bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of mesenchymal stromal cells and human recombinant Nerve Growth Factor delivered by bioengineered human corneal lenticule on an innovative model of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Pelusi Letizia , Hurst Jose , Detta Nicola , Pipino Caterina , Lamolinara Alessia , Conte Gemma , Mastropasqua Rodolfo , Allegretti Marcello , Di Pietrantonio Nadia , Romeo Tiziana , El Zarif Mona , Nubile Mario , Guerricchio Laura , Bollini Sveva , Pandolfi Assunta , Schnichels Sven , Mandatori Domitilla 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular complication of diabetes in which neurodegeneration has been recently identified as a driving force. In the last years, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and neurotrophins like Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), have garnered significant attention as innovative therapeutic approaches targeting DR-associated neurodegeneration. However, delivering neurotrophic factors directly in the eye remains a challenge. Hence, this study evaluated the effects of MSCs from human amniotic fluids (hAFSCs) and recombinant human NGF (rhNGF) delivered by human corneal lenticule (hCL) on a high glucose (HG) induced ex vivo model simulating the molecular mechanisms driving DR.MethodsPorcine neuroretinal explants exposed to HG (25 mM for four days) were used to mimic DR ex vivo. hCLs collected from donors undergoing refractive surgery were decellularized using 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate and then bioengineered with hAFSCs, microparticles loaded with rhNGF (rhNGF-PLGA-MPs), or both simultaneously. Immunofluorescence (IF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed to confirm the hCLs bioengineering process. To assess the effects of hAFSCs and rhNGF, bioengineered hCLs were co-cultured with HG-treated neuroretinal explants and following four days RT-PCR and cytokine array experiments for inflammatory, oxidative, apoptotic, angiogenic and retinal cells markers were performed.ResultsData revealed that HG-treated neuroretinal explants exhibit a characteristic DR-phenotype, including increased level of NF-kB, NOS2, NRF2 GFAP, VEGFA, Bax/Bcl2 ratio and decreased expression of TUBB3 and Rho. Then, the feasibility to bioengineer decellularized hCLs with hAFSCs and rhNGF was demonstrated. Interestingly, co-culturing hAFSCs- and rhNGF- bioengineered hCLs with HG-treated neuroretinal explants for four days significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory, oxidative, apoptotic, angiogenic and increased retinal markers.ConclusionOverall, we found for the first time that hAFSCs and rhNGF were able to modulate the molecular mechanisms involved in DR and that bioengineered hCLs represents a promising ocular drug delivery system of hAFSCs and rhNGF for eye diseases treatment. In addition, results demonstrated that porcine neuroretinal explants treated with HG is a useful model to reproduce ex vivo the DR pathophysiology.
Sleet damage to branches and crowns of street camphor trees (Cinnamomum camphora) in a central China mega-city: damage statistics, modelling, and implications
Authors: Liu Yichen , Zhang Junru , Rao Shanshan , Xu Kun 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionExtreme weather becomes increasingly frequent and severe under climate change, causing unexpected damage to trees. Among them, sleet damage is particularly harmful to evergreen trees in subtropical area. Camphor trees (Cinnamomum camphora), as dominant street trees in central China, are prone to sleet damage, resulting in loss of valuable ecosystem functions.MethodsBy measuring tree size characteristics of 118 camphor trees before and after a record-breaking sleet event in Wuhan, a mega-city in central China, we built allometric equations between size and volume of broken branches and used the random forest regression to model sleet damage to camphor trees.ResultsWe identified that larger trees with intermediate bole height suffered more than smaller trees with tall bole height from the sleet event. We estimated the volume of broken branches of a camphor tree with DBH at 35.0 cm as 106.4 dm3, equivalent to 55.3 kg biomass loss, from the sleet event.DiscussionWe suggest that pruning the branches instead of topping the main stems of small camphor trees would reduce the sleet hazard. To mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, regular pruning should be practiced on street camphor trees to protect them from future heavy sleet events.
Identification, function validation and haplotype analysis of salt-tolerant genes of lectin receptor kinase gene family in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)
Authors: Mao Li , Huazhuan He , Haiyan Gao , Wangqi Huang , Qizhe Cai , Guiyun Yan , Qingjun Cheng , Yinpei Liang , Xiuhua Chen 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionSalt stress is one of the significant challenges in sorghum production, greatly impacting the yield of S. bicolor. L-type lectin receptor kinases (LLRKs) are essential for plant stress tolerance, yet a comprehensive genome-level analysis in this species has not been conducted.Materials and methodsMembers of the SbLLRLK gene family were identified using bioinformatics methods. Gene structures, motifs, and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed. Subsequently, expression profiles under various stress conditions were examined using transcriptome data. Furthermore, functional validation was performed through homologous gene alignment and transgenic analysis, focusing on the gene SORBI_3004G304700.ResultsThis study identified 49 SbLLRLK genes in Sorghum bicolor, categorized into four groups based on their lectin domain characteristics. Expression analyses revealed diverse patterns under salt, drought, and heat stresses. SORBI_3004G304700 was identified as a negative regulator of salt stress tolerance, with three unique haplotypes identified through haplotype analysis, suggesting a role in salt stress adaptation. Haplotype analysis of SORBI_3004G304700 revealed three unique haplotypes, with haplotype1 being the most prevalent, possibly due to selective advantages for salt stress tolerance.DiscussionThese findings offer valuable insights into the biological research on the role of the LLRLK gene family in Sorghum bicolor’s response to salt stress. The functional characterization of SORBI_3004G304700 and the identification of haplotypes associated with salt tolerance provide valuable insights for molecular breeding and genetic enhancement of sorghum.
Accuracy of intraoperative aberrometry versus preoperative biometry for intraocular lens power selection in short and long eyes
Authors: Tañá-Rivero Pedro , Orts-Vila Paz , Tañá-Sanz Pedro , Tañá-Sanz Santiago , Ruiz-Mesa Ramón , Montés-Micó Robert 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundTo compare the accuracy of intraoperative wavefront aberrometry using the ORA VLynk system with different biometry-based formulas in short and long eyes after cataract surgery.MethodsThis prospective study considered 48 eyes with axial lengths of &lt;22.1 mm and 48 eyes with axial lengths of &gt;25.0 mm. All eyes were implanted with the monofocal AcrySof IQ IOL, the power being determined using the ORA VLynk. The postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) at 3 months was compared to that predicted preoperatively using the SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Haigis, Holladay 2, Barrett Universal II, and Barrett True K formulas and intraoperatively using the ORA VLynk. Mean numerical and absolute errors and the percentage of eyes within ±0.50 D/1.00 D of their target were obtained.ResultsFor long eyes, the mean absolute error values were 0.35, 0.52, 0.34, 0.30, 0.29, 0.27, and 0.24D for SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Haigis, Holladay 2, Barrett Universal II, Barrett True K, and ORA VLynk, respectively (p &lt; 0.001). These values were 0.55, 0.45, 0.49, 0.40, 0.44, 0.44 and 0.50 D for short eyes, respectively (p &lt; 0.001). The proportions of long eyes within ±0.50 D of the target were 77.08, 50, 75, 85.42, 83.33, 79.17, and 87.50%, respectively; and 50, 66.67, 60.42, 66.67, 60.42, 60.42, and 58.33%, respectively, for short eyes.ConclusionThe ORA VLynk performs better than all biometry-based formulas in long eyes and, in short eyes, it is as effective as SRK/T, Haigis, Barrett Universal II, and Barrett true K, with the Hoffer Q and Holladay 2 being the most accurate; however, the differences between the calculation methods were small.Clinical trial registrationIdentifier DRKS000028106.
Association between central corneal thickness and systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional study protocol
Authors: Saldaña-Garrido Juan David , Cantó-Cerdán Mario , Gil-Guillén Vicente Francisco , Alfaro-Beltrá María Luisa , Sivera Francisca 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting multiple systems and classified under connective tissue disorders. Ocular involvement occurs in up to 30% of SLE cases, with the cornea being particularly susceptible to thinning due to immune-complex deposits and its predominantly type I collagen composition. This corneal thinning is clinically significant in glaucoma, where patients with reduced central corneal thickness (CCT) may have up to a threefold increased risk of developing glaucoma, as well as in refractive surgery. However, existing studies on CCT in SLE are limited and marked by substantial heterogeneity in methodology, technology, criteria, and participant numbers, resulting in conflicting findings. Based in our hypothesis that SLE-related corneal lysis may result in decreased CCT, this study aims to determine and compare the mean CCT values between SLE patients and healthy controls to obtain a more precise understanding of the potential relationship.Methods and analysisA cross-sectional observational study will be conducted, enrolling SLE patients and age-and sex-matched healthy controls recruited from ophthalmology consultations. Exclusion criteria will be applied to rule out other corneal thinning risk factors. A pilot study estimated a minimum sample size of 34 participants per group. CCT measurements will be obtained using Zeiss HD Cirrus 5,000 optical coherence tomography (OCT) on a randomly selected eye, following concordance analysis using the Kappa index. Statistical analysis will include descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate methods. The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee.DiscussionThe cornea’s vulnerability to thinning and lysis in SLE, which impacts CCT, is crucial for the accurate assessment of glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and the second leading cause in Europe. Given that patients with reduced CCT are at a significantly higher risk of developing glaucoma, further research is necessary to understand the association between SLE and CCT. Our study aims to enhance methodological rigor compared to prior research by determining an appropriate sample size and exclusively enrolling SLE patients to increase participant homogeneity. If a significant difference in CCT between groups and an association between CCT and SLE are found, a prospective study will be considered.
Diverse new plasmid structures and antimicrobial resistance in strains isolated from perianal abscess patients
Authors: Xu Zhen , Shi Lulu , Meng Tao , Luo Mei , Zhu Jiaming , Wang Mingyu , Shen Wenlong 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionPlasmids, the most important and versatile bacterial extrachromosomal DNA Molecules, has have been a center central topic for bacterial genetics and biology. However, the inability of short-read high-throughput sequencing methods to reliably assemble plasmids makes it difficult to investigate the diversity of plasmid structures and functions.MethodsIn this work, we used the long-read Nanopore sequencing method to address this issue, by producing high quality whole genome sequences of 33 bacterial strains from 11 perianal abscess-suffering patients.Results and discussionSuccessful high quality assemblies were generated with this method, including 20 perfect assemblies out of 33 genomes. A total of 47 plasmids were identified from the bacterial strains, including 12 unique, newly identified, high quality circular plasmids. These plasmids were further subject to structural analysis, leading to the finding of significant diversification from previously known plasmids, suggesting the diversity of plasmid structure and function. Particularly, two mcr-10.1-harboring conjugative plasmids were found from Citrobacter portucalensis and Enterobacter kobei, which were not previously reported. This works shows the feasibility of using long-read sequencing to identify plasmids, and the high diversity of plasmid structure and function that awaits further surveillance.
Associations between maternal microbiome, metabolome and incidence of low-birth weight in Guatemalan participants from the Women First Trial
Authors: Ruebel Meghan L. , Gilley Stephanie P. , Yeruva Laxmi , Tang Minghua , Frank Daniel N. , Garcés Ana , Figueroa Lester , Lan Renny S. , Assress Hailemariam Abrha , Kemp Jennifer F. , Westcott Jamie L. E. , Hambidge K. Michael , Shankar Kartik , Krebs Nancy F. 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundLow birth weight (LBW; &lt;2,500 g) affects approximately 15 to 20 percent of global births annually and is associated with suboptimal child development. Recent studies suggest a link between the maternal gut microbiome and poor obstetric and perinatal outcomes. The goal of this study was to examine relationships between maternal microbial taxa, fecal metabolites, and maternal anthropometry on incidence of LBW in resource-limited settings.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of the Women First trial conducted in a semi-rural region of Guatemala. Maternal weight was measured at 12 and 34 weeks (wk) of gestation. Infant anthropometry measures were collected within 48 h of delivery. Maternal fecal samples at 12 and 34 weeks were used for microbiome (16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) and metabolomics analysis (34 wk). Linear mixed models using the MaAslin2 package were utilized to assess changes in microbiome associated with LBW. Predictive models using gradient boosted machines (XGBoost) were developed using the H2o.ai engine.ResultsNo differences in β-diversity were observed at either time point between mothers with LBW infants relative to normal weight (NW) infants. Simpson diversity at 12 and 34 weeks was lower in mothers with LBW infants. Notable differences in genus-level abundance between LBW and NW mothers (p &lt; 0.05) were observed at 12 weeks with increasing abundances of Barnesiella, Faecalibacterium, Sutterella, and Bacterioides. At 34 weeks, there were lower abundances of Magasphaera, Phascolarctobacterium, and Turicibacter and higher abundances of Bacteriodes, and Fusobacterium in mothers with LBW infants. Fecal metabolites related to bile acids, tryptophan metabolism and fatty acid related metabolites changed in mothers with LBW infants. Classification models to predict LBW based on maternal anthropometry and predicted microbial functions showed moderate performance.ConclusionCollectively, the findings indicate that alterations in the maternal microbiome and metabolome were associated with LBW. Future research should target functional and predictive roles of the maternal gut microbiome in infant birth outcomes including birthweight.
At home e-based physical exercise programs in patients with multiple sclerosis: a scoping review
Authors: Adnan Rafl , Roikjaer Stine Gundtoft , Samadzadeh Sara , Richter Camilla Josefine , Weinshenker Brian G. , Paul Friedemann , Skou Søren Thorgaard , Dalgas Ulrik , Asgari Nasrin 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionPhysical exercise (PE) improves symptoms and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, incorporating PE into daily lives of pwMS pose difficulties. As an alternative to in-person PE, e-based PE has been proposed because of its advantages in terms of accessibility and convenience.ObjectiveTo synthesize existing evidence on e-based PE at home in adults MS and discuss study designs, rehabilitation programs, intervention effects and possible knowledge gaps.MethodsIn this scoping review, a systematic search in electronic databases including Embase, Medline, CINAHL and Cochrane Library was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed articles in English on e-based PE interventional studies at home involving adult pwMS, published from 2008 until April 2023, were identified and exported to Covidence. Data from the included studies were extracted and synthesized. This scoping review identified different types of e-based PE interventions used in pwMS across different study designs, but when evaluating intervention effects, this review focused solely on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).ResultsA total of 3,006 studies were retrieved and 179 studies were screened in full text, resulting in the inclusion of 54 studies with a total of 2,359 pwMS. Of those, 33 were RCTs and three were qualitative studies. The studies reported on various e-based interventions including video-based programs, telerehabilitation, and web-based programs. The interventions evaluated muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, walking speed, endurance, balance, and fatigue, as well as symptoms of depression and cognitive dysfunction. E-based PE interventions at home in RCTs demonstrated improvement of depressive symptoms and anxiety, while inconsistent results were reported for fatigue, walking speed and balance. No significant benefits were observed regarding dexterity. Results were generally heterogeneous and were limited by small sample sizes. Several limitations were identified, such as lack of physical activity assessment prior to the intervention and poor reporting of duration, intensity, frequency and adherence to e-based PE interventions.ConclusionE-based PE interventions in pwMS may improve MS-related symptoms, but the study quality is generally low, and findings are often inconsistent. Several important limitations of the existing literature have been identified in the present review, which can guide future research.
Perceptual representations in L1 and L2 spatial and abstract language processing: applying an innovative sentence-diagram verification paradigm
Authors: Wang Menghan , Zhao Helen 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionPerceptual representations in language comprehension were examined using sentence-picture verification tasks. However, concerns have been raised regarding the suitability of concrete pictures for representing abstract concepts compared to image-schematic diagrams. To assess the perceptual representations of spatial and abstract domains in both first language (L1) and second language (L2) processing, the study tests bilingual speakers’ mental imagery on the basis of the simulation-based L1 comprehension model and proposes a simulation-based L2 comprehension model, supported by empirical evidence from an innovative sentence-diagram verification paradigm.Methods41 adult L1 Mandarin Chinese speakers participated in the study. 21 participants completed the Chinese sentence-diagram verification task (Experiment 1), while 20 participants completed the translation-equivalent version in L2 English (Experiment 2). Participants read a sentence [e.g., A diligent worker walked into the office (spatial sense); A strong team headed into the final (abstract sense)] at their self-paced speed, followed by a congruent (e.g., into diagram) or incongruent diagram (e.g., out-of diagram), and made binary judgments to verify spatial configurations between the sentence and diagram. Semantic rating tasks in both Chinese and English were also conducted to validate congruency between diagrams and sentences in both languages.Results and discussionResults from Experiment 1 indicate overall compatibility effects on L1 Chinese processing, unaffected by directional verbs or abstractness of sense. Results from Experiment 2 reveal interference effects on L2 English processing, with interference observed only after reading sentences encoding spatial senses, not abstract senses. Aligning with previous findings using sentence-picture verification tasks, the current findings confirm the weaker mental simulation effects in L2 processing compared to L1 processing. These findings extend the existing simulation-based L1 comprehension model, provide empirical support for the proposed simulation-based L2 comprehension model, and validate the innovative sentence-diagram verification paradigm for examining image-schematic representations in spatial and abstract language processing among Chinese-English bilinguals. The paradigm holds significant potential for research on perceptual representations in processing a broader range of grammatical and semantic properties during both online and offline L1 and L2 comprehension.
Using genetic variations to reveal the complex relationships between vegetarianism and well-being, depressive symptoms and neuroticism
Authors: Chen Ke , Wen Yuan , Shu Zhendi 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundThe relationship between vegetarianism and mental well-being remains a debated topic in traditional observational studies. Recent studies have revealed the genetic factors in vegetarianism. We aimed to use genetic variations to explore the potential causal relationships between vegetarianism and mental well-being, offering insights from a new perspective.MethodsWe conducted the inverse variance weighted approach as the primary analysis to explore the bidirectional genetic associations between vegetarianism (N = 442,589) and depressive symptoms (N = 180,866), neuroticism (N = 170,910), and subjective well-being (N = 298,420). The analysis used the summary data from the largest genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We also performed sensitivity analyses to ensure the robustness of the findings, accounting for potential heterogeneity and pleiotropy.ResultsGenetically predicted vegetarianism showed positive causal relationships with depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 3.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–10.31; p = 0.044) and neuroticism (OR, 6.72; 95% CI, 2.29–19.74; p = 5.31 × 10−4), as well as a negative causal relationship with subjective well-being (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05–0.77; p = 0.019). Additionally, depressive symptoms were found to have a causal influence on vegetarianism (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00–1.02; p = 6.87 × 10−3). No significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy was detected.ConclusionVegetarianism is causally correlated with negative mental well-being, reflected in an increased risk of depressive symptoms and neuroticism, as well as lower subjective well-being. Further research should explore the underlying mechanisms in broader populations.