bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EVs-miR-17-5p attenuates the osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells potentially via inhibition of TGF-β signaling under high glucose conditions
Authors: Baba Isashi , Matoba Tetsuya , Katsuki Shunsuke , Koga Jun-ichiro , Kawahara Takuro , Kimura Mitsukuni , Akita Hidetaka , Tsutsui Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2024

AbstractVascular calcification, which is a major complication of diabetes mellitus, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is one of the key mechanisms underlying vascular calcification. Emerging evidence suggests that macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be involved in calcification within atherosclerotic plaques in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, the role of macrophage-derived EVs in the progression of vascular calcification is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether macrophage-derived EVs contribute to the osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs under high glucose conditions. We isolated EVs that were secreted by murine peritoneal macrophages under normal glucose (EVs-NG) or high glucose (EVs-HG) conditions. miRNA array analysis in EVs from murine macrophages showed that miR-17-5p was significantly increased in EVs-HG compared with EVs-NG. Prediction analysis with miRbase identified transforming growth factor β receptor type II (TGF-β RII) as a potential target of miR-17-5p. EVs-HG as well as miR-17-5p overexpression with lipid nanoparticles inhibited the gene expression of Runx2, and TGF-β RII. Furthermore, we demonstrated that VSMCs transfected with miR-17-5p mimic inhibited calcium deposition. Our findings reveal a novel role of macrophage-derived EVs in the negative regulation of osteogenic differentiation in VSMCs under high glucose conditions.
Investigating polyurethane foam loaded with high-z nanoparticles for gamma radiation shielding compared to Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Mokhtari Dorostkar Mahdieh , Kangarlou Haleh , Abdi Saray Akbar 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSince the beginning of research into radiation and protection against it, the importance of searching for proper materials against radiation hazards has been recognized. Gamma radiation protection materials usually deal with heavy elements with high prices, which are hard to maintain. Polyurethane-based (PU) materials are popular in sound and thermal insulation due to, their low-weight properties and, most importantly, fast and convenient construction ingredients. PU foams (PUF) can be used as radiation shield and noise and heat resistance due to their approachability, light-weight, high resistance, and comfortable construction. This study involved simulation and an experiment to construct and investigate the properties of Polyurethane material doped with lead oxide as a gamma shield. The shield was considered in several weight fractions of lead, yielding several samples. The MCNPX 2.6 Monte Carlo code has been utilized for simulation procedure, and 137Cs was employed as the gamma source in both simulation and experiment. The results offer a promising response against the gamma radiation and are suitable for attenuating gamma rays.
Evaluating psychological distress associated with life events under the traumatic experience threshold in patients with major depressive and bipolar disorder
Authors: Ishii Hiroki , Hashimoto Tasuku , Sato Aiko , Tanaka Mami , Seki Ryota , Ogawa Michi , Kimura Atsushi , Nakazato Michiko , Iyo Masaomi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPatients with bipolar disorder (BD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) experience psychological distress associated with daily events that do not meet the threshold for traumatic experiences, referred to as event-related psychological distress (ERPD). Recently, we developed an assessment tool for ERPD, the ERPD-24. This tool considers four factors of ERPD: feelings of revenge, rumination, self-denial, and mental paralysis. We conducted a cross-sectional study between March 2021 and October 2022 to identify the differences and clinical features of ERPD among patients with MDD and BD and healthy subjects who did not experience traumatic events. Specifically, we assessed ERPD using the ERPD-24 and anxiety-related symptoms with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and anxious-depressive attack. Regarding the ERPD-24 scores among the groups, as the data did not rigorously follow the test of normality, the Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the differences among the groups, followed by the Dunn–Bonferroni adjusted post-hoc test. Non-remitted MDD patients and BD patients, regardless of remission/non-remission, presented more severe ERPD than healthy subjects. This study also demonstrated the relationships between all anxiety-related symptoms, including social phobia and anxious-depressive attack and ERPD, in both BD and MDD patients and in healthy subjects. In conclusion, patients with non-remitted MDD and with BD regardless of remission/non-remission experience severe ERPD related to anxiety-related symptoms.
Phylogeography and genetic structure of Papaver bracteatum populations in Iran based on genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS)
Authors: Rahmati Razieh , Nemati Zahra , Naghavi Mohammad Reza , Pfanzelt Simon , Rahimi Amir , Kanzagh Ali Ghaderi , Blattner Frank R. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPapaver bracteatum, known for its high thebaine content and absence of morphine, has emerged as a promising alternative to opium poppy for codeine production. In this study, our objective was to create a diverse panel representing the natural variation of this species in Iran. To achieve this, we employed genotyping-by-sequencing to obtain genome-wide distributed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for phylogeographic analysis, population structure assessment, and evaluation of genetic diversity within P. bracteatum populations. A total of 244 P. bracteatum individuals from 13 distinct populations formed seven genetic groups, along with one highly admixed population. We observed a clear split between the populations inhabiting the Alborz Mts. in the east and Zagros Mts. in the west. In between these mountain ranges, the population of Kachal Mangan exhibited a high degree of genetic admixture between both genetic groups. At or after the end of the last glacial maximum, when climate conditions rapidly changed, all P. bracteatum populations experienced a strong demographic bottleneck reducing the already small effective population sizes further before they increased to their recent strengths. Our results suggest that the ongoing climate change together with human pressure on the species’ habitats and limited seed-dispersal ability are potential factors contributing today to rising genetic isolation of P. bracteatum populations. Our results provide genetic data that can be used for conservation measures to safeguard the species’ genetic diversity as a resource for future breeding approaches in this medicinally important species.
Structural, elastic, electronic, optical and anisotropy properties of newly quaternary Tl2HgGeSe4 via DFPT predictions associated to XPES and RS experiments
Authors: Halati Mohamed Salah , Khyzhun Oleg Yu , Khireddine Abderrazak , Piasecki Michal , Radkowska Ilona , Cherif Khaled Hamdi , Lounis Zakia , Caudano Yves , Bedjaoui Abdelhak , Alghamdi Ahmad , Paramasivam Prabhu , Prakash Chander , Ghoneim Sherif S. M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn the present work, we report on theoretical studies of thermodynamic properties, structural and dynamic stabilities, dependence of unit-cell parameters and elastic constants upon hydrostatic pressure, charge carrier effective masses, electronic and optical properties, contributions of interband transitions in the Brillouin zone of the novel Tl2HgGeSe4 crystal. The theoretical calculations within the framework of the density-functional perturbation theory (DFPT) are carried out employing different approaches to gain the best correspondence to the experimental data. The present theoretical data indicate the dynamical stability of the title crystal and they reveal that, under hydrostatic pressure, it is much more compressible along the a-axis than along the c-axis. Strikingly, the charge effective mass values ($$m_{e}^{{^{*} }}$$

m

e

∗

and $$m_{h}^{{^{*} }}$$

m

h

∗

) vary considerably when the high symmetry direction changes indicating a relative anisotropy of the charge-carrier’s mobility. Furthermore, the Young modulus and compressibility are characterized by the maximum and minimum values ($$E^{max}$$

E

max

and $$E^{\min }$$

E
min

) and ($$\beta^{max}$$

β

max

and $$\beta^{\min }$$

β
min

) that are equal to (62.032 and 28.812) GPa and (13.672 and 6.7175) TPa–1, respectively. Additionally, we have performed calculations of the Raman spectra (RS) and reached a good correspondence with the experimental RS spectra of the Tl2HgGeSe4 crystal. The XPES associated to RS constitutes powerful techniques to explore the oxidized states of Se and Ge in Tl2HgGeSe4 system.
Mitigating the impact of image processing variations on tumour [18F]-FDG-PET radiomic feature robustness
Authors: Ramlee Syafiq , Manavaki Roido , Aloj Luigi , Escudero Sanchez Lorena 
Published: July 2024

AbstractRadiomics analysis of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) PET images could be leveraged for personalised cancer medicine. However, the inherent sensitivity of radiomic features to intensity discretisation and voxel interpolation complicates its clinical translation. In this work, we evaluated the robustness of tumour [18F]-FDG-PET radiomic features to 174 different variations in intensity resolution or voxel size, and determined whether implementing parameter range conditions or dependency corrections could improve their robustness. Using 485 patient images spanning three cancer types: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, and lymphoma, we observed features were more sensitive to intensity discretisation than voxel interpolation, especially texture features. In most of our investigations, the majority of non-robust features could be made robust by applying parameter range conditions. Correctable features, which were generally fewer than conditionally robust, showed systematic dependence on bin configuration or voxel size that could be minimised by applying corrections based on simple mathematical equations. Melanoma images exhibited limited robustness and correctability relative to NSCLC and lymphoma. Our study provides an in-depth characterisation of the sensitivity of [18F]-FDG-PET features to image processing variations and reinforces the need for careful selection of imaging biomarkers prior to any clinical application.
Polystyrene nanoplastics of different particle sizes regulate the polarization of pro-inflammatory macrophages
Authors: Jiang Wanlan , Liu Yilin , Wu Yuqi , Zhang Lu , Zhang Biqing , Zhou Shiliang , Zhang Peng , Xu Ting , Wu Min , Lv Songwei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMicroplastics (MPs) are defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size, and nanoplastics (NPs) are those MPs with a particle size of less than 1000 nm or 100 nm. The prevalence of MPs in the environment and human tissues has raised concerns about their potential negative effects on human health. Macrophages are the major defence against foreign substances in the intestine, and can be polarized into two types: the M1 phenotype and the M2 phenotype. However, the effect of NPs on the polarization of macrophages remains unclear. Herein, we selected polystyrene, one of the most plastics in the environment and controlled the particle sizes at 50 nm and 500 nm respectively to study the effects on the polarization of macrophages. We used mouse RAW264.7 cell line models in this macrophage-associated study. Experiments on cell absorption showed that macrophages could quickly ingest polystyrene nanoplastics of both diameters with time-dependent uptake. Compared to the untreated group and 10 μg/mL treatment group, macrophages exposed to 50 μg/mL groups (50 nm and 500 nm) had considerably higher levels of CD86, iNOS, and TNF-α, but decreased levels of aCD206, IL-10, and Arg-1. According to these findings, macrophage M1 and M2 polarization can both be induced and inhibited by 50 μg/mL 50 nm and 500 nm polystyrene nanoplastics. This work provided the first evidence of a possible MPs mode of action with appropriate concentration and size through the production of polarized M1, providing dietary and environmental recommendations for people, particularly those with autoimmune and autoinflammatory illnesses.
The Central Paratethys Sea—rise and demise of a Miocene European marine biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Harzhauser Mathias , Landau Bernard , Mandic Oleg , Neubauer Thomas A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe Miocene Climate Optimum (MCO, ~ 17–14 Ma) was a time of extraordinary marine biodiversity in the Circum-Mediterranean Region. This boom is best recorded in the deposits of the vanished Central Paratethys Sea, which covered large parts of central to southeastern Europe. This sea harbored an extraordinary tropical to subtropical biotic diversity. Here, we present a georeferenced dataset of 859 gastropod species and discuss geodynamics and climate as the main drivers to explain the changes in diversity. The tectonic reorganization around the Early/Middle Miocene boundary resulted in the formation of an archipelago-like landscape and favorable conditions of the MCO allowed the establishment of coral reefs. Both factors increased habitat heterogeneity, which boosted species richness. The subsequent cooling during the Middle Miocene Climate Transition (~ 14–13 Ma) caused a drastic decline in biodiversity of about 67%. Among the most severely hit groups were corallivorous gastropods, reflecting the loss of coral reefs. Deep-water faunas experienced a loss by 57% of the species due to changing patterns in circulation. The low sea level led to a biogeographic fragmentation reflected in higher turnover rates. The largest turnover occurred with the onset of the Sarmatian when bottom water dysoxia eradicated the deep-water fauna whilst surface waters-dwelling planktotrophic species underwent a crisis.
Structure characteristics and combustion kinetics of the co-pyrolytic char of rice straw and coal gangue
Authors: Xu Chunyan , Luo Chengjia , Du Jun , Liu Lang , Wang Jingjing , Yuan Chenhong , Guo Junjiang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractCo-combustion is a technology that enables the simultaneous and efficient utilization of biomass and coal gangue (CG). Nevertheless, the factors that affect the combustibility of co-pyrolytic char, which represents the rate-determining step of the entire co-combustion process, remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of the physicochemical properties of co-pyrolytic char, including pore structure, carbon structure, and alkali metals, on the combustion characteristics. The TGA analysis indicates that the ignition and burnout temperatures of the co-pyrolytic char increase as the CG mixing ratio increases, resulting in a prolonged combustion. This is due to the fact that the carbon structure of the co-pyrolytic char becomes increasingly aromatic, accompanied by a reduction in aliphatic hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing groups as the CG mixing ratio increases. Furthermore, the high ash content of the CG is another significant factor contributing to the observed reduction in combustibility. The reaction between mullite, quartz in CG, and alkali metals in biomass results in the formation of aluminosilicate, which reduces the catalytic ability of alkali metals. Furthermore, the char combustion kinetics are analyzed by the KAS method, and the results indicate that the introduction of CG increases the activation energy of the entire char combustion process. The activation energy of the 80RS20CG is within the range of 102.22–164.99 kJ/mol, while the RS char is within the range of 89.87–144.67 kJ/mol.
Genetic admixture drives climate adaptation in the bank vole
Authors: Horníková Michaela , Lanier Hayley C. , Marková Silvia , Escalante Marco A. , Searle Jeremy B. , Kotlík Petr 
Published: July 2024

AbstractGenetic admixture introduces new variants at relatively high frequencies, potentially aiding rapid responses to environmental changes. Here, we evaluate its role in adaptive variation related to climatic conditions in bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) in Britain, using whole-genome data. Our results reveal loci showing excess ancestry from one of the two postglacial colonist populations inconsistent with overall admixture patterns. Notably, loci associated with climate adaptation exhibit disproportionate amounts of excess ancestry, highlighting the impact of admixture between colonist populations on local adaptation. The results suggest strong and localized selection on climate-adaptive loci, as indicated by steep clines and/or shifted cline centres, during population replacement. A subset, including a haemoglobin gene, is associated with oxidative stress responses, underscoring a role of oxidative stress in local adaptation. Our study highlights the important contribution of admixture during secondary contact between populations from distinct climatic refugia enriching adaptive diversity. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting future adaptive capacity to anthropogenic climate change.
An exact mathematical description of computation with transient spatiotemporal dynamics in a complex-valued neural network
Authors: Budzinski Roberto C. , Busch Alexandra N. , Mestern Samuel , Martin Erwan , Liboni Luisa H. B. , Pasini Federico W. , Mináč Ján , Coleman Todd , Inoue Wataru , Muller Lyle E. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNetworks throughout physics and biology leverage spatiotemporal dynamics for computation. However, the connection between structure and computation remains unclear. Here, we study a complex-valued neural network (cv-NN) with linear interactions and phase-delays. We report the cv-NN displays sophisticated spatiotemporal dynamics, which we then use, in combination with a nonlinear readout, for computation. The cv-NN can instantiate dynamics-based logic gates, encode short-term memories, and mediate secure message passing through a combination of interactions and phase-delays. The computations in this system can be fully described in an exact, closed-form mathematical expression. Finally, using direct intracellular recordings of neurons in slices from neocortex, we demonstrate that computations in the cv-NN are decodable by living biological neurons as the nonlinear readout. These results demonstrate that complex-valued linear systems can perform sophisticated computations, while also being exactly solvable. Taken together, these results open future avenues for design of highly adaptable, bio-hybrid computing systems that can interface seamlessly with other neural networks.
Exploring the capabilities of ChatGPT in women’s health: obstetrics and gynaecology
Authors: Bachmann Magdalena , Duta Ioana , Mazey Emily , Cooke William , Vatish Manu , Davis Jones Gabriel 
Published: July 2024

AbstractArtificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, with Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT offering novel capabilities. This study evaluates ChatGPT’s performance in interpreting and responding to the UK Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists MRCOG Part One and Two examinations – international benchmarks for assessing knowledge and clinical reasoning in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. We analysed ChatGPT’s domain-specific accuracy, the impact of linguistic complexity, and its self-assessment confidence. A dataset of 1824 MRCOG questions was curated, ensuring minimal prior exposure to ChatGPT. ChatGPT’s responses were compared to known correct answers, and linguistic complexity was assessed using token counts and Type-Token ratios. Confidence scores were assigned by ChatGPT and analysed for self-assessment accuracy. ChatGPT achieved 72.2% accuracy on Part One and 50.4% on Part Two, performing better on Single Best Answer (SBA) than Extended Matching (EMQ) Questions. The findings highlight the potential and significant limitations of ChatGPT in clinical decision-making in women’s health.
Proteome-scale characterisation of motif-based interactome rewiring by disease mutations
Authors: Kliche Johanna , Simonetti Leandro , Krystkowiak Izabella , Kuss Hanna , Diallo Marcel , Rask Emma , Nilsson Jakob , Davey Norman E , Ivarsson Ylva 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWhole genome and exome sequencing are reporting on hundreds of thousands of missense mutations. Taking a pan-disease approach, we explored how mutations in intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) break or generate protein interactions mediated by short linear motifs. We created a peptide-phage display library tiling ~57,000 peptides from the IDRs of the human proteome overlapping 12,301 single nucleotide variants associated with diverse phenotypes including cancer, metabolic diseases and neurological diseases. By screening 80 human proteins, we identified 366 mutation-modulated interactions, with half of the mutations diminishing binding, and half enhancing binding or creating novel interaction interfaces. The effects of the mutations were confirmed by affinity measurements. In cellular assays, the effects of motif-disruptive mutations were validated, including loss of a nuclear localisation signal in the cell division control protein CDC45 by a mutation associated with Meier-Gorlin syndrome. The study provides insights into how disease-associated mutations may perturb and rewire the motif-based interactome.
Immune-enhancing neutrophils reprogrammed by subclinical low-dose endotoxin in cancer treatment
Authors: Zhang Yao , Lee Christina , Geng Shuo , Wang Jing , Bohara Udipta , Hou Jacqueline , Yi Ziyue , Li Liwu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDespite the re-emergence of the pioneering “Coley’s toxin” concept in anti-cancer immune therapies highlighted by check-point inhibitors and CAR-T approaches, fundamental mechanisms responsible for the immune-enhancing efficacy of low-dose “Coley’s toxin” remain poorly understood. This study examines the novel reprogramming of immune-enhancing neutrophils by super-low dose endotoxin conducive for anti-cancer therapies. Through integrated analyses including scRNAseq and functional characterizations, we examined the efficacy of reprogrammed neutrophils in treating experimental cancer. We observed that neutrophils trained by super-low dose endotoxin adopt a potent immune-enhancing phenotype characterized by CD177loCD11bloCD80hiCD40hiDectin2hi. Both murine and human neutrophils trained by super-low dose endotoxin exhibit relieved suppression of adaptive T cells as compared to un-trained neutrophils. Functionally, neutrophils trained by super-low dose endotoxin can potently reduce tumor burden when transfused into recipient tumor-bearing mice. Mechanistically, Super-low dose endotoxin enables the generation of immune-enhancing neutrophils through activating STAT5 and reducing innate suppressor IRAK-M. Together, our data clarify the long-held mystery of “Coley’s toxin” in rejuvenating anti-tumor immune defense, and provide a proof-of-concept in developing innate neutrophil-based anti-tumor therapeutics.
Tetranuclear NiII-Mannich base complex with oxygenase, water splitting and ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic coupling properties
Authors: Patra Arka , Das Avijit , Sarkar Abhimanyu , Gómez-García Carlos J. , Sinha Chittaranjan 
Published: July 2024

The rhombic-tetranuclear NiII [Ni4(L)2(μ1,1Cl)2(H2O)4]2+ (1) complex with two types of Ni(ii) pairs shows ferro and antiferromagnetic exchange and catalytic oxidase activities of catechol and o-aminophenol. The complex shows OER and HER activities.