bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional and longitudinal evaluation of heart-to-brachium pulse wave velocity for cardiovascular disease risk
Authors: Sugawara Jun , Tanaka Hirofumi , Yamashina Akira , Tomiyama Hirofumi 
Published: August 2024

AbstractHeart-brachium pulse wave velocity (hbPWV) is a promising measure of arterial stiffness including the proximal aorta. To characterize age-associated changes and the clinical utilities of hbPWV, we evaluated the impacts of age and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks on hbPWV cross-sectionally (N = 7868) and longitudinally (N = 3710, followed by 9.1 ± 2.0 years). hbPWV were obtained using two validated equations for arterial path length (with and without considering age-related aortic elongations). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was used as a comparative measure. Repeated-measures correlation (rmcorr) and regression analyses were used to characterize associations of PWVs with age and Framingham’s general CVD risk score (FRS). In the cross-sectional study, hbPWVs derived by both equations showed stronger correlation with age (r = 0.746 ~ 0.796) and FRS (r = 0.714–0.749) than baPWV (r = 0.554 and r = 0.643). Furthermore, hbPWVs correlated with FRS even after controlling for age (r = 0.260 ~ 0.269, P < 0.0001). In the longitudinal study, hbPWVs demonstrated significantly higher rmcorr coefficient with age than baPWV (rrm=0.439–0.511 vs. 0.307, P < 0.0001). Across the adult lifespan, age-related increases in hbPWVs were almost consistent, starting from young adults, while baPWV displayed accelerated increases with age. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that hbPWVs depicted more robust ability to stratify general CVD risk compared with baPWV (AUC = 0.896–0.913 vs. 0.833, P < 0.0001). The results of the follow-up study were consistent with the findings of the cross-sectional investigation. Our findings suggest that hbPWV undergoes a linear augmentation with age, commencing from an early adult life stage onward, rendering it a potential marker for discerning CVD risk.
Early warning of trends in commercial wildlife trade through novel machine-learning analysis of patent filing
Authors: Hinsley A. , Challender D. W. S. , Masters S. , Macdonald D. W. , Milner-Gulland E. J. , Fraser J. , Wright J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractUnsustainable wildlife trade imperils thousands of species, but efforts to identify and reduce these threats are hampered by rapidly evolving commercial markets. Businesses trading wildlife-derived products innovate to remain competitive, and the patents they file to protect their innovations also provide an early-warning of market shifts. Here, we develop a novel machine-learning approach to analyse patent-filing trends and apply it to patents filed from 1970-2020 related to six traded taxa that vary in trade legality, threat level, and use type: rhinoceroses, pangolins, bears, sturgeon, horseshoe crabs, and caterpillar fungus. We found 27,308 patents, showing 130% per-year increases, compared to a background rate of 104%. Innovation led to diversification, including new fertilizer products using illegal-to-trade rhinoceros horn, and novel farming methods for pangolins. Stricter regulation did not generally correlate with reduced patenting. Patents reveal how wildlife-related businesses predict, adapt to, and create market shifts, providing data to underpin proactive wildlife-trade management approaches.
Tracking the extensive three-dimensional motion of single ions by an engineered point-spread function
Authors: Zhou Yong-zhuang , Zhang Man-chao , Su Wen-bo , Wu Chun-wang , Xie Yi , Chen Ting , Wu Wei , Chen Ping-xing , Zhang Jie 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThree-dimensional (3D) imaging of individual atoms is a critical tool for discovering new physical phenomena and developing new technologies in microscopic systems. However, the current single-atom-resolved 3D imaging methods are limited to static circumstances or a shallow detection range. Here, we demonstrate a generic dynamic 3D imaging method to track the extensive motion of single ions by exploiting the engineered point-spread function (PSF). We show that the image of a single ion can be engineered into a helical PSF, thus enabling single-snapshot acquisition of the position information of the ion in the trap. A preliminary application of this technique is demonstrated by recording the 3D motion trajectory of a single trapped ion and reconstructing the 3D dynamical configuration transition between the zig and zag structures of a 5-ion crystal. This work opens the path for studies on single-atom-resolved dynamics in both trapped-ion and neutral-atom systems.
A kirigami-based reconfigurable metasurface for selective electromagnetic transmission modulation
Authors: He Shuchang , Wang Chengjun , Tao Jie , Tang Haishan , Wang Zuojia , Song Jizhou 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTunable three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic metasurfaces are essential for achieving selective modulation of polarized waves, but they usually require complex designs and the use of smart materials, posing great implementation challenges. Here, we propose a novel kirigami-based reconfigurable electromagnetic metasurface, which consists of a kirigami-based deformable thin polyimide substrate and periodically arranged copper split-ring resonators. By simple stretch, the two-dimensional (2D) planar metasurface can be uniformly transformed into a 3D state, enabling it to effectively and selectively modulate linearly and circularly polarized waves. Experimental and numerical results reveal the mechanical deformation and transmission characteristics of the metasurface under applied strains. It is shown that the metasurface exhibits good selective transmission tunability while the resonant frequency remains basically unchanged for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarized waves. Furthermore, the selective tuning mechanism and the influence of geometrical parameters are also illustrated by the equivalent circuit analysis.
An acidophilic fungus promotes prey digestion in a carnivorous plant
Authors: Sun Pei-Feng , Lu Min R. , Liu Yu-Ching , Shaw Brandon J. P. , Lin Chieh-Ping , Chen Hung-Wei , Lin Yu-fei , Hoh Daphne Z. , Ke Huei-Mien , Wang I-Fan , Lu Mei-Yeh Jade , Young Erica B. , Millett Jonathan , Kirschner Roland , Lin Ying-Chung Jimmy , Chen Ying-Lan , Tsai Isheng Jason 
Published: August 2024

AbstractLeaves of the carnivorous sundew plants (Drosera spp.) secrete mucilage that hosts microorganisms, but whether this microbiota contributes to prey digestion is unclear. We identified the acidophilic fungus Acrodontium crateriforme as the dominant species in the mucilage microbial communities, thriving in multiple sundew species across the global range. The fungus grows and sporulates on sundew glands as its preferred acidic environment, and its presence in traps increased the prey digestion process. A. crateriforme has a reduced genome similar to other symbiotic fungi. During A. crateriforme–Drosera spatulata coexistence and digestion of prey insects, transcriptomes revealed significant gene co-option in both partners. Holobiont expression patterns during prey digestion further revealed synergistic effects in several gene families including fungal aspartic and sedolisin peptidases, facilitating prey digestion in leaves, as well as nutrient assimilation and jasmonate signalling pathway expression. This study establishes that botanical carnivory is defined by adaptations involving microbial partners and interspecies interactions.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yuan Quan , Shen Zixiong , Zhang Jiujiang , Liu Qing , Whang Huimin , Li Yang 
Published: August 2024

AbstractRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease, and some observational studies have indicated an association between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and RA. However, the causal relationship between the two remains uncertain. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the causal relationship between GERD and RA. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed using pooled data from large-scale genome-wide association studies. In addition, we performed multivariate MR analyses to exclude confounding factors between GERD and RA, including smoking quantity, drinking frequency, BMI, depression, and education attainment. The MR results for GERD on RA suggested a causal effect of the genetic susceptibility of GERD on RA (discovery dataset, IVW, odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–1.63, p = 2.81 × 10−6; validation dataset, IVW, OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.23–1.55, P = 1.76 × 10−8). Multivariate MR analysis also supports this result. But the results of the reverse MR analysis did not reveal compelling evidence that RA can increase the risk of developing GERD. Our bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian randomization analysis and multivariate MR analysis provide support for the causal effect of GERD on RA. This discovery could offer new insights for the prevention and treatment of RA.
Long-term strict ant-plant mutualism identity characterises growth rate and leaf shearing resistance of an Amazonian myrmecophyte
Authors: Cárdenas Rafael E. , Rodríguez-Ortega Camila , Utreras Daniel , Forrister Dale L. , Endara María-José , Queenborough Simon A. , Alvia Pablo , Menéndez-Guerrero Pablo A. , Báez Selene , Donoso David A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOver 125 million years of ant-plant interactions have culminated in one of the most intriguing evolutionary outcomes in life history. The myrmecophyte Duroia hirsuta (Rubiaceae) is known for its mutualistic association with the ant Myrmelachista schumanni and several other species, mainly Azteca, in the north-western Amazon. While both ants provide indirect defences to plants, only M. schumanni nests in plant domatia and has the unique behaviour of clearing the surroundings of its host tree from heterospecific plants, potentially increasing resource availability to its host. Using a 12-year survey, we asked how the continuous presence of either only M. schumanni or only Azteca spp. benefits the growth and defence traits of host trees. We found that the continuous presence of M. schumanni improved relative growth rates and leaf shearing resistance of Duroia better than trees with Azteca. However, leaf herbivory, dry matter content, trichome density, and secondary metabolite production were the same in all trees. Survival depended directly on ant association (> 94% of trees died when ants were absent). This study extends our understanding of the long-term effects of strict ant-plant mutualism on host plant traits in the field and reinforces the use of D. hirsuta–M. schumanni as a model system suitable for eco-co-evolutionary research on plant–animal interactions.
Atorvastatin lowers breast cancer risk by reversing an early tumorigenic signature
Authors: Foda Mohamed Y. , Salem Mohamed L. , AlAkwaa Fadhl M. , El-khawaga Omali Y. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBreast cancer remains a significant health challenge with complex molecular mechanisms. While many studies have explored genetic markers in breast carcinogenesis, few have studied the potential impact of pharmacological interventions such as Atorvastatin on its genetic landscape. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular distinctions between normal and tumor-adjacent tissues in breast cancer and to investigate the potential protective role of atorvastatin, primarily known for its lipid-lowering effects, against breast cancer. Searching the Gene Expression Omnibus database identified two datasets, GSE9574 and GSE20437, comparing normal breast tissues with tumor-adjacent samples, which were merged, and one dataset, GSE63427, comparing paired pre- and post-treated patients with atorvastatin. Post-ComBat application showed merged datasets' consistency, revealing 116 DEGs between normal and tumor-adjacent tissues. Although initial GSE63427 data analysis suggested a minimal impact of atorvastatin, 105 DEGs post-treatment were discovered. Thirteen genes emerged as key players, both affected by Atorvastatin and dysregulated in tumor-adjacent tissues. Pathway analysis spotlighted the significance of these genes in processes like inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cell cycle control. Moreover, there was a noticeable interaction between these genes and the immunological microenvironment in tumor-adjacent tissues, with Atorvastatin potentially altering the suppressive immune landscape to favor anti-tumor immunity. Survival analysis further highlighted the prognostic potential of the 13-gene panel, with 12 genes associated with improved survival outcomes. The 13-gene signature offers promising insights into breast cancer's molecular mechanisms and atorvastatin's potential therapeutic role. The preliminary findings advocate for an in-depth exploration of atorvastatin's impact on.
Exploring the interplay between antiretroviral therapy and the gut-oral microbiome axis in people living with HIV
Authors: Narayanan Aswathy , Kieri Oscar , Vesterbacka Jan , Manoharan Lokeshwaran , Chen Puran , Ghorbani Mahin , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Sällberg Chen Margaret , Aleman Soo , Sönnerborg Anders , Ray Shilpa , Nowak Piotr 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe gut and oral microbiome is altered in people living with HIV (PLWH). While antiretroviral treatment (ART) is pivotal in restoring immune function in PLWH, several studies have identified an association between specific antiretrovirals, particularly integrase inhibitors (INSTI), and weight gain. In our study, we explored the differences in the oral and gut microbiota of PLWH under different ART regimens, and its correlation to Body Mass Index (BMI). Fecal and salivary samples were collected from PLWH (n = 69) and healthy controls (HC, n = 80). We performed taxonomy analysis to determine the microbial composition and relationship between microbial abundance and ART regimens, BMI, CD4+T-cell count, CD4/CD8 ratio, and ART duration. PLWH showed significantly lower richness compared to HC in both the oral and gut environment. The gut microbiome composition of INSTI-treated individuals was enriched with Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium, whereas non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-treated individuals were enriched with Gordonibacter, Megasphaera, and Staphylococcus. In the oral microenvironment, Veillonella was significantly more abundant in INSTI-treated individuals and Fusobacterium and Alloprevotella in the NNRTI-treated individuals. Furthermore, Bifidobacterium and Dorea were enriched in gut milieu of PLWH with high BMI. Collectively, our findings identify distinct microbial profiles, which are associated with different ART regimens and BMI in PLWH on successful ART, thereby highlighting significant effects of specific antiretrovirals on the microbiome.
The public health impact of COVID-19 variants of concern on the effectiveness of contact tracing in Vermont, United States
Authors: Castonguay François M. , Borah Brian F. , Jeon Seonghye , Rainisch Gabriel , Kelso Patsy , Adhikari Bishwa B. , Daltry Daniel J. , Fischer Leah S. , Greening Bradford , Kahn Emily B. , Kang Gloria J. , Meltzer Martin I. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCase investigation and contact tracing (CICT) are public health measures that aim to break the chain of pathogen transmission. Changes in viral characteristics of COVID-19 variants have likely affected the effectiveness of CICT programs. We estimated and compared the cases averted in Vermont when the original COVID-19 strain circulated (Nov. 25, 2020–Jan. 19, 2021) with two periods when the Delta strain dominated (Aug. 1–Sept. 25, 2021, and Sept. 26–Nov. 20, 2021). When the original strain circulated, we estimated that CICT prevented 7180 cases (55% reduction in disease burden), compared to 1437 (15% reduction) and 9970 cases (40% reduction) when the Delta strain circulated. Despite the Delta variant being more infectious and having a shorter latency period, CICT remained an effective tool to slow spread of COVID-19; while these viral characteristics did diminish CICT effectiveness, non-viral characteristics had a much greater impact on CICT effectiveness.
Siponimod treatment response shows partial BDNF dependency in multiple sclerosis models
Authors: Hendek Hasan Hüseyin , Blusch Alina , Heitmann Neele , Oberhagemann Sarah , Demir Seray , Pedreiturria Xiomara , Gold Ralf , Faissner Simon 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSo far, only a small number of medications are effective in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The sphingosine-1-phosphate-receptor (S1PR)-1,5 modulator siponimod, licensed for progressive MS, is acting both on peripheral immune cells and in the central nervous system (CNS). So far it remains elusive, whether those effects are related to the neurotrophin brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We hypothesized that BDNF in immune cells might be a prerequisite to reduce disease activity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and prevent neurotoxicity. MOG35–55 immunized wild type (WT) and BDNF knock-out (BDNFko) mice were treated with siponimod or vehicle and scored daily in a blinded manner. Immune cell phenotyping was performed via flow cytometry. Immune cell infiltration and demyelination of spinal cord were assessed using immunohistochemistry. In vitro, effects on neurotoxicity and mRNA regulation were investigated using dorsal root ganglion cells incubated with EAE splenocyte supernatant. Siponimod led to a dose-dependent reduction of EAE scores in chronic WT EAE. Using a suboptimal dosage of 0.45 µg/day, siponimod reduced clinical signs of EAE independent of BDNF-expression in immune cells in accordance with reduced infiltration and demyelination. Th and Tc cells in secondary lymphoid organs were dose-dependently reduced, paralleled with an increase of regulatory T cells. In vitro, neuronal viability trended towards a deterioration after incubation with EAE supernatant; siponimod showed a slight rescue effect following treatment of WT splenocytes. Neuronal gene expression for CCL2 and CX3CL1 was elevated after incubation with EAE supernatant, which was reversed after siponimod treatment for WT, but not for BNDFko. Apoptosis markers and alternative death pathways were not affected. Siponimod exerts both anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, partially related to BDNF-expression. This might in part explain effectiveness during progression in MS and could be a target for therapy.
Advanced approach combines integrated weight water quality index and potential toxic elements for environmental and health risk assessment supported by simulation technique in Oued Souf, Algeria
Authors: Eid Mohamed Hamdy , Tamma Ahmed A. , Saeed Omar , Székács András , Abukhadra Mostafa R. , El-Sherbeeny Ahmed M. , Bence Czímer , Mikita Viktoria , Kovács Attila , Szűcs Péter 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe current research study evaluated the health and environmental risks issues associated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the complex terminal aquifer located in the Algerian desert. The methods used included principal component and cluster (dendrogram) analysis to estimate source of ions and contamination. Various indices such as the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), Metal Index, hazard quotient, hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) were applied to assess both environmental and human health risks. Furthermore, the Monte Carlo method was applied for probabilistic assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks through oral and dermal exposure routes in both adults and children. The results revealed that approximately 16% of the samples fell within the low pollution category (HPI < 100), indicating relatively lower levels of heavy metal contamination. However, the remaining 84% of the samples exhibited high pollution levels, indicating a significant presence of heavy metal pollutants in the northeastern part of the investigated area. The calculated average risk index (RI) for the collected samples was 18.99, with a range from 0.03 to 103.21. This indicates that a large portion, 82% of the samples, could cause low ecological risk (RI < 30), whereas the remaining 18% indicate a significant environmental pollution risk. The HI for oral ingestion showed that adults had HI values ranging from 0.231 to 1.54, while children exhibited higher values, ranging from 0.884 to 5.9 (Fig. 5a). For dermal exposure, HI values in adults ranged from 2.71E−07 to 8.74E−06 and in children, from 2.18E−06 to 7.03E−05. These findings highlight the potential non-carcinogenic risks associated with oral exposure to PTEs and underscore the increased vulnerability of children to metals such as Fe, Mn, Pb, and Cr. Most samples showed CR exceeding 1 × 10−4 for chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb), indicating a significant vulnerability to carcinogenic effects in both children and adults.
AI-enhanced reconstruction of the 12-lead electrocardiogram via 3-leads with accurate clinical assessment
Authors: Mason Federico , Pandey Amitabh C. , Gadaleta Matteo , Topol Eric J. , Muse Evan D. , Quer Giorgio 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is an integral component to the diagnosis of a multitude of cardiovascular conditions. It is performed using a complex set of skin surface electrodes, limiting its use outside traditional clinical settings. We developed an artificial intelligence algorithm, trained over 600,000 clinically acquired ECGs, to explore whether fewer leads as input are sufficient to reconstruct a 12-lead ECG. Two limb leads (I and II) and one precordial lead (V3) were required to generate a reconstructed 12-lead ECG highly correlated with the original ECG. An automatic algorithm for detection of ECG features consistent with acute myocardial infarction (MI) performed similarly for original and reconstructed ECGs (AUC = 0.95). When interpreted by cardiologists, reconstructed ECGs achieved an accuracy of 81.4 ± 5.0% in identifying ECG features of ST-segment elevation MI, comparable with the original 12-lead ECGs (accuracy 84.6 ± 4.6%). These results will impact development efforts to innovate ECG acquisition methods with simplified tools in non-specialized settings.
Machine learning approaches for influenza A virus risk assessment identifies predictive correlates using ferret model in vivo data
Authors: Kieran Troy J. , Sun Xiangjie , Maines Taronna R. , Belser Jessica A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn vivo assessments of influenza A virus (IAV) pathogenicity and transmissibility in ferrets represent a crucial component of many pandemic risk assessment rubrics, but few systematic efforts to identify which data from in vivo experimentation are most useful for predicting pathogenesis and transmission outcomes have been conducted. To this aim, we aggregated viral and molecular data from 125 contemporary IAV (H1, H2, H3, H5, H7, and H9 subtypes) evaluated in ferrets under a consistent protocol. Three overarching predictive classification outcomes (lethality, morbidity, transmissibility) were constructed using machine learning (ML) techniques, employing datasets emphasizing virological and clinical parameters from inoculated ferrets, limited to viral sequence-based information, or combining both data types. Among 11 different ML algorithms tested and assessed, gradient boosting machines and random forest algorithms yielded the highest performance, with models for lethality and transmission consistently better performing than models predicting morbidity. Comparisons of feature selection among models was performed, and highest performing models were validated with results from external risk assessment studies. Our findings show that ML algorithms can be used to summarize complex in vivo experimental work into succinct summaries that inform and enhance risk assessment criteria for pandemic preparedness that take in vivo data into account.