bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ribonuclease 4 functions as an intestinal antimicrobial protein to maintain gut microbiota and metabolite homeostasis
Authors: Sun Jun , Chen Muxiong , Hu Zhen , Xu Ningqin , Wang Wenguang , Ping Zejun , Zhu Jiayi , Sun Desen , Zhu Zhehao , Li Hangyu , Ge Xiaolong , Luo Liang , Zhou Wei , Bai Rongpan , Xu Zhengping , Sheng Jinghao 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAntimicrobial proteins contribute to host-microbiota interactions and are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but our understanding on antimicrobial protein diversity and functions remains incomplete. Ribonuclease 4 (Rnase4) is a potential antimicrobial protein with no known function in the intestines. Here we find that RNASE4 is expressed in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) including Paneth and goblet cells, and is detectable in human and mouse stool. Results from Rnase4-deficient mice and recombinant protein suggest that Rnase4 kills Parasutterella to modulate intestinal microbiome, thereby enhancing indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) expression and subsequently kynurenic and xanthurenic acid production in IECs to reduce colitis susceptibility. Furthermore, deceased RNASE4 levels are observed in the intestinal tissues and stool from patients with IBD, correlating with increased stool Parasutterella. Our results thus implicate Rnase4 as an intestinal antimicrobial protein regulating gut microbiota and metabolite homeostasis, and as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for IBD.
Population structure and antibiotic resistance of swine extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli from China
Authors: Li Xudong , Hu Huifeng , Zhu Yongwei , Wang Taiquan , Lu Youlan , Wang Xiangru , Peng Zhong , Sun Ming , Chen Huanchun , Zheng Jinshui , Tan Chen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractExtraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) pose a significant threat to human and animal health. However, the diversity and antibiotic resistance of animal ExPEC, and their connection to human infections, remain largely unexplored. The study performs large-scale genome sequencing and antibiotic resistance testing of 499 swine-derived ExPEC isolates from China. Results show swine ExPEC are phylogenetically diverse, with over 80% belonging to phylogroups B1 and A. Importantly, 15 swine ExPEC isolates exhibit genetic relatedness to human-origin E. coli strains. Additionally, 49 strains harbor toxins typical of enteric E. coli pathotypes, implying hybrid pathotypes. Notably, 97% of the total strains are multidrug resistant, including resistance to critical human drugs like third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins. Correspondingly, genomic analysis unveils prevalent antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), often associated with co-transfer mechanisms. Furthermore, analysis of 20 complete genomes illuminates the transmission pathways of ARGs within swine ExPEC and to human pathogens. For example, the transmission of plasmids co-harboring fosA3, blaCTX-M-14, and mcr-1 genes between swine ExPEC and human-origin Salmonella enterica is observed. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and controlling ExPEC infections in animals, as they can serve as a reservoir of ARGs with the potential to affect human health or even be the origin of pathogens infecting humans.
Polar confinement of a macromolecular machine by an SRP-type GTPase
Authors: Dornes Anita , Schmidt Lisa Marie , Mais Christopher-Nils , Hook John C. , Pané-Farré Jan , Kressler Dieter , Thormann Kai , Bange Gert 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe basal structure of the bacterial flagellum includes a membrane embedded MS-ring (formed by multiple copies of FliF) and a cytoplasmic C-ring (composed of proteins FliG, FliM and FliN). The SRP-type GTPase FlhF is required for directing the initial flagellar protein FliF to the cell pole, but the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show that FlhF anchors developing flagellar structures to the polar landmark protein HubP/FimV, thereby restricting their formation to the cell pole. Specifically, the GTPase domain of FlhF interacts with HubP, while a structured domain at the N-terminus of FlhF binds to FliG. FlhF-bound FliG subsequently engages with the MS-ring protein FliF. Thus, the interaction of FlhF with HubP and FliG recruits a FliF-FliG complex to the cell pole. In addition, the modulation of FlhF activity by the MinD-type ATPase FlhG controls the interaction of FliG with FliM-FliN, thereby regulating the progression of flagellar assembly at the pole.
Investigating the impact of poverty on mental illness in the UK Biobank using Mendelian randomization
Authors: Marchi Mattia , Alkema Anne , Xia Charley , Thio Chris H. L. , Chen Li-Yu , Schalkwijk Winni , Galeazzi Gian M. , Ferrari Silvia , Pingani Luca , Kweon Hyeokmoon , Evans-Lacko Sara , David Hill W. , Boks Marco P. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIt is unclear whether poverty and mental illness are causally related. Using UK Biobank and Psychiatric Genomic Consortium data, we examined evidence of causal links between poverty and nine mental illnesses (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anorexia nervosa, anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia). We applied genomic structural equation modelling to derive a poverty common factor from household income, occupational income and social deprivation. Then, using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that schizophrenia and ADHD causally contribute to poverty, while poverty contributes to major depressive disorder and schizophrenia but decreases the risk of anorexia nervosa. Poverty may also contribute to ADHD, albeit with uncertainty due to unbalanced pleiotropy. The effects of poverty were reduced by approximately 30% when we adjusted for cognitive ability. Further investigations of the bidirectional relationships between poverty and mental illness are warranted, as they may inform efforts to improve mental health for all.
Incidence and intensity of catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment among the elderly: an empirical evidence from India
Authors: Ahmad Fahimuddin , Mohanty Pratap Chandra 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWorld health statistics (2022) report that about 1.4 billion people have incurred catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), and half of its population have pushed into extreme poverty due to healthcare payments. The elderly population faces a higher risk of ill health, and seeking treatment reflects in high out-of-pocket health spending (OOPHS) that results in CHE and further impoverishment. This study aims to investigate the incidence and intensity of OOPHS, CHE, and impoverishment among the older adults in India. Data utilizes from the 75th round of the national sample survey (NSS) based on household social consumption: health (schedule 25.0), 2018. The incidence and intensity of CHE and impoverishment among older adults in India estimated by using standard measures. The older adults spend about 17.4% of household consumption expenditure on healthcare services. The poorest older adults are spending the highest share of consumption expenditure (24.8%) on healthcare among economic quantiles. Similarly, the elderly from rural (20.3%), male (18.4%), scheduled castes (21.5%), and Hinduism (17.9%) show a larger share of consumption expenditure on healthcare services. The incidence and intensity of CHE among older adults are 46.5% and 16.1% at 10% threshold level of household consumption expenditure, respectively. However, as the threshold level rises the incidence and intensity of CHE decline. The estimates of normalized poverty gap using the poverty line of Tendulkar committee as well as Rangarajan committee show that the intensity of impoverishment among older adults are 56.4% and 57.9% respectively, which is quite high. Financial protection along with vision might mitigate the risk of CHE and impoverishment among older adults in India.
Effects of an OX2R agonist on migration and removal of tau from mouse brain
Authors: Terada Michiko , Mitsukawa Kayo , Nakakariya Masanori , Koike Tatsuki , Kimura Haruhide 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPathological proteins including tau are produced in neurons and released into interstitial fluid (ISF) in a neural activity-dependent manner during wakefulness. Pathological proteins in ISF can be removed from the brain via the glymphatic pathway during nighttime. Thus, in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that have dysregulated sleep/wake rhythm, application of orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonists during daytime could recover the efflux of pathological proteins to ISF and indirectly promote the glymphatic pathway by improving the quality of nighttime sleep after proper daytime arousal, resulting in increased removal of these proteins from the brain. We investigated this hypothesis using OX-201, a novel OX2R-selective agonist with a 50% effective concentration of 8.0 nM. Diurnal rhythm of tau release into hippocampal ISF correlated well with neuronal activity and wakefulness in wild-type mice. In both wild-type and human P301S tau transgenic mice, OX-201 induced wakefulness and promoted tau release into hippocampal ISF. Human P301S tau transgenic mice, tested under our conditions, showed longer wakefulness time, which differs from individuals with AD. OX-201 treatment over 2 months did not alter hippocampal tau levels. Although further studies are required, at a minimum OX2R agonists may not exacerbate tau accumulation in individuals with tauopathy, including AD.
Effect of cold arid high-altitude environment on bioactive phytochemical compounds of organically grown Brassicaceae vegetables for nutri-health security in mountainous regions
Authors: Shukla Shardulya , Kumar Nitish , Bhardwaj Pushpender , Pandita Priyanka , Patel Manoj Kumar , Thakur Mohan Singh , Kumar Raj , Rawat Monisha , Saxena Shweta 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHigh-altitude (HA) environment presents immense physiological adversities for humans that have been overcome by supplementing bio-active phytochemicals from functional foods that support and accelerate acclimatization under these extreme environmental conditions. Several agricultural interventions have been investigated to enhance the phytochemical content in vegetables however; these studies have been limited to low-altitude (LA) regions only. In view of an existing knowledge gap, current work is designed to compare the phytochemical compositions of HA and LA-grown Brassicaceae vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, knol-khol, and radish) using organic treatments via farm yard manure (FYM) and Azotobacter. The open field study was conducted as a two-factorial randomized block design. The first factor was treatment (T1-FYM, T2-Azotobacter, T3-FYM + Azotobacter, and T4-control) while the second was locations (HA and LA). Among all these treatments, the application of treatment T3 in HA-grown cabbage showed the highest total phenolic content (TPC; 9.56 μg/mg), total flavonoids content (TFC; 14.48 μg/mg), and antioxidant potential using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH; 85.97%) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP; 30.77 μg/mg) compared to LA grown samples. Reverse Phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis showed that treatment T3 at HA led to significantly high kaempferol (0.92 μg/mg) and sulforaphane (8.94 μg/mg) contents in cabbage whereas, indole-3-carbinol (1.31 μg/mg) was higher in HA grown cauliflower. The present study provides scientific evidence for the enrichment of health-promoting phytochemical compounds in Brassicaceae vegetables grown with T3 treatment specifically at HA.
Cross-cultural comparison of beauty judgments in visual art using machine learning analysis of art attribute predictors among Japanese and German speakers
Authors: Mikuni Jan , Spee Blanca T. M. , Forlani Gaia , Leder Helmut , Scharnowski Frank , Nakamura Koyo , Watanabe Katsumi , Kawabata Hideaki , Pelowski Matthew , Steyrl David 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn empirical art research, understanding how viewers judge visual artworks as beautiful is often explored through the study of attributes—specific inherent characteristics or artwork features such as color, complexity, and emotional expressiveness. These attributes form the basis for subjective evaluations, including the judgment of beauty. Building on this conceptual framework, our study examines the beauty judgments of 54 Western artworks made by native Japanese and German speakers, utilizing an extreme randomized trees model—a data-driven machine learning approach—to investigate cross-cultural differences in evaluation behavior. Our analysis of 17 attributes revealed that visual harmony, color variety, valence, and complexity significantly influenced beauty judgments across both cultural cohorts. Notably, preferences for complexity diverged significantly: while the native Japanese speakers found simpler artworks as more beautiful, the native German speakers evaluated more complex artworks as more beautiful. Further cultural distinctions were observed: for the native German speakers, emotional expressiveness was a significant factor, whereas for the native Japanese speakers, attributes such as brushwork, color world, and saturation were more impactful. Our findings illuminate the nuanced role that cultural context plays in shaping aesthetic judgments and demonstrate the utility of machine learning in unravelling these complex dynamics. This research not only advances our understanding of how beauty is judged in visual art—considering self-evaluated attributes—across different cultures but also underscores the potential of machine learning to enhance our comprehension of the aesthetic evaluation of visual artworks.
Characterizing soluble immune checkpoint molecules and TGF-β1,2,3 in pleural effusion of malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Okita Riki , Senoo Tomoya , Mimura-Kimura Yuka , Mimura Yusuke , Murakami Tomoyuki , Ikeda Eiji , Okada Masanori , Inokawa Hidetoshi , Aoe Keisuke 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe clinical impact of soluble molecules in pleural effusion (PE) is unclear in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). In this single-center, retrospective, observational study, we assessed soluble forms of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; three TGF-β isoforms were measured via multiplex assay in PE of patients with fibrinous pleuritis (FP) or MPM, to assess relationships between the levels of six molecules, clinicopathological characteristics, and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Soluble forms of CTLA-4, PD-L1, PD-1, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 were variably produced in PE of FP (n = 34) and MPM (n = 79); we found significant relationships between the six molecules and clinicopathological features. Although none of the three soluble immune checkpoint molecules showed diagnostic or prognostic effects in patients with MPM, TGF-β2 level in PE is a useful differential diagnostic marker between FP and MPM. Both TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 levels are promising prognostic markers for MPM. Moreover, we found that higher baseline levels of PD-1 soluble forms predicted the response to anti-PD1 monotherapy. Our findings identify novel diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers for anti-PD1 therapy in patients with MPM.
Identification of tumor stemness and immunity related prognostic factors and sensitive drugs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ye Zhihua , Xiao Mintao , Zhang Yinping , Zheng Anfu , Zhang Duoli , Chen Jie , Du Fukuan , Zhao Yueshui , Wu Xu , Li Mingxing , Chen Yu , Deng Shuai , Shen Jing , Zhang Xinyi , Wen Qinglian , Zhang Junkai , Xiao Zhangang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) contributes significantly to treatment resistance in various cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Despite this, the relationship between cancer stemness and immunity remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to identify potential immunotherapeutic targets and sensitive drugs for CSCs in HNSCC. Using data from public databases, we analyzed expression patterns and prognostic values in HNSCC. The stemness index was calculated using the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssgsea) algorithm, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to screen for key stemness-related modules. Consensus clustering was then used to group samples for further analysis, and prognosis-related key genes were identified through regression analysis. Our results showed that tumor samples from HNSCC exhibited higher stemness indices compared to normal samples. WGCNA identified a module highly correlated with stemness, comprising 187 genes, which were significantly enriched in protein digestion and absorption pathways. Furthermore, we identified sensitive drugs targeting prognostic genes associated with tumor stemness. Notably, two genes, HLF and CCL11, were found to be highly associated with both stemness and immunity. In conclusion, our study identifies a stemness-related gene signature and promising drug candidates for CSCs of HNSCC. Additionally, HLF and CCL11, which are associated with both stemness and immunity, represent potential targets for immunotherapy in HNSCC.
Considerations for fatty acids in standardized reference diet for parthenogenetic marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis model organism
Authors: Das Koushik , Roy Koushik , Mráz Jan , Buřič Miloš , Kouba Antonín 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFatty acid accumulation was studied in the parthenogenetic all-female marbled crayfish Procambarus virginalis using six arbitrarily designed experimental feeds and related to individuals with glair glands (sexual maturity) after 100 days of ad libitum feeding at 21 °C, including gravid females from the wild as a reference. Fatty acids 16:0 and 18:1n-9 comprised 40% of the total amount of fatty acids and tended to up-concentrate in bodies. Shorter chain 14:0 depleted from feed to body. Across diets, there was a concomitant decrease in precursor fatty acid and increase in product fatty acid, such as reinforcements in monounsaturated fatty acid (18:1n-9), eicosanoid precursors 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid, ARA) and 20:5n-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) in-vivo, but not 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) except when deficient in CHI or CHI + SPI diets. Saturation kinetics modeling (R2 0.7–0.9, p < 0.05) showed that when the ARA share is ~ 1%, the EPA share is ~ 8%, and the DHA share is ~ 2% in the food lipids, the accumulation of fatty acids in body lipids levels off. The lowest DHA in the CHI (0% glair glands) or CHI + SPI (0–3.9% glair glands) diets, and the lowest ARA in SER (0% glair glands) or SER + SPI (0–3% glair glands) diets, were synchronous with negligible sexual maturity despite a wide range of observed specific growth rates (2.77–3.60% per day), body size (0.44–0.84 g), ≤ 5% crude lipid and 40–46% crude protein feed. The FISH and SHRIMP diets (56% protein, 11–14% lipid) with the highest ARA, EPA, and DHA together seem to be the most conducive diets for sexual maturity (up to 20% of individuals with glair glands). We propose a fatty acid profile mimicking the FISH or SHRIMP diets as a starting point for designing the lipid content required in the marbled crayfish standardized reference diet.
Numerical simulations on compression behaviors of the laminated shale based on the digital image technology and the discrete element method
Authors: Wang Zidong , Ding Xiaoxuan , Liu Jianlin , Fu Li-Yun 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAs an unconventional reservoir sedimentary rock, shale contains a series of layers and various microstructures that lead to complex mechanical properties, such as the anisotropy of stiffness and strength. This study is directed towards the anisotropy caused by the microstructures of the shale, employing the 2D particle flow code (PFC2D) to explore stiffness, strength, failure mode, and micro-crack evolution. More realistic microstructures and the calibration of microscopic parameters of the shale are reasonably considered through the computed tomography (CT) images and mineral analysis. The corresponding numerical simulation results are fully compared with the experimental results. In what follows, the sensitivity analysis is conducted on the key microscopic parameters and microstructure characteristics in numerical samples with laminated characteristics. The results show that the influence of microscopic parameters of the parallel bonding model on macroscopic parameters is related to the layering angle and the face type, and the microstructures and initial cracks of numerical samples can considerably affect the macroscopic mechanical behaviors of the laminated samples. Next, the effect of confining pressure on the mechanical properties of layered shale is also discussed based on the numerical results. These findings highlight the potential of this approach for applications in micro-scaled models and calibration of microscopic parameters to probe mechanical behaviors of the laminated rock.
In silico studies of the open form of human tissue transglutaminase
Authors: Ivashchenko S. D. , Shulga D. A. , Ivashchenko V. D. , Zinovev E. V. , Vlasov A. V. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHuman tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is an intriguing multifunctional enzyme involved in various diseases, including celiac disease and neurological disorders. Although a number of tTG inhibitors have been developed, the molecular determinants governing ligand binding remain incomplete due to the lack of high-resolution structural data in the vicinity of its active site. In this study, we obtained the complete high-resolution model of tTG by in silico methods based on available PDB structures. We discovered significant differences in the active site architecture between our and known tTG models, revealing an additional loop which affects the ligand binding affinity. We assembled a library of new potential tTG inhibitors based on the obtained complete model of the enzyme. Our library substantially expands the spectrum of possible drug candidates targeting tTG and encompasses twelve molecular scaffolds, eleven of which are novel and exhibit higher binding affinity then already known ones, according to our in silico studies. The results of this study open new directions for structure-based drug design of tTG inhibitors, offering the complete protein model and suggesting a wide range of new compounds for further experimental validation.
Longitudinal associations between intergroup contact and intergroup trust among adolescents in ethnic regions of China
Authors: Yuan Xiaojiao , Lei Tianyang , Su Ying , Li Xiaoxia , Zhu Lan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntergroup trust is a crucial psychological foundation for promoting ethnic unity and maintaining social stability. This study explored the dynamic relationship between intergroup contact and trust among adolescents in ethnic regions of China and sought to uncover the mechanisms behind this relationship. Through a two-wave longitudinal survey of 679 adolescents, employing the Intergroup Contact Experience Scale, the Intergroup Trust Scale, and the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the study yielded several findings: (1) Over the year, a significant increase in intergroup contact was observed among the adolescents. Notably, junior high students demonstrated a marked rise in intergroup trust, whereas no significant change was discernible in high school students. (2) Cross-lagged analysis indicated that early intergroup contact significantly predicted subsequent intergroup trust and loneliness. Initial loneliness also forecasted future intergroup trust, yet early intergroup trust did not predict later intergroup contact or loneliness. (3) Loneliness served as a partial mediator in the longitudinal link between intergroup contact and trust among these adolescents. These findings reinforce the premise that in China’s ethnic regions, intergroup contact is a precursor to intergroup trust, both directly enhancing trust among adolescents and indirectly by reducing loneliness.