bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causal relationship between trunk and lower limb fat mass and interver tebral disc disorders: A two-sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Huang Zhihao , Tian Kunzong , Tian Zhiqi , Wang Yongming , Jiang Yuting 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background: Intervertebral disc disorders (IVDDs) represent a significant cause of disability worldwide, with their etiology being multifactorial, including genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors such as obesity. The significance of body fat distribution in the onset of intervertebral disc disorders (IVDDs) has been recognized, yet the causal relationship remains poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic underpinnings of this relationship by investigating the association between fat mass distribution in the trunk and low limb and the risk of IVDDs using Mendelian randomization (MR).
Methods: A comprehensive analysis was conducted using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables to assess the genetic predispositions to increased fat mass in specific body regions (trunk and low limb) and their associations with IVDDs. The study began with reading 9,851,866 SNPs for trunk and low limb fat mass and 21,304,570 SNPs for IVDDs. Through a series of data cleaning steps, including linkage disequilibrium clumping, SNP merging, allele harmonization, and checks against the Phenoscanner database for confounding factors, the number of relevant SNPs was reduced to 353 for trunk fat mass, and 346 and 337 for left and right leg fat mass, respectively. The final causal analysis was performed using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method and MR-Egger method, along with sensitivity analysis to test the robustness of the findings.
Results: The IVW method demonstrated a significant positive causal relationship between trunk fat mass and IVDDs (OR = 1.274, 95% CI: 1.186-1.368, p < 0.001), while the MR-Egger method showed no statistical significance (p = 0.214). However, both methods revealed a consistent and statistically significant association for low limb fat mass with IVDDs. Specifically, the IVW method indicated OR of 1.461 (95% CI: 1.330-1.605, p < 0.001) for left leg fat mass and 1.467 (95% CI: 1.331-1.618, p < 0.001) for right leg fat mass. The presence of heterogeneity and potential pleiotropy was assessed, with findings supporting the stability and reliability of the causal inferences.
Conclusion: This study confirmed a positive causal relationship between trunk and lower limb fat mass and the risk of IVDDs, highlighting the importance of considering body fat distribution in the prevention and management of IVDDs. The findings suggested that interventions aimed at reducing trunk and lower limb fat mass could potentially lower the risk of developing IVDDs. This research added valuable insights into the genetic and physiological links between body fat distribution and IVDDs, paving the way for targeted preventive strategies and therapeutic interventions.
Short-term pregnancy outcomes and drug interactions after simultaneous exposure to Nematavir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid) and immunosuppressants in pregnant women
Authors: Zhu Ximei , Huang Qianyun , Mo Liqian , Fu Fangfang , Zhou Shouning , Feng Yan , Yang Caihua 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pregnant women, especially those who have been receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapy, are considered at high risk for developing severe COVID-19. However, there are limited available data regarding the safety of Paxlovid for the treatment of novel coronavirus infection during pregnancy. Moreover, it should be noted that the ritonavir component of paxlovid acts as a potent cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A) inhibitor that can significantly increase the blood concentrations of various drugs metabolized by paxlovid. When combined with immunosuppressive agents, this interaction may lead to drug toxicity and other adverse reactions. This article presents three cases illustrating short-term pregnancy outcomes and drug interactions resulting from simultaneous exposure to both paxlovid and immunosuppressive agents.
Methods Through an initial series of reports on three pregnant women concurrently exposed to paxlovid and immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, we conducted an analysis of short-term delivery outcomes and discussed potential interactions between paxlovid and immunosuppressive drugs. By integrating pharmacogenomics and therapeutic drug concentration monitoring, this study facilitates the formulation, adjustment, and monitoring of drug therapy while also providing a comprehensive review of the literature.
Results After simultaneous exposure to paxlovid and immunosuppressive agents during pregnancy, the short-term pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of the two pregnant women were favourable, consistent with the majority of studies. Unfortunately, one pregnant woman delivered a preterm infant at 26+ gestational weeks (GW), resulting in adverse outcomes unrelated to the administration of paxlovid. Furthermore, the use of paxlovid in pregnant women significantly inhibited the metabolism of cyclosporine and tacrolimus, leading to increased drug exposure and potential side effects. This interaction is associated with genetic polymorphisms, such as those in the CYP3A5*3, CYP3A4*18B, and ABCB1 genes, and with a unique physiological state during pregnancy.
Conclusions Pregnant women who concurrently use paxlovid, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus should promptly adjust the drug dosage to mitigate potential drug toxicity. Given the distinctive physiological conditions during pregnancy, it is advisable to incorporate genetic testing into pharmacokinetics and therapeutic drug monitoring. The integration of these two strategies constitutes a pivotal approach to achieving precision medicine for pregnant women.
­­­A novel quantum algorithm for Biological Sequence Alignment using Quantum Accelerated Mapping in Seed-and-Extend Technique.
Authors: Prousalis Konstantinos , Ntalaperas Dimitris , Georgiou Konstantinos , Kalogeropoulos Andreas , Stavropoulos Thanos G. , Karamanidou Theodora , Aggelis Lefteris , Konofaos Nikos , Papalitsas Christos 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

A novel quantum algorithm for use in Biological Sequence Alignment is presented and analyzed. The large amounts of data extracted from genome sequencing, de novo assembly sequencing, resequencing, and transcriptome sequencing at the DNA or RNA level, foreshadow the need for higher computing power as well as more sophisticated alignment methods. Modern and faster sequencing techniques in genomics have led to the reconsideration of current methods of designing or implementing alignment protocols. Novel quantum computing accelerators may provide drastic solutions in this field reaching the desired levels of gate operation maturity. This paper proposes a computer vision-based approach, using the unprecedented power of entanglement in a dot-matrix, to address the high demand for fast harnessing of biological data. A quantum accelerated protocol is demonstrated and tested using the Qiskit software framework of IBM. Runtime tests verify the expectations to obtain a potentially advantageous sequence alignment algorithmic process in terms of accuracy, completeness and computing complexity. The performance has been tested under various conditions and promises a clear and viable advantage.
Universal formal asymptotics for localized oscillation of a discrete mass-spring-damper system of time-varying properties, embedded into a one-dimensional medium described by the telegraph equation with variable coefficients
Authors: Gavrilov Serge N. , Poroshin Ilya O. , Shishkina Ekaterina V. , Mochalova Yulia A. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We consider a quite general problem concerning a linear free oscillation of a discrete mass-spring-damper system. This discrete subsystem is embedded into a one-dimensional continuum medium described by the linear telegraph equation. In a particular case, the discrete subsystem can move along the continuum one at a sub-critical speed. Provided that the dissipation in both discrete and continuum subsystems is absent, if parameters of the subsystems are constants, under certain conditions (the localization conditions), a non-vanishing oscillation localized near the discrete subsystem can be possible. In the paper we assume that the dissipation in the damper and the medium is small, and all discrete-continuum system parameters are slowly varying functions in time and in space (when applicable), such that the localization condition is fulfilled for the instantaneous values of the parameters in a certain neighbourhood of the discrete subsystem position. This general statement can describe a number of mechanical systems of various nature. We derive the expression for the leading-order term of a universal asymptotics, which describes a localized oscillation of the discrete subsystem. In the non-dissipative case, the leading-order term of the expansion for the amplitude is found in the form of an algebraic expression, which involves the instantaneous values of the system parameters. In the dissipative case, the leading-order term for the amplitude, generally, is found in quadratures in the form of a functional, which depends on the history of the system parameters, though in some exceptional cases the result can be obtained as a function of time and the instantaneous limiting values of the system parameters. In previous studies, several non-dissipative particular cases of the problem under consideration are investigated using a similar approach, provided that only one parameter of the discrete-continuum system is a slowly time-varying non-constant quantity, whereas all other parameters are constants. We show that asymptotics obtained in previous studies are particular cases of the universal asymptotics. The existence of a universal asymptotics in the form of a function is a non-trivial fact, which does not follow from the summarization of the results obtained for particular cases. Finally, we have justified the universal asymptotics by numerical calculations.
Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondria Contacts are apical hotspots of lipid peroxidation driving ferroptosis
Authors: Sassano Maria Livia , Tyurina Yulia (Y) , Diometzidou Antigoni , Vervoort Ellen , Tyurin Vladimir , More Sanket , Rovere Rita La , Giordano Francesca , Bultynck Geert , Bayir Hülya , Kagan Valerian (E) , Scorrano Luca , Agostinis Patrizia 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Peroxidation of membrane phospholipids (PLs) is a hallmark of ferroptosis. ER and mitochondria have been implicated in ferroptosis, but whether intracellular PL-peroxidation ensues at their contact sites (EMCSs) is unknown. Using super-resolution live imaging we charted the immediate spatiotemporal events triggered by ferroptosis at the inter-organelle level. EMCSs expand minutes after the formation of localized and activated lipid-peroxides that secondary spread to mitochondria, promoting mitochondrial ROS accumulation and fission. Oxidative lipidomics unravels that EMCSs host distinct pro-ferroptotic polyunsaturated (PUFA)-PLs, including doubly PUFA-acylated PLs, demonstrating the persuasive propensity of EMCS to PL-peroxidation. Genetic disruption of EMCSs blunts PL-peroxidation and ferroptosis, while EMCS stabilization enhances them. Analysis of human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) data shows that expression of EMCShigh-gene signature associates with the ferroptosis-susceptible TNBC subtype harboring heightened levels of oxidized-PLs. Our data reveal EMCSs as apical orchestrators of lethal lipid-peroxidation production and suggest that empowering EMCSs can promote ferroptosis in vulnerable cancer cells.
Use of Submerged Machining in Milling Process
Authors: Dias Luiz Roberto Muñoz , Diniz Anselmo Eduardo 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Various means of lubrication and/or cooling, as well as different ways of applying these fluids have already been implemented in machining in order to try to save costs during the manufacturing process, as well as not exposing the operator's health to irreversible damage by inhaling the vapor of these fluids. This work aims to study two new lubrication and cooling methods, never tested before: milling with the part submerged in neat oil and milling with the part submerged in aqueous fluid. The motivation for this study is to minimize the thermal cyclic variation of milling, which accelerates wear of the cutting tool and which should be reduced by submerging the part in these fluids. Machinability was then evaluated in terms of tool life, surface roughness and cutting power among 6 lubrication-cooling processes, namely, submerged with neat oil, submerged with aqueous fluid, abundant aqueous fluid (conventional machine jet), minimum volume of oil (MVO), minimum quantity of fluid with compressed air (MQF) and dry cutting. The above processes were also evaluated under different cutting speeds and different cutting widths (ae). The results showed that the submerged process with neat oil was the one that provided the greatest chip removal per tool life, followed by the submerged process with aqueous fluid, which fully met the expectations of this research. The mechanisms causing tool wear were attrition, abrasion and thermal cracks which were predominant in processes with aqueous fluid.
Hemispherotomy: cortical islands of deep sleep in awake humans
Authors: Massimini Marcello , Massimini Marcello , Colombo Michele , Colombo Michele , Favaro Jacopo , Favaro Jacopo , Mikulan Ezequiel , Mikulan Ezequiel , Pigorini Andrea , Pigorini Andrea , Zauli Flavia Maria , Zauli Flavia Maria , Sartori Ivana , Sartori Ivana , d'Orio Piergiorgio , d'Orio Piergiorgio , Castana Laura , Castana Laura , Toldo Irene , Toldo Irene , Sartori Stefano , Sartori Stefano , Sarasso Simone , Sarasso Simone , Bayne Timothy , Bayne Timothy , Seth Anil , Seth Anil 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Hemispherotomy is a surgical procedure that disconnects a large portion of the cerebral cortex from cortical and subcortical inputs in patients with severe refractory epilepsy. Whether the disconnected cortex - inaccessible to behavioral assessment - supports consciousness remains unknown. Functional MRI studies have indicated preserved resting-state networks within the disconnected hemisphere, raising the possibility that it may represent an ‘island of awareness’. However, these networks can also persist in unconscious states, such as anesthesia and deep sleep.
Here we assess the capacity of the disconnected cortex to support consciousness by exploring its electrophysiological state, before and after hemispherotomy, in ten awake pediatric patients.
After surgery, the disconnected cortex–but not the contralateral cortex–entered a state dominated by slow oscillations (<2 Hz) resembling those observed during deep sleep; further, the spectral exponent, a previously validated marker of consciousness indexing the 1/f-like decay of the power spectral density, assumed values typically found in unconscious brain-injured and anesthetized adults. When compared to a reference pediatric sample, spectral exponent values were compatible with wakefulness in the contralateral cortex but attained levels typical of deep sleep over the disconnected cortex, suggesting that the disconnected cortex is not an island of awareness.
The effects of Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) and Lactobacillus salivarius on changes in gut microbial biodiversity and their potential role on Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Postlarvae
Authors: Najnine Farhana , Wang Meng , Han Hongcao , Cai Junpeng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

White-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is the most important species in the shrimp industry, with its production virtually all from aquaculture. Nevertheless, it frequently suffers from diseases, indicating the inadequacy of existing control measures. Recent, evidence has shown that probiotics play an important role in disease control by maintaining the composition of the gut microbiota. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the probiotic potential of Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) strain BDN-1F2 and Lactobacillus salivarius strain GZPH2 in rearing shrimp postlarvae (PL) with a control group without any treatment. The results showed that compared to BDN-1F2, GZPH2 only had a better effect on length growth while BDN-1F2 performed significantly better in weight gain and survival rate (P < 0.05). The 16S high throughput sequencing results showed that BDN-1F2 was significantly more effective than GZPH2 at building a healthy gut microbial communities, including the reduction of pathogenic bacterial taxa Gammaproteobacteria/Vibrionales and the increment of beneficial bacterial taxa Alphaproteobacteria/Rhodobacteraceae. Furthermore, BDN-1F2 also lowered Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios, which theoretically supported better PL growth performance in this group. In addition, the relative abundances of predicted functional microbial genes involving amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate were very high in BDN-1F2 group than in groups GZPH2 and control. To our knowledge, this is the first report to compare between two probiotics, BALOs strain BDN-1F2 and Lactobacillus salivarius strain GZPH2 and an investigation of changes in intestinal microbial community structure as well as their effects on shrimp survival and growth performance.
The spatial heterogeneity of public health resources: a study of the socioeconomic, demographic, and natural geographic conditions of ethnic minority regions in southwestern China
Authors: Wang Zheng , Lu Huaxiang , Liu Xi , Chen Qiuli , Liu JunJun , Liu Nannan , He Haoyu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The inequitable distribution of health resources causes disparities in people's access to healthcare services, impacting residents’ health status and quality of life. As a result, the allocation of health resources has become a critical concern for governments when formulating healthcare policies. China is a developing country with uneven development among cities and rural areas, which lead the problem of inequity in health resources is noticeable, especially in less developed areas. Hence,we aimed to explore the spatial distribution of the average number of physicians and hospital beds in Guangxi and used spatial models to analyse the impact of economic, demographic and altitude factors on the distribution of health resources. These findings may provide a basis for the government to improve health policies.
Methods
We described the spatial patterns of the number of hospitals (NH), the number of hospital beds per 10,000 people (NHB), the number of practising physicians per 10,000 people (NPP), in Guangxi. Then, we explored the economic and demographic factors that may influence the spatial distribution of NHB and NPP through the geographically weighted regression (GWR) and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) models.
Results
Guangxi’s NH (Moran's I = 0.127, p = 0.006), NHB (Moran's I = 1.363, p = 0.001), and NPP (Moran's I = 1.289, p < 0.001) exhibited significant autocorrelation and heterogeneity in spatial distribution, significantly clustering and forming hotspots in Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin and Wuzhou. The MGWR model showed spatial regression of NHB with the proportion of population ≥ 60 years old (EV = 0.337, p = 0.001), years of schooling (EV = 0.409, p = 0.002), general public income (EV = 0.228, p = 0.023) and average elevation (EV = 0.225, p = 0.042), while NPP was related to population density (EV = 0.230, p = 0.009), proportion of population ≥ 60 years old (EV = 0.250, p = 0.003), total social consumption (EV = 0.241, p = 0.010), etc. There were significant spatial regression relationships between GDP per capita (EV = 0.324, p < 0.001) and the proportion of urban dwellers (EV = 0.172, p = 0.033).
Conclusions
The spatial heterogeneity of healthcare resources in Guangxi is related to the enqual development of its socioeconomic, culture and population and is affected by topographical factors. The healthcare resources in Guangxi are clustered in areas with a relatively good degree of social development, such as Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin and Wuzhou, with both absolute and relative deficiencies and with different factors influencing the number of beds per capita and the number of doctors per capita. Moreover, feasible ways to meet the demand for medical resources in different regions should be explored.
Fast Image Recoloring for Red-Green Anomalous Trichromacy with Contrast Enhancement and Naturalness Preservation
Authors: Zhou Haiqiang , Huang Wangkang , Zhu Zhenyang , Chen Xiaodiao , Go Kentaro , Mao Xiaoyang 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Color vision deficiency (CVD) is an eye disease caused by genetics that reduces the ability to distinguish colors, affecting approximately 200 million people worldwide. In response, image recoloring approaches have been proposed in existing studies for CVD compensation, and a state-of-the-art recoloring algorithm has even been adapted to offer personalized CVD compensation; however, it is built on a color space that is lacking perceptual uniformity, and its low computation efficiency hinders its usage in daily life by individuals with CVD. In this paper, we propose a fast and personalized degree-adaptive image-recoloring algorithm for CVD compensation that considers naturalness preservation and contrast enhancement. Moreover, we transferred the simulated color gamut of the varying degrees of CVD in RGB color space to CIE L*a*b* color space, which offers perceptual uniformity. To verify the effectiveness of our method, we conducted quantitative and subject evaluation experiments, demonstrating that our method achieved the best scores for contrast enhancement and naturalness preservation.
Morphological variation of the kelp Ecklonia radiata in northeastern New Zealand and across its Australasian range
Authors: Hanns Benjamin , Blain Cailtin , Shears Nick 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Understanding the drivers of morphological plasticity, a key mechanism allowing species to flourish under a range of conditions, can provide important information on how a species will adapt to climate-change. The kelp Ecklonia radiata is the dominant canopy-forming macroalgae in temperate Australasia, occurring across a wide environmental range. Previous assessments of morphological variation across Australasia have not included northeastern New Zealand (NENZ) populations, where E. radiata exhibits an anomalous long-stipe morphology. Morphology in NENZ E. radiata over nine locations was quantified to examine variability and its relationship with environmental drivers: depth, wave exposure, turbidity and temperature. Published literature was then reviewed to assess variation across Australasia in relation to similar large-scale environmental drivers. In NENZ, morphology was driven by depth, wave exposure, and turbidity, but not temperature. Thalli had short stipes and relatively long lamina at shallow depths (<2 m) and across depths at highly wave exposed sites. Stipe length increased with depth and the long stipe morphology dominated deeper depths (4-12 m) at sheltered to moderately exposed sites. However, this relationship varied in relation to turbidity, with more turbid sites having shorter stipes across all depths. Regional variation in morphology across Australasia was most strongly related to wave climate rather than temperature with the long-stipe morphology characterising regions with low energy wave climates such as NENZ. This study highlights the high levels of variability in E. radiata morphology and its complex relationship with environmental stress. If Australasia’s wave climate is to increase in severity, our findings suggest morphological variability expressed across Australasian E. radiata populations will shrink.