bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patient-matched tumours, plasma, and cell lines reveal tumour microenvironment- and cell culture-specific microRNAs
Authors: Ludwig Latasha , Vanderboon Emma N. , Treleaven Heather , Wood R. Darren , Schott Courtney R. , Wood Geoffrey A. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that are present in all cell types and bodily fluids and are commonly dysregulated in cancer. miRNAs in cancer have been studied by measuring levels in cell lines, tumour tissues, and in circulation; however, no study has specifically investigated miRNA expression in patient-matched samples across all three sample types. Canine osteosarcoma is a well-established spontaneously occurring model of human osteosarcoma for which matched samples are available. We analysed a panel of miRNAs by real-time quantitative PCR and compared across patients and sample types. While some miRNAs are highly expressed in all three sample types, tumour tissue and cell lines had the most in common. There were several miRNAs that were highly expressed in plasma and tumour tissue but not in cell lines and likely represent miRNAs produced in the tumour microenvironment. Two highly expressed miRNAs were exclusive to plasma and are known to be expressed in circulating cells. This study highlights the importance of considering sample type when studying miRNAs in cancer and demonstrates the power of using patient-matched samples.
Spectral scanning and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) enable separation and characterization of C. elegans autofluorescence in the cuticle and gut
Authors: Hulsey-Vincent Heino J. , Cameron Elizabeth A. , Dahlberg Caroline L. , Galati Domenico F. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
Caenorhabditis elegans gut and cuticle produce a disruptive amount of autofluorescence during imaging. Although C. elegans autofluorescence has been characterized, it has not been characterized at high resolution using both spectral and fluorescence lifetime-based approaches. We performed high resolution spectral scans of whole, living animals to characterize autofluorescence of adult C. elegans. By scanning animals at 405 nm, 473 nm, 561 nm, and 647 nm excitations, we produced spectral profiles that confirm the brightest autofluorescence has a clear spectral overlap with the emission of green fluorescent protein (GFP). We then used fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to further characterize autofluorescence in the cuticle and the gut. Using FLIM, we were able to isolate and quantify dim GFP signal within the sensory cilia of a single pair of neurons that is often obscured by cuticle autofluorescence. In the gut, we found distinct spectral populations of autofluorescence that could be excited by 405 nm and 473 nm lasers. Further, we found lifetime differences between subregions of this autofluorescence when stimulated at 473 nm. Our results suggest that FLIM can be used to differentiate biochemically unique populations of gut autofluorescence without labeling. Further studies involving C. elegans may benefit from combining high resolution spectral and lifetime imaging to isolate fluorescent protein signal that is mixed with background autofluorescence and to perform useful characterization of subcellular structures in a label-free manner.
The novel ECM protein SNED1 mediates cell adhesion via the RGD-binding integrins α5β1 and αvβ3
Authors: Pally Dharma , Kapoor Nandini , Naba Alexandra 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex meshwork comprising over 100 proteins. It serves as an adhesive substrate for cells and, hence, plays crucial roles in health and disease. We have recently identified a novel ECM protein, SNED1, and have found that it is required for neural crest cell migration and craniofacial morphogenesis during development and in breast cancer, where it is necessary for the metastatic dissemination of tumor cells. Interestingly, both processes involve the dynamic remodeling of cell–ECM adhesions via cell surface receptors. Sequence analysis revealed that SNED1 contains two amino acid motifs, RGD and LDV, known to bind integrins, the largest class of ECM receptors. We thus sought to investigate the role of SNED1 in cell adhesion. Here, we report that SNED1 mediates breast cancer and neural crest cell adhesion via its RGD motif. We further demonstrate that cell adhesion to SNED1 is mediated by the RGD integrins α5β1 and αvβ3. These findings are a first step toward identifying the signaling pathways activated downstream of the SNED1–integrin interactions guiding craniofacial morphogenesis and breast cancer metastasis.
Variations in humeral and femoral strains across body sizes and limb posture in American alligators
Authors: Iijima Masaya , Munteanu V. David , Blob Richard W. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
Bone loading is a crucial factor that constrains locomotor capacities of terrestrial tetrapods. To date, limb bone strains and stresses have been studied across various animals, with a primary emphasis on consistent bone loading in mammals of different sizes and variations in loading regimes across different clades and limb postures. However, the relationships between body size, limb posture and limb bone loading remain unclear in animals with non-parasagittally moving limbs, limiting our understanding of the evolution of limb functions in tetrapods. To address this, we investigated in vivo strains of the humerus and femur in juvenile to subadult American alligators as they walked with various limb postures. We found that principal strains on the ventromedial cortex of the femoral midshaft increased with larger sizes among the three individuals displaying similar limb postures. This indicates that larger individuals experience greater limb bone strains when maintaining similar limb postures to smaller individuals. Axial and shear strains in the humerus were generally reduced with a more erect limb posture, while trends in the femur varied among individuals. Given that larger alligators have been shown to adopt a more erect limb posture, the transition from sprawling to erect limb posture, particularly in the forelimb, might be linked to the evolution of larger body sizes in archosaurs, potentially as a means to mitigate limb bone loading. Moreover, both the humerus and femur experienced decreased shear loads compared with axial loads with a more erect limb posture, suggesting proportional changes in bone loading regimes throughout the evolution of limb posture.
Field respirometry in a wild maternity colony of Bechstein's bats (Myotis bechsteinii) indicates high metabolic costs above but not below the thermoneutral zone
Authors: Wolf Janis M. , Lehmann Philipp , Kerth Gerald 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
In a warming world, it is crucial to understand how rising temperature affects the physiology of organisms. To investigate the effect of a warming environment on the metabolism of heterothermic bats during the costly lactation period, we characterised metabolic rates in relation to roost temperature, the bats' thermoregulatory state (normothermia or torpor), time of day and age of juveniles. In a field experiment, we heated the communal roosts of a wild colony of Bechstein's bats (Myotis bechsteinii) every other day while measuring metabolic rates using flow-through respirometry. As expected, metabolic rates were lowest when the bats were in torpor. However, when bats were normothermic, colder temperatures had little effect on metabolic rates, which we attribute to the thermoregulatory benefits of digestion-induced thermogenesis and social thermoregulation. In contrast, metabolic rates increased significantly at temperatures above the thermoneutral zone. Contrary to our expectations, metabolic rates were not lower in heated roosts, where temperatures remained close to the bats' thermoneutral zone, than in unheated roosts, where temperatures were more variable. Our results show that torpor and digestion-induced thermogenesis are effective mechanisms that allow bats to energetically buffer cold conditions. The finding that metabolic rates increased significantly at temperatures above the thermoneutral zone suggests that the physiological and behavioural abilities of Bechstein's bats to keep energy costs low at high temperatures are limited. Our study highlights that temperate-zone bats are well adapted to tolerate cold temperatures, but may lack protective mechanisms against heat, which could be a threat in times of global warming.
IRS-VLC physical layer security scheme: a dual-strategy against eavesdropping and attacks
Authors: Liu Changling , Feng Lifang , Wang Jianping , Sun Haijian , Hu Rose Qingyang , Lu Huimin 
Published: December 2024

This study introduces a
comprehensive physical layer security (PLS) scheme in visible light
communication (VLC) systems using non-Lambertian beamforming and
intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs). It withstands eavesdropping
and attacks to secure indoor VLCs, even with imperfect channel state
information (CSI). In conventional VLC systems, the required
illuminance maintaining normal communication is about 80 lux.
The proposed scheme reduces the illuminance in a potential
eavesdropping area to 5.2 lux by manipulating the direction and
intensity of the optical signals, which leads to eavesdropping
failure. Meanwhile, the proposed scheme is jamming-resistant.
Simulations demonstrate that the system adopting the proposed security
scheme has a SINR of 40.32 dB with jamming attacks, compared to
26.13 dB in typical VLC systems, so the resisting interference
ability is improved by 54%. Eavesdropping resistance and attack
resilience make VLC security in sensitive contexts more
robust.
Optimizing telemetry forwarding for distributed failure recovery in packet-optical networks
Authors: Lechowicz Piotr , Natalino Carlos , Cugini Filippo , Paolucci Francesco , Monti Paolo 
Published: December 2024

Fast network recoverability from hard and soft failures is crucial for network operators to deliver uninterrupted services. Streaming telemetry has been studied as a solution for enabling fast and accurate failure detection in optical networks. However, significant delay is incurred when relying on a centralized entity (e.g., software-defined network controller) to collect, process, and act on telemetry data. Programmable switches (e.g., P4-based) allow telemetry data to be processed at line speed, enabling local on-device (distributed) decisions. These devices can be used to deploy quick and local mitigation to failures while a global solution is being computed on a longer time scale. However, designing network-wide streaming telemetry with distributed decisions remains an open challenge. In this work, we specify the joint optimization of packet-optical networks with on-device failure recovery, considering multiple aspects of the problem. The problem is modeled using linear programming and solved for multiple network realizations. The solutions can be used to program each switch in the network to detect failures and quickly recover the traffic. Results show that the proposed model decreases the required number of register entries to store telemetry data while assuring high recoverability and a minimized number of wavelengths.
Chirp asymmetry in Zeeman electromagnetically induced transparency
Authors: Gorkos Joseph , Grenzig Karsten , Nasirzadeh
			Orang Erfan , Thomas Victoria , Tighe Declan , Crescimanno Michael 
Published: December 2024

The simplest three-level system exhibiting electromagnetically induced
transparency (EIT) exhibits an effective conjugation symmetry as well as a
transposition symmetry. Breaking the conjugation symmetry leads to a
distinct chirp asymmetry, i.e., the differential response to a frequency
increase versus a frequency decrease. The dynamic range of the many
tunable optical parameters of the Hanle–Zeeman EIT resonance makes it an
ideal platform for testing the chirp asymmetry’s dependence on the
CP-breaking parameter and broadening. We describe the theory and compare
it to an experiment using
87Rb in a buffer gas
cell. In contrast with earlier multi-photon chirp asymmetry work, this
present effort explores the asymmetry at nearly one-billionth the earlier
chirp rate and fully explores its universal features. The chirp asymmetry
may have metrological consequences for understanding systematic dependence
on modulation/demodulation parameters.
Performance evaluation of nine reference centers and comparison of DNA extraction protocols for effective surveillance of Leishmania-infected Phlebotomine sand flies: Basis for technical recommendations
Authors: Prudhomme Jorian , Delabarre Aymeric , Alten Bulent , Berberoglu Umut , Berriatua Eduardo , Bongiorno Gioia , Cristovao José Manuel , Davidovich-Cohen Maya , Di Muccio Trentina , Erisoz Kasap Ozge , Fiorentino Eleonora , D. Kirstein Oscar , Kniha Edwin , Maia Carla , Mungan Mesut , Muñoz-Hernández Clara , Nalçaci Muhammed , Oguz Kaskan Gizem , Ozbel Yusuf , Ozensoy Toz Seray , Parreira Ricardo , Platzgummer Katharina , Polat Ceylan , Risueño José , Studentsky Liora , Varol Gamze , Walochnik Julia , Yetişmiş Kardelen , Robert-Gangneux Florence 
Published: December 2024

Background
Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania protozoan parasites transmitted by Phlebotomine sand flies, is a significant public health concern in the Mediterranean basin. Effective monitoring of Leishmania-infected sand flies requires standardized tools for comparing their distribution and infection prevalence. Consistent quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) parameters and efficient DNA extraction protocols are crucial for reliable results over time and across regions. However, the absence of standardized technical recommendations for Leishmania DNA detection hinders effective surveillance. This study aimed to compare different DNA extraction protocols and conduct a qPCR-based External Quality Assessment (EQA) through a multicenter study involving nine reference laboratories, with a focus on optimizing Leishmania DNA detection in sand fly.

Methodology/Principal findings
EQA samples consisted of Leishmania infantum and L. major species, at concentrations ranging from 101 to 104 parasites/mL. All but one center detected all concentrations, demonstrating strong diagnostic proficiency. The ability to detect low concentrations highlighted the robustness of the qPCR assay used, though variations in Cq values indicated differences in sensitivity related to technical capabilities or DNA extraction kit performance. A comparative analysis of seven DNA extraction methods identified the EZ1 DSP Virus Kit and QIAamp DNA mini-kit as the most efficient, supporting their use in standardized protocols. The study also assessed the effects of lyophilization and shipment conditions, showing no significant compromise in Leishmania detection despite slight variations in Cq values. Experimentally infected sand flies were included to simulate field conditions, and all centers successfully detected positive samples with varying Cq values, probably reflecting differences in infection load.

Conclusion and significance
This study emphasizes the importance of standardized DNA extraction protocols and continuous quality assurance for accurate Leishmania DNA detection. The results highlight the superior performance of certain extraction kits and the need for ongoing technical training, essential for reliable leishmaniasis surveillance, particularly in field settings with low infection densities.
Current status of intestinal parasitosis and microsporidiosis in industrialized countries: Results from a prospective study in France and Luxembourg
Authors: Moniot Maxime , Nourrisson Céline , Bailly Eloïse , Lambert Céline , Combes Patricia , Poirier Philippe 
Published: December 2024

Background
Human intestinal parasitosis and microsporidiosis are a global health concern, mostly in endemic areas but should not be neglected elsewhere. Recent nationwide epidemiological data are scarce, especially from primary health care and developed countries. Diagnosis by molecular tools are increasing and several commercial gastrointestinal panel assays including protozoans and/or helminths are now available. These news tools improve the knowledge into real human parasite epidemiology. This study provides an epidemiological update on intestinal parasites found in primary health care in France and Luxembourg.

Methodology/Principal findings
Two thousand fifty-six stools from primary health care patients were analyzed for the presence of intestinal parasites (IPs) during two different seasons of 2022, the winter and the summer, corresponding to more than 1500 patients from all over France and Luxembourg. Parasite detection was performed combining standard microscopy (merthiolate-iodine-formaldehyde and Bailenger concentration procedures) with two molecular panel assays (AMPLIQUICK Fecal Pretreatment, AMPLIQUICK Protozoans and AMPLIQUICK Helminths, BIOSYNEX, France). The prevalence of IPs in primary care patients reached 33.2%. Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis were the most frequently detected parasites in 20.5% and 13.1% of patients, respectively. Coinfection with two or more parasites was detected in 9.9% of patients. For some parasites, patterns according to gender, age, geography or season have been observed.

Conclusion/Significance
The high prevalence of pathogenic IPs (about 7%) underlines the importance of investigating gastrointestinal disorders through parasite examination, even in developed countries. The detection of parasites, pathogenic or not, remains a marker of the faecal-oral route of transmission and results should be interpreted accordingly. Parasites molecular characterization give new insights and should encourage further research as industrialized countries are not exempt of parasitic circulation and a better survey is necessary.
Continuity and sustainability of care in family medicine: Assessing its association with quality of life and health outcomes in older populations—A systematic review
Authors: Nasser Albarqi Mohammed 
Published: December 2024

Background
Continuity of care is a core principle of family medicine associated with improved outcomes. However, fragmentation challenges sustaining continuous relationships. This review aimed to provide timely and critical insights into the benefits of continuity and sustainability of care for older adults.

Methods
PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library were systematically searched for studies on continuity/sustainability models in family medicine and effects on older adults. 14 studies met inclusion criteria for final synthesis. Quality was assessed using ROBINS-I. Outcomes were narratively and thematically synthesized.

Results
Greater continuity of care was consistently associated with reduced healthcare utilization including lower emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Continuity also correlated with improved chronic disease management, care coordination, patient-reported experiences, and quality of life. Patient-centered medical homes and care coordination models showed potential to strengthen continuity and sustainability. Thoughtful telehealth integration and technology tools augmented continuity.

Conclusion
Continuous healing relationships are vital for patient-centered care of older adults. While current fragmentation challenges sustainability, innovations in primary care teaming, coordination, telehealth, and health information technology can extend continuity’s benefits. Realizing improvements requires system-wide reorientation toward relationships and whole-person care.
Epidemiological pattern of trauma among children 0–9 years in Cameroon
Authors: Kibu Odette Dzemo , Maqungo Sithombo , Nguefack-Tsague Georges , Nsagha Dickson Shey , Tendongfor Nicholas , Dissak Delon Fanny Nadia , Touko Darwin , Tanue Elvis Asangbeng , Oke Rasheedat , McCoy Sandra Irene , Christie Sabrinah Ariane , Juillard Catherine , Chichom-Mefire Alain 
Published: December 2024

Background
In low- and middle-income countries, trauma is the leading cause of death among youth and it is also a major cause of disability. Globally, more than 1,600 children and adolescents below the age of 19-years die every day from preventable injuries. Traffic-related injuries, falls, sports-related injuries, assaults, burns, and drownings are the most commonly reported causes of traumatic mortality among children. The mechanism of injury is always diverse in different contexts due to the differences in social determinants of health.

Objectives
To determine the epidemiological pattern of trauma among children 0–9 years in Cameroon.

Methods
This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Cameroon Trauma Registry currently running in 10 pilot sites across seven of the ten regions of Cameroon. We retrieved data for all children aged 0–9 years from June 2022 to August 2023. Data was analyzed with respect to the demographics, injury characteristics and outcomes.

Results
Of the 5,439 patients captured in the trauma registry, 267 (4.9%) were children aged 0–9 years. Over 50% (152/267) of the patients were males with 35% (93/267) from rural settings. The top injury mechanism was road traffic injuries (RTI) [137(52.1%)]. These injuries occurred on the streets [142(53.4%)] during leisure activities [205(78.5%)]. Majority of children [104(39%)] involved in RTI injuries were pedestrians and no prehospital care offered to 216(82.8%) of injured children. A total of 39 (16.9%) were discharged with major disability, 111 (48.1%) had limited ability to move and 5 (2.2%) demised or succumbed to their injuries. There was a significant association between injury activity and gender (P = 0.006). Unlike the females, majority of the males were discharged with major disability [21 (53.8%)].

Conclusion
This preliminary analysis highlights the burden of trauma among children aged 0–9 years and its contribution to the proportion of disabled persons in Cameroon. Leisure activities on the streets increased the number of pediatric injuries especially among males. It is therefore imperative to put in place or reinforce environmental interventions to reduce the burden of pediatric injuries.