bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disruption of TIGAR-TAK1 alleviates immunopathology in a murine model of sepsis
Authors: Wang Dongdong , Li Yanxia , Yang Hao , Shen Xiaoqi , Shi Xiaolin , Li Chenyu , Zhang Yongjing , Liu Xiaoyu , Jiang Bin , Zhu Xudong , Zhang Hanwen , Li Xiaoyu , Bai Hui , Yang Qing , Gao Wei , Bai Fang , Ji Yong , Chen Qi , Ben Jingjing 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMacrophage-orchestrated inflammation contributes to multiple diseases including sepsis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be defined clearly. Here, we show that macrophage TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) is up-regulated in murine sepsis models. When myeloid Tigar is ablated, sepsis induced by either lipopolysaccharide treatment or cecal ligation puncture in male mice is attenuated via inflammation inhibition. Mechanistic characterizations indicate that TIGAR directly binds to transforming growth factor β-activated kinase (TAK1) and promotes tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-mediated ubiquitination and auto-phosphorylation of TAK1, in which residues 152-161 of TIGAR constitute crucial motif independent of its phosphatase activity. Interference with the binding of TIGAR to TAK1 by 5Z-7-oxozeaenol exhibits therapeutic effects in male murine model of sepsis. These findings demonstrate a non-canonical function of macrophage TIGAR in promoting inflammation, and confer a potential therapeutic target for sepsis by disruption of TIGAR-TAK1 interaction.
Pd(II)/Pd(IV) redox shuttle to suppress vacancy defects at grain boundaries for efficient kesterite solar cells
Authors: Wang Jinlin , Shi Jiangjian , Yin Kang , Meng Fanqi , Wang Shanshan , Lou Licheng , Zhou Jiazheng , Xu Xiao , Wu Huijue , Luo Yanhong , Li Dongmei , Chen Shiyou , Meng Qingbo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCharge loss at grain boundaries of kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)4 polycrystalline absorbers is an important cause limiting the performance of this emerging thin-film solar cell. Herein, we report a Pd element assisted reaction strategy to suppress atomic vacancy defects in GB regions. The Pd, on one hand in the form of PdSex compounds, can heterogeneously cover the GBs of the absorber film, suppressing Sn and Se volatilization loss and the formation of their vacancy defects (i.e. VSn and VSe), and on the other hand, in the form of Pd(II)/Pd(IV) redox shuttle, can assist the capture and exchange of Se atoms, thus contributing to eliminating the already-existing VSe defects within GBs. These collective effects have effectively reduced charge recombination loss and enhanced p-type characteristics of the kesterite absorber. As a result, high-performance kesterite solar cells with a total-area efficiency of 14.5% (certified at 14.3%) have been achieved.
Autistic adults perceive and experience laughter differently to non-autistic adults
Authors: Cai Ceci Q. , White Sarah J. , Chen Sinead H. Y. , Mueller Marie A. E. , Scott Sophie K. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHuman interaction is immersed in laughter; though genuine and posed laughter are acoustically distinct, they are both crucial socio-emotional signals. In this novel study, autistic and non-autistic adults explicitly rated the affective properties of genuine and posed laughter. Additionally, we explored whether their self-reported everyday experiences with laughter differ. Both groups could differentiate between these two types of laughter. However, autistic adults rated posed laughter as more authentic and emotionally arousing than non-autistic adults, perceiving it to be similar to genuine laughter. Autistic adults reported laughing less, deriving less enjoyment from laughter, and experiencing difficulty in understanding the social meaning of other people’s laughter compared to non-autistic people. Despite these differences, autistic adults reported using laughter socially as often as non-autistic adults, leveraging it to mediate social contexts. Our findings suggest that autistic adults show subtle differences in their perception of laughter, which may be associated with their struggles in comprehending the social meaning of laughter, as well as their diminished frequency and enjoyment of laughter in everyday scenarios. By combining experimental evidence with first-person experiences, this study suggests that autistic adults likely employ different strategies to understand laughter in everyday contexts, potentially leaving them socially vulnerable in communication.
Dynamic changes in B cell subpopulations in response to triple-negative breast cancer development
Authors: Gonçalves Igor Visconte , Pinheiro-Rosa Natália , Torres Lícia , Oliveira Mariana de Almeida , Rapozo Guimarães Gabriela , Leite Christiana da Silva , Ortega José Miguel , Lopes Miriam Teresa Paz , Faria Ana Maria Caetano , Martins Mariana Lima Boroni , Felicori Liza Figueiredo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDespite presenting a worse prognosis and being associated with highly aggressive tumors, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the higher frequency of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, which have been implicated in better overall survival and response to therapy. Though recent studies have reported the capacity of B lymphocytes to recognize overly-expressed normal proteins, and tumor-associated antigens, how tumor development potentially modifies B cell response is yet to be elucidated. Our findings reveal distinct effects of 4T1 and E0771 murine tumor development on B cells in secondary lymphoid organs. Notably, we observe a significant expansion of total B cells and plasma cells in the tumor-draining lymph nodes (tDLNs) as early as 7 days after tumor challenge in both murine models, whereas changes in the spleen are less pronounced. Surprisingly, within the tumor microenvironment (TME) of both models, we detect distinct B cell subpopulations, but tumor development does not appear to cause major alterations in their frequency over time. Furthermore, our investigation into B cell regulatory phenotypes highlights that the B10 Breg phenotype remains unaffected in the evaluated tissues. Most importantly, we identified an increase in CD19 + LAG-3 + cells in tDLNs of both murine models. Interestingly, although CD19 + LAG-3 + cells represent a minor subset of total B cells (< 3%) in all evaluated tissues, most of these cells exhibit elevated expression of IgD, suggesting that LAG-3 may serve as an activation marker for B cells. Corroborating with these findings, we detected distinct cell cycle and proliferation genes alongside LAG-3 analyzing scRNA-Seq data from a cohort of TNBC patients. More importantly, our study suggests that the presence of LAG-3 B cells in breast tumors could be associated with a good prognosis, as patients with higher levels of LAG-3 B cell transcripts had a longer progression-free interval (PFI). This novel insight could pave the way for targeted therapies that harness the unique properties of LAG-3 + B cells, potentially offering new avenues for improving patient outcomes in TNBC. Further research is warranted to unravel the mechanistic pathways of these cells and to validate their prognostic value in larger, diverse patient cohorts.
Recent Jishishan earthquake ripple hazard provides a new explanation for the destruction of the prehistoric Lajia Settlement 4000a B.P.
Authors: Shi Peijun , Liu Fenggui , Meng Xingmin , Zhou Qiang , Yu Deyong , Chen Qiong , Liu Lianyou , Fang Weihua , Xiao Cunde , He Chunyang , Ye Tao , Hu Jinpeng , Li Ying 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe Jishishan Ms 6.2 earthquake occurred at 23:59 on December 18, 2023 in Gansu Province, China. We conducted a field survey to assess the hazards and damages caused by the earthquake and its associated geo-activities. Subsequently, we organized a seminar to discuss the possible causes of the destruction of a prehistoric site—Lajia Settlement—dated back to four thousand years B.P. and located only several kilometers away from the epicenter of the Jishishan earthquake. The Jishishan earthquake was unique for its hazard and disaster process, which featured ground shaking and a series of complex geological and geomorphological activities: sediment and soil spray piles, liquefaction, collapse, landslide, and mudflow along water channels. We define this phenomenon as the Jishishan earthquake ripple hazard (JERH). The most recent evidence from the JERH suggests that a prehistoric earthquake similar to the JERH, instead of riverine floods or earthquake-induced landslide dam outburst flood, as previously hypothesized, destroyed the Lajia Settlement.
Enhancing geomechanical characteristics of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement-treated soil under low confining pressures
Authors: Ocheme James Innocent , Kim Jong , Moon Sung-Woo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study examines the efficacy of employing calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement, an environmentally friendly binder, for enhancing the geomechanical characteristics of sand, particularly under low confining pressure conditions. A series of triaxial consolidated drained tests were performed on sand samples treated with varying content (5, 7, and 10%) of CSA cement and 10% ordinary Portland cement (OPC) under various low confining pressures (50, 100, 200, and 400 kPa). The test findings demonstrated the importance of cement content and confining pressure on the mode of failure, stress–strain and volumetric behavior, failure characteristics, and shear strength parameters of the treated quartz sand. After a curing period of 14 days, samples treated with 10% CSA cement exhibited a remarkable 212% increase in peak deviator stress and an 89% reduction in axial strain at failure, indicating higher initial stiffness compared to untreated samples under a 400 kPa confining pressure. Furthermore, the samples treated with 10% CSA exhibited higher peak deviator stress, initial stiffness, and strength development compared to those treated with 10% OPC. The scanning electron microscopy analysis provides insights into particle breakage and bond degradation processes, which increase with confining pressure in CSA-treated samples. Also, the mode of failure analysis reveals a transition from ductile to slightly brittle behavior with increasing cement content. Notably, the geomechanical properties of the treated material emphasized the significant impact of CSA cement on soil improvement. Thus offering a sustainable alternative for soil improvement in construction projects.
Utility of TTR-INR guided warfarin adjustment protocol to improve time in therapeutic range in patients with atrial fibrillation receiving warfarin
Authors: Kosum Paisit , Siranart Noppachai , Nissaipan Kunathip , Laohapiboolrattana Wattakorn , Sowalertrat Walit , Triamamornwooth Kanittha , Arunphan Rawiwan , Sriyom Apiradee , Rungpradubvong Voravut 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWarfarin remains the most prescribed oral anticoagulant of choice in atrial fibrillation (AF) patient in resource-limited settings. Despite evidence linking Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR) to patient outcomes, its use in clinical practice is not widespread. This prospective study explores the impact of a TTR-INR guided Warfarin adjustment protocol on TTR in AF patients. Conducted at the Warfarin clinic of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. TTR was calculated using the Rosendaal linear interpolation method at baseline, and then at 6 and 12 months post-protocol implementation. The primary outcome was the improvement in TTR following the protocol’s implementation. The study analyzed 57 patients, with a mean age of 72 years and an even gender distribution. At baseline, 53% of patients had a TTR of less than 65%. However, TTR significantly improved from 65% at baseline to 80% after 12 months of protocol implementation (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients with a TTR of 65% or more, from 47 to 88% (p < 0.001). During the follow-up period in the first 12 months, three patients died, but no ischemic or major bleeding events occurred. The significant improvement in TTR after 12 months of protocol implementation suggests that this strategy could provide additional value in improving TTR and outcomes in AF patients receiving Warfarin.
Assessment of American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) spreading in the Republic of Korea using rule learning of elementary cellular automata
Authors: Oh Gyujin , Wi Yunju , Kang Hee-Jin , Cheon Seung-ju , Sung Ha-Cheol , Kim Yena , Jin Hong-Sung 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe spread of American Bullfrog has a significant impact on the surrounding ecosystem. It is important to study the mechanisms of their spreading so that proper mitigation can be applied when needed. This study analyzes data from national surveys on bullfrog distribution. We divided the data into 25 regional clusters. To assess the spread within each cluster, we constructed temporal sequences of spatial distribution using the agglomerative clustering method. We employed Elementary Cellular Automata (ECA) to identify rules governing the changes in spatial patterns. Each cell in the ECA grid represents either the presence or absence of bullfrogs based on observations. For each cluster, we counted the number of presence location in the sequence to quantify spreading intensity. We used a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to learn the ECA rules and predict future spreading intensity by estimating the expected number of presence locations over 400 simulated generations. We incorporated environmental factors by obtaining habitat suitability maps using Maxent. We multiplied spreading intensity by habitat suitability to create an overall assessment of bullfrog invasion risk. We estimated the relative spreading assessment and classified it into four categories: rapidly spreading, slowly spreading, stable populations, and declining populations.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy vs. pharmacological intervention in adults with fibromyalgia related to childhood sexual abuse: prospective, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Boussi-Gross Rahav , Catalogna Merav , Lang Erez , Shamai Zipora , Ablin Jacob N. , Aloush Valerie , Doenyas-Barak Keren , Lorberboym Mordechai , Lev-Wiesel Rachel , Efrati Shai 
Published: May 2024

AbstractFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by disruptions in pain processing within the central nervous system. It exhibits a high prevalence among patients with a history of traumatic experiences, notably childhood sexual abuse (CSA). This study compared the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to the current pharmacological standard of care for individuals suffering from CSA-related FMS. Forty-eight participants diagnosed with FMS and a history of CSA were randomly assigned to either the HBOT group (60 sessions of 100% oxygen at 2 ATA for 90 min, with air breaks every 5 min) or the medication (MED) group (FDA-approved medications, Pregabalin and Duloxetine). The primary endpoint was the Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) score, while secondary endpoints encompassed emotional status and daily functioning questionnaires, as well as pain thresholds and conditioned pain modulation tests. Brain activity was evaluated through single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Results revealed a significant group-by-time interaction for the FIQ score favoring HBOT over MED (p < 0.001), with a large effect size (Cohen's d = − 1.27). Similar findings were observed in emotional symptoms and functional measures. SPECT imaging demonstrated an increase in activity in pre-frontal and temporal brain areas, which correlated with symptoms improvement. In conclusion, HBOT exhibited superior benefits over medications in terms of physical, functional, and emotional improvements among FMS patients with a history of CSA. This associated with increased activity in pre-frontal and temporal brain areas, highlighting the neuroplasticity effect of HBOT.
Correlations between personality traits, personality disorders, and immunometabolic markers
Authors: Spangenberg Hanna , Ramklint Mia , Cunningham Janet L. , Ramirez Adriana 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEvidence links immune system alterations to major psychiatric disorders. The few previous studies on personality traits or personality disorders (PDs) indicate that immunometabolic dysregulation may be prevalent in this population. This study aimed to investigate relationships between personality traits, PDs, and immunometabolic markers in peripheral blood. We hypothesized that neuroticism would be correlated with elevated leptin. Participants were recruited as young adults seeking care for general psychiatric disorders. They responded to a personality inventory and were assessed for PDs, and reevaluated again at a 12 years follow-up. Blood samples were collected at the follow-up and analyzed for 29 immunometabolic markers. A positive correlation was found between the personality trait neuroticism and leptin (ρ = 0.31, p = 0.02). An exploratory analysis also revealed a positive correlation between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (ρ = 0.36, p < 0.01) and neuroticism. These findings remained after adjusting for other variables in general linear models. There were no relationships between PDs and any immunometabolic markers. Results both confirm previous findings of correlations between the immunometabolic system and personality traits and suggest directions for future research.
Potential range shift of a long-distance migratory rice pest, Nilaparvata lugens, under climate change
Authors: Hong Jinsol , Lee Minyoung , Kim Yongeun , Lee Yun-Sik , Wee June , Park Jung-Joon , Lee Woo-Kyun , Song Youngil , Cho Kijong 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe biogeographical range shift of insect pests is primarily governed by temperature. However, the range shift of seasonal long-distance migratory insects may be very different from that of sedentary insects. Nilaparvata lugens (BPH), a serious rice pest, can only overwinter in tropical-to-subtropical regions, and some populations migrate seasonally to temperate zones with the aid of low-level jet stream air currents. This study utilized the CLIMEX model to project the overwintering area under the climate change scenarios of RCP2.6 and RCP8.5, both in 2030s and 2080s. The overwintering boundary is predicted to expand poleward and new overwintering areas are predicted in the mid-latitude regions of central-to-eastern China and mid-to-southern Australia. With climate change, the habitable areas remained similar, but suitability decreased substantially, especially in the near-equatorial regions, owing to increasing heat stress. The range shift is similar between RCP2.6-2030s, RCP2.6-2080s, and RCP8.5-2030s, but extreme changes are projected under RCP8.5-2080s with marginal areas increasing from 27.2 to 38.8% and very favorable areas dropping from 27.5 to 3.6% compared to the current climate. These findings indicate that climate change will drive range shifts in BPH and alter regional risks differently. Therefore, international monitoring programs are needed to effectively manage these emerging challenges.
New adaptive EWMA CV control chart with application to the sintering process
Authors: Ayesha Sadaf , Arshad Asma , Albalawi Olayan , Alharthi Aiedh Mrisi , Hanif Muhammad , Yasmeen Uzma , Nabi Muhammad 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis research presents a new adaptive exponentially weighted moving average control chart, known as the coefficient of variation (CV) EWMA statistic to study the relative process variability. The production process CV monitoring is a long-term process observation with an unstable mean. Therefore, a new modified adaptive exponentially weighted moving average (AAEWMA) CV monitoring chart using a novel function hereafter referred to as the "AAEWMA CV" monitoring control chart. the novelty of the suggested AAEWMA CV chart statistic is to identify the infrequent process CV changes. A continuous function is suggested to be used to adapt the plotting statistic smoothing constant value as per the process estimated shift size that arises in the CV parametric values. The Monte Carlo simulation method is used to compute the run-length values, which are used to analyze efficiency. The existing AEWMA CV chart is less effective than the proposed AAEWMA CV chart. An industrial data example is used to examine the strength of the proposed AAEWMA CV chart and to clarify the implementation specifics which is provided in the example section. The results strongly recommend the implementation of the proposed AAEWMA CV control chart.
Neural mechanisms of costly helping in the general population and mirror-pain synesthetes
Authors: Ioumpa Kalliopi , Gallo Selene , Keysers Christian , Gazzola Valeria 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIt has been argued that experiencing the pain of others motivates helping. Here, we investigate the contribution of somatic feelings while witnessing the pain of others onto costly helping decisions, by contrasting the choices and brain activity of participants that report feeling somatic feelings (self-reported mirror-pain synesthetes) against those that do not. Participants in fMRI witnessed a confederate receiving pain stimulations whose intensity they could reduce by donating money. The pain intensity could be inferred either from the facial expressions of the confederate in pain (Face condition) or from the kinematics of the pain-receiving hand (Hand condition). Our results show that self-reported mirror-pain synesthetes increase their donation more steeply, as the intensity of the observed pain increases, and their somatosensory brain activity (SII and the adjacent IPL) was more tightly associated with donation in the Hand condition. For all participants, activation in insula, SII, TPJ, pSTS, amygdala and MCC correlated with the trial by trial donation made in the Face condition, while SI and MTG activation was correlated with the donation in the Hand condition. These results further inform us about the role of somatic feelings while witnessing the pain of others in situations of costly helping.
Synthetic aporphine alkaloids are potential therapeutics for Leigh syndrome
Authors: Kobayashi Mizuki , Miyauchi Akihiko , Jimbo Eriko F. , Oishi Natsumi , Aoki Shiho , Watanabe Miyuki , Yoshikawa Yasushi , Akiyama Yutaka , Yamagata Takanori , Osaka Hitoshi 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMitochondrial diseases are mainly caused by dysfunction of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes and have a variety of genetic variants or phenotypes. There are only a few approved treatments, and fundamental therapies are yet to be developed. Leigh syndrome (LS) is the most severe type of progressive encephalopathy. We previously reported that apomorphine, an anti- “off” agent for Parkinson’s disease, has cell-protective activity in patient-derived skin fibroblasts in addition to strong dopamine agonist effect. We obtained 26 apomorphine analogs, synthesized 20 apomorphine derivatives, and determined their anti-cell death effect, dopamine agonist activity, and effects on the mitochondrial function. We found three novel apomorphine derivatives with an active hydroxy group at position 11 of the aporphine framework, with a high anti-cell death effect without emetic dopamine agonist activity. These synthetic aporphine alkaloids are potent therapeutics for mitochondrial diseases without emetic side effects and have the potential to overcome the low bioavailability of apomorphine. Moreover, they have high anti-ferroptotic activity and therefore have potential as a therapeutic agent for diseases related to ferroptosis.