bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploration of genes associated with induction of the viable but non-culturable state of Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Ohno Yurina , Rahman Md. Matiur , Maruyama Hiroe , Inoshima Yasuo , Okada Ayaka 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCampylobacter jejuni is known to enter a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state when exposed to environmental stresses. Microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses were performed to elucidate the genes related to the induction of the VBNC state. The C. jejuni NCTC11168 strain was cultured under low-temperature or high-osmotic stress conditions to induce the VBNC state. mRNA expression in the VBNC state was investigated using microarray analysis, and the gene encoding peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein, Pal, was selected as the internal control gene using qPCR analysis and software. The three genes showing particularly large increases in mRNA expression, cj1500, cj1254, and cj1040, were involved in respiration, DNA repair, and transporters, respectively. However, formate dehydrogenase encoded by cj1500 showed decreased activity in the VBNC state. Taken together, C. jejuni actively changed its mRNA expression during induction of the VBNC state, and protein activities did not always match the mRNA expression levels.
Regularity of the Optimal Sets for a Class of Integral Shape Functionals
Authors: Buttazzo Giuseppe , Maiale Francesco Paolo , Mazzoleni Dario , Tortone Giorgio , Velichkov Bozhidar 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe prove the first regularity theorem for the free boundary of solutions to shape optimization problems involving integral functionals, for which the energy of a domain $$\Omega $$
Ω
is obtained as the integral of a cost function j(u, x) depending on the solution u of a certain PDE problem on $$\Omega $$
Ω
. The main feature of these functionals is that the minimality of a domain $$\Omega $$
Ω
cannot be translated into a variational problem for a single (real or vector valued) state function. In this paper we focus on the case of affine cost functions $$j(u,x)=-g(x)u+Q(x)$$

j
(
u
,
x
)
=
-
g
(
x
)
u
+
Q
(
x
)

, where u is the solution of the PDE $$-\Delta u=f$$

-
Δ
u
=
f

with Dirichlet boundary conditions. We obtain the Lipschitz continuity and the non-degeneracy of the optimal u from the inwards/outwards optimality of $$\Omega $$
Ω
and then we use the stability of $$\Omega $$
Ω
with respect to variations with smooth vector fields in order to study the blow-up limits of the state function u. By performing a triple consecutive blow-up, we prove the existence of blow-up sequences converging to homogeneous stable solution of the one-phase Bernoulli problem and according to the blow-up limits, we decompose $$\partial \Omega $$

∂
Ω

into a singular and a regular part. In order to estimate the Hausdorff dimension of the singular set of $$\partial \Omega $$

∂
Ω

we give a new formulation of the notion of stability for the one-phase problem, which is preserved under blow-up limits and allows to develop a dimension reduction principle. Finally, by combining a higher order Boundary Harnack principle and a viscosity approach, we prove $$C^\infty $$

C
∞

regularity of the regular part of the free boundary when the data are smooth.
C8-ceramide modulates microglia BDNF expression to alleviate postoperative cognition dysfunction via PKCδ/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Li Guangqian , Wang Yuhao , Qian Lei , Li Danni , Yao Yuchen , Pan Jian , Fan Dan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPostoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a kind of serious postoperative complication in surgery with general anesthesia and it may affect patients’ normal lives. Activated microglia are thought to be one of the key factors in the regulation of POCD process. Once activated, resident microglia change their phenotype and secrete kinds of cytokines to regulate inflammatory response in tissues. Among these secretory factors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered to be able to inhibit inflammation response and protect nervous system. Therefore, the enhancement of BDNF expression derived from resident microglia is suggested to be potential treatment for POCD. In our study, we focused on the role of C8-ceramide (a kind of interventional drug) and assessed its regulatory effect on improving the expression of BDNF secreted from microglia to treat POCD. According to the results of our study, we observed that C8-ceramide stimulated primary microglia to up-regulate the expression of BDNF mRNA after being treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. We proved that C8-ceramide had ability to effectively improve POCD of mice after being accepted carotid artery exposure and their abnormal behavior recovered better than that of mice from the surgery group. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that C8-ceramide enhanced the cognitive function of mice via the PKCδ/NF-κB signaling pathway. In general, our study has confirmed a potential molecular mechanism that led to the occurrence of POCD caused by surgery and provided a new clinical strategy to treat POCD.
Percolation transition for random forests in $d\geqslant 3$
Authors: Bauerschmidt Roland , Crawford Nicholas , Helmuth Tyler 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe arboreal gas is the probability measure on (unrooted spanning) forests of a graph in which each forest is weighted by a factor $\beta >0$
β
>
0
per edge. It arises as the $q\to 0$
q
→
0
limit of the $q$
q
-state random cluster model with $p=\beta q$
p
=
β
q
. We prove that in dimensions $d\geqslant 3$
d
⩾
3
the arboreal gas undergoes a percolation phase transition. This contrasts with the case of $d=2$
d
=
2
where no percolation transition occurs.The starting point for our analysis is an exact relationship between the arboreal gas and a non-linear sigma model with target space the fermionic hyperbolic plane $\mathbb{H}^{0|2}$

H

0
|
2

. This latter model can be thought of as the 0-state Potts model, with the arboreal gas being its random cluster representation. Unlike the standard Potts models, the $\mathbb{H}^{0|2}$

H

0
|
2

model has continuous symmetries. By combining a renormalisation group analysis with Ward identities we prove that this symmetry is spontaneously broken at low temperatures. In terms of the arboreal gas, this symmetry breaking translates into the existence of infinite trees in the thermodynamic limit. Our analysis also establishes massless free field correlations at low temperatures and the existence of a macroscopic tree on finite tori.
Exploration of three Dyadobacter fermentans enzymes uncovers molecular activity determinants in CE15
Authors: Carbonaro Miriam , Mazurkewich Scott , Fiorentino Gabriella , Lo Leggio Leila , Larsbrink Johan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Glucuronoyl esterases (GEs) are serine-type hydrolase enzymes belonging to carbohydrate esterase family 15 (CE15), and they play a central role in the reduction of recalcitrance in plant cell walls by cleaving ester linkages between glucuronoxylan and lignin in lignocellulose. Recent studies have suggested that bacterial CE15 enzymes are more heterogeneous in terms of sequence, structure, and substrate preferences than their fungal counterparts. However, the sequence space of bacterial GEs has still not been fully explored, and further studies on diverse enzymes could provide novel insights into new catalysts of biotechnological interest. To expand our knowledge on this family of enzymes, we investigated three unique CE15 members encoded by Dyadobacter fermentans NS114T, a Gram-negative bacterium found endophytically in maize/corn (Zea mays). The enzymes are dissimilar, sharing ≤ 39% sequence identity to each other‚ and were considerably different in their activities towards synthetic substrates. Combined analysis of their primary sequences and structural predictions aided in establishing hypotheses regarding specificity determinants within CE15, and these were tested using enzyme variants attempting to shift the activity profiles. Together, the results expand our existing knowledge of CE15, shed light into the molecular determinants defining specificity, and support the recent thesis that diverse GEs encoded by a single microorganism may have evolved to fulfil different physiological functions.

Key points
• D. fermentans encodes three CE15 enzymes with diverse sequences and specificities
• The Region 2 inserts in bacterial GEs may directly influence enzyme activity
• Rational amino acid substitutions improved the poor activity of the DfCE15A enzyme
Dynamically rational judgment aggregation
Authors: Dietrich Franz , List Christian 
Published: May 2024

AbstractJudgment-aggregation theory has always focused on the attainment of rational collective judgments. But so far, rationality has been understood in static terms: as coherence of judgments at a given time, defined as consistency, completeness, and/or deductive closure. This paper asks whether collective judgments can be dynamically rational, so that they change rationally in response to new information. Formally, a judgment aggregation rule is dynamically rational with respect to a given revision operator if, whenever all individuals revise their judgments in light of some information (a learnt proposition), then the new aggregate judgments are the old ones revised in light of this information, i.e., aggregation and revision commute. We prove an impossibility theorem: if the propositions on the agenda are non-trivially connected, no judgment aggregation rule with standard properties is dynamically rational with respect to any revision operator satisfying some basic conditions. Our theorem is the dynamic-rationality counterpart of some well-known impossibility theorems for static rationality. We also explore how dynamic rationality might be achieved by relaxing some of the conditions on the aggregation rule and/or the revision operator. Notably, premise-based aggregation rules are dynamically rational with respect to so-called premise-based revision operators.
Body fat and circulating leptin levels in the captive short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Authors: Dutton-Regester Kate J. , Roser Alice , Meer Haley , Hill Andrew , Pyne Michael , Al-Najjar Aiman , Whaites Tim , Fenelon Jane C. , Buchanan Katherine L. , Keeley Tamara , Renfree Marilyn B. , Johnston Stephen D. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIt is possible that the reproductive strategy of the short-beaked echidna is related to seasonal changes in fat deposition and energy availability, regulated by seasonal changes in endocrine function. We predicted that circulating leptin levels would be directly proportional to adiposity during most of the year, but that a change in this relationship would occur during the pre-breeding season to allow increased fat deposition. To test this hypothesis, we made use of a captive colony of echidnas to describe and quantify changes in fat distribution and the adipostatic hormone leptin. First we assessed seasonal changes in circulating leptin levels, body mass and adiposity for three male and three female adult echidnas maintained on a standard diet. Second, we explored the relationship between circulating leptin levels and increased caloric intake for an additional five adult female echidnas that were provided with supplemented nutrition. Third we visualised fat distribution in male and female adult echidnas using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after the breeding season, to determine where fat is deposited in this species. For echidnas maintained on the standard diet, there were no seasonal changes in body mass, body fat or plasma leptin levels. However, female echidnas provided with supplemented nutrition had significantly elevated plasma leptin levels during the breeding season, compared to the pre-and post- breeding periods. MRI showed substantial subcutaneous fat depots extending dorso-laterally from the base of the skull to the base of the tail, in both sexes. Pre-breeding season, both sexes had considerable fat deposition in the pelvic/rump region, whilst the female echidna accumulated most fat in the abdominal region. This study shows that male and female echidnas accumulate body fat in the pelvic/rump and the abdominal regions, respectively and that circulating leptin may promote fattening in female echidnas during the breeding season by means of leptin resistance. However, further research is required to evaluate the precise relationship between seasonal changes in leptin and adiposity.
Toward coupling across inorganic/organic hybrid interfaces: polyaniline-coated gold nanoparticles with 4-aminothiophenol as gold-anchoring moieties
Authors: Yi Gyusang , Hoffmann Marisa , Seçkin Sezer , König Tobias A. F. , Hermes Ilka , Rossner Christian , Fery Andreas 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe chemical binding between metal nanoparticles and (semi-)conductive polymer layers is essential to control the (opto-)electronic properties of such hybrid materials. Current approaches that achieve a conjugated binding of organic (semi-)conductive ligands to metal nanoparticles demonstrated promising functional properties, but are based on tedious multi-step organic synthesis to incorporate the required binding moieties at the chain ends of targeted macromolecular species. Herein, we explore the pre-functionalization of gold nanoparticles with p-aminothiophenol and subsequent surfactant-assisted formation of a poly(aniline) (PANI) shell as a means to access gold/PANI core–shell-type nanoparticles with enhanced conductive properties. Controlled surface deposition of these hybrid nanoparticles is achieved via template-assisted self-assembly. For these surface-deposited nanoparticles, charge transport properties are characterized at the nanoscale by conductive atomic force microscopy measurements and show a significant conductivity increase of our core–shell particles as compared to reference particles formed by conventional surfactant-assisted PANI-shell formation.
Graphical Abstract
Correlation of High-Grade Osteosarcoma Response to Chemotherapy with Enhanced Tissue Immunological Response: Analysis of CD95R, IFN-γ, Catalase, Hsp70, and VEGF
Authors: Mustokoweni Sjahjenny , Mahyudin Ferdiansyah , Setiawati Rosy , Nugrahenny Dian , Hidayat Mohamad , Kalim Handono , Mintaroem Karyono , Fitri Loeki Enggar , Hogendoorn Pancras C. W. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHigh-grade osteosarcoma, a primary malignant bone tumour, is experiencing a global increase in reported incidence with varied prevalence. Despite advances in management, which include surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy often an unsatisfactory outcome is found due to poor or heterogeneous response to chemotherapy. Our study delved into chemotherapy responses in osteosarcoma patients and associated molecular expressions, focusing on CD95 receptor (CD95R), interferon (IFN)-γ, catalase, heat-shock protein (Hsp)70, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Employing immunohistochemistry and Huvos grading of post-chemo specimens, we analysed formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) osteosarcoma tissue of resected post-chemotherapy specimens from Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia (DSGAH), spanning from 2016 to 2020. Results revealed varied responses (poor 40.38%, moderate 48.08%, good 11.54%) and distinct patterns in CD95R, IFN-γ, catalase, Hsp70, and VEGF expression. Significant differences among response groups were observed in CD95R and IFN-γ expression in tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes. The trend of diminishing CD95R expression from poor to good responses, accompanied by an increase in IFN-γ, implied a reduction in the count of viable osteosarcoma cells with the progression of Huvos grading. Catalase expression in osteosarcoma cells was consistently elevated in the poor response group, while Hsp70 expression was highest. VEGF expression in macrophages was significantly higher in the good response group. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of immune-chemotherapy interactions in osteosarcoma and identifies potential biomarkers for targeted interventions.
Evaluating the efficacy of laparoscopic radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy in selected early-stage left-sided pancreatic cancer: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Li Zheng , Xu Wenyan , Wang Ting , Li Borui , Chen Chen , Shi Yihua , Zhou Chenjie , Zhuo Qifeng , Ji Shunrong , Liu Wensheng , Yu Xianjun , Xu Xiaowu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Laparoscopic radical pancreatectomy is safe and beneficial for recectable pancreatic cancer, but the extent of resection for early-stage tumors remains controversial.

Methods
Consecutive patients with left-sided pancreatic cancer who underwent either laparoscopic radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (LRAMPS, n = 54) or laparoscopic distal pancreatosplecnectomy (LDP, n = 131) between October 2020 and December 2022 were reviewed. The preoperative radiological selection criteria were as follows: (1) tumor diameter ≤ 4 cm; (2) located ≥ 1 cm from the celiac trunk; (3) didn’t invade the fascial layer behind the pancreas.

Results
After 1:1 propensity score matching (LRAMPS, n = 54; LDP, n = 54), baseline data were well-balanced with no differences. LRAMPS resulted in longer operation time (240.5 vs. 219.0 min, P = 0.020) and higher intraoperative bleeding volume (200 vs. 150 mL, P = 0.001) compared to LDP. Although LRAMPS harvested more lymph nodes (16 vs. 13, P = 0.008), there were no statistically significant differences in lymph node positivity rate (35.2% vs. 33.3%), R0 pancreatic transection margin (94.4% vs. 96.3%), and retroperitoneal margin (83.3% vs. 87.0%) rate. Postoperative complications did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, LRAMPS was associated with increased drainage volume (85.0 vs. 40.0 mL, P = 0.001), longer time to recover semi-liquid diet compared to LDP (5 vs. 4 days, P < 0.001) and increased daily bowel movement frequency. Tumor recurrence pattern and recurrence-free survival were comparable between the two groups, but the adjuvant chemotherapy regimens varied, and the completion rate of the 6-month intravenous chemotherapy was lower in the LRAMPS group compared to the LDP group (51.9% vs. 75.9%, P = 0.016).

Conclusions
LRAMPS did not provide oncological benefits over LDP for left-sided pancreatic cancer within the selection criteria, but it increased operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative bowel movement frequency. These factors impacted the regimen selection and completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, consequently compromising the potential benefits of LRAMPS in achieving better local control.

Graphical Abstract
Distance to thrombus, ischemic lesion volume and clinical outcome after thrombectomy for M1 middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Millesi Katharina , Killer-Oberpfalzer Monika , Pfaff Johannes A. R. , Mutzenbach J. Sebastian , Griessenauer Christoph J. , Sonnberger Michael , Vosko Milan , Wagner Judith , Millesi Matthias , Pikija Slaven , Hecker Constantin 
Published: May 2024

Summary
Background
Stroke resulting from occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) can have devastating consequences, potentially leading to a loss of independence. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the distance to the thrombus (DT) and both ischemic lesion volume (ILV) and clinical outcomes.

Methods
We retrospectively evaluated patients with thromboembolic MCA M1 segment occlusion who underwent neurovascular imaging followed by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) at two comprehensive stroke centers over a 3-year period (2018–2020). Preinterventional computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography was used to measure DT, defined as the distance from the carotid‑T bifurcation to the proximal surface of the M1 occlusion. Postinterventional CT or MR imaging was employed to determine the ILV and clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months.

Results
There were 346 patients evaluated. The median DT was 9.4 mm (interquartile range, IQR 6.0–13.7 mm) and the median ILV was 13.9 ml (IQR 2.2–53.1 ml). After adjustment, an increase in DT was associated with a decrease in odds for a larger ILV (odds ratio, OR 0.96, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.92–0.99, p = 0.041). Through this association, more distal thrombi were associated with good clinical outcome (mRS 0–2; clinical outcome available in 282 patients, p = 0.018). The ILV was inversely associated with better clinical outcome OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.40–0.67).

Conclusion
Based on the findings, DT was identified as an independent albeit weak predictor for ILV and clinical outcomes in patients with MCA M1 occlusion who underwent EVT.
Nature’s contribution to people provided by pastoral systems across European, African, and Middle East Mediterranean countries: trends, approaches and gaps
Authors: Dean Graeme , Francioni Matteo , Toderi Marco , López-i-Gelats Feliu , Trozzo Laura , Rivera-Ferre Marta G. , Franca Antonello , Altana Giovanni M. , Karatassiou Maria , Parissi Zoi M. , Abraham Eleni M. , Ragkos Athanasios , Tolunay Ahmet , Türkoğlu Türkay , Tarhouni Mohamed , Tlili Abderrazak , Abbas Khaled , Nori Michele , Varela Elsa , Lecegui Antonio , Kyriazopoulos Apostolos P. , D’Ottavio Paride 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMediterranean pastoral systems are providers of a wide array of Nature’s Contribution to People (NCP). They are ‘complex systems’ characterized by limited resources and socio-economic dynamics currently threatened by climate and social changes. Despite a growing number of scientific articles dealing with NCP, there is a high risk that the existing literature has left out the complexity of such systems. In the light of ongoing social, economic, and climatic changes in the Mediterranean basin, neglecting the complexity of pastoral systems can lead to significant research biases, missing the priorities affecting the stability and continuity of such systems. A combination of frameworks of analysis provided by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services was applied to understand if and to what extent the complexity of Mediterranean pastoral systems has been considered in the available literature. Most of the 126 papers report studies conducted in the European Union zone (102 papers), with the majority in Spain (50). Fewer studies have been conducted in the Middle East (15 papers) and Africa zones (9 papers). Despite results confirming the importance of pastoral systems as providers of NCP, most of the eligible papers focused on regulating NCP. A lack of a multisectoral approach and integration of knowledge suggests that the complexity of Mediterranean pastoral systems has been overlooked by researchers. The creation of ‘hybrid knowledge’ bridging the expertise of different stakeholders could be the key ingredient to properly address the complexity of Mediterranean pastoral systems.
An adaptive certified space-time reduced basis method for nonsmooth parabolic partial differential equations
Authors: Bernreuther Marco , Volkwein Stefan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this paper, a nonsmooth semilinear parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) is considered. For a reduced basis (RB) approach, a space-time formulation is used to develop a certified a-posteriori error estimator. This error estimator is adopted to the presence of the discrete empirical interpolation method (DEIM) as approximation technique for the nonsmoothness. The separability of the estimated error into an RB and a DEIM part then guides the development of an adaptive RB-DEIM algorithm, combining both offline phases into one. Numerical experiments show the capabilities of this novel approach in comparison with classical RB and RB-DEIM approaches.