bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exercise rejuvenates microglia and reverses T cell accumulation in the aged female mouse brain
Authors: Chauquet Solal , Willis Emily F. , Grice Laura , Harley Samuel B. R. , Powell Joseph E. , Wray Naomi R. , Nguyen Quan , Ruitenberg Marc J. , Shah Sonia , Vukovic Jana 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSlowing and/or reversing brain ageing may alleviate cognitive impairments. Previous studies have found that exercise may mitigate cognitive decline, but the mechanisms underlying this remain largely unclear. Here we provide unbiased analyses of single‐cell RNA sequencing data, showing the impacts of exercise and ageing on specific cell types in the mouse hippocampus. We demonstrate that exercise has a profound and selective effect on aged microglia, reverting their gene expression signature to that of young microglia. Pharmacologic depletion of microglia further demonstrated that these cells are required for the stimulatory effects of exercise on hippocampal neurogenesis but not cognition. Strikingly, allowing 18‐month‐old mice access to a running wheel did by and large also prevent and/or revert T cell presence in the ageing hippocampus. Taken together, our data highlight the profound impact of exercise in rejuvenating aged microglia, associated pro‐neurogenic effects and on peripheral immune cell presence in the ageing female mouse brain.
A systematic review of minimally invasive cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in patients with peritoneal malignancy
Authors: Cohen Lauren , Alam Faizah , Flood Michael P. , Mohan Helen , Jain Anshini , Guerra Glen , Heriot Alexander G. , Kong Joseph C. H. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundCytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is traditionally a maximally invasive operation with a large abdominal incision and multi‐visceral resections. However, to minimize abdominal wall morbidity and improve functional recovery, some centres have adopted a minimally invasive (MI) approach in select cases. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to assess the evidence for safety and patient selection for minimally invasive approaches to CRS and HIPEC with curative intent.MethodsA PRISMA‐compliant systematic review was performed using three electronic databases: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science. Data regarding postoperative morbidity was meta‐analysed.ResultsThirteen studies met the inclusion criteria (N = 462 MI patients), all of which were retrospective in design. Six studies included an open comparison group. Pseudomyxoma peritonei, mesothelioma and ovarian carcinoma made up the majority of cases (>90%), with a PCI < 10 listed as a prerequisite to selection across all studies. On pooled analysis there was no difference in major morbidity between MI and open groups (OR 0.52 95% CI 0.18–1.46, P = 0.33). There was one perioperative death reported in the MI group. Length of stay appeared shorter in the MI group (median range MI: 4–11 v Open: 7–13 days). Short‐term recurrence and overall survival between both groups also appeared no different.ConclusionMinimally invasive CRS and HIPEC appears feasible and safe in appropriately selected patients. Clear histological stratification and longer term follow up is required to determine oncological safety, particularly in more aggressive tumours such as colorectal peritoneal metastases.
Altered skeletal muscle function and beneficial effects of exercise training in a rat model of induced pulmonary emphysema
Authors: Passerieux Emilie , Desplanche Elodie , Alburquerque Laurie , Wynands Quentin , Bellanger Axel , Virsolvy Anne , Gouzi Farés , Cazorla Olivier , Bourdin Arnaud , Hayot Maurice , Pomiès Pascal 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAimChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction and development of emphysema. Among the comorbidities associated with COPD, skeletal muscle dysfunction is known to affect exercise capacity and the survival rate of patients. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), via exercise training, is essential for COPD patients. However, the response to PR is most often moderate. An animal model that recapitulates critical features of chronic human disease and provides access to muscle function should therefore be useful to improve PR benefits.MethodsWe used a rat model of induced emphysema based on pulmonary instillations of elastase (ELA) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We assessed the long‐term effects of ELA/LPS and the potential effectiveness of endurance training on the skeletal muscle function. In vivo strength of the animals, and ex vivo contractility, endurance, type 1 fiber proportion, fiber cross‐sectional area, and capillarization of both soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were assessed.ResultsAn impaired overall muscle strength with decreased force, reduced capillarization, and atrophy of type 1 fiber of EDL was observed in ELA/LPS rats. Soleus was not affected. Endurance training was able to reduce fatigability, and increase type 1 fiber proportion and capillarization of soleus, and improve force, endurance, and capillarization of EDL in control and ELA/LPS rats.ConclusionOur rat model of induced emphysema, which shares some features with the phenotype present in patients with COPD, could represent a suitable model to study skeletal muscle dysfunction and the effects of exercise training on muscle function in patients.
Obesity, liver steatosis and metabolic syndrome: The hidden enemies in transfusion‐dependent thalassaemia
Authors: Padeniya Padmapani , Premawardhena Anuja 
Published: May 2024

In their paper, the authors quantified liver iron concentration (LIC) and hepatic steatosis (HS) using MRI‐T2* technology in transfusion‐dependent thalassaemia (TDT) patients and healthy controls and found that the prevalence of HS among patients with TDT was 36.4%. In comparison with healthy controls, the hepatic fat fraction (FF) was significantly higher in the TDT population (p = 0.013). Active hepatitis C virus infection, body mass index (BMI) and LIC were independent predictors of HS. An inverse correlation between hepatic FF and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.042) and a significant association of high glycaemia level (p = 0.037) with higher hepatic FF and a significant relationship (p = 0.026) between HS and higher BMI (though in a ‘lean’ group of patients) in TDT patients indicated that ‘metabolic syndrome’ was present in this subset with TDT. The impact of metabolic syndrome on TDT, including cardiac disease unrelated to iron overload, needs further study.Commentary on: Ricchi et al. Liver steatosis in patients with transfusion‐dependent thalassaemia. Br J Haematol 2024;204:2458–2467.
Identification of seven variants in the col4a1 gene that alter RNA splicing by minigene assay
Authors: Wang Zhi , Sun Yan , Zhang Yiyin , Zhang Yan , Zhang Ran , Li Changying , Liu Xuyan , Pan Fengjiao , Qiao Dan , Shi Xiaomeng , Zhang Bingying , Xu Ning , Bottillo Irene , Shao Leping 
Published: May 2024

AbstractType IV collagen is an integral component of basement membranes. Mutations in COL4A1, one of the key genes encoding Type IV collagen, can result in a variety of diseases. It is clear that a significant proportion of mutations that affect splicing can cause disease directly or contribute to the susceptibility or severity of disease. Here, we analyzed exonic mutations and intronic mutations described in the COL4A1 gene using bioinformatics programs and identified candidate mutations that may alter the normal splicing pattern through a minigene system. We identified seven variants that induce splicing alterations by disrupting normal splice sites, creating new ones, or altering splice regulatory elements. These mutations are predicted to impact protein function. Our results help in the correct molecular characterization of variants in COL4A1 and may help develop more personalized treatment options.
Neural Denoising for Deep‐Z Monte Carlo Renderings
Authors: Zhang Xianyao , Röthlin Gerhard , Zhu Shilin , Aydın Tunç Ozan , Salehi Farnood , Gross Markus , Papas Marios 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe present a kernel‐predicting neural denoising method for path‐traced deep‐Z images that facilitates their usage in animation and visual effects production. Deep‐Z images provide enhanced flexibility during compositing as they contain color, opacity, and other rendered data at multiple depth‐resolved bins within each pixel. However, they are subject to noise, and rendering until convergence is prohibitively expensive. The current state of the art in deep‐Z denoising yields objectionable artifacts, and current neural denoising methods are incapable of handling the variable number of depth bins in deep‐Z images. Our method extends kernel‐predicting convolutional neural networks to address the challenges stemming from denoising deep‐Z images. We propose a hybrid reconstruction architecture that combines the depth‐resolved reconstruction at each bin with the flattened reconstruction at the pixel level. Moreover, we propose depth‐aware neighbor indexing of the depth‐resolved inputs to the convolution and denoising kernel application operators, which reduces artifacts caused by depth misalignment present in deep‐Z images. We evaluate our method on a production‐quality deep‐Z dataset, demonstrating significant improvements in denoising quality and performance compared to the current state‐of‐the‐art deep‐Z denoiser. By addressing the significant challenge of the cost associated with rendering path‐traced deep‐Z images, we believe that our approach will pave the way for broader adoption of deep‐Z workflows in future productions.
A Hierarchical Architecture for Neural Materials
Authors: Xue Bowen , Zhao Shuang , Jensen Henrik Wann , Montazeri Zahra 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNeural reflectance models are capable of reproducing the spatially‐varying appearance of many real‐world materials at different scales. Unfortunately, existing techniques such as NeuMIP have difficulties handling materials with strong shadowing effects or detailed specular highlights. In this paper, we introduce a neural appearance model that offers a new level of accuracy. Central to our model is an inception‐based core network structure that captures material appearances at multiple scales using parallel‐operating kernels and ensures multi‐stage features through specialized convolution layers. Furthermore, we encode the inputs into frequency space, introduce a gradient‐based loss, and employ it adaptive to the progress of the learning phase. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method using a variety of synthetic and real examples.
Pure tone audiogram classification using deep learning techniques
Authors: Dou Zhiyong , Li Yingqiang , Deng Dongzhou , Zhang Yunxue , Pang Anran , Fang Cong , Bai Xiang , Bing Dan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectivePure tone audiometry has played a critical role in audiology as the initial diagnostic tool, offering vital insights for subsequent analyses. This study aims to develop a robust deep learning framework capable of accurately classifying audiograms across various commonly encountered tasks.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis single‐centre retrospective study was conducted in accordance with the STROBE guidelines. A total of 12 518 audiograms were collected from 6259 patients aged between 4 and 96 years, who underwent pure tone audiometry testing between February 2018 and April 2022 at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, China. Three experienced audiologists independently annotated the audiograms, labelling the hearing loss in degrees, types and configurations of each audiogram.Main Outcome MeasuresA deep learning framework was developed and utilised to classify audiograms across three tasks: determining the degrees of hearing loss, identifying the types of hearing loss, and categorising the configurations of audiograms. The classification performance was evaluated using four commonly used metrics: accuracy, precision, recall and F1‐score.ResultsThe deep learning method consistently outperformed alternative methods, including K‐Nearest Neighbors, ExtraTrees, Random Forest, XGBoost, LightGBM, CatBoost and FastAI Net, across all three tasks. It achieved the highest accuracy rates, ranging from 96.75% to 99.85%. Precision values fell within the range of 88.93% to 98.41%, while recall values spanned from 89.25% to 98.38%. The F1‐score also exhibited strong performance, ranging from 88.99% to 98.39%.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that a deep learning approach could accurately classify audiograms into their respective categories and could contribute to assisting doctors, particularly those lacking audiology expertise or experience, in better interpreting pure tone audiograms, enhancing diagnostic accuracy in primary care settings, and reducing the misdiagnosis rate of hearing conditions. In scenarios involving large‐scale audiological data, the automated classification system could be used as a research tool to efficiently provide a comprehensive overview and statistical analysis. In the era of mobile audiometry, our deep learning framework can also help patients quickly and reliably understand their self‐tested audiograms, potentially encouraging timely consultations with audiologists for further evaluation and intervention.
Assessing the response of marine fish communities to climate change and fishing
Authors: Huang Mingpan , Chen Yiting , Zhou Wenliang , Wei Fuwen 
Published: May 2024

AbstractGlobally, marine fish communities are being altered by climate change and human disturbances. We examined data on global marine fish communities to assess changes in community‐weighted mean temperature affinity (i.e., mean temperatures within geographic ranges), maximum length, and trophic levels, which, respectively, represent the physiological, morphological, and trophic characteristics of marine fish communities. Then, we explored the influence of climate change and fishing on these characteristics because of their long‐term role in shaping fish communities, especially their interactive effects. We employed spatial linear mixed models to investigate their impacts on community‐weighted mean trait values and on abundance of different fish lengths and trophic groups. Globally, we observed an initial increasing trend in the temperature affinity of marine fish communities, whereas the weighted mean length and trophic levels of fish communities showed a declining trend. However, these shift trends were not significant, likely due to the large variation in midlatitude communities. Fishing pressure increased fish communities’ temperature affinity in regions experiencing climate warming. Furthermore, climate warming was associated with an increase in weighted mean length and trophic levels of fish communities. Low climate baseline temperature appeared to mitigate the effect of climate warming on temperature affinity and trophic levels. The effect of climate warming on the relative abundance of different trophic classes and size classes both exhibited a nonlinear pattern. The small and relatively large fish species may benefit from climate warming, whereas the medium and largest size groups may be disadvantaged. Our results highlight the urgency of establishing stepping‐stone marine protected areas to facilitate the migration of fishes to habitats in a warming ocean. Moreover, reducing human disturbance is crucial to mitigate rapid tropicalization, particularly in vulnerable temperate regions.
Does a requirement to offer retirement plans help low‐income workers save for retirement? Early evidence from the OregonSaves program
Authors: Dao Ngoc 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study examines the first implementation of the state‐run retirement savings program in Oregon, known as OregonSaves, in 2017. It offers early insights into the substantial impact of this mandated program on retirement savings among previously uncovered private workers. Results from difference‐in‐difference models using SIPP data indicate a 12 percent increase in Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ownership among Oregon workers after the program's roll‐out. Notably, the study discerns significant gains for lower‐income, single, and older workers, as well as workers of small‐size firms who previously lacked retirement savings plan coverage. Findings also suggest additional savings resulting from the mandate.
Risk assessments underestimate threat of pesticides to wild bees
Authors: Shahmohamadloo René S. , Tissier Mathilde L. , Guzman Laura Melissa 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEcological risk assessments (ERAs) are crucial when developing national strategies to manage adverse effects from pesticide exposure to natural populations. Yet, estimating risk with surrogate species in controlled laboratory studies jeopardizes the ERA process because natural populations exhibit intraspecific variation within and across species. Here, we investigate the extent to which the ERA process underestimates the risk from pesticides on different species by conducting a meta‐analysis of all records in the ECOTOX Knowledgebase for honey bees and wild bees exposed to neonicotinoids. We found the knowledgebase is largely populated by acute lethality data on the Western honey bee and exhibits within and across species variation in LD50 up to 6 orders of magnitude from neonicotinoid exposure. We challenge the reliability of surrogate species as predictors when extrapolating pesticide toxicity data to wild pollinators and recommend solutions to address the (a)biotic interactions occurring in nature that make such extrapolations unreliable in the ERA process.
CircST6GAL1 knockdown alleviates pulmonary arterial hypertension by regulating miR‐509‐5p/multiple C2 and transmembrane domain containing 2 axis
Authors: Zhang Xing , Qin Hao , Ma Qiang , Zhang Junbo , Tian Hongyan , Meng Yan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundHypertension is a main contributing factor of cardiovascular diseases; deregulated circular RNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Herein, we evaluated the function and mechanism of circST6GAL1 in PAH process.MethodsHuman pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) were cultured in hypoxic environment for functional analysis. The cell counting kit‐8, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays were used to investigate cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. qRT‐PCR and Western blotting analyses were used for level measurement of genes and proteins. The binding between miR‐509‐5p and circST6GAL1 or multiple C2 and transmembrane domain containing 2 (MCTP2) was analyzed by dual‐luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and pull‐down assays. The monocrotaline (MCT)‐induced PAH mouse models were established for in vivo assay.ResultsCircST6GAL1 was highly expressed in PAH patients and hypoxia‐induced HPASMCs. Functionally, circST6GAL1 deficiency reversed hypoxia‐induced proliferation and migration, as well as apoptosis arrest in HPASMCs. Mechanistically, circST6GAL1 directly targeted miR‐509‐5p, and MCTP2 was a target of miR‐509‐5p. Rescue assays showed that the regulatory effects of circST6GAL1 deficiency on hypoxia‐induced HPASMCs were abolished. Moreover, forced expression of miR‐509‐5p suppressed HPASMC proliferation and migration and induced cell apoptosis under hypoxia stimulation, while these effects were abolished by MCTP2 overexpression. Moreover, circST6GAL1 silencing improved MCT‐induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and PAH.ConclusionCircST6GAL1 deficiency reversed hypoxia‐induced proliferation and migration, as well as apoptosis arrest in HPASMCs, and alleviated pulmonary vascular remodeling in MCT‐induced PAH mouse models through the miR‐509‐5p/MCTP2 axis, indicating a potential therapeutic target for PAH.
The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on calls to an alcohol and drug helpline in Victoria, Australia, for alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis use concerns
Authors: Peart Annette , Grigg Jasmin , Greenwood Christopher J. , Killian Jessica J. , Ogeil Rowan P. , Lubman Dan I. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIntroductionHelplines are often the first contact with the alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment system. We examined call data from an AOD helpline in Victoria, Australia, to explore the association between COVID‐19 lockdown measures and frequency of calls.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of AOD helpline data collected between January 2018 and September 2020, for alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis use concerns. Linear and logistic regression analyses examined differences in pre‐COVID‐19 (January 2018 to March 2020) and during COVID‐19 (March 2020 to September 2020) caller characteristics, and interrupted time‐series analyses examined changes in frequency of calls relative to lockdown measures.ResultsThere were 14,340 calls for alcohol (n = 10,196, 71.10%), methamphetamine (n = 2522, 17.59%) and cannabis (n = 1622, 11.31%). Relative to pre‐COVID‐19, during COVID‐19 there was an increase in the rate of change over time in number of alcohol calls (b = 0.39), increase in first‐time alcohol callers (OR = 1.29), and reduction in first‐time methamphetamine callers (OR = 0.80). During COVID‐19, alcohol callers had lower Socio‐Economic Indicators for Areas scores (b = −3.06) and cannabis callers were younger (b = −2.07). During COVID‐19, there were reductions in alcohol calls involving counselling/support (OR = 0.87) and information provision (OR = 0.87), cannabis calls involving information provision (OR = 0.71) and methamphetamine calls involving referral (OR = 0.80).Discussion and conclusionsIn the first 6 months of the pandemic, frequency of alcohol‐related calls increased over time, and first‐time alcohol‐related callers increased. The number of calls for cannabis and methamphetamine remained stable. Results suggest the helpline was not used to its full capacity, suggesting a role for further promotion during times of crises.
Mapping skills between symbols and quantities in preschoolers: The role of finger patterns
Authors: Orrantia Josetxu , Muñez David , Sánchez Rosario , Matilla Laura 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMapping skills between different codes to represent numerical information, such as number symbols (i.e., verbal number words and written digits) and non‐symbolic quantities, are important in the development of the concept of number. The aim of the current study is to investigate children's mapping skills by incorporating another numerical code that emerges at early stages in development, finger patterns. Specifically, the study investigates (i) the order in which mapping skills develop and the association with young children's understanding of cardinality; and (ii) whether finger patterns are processed similarly to symbolic codes or rather as non‐symbolic quantities. Preschool children (3‐year‐olds, N = 113, Mage = 40.8 months, SDage = 3.6 months; 4‐year‐olds, N = 103, Mage = 52.9 months, SDage = 3.4 months) both cardinality knowers and subset‐knowers, were presented with twelve tasks that assessed the mappings between number words, Arabic digits, finger patterns, and quantities. The results showed that children's ability to map symbolic numbers precedes the understanding that such symbols reflect quantities, and that children recognize finger patterns above their cardinality knowledge, suggesting that finger patterns are symbolic in essence.Research Highlights
Children are more accurate in mapping between finger patterns and symbols (number words and Arabic digits) than in mapping finger patterns and quantities, indicating that fingers are processed holistically as symbolic codes.
Children can map finger patterns to symbols above their corresponding cardinality level even in subset‐knowers.
Finger patterns may play a role in the process by which children learn to map symbols to quantities.
Fingers patterns’ use in the classroom context may be an adequate instructional and diagnostic tool.