bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SuperAnimal pretrained pose estimation models for behavioral analysis
Authors: Ye Shaokai , Filippova Anastasiia , Lauer Jessy , Schneider Steffen , Vidal Maxime , Qiu Tian , Mathis Alexander , Mathis Mackenzie Weygandt
Published: June 2024

Quantification of behavior is critical in diverse applications from neuroscience, veterinary medicine to animal conservation. A common key step for behavioral analysis is first extracting relevant keypoints on animals, known as pose estimation. However, reliable inference of poses currently requires domain knowledge and manual labeling effort to build supervised models. We present SuperAnimal, a method to develop unified foundation models that can be used on over 45 species, without additional manual labels. These models show excellent performance across six pose estimation benchmarks. We demonstrate how to fine-tune the models (if needed) on differently labeled data and provide tooling for unsupervised video adaptation to boost performance and decrease jitter across frames. If fine-tuned, SuperAnimal models are 10–100× more data efficient than prior transfer-learning-based approaches. We illustrate the utility of our models in behavioral classification and kinematic analysis. Collectively, we present a data-efficient solution for animal pose estimation.
Comparing the effects of CETP in East Asian and European ancestries: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Dunca Diana , Chopade Sandesh , Gordillo-Marañón María , Hingorani Aroon D. , Kuchenbaecker Karoline , Finan Chris , Schmidt Amand F.
Published: June 2024

CETP inhibitors are a class of lipid-lowering drugs in development for treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). Genetic studies in East Asian ancestry have interpreted the lack of CETP signal with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lack of drug target Mendelian randomization (MR) effect on CHD as evidence that CETP inhibitors might not be effective in East Asian participants. Capitalizing on recent increases in sample size of East Asian genetic studies, we conducted a drug target MR analysis, scaled to a standard deviation increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Despite finding evidence for possible neutral effects of lower CETP levels on LDL-C, systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure in East Asians (interaction p-values < 1.6 × 10−3), effects on cardiovascular outcomes were similarly protective in both ancestry groups. In conclusion, on-target inhibition of CETP is anticipated to decrease cardiovascular disease in individuals of both European and East Asian ancestries.
The methylerythritol phosphate pathway as an oxidative stress sense and response system
Authors: Perez-Gil Jordi , Behrendorff James , Douw Andrew , Vickers Claudia E.
Published: June 2024

The methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway is responsible for biosynthesis of the precursors of isoprenoid compounds in eubacteria and plastids. It is a metabolic alternative to the well-known mevalonate pathway for isoprenoid production found in archaea and eukaryotes. Recently, a role for the MEP pathway in oxidative stress detection, signalling, and response has been identified. This role is executed in part through the unusual cyclic intermediate, methylerythritol cyclodiphosphate (MEcDP). We postulate that this response is triggered through the oxygen sensitivity of the MEP pathway’s terminal iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster enzymes. MEcDP is the substrate of IspG, the first Fe-S cluster enzyme in the pathway; it accumulates under oxidative stress conditions and acts as a signalling molecule. It may also act as an antioxidant. Furthermore, evidence is emerging for a broader and highly nuanced role of the MEP pathway in oxidative stress responses, implemented through a complex system of differential regulation and sensitivity at numerous nodes in the pathway. Here, we explore the evidence for such a role (including the contribution of the Fe-S cluster enzymes and different pathway metabolites, especially MEcDP), the evolutionary implications, and the many questions remaining about the behaviour of the MEP pathway in the presence of oxidative stress.
A cocktail nanovaccine targeting key entry glycoproteins elicits high neutralizing antibody levels against EBV infection
Authors: Zhong Ling , Zhang Wanlin , Liu Hong , Zhang Xinyu , Yang Zeyu , Wen Zhenfu , Chen Ling , Chen Haolin , Luo Yanran , Chen Yanhong , Feng Qisheng , Zeng Mu-Sheng , Zhao Qinjian , Liu Lixin , Krummenacher Claude , Zeng Yi-Xin , Chen Yongming , Xu Miao , Zhang Xiao
Published: June 2024

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects more than 95% of adults worldwide and is closely associated with various malignancies. Considering the complex life cycle of EBV, developing vaccines targeting key entry glycoproteins to elicit robust and durable adaptive immune responses may provide better protection. EBV gHgL-, gB- and gp42-specific antibodies in healthy EBV carriers contributed to sera neutralizing abilities in vitro, indicating that they are potential antigen candidates. To enhance the immunogenicity of these antigens, we formulate three nanovaccines by co-delivering molecular adjuvants (CpG and MPLA) and antigens (gHgL, gB or gp42). These nanovaccines induce robust humoral and cellular responses through efficient activation of dendritic cells and germinal center response. Importantly, these nanovaccines generate high levels of neutralizing antibodies recognizing vulnerable sites of all three antigens. IgGs induced by a cocktail vaccine containing three nanovaccines confer superior protection from lethal EBV challenge in female humanized mice compared to IgG elicited by individual NP-gHgL, NP-gB and NP-gp42. Importantly, serum antibodies elicited by cocktail nanovaccine immunization confer durable protection against EBV-associated lymphoma. Overall, the cocktail nanovaccine shows robust immunogenicity and is a promising candidate for further clinical trials.
RPLP1 restricts HIV-1 transcription by disrupting C/EBPβ binding to the LTR
Authors: Yang Weijing , Wang Hong , Li Zhaolong , Zhang Lihua , Liu Jianhui , Kirchhoff Frank , Huan Chen , Zhang Wenyan
Published: June 2024

Long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) of HIV-1 infection may provide important insights into mechanisms involved in viral control and pathogenesis. Here, our results suggest that the ribosomal protein lateral stalk subunit P1 (RPLP1) is expressed at higher levels in LTNPs compared to regular progressors (RPs). Functionally, RPLP1 inhibits transcription of clade B HIV-1 strains by occupying the C/EBPβ binding sites in the viral long terminal repeat (LTR). This interaction requires the α-helixes 2 and 4 domains of RPLP1 and is evaded by HIV-1 group M subtype C and group N, O and P strains that do not require C/EBPβ for transcription. We further demonstrate that HIV-1-induced translocation of RPLP1 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus is essential for antiviral activity. Finally, knock-down of RPLP1 promotes reactivation of latent HIV-1 proviruses. Thus, RPLP1 may play a role in the maintenance of HIV-1 latency and resistance to RPLP1 restriction may contribute to the effective spread of clade C HIV-1 strains.
Sugar-based synthesis of an enantiomorphically pure zeolite
Authors: Sala Andrés , Jordá José L. , Sastre German , Llamas-Saiz Antonio L. , Rey Fernando , Valencia Susana
Published: June 2024

Zeolites, well-known by their high selectivities in catalytic and separation processes due to their porous nature, play a crucial role in various applications. One significant long-term objective is the synthesis of enantiopure zeolites, potentially enabling enantioselective processes. Earlier attempts result in partial success, yielding some enantiomorphically enriched zeolites. In this study, we introduce a zeolite synthesis approach utilizing chiral organic structure directing agents (ch-OSDAs) derived from sugars, guiding the crystallization process toward achieving enantiomorphically pure S-STW zeolite. The purity of the zeolite is confirmed through extensive analyses of individual crystals using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, extracting Flack parameters and space groups. Theoretical and structural investigations confirm that the sugar-derived ch-OSDA perfectly fits the characteristic helicoidal channel of the zeolite structure, featuring its efficacy in achieving enantiopure zeolites.
PJA1-mediated suppression of pyroptosis as a driver of docetaxel resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Huang Sheng-Yan , Gong Sha , Zhao Yin , Ye Ming-Liang , Li Jun-Yan , He Qing-Mei , Qiao Han , Tan Xi-Rong , Wang Jing-Yun , Liang Ye-Lin , Huang Sai-Wei , He Shi-Wei , Li Ying-Qin , Xu Sha , Li Ying-Qing , Liu Na
Published: June 2024

Chemoresistance is a main reason for treatment failure in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the exact regulatory mechanism underlying chemoresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma remains to be elucidated. Here, we identify PJA1 as a key E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma chemoresistance that is highly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with nonresponse to docetaxel-cisplatin-5-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy. We find that PJA1 facilitates docetaxel resistance by inhibiting GSDME-mediated pyroptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Mechanistically, PJA1 promotes the degradation of the mitochondrial protein PGAM5 by increasing its K48-linked ubiquitination at K88, which further facilitates DRP1 phosphorylation at S637 and reduced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, resulting in suppression of GSDME-mediated pyroptosis and the antitumour immune response. PGAM5 knockdown fully restores the docetaxel sensitization effect of PJA1 knockdown. Moreover, pharmacological targeting of PJA1 with the small molecule inhibitor RTA402 enhances the docetaxel sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, high PJA1 expression indicates inferior survival and poor clinical efficacy of TPF IC in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Our study emphasizes the essential role of E3 ligases in regulating chemoresistance and provides therapeutic strategies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Physical exercise restores adult neurogenesis deficits induced by simulated microgravity
Authors: Gros Alexandra , Furlan Fandilla Marie , Rouglan Vanessa , Favereaux Alexandre , Bontempi Bruno , Morel Jean-Luc
Published: June 2024

Cognitive impairments have been reported in astronauts during spaceflights and documented in ground-based models of simulated microgravity (SMG) in animals. However, the neuronal causes of these behavioral effects remain largely unknown. We explored whether adult neurogenesis, known to be a crucial plasticity mechanism supporting memory processes, is altered by SMG. Adult male Long-Evans rats were submitted to the hindlimb unloading model of SMG. We studied the proliferation, survival and maturation of newborn cells in the following neurogenic niches: the subventricular zone (SVZ)/olfactory bulb (OB) and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, at different delays following various periods of SMG. SMG exposure for 7 days, but not shorter periods of 6 or 24 h, resulted in a decrease of newborn cell proliferation restricted to the DG. SMG also induced a decrease in short-term (7 days), but not long-term (21 days), survival of newborn cells in the SVZ/OB and DG. Physical exercise, used as a countermeasure, was able to reverse the decrease in newborn cell survival observed in the SVZ and DG. In addition, depending on the duration of SMG periods, transcriptomic analysis revealed modifications in gene expression involved in neurogenesis. These findings highlight the sensitivity of adult neurogenesis to gravitational environmental factors during a transient period, suggesting that there is a period of adaptation of physiological systems to this new environment.
A hybrid framework for estimating nonlinear functions of quantum states
Authors: Zhou You , Liu Zhenhuan
Published: June 2024

Estimating nonlinear functions of quantum states, such as the moment $${{{\rm{tr}}}}({\rho }^{m})$$

tr

(

ρ

m

)

, is of fundamental and practical interest in quantum science and technology. Here we show a quantum-classical hybrid framework to measure them, where the quantum part is constituted by the generalized swap test, and the classical part is realized by postprocessing the result from randomized measurements. This hybrid framework utilizes the partial coherent power of the intermediate-scale quantum processor and, at the same time, dramatically reduces the number of quantum measurements and the cost of classical postprocessing. We demonstrate the advantage of our framework in the tasks of state-moment estimation and quantum error mitigation.
Sugar-sweetened beverage but not diluted cloudy apple juice consumption induces post-prandial endotoxemia in healthy adults
Authors: Staltner Raphaela , Valder Sarah , Wodak Maximilian F. , Köpsel Magdalena , Herdegen Volker , Esatbeyoglu Tuba , Kostov Tihomir , Diel Patrick , Bergheim Ina
Published: June 2024

Sugar beverages are discussed as critical in the development of metabolic endotoxemia. Here, employing a cross-over design study we assessed the effect of diluted cloudy apple juice (AJ), an iso-caloric and -sweetened placebo (P), or water (W) on post-prandial endotoxemia in healthy, normal weight adults. After obtaining fasting blood, 19 healthy men and women consumed 500 mL AJ, P, or W in a randomized order and blood was taken 120 and 180 min later. Caco-2 cells were incubated with the beverages. Markers of intestinal barrier function were assessed. The intake of P but not of AJ or W was associated with a significant increase in TLR2 ligands and bacterial endotoxin in serum after 120 min and 180 min, respectively. P but not AJ significantly increased bacterial toxin permeation in Caco-2 cells. Our results suggest that the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on markers of intestinal barrier function markedly differ from those of fruit juices.
Ionospheric irregularities at Jupiter observed by JWST
Authors: Melin Henrik , O’Donoghue J. , Moore L. , Stallard T. S. , Fletcher L. N. , Roman M. T. , Harkett J. , King O. R. T. , Thomas E. M. , Wang R. , Tiranti P. I. , Knowles K. L. , de Pater I. , Fouchet T. , Fry P. H. , Wong M. H. , Holler B. J. , Hueso R. , James M. K. , Orton G. S. , Mura A. , Sánchez-Lavega A. , Lellouch E. , de Kleer K. , Showalter M. R.
Published: June 2024

Jupiter’s upper atmosphere is composed of a neutral thermosphere and charged ionosphere. In the latter, the dominant molecular ion H3+ emits in the near-infrared, allowing for the remote exploration of the physical properties of the upper atmosphere. However, the Jovian low-latitude ionosphere remains largely unexplored because H3+ emissions from this region are faint and spectrally entangled with bright neutral species, such as CH4. Here, we present James Webb Space Telescope H3+ observations of Jupiter’s low-latitude ionosphere in the region of the Great Red Spot, showing unexpected small-scale intensity features such as arcs, bands and spots. Our observations may imply that the low-latitude ionosphere of Jupiter is strongly coupled to the lower atmosphere via gravity waves that superimpose to produce this complex and intricate morphology.
Climate change to exacerbate the burden of water collection on women’s welfare globally
Authors: Carr Robert , Kotz Maximilian , Pichler Peter-Paul , Weisz Helga , Belmin Camille , Wenz Leonie
Published: June 2024

Climate change is aggravating water scarcity worldwide. In rural households lacking access to running water, women often bear the responsibility for its collection, with adverse effects on their well being through long daily time commitments, physical strain and mental distress. Here we show that rising temperatures will exacerbate this water collection burden globally. Using fixed-effects regression, we analyse the effect of climate conditions on self-reported water collection times for 347 subnational regions across four continents from 1990 to 2019. Historically, a 1 °C temperature rise increased daily water collection times by 4 minutes. Reduced precipitation historically increased water collection time, most strongly where precipitation levels were low or fewer women employed. Accordingly, due to warming by 2050, daily water collection times for women without household access could increase by 30% globally and up to 100% regionally, under a high-emissions scenario. This underscores a gendered dimension of climate impacts, which undermines womens’ welfare.
Wave-momentum shaping for moving objects in heterogeneous and dynamic media
Authors: Orazbayev Bakhtiyar , Malléjac Matthieu , Bachelard Nicolas , Rotter Stefan , Fleury Romain
Published: June 2024

Light and sound waves can move objects through the transfer of linear or angular momentum, which has led to the development of optical and acoustic tweezers, with applications ranging from biomedical engineering to quantum optics. Although impressive manipulation results have been achieved, the stringent requirement for a highly controlled, low-reverberant and static environment still hinders the applicability of these techniques in many scenarios. Here we overcome this challenge and demonstrate the manipulation of objects in disordered and dynamic media by optimally tailoring the momentum of sound waves iteratively in the far field. The method does not require information about the object’s physical properties or the spatial structure of the surrounding medium but relies only on a real-time scattering matrix measurement and a positional guide-star. Our experiment demonstrates the possibility of optimally moving and rotating objects to extend the reach of wave-based object manipulation to complex and dynamic scattering media. We envision new opportunities for biomedical applications, sensing and manufacturing.
Resource demands in telco data centers
Authors: Paranou Dimitra , Pentelas Angelos , Doukas George , Chondralis Konstantinos , Katsiros Dimitris , Angelou Evangelos , Anastopoulos Nikos , Giannopoulos Giorgos , Papastefanatos George
Published: June 2024

Telecommunication (telco) cloud services have emerged as crucial components in the modern digital landscape, offering extensive capabilities for data management, connectivity, and service provision. However, research on telco clouds lacks comprehensive data on the characteristics of production workloads, which is fundamental for designing effective resource management systems, such as workload schedulers and power management mechanisms. To this end, this paper addresses a substantial gap in telco cloud research by creating a comprehensive dataset that encapsulates crucial information regarding the pattern demands of applications within telco data centers. In addition, the proposed dataset contributes to the field by enabling strategic network configuration, optimizing data center sizing, facilitating proactive decision-making for data center operations, but its applicability extends beyond these cases. These examples illustrate the practical value of the dataset in enhancing efficiency, reducing operational costs, and ensuring optimal performance within telecommunication data centers.
Chromosome-level genome assembly of Euphorbia tirucalli (Euphorbiaceae), a highly stress-tolerant oil plant
Authors: Wei Zuoying , Feng Chao , Xu Jiayun , Shi Xizuo , Kang Ming , Wang Jing
Published: June 2024

Euphorbia, one of the largest genera of flowering plants, is well-known for containing many biofuel crops. Euphorbia tirucalli, an evergreen succulent mainly native to the Africa continent but cultivated worldwide, is a promising petroleum plant with high tolerance to drought and salt stress. However, the exploration of such an important plant resource is severely hampered by the lack of a reference genome. Here, we present the chromosome-level genome assembly of E. tirucalli using PacBio HiFi sequencing and Hi-C technology. Its genome size was approximately 745.62 Mb, with a contig N50 of 74.16 Mb. A total of 743.63 Mb (99.73%) of the assembled sequences were anchored to 10 chromosomes with a complete BUSCO score of 97.80%. Genome annotation revealed 26,304 protein-coding genes, and 76.37% of the genome was identified as repeat elements. The high-quality genome provides valuable genetic resources that would be useful for unraveling the genetic mechanisms of biofuel synthesis and evolutionary adaptation of E. tirucalli.
Chromosome-scale genome assemblies of sexually dimorphic male and female Acrossocheilus fasciatus
Authors: Yuan Yixin , Zhong Tianxing , Wang Yifei , Yang Jinquan , Gui Lang , Shen Yubang , Zhou Jiajun , Chung-Davidson Yu-Wen , Li Weiming , Xu Jinkai , Li Jiale , Li Mingyou , Ren Jianfeng
Published: June 2024

Acrossocheilus fasciatus is a stream-dwelling fish species of the Barbinae subfamily. It is valued for its colorfully striped appearance and delicious meat. This species is also characterized by apparent sexual dimorphism and toxic ovum. Biology and aquaculture researches of A. fasciatus are hindered by the lack of a high-quality reference genome. Here, we report chromosome-level genome assemblies of the male and female A. fasciatus. The HiFi-only genome assemblies for both female and male individuals were 899.13 Mb (N50 length of 32.58 Mb) and 885.68 Mb (N50 length of 33.06 Mb), respectively. Notably, a substantial proportion of the assembled sequences, accounting for 96.15% and 98.35% for female and male genomes, respectively, were successfully anchored onto 25 chromosomes utilizing Hi-C data. We annotated the female assembly as a reference genome and identified a total of 400.62 Mb (44.56%) repetitive sequences, 27,392 protein-coding genes, and 35,869 ncRNAs. The high-quality male and female reference genomes will provide genomic resources for developing sex-specific molecular markers, inform single-sex breeding, and elucidate genetic mechanisms of sexual dimorphism.
A dataset of trophic state index for nation-scale lakes in China from 40-year Landsat observations
Authors: Hu Minqi , Ma Ronghua , Xue Kun , Cao Zhigang , Chen Xi , Xiong Junfeng , Xu Jinduo , Huang Zehui , Yu Zhengyang
Published: June 2024

Trophic state index (TSI) serves as a key indicator for quantifying and understanding the lake eutrophication, which has not been fully explored for long-term water quality monitoring, especially for small and medium inland waters. Landsat satellites offer an effective complement to facilitate the temporal and spatial monitoring of multi-scale lakes. Landsat surface reflectance products were utilized to retrieve the annual average TSI for 2693 lakes over 1 km2 in China from 1984 to 2023. Our method first distinguishes lake types by pixels with a decision tree and then derives relationships between trophic state and algal biomass index. Validation with public reports and existing datasets confirmed the good consistency and reliability. The dataset provides reliable annual TSI results and credible trends for lakes under different area scales, which can serve as a reference for further research and provide convenience for lake sustainable management.
A dataset of high-resolution digital elevation models of the Skeiðarársandur kettle holes, Southern Iceland
Authors: Szafraniec Joanna Ewa
Published: June 2024

In studies of the relief evolution of smaller landforms, up to several dozen meters in width/diameter, digital elevation models (DEMs) freely accessible in different repositories may be insufficient in terms of resolution. Existing geophysical or photogrammetric equipment is not always available due to costs, conditions and regulations, especially for students or young researchers. An alternative may be the handy-held ground-based Structure from Motion technique. It allows us to obtain free high-resolution DEMs (~0.05 m) using open-source software. The method was tested on kettle holes of the glacial flood origin on Skeiðarársandur (S Iceland). The material was collected in 2022 at two outwash levels of different ages and vegetation cover. The dataset is available in the Zenodo repository; the first part is data processed in point clouds and DEMs, and the second includes original videos in MOV format. The data can be used as a reference to assess changes in the kettle hole relief in subsequent research seasons, as a methodological study for other projects, or for didactic purposes.
INSPIRE, a publicly available research dataset for perioperative medicine
Authors: Lim Leerang , Lee Hyeonhoon , Jung Chul-Woo , Sim Dayeon , Borrat Xavier , Pollard Tom J. , Celi Leo A. , Mark Roger G. , Vistisen Simon T. , Lee Hyung-Chul
Published: June 2024

We present the INSPIRE dataset, a publicly available research dataset in perioperative medicine, which includes approximately 130,000 surgical operations at an academic institution in South Korea over a ten-year period between 2011 and 2020. This comprehensive dataset includes patient characteristics such as age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, diagnosis, surgical procedure code, department, and type of anaesthesia. The dataset also includes vital signs in the operating theatre, general wards, and intensive care units (ICUs), laboratory results from six months before admission to six months after discharge, and medication during hospitalisation. Complications include total hospital and ICU length of stay and in-hospital death. We hope this dataset will inspire collaborative research and development in perioperative medicine and serve as a reproducible external validation dataset to improve surgical outcomes.
Exploration on OCT biomarker candidate related to macular edema caused by diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion in SD-OCT images
Authors: Tao Yuhui , Ge Lexin , Su Na , Li Mingchao , Fan Wen , Jiang Lin , Yuan Songtao , Chen Qiang
Published: June 2024

To improve the understanding of potential pathological mechanisms of macular edema (ME), we try to discover biomarker candidates related to ME caused by diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images by means of deep learning (DL). 32 eyes of 26 subjects with non-proliferative DR (NPDR), 77 eyes of 61 subjects with proliferative DR (PDR), 120 eyes of 116 subjects with branch RVO (BRVO), and 17 eyes of 15 subjects with central RVO (CRVO) were collected. A DL model was implemented to guide biomarker candidate discovery. The disorganization of the retinal outer layers (DROL), i.e., the gray value of the retinal tissues between the external limiting membrane (ELM) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the disrupted and obscured rate of the ELM, ellipsoid zone (EZ), and RPE, was measured. In addition, the occurrence, number, volume, and projected area of hyperreflective foci (HRF) were recorded. ELM, EZ, and RPE are more likely to be obscured in RVO group and HRFs are observed more frequently in DR group (all P ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, the features of DROL and HRF can be possible biomarkers related to ME caused by DR and RVO in OCT modality.
Pseudomonas flavocrustae sp. nov., an endophyte with plant growth promoting traits isolated from Passiflora incarnata
Authors: Cueva-Yesquén Luis Gabriel , Sartoratto Adilson , da Silva Santos Adriana , de Melo Itamar Soares , Fantinatti-Garboggini Fabiana
Published: June 2024

A polyphasic approach was applied to characterize taxonomically a novel endophytic bacterial strain, designated as EP178T, which was previously isolated from Passiflora incarnata leaves and characterized as plant-growth promoter. The strain EP178T forms Gram stain-negative and rod-shaped cells, and circular and yellow-pigmented colonies. Its growth occurs at 10–37 °C, at pH 6.0–8.0, and tolerates up to 7% (w/v) NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids found were summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c), summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c /C16:1 ω7c), and C16:0, and the predominant ubiquinone was Q-9. The phylogenetic and nucleotide-similarity analysis with 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EP178T belongs to Pseudomonas genus. The genomic-based G + C content was 65.5%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strains EP178T and the closest type strain, P. oryzihabitans DSM 6835T, were 92.6% and 52.2%, respectively. Various genes associated with plant-growth promoting mechanisms were annotated from genome sequences. Based on the phenotypic, genomic, phylogeny and chemotaxonomic data, strain EP178T represents a new species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas flavocrustae sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is EP178T (= CBMAI 2609T = ICMP 24844T = MUM 23.01T).
Factors associated with health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older adults: the APPCARE study
Authors: Bally Esmée L. S. , Korenhof Sophie A. , Ye Lizhen , van Grieken Amy , Tan Siok Swan , Mattace-Raso Francesco , Procaccini Elena , Alhambra-Borrás Tamara , Raat Hein
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to identify the factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among community-dwelling older adults. Physical and mental HRQOL were measured by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) at baseline and follow-up. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between socio-demographic, health, and lifestyle factors and HRQOL. The sample included 661 participants (mean age = 77.4 years). Frailty was negatively associated with physical HRQOL (B = − 5.56; P < 0.001) and mental HRQOL (B = − 6.65; P < 0.001). Participants with a higher score on activities of daily living (ADL) limitations had lower physical HRQOL (B = − 0.63; P < 0.001) and mental HRQOL (B = − 0.18; P = 0.001). Female sex (B = − 2.38; P < 0.001), multi-morbidity (B = − 2.59; P = 0.001), and a high risk of medication-related problems (B = − 2.84; P < 0.001) were associated with lower physical HRQOL, and loneliness (B = − 3.64; P < 0.001) with lower mental HRQOL. In contrast, higher age (B = 2.07; P = 0.011) and living alone (B = 3.43; P < 0.001) were associated with better mental HRQOL in the multivariate models. Future interventions could be tailored to subpopulations with relatively poor self-reported HRQOL, such as frail or lonely older adults to improve their HRQOL.
Detecting and monitoring concerns against HPV vaccination on social media using large language models
Authors: Rai Sunny , Kornides Melanie , Morgan Jennifer , Kumar Aman , Cappella Joseph , Guntuku Sharath Chandra
Published: June 2024

Health risks due to preventable infections such as human papillomavirus (HPV) are exacerbated by persistent vaccine hesitancy. Due to limited sample sizes and the time needed to roll out, traditional methodologies like surveys and interviews offer restricted insights into quickly evolving vaccine concerns. Social media platforms can serve as fertile ground for monitoring vaccine-related conversations and detecting emerging concerns in a scalable and dynamic manner. Using state-of-the-art large language models, we propose a minimally supervised end-to-end approach to identify concerns against HPV vaccination from social media posts. We detect and characterize the concerns against HPV vaccination pre- and post-2020 to understand the evolution of HPV vaccine discourse. Upon analyzing 653 k HPV-related post-2020 tweets, adverse effects, personal anecdotes, and vaccine mandates emerged as the dominant themes. Compared to pre-2020, there is a shift towards personal anecdotes of vaccine injury with a growing call for parental consent and transparency. The proposed approach provides an end-to-end system, i.e. given a collection of tweets, a list of prevalent concerns is returned, providing critical insights for crafting targeted interventions, debunking messages, and informing public health campaigns.
Proof-of-concept study evaluating humoral primary immunodeficiencies via CJ:KREC ratio and serum BAFF level
Authors: Ochfeld Elisa , Khojah Amer , Marin Wilfredo , Morgan Gabrielle , Pachman Lauren M.
Published: June 2024

Humoral primary immunodeficiencies are the most prevalent form of primary immunodeficiency (PID). Currently, there is no convenient method to quantify newly formed B cells. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to quantitate the ratio of coding joints (CJs) to Kappa-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs) and serum B cell activating factor (BAFF) in patients with humoral primary immunodeficiency and assess if they correlate with disease severity. This IRB-approved study was conducted at one academic children’s hospital. Patients with humoral PIDs and healthy controls were included. CJ and KREC levels were measured via qPCR. Serum BAFF levels were measured using Mesoscale. 16 patients with humoral PID and 5 healthy controls were included. The mean CJ:KREC ratio in the CVID, antibody deficiency syndromes, and controls groups, respectively were 13.04 ± 9.5, 5.25 ± 4.1, and 4.38 ± 2.5 (p = 0.059). The mean serum BAFF levels in CVID, antibody deficiency syndromes and controls were 216.3 ± 290 pg/mL, 107.9 ± 94 pg/mL and 50.9 ± 12 pg/mL, respectively (p = 0.271). When the CVID patients were subdivided into CVID with or without lymphoproliferative features, the BAFF level was substantially higher in the CVID with lymphoproliferation cohort (mean 372.4 ± 361 pg/mL, p = 0.031). Elevated CJ:KREC ratio was observed in CVID, although statistical significance was not achieved, likely due to the small sample size. Serum BAFF levels were significantly higher in CVID patients with lymphoproliferative features. We speculate that the CJ:KREC ratio and serum BAFF levels can be utilized in patients with humoral PID, once more extensive studies confirm this exploratory investigation.
A pilot study of a joint outdoor exercise program for dog owners and dogs
Authors: Smedberg K. , Lundbeck E. , Roman E. , Eriksson J. W. , Spörndly-Nees S. , Kallings L. V. , Bergh A. , Söder J.
Published: June 2024

Increasing levels of physical inactivity is a global burden for mankind and is also an emerging problem in companion dogs. In both humans and dogs, insufficient physical activity is associated with increased risk for noncommunicable diseases and impaired quality of life (QoL). The aim of the current pilot study was to evaluate effects of a joint outdoor exercise program for dog owners (n = 22) and dogs (n = 22) with focus on QoL and body measurements. Results indicate that an eight-week exercise intervention alone, with a target distance of at least 2 km twice a week, may be sufficient to significantly increase self-reported QoL and acceptance of bodily appearance in dog owners despite no reductions in body measurements. In dogs, a significantly reduced body condition score (BCS) was registered, despite no considerable changes in feeding. The increased owner motivation for continued joint exercise suggests potential for lifestyle changes, which could be investigated in future studies including control groups and long-term follow-ups. The importance of the human-animal bond as a success factor for increased mutual physical activity and health benefits in both dog owners and dogs is recommended to be studied in a more in-depth manner.
Boswellia carterii n-hexane extract suppresses breast cancer growth via induction of ferroptosis by downregulated GPX4 and upregulated transferrin
Authors: Xie Jinxin , Huang Huiming , Wei Xuejiao , Tan Peng , Ouyang Lishan , Wang Longyan , Liu Dongxiao , Wang Fei , Wang Zhuguo , Tu Pengfei , Li Jun , Zha Xiaojun , Hu Zhongdong
Published: June 2024

Breast cancer (BC) remains a significant health concern for women globally, prompting the relentless pursuit of novel therapeutic modalities. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Boswellia carterii has been extensively used to treat various cancers, such as BC. However, the anti-BC effect and underlying mechanism of Boswellia carterii remain largely unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic effect of Boswellia carterii n-hexane extract (BCHE) against BC as well as its underlying mechanism. The present study showed that BCHE significantly suppressed the viability of human BC cells. Moreover, BCHE exhibited potent anti-BC activity in vivo with no significant toxic effects. Additionally, BCHE induced ferroptosis via increased Transferrin expression and the intracellular accumulation of Fe2+, as well as decreased glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression and the upregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced lipid peroxidation in BC cells. In vivo experimental results also demonstrated that BCHE effectively induced ferroptosis through GPX4 downregulation and Transferrin upregulation in tumor-bearing mice. Overall, BCHE inhibited the growth of BC cells by inducing ferroptosis mediated by modulating the iron accumulation pathway and the lipid peroxidation pathway. Therefore, BCHE could serve as a potential ferroptosis-targeting drug for treating BC.
Progressive degeneration in a new Drosophila model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7
Authors: Sujkowski Alyson , Ranxhi Bedri , Bangash Zoya R. , Chbihi Zachary M. , Prifti Matthew V. , Qadri Zaina , Alam Nadir , Todi Sokol V. , Tsou Wei-Ling
Published: June 2024

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting from abnormal expansion of an uninterrupted polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat in its disease protein, ataxin-7 (ATXN7). ATXN7 is part of Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA), an evolutionarily conserved transcriptional coactivation complex with critical roles in chromatin remodeling, cell signaling, neurodifferentiation, mitochondrial health and autophagy. SCA7 is dominantly inherited and characterized by genetic anticipation and high repeat-length instability. Patients with SCA7 experience progressive ataxia, atrophy, spasticity, and blindness. There is currently no cure for SCA7, and therapies are aimed at alleviating symptoms to increase quality of life. Here, we report novel Drosophila lines of SCA7 with polyQ repeats in wild-type and human disease patient range. We find that ATXN7 expression has age- and polyQ repeat length-dependent reduction in fruit fly survival and retinal instability, concomitant with increased ATXN7 protein aggregation. These new lines will provide important insight on disease progression that can be used in the future to identify therapeutic targets for SCA7 patients.
The risk of herpes zoster is positively associated with obesity, especially morbid obesity
Authors: Chen Hsiao-Lan , Chen Chia-Hung , Hsieh Wen-Che , Huang Yu-Han , Hsu Tzu-Ju , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Cheng Yung-Chi , Hsu Chao-Yu
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and herpes zoster (HZ) occurrence. This study used data covering 2 million people in Taiwan in 2000, which were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database. The cohort study observed aged 20–100 years with obesity from 2000 to 2017 (tracking to 2018). Obesity was indicated by the presence of two or more outpatient diagnoses or at least one admission record. And, obesity was categorized into non-morbid obesity and morbid obesity. Patients with HZ before the index date were excluded. The obesity cohort and control cohort were matched 1:1 according to age, sex, comorbidities, and index year. There were 18,855 patients in both the obesity and control cohorts. The obesity cohort [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.09] had a higher risk of HZ than the control cohort. Further analysis, the morbid obesity group (aHR 1.47), had a significantly higher risk of HZ than the non-morbid obesity group. Among the patients without any comorbidities, the patients with obesity had a significantly higher risk of developing HZ than the patients without obesity (aHR 1.18). Obese patients are at a higher risk of HZ development, especially in the patients with morbid obesity. Weight reduction is critical for preventing the onset of chronic diseases and decreasing the risk of HZ in patients with obesity.
The impact of astrocytic NF-κB on healthy and Alzheimer’s disease brains
Authors: Jong Huat Tee , Camats-Perna Judith , Newcombe Estella A. , Onraet Tessa , Campbell Daniel , Sucic Josiah T. , Martini Alessandra , Forner Stefânia , Mirzaei Mehdi , Poon Wayne , LaFerla Frank M. , Medeiros Rodrigo
Published: June 2024

Astrocytes play a role in healthy cognitive function and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The transcriptional factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) drives astrocyte diversity, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. By combining studies in human brains and animal models and selectively manipulating NF-κB function in astrocytes, we deepened the understanding of the role of astrocytic NF-κB in brain health and AD. In silico analysis of bulk and cell-specific transcriptomic data revealed the association of NF-κB and astrocytes in AD. Confocal studies validated the higher level of p50 NF-κB and phosphorylated-p65 NF-κB in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)+-astrocytes in AD versus non-AD subjects. In the healthy mouse brain, chronic activation of astrocytic NF-κB disturbed the proteomic milieu, causing a loss of mitochondrial-associated proteins and the rise of inflammatory-related proteins. Sustained NF-κB signaling also led to microglial reactivity, production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and buildup of senescence-related protein p16INK4A in neurons. However, in an AD mouse model, NF-κB inhibition accelerated β-amyloid and tau accumulation. Molecular biology studies revealed that astrocytic NF-κB activation drives the increase in GFAP and inflammatory proteins and aquaporin-4, a glymphatic system protein that assists in mitigating AD. Our investigation uncovered fundamental mechanisms by which NF-κB enables astrocytes' neuroprotective and neurotoxic responses in the brain.
Experimental investigation of the influence of mine water on mechanical properties of resin grout
Authors: He Yafei , Liu Shaowei , Zhai Xinxian , Li Xiaopeng , Hou Biao , Wang Baohua
Published: June 2024

Resin grout is widely used in geotechnical and underground engineering, and is often affected by different mine water solutions. This study considered the effects of different mine water solutions and soaking times on resin grout. Soaking tests and uniaxial compression tests were conducted to investigate the changes in the solution pH, relative specimen mass, and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and the deterioration of the resin grout’s mechanical properties caused by the mine water solution was analyzed. The corrosion mechanism of resin grout under the action of different mine water solutions was investigated through scanning electron microscopy tests. The results reveal that the pH value of the solution and the relative mass of the specimen gradually stabilized as the soaking time was extended, and the final solution was weakly alkaline. The increase in the acidity and alkalinity of the solution and the extension of the soaking time led to a gradual decrease in the UCS and elastic modulus of resin grout under the action of mine water. As the soaking was prolonged, the resin grout properties deteriorated to different degrees and Poisson’s ratio increased. Moreover, owing to the different types and degrees of mine water action on resin grout in different mine water environments, the changes in the resin grout microstructure were also different. The defined damage parameters can express the damage process of the resin grout’s UCS quantitatively under the action of mine water solution. Finally, beneficial engineering application countermeasures are proposed for different resin grout types used in roadway support applications in coal mines.
Temozolomide promotes matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression through p38 MAPK and JNK pathways in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Thanh Hien Duong , Lee Sueun , Nguyen Thuy Thi , Huu Thang Nguyen , Ahn Eun-Jung , Cho Sang-Hee , Kim Min Soo , Moon Kyung-Sub , Jung Chaeyong
Published: June 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and deadly brain cancer. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard chemotherapeutic agent for GBM, but the majority of patients experience recurrence and invasion of tumor cells. We investigated whether TMZ treatment of GBM cells regulates matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which have the main function to promote tumor cell invasion. TMZ effectively killed GL261, U343, and U87MG cells at a concentration of 500 µM, and surviving cells upregulated MMP9 expression and its activity but not those of MMP2. TMZ also elevated levels of MMP9 mRNA and MMP9 promoter activity. Subcutaneous graft tumors survived from TMZ treatment also exhibited increased expression of MMP9 and enhanced gelatinolytic activity. TMZ-mediated MMP9 upregulation was specifically mediated through the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK. This then stimulates AP-1 activity through the upregulation of c-Fos and c-Jun. Inhibition of the p38, JNK, or both pathways counteracted the TMZ-induced upregulation of MMP9 and AP-1. This study proposes a potential adverse effect of TMZ treatment for GBM: upregulation of MMP9 expression potentially associated with increased invasion and poor prognosis. This study also provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms by which TMZ treatment leads to increased MMP9 expression in GBM cells.
Validation and application of computer vision algorithms for video-based tremor analysis
Authors: Friedrich Maximilian U. , Roenn Anna-Julia , Palmisano Chiara , Alty Jane , Paschen Steffen , Deuschl Guenther , Ip Chi Wang , Volkmann Jens , Muthuraman Muthuraman , Peach Robert , Reich Martin M.
Published: June 2024

Tremor is one of the most common neurological symptoms. Its clinical and neurobiological complexity necessitates novel approaches for granular phenotyping. Instrumented neurophysiological analyses have proven useful, but are highly resource-intensive and lack broad accessibility. In contrast, bedside scores are simple to administer, but lack the granularity to capture subtle but relevant tremor features. We utilise the open-source computer vision pose tracking algorithm Mediapipe to track hands in clinical video recordings and use the resulting time series to compute canonical tremor features. This approach is compared to marker-based 3D motion capture, wrist-worn accelerometry, clinical scoring and a second, specifically trained tremor-specific algorithm in two independent clinical cohorts. These cohorts consisted of 66 patients diagnosed with essential tremor, assessed in different task conditions and states of deep brain stimulation therapy. We find that Mediapipe-derived tremor metrics exhibit high convergent clinical validity to scores (Spearman’s ρ = 0.55–0.86, p≤ .01) as well as an accuracy of up to 2.60 mm (95% CI [−3.13, 8.23]) and ≤0.21 Hz (95% CI [−0.05, 0.46]) for tremor amplitude and frequency measurements, matching gold-standard equipment. Mediapipe, but not the disease-specific algorithm, was capable of analysing videos involving complex configurational changes of the hands. Moreover, it enabled the extraction of tremor features with diagnostic and prognostic relevance, a dimension which conventional tremor scores were unable to provide. Collectively, this demonstrates that current computer vision algorithms can be transformed into an accurate and highly accessible tool for video-based tremor analysis, yielding comparable results to gold standard tremor recordings.
Dynamic control of active droplets using light-responsive chiral liquid crystal environment
Authors: Jirón Vanessa , Rajabi Mojtaba , Wang Hao , Lavrentovich Oleg D.
Published: June 2024

Microscopic active droplets are of interest since they can be used to transport matter from one point to another. In this work, we demonstrate an approach to control the direction of active droplet propulsion by a photoresponsive cholesteric liquid crystal environment. The active droplet represents a water dispersion of bacterial Bacillus subtilis microswimmers. When placed in a cholesteric, a surfactant-stabilized active droplet distorts the local director field, producing a point defect-hedgehog, with fore-aft asymmetry, and allows for the chaotic motion of the bacteria inside the droplet to be rectified into directional motion. When the pitch of the cholesteric confined in a sandwich-like cell is altered by light irradiation, the droplet trajectory realigns along a new direction. The strategy allows for a non-contact dynamic control of active droplets trajectories and demonstrates the advantage of orientationally ordered media in control of active matter over their isotropic counterparts.