bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial network remodeling of the diabetic heart: implications to ischemia related cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Rudokas Michael W. , McKay Margaret , Toksoy Zeren , Eisen Julia N. , Bögner Markus , Young Lawrence H. , Akar Fadi G. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMitochondria play a central role in cellular energy metabolism, and their dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in the pathogenesis of diabetes-related cardiac pathophysiology, including vulnerability to ischemic events that culminate in myocardial infarction on the one hand and ventricular arrhythmias on the other. In diabetes, hyperglycemia and altered metabolic substrates lead to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mitochondria, initiating a cascade of oxidative stress that damages mitochondrial DNA, proteins, and lipids. This mitochondrial injury compromises the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation, leading to impaired ATP production. The resulting energy deficit and oxidative damage contribute to functional abnormalities in cardiac cells, placing the heart at an increased risk of electromechanical dysfunction and irreversible cell death in response to ischemic insults. While cardiac mitochondria are often considered to be relatively autonomous entities in their capacity to produce energy and ROS, their highly dynamic nature within an elaborate network of closely-coupled organelles that occupies 30–40% of the cardiomyocyte volume is fundamental to their ability to exert intricate regulation over global cardiac function. In this article, we review evidence linking the dynamic properties of the mitochondrial network to overall cardiac function and its response to injury. We then highlight select studies linking mitochondrial ultrastructural alterations driven by changes in mitochondrial fission, fusion and mitophagy in promoting cardiac ischemic injury to the diabetic heart.
To evaluate the performance of simultaneous amplification and testing assay for group B Streptococcus detection: comparison with real-time PCR and ddPCR assays
Authors: Lu Loukaiyi , Chen Yisheng , Wang Qiang , Gao Jing , Ying Chunmei 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the performance of simultaneous amplification and testing (SAT) assay for the detection of group B Streptococcus (GBS) in maternal vaginal and perianal swabs compared with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Methods
We obtained vaginal and perianal swabs from 1474 pregnant women at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University (Shanghai, China) between April 2023 and June 2023. Vaginal and perianal swabs were collected at 35–37 weeks of gestation. Swabs were tested for GBS simultaneously by using the SAT assay and RT-PCR, and a comparative analysis (kappa coefficient) was performed. Furthermore, we conducted additional droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) tests to confirm the results when there were controversial results between SAT and RT-PCR. In addition, we compared the limit of detection, technical specificity, repeatability and reproducibility of SAT-GBS with those of routine RT-PCR assays.

Results
In our study, the detection rate of clinical GBS according to the SAT assay was 11.5% (169/1471). The SAT assay showed a sensitivity of 91.8%, a specificity of 99.9%, a diagnostic accuracy of 98.9%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 99.4% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.8%. The kappa value between RT-PCR and SAT was 0.917.

Conclusions
This SAT assay for the detection of group B Streptococcus is not only easy to perform but can also detect GBS sensitively and specifically and may be used in the regular molecular diagnosis of GBS infection among pregnancies.
Chromosomal instability in a patient with ring chromosome 14 syndrome: a case report
Authors: Meza-Espinoza Juan Pablo , González-García Juan Ramón , Nieto-Marín Nayeli , Patrón-Baro Liliana Itzel , González-Arreola Rosa María , Arámbula-Meraz Eliakym , Benítez-Pascual Julio , De la Herrán-Arita Alberto Kousuke , Norzagaray-Valenzuela Claudia Desireé , Valdez-Flores Marco Antonio , Carrillo-Cázares Tomás Adrián , Picos-Cárdenas Verónica Judith 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Ring chromosome 14 syndrome is a rare disorder primarily marked by early-onset epilepsy, microcephaly, distinctive craniofacial features, hypotonia, intellectual disability, and delay in both development and language acquisition.

Case presentation
A 21-year-old woman with a history of epileptic seizures since the age of 1.5 years presented with distinctive craniofacial features, including a prominent and narrow forehead, sparse and short eyebrows, palpebral ptosis, horizontal palpebral fissures, a broad nasal bridge, a prominent nasal tip, a flat philtrum, hypertelorism, midfacial hypoplasia, horizontal labial fissures, a thin upper lip, crowded teeth, an ogival palate, retrognathia, and a wide neck. Additional physical abnormalities included kyphosis, lumbar scoliosis, pectus carinatum, cubitus valgus, thenar and hypothenar hypoplasia, bilateral hallux valgus, shortening of the Achilles tendon on the left foot, and hypoplasia of the labia minora. Chromosomal analysis identified a ring 14 chromosome with breakpoints in p11 and q32.33. An aCGH study revealed a ~ 1.7 Mb deletion on chromosome 14qter, encompassing 23 genes. Genomic instability was evidenced by the presence of micronuclei and aneuploidies involving the ring and other chromosomes.

Conclusion
The clinical features of our patient closely resembled those observed in other individuals with ring chromosome 14 syndrome. The most important point was that we were able to verify an instability of the r(14) chromosome, mainly involving anaphasic lags and its exclusion from the nucleus in the form of a micronucleus.
Stabilizing the integrity of intestinal barrier to control arthritis
Authors: Kalliolias George D. , Papavassiliou Athanasios G. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWith great interest, we have read the recent article “Expression of HIF1α in intestinal epithelium restricts arthritis inflammation by inhibiting RIPK3-induced cell death machinery” published by Lyu et al. in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. The authors pose that the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha in intestinal epithelial cells represents a crucial check point for the development of arthritis by impeding necroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells and safeguarding the intestinal barrier integrity. Previous studies suggest a potential mechanistic link between faulty intestinal barrier function and potentiation of arthritogenic immune cells. From this perspective, bolstering the intestinal barrier integrity arose as an attractive therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Transplantation of human endometrial perivascular stem cells with hydroxy saffron yellow A promotes uterine repair in rats
Authors: Li Ning , Mao Jialian , Wang Miaomiao , Qi Jiahui , Jiang Zhiwei , Li Yifan , Yan Guijun , Hu Yali , Li Shiyuan , Sun Haixiang , Ding Lijun 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) jeopardise uterine function in women, which is a great challenge in the clinic. Previous studies have shown that endometrial perivascular cells (En-PSCs) can improve the healing of scarred uteri and that hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) promotes angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to observe whether the combination of En-PSCs with HSYA could improve the blood supply and fertility in the rat uterus after full-thickness injury.

Methods
En-PSCs were sorted by flow cytometry, and the effect of HSYA on the proliferation and angiogenesis of the En-PSCs was detected using CCK-8 and tube formation assays. Based on a previously reported rat IUA model, the rat uteri were sham-operated, spontaneously regenerated, or treated with collagen-loaded PBS, collagen-loaded HSYA, collagen-loaded En-PSCs, or collagen-loaded En-PSCs with HSYA, and then collected at both 30 and 90 days postsurgery. HE staining and Masson staining were used to evaluate uterine structure and collagen fibre deposition, and immunohistochemical staining for α-SMA and vWF was used to evaluate myometrial regeneration and neovascularization in each group. A fertility assay was performed to detect the recovery of pregnancy function in each group. RNA-seq was performed to determine the potential mechanism underlying En-PSCs/HSYA treatment. Immunofluorescence, tube formation assays, and Western blot were used to validate the molecular mechanism involved.

Results
The transplantation of Collagen/En-PSCs/HSYA markedly promoted uterine repair in rats with full-thickness injury by reducing fibrosis, increasing endometrial thickness, regenerating myometrium, promoting angiogenesis, and facilitated live births. RNA sequencing results suggested that En-PSCs/HSYA activated the NRG1/ErbB4 signaling pathway. In vitro tube formation experiments revealed that the addition of an ErbB inhibitor diminished the tube formation ability of cocultured En-PSCs and HUVECs. Western blot results further showed that elevated levels of NRG1 and ErbB4 proteins were detected in the Collagen/En-PSCs/HSYA group compared to the Collagen/En-PSCs group. These collective results suggested that the beneficial effects of the transplantation of Collagen/En-PSCs/HSYA might be attributed to the modulation of the NRG1/ErbB4 signaling pathway.

Conclusions
The combination of En-PSCs/HSYA facilitated morphological and functional repair in rats with full-thickness uterine injury and may promote endometrial angiogenesis by regulating the NRG1/ErbB4 signaling pathway.
Sex differences in airway disease: estrogen and airway surface liquid dynamics
Authors: Harvey Brian J. , McElvaney Noel G. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBiological sex differences exist for many airway diseases in which females have either worse or better health outcomes. Inflammatory airway diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF) and asthma display a clear male advantage in post-puberty while a female benefit is observed in asthma during the pre-puberty years. The influence of menstrual cycle stage and pregnancy on the frequency and severity of pulmonary exacerbations in CF and asthma point to a role for sex steroid hormones, particularly estrogen, in underpinning biological sex differences in these diseases. There are many ways by which estrogen may aggravate asthma and CF involving disturbances in airway surface liquid (ASL) dynamics, inappropriate hyper-immune and allergenic responses, as well as exacerbation of pathogen virulence. The deleterious effect of estrogen on pulmonary function in CF and asthma contrasts with the female advantage observed in airway diseases characterised by pulmonary edema such as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and COVID-19. Airway surface liquid hypersecretion and alveolar flooding are hallmarks of ARDS and COVID-19, and contribute to the morbidity and mortality of severe forms of these diseases. ASL dynamics encompasses the intrinsic features of the thin lining of fluid covering the airway epithelium which regulate mucociliary clearance (ciliary beat, ASL height, volume, pH, viscosity, mucins, and channel activating proteases) in addition to innate defence mechanisms (pathogen virulence, cytokines, defensins, specialised pro-resolution lipid mediators, and metabolism). Estrogen regulation of ASL dynamics contributing to biological sex differences in CF, asthma and COVID-19 is a major focus of this review.
Graphical Abstract
ASM is a therapeutic target in dermatomyositis by regulating the differentiation of naive CD4 + T cells into Th17 and Treg subsets
Authors: Chen Yuehong , Liu Huan , Luo Zhongling , Zhang Jiaqian , Dong Min , Yin Geng , Xie Qibing 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
This study aims to investigate the involvement of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) in the pathology of dermatomyositis (DM), making it a potential therapeutic target for DM.

Methods
Patients with DM and healthy controls (HCs) were included to assess the serum level and activity of ASM, and to explore the associations between ASM and clinical indicators. Subsequently, a myositis mouse model was established using ASM gene knockout and wild-type mice to study the significant role of ASM in the pathology and to assess the treatment effect of amitriptyline, an ASM inhibitor. Additionally, we investigated the potential treatment mechanism by targeting ASM both in vivo and in vitro.

Results
A total of 58 DM patients along with 30 HCs were included. The ASM levels were found to be significantly higher in DM patients compared to HCs, with median (quartile) values of 2.63 (1.80–4.94) ng/mL and 1.64 (1.47–1.96) ng/mL respectively. The activity of ASM in the serum of DM patients was significantly higher than that in HCs. Furthermore, the serum levels of ASM showed correlations with disease activity and muscle enzyme levels. Knockout of ASM or treatment with amitriptyline improved the severity of the disease, rebalanced the CD4 T cell subsets Th17 and Treg, and reduced the production of their secreted cytokines. Subsequent investigations revealed that targeting ASM could regulate the expression of relevant transcription factors and key regulatory proteins.

Conclusion
ASM is involved in the pathology of DM by regulating the differentiation of naive CD4 + T cells and can be a potential treatment target.
Seven decades of image super-resolution: achievements, challenges, and opportunities
Authors: Maiseli Baraka , Abdalla Abdi T. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSuper-resolution imaging has, for more than seventy years, gradually evolved to produce advanced methods for enhancing the resolution of images beyond the diffraction limits. Notwithstanding its foreseeable practical capabilities, we noted that this technology has received undeserved attention. The present work provides an extensive review of super-resolution imaging since its first conception in 1952, contextualizing studies into four research directions: reviews, advances, applications, and hardware implementations. We have discussed achievements, challenges, and potential opportunities of super-resolution imaging to equip researchers, especially those in their early careers, with knowledge to further advance the technology. Our work may open interesting research avenues that may accelerate realization of the technology into commercial imaging devices.
Digital twin based DDPG reinforcement learning for sum-rate maximization of AI-UAV communications
Authors: Lee Jeongyoon , Park Taeje , Sung Wonjin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractConstruction of wireless infrastructure using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can effectively expand the coverage and support high-density traffic of next-generation communication systems. Designing wireless systems including UAVs as aerial base stations (ABSs) is a challenging task, due to the mobility of ABSs causing time-varying nature of environmental surroundings and relative propagation paths to user equipment (UE) devices. Therefore, it is essential to have an accurate estimate of the channel for varying positioning of the UAVs. In this paper, we propose to adopt a digital twin based performance evaluation procedure for wireless systems including ABSs, providing enhanced accuracy of channel modeling for specific target deployment areas. Using ray-tracing channel models reflecting detailed building and terrain information of the transmission environment, an UAV position optimization algorithm based on reinforcement learning is presented. By utilizing deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG), the proposed algorithm calculates the overall throughput in the digital twin and determines the desired states of the UAV. Performance evaluation results demonstrate the trajectory training ability of the algorithm and the performance advantage of the system with a reduced amount of shadow area compared to those with ground base stations (GBSs).
Biopsychosocial factors of quality of life among middle-aged adults living alone in South Korea: a secondary data analysis using the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey
Authors: Kim Hyerang , Bae Eun Jung , Choi Yunkyung , Son Heesook 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to investigate quality of life (QoL) in middle-aged adults living alone and identify comprehensive biological, psychological, interpersonal, and contextual factors related to QoL using the dynamic biopsychosocial model. As a secondary analysis, this study used data from the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Methods
Among the total 228,381 respondents, 10,639 middle-aged individuals aged 40–64 years from single-person households (5,036 men and 5,603 women) were included in the analysis. QoL was measured using the EuroQoL-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). The EQ-5D descriptive statistics were provided according to biological, psychological, interpersonal, and contextual factors. Considering the data structure of the multistage stratified cluster sampling method, a complex samples general linear model statistic was used to identify the predictors of QoL.

Results
QoL was lower in those who had undesirable psychological status (e.g., more depressive symptoms, poor subjective health, and higher perceived stress), less engagement in social networking (less frequent contact with friends and less frequent participation in social activities such as religious activities, friendship gathering, and leisure), and lower physical, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors.

Conclusions
This study’s findings indicate that psychological and interpersonal factors should be addressed and prioritized to improve the QoL of middle-aged adults living alone. By providing many opportunities for easily accessible social activities that meet the needs and interests of this demographic, their QoL can be improved through strengthening social support.
Prospective life cycle assessment of an electric vehicle equipped with a model magnesium battery
Authors: Pinto-Bautista Sebastián , Baumann Manuel , Weil Marcel 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Concerns about the sustainability of commercially available batteries have driven the development of post-lithium systems. While previous studies on Magnesium batteries have explored both the potential environmental footprint of battery production and their possible use in stationary applications, their environmental impact in electromobility remains unexplored. This study provides an initial prospective evaluation of the environmental performance of a theoretical Mg–S battery for potential use in electric vehicles (EVs). Utilizing life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, various scenarios are analyzed and compared to conventional systems. The analysis focuses on potential environmental impacts, including climate change, resource criticality, acidification of the biosphere, and particulate matter emissions.

Results
In the battery pack level, the Magnesium anode and its respective supply chain have been identified as main drivers of environmental burdens. Additional concerns arise from the uneven geographical distribution of Mg production, which leads to dependency on few producers. In terms of resource criticality, the Mg–S battery could carry significant advantages over benchmark systems. A look into the use-phase via theoretical implementation in an electric vehicle (EV) also suggests that the Magnesium based EV could perform on a comparable level to an LIB EV, also outperforming conventional ICEVs in several impact categories.

Conclusions
This study is based on optimistic assumptions, acknowledging several remaining technical challenges for the Mg battery. Consequently, the results are indicative and carry a significant degree of uncertainty. Nonetheless, they suggest that the Mg–S system shows promising environmental sustainability performance, comparable to other reference systems.
Thalidomide as an adjunctive therapy in complex childhood neuro-tuberculosis: a case report
Authors: Veeramachaneni Amulya , Rangaswamy Darshan Rajatadri , Kamble Niranjan , Kumar Vikram S. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis remains a global health challenge, with central nervous system tuberculosis (CNSTB) affecting 5–10% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases, leading to severe complications in children aged 2 to 4 years. Despite timely diagnosis and intervention, management of CNSTB is a challenge. Thalidomide, a TNF-α inhibitor, is a potential therapeutic option in cases resistant to adjuvant corticosteroid therapy. This case report describes the management of complicated CNSTB utilising thalidomide, a less commonly used drug, with a favourable outcome.

Clinical presentation
A 3-year-old boy diagnosed with CNSTB and having a ventriculoperitoneal shunt presented with left-sided hemiparesis. He was previously diagnosed with tubercular meningitis at 2.5 years of age. On anti-tubercular treatment and corticosteroid, he had a complicated course with drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and paradoxical reaction. Despite a year of anti-tubercular therapy, there was a deterioration in neurological symptoms, accompanied by an increase in the number of tuberculomas observed on MRI. Adjuvant treatment with thalidomide proved effective in suppressing immunological activation, leading to a reduction in tuberculomas.

Conclusion
This case highlights the intricacies of CNSTB, including complications and refractory tuberculomas. Thalidomide was effective in managing these challenges, offering a potential therapeutic option in challenging CNSTB cases. Positive clinical and radiological responses underscore the need to further explore thalidomide as an adjunctive therapy in similar paediatric cases.