bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demography of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) from the KY1804 austral summer survey in the eastern Indian sector of the Southern Ocean (80 to 150˚E), including specific investigations of the upper surface waters
Authors: Schaafsma Fokje L. , Driscoll Ryan , Matsuno Kohei , Sugioka Rikuto , Driscoll Sara , van Regteren Marin , Sasaki Hiroko , Matsukura Ryuichi , van Franeker Jan Andries , Murase Hiroto
Published: August 2024

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a harvested species that has an important role in the Southern Ocean food web. Knowledge on the demography of Antarctic krill is necessary for a better understanding of the distribution of life stages and their relation with predator species. In addition, such information is essential for krill fisheries management by CCAMLR (Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources). A large part of the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean is understudied and large-scale krill surveys of this region are scarce. Therefore, a survey was carried out during the austral summer of 2018/2019 on board RV Kaiyo-maru in the region from 80 to 150˚E. Krill was collected using a Rectangular Midwater Trawl (RMT). Previous studies suggest that part of the Antarctic krill population resides in the upper surface of the water column, but traditional trawls and echosounders have not been able to fully investigate this stratum due to sampling constraints. To overcome this knowledge gap, the upper surface (0-2 m) was sampled using a Surface and Under Ice Trawl (SUIT) in addition to the standard survey net. Results show that there were differences in the horizontal and vertical distribution of post-larval krill between the area west and east of approximately 120˚E. These differences coincided with variation in environmental properties. Early calyptopis larvae were found throughout the survey area. Their relatively low numbers suggested ongoing spawning that started early in the season. Juveniles were found mainly in the western side of the sampling area and large densities of this developmental stage were found to reside in the upper two meters of the water column. The quantitative estimation of krill in the upper surface indicated that undersampling this part of the population may influence estimates of, for example, recruitment.
Fucoidan changes lipid accumulation in the liver of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) by modulating lipid and glucose metabolism
Authors: Li Fang , Sun Hanchang , Mei Jianxi , Deng Yaxin , Hu Guangdi , Zhu Chengke , Xiang Xiao
Published: August 2024

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fucoidan levels (0 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg, 1,500 mg/kg, and 2,000 mg/kg) on the hepatic ultrastructure and the transcriptomic landscape within the liver tissue of common carp. The results revealed that the addition of 1,000 mg/kg fucoidan to the diet significantly altered the ultrastructure of hepatocytes. Notably, the quantities of lipid droplets, autolysosomes, enlarged mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum were increased in the hepatocytes. The liver transcriptome analysis revealed that DEGs were notably abundant in the 1,000-mg/kg fucoidan group in glucolipid metabolism signaling pathways, including eukaryotes and nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, and PPAR signaling pathways. The quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) results showed an excellent agreement on those of RNA-seq for both up- and down-regulated genes (a total of 13 genes selected for validation). Furthermore, fucoidan significantly influenced hepatic glucolipid metabolism of common carp at the mRNA level. Notably, the inclusion of lower concentrations of fucoidan in the diet, specifically at 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg, was found to significantly enhance the expression of mRNA for genes involved in glycolysis, including hk, gk, and pk, as well as genes linked to lipogenesis, such as srebf1, fasn, elovl5, acsl3a, scd, fads2, and cyp24a1. Conversely, higher concentrations of dietary fucoidan, at 1,500 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg, were observed to markedly upregulate the mRNA expression of genes associated with gluconeogenesis, including pck1, pck2, gs, gsk3a, gsk3b, and g6pca.1, along with genes related to lipolysis, such as hadhb, acadl, ecil, acacba, cpt1, fabp1, and fabp3. In summary, varying levels of fucoidan intake appear to exert differential influences on the hepatic glucolipid metabolism of common carp, suggesting a complex dose-dependent regulatory mechanism. For the first time, this research has established that fucoidan possesses a pronounced regulatory influence on the hepatic glucolipid metabolism in fish. This discovery not only underscores its potential as an immunostimulant but also opens new avenues for its application as a feed additive, with implications for modulating the nutritional metabolism of aquatic species.
Transcriptomic analyses of Pinctada fucata martensii responses under stress of titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Authors: Li Fengfeng , Liu Jiaen , Gao Zixin , Yang Chuangye , Sun Liwei , Liao Yongshan , Deng Yuewen
Published: August 2024

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) released into the environment is becoming more prevalent due to their increased usage, marine TiO2-NPs contamination is escalating concerns in coastal areas. To understand the potential impact of TiO2-NPs on transcript changes in pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata martensii), transcriptome analysis on the gill tissues of pearl oysters was conducted after 14-day TiO2-NPs exposure and 7-day brief recovery. A total of 911 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the control group (TC) and the experimental group (TE) exposed to 14-day TiO2-NPs. Gene ontology (GO) analyses of the DEGs demonstrated their substantial enrichments in functions related to “hydrolase activity”, “oxidoreductase activity”, and “DNA integration”. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analyses of the DEGs indicated enrichment in several pathways, including “ubiquitin-mediated protein hydrolysis”, “ECM-receptor interactions”, “NOD-like receptor signaling pathway”, “Toll-like receptor”, and “FOXO signaling pathway”. This suggests that exposure to TiO2-NPs intensifies oxidative stress and apoptosis in pearls oysters, leading to negative effects such as disrupted protein homeostasis, decreased biomineralization activity, reduced neuronal excitability, weakened immune response, and reduced cellular metabolism. Transcriptome analysis identified 844 DEGs between the TE and recovery group (TR), which underwent a 7-day brief recovery period. GO analyses of the DEGs demonstrated their substantial enrichments in functions related to “DNA integration”, “obsolete oxidation-reduction process”, and “proteolysis”. KEGG pathways analyses of the DEGs indicated enrichment in several pathways, including “lysine degradation”, “glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism”, and “NOD-like receptor signaling pathway”. The findings indicated that although pearl oysters showed only slight relief after 7 days of brief recovery, they continued to experience negative effects from TiO2-NP exposure. Our findings shed light on the complex responses of pearl oysters to TiO2-NPs stress and offer valuable theoretical insights into the toxicological impact of TiO2-NPs on pearl oysters.
Outcomes of pregnancy in Wilson’s disease: a population-based study from multiple centres of the Han population in China
Authors: Rao Rao , Yu Xu-En , Zhou Zhi-Hua , Shu Shan , Du Yi-Gang , Han Yong-Zhu , Han Yong-Sheng
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Wilson’s disease is an autosomal recessive disorder related to copper metabolism which mostly patients occurs in adolescents, fertility has become a problem that WD needs to face.

Methods

A 21 years retrospective follow up study was conducted and a total of 220 female patients were included to identify patients with outcomes of pregnancy.

Results

Untreated female patients with WD had a spontaneous abortion rate of 44%. During the study period, 146 female patients with WD from multicenter, 75 patients (51.4%) had successful outcomes of pregnancy. Notably, urinary copper levels below 616 μg/24 h were strongly associated with successful pregnancy. The nomogram built on these variables were age, urinary copper, haemoglobin and Child–Pugh classification, internally validated and showed good performance.

Conclusion

The spontaneous abortion rate was 44% in untreated females with WD and developed a four-variable risk prediction model to accurately predict the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
Unravelling mechanisms of bacterial recognition by Acanthamoeba: insights into microbial ecology and immune responses
Authors: Nasher Fauzy , Wren Brendan W.
Published: August 2024

Acanthamoeba, are ubiquitous eukaryotic microorganisms, that play a pivotal role in recognizing and engulfing various microbes during predation, offering insights into microbial dynamics and immune responses. An intriguing observation lies in the apparent preference of Acanthamoeba for Gram-negative over Gram-positive bacteria, suggesting potential differences in the recognition and response mechanisms to bacterial prey. Here, we comprehensively review pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and microbe associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) that influence Acanthamoeba interactions with bacteria. We analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions, and the key finding of this review is that Acanthamoeba exhibits an affinity for bacterial cell surface appendages that are decorated with carbohydrates. Notably, this parallels warm-blooded immune cells, underscoring a conserved evolutionary strategy in microbial recognition. This review aims to serve as a foundation for exploring PRRs and MAMPs. These insights enhance our understanding of ecological and evolutionary dynamics in microbial interactions and shed light on fundamental principles governing immune responses. Leveraging Acanthamoeba as a model organism, provides a bridge between ecological interactions and immunology, offering valuable perspectives for future research.
Dynamics alteration of the gut microbiota and faecal metabolomes in very low or extremely low birth weight infants: a Chinese single-center, prospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Ling , Chen Chaohong , Li YeShan , Ao Dang , Wu Jiayuan , Cai Nali , Li Wen , Xiang Min
Published: August 2024

Objective

The aim of this study is to comprehensively investigate the temporal dynamics of faecal gut microbiota and metabonomics in early postnatal with a focus on very low or extremely low birth weight (VLBW/ELBW) infants.

Methods

We collected faecal samples from 157 VLBW/ELBW infants at three time points: days 1, 14, and 28 in a prospective cohort study. The faecal microbial diversity, abundance, composition, and metabolomic analyses were determined using 16S rRNA sequencing and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Microbiome functional analyses were conducted utilizing PICRUSt2. The ecological association networks were employed to investigate the interactions between gut microbiota and identify the core genus within 28 days of birth, as well as to unveil correlations between taxa and metabolites.

Result

(1) The alpha diversity of gut microbiota significantly decreased from D1 to D28, accompanied by an interrupted trajectory lacking obligate anaerobes. At the phylum level, the 16S RNA sequencing results showed an increase in Proteobacteria and a decrease in Firmicutes and Bacteroidota from D1 to D28. At the genus level, there was a decrease in the relative abundance of Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter and Ureaplasma, with Klebsiella and Enterococcus emerging as the most abundant genera. (2) The analysis revealed a total of 561 metabolic markers that exhibited significant and distinct alterations between D1 and D14. (3) Ecological association networks revealed that the gut microbiota in D1 exhibited a significantly higher degree of microbial interactions compared to those in D14 and D28. Additionally, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter were major contributors to the co-occurring network at these three time points. (4) Steroid hormone biosynthesis, including tetrahydrocortisone, androsterone glucuronide, androstenedione and etiocholanolone glucuronide, decreased within 28 days after birth.

Conclusion

We have successfully demonstrated a significant dysbiosis in the gut microbiota and a subsequent decrease in its diversity within 4 weeks postpartum in VLBW/ELBW infants. Monitoring the gut microbiota of VLBW/ELBW infants and promptly rectifying dysbiosis in the early stages may represent a potential therapeutic strategy.
The gene YEF3 function encoding translation elongation factor eEF3 is partially conserved across fungi
Authors: Maldonado Giovanna , García Alejandra , Herrero Saturnino , Castaño Irene , Altmann Michael , Fischer Reinhard , Hernández Greco
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Translation is a fundamental process of life. In eukaryotes, the elongation step of translation is highly conserved and is driven by eukaryotic translation elongation factors (eEF)1A and eEF2. A significant variation of the elongation is the activity of eukaryotic elongation factor (eEF) 3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae encoded by the gene yeast elongation factor (YEF3) with orthologs in all fungal species, a few algae, and some protists. In S. cerevisiae, YEF3 is an essential gene and eEF3 plays a critical role in translation elongation, as it promotes binding of the ternary complex acylated-Transfer RNA (tRNA)—eEF1A—Guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) to the aminoacyl (A) site of the ribosome, the release of uncharged tRNAs after peptide translocation, and ribosome recycling. Even though YEF3 was discovered more than 40 years ago, eEF3 has been characterized almost exclusively in S. cerevisiae.

Methods

We undertook an in vivo genetic approach to assess the functional conservation of eEF3 across phylogenetically distant fungal species.

Results

We found that eEF3 from Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Candida glabrata (both belonging to phylum Ascomycota), Ustilago maydis (phylum Basidiomycota), and Gonapodya prolifera (phylum Monoblepharomycota), but not Aspergillus nidulans (phylum Ascomycota), supported the growth of S. cerevisiae lacking the endogenous YEF3 gene. We also proved that eEF3 is an essential gene in the ascomycetes C. glabrata and A. nidulans.

Discussion

Given that most existing knowledge on fungal translation has only been obtained from S. cerevisiae, our findings beyond this organism showed variability in the elongation process in Fungi. We also proved that eEF3 is essential in pathogenic fungi, opening the possibility of using eEF3 as a target to fight candidiasis.
Integration of soil microbiology and metabolomics to elucidate the mechanism of the accelerated infestation of tobacco by the root-knot nematode
Authors: Sang Yinghua , Ren Ke , Chen Yi , Wang Bin , Meng Yufang , Zhou Wenbing , Jiang Yonglei , Xu Junju
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Tobacco root-knot nematode (TRKN) disease is a soil-borne disease that presents a major hazard to the cultivation of tobacco, causing significant reduction in crop quality and yield, and affecting soil microbial diversity and metabolites. However, differences in rhizosphere soil microbial communities and metabolites between healthy tobacco soils and tobacco soils with varying degrees of TRKN infection remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, diseased rhizosphere soils of tobacco infected with different degrees of TRKN [severally diseased (DH) soils, moderately diseased (DM) soils, and mildly diseased (DL) soils] and healthy (H) rhizosphere soils were collected. Here, we combined microbiology with metabolomics to investigate changes in rhizosphere microbial communities and metabolism in healthy and TRKN-infected tobacco using high-throughput sequencing and LC-MS/MS platforms.

Results

The results showed that the Chao1 and Shannon indices of bacterial communities in moderately and mildly diseased soils were significantly higher than healthy soils. The Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Ascomycota, Burkholderia, Bradyrhizobium and Dyella were enriched in the rhizosphere soil of healthy tobacco. Basidiomycota, Agaricales, Pseudeurotiaceae and Ralstonia were enriched in severally diseased soils. Besides, healthy soils exhibited a relatively complex and interconnected network of bacterial molecular ecologies, while in severally and moderately diseased soils the fungal molecular networks are relatively complex. Redundancy analysis showed that total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorus, significantly affected the changes in microbial communities. In addition, metabolomics results indicated that rhizosphere soil metabolites were significantly altered after tobacco plants were infected with TRKNs. The relative abundance of organic acids was higher in severally diseased soils. Spearman’s analyses showed that oleic acid, C16 sphinganine, 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, D-erythro-3-methylmalate were positively correlated with Basidiomycota, Agaricales, Ralstonia.

Discussion

In conclusion, this study revealed the relationship between different levels of TRKN invasion of tobacco root systems with bacteria, fungi, metabolites and soil environmental factors, and provides a theoretical basis for the biological control of TRKN disease.
Simulating combined monoaminergic depletions in a PD animal model through a bio-constrained differential equations system
Authors: Carli Samuele , Brugnano Luigi , Caligiore Daniele
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Historically, Parkinson's Disease (PD) research has focused on the dysfunction of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which is linked to motor regulation in the basal ganglia. Therapies have mainly aimed at restoring dopamine (DA) levels, showing effectiveness but variable outcomes and side effects. Recent evidence indicates that PD complexity implicates disruptions in DA, noradrenaline (NA), and serotonin (5-HT) systems, which may underlie the variations in therapy effects.

Methods

We present a system-level bio-constrained computational model that comprehensively investigates the dynamic interactions between these neurotransmitter systems. The model was designed to replicate experimental data demonstrating the impact of NA and 5-HT depletion in a PD animal model, providing insights into the causal relationships between basal ganglia regions and neuromodulator release areas.

Results

The model successfully replicates experimental data and generates predictions regarding changes in unexplored brain regions, suggesting avenues for further investigation. It highlights the potential efficacy of alternative treatments targeting the locus coeruleus and dorsal raphe nucleus, though these preliminary findings require further validation. Sensitivity analysis identifies critical model parameters, offering insights into key factors influencing brain area activity. A stability analysis underscores the robustness of our mathematical formulation, bolstering the model validity.

Discussion

Our holistic approach emphasizes that PD is a multifactorial disorder and opens promising avenues for early diagnostic tools that harness the intricate interactions among monoaminergic systems. Investigating NA and 5-HT systems alongside the DA system may yield more effective, subtype-specific therapies. The exploration of multisystem dysregulation in PD is poised to revolutionize our understanding and management of this complex neurodegenerative disorder.
Interpretable machine learning comprehensive human gait deterioration analysis
Authors: Alharthi Abdullah S.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Gait analysis, an expanding research area, employs non-invasive sensors and machine learning techniques for a range of applications. In this study, we investigate the impact of cognitive decline conditions on gait performance, drawing connections between gait deterioration in Parkinson's Disease (PD) and healthy individuals dual tasking.

Methods

We employ Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) specifically Layer-Wise Relevance Propagation (LRP), in conjunction with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to interpret the intricate patterns in gait dynamics influenced by cognitive loads.

Results

We achieved classification accuracies of 98% F1 scores for PD dataset and 95.5% F1 scores for the combined PD dataset. Furthermore, we explore the significance of cognitive load in healthy gait analysis, resulting in robust classification accuracies of 90% ± 10% F1 scores for subject cognitive load verification. Our findings reveal significant alterations in gait parameters under cognitive decline conditions, highlighting the distinctive patterns associated with PD-related gait impairment and those induced by multitasking in healthy subjects. Through advanced XAI techniques (LRP), we decipher the underlying features contributing to gait changes, providing insights into specific aspects affected by cognitive decline.

Discussion

Our study establishes a novel perspective on gait analysis, demonstrating the applicability of XAI in elucidating the shared characteristics of gait disturbances in PD and dual-task scenarios in healthy individuals. The interpretability offered by XAI enhances our ability to discern subtle variations in gait patterns, contributing to a more nuanced comprehension of the factors influencing gait dynamics in PD and dual-task conditions, emphasizing the role of XAI in unraveling the intricacies of gait control.
Therapeutic potential of ghrelin/GOAT/GHSR system in gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Ma Yunxiao , Yan Qihui , Wang Ping , Guo Weiying , Yu Lu
Published: August 2024

Ghrelin, a peptide primarily secreted in the stomach, acts via the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). It regulates several physiological processes, such as feeding behavior, energy homeostasis, glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiovascular function, bone formation, stress response, and learning. GHSR exhibits significant expression within the central nervous system. However, numerous murine studies indicate that ghrelin is limited in its ability to enter the brain from the bloodstream and is primarily confined to specific regions, such as arcuate nucleus (ARC) and median eminence (ME). Nevertheless, the central ghrelin system plays an essential role in regulating feeding behavior. Furthermore, the role of vagal afferent fibers in regulating the functions of ghrelin remains a major topic of discussion among researchers. In recent times, numerous studies have elucidated the substantial therapeutic potential of ghrelin in most gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. This has led to the development of numerous pharmaceutical agents that target the ghrelin system, some of which are currently under examination in clinical trials. Furthermore, ghrelin is speculated to serve as a promising biomarker for GI tumors, which indicates its potential use in tumor grade and stage evaluation. This review presents a summary of recent findings in research conducted on both animals and humans, highlighting the therapeutic properties of ghrelin system in GI disorders.
MRI scan with the “feed and wrap” technique and with an optimized anesthesia protocol: a retrospective analysis of a single-center experience
Authors: Moltoni Giulia , Lucignani Giulia , Sgrò Stefania , Guarnera Alessia , Rossi Espagnet Maria Camilla , Dellepiane Francesco , Carducci Chiara , Liberi Stefano , Iacoella Elisabetta , Evangelisti Giuliana , Contini Anna , Campi Francesca , Savarese Immacolata , Gandolfo Carlo , Longo Daniela
Published: August 2024

Introduction

MRI examinations in the pediatric population require acquiring motionless images in the safest possible manner. At our institute, we have developed a protocol called “Good Practice” aimed at avoiding anesthesia in newborns and infants through the use of the “feed and wrap” technique, as well as preventing hospitalization for older children requiring anesthesia with an optimized sedation protocol. We evaluated this protocol in terms of patient safety, imaging quality, and parental satisfaction.

Materials and methods

Patient data were collected retrospectively. In the feed and wrap group, image quality and the necessity of repeating the examination were evaluated. In the optimized anesthesiologic protocol group, various parameters were analyzed to assess the safety of the protocol. Parental satisfaction was determined through a questionnaire.

Results

A total of 132 patients were included, with 82 undergoing the feed and wrap technique and 50 receiving the optimized anesthesiologic protocol. In the feed and wrap group, images were classified as follows: 4.87% poor, 18.29% sufficient, 37.80% good, and 39.92% excellent. In only 2 cases a new MRI examination was required. In the optimized anesthesiologic protocol group, no adverse effects were observed, and no post-anesthesia hospitalizations were needed. 100% of parents of babies examined with the feed and wrap technique rated it as excellent. Furthermore, 85.6% of parents considered the optimized anesthesiologic protocol excellent, and 13.6% rated it as good.

Conclusion

At our institute, the feed and wrap technique proved to be effective in obtaining high-quality images. Anesthesia using propofol showed no adverse effects and proved to be successful in avoiding hospitalization. Parents expressed relief at the avoidance of anesthesia and hospitalization for their children.
Dexmedetomidine: a real-world safety analysis based on FDA adverse event reporting system database
Authors: Shuai Yichun , Chen Zhe , Wan Qiaoqian , Wu Jinzheng , Wang Xin
Published: August 2024

Objective

Using the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) database to analyze the safety profile of Dexmedetomidine and provide guidance for clinical application.

Methods

Data from the FAERS database from the first quarter of 2004 to the third quarter of 2023 were collected. Reporting odds ratio (ROR), the proportional reporting ratio (PRR), and the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN) were employed to detect and assess adverse events associated with Dexmedetomidine.

Results

A total of 1910 reports of Dexmedetomidine as the primary suspect drug were obtained. After screening, 892 preferred terms were obtained, including 52 new preferred terms not mentioned in the drug insert. The common adverse events of Dexmedetomidine include bradycardia, cardiac arrest, hypotension, diabetes insipidus, arteriospasm coronary and agitation. Notably, cardiac disorders exhibited the highest number of reports and the highest signal intensity in the system organ class. Among the new preferred terms, those with high signal intensity include transcranial electrical motor evoked potential monitoring abnormal, acute motor axonal neuropathy, trigemino-cardiac reflex, glossoptosis, floppy iris syndrome, phaeochromocytoma crisis, postresuscitation encephalopathy and diabetes insipidus.

Conclusion

This study mined and evaluated adverse events associated with Dexmedetomidine and also identified new adverse events. This could help alert clinicians to new adverse events not mentioned in the drug inserts, reducing the risk of drug.
Assessing Kurt Goldstein’s lasting influence in the neuropsychology of language versus his use of aphasic symptoms as diagnostic insights into brain injuries
Authors: Stahnisch Frank W.
Published: August 2024

In the history of the neurological relationship between human behavior and brain function in Europe and North America, various perspectives on brain localization and holistic functioning have been addressed. One of the founding figures of modern neuropsychology, Professor Hans-Lukas Teuber (1916–1977) of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reminded the scholarly community of its negligence of preceding traditions in day-to-day research endeavors. Teuber particularly emphasized that during the development of the aphasiology field (1950s–1960s) even major figures, such as the German-American neurologist Kurt Goldstein (1878–1965), had been neglected in the scientific community’s collective memory. This happened despite Goldstein’s contributions to cortical blindness, vicarious brain functioning, and neurorehabilitation. The outcome of the debates regarding the neurology of language had to be incompletely relearned in later decades. Neuropsychological concerns regarding the relationship between cortical localizationism and functional holism have made recourse to Goldstein’s work necessary for reviving historical answers for current conundrums. It is therefore opportune to review Goldstein’s work in the light of the history of aphasiology. Contemporary scholarship has once more drawn research attention to the works of Goldstein along with Norman Geschwind (1926–1984) and his pupils. It has also resurrected the underlying research of Carl Wernicke (1848–1905). This review article explores deep and lasting questions regarding the positioning of Goldstein’s holism among the contemporary holistic perspectives. It does so by firstly discussing Wernicke’s traditional model of distributed localizationism. Secondly, it describes Goldstein’s previous work in the German brain sciences. Thirdly, it examines his aphasiological contributions on both sides of the Atlantic. Fourthly, it addresses the advancement of a dynamic localizational perspective by Geschwind and his pupils. This article intends to render a historical analysis fruitful for those exploring modern-day problems in the neurology of aphasia and clinical speech neuropsychology.
Research on music therapy from 2013 to 2022: a bibliometric and visualized study
Authors: Zhi Liang , Hou Dianrui , Hong Yaqing , Ke Meihua , Zhang Qingfang , Wang Yulong , Long Jianjun
Published: August 2024

Background

Music therapy is a rapidly evolving multidisciplinary field. But there has been no research analyzing the latest research status and development trends in this research field from a macro perspective. We aim to identify hotspots, knowledge base, and frontiers in the field of music therapy through bibliometric analysis.

Methods

All data were retrieved from the Web of Science core database from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022.CiteSpace and Bibliometrix software were employed for bibliometric analysis and visualization analysis.

Results

A total of 2,397 articles were included. In the past decade, there has been a consistent increase in the number of publications. The countries and institutions with the largest production in this field are the USA and the University of London. Based on the analysis of the total number of citations, centrality, and production, the results show that the most influential journals are PLoS One and Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Keyword co-occurrence analysis and highly cited study analysis are mainly used to analyze research hotspots in the field of music therapy, while the keyword burst analysis is employed to explore frontiers and potential developmental trends. Hot keywords include “interventions”, “anxiety” and “randomized controlled trial”. The burst keywords include “validity”, “preterm infants”, and “mild cognitive impairment”. In the ranking of highly cited study, the top ranked studies are “Music-based interventions in neurological rehabilitation” and “Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients”.

Conclusion

In the past decade, the research focus in music therapy was the effect of music therapy on neurological diseases and the improvement of psychological symptoms such as pain and anxiety. The neurophysiological mechanisms that bring about these therapeutic effects need to be future researched.
Overgeneralization of conditioned fear in patients with social anxiety disorder
Authors: Lee YoonJi Irene , Lee Dasom , Kim Haena , Kim Min Joo , Jeong Heekyoung , Kim Dongseob , Glotzbach-Schoon Evelyn , Choi Soo-Hee
Published: August 2024

Introduction

While abnormal responses to threat, including overgeneralization to conditioned fear, have been postulated to play a critical role in pathological anxiety, the relevance of previous findings to social anxiety disorder (SAD) is unclear. We investigated conditioned and generalized fear responses in patients with SAD using socially relevant stimuli.

Methods

A total of 26 patients with SAD and 25 healthy controls participated in a fear conditioning and generalization paradigm consisting of two neutral faces as conditioned stimuli (CS+ or CS−) and an angry face with contemptuous comments as unconditioned stimuli. Eight morphed faces of two conditioned stimuli in each continuum were given to test generalization. Behavioral data and physiological responses were acquired.

Results

Successful conditioning was observed in the risk ratings for both groups, while only a marginal indication of conditioning was noted in physiological measures. During the generalization phase, patients rated the risk higher than CS− when the stimuli close to CS− contained a portion of CS+ features. Larger skin conductance responses to this stimulus were linked to higher fear of negative evaluation. In addition, patients spent a longer time evaluating safe and ambiguous stimuli than healthy controls and exhibited consistently high levels of subjective arousal.

Discussion

Taken together, our findings suggest that SAD patients may exhibit a tendency towards overgeneralization of fear responses and show distinct patterns in processing generalized threat stimuli compared to healthy controls. Even though overgeneralization was not evident in physiological measures, it is necessary to consider this behavioral characteristic in the clinical management of patients with SAD.
Predictors of functioning in treatment-resistant schizophrenia: the role of negative symptoms and neurocognition
Authors: Li Yanhui , Ang Mei San , Yee Jie Yin , See Yuen Mei , Lee Jimmy
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Predictors of functioning are well-studied in schizophrenia, but much less so in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). In this study, we aim to investigate contributions of schizophrenia symptom domains and neurocognition to predict functioning in a TRS population (n = 146).

Methods

Participants were assessed on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), to calculate scores for five symptom factors (Positive, Negative, Cognitive, Depressive and Hostility) and two negative symptom constructs (Diminished Expressivity (DE), and Social Anhedonia (SA) as part of the Motivation and Pleasure-related dimension), based on a previously validated model, modified in accordance with EPA guidelines on negative symptoms assessment. Neurocognition was assessed with symbol coding and digit sequencing tasks from the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS). Functioning was assessed with the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), employment status and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). Multiple regression analyses were performed on psychopathology scores and BACS scores against all three measures of functioning, controlling for age and sex. For WHODAS, regression with PANSS scores of significant symptom factors were also performed.

Results

A lower severity of negative symptoms in the SA dimension was the strongest predictor of higher functioning across all three functioning measures. Neurocognition, in particular processing speed and attention assessed on the symbol coding task, predicted employment. A lower severity of somatic concerns and depressive symptoms was associated with lesser self-reported disability on WHODAS.

Discussion

This study represents a first attempt at elucidating significant predictors of functioning in TRS. We highlight negative symptoms and neurocognition as important treatment targets to improve functioning in TRS, consistent with previous studies in general schizophrenia.
Effects of intra- and inter-day temperature change on acute upper respiratory infections among college students, assessments of three temperature change indicators
Authors: Jiang Feng , Wang Rensong , Yang Yongli , Jia Xiaocan , Ma Leying , Yuan Mengyang , Liu Kangkang , Bao Junzhe
Published: August 2024

Background

Acute upper respiratory infection (AURI) is a significant disease affecting all age groups worldwide. The differences in the impacts of different temperature change indicators, such as diurnal temperature range (DTR), temperature variation (TV), and temperature change between neighboring days (TCN), on AURI morbidity, are not clear.

Methods

We collected data on 87,186 AURI patients during 2014–2019 in Zhengzhou. Distributed lag non-linear model was adopted to examine the effects of different temperature change indicators on AURI. We calculated and compared the attributable fractions (AF) of AURI morbidity caused by various indicators. We used stratified analysis to investigate the modification effects of season and gender.

Results

With the increase in DTR and TV, the risk of AURI tended to increase; the corresponding AF values (95% eCI) higher than the references (5% position of the DTR or TV distribution) were 24.26% (15.46%, 32.05%), 23.10% (15.59%, 29.20%), and 19.24% (13.90%, 24.63%) for DTR, TV0 − 1, and TV0 − 7, respectively. The harmful effects of TCN on AURI mainly occurred when the temperature dropped (TCN < 0), and the AF value of TCN below the reference (0°C) was 3.42% (1.60%, 5.14%). The harm of DTR and TV were statistically significant in spring, autumn and winter, but not in summer, while the harm of TCN mainly occurred in winter. Three indicators have statistically significant effects on both males and females.

Conclusions

High DTR and TV may induce AURI morbidity, while the harm of TCN occurs when the temperature drops. The impacts of DTR and TV on AURI are higher than that of TCN, and the impact of few-day TV is higher than that of multi-day TV. The adverse effects of DTR and TV are significant except in summer, while the hazards of TCN mainly occur in winter.
Exploring artificial intelligence techniques to research low energy nuclear reactions
Authors: Bari Anasse , Garg Tanya Pushkin , Wu Yvonne , Singh Sneha , Nagel David
Published: August 2024

The world urgently needs new sources of clean energy due to a growing global population, rising energy use, and the effects of climate change. Nuclear energy is one of the most promising solutions for meeting the world’s energy needs now and in the future. One type of nuclear energy, Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR), has gained interest as a potential clean energy source. Recent AI advancements create new ways to help research LENR and to comprehensively analyze the relationships between experimental parameters, materials, and outcomes across diverse LENR research endeavors worldwide. This study explores and investigates the effectiveness of modern AI capabilities leveraging embedding models and topic modeling techniques, including Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), BERTopic, and Top2Vec, in elucidating the underlying structure and prevalent themes within a large LENR research corpus. These methodologies offer unique perspectives on understanding relationships and trends within the LENR research landscape, thereby facilitating advancements in this crucial energy research area. Furthermore, the study presents LENRsim, an experimental machine learning tool to identify similar LENR studies, along with a user-friendly web interface for widespread adoption and utilization. The findings contribute to the understanding and progression of LENR research through data-driven analysis and tool development, enabling more informed decision-making and strategic planning for future research in this field. The insights derived from this study, along with the experimental tools we developed and deployed, hold the potential to significantly aid researchers in advancing their studies of LENR.
Wildlife health capacity enhancement in Thailand through the World Organisation for Animal Health Twinning Program
Authors: Suwanpakdee Sarin , Sangkachai Nareerat , Wiratsudakul Anuwat , Wiriyarat Witthawat , Sakcamduang Walasinee , Wongluechai Peerawat , Pabutta Choenkwan , Sariya Ladawan , Korkijthamkul Waruja , Blehert David S. , White C. LeAnn , Walsh Daniel P. , Stephen Craig , Ratanakorn Parntep , Sleeman Jonathan M.
Published: August 2024

There is an increasing need for robust wildlife health programs that provide surveillance and management for diseases in wildlife and wild aquatic populations to manage associated risks. This paper illustrates the value of a systematic method to enhancing wildlife health programs. The U.S. Geological Survey and Mahidol University, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Thailand National Wildlife Health Center formally twinned under the auspices of the World Organisation for Animal Health to enhance wildlife health capacity in Thailand and the Southeast Asia Region. We used a system-wide approach to holistically and interdependently enhance capacity. The project commenced with a wildlife health program needs assessment, and capacity enhancement focused on strengthening the general wildlife health surveillance network and improving wildlife health information management. Activities included partner surveys, interactive and didactic workshops, and individual personnel training. Topics included development of wildlife health information management systems, analysis of the current surveillance network, development of a Theory of Change for a strengthened surveillance network, planning workshops to create a wildlife health network, training on wildlife disease outbreak investigation and field sample collection, leading networks, and individual training on bioinformatics and laboratory techniques. Engagement of stakeholders at all levels, continuous communication throughout the project, use of both strategic planning tools and pedagogical methods, and using iterative and adaptive approaches, were key factors to the success of this project.
Integrating IoMT and AI for Proactive Healthcare: Predictive Models and Emotion Detection in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Sandulescu Virginia , Ianculescu Marilena , Valeanu Liudmila , Alexandru Adriana
Published: August 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, present considerable challenges in their early detection, monitoring, and management. The paper presents NeuroPredict, a healthcare platform that integrates a series of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to address these challenges and proactively improve the lives of patients with or at risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Sensor data and data obtained through standardized and non-standardized forms are used to construct detailed models of monitored patients’ lifestyles and mental and physical health status. The platform offers personalized healthcare management by integrating AI-driven predictive models that detect early symptoms and track disease progression. The paper focuses on the NeuroPredict platform and the integrated emotion detection algorithm based on voice features. The rationale for integrating emotion detection is based on two fundamental observations: (a) there is a strong correlation between physical and mental health, and (b) frequent negative mental states affect quality of life and signal potential future health declines, necessitating timely interventions. Voice was selected as the primary signal for mood detection due to its ease of acquisition without requiring complex or dedicated hardware. Additionally, voice features have proven valuable in further mental health assessments, including the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
A Simple Window Screen to Create Electric Discharges for Repelling and Exterminating Stable Flies and Houseflies in Cattle Barns
Authors: Takikawa Yoshihiro , Matsuda Yoshinori , Kakutani Koji , Sonoda Takahiro , Toyoda Hideyoshi
Published: August 2024

The current study aimed to create an electrostatic window screen to keep stable flies and houseflies out of cattle barns. The screen comprised three identical framed metal nets arranged in parallel at specific intervals. The central net was connected to a negative-voltage generator to impart a negative charge, while the other two nets were grounded and placed on either side of the charged net. This configuration generated a corona-discharging electric field between the nets. The electric field produced negative ions and ozone around the negatively charged net, deterring houseflies from entering. Additionally, the screen emitted sparks via arc discharge to repel stable flies that did not exhibit avoidance behavior. The spark irradiation was intense enough to swiftly propel flies backward upon entering the electric field, ultimately leading to their demise. In summary, the device functioned as a corona-discharging screen to repel houseflies and as an arc-discharging screen to eliminate stable flies through spark irradiation. This study provides an experimental foundation for the development of an innovative device to manage undesirable flies in cattle barns.
The Regulatory Role of Myomaker in the Muscle Growth of the Chinese Perch (Siniperca chuatsi)
Authors: Zeng Wei , Meng Yangyang , Nie Lingtao , Cheng Congyi , Gao Zexia , Liu Lusha , Zhu Xin , Chu Wuying
Published: August 2024

The fusion of myoblasts is a crucial stage in the growth and development of skeletal muscle. Myomaker is an important myoblast fusion factor that plays a crucial role in regulating myoblast fusion. However, the function of Myomaker in economic fish during posthatching has been poorly studied. In this study, we found that the expression of Myomaker in the fast muscle of Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi) was higher than that in other tissues. To determine the function of Myomaker in fast muscle, Myomaker-siRNA was used to knockdown Myomaker in Chinese perch and the effect on muscle growth was determined. The results showed that the growth of Chinese perch was significantly decreased in the Myomaker-siRNA group. Furthermore, both the diameter of muscle fibers and the number of nuclei in single muscle fibers were significantly reduced in the Myomaker-siRNA group, whereas there was no significant difference in the number of BrdU-positive cells (proliferating cells) between the control and the Myomaker-siRNA groups. Together, these findings indicate that Myomaker may regulate growth of fast muscle in Chinese perch juveniles by promoting myoblast fusion rather than proliferation.
Genetic Structure and Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Growth and Reproductive Traits in Fengjing Pigs
Authors: Xing Lei , Lu Xuelin , Zhang Wengang , Wang Qishan , Zhang Weijian
Published: August 2024

The Fengjing pig is one of the local pig breed resources in China and has many excellent germplasm characteristics. However, research on its genome is lacking. To explore the degree of genetic diversity of the Fengjing pig and to deeply explore its excellent traits, this study took Fengjing pigs as the research object and used the Beadchip Array Infinium iSelect-96|XT KPS_PorcineBreedingChipV2 for genotyping. We analyzed the genetic diversity, relatedness, inbreeding coefficient, and population structure within the Fengjing pig population. Our findings revealed that the proportion of polymorphic markers (PN) was 0.469, and the effective population size was 6.8. The observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.301 and 0.287, respectively. The G-matrix results indicated moderate relatedness within the population, with certain individuals exhibiting closer genetic relationships. The NJ evolutionary tree classified Fengjing boars into five family lines. The average inbreeding coefficient based on ROH was 0.318, indicating a high level of inbreeding. GWAS identified twenty SNPs significantly associated with growth traits (WW, 2W, and 4W) and reproductive traits (TNB and AWB). Notably, WNT8B, RAD21, and HAO1 emerged as candidate genes influencing 2W, 4W, and TNB, respectively. Genes such as WNT8B were verified by querying the PigBiobank database. In conclusion, this study provides a foundational reference for the conservation and utilization of Fengjing pig germplasm resources and offers insights for future molecular breeding efforts in Fengjing pigs.