bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated levels of loneliness in migrant children compared to nonmigrant children in urban China: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies
Authors: Ge Lin-Feng , Wu Rui-Yao , Zhong Bao-Liang 
Published: February 2024

Purpose of review
About one in four children in China is a migrant child. This population has a higher risk of experiencing loneliness. However, existing studies present conflicting findings regarding the levels of loneliness among migrant children as compared to local urban children in urban China. This review performs a meta-analysis of studies comparing loneliness levels between these two groups.

Recent findings
A literature search of major Chinese- and English-language databases revealed 27 eligible comparative studies. These studies reported the means and standardized deviations of loneliness scores for both migrant and nonmigrant children in urban China. Meta-analysis results showed that migrant children experienced significantly higher levels of loneliness than their urban nonmigrant counterparts [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.21, P < 0.001]. Subgroup analysis revealed that studies enrolling migrant children from migrant children's schools had significantly higher pooled SMDs than those enrolling children from public schools (0.346 vs. 0.120, P = 0.047).

Summary
Migrant children in urban China experience higher levels of loneliness compared to their local urban peers. Efforts to create a socially inclusive, migrant-friendly environment and reduce social isolation among migrant children are crucial to help alleviate their feelings of loneliness.
Benefits of nature-based intervention in combating the impact of urbanization on psychopathology in industrialized societies
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Timms Franklin , Li Jiaqi , Yu Hui 
Published: February 2024

Purpose of review
The assumption has been made that urbanization adversely affects mental health, primarily attributed to the lack of access to nature. Our objective is to examine whether nature-based interventions can reduce psychopathology within an urban setting.

Recent findings
Nature-based interventions are generally categorized as either physical or virtual. Physical interventions engage participants in various activities like passive exposure, outdoor swimming, or physical activities in natural environments. On the other hand, virtual interventions expose participants to visual, auditory, or even olfactory stimuli to simulate natural environments. While most interventions achieved some degree of success in enhancing overall well being, not all demonstrated a significant reduction in depression and anxiety.

Summary
The review identified a shortage of well designed and well implemented outdoor or virtual nature-based interventions. Longitudinal designs in physical nature-based interventions provided the strongest evidence for reducing anxiety and depression. Multisensory virtual nature-based interventions also show significant potential for alleviating anxiety and depression in urban dwellers. Conversely, brief nature-based interventions yielded inconsistent results in improving mental health. Urgent investment in high-quality interventions and research in this domain is imperative to inform policy and enhance overall mental health in urban settings.
Applying Multi-Theory Model (MTM) in Determining Intentions to Smoking Cessation among male Health Worker Smokers in Kabul, Afghanistan
Authors: Bashir Mousa , Shokravi Farkhondeh Amin , Kazem nezhad Anooshiravan 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionGlobally, smoking causes lung cancer and a wide range of acute and chronic diseases. A fourth-generation behavioral framework, the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change was used to predict the initiation and maintenance of smoking cessation among health worker smokers.MethodsBy visiting different Health Centers, a convenience sample of male health worker smokers from west part of Kabul city, was invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. A valid and reliable 37-item MTM-based survey instrument was administered to the male participants who smoked. To explain smoking cessation behavior, stepwise multiple regressions were conducted. The entire value of the Cronbach alpha coefficient (α) of the subscales and the scale for the initiation of MTM variables was 0.80 and for the sustenance of MTM variables was 0.79.ResultsThe study was completed by 170 participants. Participants were averaging 29.33 years of age (SD = 6.21). The average number of years smokers reported (SD = 4.7), was 5.6. Smoking cigarettes was the median (SD = 5.21), with 5.64 cigarettes consumed per day. Changes in the physical environment (+0.2225, P = 0.029) and behavioral confidence (+0.441, P = 0.014) were significant predictors of smoking cessation initiation. The intention to sustain smoking cessation behavior was significantly influenced by emotional transformation (β = 0.222,P= 0.017) and practicing for change (β = 0.217,P= 0.015).ConclusionsThere was moderate variance in smoking cessation behavior among health worker smokers in Kabul’s western part explained by two MTM constructs (behavioral confidence, physical environment) for initiation and two MTM constructs (emotional transformation, practicing for change) for maintenance. Smoking cessation behavior can be assessed using MTM both at the initiation and maintenance stages. It is important to develop future interventions using MTM constructs aiming to change smokers’ behavior in regard to quitting smoking.
What Does Large-scale Electrodermal Sensing Reveal?
Authors: McDuff Daniel , Thomson Seamus , Abdel-Ghaffar Samy , Galatzer-Levy Isaac R. , Poh Ming-Zher , Sunshine Jake , Barakat Andrew , Heneghan Conor , Sunden Lindsey 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTElectrodermal activity (EDA) is a physiological measure that is used to index sympathetic arousal in response to stressors and other perturbations. However, EDA is underutilized in real-world, population-level research and clinical practice because of a paucity of remote measurement capabilities on commodity devices. The current study examined the capabilities of continuous remote measurement of EDA at scale to quantify physiological changes in the context of diurnal and circadian rhythms, demographic differences, high arousal contexts such as public holidays and high arousal moments (e.g., the Super Bowl). We first demonstrated the accuracy of a novel EDA sensor developed for the Fitbit Sense 2 wearable device within a controlled, arousal-inducing experiment. We then retrospectively analyzed 10 million hours of continuous EDA data collected from over 16,000 people. We show that continuously sampledin-situEDA from Sense 2 has similar population-level diurnal patterns as those established from more tightly controlled in-lab experiments. Following this, variation of SCL across day of the week and season are presented. Finally, EDA dynamics occurring in response to commonly held stressful or exciting events such as Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl are described which we interpret as a natural experiment eliciting autonomic arousal.
Limiting Brownian Motion to Enhance Immunogold Phenotyping and Superimpose Optical and Non-Optical Single-EP Analyses
Authors: Nguyen Kim Truc , Rima Xilal Y. , Hisey Colin L. , Doon-Ralls Jacob , Nagaraj Chiranth K. , Reátegui Eduardo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOptical and non-optical techniques propelled the field of single extracellular particle (EP) research through phenotypic and morphological analyses, revealing the similarities, differences, and co-isolation of EP subpopulations. Overcoming the challenges of optical and non-optical techniques motivates the use of orthogonal techniques while analyzing extracellular particles (EPs), which require varying concentrations and preparations. Herein, we introduce the nano-positioning matrix (NPMx) technique capable of superimposing optical and non-optical modalities for a single-EP orthogonal analysis. The NPMx technique is realized by ultraviolet-mediated micropatterning to reduce the stochasticity of Brownian motion. While providing a systematic orthogonal measurement of a single EP via total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the NPMx technique is compatible with low-yield samples and can be utilized for non-biased electrostatic capture and enhanced positive immunogold sorting. The success of the NPMx technique thus provides a novel platform by marrying already trusted optical and non-optical techniques at a single-EP resolution.
Emodin modulates PI3K-AKT pathway to inhibit proliferation, invasion and induce apoptosis in glioma cells
Authors: Mir Ashaq Hussain , Banday Mujeeb Zafar , Aadil Fayeem , Ganie Shabir Ahmad , Haq Ehtishamul 
Published: February 2024

AbstractGlioma is a type of tumor that begins in glial cells and occurs in the brain and spinal cord. Glioma forms a major health challenge worldwide. They are hard to treat, not only because of the deregulation in multiple signaling transduction pathways affecting various cellular processes but also because they are not contained in a well-defined mass with clear borders. One of the main pathways deregulated in glioma is PI3K-AKT and its associated downstream targets like NF-ĸB which affects different proteins/transcription factors influencing many aspects of gliomagenesis like epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). A combination ofin-silicoandin-vitroapproaches targeted against specific catalytic isoform (p110δ) of Class IA PI3K with potent and selective inhibitors would maximize the chances of tumor regression. We adopted an in-silico approach to screen a range of natural molecules for a potent p110δ inhibitor and among them, “emodin” was found to be a potential candidate. In vitro, emodin treatment inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, modulates astrocytic phenotype, and decreases cell density of glioma cells. Emodin induces changes in the astrocytic phenotype of glioma cells to elongated form with rounded-off, shrunken-down morphology. Emodin was found to contribute to ROS production which leads to apoptosis of glioma cells. The apoptosis induced by emodin was confirmed by propidium iodide staining and ascertained by FACS analysis. We evaluated the effect of emodin on various proteins of PI3K-AKT and downstream targets. We found that emodin treatment decreases the expression of p-AKT, increases expression levels of Iĸ-B, inhibits nuclear translocation of NF-ĸB, and upregulates the phosphorylated form of GSK-3β. Changes at the molecular level of these proteins result in the inhibition/degradation of downstream proteins and transcription factors associated with the growth and proliferation of glioma cells. Inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-ĸB also inhibits nuclear activation of various protumorigenic signaling pathway mediators involved in EMT such as N-cadherin, β-catenin, Claudin-1. These EMT markers promote invasion, proliferation, migration, and growth in glioma cells. Emodin treatment resulted in changed expression profiles of these EMT markers involved in promoting gliomagenesis. In essence these results suggest that in-vitro emodin treatment remarkably reduces the proliferation of glioma cells possibly targeting multiple pathways involved in tumor growth, proliferation, and development, supporting the rationale and relevance of using multipronged strategies for effective treatment of glioma.
Transcriptomic signature and pro-osteoclastic secreted factors of abnormal bone marrow stromal cells in fibrous dysplasia
Authors: Michel Zachary , Raborn Layne N. , Spencer Tiahna , Pan Kristen , Martin Daniel , Roszko Kelly L. , Wang Yan , Robey Pamela G. , Collins Michael T. , Boyce Alison M. , de Castro Diaz Luis Fernandez 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFibrous dysplasia (FD) is a mosaic skeletal disorder caused by somatic activating variants inGNAS, encoding for Gαs, which leads to excessive cAMP signaling in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Despite advancements in our understanding of FD pathophysiology, the effect of Gαsactivation in the BMSC transcriptome remains unclear, as well as how this translates into their local influence in the lesional microenvironment. In this study, we analyzed changes induced by Gαsactivation in BMSC transcriptome and performed a comprehensive analysis of their production of cytokines and other secreted factors. We performed RNAseq of cultured BMSCs from patients with FD and healthy volunteers, and from an inducible mouse model of FD, and combined their transcriptomic profiles to build a robust FD BMSC genetic signature. Pathways related to Gαsactivation, cytokine signaling, and extracellular matrix deposition were identified. In addition, a comprehensive profile of their secreted cytokines and other factors was performed to identify modulation of several key factors we hypothesized to be involved in FD pathogenesis. We also screened circulating cytokines in a collection of plasma samples from patients with FD, finding positive correlations of several cytokines to their disease burden score, as well as to one another and bone turnover markers. Overall, these data support a pro-inflammatory, pro-osteoclastic behavior of BMSCs bearing hyperactive Gαsvariants, and point to several cytokines and other secreted factors as possible therapeutic targets and/or circulating biomarkers for FD.
Expanding theBonnMusequence-indexed repository of transposon induced maize (Zea maysL.) mutations in dent and flint germplasm
Authors: Win Yan Naing , Stöcker Tyll , Du Xuelian , Brox Alexa , Pitz Marion , Klaus Alina , Schoof Heiko , Hochholdinger Frank , Marcon Caroline 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTheBonnMuresource is a transposon-tagged mutant collection designed for functional genomics studies in maize. To expand this resource, we crossed an activeMutator(Mu) line with dent (B73, Co125) and flint (DK105, EP1 and F7) germplasm, resulting in the generation of 8,064 mutagenizedBonnMuF2-families. Sequencing of theseMu-tagged families revealed 425,924 heritableMuinsertions affecting 36,612 (83%) of the 44,303 high-confidence gene models of maize (B73v5). On average, we observed 12Muinsertions per gene (425,924 total insertions/ 36,612 affected genes) and 53 insertions perBonnMuF2-family (425,924 total insertions/ 8,064 families).Muinsertions and photos of seedling phenotypes from segregatingBonnMuF2-families can be accessed through the Maize Genetics and Genomics Database (MaizeGDB). Downstream examination via the automated Mutant-seq Workflow Utility (MuWU) identified 94% of the germinal insertion sites in genic regions and only a small fraction of 6% inserting in non-coding intergenic sequences of the genome. Consistently,Muinsertions aligned with gene-dense chromosomal arms. In total, 42% of allBonnMuinsertions were located in the 5’ untranslated region (UTR) of genes, corresponding to accessible chromatin. Furthermore, for 38% of the insertions (163,843 of 425,924 total insertions)Mu1,Mu8andMuDRwere confirmed to be the causalMuelements. Our publicly accessible EuropeanBonnMuresource has archived insertions covering two major germplasm groups, thus facilitating both forward and reverse genetics studies.
Multi-ancestry tandem repeat association study of hair colour using exome-wide sequencing
Authors: Fazzari Victoria , Moo-Choy Ashley , Panoyan Mary Anne , Abbatangelo Cristina L , Polimanti Renato , Novroski Nicole MM , Wendt Frank R 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHair colour variation is influenced by hundreds of positions across the human genome but this genetic contribution has only been narrowly explored. Genome-wide association studies identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influencing hair colour but the biology underlying these associations is challenging to interpret. We report 16 tandem repeats (TRs) with effects on different models of hair colour plus two TRs associated with hair colour in diverse ancestry groups. Several of these TRs expand or contract amino acid coding regions of their localized protein such that structure, and by extension function, may be altered. We also demonstrate that independent of SNP variation, these TRs can be used to great an additive polygenic score that predicts darker hair colour. This work adds to the growing body of evidence regarding TR influence on human traits with relatively large and independent effects relative to surrounding SNP variation.
Inhibition of Protein Synthesis Attenuates Formation of Traumatic Memory and Normalizes Fear-induced c-Fos Expression in a Mouse Model of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Zamorina Tatyana A. , Ivashkina Olga I. , Toropova Ksenia A. , Anokhin Konstantin V. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychosomatic condition characterized by impairment of brain fear circuits and persistence of exceptionally strong associative memories notoriously resistant to extinction. In this study, we investigated the neural and behavioral consequences of inhibiting protein synthesis, a process known to suppress the formation of conventional aversive memories, in an established animal model of PTSD based on contextual fear conditioning in mice. Control animals were subjected to the conventional fear conditioning task to evaluate the differential impact of protein synthesis inhibition on traumatic versus normal aversive memories. Utilizing c-Fos neural activity mapping, we found that the retrieval of PTSD and normal aversive memories produced activation of overlapping set of brain structures, though several specific areas, such as the infralimbic cortex and the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus, exhibited heightened activation during induction of PTSD. Administration of protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide prior to PTSD induction disrupted the formation of traumatic memories, resulting in behavior that matched the behavior of mice with usual aversive memory. Concomitant with this behavioral shift was a normalization of brain c-Fos activation pattern matching the one observed in usual fear memory. Our findings demonstrate that inhibiting protein synthesis during traumatic experiences significantly impairs the development of PTSD in a mouse model. These data provide insights into the neural underpinnings of protein synthesis-dependent traumatic memory formation and open prospects for the development of new therapeutic strategies for prevention of PTSD.
Comparative Analysis of Gene Expression Analysis Methods for RNA In Situ Hybridization Images
Authors: Ariotta Valeria , Azzalini Eros , Canzonieri Vincenzo , Hautaniemi Sampsa , Bonin Serena 
Published: February 2024

AbstractGene expression analysis is pivotal in cancer research and clinical practice. While traditional methods lack spatial context, RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) is a powerful technique that retains spatial tissue information. Here, we investigated RNAscope score, RT-droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR), and automated QuantISH and QuPath in quantifying RNA-ISH expression values from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. We compared the methods using high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma samples, focusing onCCNE1,WFDC2, andPPIBgenes. Our findings demonstrate good concordance between automated methods and RNAscope, with RT-ddPCR showing less concordance. We conclude that QuantISH exhibits robust performance, even for low-expressed genes likeCCNE1, showcasing its modular design and enhancing accessibility as a viable alternative for gene expression analysis.
Mutant GNAS drives a pyloric metaplasia with tumor suppressive glycans in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia
Authors: Trinh Vincent Quoc-Huy , Ankenbauer Katherine E. , Torbit Sabrina M. , Liu Jiayue , Batardiere Maelle , Kumar Bhoj , Maurer H. Carlo , Revetta Frank , Chen Zhengyi , Kruse Angela , Judd Audra , Copeland Celina , Wong Jahg , Ben-Levy Olivia , Jarvis Brenda , Brown Monica , Brown Jeffrey W. , Das Koushik , Makino Yuki , Spraggins Jeffrey M. , Lau Ken S. , Azadi Parastoo , Maitra Anirban , Tan Marcus C.B. , DelGiorno Kathleen E. 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND & AIMSIntraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs) are cystic lesions andbona fideprecursors for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent studies have shown that pancreatic precancer is characterized by a transcriptomic program similar to gastric metaplasia. The aims of this study were to assay IPMN for pyloric markers, to identify molecular drivers, and to determine a functional role for this program in the pancreas.METHODSPyloric marker expression was evaluated by RNA-seq and multiplex immunostaining in patient samples. Cell lines and organoids expressingKrasG12D+/-GNASR201Cunderwent RNA sequencing. A PyScenic-based regulon analysis was performed to identify molecular drivers, and candidates were evaluated by RNA-seq, immunostaining, and small interfering RNA knockdown. Glycosylation profiling was performed to identifyGNASR201C-driven changes. Glycan abundance was evaluated in patient samples.RESULTSPyloric markers were identified in human IPMN.GNASR201Cdrove expression of this program as well as an indolent phenotype characterized by distinct glycosyltransferase changes. Glycan profiling identified an increase in LacdiNAcs and loss of pro-tumorigenic Lewis antigens. Knockdown of transcription factorsSpdeforCreb3l1or chitinase treatment reduced LacdiNAc deposition and reversed the indolent phenotype. LacdiNAc and 3’-sulfoLeA/Cabundance discriminated low from high grade patient IPMN.CONCLUSIONGNASR201Cdrives an indolent phenotype in IPMN by amplifying a differentiated, pyloric phenotype through SPDEF/CREB3L1 which is characterized by distinct glycans. Acting as a glycan rheostat, mutantGNASelevates LacdiNAcs at the expense of pro-tumorigenic acidic Lewis epitopes, inhibiting cancer cell invasion and disease progression. LacdiNAc and 3’-Sulfo-LeA/Care mutually exclusive and may serve as markers of disease progression.
Rheological and Lipid Characterization of Minipig and Human Skin Tissue: A Comparative Study Across Different Locations and Depths
Authors: Mitra Harsa , Nonamaker Evelyn , Cordera Ria D. , Solorio Luis , Ardekani Arezoo M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the rheology of minipig and human skin is crucial for enhancing drug delivery methods, particularly for injections. Despite many studies on skin’s viscoelasticity, especially the subcutaneous layer, comparative analyses across different clinical sites are scarce, as is data on the impact of hydration or lipid levels. This study employs shear rheology and lipid analysis to evaluate viscoelasticity and lipid content across three anatomical locations —breast, belly, and neck and three different depth layers in Yucatan minipigs. It reports on how viscoelastic properties change with frequency, time, and strain, noting strain-stiffening and shear-thinning at high strain amplitudes. Human male and female abdominal tissues are also compared to minipig tissues, highlighting distinct viscoelastic traits and lipid’s role in them. The findings suggest the existence of species, anatomical location, tissue depth, and sex-based rheological differences. We also concluded the minipig male tissue is a more accurate model for human male subcutaneous tissue than for females.