bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Innate T‐cell‐derived IL‐17A/F protects from bleomycin‐induced acute lung injury but not bleomycin or adenoviral TGF‐β1‐induced lung fibrosis in mice
Authors: Moog Marie T. , Baltes Melina , Röpke Tina , Aschenbrenner Franziska , Maus Regina , Stolper Jennifer , Jonigk Danny , Prinz Immo , Kolb Martin , Maus Ulrich A. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe pathobiology of IL‐17 in lung fibrogenesis is controversial. Here we examined the role of IL‐17A/F in bleomycin (BLM) and adenoviral TGF‐β1‐induced lung fibrosis in mice. In both experimental models, WT and IL17af−/− mice showed increased collagen contents and remodeled lung architecture as assessed by histopathological examination, suggesting that IL‐17A/F is dispensable for lung fibrogenesis. However, IL17af−/− mice responded to the BLM challenge with perturbed lung leukocyte subset recruitment. More specifically, bleomycin triggered angiocentric neutrophilic infiltrations of the lung accompanied by increased mortality of IL17af−/− but not WT mice. WT bone marrow transplantation failed to correct this phenotype in BLM‐challenged IL17af−/− mice. Conversely, IL17a/f−/− bone marrow transplantation → WT did not perturb lung leukocytic responses upon BLM. At the same time, IL17af−/− mice treated with recombinant IL‐17A/F showed an attenuated lung inflammatory response to BLM. Together, the data show that the degree of BLM‐driven acute lung injury was critically dependent on the presence of IL‐17A/F, while in both models, the fibrotic remodeling process was not.
An adaptive low‐rank group sparse model based on edge‐preserving for eliminating mixed noise in SRTM
Authors: Fan Xiao , Zhang Hongming , Yang Qinke , Liu Baoyuan , Ge Chenyu , Yan Zhuang , Sun Yuwei , Ni Jincheng , Yuan Linlin , Huang Xiaoxing 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) is a digital representation of the terrain surface morphology that contains rich terrain information and is widely used in environmental analyses. However, SRTM is adversely affected by mixed noise, which typically include random and stripe noise. Mixed noise results in the significant loss of topographic information, which reduce the validity of related research. To eliminate mixed noise in SRTM data, we propose an adaptive low‐rank group sparse model based on edge preservation (ALGS_EP) to remove mixed noise from datasets. The method relies on a low‐rank group sparse model that considers the gradient features of the terrain. It calculates a terrain factor to adapt the noise elimination model to terrain changes. Additionally, it integrates with the edge structure of elevation data and applies a double‐gradient constraint to preserve the structural details of the elevation data. The proposed model, built upon the alternating direction multiplier method framework, enhances the traditional weighted kernel paradigm minimization algorithm by introducing variable weights that adjust according to the gradient of elevation data during iterations. Additionally, it incorporates the correlation between strip noise and residual data blocks when computing the iteration count, ensuring an iterative solution approach that converges to the optimal solution. We used ALGS_EP to process global SRTM 1 data and published a higher‐quality and higher‐precision elevation dataset. The elevation data noise before and after noise elimination were statistically analyzed. Simulated and empirical results show that the model is highly robust and more effective than existing methods in both visual and quantitative evaluations. The noise elimination rate was 97.6%, compared to the original data. Therefore, this research was valuable for applications that use digital elevation model as an important data layer.
Deep Dive Into Churn Prediction in the Banking Sector: The Challenge of Hyperparameter Selection and Imbalanced Learning
Authors: Gkonis Vasileios , Tsakalos Ioannis 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTForecasting customer churn has long been a major issue in the banking sector because the early identification of customer exit is crucial for the sustainability of banks. However, modeling customer churn is hampered by imbalanced data between classification classes, where the churn class is typically significantly smaller than the no‐churn class. In this study, we examine the performance of deep neural networks for predicting customer churn in the banking sector, while incorporating various resampling techniques to overcome the challenges posed by imbalanced datasets. In this work we propose the utilization of the APTx activation function to enhance our model’s forecasting ability. In addition, we compare the effectiveness of different combinations of activation functions, optimizers, and resampling techniques to identify configurations that yield promising results for predicting customer churn. Our results offer dual insights, enriching the existing literature in the field of hyperparameter selection, imbalanced learning, and churn prediction, while also revealing that APTx can be a promising component in the field of neural networks.
Halide perovskite memristors for optoelectronic memory and computing applications
Authors: Zhang Xiaohan , Wang Yue , Zhao Xiaoning , Wang Zhongqiang , Shan Xuanyu , Xu Haiyang , Liu Yichun 
Published: September 2024

AbstractHalide perovskites are considered as promising memristive materials for next‐generation optoelectronic devices. This review concisely summarizes the recent development of halide perovskite memristors and highlights their advancements in optoelectronic applications: light‐induced low power switches, optoelectronic logic operations, optoelectronic neuromorphic computation, and artificial vision systems. Finally, we address the challenges and future development prospects of halide perovskites‐based memristors. This review highlights the promising potential of halide perovskite materials for future optoelectronic memory and computing applications.
Impact of accelerated biological aging and genetic variation on esophageal adenocarcinoma: Joint and interaction effect in a prospective cohort
Authors: Zhao Renjia , Yuan Huangbo , Chen Shuaizhou , Xu Kelin , Zhang Tiejun , Liu Zhenqiu , Jiang Yanfeng , Suo Chen , Chen Xingdong 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAccelerated biological aging may be associated with increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). However, its relationship with genetic variation, and its effect on improving risk population stratification, remains unknown. We performed an exposome association study to determine potential associated factors associated with EAC. To quantify biological age and its difference from chronological age, we calculated the BioAge10 and Biological Age Acceleration (BioAgeAccel) based on chronological age and nine biomarkers. Multivariable Cox regression models for 362,310 participants from the UK Biobank with a median follow‐up of 13.70 years were performed. We established a weighted polygenic risk score (wPRS) associated with EAC, to assess joint and interaction effects with BioAgeAccel. Four indicators were used to evaluate their interaction effects, and we fitted curves to evaluate the risk stratification ability of BioAgeAccel. Compared with biologically younger participants, those older had higher risk of EAC, with adjusted HR of 1.79 (95%CI: 1.52–2.10). Compared with low wPRS and biologically younger group, the high wPRS and biologically older group had a 4.30‐fold increase in HR (95% CI: 2.78–6.66), at meanwhile, 1.15‐fold relative excess risk was detected (95% CI: 0.30–2.75), and 22% of the overall EAC risk was attributable to the interactive effects (95% CI: 12%–31%). The 10‐year absolute incidence risk indicates that biologically older individuals should begin screening procedures 4.18 years in advance, while youngers can postpone screening by 4.96 years, compared with general population. BioAgeAccel interacted positively with genetic variation and increased risk of EAC, it could serve as a novel indicator for predicting incidence.
A Cascade U‐Net With Transformer for Retinal Multi‐Lesion Segmentation
Authors: Zheng Haiyang , Liu Feng 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important cause of blindness. If not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, it can lead to irreversible vision loss. The diagnosis of DR relies heavily on specialized ophthalmologists. In recent years, with the development of artificial intelligence a number of diagnostics using this technique have begun to appear. One method for diagnosing diseases in this field is to segment four common kinds of lesions from color fundus images, including: exudates (EX), soft exudates (SE), hemorrhages (HE), and microaneurysms (MA). In this paper, we propose a segmentation model for DR based on deep learning. The main part of the model consists of two layers of improved U‐Net network based on transformer, corresponding to the two stages of coarse segmentation and fine segmentation, respectively. The model can segment four common kinds of lesions from the input color fundus image at the same time. To validate the performance of our proposed model, we test our model on three public datasets: IDRiD, DDR, and DIARETDB1. The test results show that our proposed model achieves competitive results compared with the existing methods in terms of PR‐AUC, ROC‐AUC, Dice, and IoU, especially for lesions segmentation of SE and MA.
Remediation strategies for student pharmacists with socio‐behavioral issues in the experiential curriculum: A case series
Authors: Dayer Lindsey , Heldenbrand Seth 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackground and purposeThis manuscript describes two successful student remediation plans for an introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) and an advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE). Both students were not successful on rotation due to socio‐behavioral and professionalism deficits.Educational activity and settingAn IPPE and an APPE remediation student case will be presented in which a student exhibited socio‐behavioral issues in the experiential curriculum that lead to an individual educational plan (IEP) for each student.FindingsAn IPPE student and an APPE student successfully completed an assigned IEP focusing on socio‐behavioral and professionalism remediation and both went on to successfully complete further experiential rotations.DiscussionThere is little guidance in the literature regarding experiential education remediation procedures, especially for students who are unsuccessful due to socio‐behavioral issues (e.g., professionalism, communication, lack of self‐awareness). This paper describes benefits and barriers associated with this type of student educational plan.SummaryA targeted, yet individualized remediation plan including a student assessment and reflection of experiential rotation deficits and presentation to experiential faculty has helped students with a metacognitive understanding of performing better on rotation in the future and allowed for successful completion of future experiential rotations.
Implicit Flow Cytometric Diagnosis of Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma Using CD3+CD4+CD26− T‐Cells
Authors: Gravenmier Curtis , Song Jinming , Shao Haipeng 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundFlow cytometry is not routinely performed in clinical laboratories for the diagnosis of classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL).MethodsFourteen cases of CHL and 132 cases of the control group were studied by 10‐color flow cytometry, with markers including CD3, CD4, CD7, CD8, and CD26, as well as calculated parameters such as the CD4:CD8 ratio, percent CD3+CD4+CD26− T‐cells of CD3+CD4+ T‐cells, percent CD3+CD4+CD26− T‐cells of total events, CD7 coefficient of variation among CD3+CD4+CD26− T‐cells, and CD7 median fluorescence intensity of CD3+CD4+CD26− T‐cells relative to CD3+CD8+ T‐cells.ResultsCHL cases showed a median percent CD3+CD4+CD26− of CD3+CD4+ T‐cells of 72.3% with range from 41.1% to 94.4%, median percent CD3+CD4+CD26− T‐cells of total events of 17.4% with range from 4.6% to 52.5%, CD7 coefficient of variation among CD3+CD4+CD26− T‐cells less than 100%, and CD7 median fluorescence intensity of CD3+CD4+CD26− T‐cells relative to CD3+CD8+ T‐cells of 1.7 with range from 0.4 to 3.5. In the control group, every entity showed some degree of overlap with CHL in terms of these parameters. A “Hodgkin score” was thus constructed to enhance separation of CHL from other entities. A threshold Hodgkin score of 15.35 achieved a sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 96.2% in the diagnosis of CHL. Incorporating the Hodgkin score into a simple algorithm raises the specificity to 100%.ConclusionIn this study, we used flow cytometry to demonstrate increased CD3+CD4+CD26− T‐cells in CHL, and derived a Hodgkin score for the diagnosis of CHL.
Neuromuscular impairment at different stages of human sarcopenia
Authors: Sarto Fabio , Franchi Martino V. , McPhee Jamie S. , Stashuk Daniel W. , Paganini Matteo , Monti Elena , Rossi Maira , Sirago Giuseppe , Zampieri Sandra , Motanova Evgeniia S. , Valli Giacomo , Moro Tatiana , Paoli Antonio , Bottinelli Roberto , Pellegrino Maria A. , De Vito Giuseppe , Blau Helen M. , Narici Marco V. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundDegeneration of the motoneuron and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and loss of motor units (MUs) contribute to age‐related muscle wasting and weakness associated with sarcopenia. However, these features have not been comprehensively investigated in humans. This study aimed to compare neuromuscular system integrity and function at different stages of sarcopenia, with a particular focus on NMJ stability and MU properties.MethodsWe recruited 42 young individuals (Y) (aged 25.98 ± 4.6 years; 57% females) and 88 older individuals (aged 75.9 ± 4.7 years; 55% females). The older group underwent a sarcopenia screening according to the revised guidelines of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2. In all groups, knee extensor muscle force was evaluated by isometric dynamometry, muscle morphology by ultrasound and MU potential properties by intramuscular electromyography (iEMG). MU number estimate (iMUNE) and blood samples were obtained. Muscle biopsies were collected in a subgroup of 16 Y and 52 older participants.ResultsThirty‐nine older individuals were non‐sarcopenic (NS), 31 pre‐sarcopenic (PS) and 18 sarcopenic (S). A gradual decrease in quadriceps force, cross‐sectional area and appendicular lean mass was observed across the different stages of sarcopenia (for all P < 0.0001). Handgrip force and the Short Physical Performance Battery score also showed a diminishing trend. iEMG analyses revealed elevated near fibre segment jitter in NS, PS and S compared with Y (Y vs. NS and S: P < 0.0001; Y vs. PS: P = 0.0169), suggestive of age‐related impaired NMJ transmission. Increased C‐terminal agrin fragment (P < 0.0001) and altered caveolin 3 protein expression were consistent with age‐related NMJ instability in all the older groups. The iMUNE was lower in all older groups (P < 0.0001), confirming age‐related loss of MUs. An age‐related increase in MU potential complexity was also observed. These observations were accompanied by increased muscle denervation and axonal damage, evinced by the increase in neural cell adhesion molecule‐positive fibres (Y vs. NS: P < 0.0001; Y vs. S: P = 0.02) and the increase in serum concentration of neurofilament light chain (P < 0.0001), respectively. Notably, most of these MU and NMJ parameters did not differ when comparing older individuals with or without sarcopenia.ConclusionsAlterations in MU properties, axonal damage, an altered innervation profile and NMJ instability are prominent features of the ageing of the neuromuscular system. These neuromuscular alterations are accompanied by muscle wasting and weakness; however, they appear to precede clinically diagnosed sarcopenia, as they are already detectable in older NS individuals.
A protocol to differentiate the chondrogenic ATDC5 cell‐line for the collection of chondrocyte‐derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Marchan‐Alvarez Jose G. , Teeuwen Loes , Mamand Doste R. , Gabrielsson Susanne , Blomgren Klas , Wiklander Oscar P. B. , Newton Phillip T. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSkeletal growth and fracture healing rely on the mineralization of cartilage in a process called endochondral ossification. Chondrocytes firstly synthesize and then modify cartilage by the release of a wide range of particles into their extracellular space. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are one type of such particles, but their roles in endochondral ossification are yet to be fully understood. It remains a challenge to obtain representative populations of chondrocyte‐derived EVs, owing to difficulties both in preserving the function of primary chondrocytes in culture and in applying the serum‐free conditions required for EV production. Here, we used the ATDC5 cell‐line to recover chondrocyte‐derived EVs from early‐ and late‐differentiation stages, representing chondrocytes before and during cartilage mineralization. After screening different culture conditions, our data indicate that a serum‐free Opti‐MEM‐based culture medium preserves chondrocyte identity and function, matrix mineralization and cell viability. We subsequently scaled‐up production and isolated EVs from conditioned medium by size‐exclusion chromatography. The obtained chondrocyte‐derived EVs had typical ultrastructure and expression of classical EV markers, at quantities suitable for downstream experiments. Importantly, chondrocyte‐derived EVs from late‐differentiation stages had elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase activity. Hence, we established a method to obtain functional chondrocyte‐derived EVs before and during cartilage mineralization that may aid the further understanding of their roles in endochondral bone growth and fracture healing.
Supernumerary Chromosomes Enhance Karyotypic Diversification of Narrow‐Headed Voles of the Subgenus Stenocranius (Rodentia, Mammalia)
Authors: Pavlova Svetlana V. , Romanenko Svetlana A. , Matveevsky Sergey N. , Kuksin Aleksander N. , Dvoyashov Ivan A. , Kovalskaya Yulia M. , Proskuryakova Anastasiya A. , Serdyukova Natalia A. , Petrova Tatyana V. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe subgenus Stenocranius contains two cryptic species: Lasiopodomys gregalis (subdivided into three allopatrically distributed and genetically well‐isolated lineages A, B, and C) and Lasiopodomys raddei. To identify karyotype characteristics of this poorly studied cryptic species complex, we used comparative cytogenetic analysis of 138 individuals from 41 localities in South Siberia and Mongolia. A detailed description of the L. raddei karyotype and of the L. gregalis lineage С karyotype is presented for the first time. The A chromosome complement of all examined narrow‐headed voles consisted of 2n = 36 and a fundamental number of autosomal arms (FNa) of 50. Between species, patterns of differential staining were similar, though additional C‐heterochromatic blocks were found in L. gregalis lineages; Ag‐positive nucleolar organizers and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) clusters are located on eight and nine acrocentric pairs, respectively. No B chromosomes (Bs) were found in the Early Pleistocene relic L. raddei, while one to five small heterochromatic acrocentric Bs were detected in all L. gregalis lineages; the number and frequency of Bs varied considerably within lineages, but no intraindividual variation was observed. In both species, telomeric repeats were visualized at termini of all chromosomes, including Bs. The number and localization of rDNA clusters on Bs varied among B‐carriers. Immunodetection of several meiotic proteins indicated that meio‐Bs are transcriptionally inactive and have a pattern of meiotic behavior similar to that of sex chromosomes (some homology of Bs to sex chromosomes is supposed). The nature, mechanisms of inheritance and stability of Bs in L. gregalis require further investigation.
Intra‐ and extracellular real‐time analysis of perfused fibroblasts using an NMR bioreactor: A pilot study
Authors: Urzì Christian , Meyer Christoph , Mathis Déborah , Vermathen Peter , Nuoffer Jean‐Marc 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIntroductionMetabolomic discrimination of different mitochondrial defects is challenging. We describe an NMR‐based bioreactor allowing real‐time intra‐ and extracellular metabolic investigation of perfused fibroblasts.ObjectivesThe objective of this study is (I) determining whether metabolic investigations of perfused fibroblasts overall and separated for intra‐ and extracellular contributions by real‐time NMR allows for discrimination of different representative mitochondrial defects in a feasibility study and (II) gaining insight into physiological consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction in basal condition and during glycolysis inhibition.MethodsOverall, intra‐ and extracellular metabolomes of malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), complex I (CI) deficient fibroblasts, and control fibroblasts were investigated under standard culture conditions and under glycolysis inhibition. In addition to “overall” metabolite quantification, intra‐ and extracellular metabolic contributions were separated based on diffusion rate differences.Results and DiscussionOverall metabolites: Chemometric analysis of the entire metabolome revealed good separation between control, PDH and MDH2, while CI was less well separated. However, mixed intra‐ and extracellular changes complicated interpretation of the cellular metabolism. Intra‐ and extracellular metabolites: Compartment specific chemometrics revealed possibly augmenting metabolomic separation between control and deficient cell lines under basal and inhibition condition. All mitochondrial defects exhibited upregulation of glycolytic metabolism compared to controls. Inhibition of glycolysis resulted in perturbations of other metabolic pathways such as glutaminolysis, alanine, arginine, glutamate, and proline metabolism. MDH2 showed upregulation of alanine and glutamate metabolism, while the CI defect revealed lower intracellular arginine and downregulation of glutamate and arginine‐dependent proline synthesis.ConclusionDiscrimination of intra‐ and extracellular metabolic contributions helps understanding the underlying mechanisms of mitochondrial disorders, uncovers potential metabolic biomarkers, and unravels metabolic pathway‐specific adaptations in response to metabolic perturbations.