bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fetch‐Limited, Strongly Forced Wind Waves in Waters With Frazil and Grease Ice – Spectral Modeling and Satellite Observations in an Antarctic Coastal Polynya
Authors: Herman Agnieszka , Bradtke Katarzyna 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSea ice–wave interactions have been widely studied in the marginal ice zone, at relatively low wind speeds and wave frequencies. Here, we focus on very different conditions typical of coastal polynyas: extremely high wind speeds and locally generated, short, steep waves. We overview available parameterizations of relevant physical processes (nonlinear wave–wave interactions, energy input by wind, whitecapping and ice‐related dissipation) and discuss modifications necessary to adjust them to polynya conditions. We use satellite‐derived data and spectral modeling to analyze waves in 10 polynya events in the Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica. We estimate the wind‐input reduction factor over frazil/grease ice in the wave‐energy balance equation at 0.56. By calibrating the model to satellite observations we show that exact treatment of quadruplet wave–wave interactions (as opposed to the default Discrete Interaction Approximation) is necessary to fit the model to data, and that the power n > 4 in the sea‐ice source term Sice ∼ fn (where f denotes wave frequency) is required to reproduce the strong attenuation of high‐frequency waves observed for frazil streaks. We use a very‐high resolution satellite image of a fragment of one of the polynyas to determine whitecap fraction. We show that there are more than twofold differences in whitecap fraction over ice‐free and ice‐covered regions, and that the model produces realistic whitecap fractions without any tuning of the whitecapping source term. Finally, we estimate the polynya‐area‐integrated wind input, energy dissipation due to whitecapping, and whitecap fraction to be on average below 25%, 10% and 30%, respectively, of the corresponding open‐water values.
HbA1c or fructosamine on evaluating glucose intolerance in children with beta- thalassemia
Authors: Mahmoud Asmaa A. , El-Hawy Mahmoud A. , Allam Esraa T. , Salem Ahmed H. , Abo Hola Ahmed S. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Beta-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients are more likely to experience blood glucose intolerance and to date; the blood markers that could evaluate this are debatable. So, this study aimed to assess the roles of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fructosamine in evaluating glucose intolerance in children with β-TM and figuring out role of insulin resistance in these patients.

Methods
One hundred children diagnosed with β-TM and 100 age and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h post-prandial blood glucose (2-h PG), HbA1c, fructosamine, fasting insulin level (FINS), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-IS) were evaluated.

Results
FPG and 2-h PG revealed glucose intolerance in 51 patients (51%), 19 of them had diabetes mellitus. HbA1c, fructosamine, FINS, and HOMA-IR showed a high statistically significant increase in patients compared to controls, (P < 0.001). Results revealed fructosamine was more specific in detecting prediabetes state and more sensitive in identifying diabetes mellitus in our patients when compared to HbA1c.

Conclusions
Despite controversies on HbA1c in children with β-TM, it is still valuable in glucose intolerance detection. Fructosamine showed more sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, insulin resistance was prevalent in children with β-TM highlighting the necessity of regular glycemic state evaluation.

Impact

Glucose intolerance is a common complication in beta thalassemia patients.

Conflicting data was reported about the role of HbA1c and fructosamine in evaluating glucose intolerance in thalassemic patients.

Fructosamine does not yet have a threshold that may be used to distinguish between patients who have diabetes mellitus and those who do not.

Fructosamine was more specific in detecting blood glucose intolerance compared to HbA1c and was more sensitive for diagnosing diabetes mellitus.

Insulin resistance was common in patients with beta-thalassemia and often present before the onset of overt diabetes.
Neuron enriched extracellular vesicles’ MicroRNA expression profiles as a marker of early life alcohol consumption
Authors: Yakovlev Vasily , Lapato Dana M. , Rana Pratip , Ghosh Preetam , Frye Rebekah , Roberson-Nay Roxann 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAlcohol consumption may impact and shape brain development through perturbed biological pathways and impaired molecular functions. We investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption rates and neuron-enriched extracellular vesicles’ (EVs’) microRNA (miRNA) expression to better understand the impact of alcohol use on early life brain biology. Neuron-enriched EVs’ miRNA expression was measured from plasma samples collected from young people using a commercially available microarray platform while alcohol consumption was measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Linear regression and network analyses were used to identify significantly differentially expressed miRNAs and to characterize the implicated biological pathways, respectively. Compared to alcohol naïve controls, young people reporting high alcohol consumption exhibited significantly higher expression of three neuron-enriched EVs’ miRNAs including miR-30a-5p, miR-194-5p, and miR-339-3p, although only miR-30a-5p and miR-194-5p survived multiple test correction. The miRNA-miRNA interaction network inferred by a network inference algorithm did not detect any differentially expressed miRNAs with a high cutoff on edge scores. However, when the cutoff of the algorithm was reduced, five miRNAs were identified as interacting with miR-194-5p and miR-30a-5p. These seven miRNAs were associated with 25 biological functions; miR-194-5p was the most highly connected node and was highly correlated with the other miRNAs in this cluster. Our observed association between neuron-enriched EVs’ miRNAs and alcohol consumption concurs with results from experimental animal models of alcohol use and suggests that high rates of alcohol consumption during the adolescent/young adult years may impact brain functioning and development by modulating miRNA expression.
Utilization of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tiger Mikael , Castelpietra Giulio , Wesselhoeft Rikke , Lundberg Johan , Reutfors Johan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSince the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been concerns over the mental health impact of COVID-19. This is a review of the utilization of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared on March the 11th 2020. A number of reports so far have been based on large prescription databases for administrative use at the national or regional level, but mainly in high-income countries. We found studies reporting increased prescription rates of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics during March 2020, which has been interpreted as hoarding of such medications. In the following months, most studies of antidepressant prescription rates did not display a clear pattern of change compared with prepandemic trends. In later phases of the pandemic small increases in utilization of antidepressants, with higher than predicted prescription rates, have been the most consistent finding, especially in youth. In most high-income countries, there were increasing trends in utilization of antidepressants also before 2020, which needs to be considered when estimating utilization during the pandemic, whereas for anxiolytics and hypnotics, the prepandemic patterns of prescriptions were more varying. Overall, after March 2020 we could not find any distinct changes in the utilization of anxiolytics and hypnotics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most studies did not contain information about the prevalence of indicated psychiatric disorders in the studied populations. More studies are needed about the long-term effects of COVID-19, particularly regarding utilization of antidepressants. Research relating antidepressant utilization with the prevalence of major depression and anxiety disorders would promote a better understanding of how well antidepressant prescription rates reflect the needs of the population.
Ovarian tumor cell-derived JAGGED2 promotes omental metastasis through stimulating the Notch signaling pathway in the mesothelial cells
Authors: Islam Syed S. , Al-Mohanna Falah H. , Yousef Iman M. , Al-Badawi Ismail A. , Aboussekhra Abdelilah 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe primary site of metastasis for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the peritoneum, and it occurs through a multistep process that begins with adhesive contacts between cancer cells and mesothelial cells. Despite evidence that Notch signaling has a role in ovarian cancer, it is unclear how exactly it contributes to ovarian cancer omental metastasis, as well as the cellular dynamics and intrinsic pathways that drive this tropism. Here we show that tumor cells produced the Notch ligand Jagged2 is a clinically and functionally critical mediator of ovarian cancer omental metastasis by activating the Notch signaling in single-layered omental mesothelial cells. In turn, Jagged2 promotes tumor growth and therapeutic resistance by stimulating IL-6 release from mesothelial cells. Additionally, Jagged2 is a potent downstream mediator of the omental metastasis cytokine TGF-β that is released during omental destruction. Importantly, therapeutic inhibition of Jagged2-mediated omental metastasis was significantly improved by directly disrupting the Notch pathway in omental mesothelial cells. These findings highlight the key role of Jagged2 to the functional interplay between the TGF-β and the Notch signaling pathways during the metastatic process of ovarian cancer cells to the omentum and identify the Notch signaling molecule as a precision therapeutic target for ovarian cancer metastasis.
The GFPT2-O-GlcNAcylation-YBX1 axis promotes IL-18 secretion to regulate the tumor immune microenvironment in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Zhang Hui-Ru , Li Tian-Jiao , Yu Xian-Jun , Liu Chen , Wu Wei-Ding , Ye Long-Yun , Jin Kai-Zhou 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe immunosuppressive microenvironment caused by several intrinsic and extrinsic mechanism has brought great challenges to the immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer. We identified GFPT2, the key enzyme in hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP), as an immune-related prognostic gene in pancreatic cancer using transcriptome sequencing and further confirmed that GFPT2 promoted macrophage M2 polarization and malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer. HBP is a glucose metabolism pathway leading to the generation of uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc), which is further utilized for protein O-GlcNAcylation. We confirmed GFPT2-mediated O-GlcNAcylation played an important role in regulating immune microenvironment. Through cellular proteomics, we identified IL-18 as a key downstream of GFPT2 in regulating the immune microenvironment. Through CO-IP and protein mass spectrum, we confirmed that YBX1 was O-GlcNAcylated and nuclear translocated by GFPT2-mediated O-GlcNAcylation. Then, YBX1 functioned as a transcription factor to promote IL-18 transcription. Our study elucidated the relationship between the metabolic pathway of HBP in cancer cells and the immune microenvironment, which might provide some insights into the combination therapy of HBP vulnerability and immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer.
POLQ inhibition attenuates the stemness and ferroptosis resistance in gastric cancer cells via downregulation of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase
Authors: Peng Yanmei , Zheng Wenbo , Chen Yuehong , Lei Xuetao , Yang Zhijing , Yang Yuxuan , Liang Weiqi , Sun Kai , Li Guoxin , Yu Jiang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGastric cancer (GC) contains subpopulations of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are described as the main contributors in tumor initiation and metastasis. It is necessary to clarify the molecular mechanism underlying CSCs phenotype and develop novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for gastric cancer. Here, we show that POLQ positively regulates stem cell-like characteristics of gastric cancer cells, knockdown of POLQ suppressed the stemness of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Further mechanistic studies revealed that POLQ knockdown could downregulate the expression of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH). DHODH overexpression rescued the reduced stemness resulted by POLQ knockdown. Furthermore, we found that POLQ expression correlated with resistance to ferroptosis, and POLQ inhibition renders gastric cancer cells more vulnerable to ferroptosis. Further investigation revealed that POLQ regulated DHODH expression via the transcription factors E2F4, thereby regulating ferroptosis resistance and stemness of gastric cancer cells. Given the importance of POLQ in stemness and ferroptosis resistance of GC, we further evaluated the therapeutic potential of POLQ inhibitor novobiocin, the results show that novobiocin attenuates the stemness of GC cells and increased ferroptosis sensitivity. Moreover, the combination of POLQ inhibitor and ferroptosis inducer synergistically suppressed MGC-803 xenograft tumor growth and diminished metastasis. Our results identify a POLQ-mediated stemness and ferroptosis defense mechanism and provide a new therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.
Genetic structure and landscape effects on gene flow in the Neotropical lizard Norops brasiliensis (Squamata: Dactyloidae)
Authors: Fonseca Emanuel M. , Pope Nathaniel S. , Peterman William E. , Werneck Fernanda P. , Colli Guarino R. , Carstens Bryan C. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOne key research goal of evolutionary biology is to understand the origin and maintenance of genetic variation. In the Cerrado, the South American savanna located primarily in the Central Brazilian Plateau, many hypotheses have been proposed to explain how landscape features (e.g., geographic distance, river barriers, topographic compartmentalization, and historical climatic fluctuations) have promoted genetic structure by mediating gene flow. Here, we asked whether these landscape features have influenced the genetic structure and differentiation in the lizard species Norops brasiliensis (Squamata: Dactyloidae). To achieve our goal, we used a genetic clustering analysis and estimate an effective migration surface to assess genetic structure in the focal species. Optimized isolation-by-resistance models and a simulation-based approach combined with machine learning (convolutional neural network; CNN) were then used to infer current and historical effects on population genetic structure through 12 unique landscape models. We recovered five geographically distributed populations that are separated by regions of lower-than-expected gene flow. The results of the CNN showed that geographic distance is the sole predictor of genetic variation in N. brasiliensis, and that slope, rivers, and historical climate had no discernible influence on gene flow. Our novel CNN approach was accurate (89.5%) in differentiating each landscape model. CNN and other machine learning approaches are still largely unexplored in landscape genetics studies, representing promising avenues for future research with increasingly accessible genomic datasets.
Increase in concerns about climate change following climate strikes and civil disobedience in Germany
Authors: Brehm Johannes , Gruhl Henri 
Published: April 2024

AbstractClimate movements have gained momentum in recent years, aiming to create public awareness of the consequences of climate change through salient climate protests. This paper investigates whether concerns about climate change increase following demonstrative protests and confrontational acts of civil disobedience. Leveraging individual-level survey panel data from Germany, we exploit exogenous variations in the timing of climate protests relative to survey interview dates to compare climate change concerns in the days before and after a protest (N = 24,535). Following climate protests, we find increases in concerns about climate change by, on average, 1.2 percentage points. Further, we find no statistically significant evidence that concerns of any subpopulation decreased after climate protests. Lastly, the increase in concerns following protests is highest when concern levels before the protests are low.
A genome-centric view of the role of the Acropora kenti microbiome in coral health and resilience
Authors: Messer Lauren F. , Bourne David G. , Robbins Steven J. , Clay Megan , Bell Sara C. , McIlroy Simon J. , Tyson Gene W. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMicrobial diversity has been extensively explored in reef-building corals. However, the functional roles of coral-associated microorganisms remain poorly elucidated. Here, we recover 191 bacterial and 10 archaeal metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from the coral Acropora kenti (formerly A. tenuis) and adjacent seawater, to identify microbial functions and metabolic interactions within the holobiont. We show that 82 MAGs were specific to the A. kenti holobiont, including members of the Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, and Desulfobacterota. A. kenti-specific MAGs displayed significant differences in their genomic features and functional potential relative to seawater-specific MAGs, with a higher prevalence of genes involved in host immune system evasion, nitrogen and carbon fixation, and synthesis of five essential B-vitamins. We find a diversity of A. kenti-specific MAGs encode the biosynthesis of essential amino acids, such as tryptophan, histidine, and lysine, which cannot be de novo synthesised by the host or Symbiodiniaceae. Across a water quality gradient spanning 2° of latitude, A. kenti microbial community composition is correlated to increased temperature and dissolved inorganic nitrogen, with corresponding enrichment in molecular chaperones, nitrate reductases, and a heat-shock protein. We reveal mechanisms of A. kenti-microbiome-symbiosis on the Great Barrier Reef, highlighting the interactions underpinning the health of this keystone holobiont.
Bat species assemblage predicts coronavirus prevalence
Authors: Meyer Magdalena , Melville Dominik W. , Baldwin Heather J. , Wilhelm Kerstin , Nkrumah Evans Ewald , Badu Ebenezer K. , Oppong Samuel Kingsley , Schwensow Nina , Stow Adam , Vallo Peter , Corman Victor M. , Tschapka Marco , Drosten Christian , Sommer Simone 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAnthropogenic disturbances and the subsequent loss of biodiversity are altering species abundances and communities. Since species vary in their pathogen competence, spatio-temporal changes in host assemblages may lead to changes in disease dynamics. We explore how longitudinal changes in bat species assemblages affect the disease dynamics of coronaviruses (CoVs) in more than 2300 cave-dwelling bats captured over two years from five caves in Ghana. This reveals uneven CoV infection patterns between closely related species, with the alpha-CoV 229E-like and SARS-related beta-CoV 2b emerging as multi-host pathogens. Prevalence and infection likelihood for both phylogenetically distinct CoVs is influenced by the abundance of competent species and naïve subadults. Broadly, bat species vary in CoV competence, and highly competent species are more common in less diverse communities, leading to increased CoV prevalence in less diverse bat assemblages. In line with the One Health framework, our work supports the notion that biodiversity conservation may be the most proactive measure to prevent the spread of pathogens with zoonotic potential.
Aluminum corrosion–passivation regulation prolongs aqueous batteries life
Authors: Liu Binghang , Lv Tianshi , Zhou Anxing , Zhu Xiangzhen , Lin Zejing , Lin Ting , Suo Liumin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAluminum current collectors are widely used in nonaqueous batteries owing to their cost-effectiveness, lightweightness, and ease of fabrication. However, they are excluded from aqueous batteries due to their severe corrosion in aqueous solutions. Here, we propose hydrolyzation-type anodic additives to form a robust passivation layer to suppress corrosion. These additives dramatically lower the corrosion current density of aluminum by nearly three orders of magnitude to ~10−6 A cm−2. In addition, realizing that electrochemical corrosion accompanies anode prelithiation, we propose a prototype of self-prolonging aqueous Li-ion batteries (Al ||LiMn2O4 ||TiO2), whose capacity retention rises from 49.5% to 70.1% after 200 cycles. A sacrificial aluminum electrode where electrochemical corrosion is utilized is introduced as an electron supplement to prolong the cycling life of aqueous batteries. Our work addresses the short-life issue of aqueous batteries resulting from the corrosion of the current collector and lithium loss from side reactions.
Molecular insight into the initial hydration of tricalcium aluminate
Authors: Ming Xing , Si Wen , Yu Qinglu , Sun Zhaoyang , Qiu Guotao , Cao Mingli , Li Yunjian , Li Zongjin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPortland cement (PC) is ubiquitously used in construction for centuries, yet the elucidation of its early-age hydration remains a challenge. Understanding the initial hydration progress of tricalcium aluminate (C3A) at molecular scale is thus crucial for tackling this challenge as it exhibits a proclivity for early-stage hydration and plays a pivotal role in structural build-up of cement colloids. Herein, we implement a series of ab-initio calculations to probe the intricate molecular interactions of C3A during its initial hydration process. The C3A surface exhibits remarkable chemical activity in promoting water dissociation, which in turn facilitates the gradual desorption of Ca ions through a metal-proton exchange reaction. The dissolution pathways and free energies of these Ca ions follow the ligand-exchange mechanism with multiple sequential reactions to form the ultimate products where Ca ions adopt fivefold or sixfold coordination. Finally, these Ca complexes reprecipitate on the remaining Al-rich layer through the interface-coupled dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism, demonstrating dynamically stable inner-sphere adsorption states. The above results are helpful in unmasking the early-age hydration of PC and advancing the rational design of cement-based materials through the bottom-up approach.