bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transient Anti‐TCRβ mAb Treatment Induces CD4+T Cell Exhaustion and Prolongs Survival in a Mouse Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Gonzalez Nancy Mize , Zou Dawei , Zeng Zihua , Feng Frances Xiuyan , Zhang Xiaolong , Sannes Caitlin , Gu Andy , Zu Youli , Chen Wenhao 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTT cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Chronic T cell receptor (TCR) signalling induces T cell exhaustion, characterised by reduced capacity to induce tissue damage. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of the anti‐TCRβ (H57‐597) monoclonal antibody (mAb) in a mouse model of SLE. Four‐month‐old MRL/lpr mice exhibiting SLE phenotypes received 5 weekly doses of anti‐TCRβ mAb or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) vehicle control. Subsequently, mouse survival was monitored daily. On day 1 post the final dose of treatment, SLE pathogenesis was determined using histological staining and spot urine test. T and B cell states in the brain, kidney, and secondary lymphoid organs were determined by flow cytometry. Transient treatment of anti‐TCRβ mAb significantly prolonged the survival of MRL/lpr mice. Accordingly, MRL/lpr mice in the anti‐TCRβ mAb group exhibited decreased proteinuria scores and minimal renal pathological damage compared to the PBS control group. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that anti‐TCRβ mAb treatment resulted in a reduction in the frequencies of CD4+ T cells and CD138+B220lo/− plasma cells, plus an increase in Foxp3+ regulatory T cell frequency. Furthermore, CD4+ T cells from anti‐TCRβ mAb treated mice exhibited elevated expression levels of PD‐1 and TIM‐3, with reduced IFN‐γ production, indicative of an exhaustion‐like phenotype. Therefore, transient administration of anti‐TCRβ mAb treatment induces an exhaustion‐like phenotype in CD4+ T cells, resulting in prolonged survival of MRL/lpr mice. Inducing autoreactive T‐cell exhaustion holds promise as an attractive therapeutic approach for SLE.
Patients' Experiences of Healthcare Professionals' Competence in Digital Counselling in Healthcare Settings—A Qualitative Systematic Review
Authors: Kaihlaniemi Juulia , Suonnansalo Petra , Kääriäinen Maria , Kaakinen Pirjo , Litendahl Maija , Paukkonen Leila , Laukkonen Kirsi , Oikarinen Anne 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAimTo critically appraise and synthesise qualitative evidence about patients' experiences of healthcare professionals' competence in digital counselling in healthcare settings.DesignA qualitative systematic review.MethodsThe review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. The review included studies that focused on patient experiences of healthcare professionals' competence in digital counselling and were published in English, Finnish or Swedish, with no time limits. Study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. Findings from the studies included were pooled using the meta‐aggregation method.Data SourcesEight databases (Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycArticles, Medic, Medline (Ovid), EBSCO Open Dissertations and MedNar) were systematically searched on 25 September 2023.ResultsSixteen studies (published between 2009 and 2023) were included in the review, from which 42 findings were extracted and organised into eight categories based on their meaning. Three synthesised findings were identified: (1) Competence to provide efficient digital counselling, (2) competence to support patient self‐management during digital counselling and (3) competence in establishing a reciprocal relationship in digital counselling.ConclusionThe evidence from the review can be used to support healthcare professionals' competence in digital counselling. It was found that competence in digital counselling includes the competence to provide digital counselling that is efficient and enables counselling to be implemented in health care, supports patients to self‐manage and establishes a reciprocal counselling relationship in a digital environment.Implications for the Profession and Patient CareRecognising healthcare professionals' competence in digital counselling can enhance their motivation and professional growth, potentially improving the quality of services and patient outcomes. These findings can inform the development of healthcare education, fostering the training of more competent healthcare professionals and digital counsellors.Reporting MethodThe review was undertaken and reported using the PRISMA guidelines.Protocol RegistrationPROSPERO CRD42024499509.No Patient or Public Contribution.
Clinical impact of endogenous luteinizing hormone in frozen–thawed embryo transfer during hormone replacement cycle without gonadotropin‐releasing hormone analog coadministration: Effects on pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Sakata Akiko , Matsuda Shigeru , Kuwabara Yoshimitsu , Kato Ryoko , Nakao Kimihiko , Ichikawa Tomoko , Suzuki Shunji 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPurposeTo assess the correlation between serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels preceding luteal replacement initiation and outcomes of frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles during hormone replacement therapy (HRT) without co‐administration of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analog.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 490 FET cycles performed between March 2018 and May 2023. Patients were categorized into quartiles based on their serum LH levels preceding luteal replacement. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, with clinical pregnancy and live birth rates as dependent variables. The independent variables included women's mean age, serum LH, and estradiol levels preceding luteal replacement, and endometrial thickness during transfer.ResultsMean age, serum estradiol, and LH levels preceding luteal replacement were 36.8 ± 0.2 years, 306.5 ± 7.7 pg/mL, and 10.3 ± 0.3 mIU/mL, respectively. The clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were 46.8% and 31.9%, respectively, and varied significantly between quartiles. Multivariate analysis revealed that younger age and higher LH levels were significantly associated with increased clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.ConclusionsEndogenous LH may facilitate pregnancy within FET cycles under HRT without GnRH analogs by preparing the endometrium for implantation.
Agreement between clinical criteria and quantitative polymerase chain reaction for diagnosing scabies in Auckland children
Authors: Nambiar Tarun , Zaveri Sanskruti , Thornley Simon , Selak Vanessa , Sundborn Gerhard , Pasay Cielo , Morris Arthur J 
Published: December 2024

AimWe sought to determine the degree of agreement between clinical and laboratory methods for diagnosing scabies in school‐aged children.MethodsClinical information and samples were collected from children aged 7 months to 14 years attending educational institutions in Auckland, New Zealand. Two methods determined scabies status: the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies clinical criteria (IACS) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Sensitivity and specificity of each method, as the reference or index standard, were estimated and agreement was determined using Cohen's kappa statistic.ResultsSixteen of 145 children were positive based on IACS criteria and 15 of 64 with a suspicious skin lesion returned a positive qPCR test. IACS sensitivity and specificity were 66.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 39.9–93.3) and 94% (95% CI: 89.9–98.0), respectively (with qPCR as the reference). For qPCR, sensitivity and specificity were 50% (95% CI: 25.5–74.5) and 96.9% (95% CI: 94.0–100.0), respectively (with IACS as the reference). The kappa value was 0.53.ConclusionAgreement between clinical and laboratory methods in the identification of scabies diagnosis was moderate. Both methods had low sensitivity but high specificity. Scabies diagnosis might be improved, thereby enhancing control measures, by relaxing the IACS criteria (as some IACS‐negative participants returned positive qPCR tests, indicating mite DNA was present) and conversely supplementing clinical assessment with qPCR testing.
Parkin‐TLR4‐NLRP3 Axis Directs Melatonin to Alleviate Atrazine‐Induced Immune Impairment in Splenic Macrophages
Authors: Liu Shuo , Yang Tian‐Ning , Wang Yu‐Xiang , Ma Xiang‐Yu , Shi Yu‐Sheng , Zhao Yi , Li Jin‐Long 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAtrazine (ATR) is a widespread environmental herbicide that seriously affects agricultural work and human safety. Melatonin (MLT) as an endogenous neuroendocrine hormone is widely found in animals and plants, which have antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. Pink1/Parkin‐mediated mitophagy keeps normal physiological processes by degrading damaged mitochondria in cells. Therefore, we investigated the potential role and mechanism of MLT in ATR‐induced toxic injury of the spleen. The results showed that MLT alleviated ATR‐induced unclear boundary between the white pulp and the red pulp of the spleen. It is also shown that ATR resulted in swollen mitochondria, partial extinction of mitochondrial membranes and cristae, and increased mitophagy under the action of MLT. ATR‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) activates the Pink1/Parkin pathway, which guides mitophagy development and then causes the activation of TLR4/NF‐κB inflammatory pathway. Meanwhile, these damages further exacerbated the production of NLRP3 inflammasomes, leading to spleen necrosis. Interestingly, these changes were improved after MLT treatment. Collectively, we found that MLT alleviates ATR‐induced immune impairment in splenic macrophages via regulating Parkin‐TLR4‐NLRP3 axis which elucidates the effect of melatonin on the spleen and provides a novel perspective on melatonin in splenic inflammatory injury treatment.
Dynamics of Selected Milk Quality Parameters and Expression Patterns of miR‐26a, miR‐27a, and miR‐148a During Transition From Colostrum to Mature Milk in Awassi Sheep
Authors: Özkan Hüseyin , Sarıbay Mustafa Kemal , Keçeli Hasan Hüseyin , Kaya Ufuk , Sertkol Ramazan 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis study investigated expressions of microRNA (miR)‐26a, miR‐27a, and miR‐148a in plasma, colostrum and milk collected on different days (0th, 4th, 7th, 14th, and 28th days) during transition from colostrum to milk in Awassi sheep. Relationships between miRNAs and quality parameters were also explored. During transition, Somatic Cell Count, Fat‐free dry matter, protein, lactose decreased, pH, freezing point (FP), electrical conductivity (EC) increased. Malondialdehydes (MDA) were tended to decrease in plasma and milk. Compared to 0th day, miR‐26a was upregulated approximately 27‐folds and 17‐folds in 14th and 28th days, in milk. On 14th day, miR‐27a showed almost 18‐folds upregulation, while miR‐148a was downregulated more than fivefolds on 7th and 14th days. In plasma, miR‐26a was upregulated almost 40‐folds and sevenfolds on 7th and 14th days. Additionally, miR‐27a was upregulated by approximately fivefolds on 4th day, around 20‐folds on 7th day, and about fourfolds on 14th day. miR‐148a was upregulated approximately 11‐folds on 7th day. While miR‐26a positively correlated with miR‐27a, pH, fat, and EC, it was negatively correlated with MDA in plasma. miR‐27a was positively correlated with miR‐148a and pH. Plasma miR‐148a and milk miR‐148a were negatively correlated. miR‐26a and miR‐27a were positively correlated in milk. Milk miR‐26a was positively correlated with pH, FP, and EC, while it was negatively correlated with fat, milk and plasma MDA. Milk miR‐27a was negatively correlated with fat and MDA, but positively with EC. The results obtained for the first‐time during transition indicate potentials of miR‐26a and miR‐27a to act as biomarkers for sheep milk quality.
Event‐based supervisor control for a cyber‐physical waterway lock system
Authors: Fragkoulis D. G. , Koumboulis F. N. , Tzamtzi M. P. , Totomis P. G. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAn event‐based supervisory control scheme, in the Ramdage–Wonham framework, will be proposed for the cyber‐physical Waterway Lock system, known as Lock III, in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The proposed control scheme imposes desired behavior, by appropriately disabling controllable events, so as to avoid activation of actuator commands that may lead to undesired and potentially hazardous operating states. The discrete event model of the total Waterway Lock system, comprising 54 actuator and sensor automata, will be presented in analytic 6‐tuple forms of its subsystems. The system's desired behavior, which is expressed using six rules, will be formulated as 84 regular and prefix closed languages that will be realized as appropriate supervisor automata. All supervisors are developed by a general two‐state supervisor form, which facilitates their implementation. A distributed control architecture will be proposed, which organizes all supervisors in distinct groups, each of which controls one and only one distinct command event. The complexity of the proposed control scheme will be computed to be equal to (168,324,564), being reasonable, as compared to the large number of subsystems and the restrictive design requirements. The physical realizability of the 84 supervisors, with respect to the 54 subsystems of the waterway lock system, will be proved analytically. Also, it will be proved analytically that the proposed supervisor architecture guarantees the nonblocking property of the controlled automaton, including all subsystems. The establishment of these analytic proofs supports the extendibility of the results to other applications. To demonstrate the resulting large‐scale controlled automaton's good performance, its marked behavior and simulation results will be presented.
Functional Lumen Imaging Probe Panometry Findings in Obese Patient Populations
Authors: Nguyen Anh D. , Bhatt Anjali , Merchant Ambreen , Cipher Daisha J. , Ellison Ashton , Reddy Chanakyaram A. , Davis Dan , Souza Rhonda F. , Konda Vani J. A. , Spechler Stuart J. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundFew data are available on functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) findings specifically in obese patients. We aimed to evaluate FLIP metrics in obese patients who had not undergone bariatric surgery and in those who had sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB). We also sought correlations of FLIP abnormalities with esophageal symptoms and HRM findings.MethodsWe identified obese patients who had FLIP performed during workups either for a first bariatric operation (surgery‐naïve patients), or for surgical revision of SG and RYGB operations that resulted in inadequate weight loss. We recorded esophageal symptoms, HRM data, and FLIP metrics.Key ResultsWe identified 228 eligible patients (87 surgery‐naïve, 90 SG, 51 RYGB). Dysphagia and chest pain were frequent symptoms in all groups. Median EGJ diameter and EGJ‐DI were similar in surgery‐naïve and postsurgical patients, but subgroup analysis of symptomatic patients with no HRM diagnosis revealed reduced EGJ opening in 12%. Abnormal FLIP response patterns were common (69% surgery‐naïve, 74% SG, 65% RYGB) with higher ACR rates in SG (46.7% vs. 29.9%, p = 0.026) and RYGB (41.2% vs. 29.9%, p = 0.189) and lower SRCR rates in SG (11.1% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.021) and RYGB (5.9% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.006) compared to surgically naïve patients. There were no significant associations between FLIP contractile response patterns and symptoms or HRM diagnoses.ConclusionsDysphagia and chest pain are common in obese patients, and most obese patients (with or without bariatric surgery) have FLIP contractile response abnormalities that do not correlate with HRM findings. FLIP findings appear to be especially valuable in obese patients who have esophageal symptoms with no HRM diagnosis.
Molecular fingerprints of cell size sensing and mating type differentiation in pennate diatoms
Authors: Belišová Darja , Bilcke Gust , Audoor Sien , D'hondt Sofie , De Veylder Lieven , Vandepoele Klaas , Vyverman Wim 
Published: December 2024

Summary

A unique cell size‐sensing mechanism is at the heart of the life cycle of diatoms. During population growth, cell size decreases until a sexual size threshold (SST) is reached, below which cells become sexually competent. In most pennate diatoms, the two mating types undergo biochemical and behavioral differentiation below the SST, although the molecular pathways underlying their size‐dependent maturation remain unknown.

Here, we developed a method to shorten the generation time of Cylindrotheca closterium through single‐cell microsurgery, enabling the transcriptomic comparison of genetically identical large and undifferentiated cells with small, sexually competent cells for six different genotypes.

We identified 21 genes upregulated in small cells regardless of their mating type, revealing how cells undergo specific transcriptional reprogramming when passing the SST. Furthermore, we revealed a size‐regulated gene cluster with three mating type‐specific genes susceptible to sex‐inducing pheromones. In addition, comparative transcriptomics confirmed the shared mating type specificity of Mating‐type Related Minus 2 homologs in three pennate diatoms, suggesting them to be part of a conserved partner recognition mechanism.

This study sheds light on how diatoms acquire sexual competence in a strictly size‐dependent manner, revealing a complex machinery underlying size‐dependent maturation, mating behavior, and heterothally in pennate diatoms.
Extracellular Vesicles From LPS‐Treated PDLSCs Induce NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Periodontitis
Authors: Wu Yeke , Li Jiawei , Liu Min , Gao Ranran , Zhou Hongling , Hu Qiongying , Zhao Lixing , Xie Yunfei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐pretreated primary periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC)‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) (L‐PDLSC‐EVs) on periodontitis.Materials and MethodsPDLSCs were obtained from mouse periodontal ligaments via enzymatic digestion. An in vitro inflammatory microenvironment for PDLSCs was established using LPS, and L‐PDLSC‐EVs were isolated through ultracentrifugation and identified. EVs from different treatments were co‐incubated with RAW264.7 macrophages (Mφs) or periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLFs) and their co‐cultures, whereafter the biological behaviors in Mφs and PLFs were evaluated. Periodontitis mouse models were established to verify the role of L‐PDLSC‐EVs and the mechanisms involved.ResultsThere were no significant changes in the characteristics of L‐PDLSC‐EVs compared with control EVs. L‐PDLSC‐EVs promoted M1‐type Mφ polarization and activated the nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain, leucine‐rich repeat, and pyrin domain‐containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Furthermore, L‐PDLSC‐EVs promoted PLF cytotoxicity and apoptosis by enhancing the M1 polarization of Mφs. In periodontitis mouse models, L‐PDLSC‐EVs facilitated alveolar bone loss, PLF injury, and inflammatory responses, accompanied by an increased proportion of M1‐type Mφs and reinforced NLRP3 inflammasome activation.ConclusionsL‐PDLSC‐EVs promoted PLF injury and exacerbated periodontitis through activating the NLRP3 inflammasome and promoting the polarization of M1‐type Mφs, providing novel insights for the periodontitis progression.
TAM‐Derived Exosomes Promote EMT by Upregulating lncRNA MIR4435‐2HG in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Liu Junjiang , Mu Jingtian , Liang Zhi , Zhang Yizhi , Hu Tao , Wu Fanglong , Zhou Hongmei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the impact of tumor‐associated macrophage (TAM)‐derived exosomes on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the underlying mechanisms involved.Subjects and MethodsExosomes were isolated and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle size analysis, and western blotting. The effect on EMT in HNSCC cells was assessed using wound healing, transwell invasion, and EMT marker assays. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to predict key TAM‐related long noncoding RNAs and evaluate their relationship with EMT in HNSCC.ResultsWe observed that treatment with TAM‐derived conditioned medium (CM) promoted EMT in HNSCC cells. Within the CM, we observed abundant exosomes that were taken up by HNSCC cells. Furthermore, TAM‐derived exosomes promoted EMT in HNSCC cells. Mechanistically, high MIR4435‐2HG expression levels were observed in TAM‐derived exosomes and in HNSCC cells after treatment with TAM‐derived exosomes. Notably, high MIR4435‐2HG expression levels may be closely related to molecules that promote EMT in HNSCC.ConclusionsTAM‐derived exosomes promote EMT in HNSCC cells by upregulating MIR4435‐2HG expression, suggesting that MIR4435‐2HG is a candidate target for HNSCC therapy.
Reduced content of gamma‐aminobutyric acid enhances resistance to bacterial wilt disease in tomato
Authors: Zhao Achen , Li Qiuyi , Meng Pengfei , Liu Ping , Wu Siqun , Lang Zhaobo , Song Yi , Macho Alberto P. 
Published: December 2024

SummaryBacteria within the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex cause devastating diseases in numerous crops, causing important losses in food production and industrial supply. Despite extensive efforts to enhance plant tolerance to disease caused by Ralstonia, efficient and sustainable approaches are still missing. Before, we found that Ralstonia promotes the production of gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in plant cells; GABA can be used as a nutrient by Ralstonia to sustain the massive bacterial replication during plant colonization. In this work, we used CRISPR‐Cas9‐mediated genome editing to mutate SlGAD2, which encodes the major glutamate decarboxylase responsible for GABA production in tomato, a major crop affected by Ralstonia. The resulting Slgad2 mutant plants show reduced GABA content, and enhanced tolerance to bacterial wilt disease upon Ralstonia inoculation. Slgad2 mutant plants did not show altered susceptibility to other tested biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought and heat. Interestingly, Slgad2 mutant plants showed altered microbiome composition in roots and soil. We reveal a strategy to enhance plant resistance to Ralstonia by the manipulation of plant metabolism leading to an impairment of bacterial fitness. This approach could be particularly efficient in combination with other strategies based on the manipulation of the plant immune system, paving the way to a sustainable solution to Ralstonia in agricultural systems.
Beyond Security: The Compliance Dimension of National Security Reviews in Singapore and Taiwan
Authors: Chen Weitseng 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTGrowing concerns over Chinese investment have spurred stricter national security reviews globally, yet compliance and enforcement within these reviews remain understudied. This paper examines the enforcement mechanisms of national security review in Singapore and Taiwan, key trade partners with China. It contrasts Singapore's emphasis on rigorous ex post monitoring with Taiwan's focus on restrictive ex ante screening. To strengthen public enforcement, Singapore relies on privatized monitoring while Taiwan incorporates private enforcement. This study argues that robust state oversight through public enforcement is critical for compliance, but underscores the importance of extending enforcement beyond the initial investment stage to include post‐entry monitoring. Additionally, incorporating market intermediaries as enforcement agents presents a promising approach. This comparative analysis contributes to a richer understanding of national security review enforcement beyond traditional US‐centric framework.