not affecting soil nutrient contents. Additionally, established artificial grassland significantly increased fungal diversity but did not alter the abundance of dominant phyla except Ascomycota. The ecological network analysis revealed that artificial grassland establishment (0.0910) markedly decreased fungal robustness compared to non‐degraded (0.2040) and extremely degraded (0.1790), suggesting unfavorable soil conditions for fungal interactions. Moreover, vegetation properties (Shannon and Richness diversity indices) were the primary factors influencing soil fungal functional groups, communities, and ecological networks. Our findings indicate that the artificial grassland establishment rapidly restores vegetation but does not support the restoration of fungal communities.
Hybrid Femtosecond Laser 3D Processing Technology for Rapid Integration of Functional Optical Devices on Fibers
Authors: Xu Liqun , Xue Yuhang , Wang Chaowei , Gui Xinyu , Zhang Chenchu , Zhang Li , Tao Yuan , Wang Xinghao , Zhang Leran , Pan Deng , Li Jiawen , Wu Dong , Chu Jiaru , Hu Yanlei
Published: January 2025

Due to constraints imposed by the geometry characteristics of optical fibers and conventional preparation strategies, the development of “Lab on Tip” devices faces significant challenges. By introducing two‐photon polymerization (TPP) technology, it becomes feasible to develop arbitrarily complex 3D structures with nanoscale features on fiber tips. However, the serial scanning process of TPP is too slow to accommodate the extensive application expansion of fiber tip devices. Herein, a hybrid femtosecond laser 3D processing technology (termed “FPL‐DLW”), developed by combining femtosecond projection lithography (FPL) with direct laser writing (DLW), is reported. FPL is adopted to print bulk base structures and DLW is employed for precision realization of functional nanostructures. Using a common polarizing beam splitter as a bridge, the two independent optical systems with different polarized light sources are facilely integrated to realize hybrid processing. The FPL‐DLW utilizes FPL (high‐efficiency) and DLW (high‐precision) to flexibly fabricate multiple types of fiber tip functional devices, whose processing efficiency can be boosted by up to two orders of magnitude compared to using DLW alone. These results validate that the authors’ method provides a universal solution for the rapid integration of micro–nanostructures on various fiber end facets, which is challenging with existing TPP technologies.
Pressure‐Tailored π–π Stacking in Dimers Enhances Blue Photoluminescence in Boron‐Based Organic Molecules
Authors: Ruan Jingqi , Wang Yixuan , Yang Binhao , Yang Yunfeng , Wang Weibin , Yang Qing , Yang Xinyi , Zou Bo
Published: January 2025

Organic materials with exceptional blue photoluminescence have emerged as a captivating class of materials, exhibiting promising applications as full‐color display and solid‐state lighting. However, the photoluminescence quenching is a largely unsolved problem towing to the strong π–π interaction in the aggregation effect or the electrostatic repulsion. Herein, a strategy to harvest the remarkably enhanced blue emission in phenylboric acid molecules with intricate hydrogen bond networks through pressure treatment engineering is proposed. Intriguingly, the photoluminescence quantum yields of pressure‐treated phenylboric acid experiences a significant enhancement from 2.3 % to 31.5 %, which shows bright blue emission. The inhibition of benzene ring vibration and the reduction of π–π stacking interaction originating from the offset stacking mode are highly responsible for the enhancement of blue photoluminescence. This work demonstrates the feasibility of modulating molecular stacking patterns to achieve efficient emission and presents a momentous strategy for improving the optical properties of blue organic materials.
Establishing the Validity of a Cultural Assessment of Suicide Risks in Black Adolescents
Authors: Francois Samantha , Adams Leslie , Phelps Chavez
Published: January 2025

Although rates of suicide among Black American youth have increased in recent years, few brief assessment tools have been culturally tailored and validated to better identify suicide risk for this population. The current study addresses this gap by testing the validity and reliability of the Cultural Assessment of Suicide Risk‐short form (CARS‐S) in an online sample of Black American adolescents. Three hundred eighty‐one Black adolescents (Mage = 17.5) completed a 13‐item CARS‐S measure online. Cronbach's alpha and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were computed in Stata v.15 and Mplus v.8.0. The revised CARS‐S scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.82). A four‐factor solution retained through exploratory analysis demonstrated the best model fit (χ2 = 46.62, p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.01–0.08 CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.97) compared to other model solutions. Confirmatory analysis supported a four‐factor model with no cross‐loaded items. The four factors were: (1) Family conflict and idioms of distress‐suicidal actions (four items); Social Support (two items); Minority‐specific distress (three items); Idioms of distress‐emotional/somatic and cultural sanctions (four items). Researchers conducting future suicide prevention research focused on Black American adolescents and including the CAR‐S measure should consider the inclusion of items related to family conflict and racism‐related stress to better capture risk.