bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Oyster Shell Addition on Shrimp Aquaculture and the Dynamic Succession of Surface Biofilm Microbial Communities
Authors: Huang Xianke , Xiao Guoqiang , Zhang Xiang , Teng Shuangshuang , Li Ming , Cai Yilong , Chen Ran , Huang Xiaolin 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

In the context of Litopenaeus vannamei aquaculture, the incorporation of oyster shells has proven beneficial for enhancing water quality and the growth conditions of the shrimp. Nonetheless, the specific effects of in-situ water treatment using oyster shells on water quality and shrimp growth, along with the composition and succession dynamics of the microbial community within oyster shell biofilms, have yet to be thoroughly investigated. This study established control, low-concentration, and high-concentration oyster shell addition groups to emulate the in-situ water treatment environment with oyster shells, with the objective of elucidating the impacts of oyster shell addition on the aquaculture setting. The results showed that the addition of oyster shells exerted positive influences on shrimp length, weight, and survival rate, without significant disparities between the high and low concentration groups. Additionally, oyster shell addition resulted in elevated phosphate levels, diminished nitrite levels, and increased nitrate concentrations. Within the biofilm, the relative abundances of Ruegeria, Tenacibaculum, BD2-11_terrestrial_group, and Kapabacteriales exhibited significant declines over time, whereas the relative abundance of Nitrospira demonstrated a marked increase, ultimately emerging as the predominant bacterium in the biofilm during the latter stages of the experiment. Nitrospira also exhibited a notably higher relative abundance in the microbial community of the experimental water group relative to the control group. This research offers valuable insights for the application of oyster shells in shrimp farming and contributes to the theoretical underpinnings necessary for advancing our understanding of the mechanisms through which oyster shell biofilms enhance water quality and foster shrimp health.
GNA14 may be a potential prognostic biomarker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Hao Jinrong , Yu Xia , Xiong Lei , Deng Li , Lian Shifeng , Du Yun , Sun Shijun , Li Xiaoling , Ji Mingfang 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background:
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a highly invasive malignant tumor. Recurrence and distant metastasis represent the primary causes of treatment failure. This study aimed to identify biomarkers highly associated with NPC and investigate its roles in tumor progression.
Methods:
Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) data of NPC and normal tissues were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. By analyzing the RNA-seq data, we found that G Protein Subunit Alpha 14 (GNA14) is closely associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of NPC. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of GNA14 in tumor tissues of 165 NPC patients, and we analyzed the relationship between GNA14 expression and patient prognosis. The potential mechanisms by which GNA14 affects tumor prognosis were preliminarily analyzed using bioinformatics analysis.
Results:
Analysis of RNA-seq data and IHC showed that GNA14 expression was downregulated in NPC (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively), and low expression of GNA14 was closely associated with poor prognosis. IHC analysis showed that patients with low GNA14 expression had significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) than those with high GNA14 expression (p = 0.023, p = 0.008, respectively). Multivariate analysis indicated that the GNA14 expression was an independent risk factor for DMFS (p= 0.030). The nomogram included GNA14 expression, EBV DNA, and N stage as prognostic factors and the concordance index (C-index) of the DMFS nomogram was 0.73. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that NPC patients with low GNA14 expression might represent lower levels of immune cell infiltration and poorer drug sensitivity.
Conclusion:
Low GNA14 expression may be a risk factor for poor prognosis in NPC.
Dominant species predict plant richness and biomass in global grasslands
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Seabloom Eric , Foo Jasmine , MacDougall Andrew , Harpole W , Adler Peter , Hautier Yann , Eisenhauer Nico , Spohn Marie , Bakker Jonathan , Lekberg Ylva , Young Alyssa , Carbutt Clinton , Risch Anita , Peri Pablo , Smith Nicholas , Stevens Carly , Prober Suzanne , Knops Johannes , Wardle Glenda , Dickman Christopher R. , Ebeling Anne , Roscher Christiane , Martinson Holly , Martina Jason , Power Sally , Niu Yujie , Ren Zhengwei , du guozhen , Virtanen Risto , Arnillas Carlos , Tognetti Pedro , Tedder Michelle , Jentsch Anke , Catford Jane , Borer Elizabeth 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The bidirectional relationship between plant species richness and community biomass is often variable and poorly resolved in natural grassland ecosystems1–3, impeding progress in predicting impacts of environmental changes. In contrast, most biological communities have lognormal species abundance distributions (e.g., biomass, cover, number of individuals)4–7, a general property that may provide predictive power for species richness and community biomass. Here, we demonstrate mathematical relationships between community characteristics and the abundance of dominant species arising from the lognormal distribution and test these predictions using observational and experimental data from 76 grassland sites across six continents. We find that community biomass provides little predictive ability for community richness, consistent with previous findings3,8. In contrast, the relative abundance of dominant species quantitatively predicts species richness, whereas the absolute abundance of dominant species quantitatively predicts community biomass under both ambient and altered environmental conditions, as expected mathematically. These results are robust to the type of abundance measure used9. Simulated data further demonstrate the generality of these results. Our integrative framework, arising from a few dominant species and mathematical properties of species abundance distributions, fills a persistent gap in our ability to predict community richness and biomass under ambient and anthropogenically altered conditions1,10.
Genetic determinants of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after alcohol withdrawal
Authors: Peregud Danil , Korolkov Alexey , Baronets Valeria , Kozlov Kirill , Lobacheva Anna , Arkus Maxim , Bairamova Sakeena , Solovieva Maria , Pavlova Olga , Pavlov Konstantin , Terebilina Natalia 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels increase during alcohol abstinence in dependent subjects. Meanwhile, the genetic determinants of circulating BDNF this context are poorly understood. Studies of associations between circulating BDNF and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the corresponding gene are mainly restricted by the most studied BDNF SNP rs6265. A recent GWAS demonstrated that the BDNF-related SNP rs75945125 is associated with serum BDNF. However, it is unknown whether this SNP is associated with changes in peripheral BDNF levels in the context of alcohol abstinence. We aimed to assess the association of the BDNF-related SNPs rs75945125 and rs6265 with changes in serum BDNF levels after alcohol withdrawal. Serum BDNF levels were assessed on 2nd, 7th, and 21st days after alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome severity, craving severity, affective symptoms, and cognitive impairment were assessed on 7th and 21st days. BDNF SNPs rs75945125 and rs6265 were genotyped using real-time PCR. BDNF concentrations in the carriers of the rs75945125 C allele on 21st day were higher as compared with TT genotype carriers. BDNF SNP rs75945125 C allele carriers had a longer duration of problem drinking, consumed a lesser volume of alcohol in the last 3 months, and had lower severity of withdrawal syndrome on 7th day compared with TT genotype carriers. BDNF levels were moderated by rs75945125 and rs6265, as well as by the interaction of rs75945125×rs6265, whereas only the interaction of rs75945125×rs6265 had an effect on depression scores during abstinence. Thus, the trajectory of serum BDNF changes during alcohol abstinence is determined by both rs75945125 and rs6265. Moreover, BDNF gene-related SNPs are associated with the clinical parameters of alcohol dependence and withdrawal.
Microbiome spectra and prevalent colibactin-associated mutational process in Japanese colorectal cancer
Authors: Shibata Tatsuhiro , Shiba Satoshi , Yachida Shinichi , Mizutani Sayaka , Totoki Yasushi , Nakamura Hiromi , Hama Natsuko , Takamaru Hiroyuki , Arai Yasuhito , Saito-Adachi Mihoko , Rokutan Hirofumi , Kanemitsu Yukihide , Saito Yutaka , Yamada Takuji 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The recent rapid increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) cases, particularly among young patients, poses a significant public health concern in Japan and other countries. The association between the gut microbiota and CRC has been well established. Here, we present a detailed analysis of this association by combining whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and whole-transcriptome data from CRC tissues with whole-genome metagenomic sequencing (WGMS) of fecal samples. The utilization of explanatory artificial intelligence analysis enabled classification of the disease into four distinct subtypes. This microbiome-based subclassification was found to be correlated with specific clinical and molecular characteristics, and included a subgroup having a higher proportion of younger patients with an unfavorable prognosis. The WGS analysis revealed mutational signatures (SBS88 and ID18) associated with colibactin exposure; these were considered early clonal events and found in 70.3% of patients (97 out of 138), with higher prevalence in the younger subtype. APC hotspot mutation and frameshift deletion, which matched the colibactin signature and the colibactin-specific motif, were observed in 12 patients (8.7%). CRCs exhibiting colibactin-associated mutational signatures were more common in younger patients and had an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Colibactin exposure is a highly prevalent but modifiable risk factor for CRC in the Japanese population.
Self-powered hydrogel improves bone regeneration via bone drived biomechanical piezoelectricity
Authors: Li Yulin , Zhang Shuyan , Huang Lei , Chen Weisin , Chen Qi , Liu Xin , Su Di-Han , Xiao Lan , Zhou Dong , Zhang Jian , Jiang Li-Bo 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Large bone defect healing remains a challenge in current clinical treatment, which suggests the need for functional bone repair materials. Piezoelectric materials can generate electrical stimulation under mechanical stress to improve the tissue healing environment, which are emerging candidates for tissue engineering. We created a self-powered piezoelectric hydrogel by simply blending the zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and regenerating silk fibroin (RSF). Our piezoelectric hydrogel showed controllable and excellent mechanical and piezoelectric properties which could generate electrical stimulation to promote bone tissue healing. Incorporating ZnO into RSF hydrogels not only enhanced their mechanical properties by 1.7 times and increased piezoelectric output by 2.8 times, but also mitigated the degradation rate. In vitro experiments showed that piezoelectric hydrogels significantly promoted osteogenesis differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and enhanced vascular network reconstitution. In vivo experiments verified the osteogenic and angiogenic potential of ZnO/RSF piezoelectric hydrogels. ZnO/RSF piezoelectric hydrogel, a simple but universal strategy of RSF-based material to generate electric currents by body movement, provides new insight into piezoelectric hydrogel application and bone tissue engineering.
The Interrelation between Autistic Children’s Socio-Emotional Skills, Parent Mental Health, and the Parent-Child Relationship
Authors: Franco Maïte , Costa Andreia P. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Autistic people often struggle with socio-emotional skills and have idiosyncratic behavior and sensory preferences, which can lead to several adverse outcomes, including challenging behaviors. This can create parenting stress and mental health issues in parents, which, in turn, might challenge the parent-child relationship and subsequently affect their parenting socio-emotional skills. Thus, autistic children’s reduced socio-emotional skills and increased behavioral problems, parent’s mental health, and the parent-child relationship might underlie a spiraling interrelation that can cause detrimental effects for both children and their parents.
To examine the relationship between these four constructs, data were collected in person from 39 children (21 autistic; 18 neurotypical), one of their parents, and the class teacher. Measures included the WNV, SRS-2, ASEBA, ERSSQ, CPRS, WHO-5, and MDI.
Results indicated that although parents of autistic children reported worse psychological well-being and autistic children had reduced socio-emotional skills and more problem behavior, the parent-child relationship did not differ between autism and neurotypical families. Multiple regression analyses showed that parent-child closeness was positively related to parent psychological well-being and that children’s socio-emotional skills difficulties related to more parent-child conflict. However, partial-correlations revealed that children’s socio-emotional skills, parent mental health, and parent-child relationships might interrelate differently in autism families than in neurotypical families, which might have a valuable influence on interventions targeting mental health issues and socio-emotional skills difficulties in autism.
Language(s) in Autism: Adult Children- and Parent-Reports on the Relationship between Language Use, Family Functioning, and Mental Health
Authors: Franco Maïte , Costa Andreia P. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Societies have become more international, and the daily use of multiple languages is steadily increasing. However, parents of autistic people are often told to refrain from using multiple languages with their children and to use the culturally predominant language. However, family members might not be sufficiently proficient, and tongue-tied interactions might affect family members’ mental health and family interaction, possibly indirectly affecting children’s development via maladaptive parenting practices.
We used adult children (n = 29) and parent (n = 47) reports of families with autistic and neurotypical children to examine the relationships between language use, family functioning, and mental health. The questionnaire was offered online and included measures such as the SRS-2, Die Familienbögen, WHO-5, MDI, and WHOQOL-BREF, as well as questions about language and family culture created for this study.
Results identified differences in language use and underlying reasons between autism and control groups. Furthermore, our findings revealed alarming mental health difficulties and problematic family functioning in autistic adults. Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression further emphasized the importance of children’s socio-emotional skills, absence of depressive symptoms, and physical and environmental quality of life for family functioning.
Our findings stress the urgency of mental health difficulties in autistic people and problematic family functioning, which might yet again reinforce mental health challenges reciprocally and offer valuable information for interventions targeting mental health, family functioning, and language use in autism.
Effective coverage cascade of the maternal healthcare continuum in Cameroon: An analysis of inequalities from service contact to quality-adjusted coverage
Authors: Souaibou Moussa , Sandie Arsène Brunelle , Barros Aluisio J D , Dzossa Anaclet Désiré , Sidze Estelle Monique 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background: The progressive increase in maternal health (MH) coverage observed in Cameroon over the past decades has not been accompanied by a satisfactory reduction in maternal mortality. In this study, we analysed inequalities in service contact, intervention care and quality-adjusted coverage of maternal healthcare continuum in order to assess the capacity of the health system to provide comprehensive and equitable care.
Methods: We combined data from the 2018 Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey and the 2015 Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care Evaluation Survey of Health Facilities to estimate the quality-adjusted coverage of antenatal care and intra- and postpartum care. Inequalities were assessed using absolute and relative inequality measures.
Results: Contact coverage for antenatal care services was 86.3% (95% CI: 85.4-87.1), but only 14.4% (95% CI: 13.7-15.1) of women had the opportunity to receive comprehensive antenatal care of optimal quality. Similarly, contact coverage for intra- and postpartum care was 68.5% (95% CI: 67.3-69.6), but only 31.4% (95% CI: 19.6-26.4) of women had the opportunity to receive optimal quality intra- and postpartum care. The missed opportunity for health benefits was greater for intra- and postpartum care than for antenatal care (20.0% vs. 10.9%). There are large inequalities in the quality-adjusted coverage of the continuum of maternal healthcare by region, place of residence, religion, level of education and wealth quintile index. Relative inequalities are accentuated when the quality of MH services is taken into account. Although all categories of women are affected by the loss of opportunities for health benefits, it is the most advantaged socioeconomic groups who are most affected.
Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of using effective coverage indicators specific to maternal health care, and of combining measures of relative and absolute inequalities to establish priorities and propose recommendations to policy-makers adapted to the context of low- and middle-income countries.
Advanced AI-Assisted Panoramic Radiograph Analysis for Periodontal Prognostication and Alveolar Bone Loss Detection
Authors: Jundaeng Jarupat , Chamchong Rapeeporn , Nithikathkul Choosak 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Aim & Background: Periodontal diseases are a significant public health concern, affecting over a billion people worldwide. Conventional diagnostic and prognostic methods, which rely on clinical examination and radiographic interpretation for each tooth, often lack consistency and are labor-intensive and time-consuming. This highlights the need for more reliable and efficient tools to improve these processes. This study aims to develop an innovative AI-driven model for analyzing panoramic radiographs to detect alveolar bone loss and determine periodontal prognostication.
Materials and methods: A balanced dataset of 2,000 panoramic radiographs, equally representing periodontally healthy individuals and those with periodontitis, was collected. Image enhancement techniques were applied, and an AI model using YOLOv8 was developed to segment teeth, identify the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), and assess alveolar bone levels to quantify bone loss and classify the prognosis for each tooth.
Results: The teeth segmentation model achieved precision, recall, and F1 scores of 0.8, 0.9, and 0.8, respectively. The CEJ and alveolar bone level segmentation model demonstrated high performance, with scores of 0.9, 1.0, and 0.9. These results highlight the model’s capability to accurately identify critical features of periodontal disease, reducing diagnostic variability and enhancing prognostic assessments.
Conclusion: This AI model sets a new benchmark for detecting alveolar bone loss and determining periodontal prognostication. The developed AI model offers a promising solution by providing quicker, less labor-intensive, and more precise alternatives to current diagnostic approaches.
Clinical Significance: The model’s ability to provide consistent, objective assessments can significantly reduce the workload of dental professionals, ensuring better patient outcomes.
Investigating the Expression and the Activity Patterns of Proteasomal Subunits in Livers with HBV infection and HBV-Derived HCC
Authors: Januzzi Ayse Tarbin , Sari Gulce , Arslan-Eseryel Sema , Zeybel Mujdat , Yilmaz Yusuf , Dayangac Murat , Yigit Buket , Arga Kazim Yalcin , Boonstra Andre , Eren Fatih , Karademir-Yilmaz Betul 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background & Aims:
Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent types of liver cancer worldwide, with chronic infection of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) being a major risk factor. The ubiquitin-proteasome system plays a critical role in protein degradation, cellular homeostasis, and cell cycle regulation. Dysregulation of proteasomal activity has been implicated in various cancers, including HCC. However, the specific expression patterns of proteasomal subunits in HBV infection and HBV-induced HCC remain poorly understood. Additionally, it is not known whether the mRNA expression of proteasome subunits correlates with the activity.
Methods & Results:
To fill this knowledge gap, we analyzed the proteasomal subunit mRNA expression levels in a liver-humanized mouse model after HBV infection. We found that the chymotrypsin-like activity (β5) subunit of the proteasome (PSMB5) was overexpressed after HBV infection. β5-deficient cells showed lower cell surface MHC I levels and increased accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins indicating an expression-function correlation. Similar to the mRNA expression data, protein levels of β5 subunit was higher in HBV-infected patient livers, and the infected liver tissue showed higher chymotrypsin-like proteolytic activity. The Protein Atlas data analysis also indicated that higher mRNA expression of β5 is associated with poor prognosis in HCC.
Conclusions
In summary, HBV infection increases both protein levels and the proteolytic activity of proteasomes in infected livers. The dynamics of protein degradation by proteasomes in HBV infected livers with HCC is of great importance to be able to develop better treatment strategies.