bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immune responses of cattle vaccinated by various routes with Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)
Authors: Palmer Mitchell , Hwang Soyoun , Kanipe Carly , Putz Ellie , Fernandes Luis Guilherme Virgilio , Didkowska Anna , Boggiatto Paola 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Mycobacterium bovis BCG is the human tuberculosis vaccine and is the oldest vaccine still in use today with over 4 billion people vaccinated since 1921. The BCG vaccine has also been investigated experimentally in cattle and wildlife by various routes including oral and parenterally. Thus far, oral vaccination studies of cattle have involved liquid BCG or liquid BCG incorporated into a lipid matrix. Lyophilization is an established technique used for stabilizing bioproducts such as vaccines. In the current study, cattle were vaccinated in two phases. In each phase, cattle were divided into four groups. Group 1 received BCG injected SQ, Group 2 received liquid BCG delivered to the posterior oral cavity, Group 3 orally consumed lyophilized BCG contained within a gelatin capsule placed within a small amount of a commercial alfalfa product. Group 4 remained unvaccinated. No vaccinated cattle were positive by an interferon gamma release assay or tuberculin skin testing. An in vitro antigen stimulation assay and flow cytometry were used to detect antigen-specific CD4, CD8 and γδ T cell responses following vaccination. Oral vaccination of animals with lyophilized BCG did not result in any increases in the frequency of CD4, CD8 or γδ T cell proliferative or IFN-γ responses at any of the time points analyzed in either phase 1 or 2. In contrast, vaccination with BCG SQ and liquid BCG delivered to the posterior pharynx, resulted in an increase in the frequency of proliferating and IFN-γ-producing CD4 T cells with peak responses at 9–12 weeks post-vaccination. Similar to oral lyophilized BCG vaccinated animals, we did not observe any significant increases in the frequency of CD8 and γδ T cell proliferative and IFN-γ responses following SQ or oral liquid vaccinated animals. These data would suggest that vaccination with oral lyophilized BCG does not induce a measurable, antigen-specific cell mediated responses in the periphery, when compared to BCG administered SQ or liquid BCG administered via the oral route. However, vaccination with either SQ or liquid BCG delivered to the posterior pharynx does induce measurable CD4 T cell responses in the periphery.
Indigenous Microbial Consortia in Biopriming:A Natural Alternative to Chemical Treatments for Enhancing the Growth Dynamics of Cereal Crops
Authors: Sharma Ayushi , Gupta Vishal , Gupta Sushil Kumar , Jamwal Gayatri , Sharma Akash , Pandit Vinod 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Cereal crops (paddy, maize and wheat) are backbone of global food and nutritional security. Excessive use of chemical inputs in agriculture ensures their production and productivity, but also leads to environmental deterioration and health concerns. This study explains the potential of seed biopriming with microbial consortia as a promising alternative to enhancing growth attributes in cereal crops while reducing reliance on agrochemicals. Four putative indigenous microbial strains, Trichoderma asperellum, Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescenswere selected to form microbial consortia based on their mutual compatibility. The consortiawere applied to paddy, maize and wheat seeds at varying doses, and different soaking durations. The results demonstrated that biopriming significantly (p ≤ 0.05)increased root and shoot lengths across all three cereals, with the most pronounced effects observed in seeds treated with Consortium-IV,encompassingT. asperellum+T.harzianum+ B. subtilis+ P.fluorescence. After soaking for 30 minutes in Consortium-IV,bioprimed seeds exhibited maximum root and shoot length in paddy (11.33±0.15 and 5.30±0.10cm, respectively), maize (19.10±0.10 and 12.83±0.05cm, respectively) and wheat (19.10±0.10and 12.43±0.05cm, respectively).Phenolic content in bioprimed seeds and seedlings was alsoenhancedsignificantly (p ≤ 0.05)in paddy (3.47±0.16 and 7.70±0.09 mgg-1,respectively), maize (3.76±0.11 and 7.86±0.05mgg-1, respectively) and wheat (0.86±0.03 and 2.26±0.005mgg-1, respectively). The findings of the present investigations suggest that biopriming with microbial consortia offer an environment friendly approach to improving cereal crop productivity under climate smart resilience conditions, that reduce the dependence on chemical inputs in sustainable agriculture.
Investigation of Multi-hop backhaul free new Massive MIMO Cell Deployment Model for Future Wireless Networks
Authors: Kausar Raabia , Sheikh Javaid A. , Gupta Akhil 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Small cell deployment is considered as a sophisticated approach for enhancing capacity to the future wireless system. However, each additional cell increases the interference in the system particularly in a non-noise limited system. This paper investigates and overcomes the problem by solving the delinquent of path selection and rate allocation in the interference environment for mm-wave massive MIMO future wireless networks. Enabling mm-wave transmissions raises a potential issue of increased latency, and thus, this work aims at addressing the fundamental concerns such as selection of the best path and rate allocation over these paths subject to low latency, less channel fading, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), least path loss, and low transmission power through different scenarios. We propose a new model which simulates the movement of users within a network area. The parameters such as number of users, regions, network dimensions, number of columns and rows (nocx and nocy), total number of nodes (n), and other relevant variables have been considered and initialized in the proposed model. The model also uses a coverage set calculation to determine the coverage area of each user and identifies the path for data transmission. The communication fading channel modelling has been investigated using Rayleigh fading with a given maximum Doppler frequency shift (fd). The investigation calculates the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and determines the path loss and transmission power. For each generated route, the model calculates performance metrics such as SINR (Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio), packet delivery rate (PDR), packet loss rate, and end-to-end delay. On comparing the system model with these proposed-parameters and techniques with the previously published work the efficiency using these techniques has been observed to perform better as compared to existing ones.
Selective magnetoelectric stimulation antagonizes GABAA receptors subunit in the left prelimbic cortex neurons to alleviate schizophrenia-like behaviors
Authors: Hu Yunshan , Wang Zixu , Fang Jin , Zhang Shaotong , Li Yan , Wu Chaoran , Wang Yu , Ling Yuru , Cai Renliang , Xu Yue , Fang Xinyu , Zhou Chao , Xu Dandan , Liu Mengyu , Zhang Zhijun , Zhang Xiangrong 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a prevalent and disabling mental disorder. Clinically, its complex symptoms, including negative symptoms and cognitive impairments, can be ameliorated using electromagnetic techniques such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). To investigate the neural mechanisms of magnetic stimulation and identify selective therapeutic targets, we employed a combined magnetic stimulation system treatment (c-MSST). Targeting the mouse left prelimbic cortex (PrL) with c-MSST reversed SCZ-like behaviors and dendritic spine density reductions induced by MK-801 injection. SCZ-like mice showed a region-specific increase in Gabre (gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit epsilon) in the left PrL, normalized by c-MSST. Specific Gabre knockdown in the left PrL reversed SCZ-like behaviors induced by MK-801. Additionally, the transgenic mouse with Gabre knock-in specific to the PrL exhibited SCZ-like behaviors and synaptic plasticity deficits, both reversed by c-MSST. Overexpression of the p62 gene disrupted Gabarap and Gabarapl1 binding, reducing Gabre surface expression. Our findings suggest Gabre and related circuits as promising targets for schizophrenia treatment.
Exosomal miR-125b-5p derived from mesenchymal stem cells enhances anti-PD-1 therapy in mouse colon cancer model
Authors: Jiang Mengmeng , Liu Jia , Hu Shengquan , Yan Xueqin , Cao Yongkai , Wu Zhengzhi 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
There is compelling evidence that FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in promoting tumor immune evasion. Our prior research demonstrated that the expression of miR-125b-5p directly inhibits Tregs by targeting TNFR2 and FoxP3. Given the significant therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-EXO) in cancer treatment, the potential role of MSC-EXO in augmenting anti-tumor immunotherapy through the delivery of miR-125b-5p remains unexplored.
Methods
Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to investigate the function of exosomal miR-125b-5p both in vitro and in vivo. Mouse MC38 tumor models were administrated MSC-derived exosomes containing miR-125b-5p via tail vein injection, with or without the concurrent administration of anti-PD-1 antibodies.
Results
Our results indicated that exosomal miR-125b-5p derived from MSC significantly inhibited the expansion, proliferation and suppressive function of Tregs in vitro. Moreover, we observed a marked reduction in tumor growth in mice treated with exosomal miR-125b-5p. Notably, while anti-PD-1 therapy alone achieved a cure rate of approximately 30% in a mouse model of colon cancer, the combined administration of exosomal miR-125b-5p significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy, resulting in a more than two- to three-fold increase in tumor regression in approximately 80% of the treated mice. The underlying cellular mechanism was closely associated with the reduction of tumor-infiltrating Tregs. and the increase of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs).
Conclusions
In summary, our findings suggest that exosomal miR-125b-5p derived from MSC exerts prominent potential in advancing anti-PD-1 therapy by modulating tumor immune environment. This property of miR-125b-5p may be therapeutically harnessed in human cancers to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy.
General intelligent imaging and uncertainty quantification by deterministic diffusion model
Authors: Liao Yiyi , Fan Weiru , Tang Xiaobin , Wang Da-Wei 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Computational imaging is crucial in many disciplines from autonomous driving to life sciences. However, traditional model-driven and iterative methods consume large computational power and lack scalability for imaging. Deep learning (DL) is effective in processing local-to-local patterns, but it struggles with handling universal global-to-local (nonlocal) patterns under current frameworks. To bridge this gap, we propose a novel DL framework that employs a progressive denoising strategy, named the deterministic diffusion model (DDM), to facilitate general computational imaging at a low cost. We experimentally demonstrate the efficient and faithful image reconstruction capabilities of DDM from nonlocal patterns, such as speckles from multimode fiber and intensity patterns of second harmonic generation, surpassing the capability of previous state-of-the-art DL algorithms. By embedding Bayesian inference into DDM, we establish a theoretical framework and provide experimental proof of its uncertainty quantification. This advancement ensures the predictive reliability of DDM, avoiding misjudgment in high-stakes scenarios. This versatile and integrable DDM framework can readily extend and improve the efficacy of existing DL-based imaging applications.
TeacherEye: An AI-Powered System forMonitoring Student Engagement in OnlineEducation
Authors: Abdelhadi Zainab , Naseif Mohammed , Alhejali Waad , Elhayek Ahmed 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In online education, maintaining student engagement and academic integrity poses significant challenges. While multiple solutions have been introduced, none have provided a comprehensive system. We introduce TeacherEye, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered system for monitoring student behavior and engagement in virtual classrooms and exams. TeacherEye integrates State-Of-The-Art (SOTA) AI models to analyze video data from the webcam stream and audio data from the microphone in real time. The system first verifies students through face detection and identification. It then monitors behavior using advanced vision features like sleep detection, multi-person detection, phone usage detection, focus tracking, and emotion recognition. Audio is simultaneously converted to text and analyzed by a Large Language Model (LLM) to detect suspicious behavior, enhancing online exam proctoring. If irregularities are found, a Vision-Language Model (VLM) suggests actions to the teacher, while all detected behavior is logged for review. TeacherEye presents a comprehensive solution for improving engagement and ensuring integrity in online education.
Research on the impact of spatial and temporal changes in Ecological product value in Hebei Province based on land use changes
Authors: Gao Minna , Hu Yong-Xiang , Shang Guo-Fei , Li Wei 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Analyze the changes in land use and the spatial evolution characteristics of ecological product value in Hebei Province, understand the driving factors that affect the value of ecological products, and aim to promote the sustainable use of land resources and promote local economic development. This paper investigated the changes in land use and landscape patterns in Hebei Province from 2010 to 2022, and used the improved equivalent factor to account for the value of ecological products, used the global Moran’s I index, Getis-Ord General G index, and Getis-OrdG* index to explore the characteristics of spatial and temporal changes in the value of ecosystem services in different districts and counties of the study area, and finally used a geoprobe to explore the influence factors of land use change on the spatial and temporal changes in the value of ecological products in Hebei Province. value of ecological products in Hebei Province. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) Land use in Hebei Province is dominated by farmland, forests, grasslands and impervious surfaces, accounting for about 95% of the area of Hebei Province. (2) From the accounting results, the value of ecological products in Hebei Province during the study period shows a trend of rising, then falling and then rapidly rising, with the value of ecological products in Hebei Province amounting to 256,640,551,000,000 Yuan in 2010, and 488,748,000,000 Yuan in 2022, with a rise of close to 47.4892%. In addition, the high-value area of ecological product value is concentrated in the northern part of Hebei Province, with the city of Chengde and Zhangjiakou as the main areas of the dam plateau, and the low-value area is concentrated in the plains of Hebei Province. Damshang Plateau area, mainly in Chengde City and Zhangjiakou City, and the low-value area is concentrated in the Hebei Plain area. (3) When exploring the factors influencing the spatial and temporal changes of ecological product values in Hebei Province due to land use changes, population density, slope and elevation with large q-values are the main factors influencing the ecological product values in Hebei Province. In addition, in terms of factor interactions, there are two types of two-factor enhancement and nonlinear enhancement in the interaction of factors influencing the high and low values of ecological products in Hebei Province as a result of land use change. From 2010 to 2022, the land use and landscape patterns in Hebei Province have changed significantly, and the value of ecological products has also changed continuously. It is necessary to put forward a strategy to improve the value of ecological products based on the change of land use in Hebei Province, to promote the transformation of the economic development in the direction of ecologically friendly and sustainable development, and to realize the benign cycle of economic growth and environmental protection.
Single-Nucleus Atlas of Cell-Type Specific Genetic Regulation in the Human Brain
Authors: Hoffman Gabriel , Zeng Biao , Yang Hui , N.M. Prashant , Venkatesh Sanan , Mathur Deepika , Auluck Pavan , Bennett David , Marenco Stefano , Haroutunian Vahram , Voloudakis Georgios , Lee Donghoon , Fullard John , Bendl Jaroslav , Girdhar Kiran , Roussos Panos 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Genetic risk variants for common diseases are predominantly located in non-coding regulatory regions and modulate gene expression. Although bulk tissue studies have elucidated shared mechanisms of regulatory and disease-associated genetics, the cellular specificity of these mechanisms remains largely unexplored. This study presents a comprehensive single-nucleus multi-ancestry atlas of genetic regulation of gene expression in the human prefrontal cortex, comprising 5.6 million nuclei from 1,384 donors of diverse ancestries. Through multi-resolution analyses spanning eight major cell classes and 27 subclasses, we identify genetic regulation for 14,258 genes, with 857 showing cell type-specific regulatory effects at the class level and 981 at the subclass level. Colocalization of genetic variants associated with gene regulation and disease traits uncovers novel cell type-specific genes implicated in Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and other disorders, which were not detectable in bulk tissue analyses. Analysis of dynamic genetic regulation at the single nucleus level identifies 2,073 genes with regulatory effects that vary across developmental trajectories, inferred from a broad age range of donors. We also uncover 1,655 genes with trans-regulatory effects, revealing distal regulation of gene expression. This high-resolution atlas provides unprecedented insight into the cell type-specific regulatory architecture of the human brain, and offers novel mechanistic targets for understanding the genetic basis of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases.
Hearing threshold affects cognitive function in hearing aid non-users and long-term users
Authors: Nishiyama Takanori , Kimizuka Tomomi , Kataoka Chinatsu , Tazoe Mami , Sato Yasunori , Hosoya Makoto , Shimanuki Marie , Wakabayashi Takeshi , Ueno Masafumi , Ozawa Hiroyuki , Oishi Naoki 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Hearing loss is a potential risk factor for cognitive decline, and the use of hearing aids is thought to have positive effect of preventing cognitive decline. However, the extent of hearing loss requiring hearing aid use to prevent cognitive decline is unclear. This study examined the hearing thresholds associated with cognitive decline risk in individuals with hearing impairment and analyzed the relationship between hearing thresholds and cognitive function in those who had never used hearing aids or had used hearing aids for > 3 years. This cross-sectional, prospective, cohort study was undertaken at a tertiary care center between September 2022 and September 2023. The cohort comprised 117 individuals aged ≥ 55 years with an average hearing threshold of ≥ 25 dB HL (degree of hearing loss in decibels) in their better ear, and included participants who had never used hearing aids (non-users; n = 55) and participants who had used hearing aids for > 3 years (long-term users; n = 62). The Mini-Mental State Examination and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test were used to assess cognitive function. Pure-tone and sound-field audiometry were conducted. Non-users showed a significant association (P = 0.01) between the hearing threshold and Symbol Digit Modalities Test scores, with a cutoff value of above 38.75 dB HL identified as affecting cognitive function. There were no significant associations for long-term users. A mean hearing threshold of ≥ 38.75 dB HL may be a risk factor for cognitive decline in midlife and older hearing aid non-users. The long-term use of hearing aids may reduce this risk.
Comparison of ciprofol versus propofol for the induction of patients with valve stenosis undergoing valve surgery: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Li Shurong , Li Lingyao , Li Xiang , Lin Duomao , Zhai Siqi , Gao Junwei , jun Ma 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background: Ciprofol（HSK3486）, a novel 2,6-disubstituted phenol derivative, is a new intravenous anesthetic compound with a similar chemical structure to propofol. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the induction of anesthesia with ciprofol in patients with valve stenosis with cardiac compromise has a better clinical effect than propofol, and whether it is more conducive to the maintenance of perioperative hemodynamics in valve surgery.
Methods: Between May 2022 and June 2023, 80 participants were assessed for eligibility and randomly allocated to ciprofol group and propofol group. In ciprofol group, patients received ciprofol 0.3mg/kg, sufentanil 1.5 µg/kg and rocuronium 0.6-0.9mg/kg intravenously for anesthesia induction. In propofol group, anesthesia induction was conducted with propofol 1.5mg/kg, sufentanil 1.5 µg/kg and rocuronium 0.6-0.9mg/kg. Anesthesia maintenance drugs were connected 10 minutes after induction. Ciprofol/Propofol combined with dexmedetomidine, sufentanil and rocuronium were used to adjust the dose of anesthetics. BIS index was maintained at 40-60, SpO2 ≥ 98% and PETCO2 at 35-40mmHg throughout the operation. The occurrence of post induction hypotension (PIH，median arterial pressure below baseline 20%) was recorded. If hypotension occurred, norepinephrine treatment was given, and the total dosage of norepinephrine and VIS score were recorded 10 minutes after induction and from induction to the beginning of surgery.
Results: The incidence of PIH is 25% in ciprofol group and 75% in propofol group ,giving an OR of 0.080(95%CI, 0.23-0.276, P<0.01). In ciprofol group ,the norepinephrine dose(μg, median)10 minutes after induction(0.00 vs 10.00)and from induction to the beginning of surgery(0.00 vs 16.10),VIS score(median)10 minutes after induction(0.00 vs 1.73)and from induction to the beginning of surgery(0.00 vs 0.61),were lower than that in propofol group(P＜0.01).The lactate level on the POD1 was lower in the ciprofol group than in the propofol group.
Conclusion: 0.3mg/kg ciprofol was better than propofol 1.5 mg/kg in patients with valve stenosis, with both drugs producing 100% anesthesia and keeping the BIS at 40-60. In addition ciprofol has a minor effect on the cardiovascular system, it can be used as a safer anesthetic for patients with valve stenosis.
Trial registration: Clinical Trials Registry ;Clinical trial number：ChiCTR2200059378