bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An artificial intelligence powered study of enlarged facial pore prevalence on one million Chinese from different age groups and its correlation with environmental factors
Authors: Zhou Huanjun , Xie Hang , Wu Liang , Song JinYan , Ma Zitao , Zeng Danning , Wang Xiaodi , Shi Su , Qu Yulan , Luo Yajun , Meng Xia , Niu Yue , Kan Haidong , Cao Jian , Pernodet Nadine 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBackgroundEnlarged pores are amidst one of the top cosmetic concerns, especially among Chinese. Many small‐group studies have been conducted in understanding their prevalence and beauty relevance. Nonetheless, population‐level investigations are still lacking because of gaps in data collection and processing of large‐scale studies. Owing to the recent technological advancement enabled by artificial intelligence, databases on the scale of millions can be processed and analyzed readily.Materials and methodsPowered by big data capabilities, revealed a number of novel trends on pore conditions among over‐a‐million Chinese participants recruited via the “You Look Great Today” mobile application. A scoring model was constructed, which demonstrated high consistency with conventional grading method from dermatologists. Environmental data (weather, air pollution, light at night satellite) were applied to correlate with pore severity.ResultsIntraclass correlations between the two scoring systems were strong, with coefficients ranging from 0.79 to 0.92 for different facial areas. Statistical differences in pore severity among all four facial areas (cheek, forehead, nose, and overall) were observed, with the cheek exhibiting the most severe pore condition. Interestingly, Chinese men suffer from more severe pore condition than females. Multiple environmental factors exhibited strong correlations with cheek pore severity and were statistically fitted into linear regressions. Specifically, incremental risk with Each Low Temperature, Low Humidity, And High Solar Exposure correlate to worse cheek pore conditions. Although the Pearson correlation was low between cheek pore severity and light at night, comparison between representative cities demonstrated that in geologically similar cities, higher light at night corresponds to more severe cheek pore conditions.ConclusionOur study is showcasing a robust and reliable AI model in facial pore evaluation. More importantly, insights uncovered using this facile approach also bear significant cosmetic ramifications in treatment of pore enlargement.
Lactate increases ADAM10 activity and reduces BACE1 activity in mouse brain
Authors: Moberg Isabel , McCarthy Seth F. , Bellaflor Sarah , Finch Michael S. , Hazell Tom J. , MacPherson Rebecca E. K. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe accumulation and aggregation of beta‐amyloid (Aβ) peptides contributes to neuronal dysfunction and death. These Aβ peptides originate from a transmembrane protein known as amyloid precursor protein (APP), which can be processed via two competing pathways. Alpha‐secretase (ADAM10) cleavage is thought to be neuroprotective while beta‐secretase (BACE1) cleavage results in the production of Aβ. Aerobic exercise reduces BACE1 activity, but the mechanisms involved are unknown though several exercise‐induced mediators such as lactate may be involved. The current study examined whether systemic lactate can alter APP processing and BACE1 and ADAM10 activity. Mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 10 per group): (1) sedentary; (2) lactate‐injection (1.0 g kg−1 body mass); (3) exercise; and (4) exercise and oxamate (lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor; 750 mg kg−1 body mass). Two hours following intervention, the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) were collected. In the PFC lactate‐injection and exercise resulted in higher ADAM10 activity compared to sedentary (exercise P = 0.0215, lactate P = 0.0038), in the hippocampus lactate‐injection was higher compared to sedentary (lactate P = 0.011), and this was absent in the presence of oxamate. Hippocampal BACE1 activity was lower in the lactate group compared to the exercise group (P = 0.01). Oxamate resulted in higher BACE1 protein content compared to sedentary in the PFC (vs. sedentary P = 0.048). These findings suggest that lactate is important for regulating ADAM10 activity and thereby shifts APP processing away from Aβ production.
imageKey points
Exercise is known to alter the processing of amyloid precursor protein by reducing the activity of the rate‐limiting enzyme BACE1 and increasing the activity of ADAM10.
It is thought that exercise‐induced factors are responsible for these enzymatic changes.
This study examined if lactate accumulation plays a role in this process.
Mice were assigned to one of four groups: sedentary, lactate, exercise and exercise + lactate.
The findings demonstrate that lactate accumulation alters brain BACE1 and ADAM10 and shifts amyloid precursor protein processing away from beta‐amyloid production.
A New Triangular Thin Shell Element Based on the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation for Complex Surfaces
Authors: Zhang Binghua , Fan Wei , Ren Hui 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This work proposed a new Hermite triangular thin shell element based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation to model thin shells with complex curved surfaces. Three techniques are adopted to enhance its universality and efficiency. First, local numerical curvilinear coordinates are used on each node for those curved surfaces whose global curvilinear coordinates cannot be obtained analytically, and the Lie group interpolation is used for obtaining the curvilinear coordinates on the non-nodal domain. Second, the slope vector of the element is obtained by cross-producing the two gradient vectors only on each node; but interpolated inside the element to ensure its continuity. Additionally, this processing maintains the linear relationships between the shape functions and nodal coordinates, resulting in constant elastic tensors. Third, the enhanced assumed strains (EAS) and the assumed natural strains (ANS) methods are adopted respectively to accelerate the convergence speed and avoid locking problems of the element. Several numerical examples show that this new element is universal for irregularly curved surfaces without locking problems. In addition, the efficiency is much higher than the traditional triangular shell element.
An Advanced Sine-Hyperbolic Creep-Damage Model Incorporating Threshold Strength
Authors: Hossain Md Abir , Haque Mohammad Shafinul , Pellicotte Jacob , Stewart Calvin M. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This study aims at improving the classic sine-hyperbolic (Sinh) creep-damage model to predict minimum-creep-strain-rate (MCSR), rupture, damage, and creep deformation. The Sinh model employs a continuum-damage-mechanics-based framework to model secondary and tertiary creep regimes. In Sinh, the creep strain and damage rate equations exhibit an implicit threshold stress that arises during numerical optimization. Herein, the Sinh model is modified to include an explicit threshold strength as a material property and the tensile strength. Threshold strength is defined as the lower limit for creep activation at a given temperature. Stresses are applied below the threshold, resulting in infinite life. The advanced Sinh offers several advantages including a physical significance of stress ratios where the onset of creep is defined by threshold strength, a closed-form solution where the rate equations remain finite at any combination of stress and temperature, and adaptability in finite element analysis where the solution space remains numerically stable. Experimental creep data of 304 SS at multiple isotherms are gathered from prior literature. The advanced Sinh is calibrated to the MCSR and SR data of 304 SS. The calibration of threshold strength follows a standard procedure from literature and is observed to be realistic for stainless steel at elevated temperatures. The MCSR and SR predictions illustrate the Sigmoidal bend and demonstrate zero creep rate and infinite life at or below threshold strength. The creep deformation and damage predictions exhibit agreement with experimental data. The advanced Sinh is validated by employing finite element simulation to ensure the applicability of the model across a range of applications. The advanced Sinh improved creep response prediction and added physical realism to the model's framework.
Investigation of the Sigma Approximation Technique for the Solution of the Time Spectral Equation System
Authors: Zhu Yuze , Zhang Yuxuan , Zhang Sen , Wang Dingxi 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The time spectral method (TSM) is commonly utilized to analyze periodic unsteady flows within turbomachines. However, the time spectral solutions in regions with large temporal and spatial gradients, such as wakes, shocks, and boundary layers, can be plagued with unphysical oscillations, known as the Gibbs phenomenon. This paper presents an investigation into the sigma approximation technique, which is capable of significantly attenuating the Gibbs phenomenon by dampening high-frequency nonlinear components in time spectral solutions. Central to this technique are three sigma parameters: the exponent, the cutoff number, and the number of harmonics, which collectively determine the damping effects for each frequency. However, the optimal combination of them remains to be ascertained considering the tradeoff between the accuracy of solutions and the reduction of unphysical oscillations. In this study, a two-row compressor configuration is first selected, and numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the efficacy of this technique under near-peak efficiency and near-stall operating conditions. It is found that Gibbs-type unphysical oscillations can be effectively mitigated without notably compromising solution accuracy through an optimal combination of sigma parameters. The NASA Stage 35 case study further verifies the effectiveness of the proposed optimal sigma parameter combination in preserving the accuracy of time spectral solutions based on the data from test rig. Moreover, the von Neumann analysis reveals that the sigma approximation technique can enhance the numerical stability of the time spectral equation system, thereby allowing the use of aggressive numerical parameters to accelerate convergence. The stability analysis results are verified by a two-dimensional bump under two different flow conditions and further assessed using the two-row compressor.
Oxazolidinone antibiotics impair
ex vivo
megakaryocyte differentiation from hematopoietic progenitor cells and their maturation into platelets
Authors: Milosevic Tamara V. , Vertenoeil Gaëlle , Vainchenker William , Tulkens Paul M. , Constantinescu Stefan N. , Van Bambeke Françoise 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Oxazolidinones (linezolid and tedizolid) adverse reactions include thrombocytopenia, the mechanism of which is still largely unknown. In cultured cells, oxazolidinones impair mitochondrial protein synthesis and oxidative metabolism. As mitochondrial activity is essential for megakaryocyte differentiation and maturation into platelets, we examined whether oxazolidinones impair these processes
ex vivo
and alter, in parallel, the activity of mitochondrial cytochrome
c
-oxidase (CYTOX; enzyme partly encoded by the mitochondrial genome) and cell morphology. Human CD34+ cells were isolated, incubated with cytokines (up to 14 days) and clinically relevant oxazolidinone concentrations or in control conditions, and used for (i) clonogenic assays [counting of megakaryocyte (CFU-Mk), granulocyte-monocyte (CFU-GM), burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colonies]; (ii) the measure of the expression of megakaryocyte surface antigens (CD34 to CD41 and CD42); (iii) counting of proplatelets; (iv) the measurement of CYTOX activity; and (v) cell morphology (optic and electron microscopy). Oxazolidinones caused a significant decrease in BFU-E but not CFU-Mk or CFU-GM colonies. Yet, the megakaryocytic lineage was markedly affected, with a decreased differentiation of CD34+ into CD41+/CD42+ cells, an abolition of proplatelet formation and striking decrease in the numbers of large polylobulated nucleus megakaryocytes, with a complete loss of intracellular demarcation membrane system, disappearance of mitochondria, and suppression of CYTOX activity. These alterations were more marked in cells incubated with tedizolid than linezolid. These data suggest that oxazolidinones may induce thrombocytopenia by impairing megakaryocytic differentiation through mitochondrial dysfunction. Pharmacological interventions to prevent this toxicity might therefore be difficult as mitochondrial toxicity is most probably inherently linked to their antibacterial activity.
What makes
Candida auris
pan-drug resistant? Integrative insights from genomic, transcriptomic, and phenomic analysis of clinical strains resistant to all four major classes of antifungal drugs
Authors: Rhodes Johanna , Jacobs Jonathan , Dennis Emily K. , Manjari Swati R. , Banavali Nilesh K. , Marlow Robert , Rokebul Mohammed Anower , Chaturvedi Sudha , Chaturvedi Vishnu 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The global epidemic of drug-resistant
Candida auris
continues unabated. The initial report on pan-drug resistant (PDR)
C. auris
strains in a hospitalized patient in New York was unprecedented. PDR
C. auris
showed both known and unique mutations in the prominent gene targets of azoles, amphotericin B, echinocandins, and flucytosine. However, the factors that allow
C. auris
to acquire pan-drug resistance are not known. Therefore, we conducted a genomic, transcriptomic, and phenomic analysis to better understand PDR
C. auris
. Among 1,570 genetic variants in drug-resistant
C. auris
, 299 were unique to PDR strains. The whole-genome sequencing results suggested perturbations in genes associated with nucleotide biosynthesis, mRNA processing, and nuclear export of mRNA. Whole transcriptome sequencing of PDR
C. auris
revealed two genes to be significantly differentially expressed—a DNA repair protein and DNA replication-dependent chromatin assembly factor 1. Of 59 novel transcripts, 12 transcripts had no known homology. We observed no fitness defects among multi-drug resistant (MDR) and PDR
C. auris
strains grown in nutrient-deficient or -enriched media at different temperatures. Phenotypic profiling revealed wider adaptability to nitrogenous nutrients and increased utilization of substrates critical in upper glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle. Structural modeling of a 33-amino acid deletion in the gene for uracil phosphoribosyl transferase suggested an alternate route in
C. auris
to generate uracil monophosphate that does not accommodate 5-fluorouracil as a substrate. Overall, we find evidence of metabolic adaptations in MDR and PDR
C. auris
in response to antifungal drug lethality without deleterious fitness costs.
A cynomolgus monkey
E. coli
urinary tract infection model confirms efficacy of new FimH vaccine candidates
Authors: Chorro Laurent , Ciolino Tara , Torres Caresse Lynn , Illenberger Arthur , Aglione JohnPaul , Corts Paula , Lypowy Jacqueline , Ponce Christopher , La Porte Annalena , Burt Deborah , Volberg Gretchen L. , Ramaiah Lila , McGovern Kathryn , Hu Jianfang , Anderson Annaliesa S. , Silmon de Monerri Natalie C. , Kanevsky Isis , Donald Robert G. K. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The increase in urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by antibiotic-resistant
Escherichia coli
requires the development of new therapeutic agents and prophylactic vaccines. To evaluate the efficacy of new lead candidates, we implemented a cynomolgus macaque UTI challenge model that mimics human uncomplicated cystitis in response to transurethral challenge with a multidrug-resistant (MDR)
E. coli
serotype O25b ST131 isolate.
E. coli
fimbrial adhesin FimH and O-antigens are separately under clinical evaluation by others as vaccine candidates to prevent UTI and invasive urosepsis disease, respectively. Accordingly, we assessed the protective efficacy of three 50-µg intramuscular doses of a novel recombinant FimH antigen adjuvanted with liposomal QS21/MPLA compared with saline placebo in groups of nine animals. A third group was vaccinated with this FimH formulation in combination with 1 µg each of a four-valent mixture of serotype O1a, O2, O6, and O25b O-antigen CRM
197
lattice glycoconjugates. Both vaccines elicited high levels of serum FimH IgG and adhesin blocking antibodies at the time of bacterial challenge and, for the combination group, O-antigen-specific antibodies. Following bacterial challenge, both vaccinated groups showed >200- and >700-fold reduction in bacteriuria at day 2 and day 7 post-infection compared with placebo, respectively. In parallel, both vaccines significantly reduced levels of inflammatory biomarkers IL-8 and myeloperoxidase in the urine at day 2 post-infection relative to placebo. Results provide preclinical proof-of-concept for the prevention of an MDR UTI infection by these new vaccine formulations.
Diagnostic performance of an automated robot for MALDI target preparation in microbial identification
Authors: Pranada Arthur B. , Cicatka Michal , Heß Clara , Karasek Jan 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

The MBT Pathfinder is an automated colony-picking robot designed for efficient sample preparation in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. This article presents results from three key experiments evaluating the instrument’s performance in conjunction with MALDI Biotyper instrument. The method comparison experiment assessed its clinical performance, demonstrating comparable results with gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria (scores larger than 2.00) and superior performance over simple direct yeast transfer (score: 1.80) when compared to samples prepared manually. The repeatability experiment confirmed consistent performance over multiple days and labs (average log score: 2.12, std. deviation: 0.59). The challenge panel experiment showcased its consistent and accurate performance across various samples and settings, yielding average scores between 1.76 and 2.19. These findings underline the MBT Pathfinder as a reliable and efficient tool for MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry sample preparation in clinical and research applications.
Complete genome sequence of cephalosporin and tetracycline-resistant
Citrobacter freundii
CF51 isolate from a patient with urinary tract infection
Authors: Sung Kidon , Nawaz Mohamed , Revollo Javier , Miranda Jaime A. , Feye Kristina , Park Miseon , Khan Saeed A. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

We report here the complete genome sequence of cephalosporin (cefazolin and cephalotin) and tetracycline-resistant
Citrobacter freundii
strain CF51, isolated from a patient with a urinary tract infection. The genome comprises a 5.0-Mb chromosome, along with an 87.2-kb plasmid and a 23.9-kb plasmid.
Nine
Rhizobium
phage genomes recovered from wastewater in Tempe, AZ, October 2019–March 2020
Authors: Bermudez-Rivera Brenda , Hampton Brooklyn , Wheeler Cian , Vargas Jacqueline , Swaminathan Srivatsan , Driver Erin M. , Halden Rolf U. , Varsani Arvind , Scotch Matthew , Faleye Temitope O. C. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

We describe nine
Rhizobium
microvirus genomes identified in wastewater in Tempe, AZ, USA, between October 2019 and March 2020. The major capsid protein (MCP) encoded in these genomes phylogenetically cluster together and are distinct from the MCPs of
Rhizobium
microviruses identified in Mexico and Argentina.
The gut microbiota as an early predictor of COVID-19 severity
Authors: Fabbrini Marco , D’Amico Federica , van der Gun Bernardina T. F. , Barone Monica , Conti Gabriele , Roggiani Sara , Wold Karin I. , Vincenti-Gonzalez María F. , de Boer Gerolf C. , Veloo Alida C. M. , van der Meer Margriet , Righi Elda , Gentilotti Elisa , Górska Anna , Mazzaferri Fulvia , Lambertenghi Lorenza , Mirandola Massimo , Mongardi Maria , Tacconelli Evelina , Turroni Silvia , Brigidi Patrizia , Tami Adriana 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Several studies reported alterations of the human gut microbiota (GM) during COVID-19. To evaluate the potential role of the GM as an early predictor of COVID-19 at disease onset, we analyzed gut microbial samples of 315 COVID-19 patients that differed in disease severity. We observed significant variations in microbial diversity and composition associated with increasing disease severity, as the reduction of short-chain fatty acid producers such as
Faecalibacterium
and
Ruminococcus
, and the growth of pathobionts as
Anaerococcus
and
Campylobacter
. Notably, we developed a multi-class machine-learning classifier, specifically a convolutional neural network, which achieved an 81.5% accuracy rate in predicting COVID-19 severity based on GM composition at disease onset. This achievement highlights its potential as a valuable early biomarker during the first week of infection. These findings offer promising insights into the intricate relationship between GM and COVID-19, providing a potential tool for optimizing patient triage and streamlining healthcare during the pandemic.

IMPORTANCE
Efficient patient triage for COVID-19 is vital to manage healthcare resources effectively. This study underscores the potential of gut microbiota (GM) composition as an early biomarker for COVID-19 severity. By analyzing GM samples from 315 patients, significant correlations between microbial diversity and disease severity were observed. Notably, a convolutional neural network classifier was developed, achieving an 81.5% accuracy in predicting disease severity based on GM composition at disease onset. These findings suggest that GM profiling could enhance early triage processes, offering a novel approach to optimizing patient management during the pandemic.