bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria and Trichoderma shift common vetch (Vicia sativa) physiology and phyllosphere bacteria toward antagonism against anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spinaciae
Authors: Zhu Rui , Yan Wei , Wang Yajie , Li Yingde , Zheng Rongchun , Dong Wanqing , Yao Tuo , Duan Tingyu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundPlant phyllosphere microbes are important for the host plant's protection. Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Trichoderma are common biocontrol agents (BCAs) for disease management. Pathogens and BCAs can change the rhizosphere microbial composition; however, the effect of PGPR or Trichoderma on plant phyllosphere microbes, particularly for mesocosms involving the interaction between pathogens and BCAs, is not well known.MethodsHigh‐throughput sequencing was used to identify the phyllosphere bacterial community of common vetch interacting with Colletotrichum spinaciae, two PGPRs (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis), and Trichoderma longibrachiatum. We evaluated anthracnose severity, phyllosphere bacteria diversity and composition, and the relationship between the activities of plant defense enzymes and hormonal molecules in plants treated with individual and combined inoculations of PGPRs, Trichoderma, and C. spinaciae.ResultsPGPR or Trichoderma alone reduced disease severity. Trichoderma reduced the salicylic acid content, PGPR increased the catalase activity in plants, and co‐inoculation of PGPR and Trichoderma decreased the salicylic acid content. Inoculation of PGPR and Trichoderma individually or in combination changed the disease‐associated phyllosphere bacteria, and this effect was related to plant defense enzymes and hormonal molecules.ConclusionsWe suggest that the plant defense response induced by PGPR and Trichoderma results in the enrichment of a fraction of favorable chloroplastic bacteria, which facilitates plant defense against diseases.
Vaginal microbiome dysbiosis as a novel noninvasive biomarker for detection of chronic endometritis in infertile women
Authors: Han Yi‐ling , Li Xue‐yao , Li Jie , Xiao Zhuo‐ni , Chen Jiao , Yang Jing 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo identify the vaginal microbial signature in women with chronic endometritis (CE) and investigate the potential of vaginal microbiome characterization as a novel diagnostic tools for CE.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted to compare the characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in 98 women who underwent endometrial biopsy for routine clinical inspection of infertility (49 women diagnosed with CE and 49 with non‐CE). The vaginal microbiome was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing. The study included an analysis of diversity, bacterial abundance, and microbial function. In addition, microbial markers were identified, and a CE classifier was developed.ResultsThe relative abundances of genera, including Bifidobacterium, Prevotella and Gardnerella, were found to be different between the two groups. Analysis of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways reported differential expression in metabolism‐related pathways in the two groups. We identified four microbial markers of CE (Enterobacter, Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, and Phascolarctobacterium) and developed a predictive classifier for diagnosing CE, achieving an area under the curve of 83.26%.ConclusionThe results of the current study revealed that, compared with the non‐CE controls, patients with CE have a different vaginal microbiota, highlighting the diagnostic significance of the vaginal microbiome as a promising noninvasive biomarker in detecting CE.
Pythagorean Fuzzy Set for Enhancement of Low Contrast Mammogram Images
Authors: Chaira Tamalika , Sarkar Arun 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTBreast masses are often one of the primary signs of breast cancer, and precise segmentation of these masses is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Diagnosis may be complex depending on the size and visibility of the mass. When the mass is not visible clearly, precise segmentation becomes very difficult and in that case enhancement is essential. Inadequate compression, patient movement, or paddle/breast movement during the exposure process might cause hazy mammogram images. Without enhancement, accurate segmentation and detection cannot be done. As there exists uncertainties in different regions, reducing uncertainty is still a main problem and so fuzzy methods may deal these uncertainties in a better way. Though there are many fuzzy and advanced fuzzy methods, we consider Pythagorean fuzzy set as one of the fuzzy sets that may be powerful to deal with uncertainty. This research proposes a new Pythagorean fuzzy methodology for mammography image enhancement. The image is first transformed into a fuzzy image, and the nonmembership function is then calculated using a newly created Pythagorean fuzzy generator. Membership function of Pythagorean fuzzy image is computed from nonmembership function. The plot between the membership value and the hesitation degree is used to calculate a constant term in the membership function. Next, an enhanced image is obtained by applying fuzzy intensification operator to the Pythagorean fuzzy image. The proposed method is compared qualitatively and quantitatively with those of non‐fuzzy, intuitionistic fuzzy, Type 2 fuzzy, and Pythagorean fuzzy methods, it is found that the suggested method outperforms the other methods. To show the usefulness of the proposed enhanced method, segmentation is carried out on the enhanced images.
The effect of plough agriculture on gender roles: A machine learning approach
Authors: Baiardi Anna , Naghi Andrea A. 
Published: July 2024

SummaryThis paper undertakes a replication in a wide sense of a recent study that examines the relationship between historical plough agriculture and current gender roles. We revisit the main research question with recently developed causal machine learning methods, which allow researchers to model the relationship of covariates with the treatment and the outcomes in a more flexible way, while also including interactions and nonlinearities that were not considered in the original analysis. Our results suggest an even larger negative effect of the historical plough adoption on female labor force participation than what the original analysis found. The paper highlights the benefits of using causal machine learning methods in applied empirical economics.
Berberine prevents against myocardial injury induced by acute β‐adrenergic overactivation in rats
Authors: Yang Yalin , Jiang Shuang , Mu Yu , Liu Chilu , Han Yanxing , Jiang Jiandong , Wang Yuhong 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe overactivation of β‐adrenergic receptors (β‐ARs) can result in acute myocardial ischemic injury, culminating in myocardial necrosis. Berberine (BBR) has exhibited promising potential for prevention and treatment in various heart diseases. However, its specific role in mitigating myocardial injury induced by acute β‐AR overactivation remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of BBR pretreatment in a rat model of acute β‐AR overactivation induced by a single dose of the nonselective β‐adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (ISO). Rats were pretreated with saline or BBR (100 mg/kg/day) via gavage for 14 consecutive days, followed by a subcutaneous injection of ISO or saline on the 14th day. The findings indicated that BBR pretreatment significantly attenuated myocardial injury in ISO‐stimulated rats, as evidenced by reduced pathological inflammatory infiltration, necrosis, and serum markers of myocardial damage. Additionally, BBR decreased oxidative stress and inflammation in the system and heart. Furthermore, BBR pretreatment enhanced myocardial ATP levels, improved mitochondrial dysfunction through increased Drp1 phosphorylation, and augmented myocardial autophagy. In a CoCl2‐induced H9c2 cell hypoxic injury model, BBR pretreatment mitigated cellular injury, apoptosis, and oxidative stress while upregulating Drp1 and autophagy‐associated proteins. Mechanistically, BBR pretreatment activated AKT, AMPK, and LKB1 both in vivo and in vitro, implicating the involvement of the AKT and LKB1/AMPK signaling pathways in its cardioprotective effects. Our study demonstrated the protective effects of BBR against myocardial injury induced by acute β‐AR overactivation in rats, highlighting the potential of BBR as a preventive agent for myocardial injury associated with β‐adrenergic overactivation.
Unlocking Optimal Glycemic Interpretation: Redefining HbA1c Analysis in Female Patients With Diabetes and Iron‐Deficiency Anemia Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Abdillahi Kadra Mohamed , Eraldemir Fatma Ceyla , Kösesoy Irfan 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveIn response to the nuanced glycemic challenges faced by women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) associated with diabetes, this study uses advanced machine learning algorithms to redefine hemoglobin (Hb)A1c measurement values. We aimed to improve the accuracy of glycemic interpretation by recognizing the critical interaction between erythrocytes, iron, and glycemic levels in this specific demographic group.MethodsThis retrospective observational study included 17,526 adult women with HbA1c levels recorded from 2017 to 2022. Samples were classified as diabetic, prediabetic, or non‐diabetic based on HbA1c and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels for distribution analysis without impacting model training. Support Vector Machines, Linear Regression, Random Forest, and K‐Nearest Neighbor algorithms as machine learning (ML) methods were used to predict HbA1c levels. Following the training of the model, HbA1c values were predicted for the IDA samples using the trained model.ResultsAccording to our results, there has been a 0.1 unit change in HbA1c values, which has resulted in a clinical decision change in some patients.DiscussionUsing ML to analyze HbA1c results in women with IDA may unveil distinctions among patients whose HbA1c values hover near critical medical decision thresholds. This intersection of technology and laboratory science holds promise for enhancing precision in medical decision‐making processes.
Investigation of patients with childhood epilepsy in single center: Comprehensive genetic testing experience
Authors: Gerik‐Celebi Hamide Betul , Dokurel Çetin İpek , Bolat Hilmi , Unsel‐Bolat Gul 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroductionEpilepsy is a common multifactorial neurological disease usually diagnosed during childhood. In this study, we present the contribution of consecutive genetic testing to the genetic diagnostic yield of childhood epilepsy.MethodsIn 100 children (53 female, 47 male) with epilepsy, targeted sequencing (TS) and clinical exome sequencing (CES) were performed. All cases (n = 100) included in the study were epilepsy patients. In addition, we investigated the genetic diagnosis rates according to the associated co‐occurring findings (including developmental delay/intellectual disability, brain malformations, macro‐/microcephaly, and dysmorphic features).ResultsThe overall diagnostic rate in this study was 33% (n = 33 patients). We identified 11 novel variants in WDR45, ARX, PCDH19, SCN1A, CACNA1A, LGI1, ASPM, MECP2, NF1, TSC2, and CDK13. Genetic diagnosis rates were as follows: cases with developmental delay/intellectual disability 38.7% (24/62) and without developmental delay/intellectual disability 23.6% (9/38); cases with brain malformations 46.8% (15/32) and without brain malformations 25% (16/64); cases with macro‐/microcephaly 50% (6/12) and without macro‐/microcephaly 28.4% (25/88); and cases with dysmorphic features 48.2% (14/29) and without dysmorphic features 23.9% (17/71).ConclusionGenotype–phenotype correlation is even more important in diseases such as epilepsy, which include many genes and variants of these genes in etiopathogenesis. We presented the clinical findings of the cases carrying 11 novel variants in detail, including dysmorphic features, accompanying neurodevelopmental disorders, EEG results, and brain MRI results.
Early‐life manipulation of the serotonergic system exacerbates the harmful effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive functions
Authors: Mashahadi Zahra , Saadati Hakimeh , Ghaheri Fard Safa 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSerotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter that plays a main role in regulating physiological and cognitive functions. Serotonergic system dysfunction is involved in the etiology of various psychiatric and neurological disorders. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of early‐life serotonin depletion on cognitive disorders caused by sleep deprivation. Serotonin was depleted by para‐chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 100 mg/kg, s.c.) at postnatal days 10–20, followed by sleep deprivation‐induced through the multiple platform apparatus for 24 h at PND 60. After the examination of the novel object recognition and passive avoidance memories, the hippocampi and prefrontal cortex were dissected to examine the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression by PCR. Our findings showed that postnatal serotonin depletion and sleep deprivation impaired the novel object recognition and passive avoidance memories and changed the BDNF levels. In the same way, the serotonin depletion in early life before sleep deprivation exacerbated the harmful effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function and BDNF levels. It can be claimed that the serotonergic system plays a main role in the modulation of sleep and cognitive functions.
Professorial intentions of engineering PhDs from historically excluded groups: The influence of graduate school experiences
Authors: Fleming Gabriella Coloyan , Cobb Sydni Alexa , Borrego Maura 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn addition to the benefits of a diverse faculty, many institutions are under pressure from students and administrators to increase the number of faculty from historically excluded backgrounds. Despite increases in the numbers of engineering PhD earners from these groups, the percentages of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino tenure‐track faculty have not increased, and the percentage of women remains low.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify how experiences in graduate school encourage or deter PhD earners from historically excluded groups in pursuing an engineering academic career.MethodWe conducted 20 semi‐structured interviews with engineering PhD students and recent graduates, with half of participants interested and half disinterested in pursuing an academic career after graduation.ResultsThree key factors emerged as strongly influential on participants' desire to pursue an academic career: their relationship with their advisor, their perception of their advisor's work–life balance, and their perception of the culture of academia. Participants extrapolated their experiences in graduate school to their imagined lives as faculty. The results illuminate the reasons why engineering PhD earners from historically underrepresented groups remain in or leave the academic career pathway after graduate school.ConclusionsThe findings of this study have important implications for how graduate students' and postdoc's relationships with their advisors as well as perceptions of their advisors' work–life balances and the culture of academia affect future faculty. We make recommendations on what students, faculty, and administrators can do to create a more inclusive environment to encourage students from historically excluded groups to consider academic careers.
Label‐free three‐dimensional imaging and quantitative analysis of living fibroblasts and myofibroblasts by holotomographic microscopy
Authors: Sbrana Francesca , Chellini Flaminia , Tani Alessia , Parigi Martina , Garella Rachele , Palmieri Francesco , Zecchi‐Orlandini Sandra , Squecco Roberta , Sassoli Chiara 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHolotomography (HT) is a cutting‐edge fast live‐cell quantitative label‐free imaging technique. Based on the principle of quantitative phase imaging, it combines holography and tomography to record a three‐dimensional map of the refractive index, used as intrinsic optical and quantitative imaging contrast parameter of biological samples, at a sub‐micrometer spatial resolution. In this study HT has been employed for the first time to analyze the changes of fibroblasts differentiating towards myofibroblasts – recognized as the main cell player of fibrosis – when cultured in vitro with the pro‐fibrotic factor, namely transforming growth factor‐β1. In parallel, F‐actin, vinculin, α‐smooth muscle actin, phospho‐myosin light chain 2, type‐1 collagen, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma coactivator‐1α expression and mitochondria were evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Plasmamembrane passive properties and transient receptor potential canonical channels' currents were also recorded by whole‐cell patch‐clamp. The fluorescence images and electrophysiological results have been compared to the data obtained by HT and their congruence has been discussed. HT turned out to be a valid approach to morphologically distinguish fibroblasts from well differentiated myofibroblasts while obtaining objective measures concerning volume, surface area, projection area, surface index and dry mass (i.e., the mass of the non‐aqueous content inside the cell including proteins and subcellular organelles) of the entire cell, nuclei and nucleoli with the major advantage to monitor outer and inner features in living cells in a non‐invasive, rapid and label‐free approach. HT might open up new research opportunities in the field of fibrotic diseases.Research Highlights
Holotomography (HT) is a label‐free laser interferometric imaging technology exploiting the intrinsic optical property of cells namely refractive index (RI) to enable a direct imaging and analysis of whole cells or intracellular organelles.
HT turned out a valid approach to distinguish morphological features of living unlabeled fibroblasts from differentiated myofibroblasts.
HT provided quantitative information concerning volume, surface area, projection area, surface index and dry mass of the entire fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, nuclei and nucleoli.
DABCO‐catalyzed highly regioselective synthesis of novel 4H‐pyrano[2,3‐b]quinoline derivatives: One‐pot three‐component reaction
Authors: Heydari Masumeh , Mohammadi Ali A. , Mosleh Mohammad R. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractA regioselective synthesis of 4H‐pyrano[2,3‐b]quinoline derivatives via DABCO‐mediated Knoevenagel condensation/heterocyclization sequence has been executed. In this way some new fused heterocyclic compounds were synthesized from 2‐chloroquinoline‐3‐carbaldehyde as a versatile and efficient synthetic building block. The one‐pot three‐component reaction of 2‐chloroquinoline‐3‐carbaldehyde and diverse cyclic active methylenes for construction of highly substituted quinolines scaffold has been accomplished under mild condition. The strategy included herein shows significant advantages, including a facile process with easy purification, excellent yields, wide applicability, available substrates, and cost‐effective/eco‐friendly solvent and catalyst.
Fully Automated Cassette‐Based Synthesis of 2‐Deoxy‐2‐[18F]Fluorocellobiose Using Trasis AllInOne Module
Authors: Basuli Falguni , Shi Jianfeng , Shah Swati , Lai Jianhao , Hammoud Dima A. , Swenson Rolf E. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTDue to the continuous rise in global incidence and severity of invasive fungal infections (IFIs), particularly among immunocompromised and immunodeficient patients, there is an urgent demand for swift and accurate fungal pathogen diagnosis. Therefore, the need for fungal‐specific positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents that can detect the infection in the early stages is increasing. Cellobiose, a disaccharide, is readily metabolized by fungal pathogens such as Aspergillus species. Recently, our group reported fluorine‐18 labeled cellobiose, 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluorocellobiose ([18F]FCB), for specific imaging of Aspergillus infection. The positive imaging findings with very low background signal on delayed imaging make this ligand a promising fungal‐specific imaging ligand. Inspired by this result, the decision was made to automate the radiolabeling procedure for better reproducibility and to facilitate clinical translation. A Trasis AllInOne (Trasis AIO) automated module was used for this purpose. The reagent vials contain commercially available 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluoroglucose ([18F]FDG), glucose‐1‐phosphate, and enzyme (cellobiose phosphorylase). A Sep‐Pak cartridge was used to purify the tracer. The overall radiochemical yield was 50%–70% (n = 6, decay corrected) in 75‐min synthesis time with a radiochemical purity of > 98%. This is a highly reliable protocol to produce current good manufacturing practice (cGMP)–compliant [18F]FCB for clinical PET imaging.
Carpal variability and asymmetry in limb reduced Western lesser sirens (Siren nettingi)
Authors: Barlow Gibson M. , Ledbetter Nicholus M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTrait functionality can act as a constraint on morphological development. Traits that become vestigialized can exhibit unstable developmental patterns such as fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and variation in populations. We use clearing and staining along with morphometric analyzes to compare FA and allometry of limbs in Western lesser sirens (Siren nettingi) to Ouachita dusky salamanders (Desmognathus brimleyorum). Our results describe new carpal phenotypes and carpal asymmetry in our sample of S. nettingi. However, we found no significant evidence of limb length asymmetry in S. nettingi. The degree of relative limb asymmetry correlates inversely with body size in both of our samples. This work provides strong evidence of increased mesopodal variation within a population of S. nettingi. Our work provides a basis for further study of a broader range of morphological traits across salamanders.