bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolutionary derivation inferences of the intrinsic shoulder and brachial muscles in crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus, Caniformia, Carnivora) based on the topology, innervation, and anatomical variants
Authors: García Juan Fernando Vélez , Blanco Diego Alejandro Carrión , Gómez Gabriela Moreno , Barros Roseãmely Angelica Carvalho , Miglino Maria Angelica 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) is a carnivoran of the family Procyonidae geographically distributed in Center and South America. It is a scansorial species with more terrestrial than arboreal abilities. Previous studies have described the intrinsic shoulder and brachial muscles in this species; however, all have different descriptions. Besides, these studies did not take into account the innervation to infer the evolutionary derivation of the muscles, and neither did the arterial supply. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the anatomical arrangement of the intrinsic shoulder and brachial muscles in six Procyon cancrivorus specimens fixed with 10% formaldehyde. The shape, origin, insertion, arterial supply, and variations were described. Furthermore, the innervation previously reported was reviewed again in detail to infer the evolutionary derivation of these muscles. Differences were found with that reported formerly in the same species and other procyonids. Some intraspecific anatomical variants were discovered, such as an accessory head in the biceps brachii muscle bilaterally; a biceps brachii muscle joined to the brachialis muscle unilaterally; and a fusion of the lateral and accessory heads of the triceps brachii muscle bilaterally. Tensor fasciae antebrachii muscle is divided into two parts in most cases, and both are innervated by the radial nerve. The anconeus medialis muscle is independent to the triceps brachii muscle and is innervated by the ulnar nerve. In conclusion, based on the topology, anatomical variations, and innervation of these muscles in P. cancrivorus, they potentially conserve the evolutionary derivation of the last common ancestor of mammals.
Unveiling Promising Drug Targets for NAFLD through Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Lei Gang , Dai Chibing 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disorder that with genetic factors and few available treatments. The identification of new drug targets for NAFLD prevention remains a critical requirement.
Methods
In this study, we used Mendelian randomization analysis with summary statistics of NAFLD to investigate potential therapeutic targets. For this task, genetic tools obtained from a recent study that analyzed plasma proteins across nine groups were used. Improving the strength of Mendelian randomization findings can be achieved using two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis, Bayesian colocalization, steiger filter analysis, protein variation assessment, and mapping of expression quantitative trait loci to protein quantitative trait loci. Our goal was to improve our understanding of NAFLD and discover potential opportunities for its treatment by studying protein interactions, pathway enrichment, and drug targets.
Results
In summary, genetically predicted levels of 13 proteins were found to be correlated with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Specifically, elevated levels of nine proteins (ADH1B, TOM1L1, MMP3, GALE, RAB14, SNRPF, ADH1B, SPATA9) and decreased levels of five proteins were associated with an increased susceptibility to NAFLD.
Conclusions
Our thorough examination indicated that genetically determined levels of various circulating proteins are associated with susceptibility to NAFLD. These results imply that targeting these proteins may hold promise as a therapeutic approach for NAFLD and warrants additional clinical scrutiny.
A Rapid Tick exposure Test for monitoring acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks on dogs
Authors: Jongejan Frans , Berger Laura , Papadopoulos Elias , Reck José , Ferreira Priscila Teixeira , Doyle Rovaina , Scott Fabio Barbour , de Avelar Barbara Rauta , Guimarães Brena Gava , Azevedo Thais Ribeiro Correia , Hulsebos Iris , Petersen Alita , Klafke Guilherme 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Brown dog ticks, particularly Rhipicephalus sanguineus, are vectors of pathogens adversely affecting the health of dogs in many (sub) tropical parts of the world. The three-host life cycle of R. sanguineus, with all stages feeding on dogs, can lead to an uncontrolled build-up of large tick populations if not controlled by acaricides. However, frequent tick control on dogs using acaricides has led to the emergence of resistance to permethrin and fipronil. Currently, the Larval Packet Test (LPT) is the standard tick resistance test, which is laborious, needs laboratory facilities, and takes at least six weeks before larvae derived from engorged female ticks can be tested. Our novel approach is to expose semi-engorged adult ticks to acaricides immediately after removing them from dogs, obtaining results within 24 hours.
Methods
Adult ticks from three laboratory colonies of R. sanguineus were tested in RaTexT®, a Rapid Tick exposure Test in which ticks were confined to small compartments and exposed to an acaricide-impregnated, specially designed matrix. Resistance was confirmed by testing larvae derived from the same laboratory colonies using the LPT. RaTexT® was also used to determine the susceptibility of R. sanguineus acaricides in dog shelters.
Results
RaTexT® detected resistance to permethrin in adult R.sanguineus ticks from two Brazilian laboratory colonies compared to a susceptible laboratory strain originating in Greece. Resistance was confirmed by LPT testing larvae of the same colonies with resistance factors between 2.2 and 3.1. All laboratory strains were susceptible to fipronil. A suspected case of fipronil resistance at a dog shelter in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, was resolved within 24 hours by testing adult ticks in RaTexT® and could be attributed to improper treatment.
Conclusions
RaTexT® is a valuable tool for monitoring the development of resistance to synthetic pyrethroids or phenylpyrazoles in tick-infested dogs.
Emergence of a novel FRI-type carbapenemase; blaFRI-12 in Enterobacter asburiae located on an IncR plasmid
Authors: Mataseje Laura F. , Doualla-Bell Florence , Fakharuddin Ken , Wong Simon , Yechouron Ariane 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistance in Enterobacter spp due to acquisition of mobile carbapenemases is of concern. An Enterobacter spp grew on ChromID CARBA medium and was positive for the mCIM carbapenemase detection assay. Susceptibility testing showed resistance to aztreonam and reduced susceptibility to imipenem. Conventional PCR using FRI primers detected a blaFRI gene. Whole genome sequencing reveled a new variant; blaFRI−12 was closest in sequence to blaFRI−5 differing by 13 amino acids and was found on a unique 110Kb IncR plasmid. Given the intrinsic nature of Enterobacter spp. to be carbapenem non-susceptible, blaFRI-types may be under reported globally.
Further modification of the EASIX score through the addition of phosphorous and IL-6 improves prediction of CRS and ICANS after CAR-T therapy
Authors: Barker Kenneth , Marco Tom , Husnain Muhammad , Katsanis Emmanuel 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) are severe complications of CAR-T therapy linked to endothelial dysfunction. The modified Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (m-EASIX) score predicts severe ICANS and CRS. Both hypophosphatemia and elevated IL-6 are associated with these syndromes. Our study aimed to improve early prediction by incorporating phosphorus and IL-6 into the m-EASIX score. Forty-two patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma receiving CAR-T treatment were used to generate three m-EASIX score variations, assessing performance from the clinically actionable timepoints of day + 0 to day + 3. The P-m-EASIX, which includes phosphorus, enhanced prediction for ICANS on day + 1 (AUC 89.6%; P = 0.0090, OR 2.23; P = 0.0096) compared to the m-EASIX (AUC 80.8%; P = 0.0047, OR 1.72; P = 0.0046). The P-m-EASIX also improved prediction for CRS on day + 3 (AUC 92.0%; P < 0.0001, OR 2.21; P = 0.0014). Incorporating IL-6, (IL6-m-EASIX) showed the highest capacity for predicting CRS progression to grade ≥ 2 on day + 3 (AUC 89.7%; P = 0.0040, OR 1.57; P = 0.031). Larger studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of including phosphorus and IL-6 in the m-EASIX score to reduce CAR-T therapy complications.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers of children aged 6 to 12 months on breastfeeding in the province of Sissili in Burkina Faso
Authors: AGBOKOU Koffi Apéali Wassiou , Compaoré Wendinpuikondo Raketa Ella , Traoré Sakonon , Ouédraogo Ousmane , Ouattara Adama , Bouraima Mouawiyatou , Pietra Virginio , Songré Laurencia Toulsoumdé Ouattara/ , Dicko Mamoudou Hama 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Breastfeeding practices during the first 1000 days of a child’s life are crucial for their health, development and survival. However, several factors influence mothers' sensitivity to breastfeeding.
Objective
The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers of children aged 6 to 12 months on colostrum, early breastfeeding and ablactation age.
Methods
A cross-sectional study with a descriptive aim was carried out from February 2021 to March 2022 in the province of Sissili in Burkina Faso. It consisted of an initial and final evaluation of 163 mother-child couples aged 6 to 12 months who participated in at least 5 consultation sessions for healthy infants in public health facilities. The chi-square test and the Wilcoxon rank test were used to analyze the associations of the variables and the difference between the levels of mothers' knowledge at the initial and final assessments respectively.
Results
Among surveyed mothers, colostrum was considered good for child health by 89.6% and 98.2% of mothers at initial and final assessments respectively. Almost all mothers (98.2%) gave colostrum and 3 out of 4 mothers breastfed their children in the first hour after childbirth. Colostrum donation and early breastfeeding by the mother are statistically associated with their occupations (P = 0.000) and their opinions on the effect of colostrum on infant health (P = 0.000). Awareness significantly increased mother’s knowledge on the benefits of colostrum, ablactation age, time and benefits of early breastfeeding (P = 0.000). It also had a positive impact on mother’s opinion of the effect of colostrum on infant health.
Conclusion
Data analysis sugest that it is necessary for health providers to be well trained or continously retrained to raise awareness among pregnant and parturient women about the optimal practice and benefits of breastfeeding.
The effects of dry density and moisture content on the shear characteristics of clay-type muddy interlayer
Authors: Chen Mao , Zhang Jiaming , Qiu Peicheng , Liu Fei 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Shear strength parameter is one of the important indexes of soil, which is the key factor to determine the stability of the project. In order to study the shear characteristics of clay-type muddy interlayer, an improved direct shear apparatus was used to carry out indoor direct shear tests under different dry density and moisture content conditions. The results show that the shear stress increases with the increase of dry density and decreases with the increase of moisture content. When the moisture content is 20%, the shear stress-shear displacement of the muddy interlayer shows obvious strain-softening phenomenon. When the moisture content is 23% and 25%, the sample shows hardening characteristics at low normal stress level. With the increase of stress level, the curve transits from softening type to hardening type. When the moisture content is 28%, the curves show slight strain softening. Under the condition of low moisture content, the internal friction angle decreases with the increase of dry density, while the cohesion increases with the increase of dry density. At medium moisture content, both of them fluctuated with dry density, but the amplitude was not large. At high water content, the response effects of internal friction angle, cohesion and dry density are not obvious. The research results can provide a reference for the research on disaster prevention and early warning of related projects of clay-type muddy interlayer.
Relationship between a novel assessment scoring system in pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy and clinical outcomes after embryo transfer: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Harada Yoshihisa , Fukunaga Emi , Maeda Tomoyo , Sasagawa Hiyori , Ikeda Maki , Shiba Reiko , Okano Shinichiro , Kinutani Masayuki , Tanaka Suguru E. , Shimada Miho , Ashikawa Kyota , Sakuraba Yoshiyuki 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The evaluation and interpretation of mosaicism in pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) can be complex, and no consensus or standardized criteria are available for its assessment. We investigated whether mosaicism as assessed by the proprietary Knowledge-based Aneuploidy Theoretical Score (KAT-Score) in PGT-A correlates with clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a single in vitro fertilization center between August 2020 and March 2023. A total of 124 single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer cycles were analyzed for clinical outcomes stratified by KAT-Score. We also analyzed the correlations between KAT-Score and clinical pregnancy or live birth rates.
Results
We found no significant difference in the KAT-Score between the pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups. However, the KAT-Score was significantly lower in the live birth group than in the non-live birth group. Moreover, the KAT-Score was a predictive indicator of live birth (area under the curve = 0.64, P < 0.01) but not of clinical pregnancy (area under the curve = 0.56, P = 0.1597). Multivariate logistic regression analysis, which included maternal age, previous embryo transfer cycles, endometrial thickness, and morphological grade as confounding factors, showed that lower KAT-Scores significantly correlated with the live birth rate (adjusted odds ratio: 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.70–0.99, P = 0.0403). No eventual live births were recorded in the group with a KAT-Score indicative of high chromosomal mosaic gain (KAT-Score ≥ 7).
Conclusions
This study suggests that the KAT-Score correlates with live birth but not with clinical pregnancy. The live birth rate differed according to type of mosaicism.
Mapping the impact of age and APOE risk factors for late onset Alzheimer’s disease on long range brain connections through multiscale bundle analysis
Authors: Stout Jacques , Anderson Robert J , Mahzarnia Ali , Han Zay , Beck Kate , Browndyke Jeffrey , Johnson Kim , O'Brien Richard , Badea Alexandra 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease currently has no cure and is usually detected too late for interventions to be effective. In this study we have focused on cognitively normal subjects to study the impact of risk factors on their long-range brain connections. To detect vulnerable connections, we devised a multiscale, hierarchical method for spatial clustering of the whole brain tractogram and examined the impact of age and APOE allelic variation on cognitive abilities and bundle properties including texture e.g., mean fractional anisotropy, variability, and geometric properties including streamline length, volume, and shape, as well as asymmetry. We found that the third level subdivision in the bundle hierarchy provided the most sensitive ability to detect age and genotype differences associated with risk factors. Our results indicate that frontal bundles were a major age predictor, while the occipital cortex and cerebellar connections were important risk predictors that were heavily genotype dependent, and showed accelerated decline in fractional anisotropy, shape similarity, and increased asymmetry. Cognitive metrics related to olfactory memory were mapped to bundles, providing possible early markers of neurodegeneration. In addition, physiological metrics such as diastolic blood pressure were associated with changes in white matter tracts. Our novel method for a data driven analysis of sensitive changes in tractography may differentiate populations at risk for AD and isolate specific vulnerable networks.
Evaluation of Spatial Resolution Effects in Rough Wall-bounded Turbulence
Authors: Xia Yu , Chung Daniel , Marusic Ivan , Hutchins Nicholas , Rowin Waigh Abu 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of insufficient spanwise spatial resolution on the measurement accuracy of streamwise velocity fluctuations over rough walls. We use a direct numerical simulation (DNS) database of turbulent open channel flow over three-dimensional sinusoidal roughness with varied wavelengths and roughness heights. Employing a triple decomposition, we investigate both the attenuation of the turbulent fluctuations (about the local mean), $u^\prime$ and the dispersive stresses (roughness-induced fluctuations of the time-averaged mean about the global mean), $\tilde{U}$. A boxcar filter on DNS data is applied to investigate the effects of spanwise spatial filtering on these quantities. Our analysis reveals the significance of two key length-scale ratios for velocity measurements over rough walls: the wire length relative to the spatially and temporally plane-averaged Kolmogorov scale at the roughness crest ($l/\langle \eta\rangle_k$), and the wire length relative to the roughness spanwise wavelength ($l/\Lambda$). We observe that maintaining $l/\langle \eta\rangle_k$ constant while increasing $l/\Lambda$ attenuates the variance of $\tilde{U}$ and $u^\prime$ within the roughness sublayer. When fixing $l/\Lambda$, an increase in $l/\langle \eta\rangle_k$ influences the turbulent fluctuations across all wall-normal locations. These findings highlight the necessity of considering both length scales when evaluating spanwise spatial resolution in turbulence measurements over rough walls.
The unveiling role of South Tropical Atlantic in winter Atlantic Niño inducing La Niña
Authors: Wang Dongxiao , Zhang Guangli , Chen Jiepeng , Fan Hanjie , Zhang Lei , chen Mengyan , Wang Xin 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The relationship between the Atlantic Zonal Mode (AZM) and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has been a topic of controversy in previous studies. This paper focuses on the winter-peaked (AZM) due to its strong correlation with ENSO one year in advance. Two distinct types of winter-peaked Atlantic Niño (positive phase of AZM) events are identified based on the range of warm sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly: the Equatorial type and Expanded type. SST anomalies are confined to equator and extending to south tropical Atlantic (STA) for these two events respectively, which can induce different diabatic heating. For the Equatorial event, local precipitation responses only happen in winter. In contrast, due to the seasonal southward migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), the Expanded event can persistently induce strong rainfall change in the spring season despite of the weakening SST anomalies, leading robust atmospheric responses over the western tropical Pacific through adjustments in the Walker Cell and ultimately favoring the development of La Niña. Given the stronger impacts of the Expanded type, it is imperative to consider the STA status when identifying winter Atlantic Niño events and their inter-basin boosting role to the Pacific.
A linear sensitivity framework to understand the drivers of the wet-bulb globe temperature changes
Authors: Kong Qinqin , Huber Matthew 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Better understanding of the physical drivers of sufficiently realistic representation of human heat stress is crucial for improving prediction and enhancing preparedness. Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is a standard metric for workplace heat stress, however, its calculation involves complex parameterizations of radiative and convective energy exchange. Thus it is difficult to understand the driving mechanisms behind WBGT changes. To address this issue, we introduce a sensitivity framework to analytically evaluate WBGT's response to meteorological input changes. By examining the form of sensitivity coefficients we gain insights into the interactive effects of multiple environmental parameters in controlling WBGT. Given constant wind and solar radiation, the natural wet-bulb and black globe temperatures change at the same rate and direction as the wet- and dry-bulb temperatures, despite considerable differences in their absolute values. The framework, while having state-dependent sensitivity coefficients, can be linearized, transforming WBGT into a linear combination of temperature, specific humidity, surface pressure, and terms representing wind and solar radiation effects. These explicit and mathematically tractable relations between WBGT and more intuitively understandable variables enable us to leverage established theories and methods to understand the driving mechanisms of WBGT changes. We apply the framework to understand the physical drivers of regional WBGT scaling with global warming and extreme WBGT synoptic events. The sensitivity framework also provides a universal approach to develop locally tuned linear approximations of WBGT and can be used to diagnose the sources of biases in other empirically derived approximations.