bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between dietary inflammation index and asthma COPD overlap
Authors: Wang Shidong , Wang Yaokun , Hu Xiaoyan , Lu Linmin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere are few studies on the relationship between dietary habits and asthma–COPD overlap (ACO). In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between dietary inflammation index (DII) score and ACO. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2020. The DII score was first calculated and the demographic characteristics of the grouping based on the DII quartile were assessed. The weighted logistic regression model was used to study the relationship between DII and ACO. Subgroup analysis was used to further explore the differences in different subgroups. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) plot was used to show the general trend of DII score and disease risk, and threshold effect analysis was used to determine the inflection point. In a comparison of baseline characteristics, the highest ACO prevalence was found in the fourth quartile array of people in DII. An adjusted weighted logistic regression model showed that DII was positively correlated with the incidence of ACO. Subgroup analysis showed that the association was more pronounced in women, non-Hispanics, people with cardiovascular disease, and people without diabetes. The RCS graph shows that overall, the risk of ACO increases with the increase of DII score. Threshold effect analysis showed that the inflection point was 3.779, and the risk was more significant after the DII score was greater than the inflection point value (OR 2.001, 95% CI 1.334–3.001, P < 0.001). Higher DII scores were positively associated with ACO risk. These results further support diet as an intervention strategy for ACO prevention and treatment.
Expression of GCaMP6s in the dentate gyrus induces tonic–clonic seizures
Authors: Teng Sasa , Wang Wanqi , Wen Jia Jun Joel , Wang Jingxuan , Turi Gergely F. , Peng Yueqing 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGCaMP is a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI) widely used in neuroscience research. It measures intracellular Ca2+ level by fluorescence changes as it directly binds to Ca2+. In this process, the effect of this calcium buffer on the intracellular calcium signaling and cell physiology is often not taken into consideration. However, growing evidence from calcium imaging studies shows GCaMP expression under certain conditions can generate aberrant activity, such as seizures. In this study, we examined the effect of GCaMP6 expression in the dentate gyrus (DG) on epileptogenesis. We found that viral expression of GCaMP6s but not GCaMP6f in the DG induces tonic–clonic seizures several weeks after viral injection. Cell-type specific expression of GCaMP6s revealed the granule cells (GCs) as the key player in GCaMP6s-induced epilepsy. Finally, by using slice electrophysiology, we demonstrated that GCaMP6s expression increases neuronal excitability in the GCs. Together, this study highlights the ability of GCaMP6s in DG-associated epileptogenesis.
Improvement in variance estimation using transformed auxiliary variable under simple random sampling
Authors: Ali Hameed , Asim Syed Muhammad , Ijaz Muhammad , Zaman Tolga , Iftikhar Soofia 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis paper offers a novel approach to formulate efficient ratio estimator of the population variance using a transformed auxiliary variable. The impact of transformation on auxiliary information has also been discussed. It is observed that incorporating a transformed auxiliary variable result in a high gain in efficiency. Theoretical properties of the newly developed estimators have been derived. The empirical and simulation studies show that the suggested estimators outperformed the existing estimators.
Reversing valproic acid-induced autism-like behaviors through a combination of low-frequency repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Afshari Masoud , Gharibzadeh Shahriar , Pouretemad Hamidreza , Roghani Mehrdad 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTranscranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a neurostimulation device used to modulate brain cortex activity. Our objective was to enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of low-frequency repeated TMS (LF-rTMS) in a rat model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) induced by prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure through the injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). For the induction of ASD, we administered prenatal VPA (600 mg/kg, I.P.) on the 12.5th day of pregnancy. At postnatal day 30, SPIONs were injected directly into the lateral ventricle of the brain. Subsequently, LF-rTMS treatment was applied for 14 consecutive days. Following the treatment period, behavioral analyses were conducted. At postnatal day 60, brain tissue was extracted, and both biochemical and histological analyses were performed. Our data revealed that prenatal VPA exposure led to behavioral alterations, including changes in social interactions, increased anxiety, and repetitive behavior, along with dysfunction in stress coping strategies. Additionally, we observed reduced levels of SYN, MAP2, and BDNF. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in dendritic spine density in the hippocampal CA1 area. However, LF-rTMS treatment combined with SPIONs successfully reversed these dysfunctions at the behavioral, biochemical, and histological levels, introducing a successful approach for the treatment of ASD.
Cobalt complexes modulate plasmid conjugation in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Alav Ilyas , Pordelkhaki Parisa , de Resende Pedro Ernesto , Partington Hannah , Gibbons Simon , Lord Rianne M. , Buckner Michelle M. C. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance genes (ARG), such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase genes, are commonly carried on plasmids. Plasmids can transmit between bacteria, disseminate globally, and cause clinically important resistance. Therefore, targeting plasmids could reduce ARG prevalence, and restore the efficacy of existing antibiotics. Cobalt complexes possess diverse biological activities, including antimicrobial and anticancer properties. However, their effect on plasmid conjugation has not been explored yet. Here, we assessed the effect of four previously characterised bis(N-picolinamido)cobalt(II) complexes lacking antibacterial activity on plasmid conjugation in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of these cobalt complexes confirmed the lack of antibacterial activity in E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Liquid broth and solid agar conjugation assays were used to screen the activity of the complexes on four archetypical plasmids in E. coli J53. The cobalt complexes significantly reduced the conjugation of RP4, R6K, and R388 plasmids, but not pKM101, on solid agar in E. coli J53. Owing to their promising activity, the impact of cobalt complexes was tested on the conjugation of fluorescently tagged extended-spectrum β-lactamase encoding pCTgfp plasmid in E. coli and carbapenemase encoding pKpQILgfp plasmid in K. pneumoniae, using flow cytometry. The complexes significantly reduced the conjugation of pKpQILgfp in K. pneumoniae but had no impact on pCTgfp conjugation in E. coli. The cobalt complexes did not have plasmid-curing activity, suggesting that they target conjugation rather than plasmid stability. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report reduced conjugation of clinically relevant plasmids with cobalt complexes. These cobalt complexes are not cytotoxic towards mammalian cells and are not antibacterial, therefore they could be optimised and employed as inhibitors of plasmid conjugation.
Enhanced plant-derived vesicles for nucleotide delivery for cancer therapy
Authors: Corvigno Sara , Liu Yuan , Bayraktar Emine , Stur Elaine , Bayram Nazende Nur , Ahumada Adrian Lankenau , Nagaraju Supriya , Rodriguez-Aguayo Cristian , Chen Hu , Vu Thanh Chung , Wen Yunfei , Liang Han , Zhao Li , Lee Sanghoon , Lopez-Berestein Gabriel , Sood Anil K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSmall RNAs (microRNAs [miRNAs] or small interfering RNAs [siRNAs]) are effective tools for cancer therapy, but many of the existing carriers for their delivery are limited by low bioavailability, insufficient loading, impaired transport across biological barriers, and low delivery into the tumor microenvironment. Extracellular vesicle (EV)–based communication in mammalian and plant systems is important for many physiological and pathological processes, and EVs show promise as carriers for RNA interference molecules. However, some fundamental issues limit their use, such as insufficient cargo loading and low potential for scaling production. Plant-derived vesicles (PDVs) are membrane-coated vesicles released in the apoplastic fluid of plants that contain biomolecules that play a role in several biological mechanisms. Here, we developed an alternative approach to deliver miRNA for cancer therapy using PDVs. We isolated vesicles from watermelon and formulated a hybrid, exosomal, polymeric system in which PDVs were combined with a dendrimer bound to miRNA146 mimic. Third generation PAMAM was chosen due to its high branching structure and versatility for loading molecules of interest. We performed several in vivo experiments to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of our compound and explored in vitro biological mechanisms underlying the anti-tumor effects of miRNA146, which are mostly related to its anti-angiogenic activity.
Exploration of the two-dimensional transition metal phosphide MoP2 as anode for Na/K ion batteries
Authors: Jin Junjie , Schwingenschlögl Udo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTransition metal phosphides are regarded to be potential anode materials for alkali metal ion batteries with abundant availability of the constituent elements. However, the volume changes and resulting structure deterioration during the charge-discharge process are challenges. Using evolutionary search combined with ab initio calculations, we discover a dynamically, thermally, and mechanically stable MoP2 monolayer, which turns out to be an excellent anode material for Na-ion batteries providing a high specific capacity of 339 mA h g−1, low diffusion barrier of 0.12 eV, and low open-circuit voltage of 0.48 V. The volume expansion (125%) is found to be decisively smaller than in the case of black phosphorus (443%), for example.
Synaptic ribbon dynamics after noise exposure in the hearing cochlea
Authors: Ismail Mohamad Noura , Santra Peu , Park Yesai , Matthews Ian R. , Taketa Emily , Chan Dylan K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractModerate noise exposure induces cochlear synaptopathy, the loss of afferent ribbon synapses between cochlear hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, which is associated with functional hearing decline. Prior studies have demonstrated noise-induced changes in the distribution and number of synaptic components, but the dynamic changes that occur after noise exposure have not been directly visualized. Here, we describe a live imaging model using RIBEYE-tagRFP to enable direct observation of pre-synaptic ribbons in mature hearing mouse cochleae after synaptopathic noise exposure. Ribbon number does not change, but noise induces an increase in ribbon volume as well as movement suggesting unanchoring from synaptic tethers. A subgroup of basal ribbons displays concerted motion towards the cochlear nucleus with subsequent migration back to the cell membrane after noise cessation. Understanding the immediate dynamics of synaptic damage after noise exposure may facilitate identification of specific target pathways to treat cochlear synaptopathy.
Functional and structural reorganization in brain tumors: a machine learning approach using desynchronized functional oscillations
Authors: Falcó-Roget Joan , Cacciola Alberto , Sambataro Fabio , Crimi Alessandro 
Published: April 2024

AbstractNeuroimaging studies have allowed for non-invasive mapping of brain networks in brain tumors. Although tumor core and edema are easily identifiable using standard MRI acquisitions, imaging studies often neglect signals, structures, and functions within their presence. Therefore, both functional and diffusion signals, as well as their relationship with global patterns of connectivity reorganization, are poorly understood. Here, we explore the functional activity and the structure of white matter fibers considering the contribution of the whole tumor in a surgical context. First, we find intertwined alterations in the frequency domain of local and spatially distributed resting-state functional signals, potentially arising within the tumor. Second, we propose a fiber tracking pipeline capable of using anatomical information while still reconstructing bundles in tumoral and peritumoral tissue. Finally, using machine learning and healthy anatomical information, we predict structural rearrangement after surgery given the preoperative brain network. The generative model also disentangles complex patterns of connectivity reorganization for different types of tumors. Overall, we show the importance of carefully designing studies including MR signals within damaged brain tissues, as they exhibit and relate to non-trivial patterns of both structural and functional (dis-)connections or activity.
Allosteric activation unveils protein-mass modulation of ATP phosphoribosyltransferase product release
Authors: Read Benjamin J. , Mitchell John B. O. , da Silva Rafael G. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHeavy-isotope substitution into enzymes slows down bond vibrations and may alter transition-state barrier crossing probability if this is coupled to fast protein motions. ATP phosphoribosyltransferase from Acinetobacter baumannii is a multi-protein complex where the regulatory protein HisZ allosterically enhances catalysis by the catalytic protein HisGS. This is accompanied by a shift in rate-limiting step from chemistry to product release. Here we report that isotope-labelling of HisGS has no effect on the nonactivated reaction, which involves negative activation heat capacity, while HisZ-activated HisGS catalytic rate decreases in a strictly mass-dependent fashion across five different HisGS masses, at low temperatures. Surprisingly, the effect is not linked to the chemical step, but to fast motions governing product release in the activated enzyme. Disruption of a specific enzyme-product interaction abolishes the isotope effects. Results highlight how altered protein mass perturbs allosterically modulated thermal motions relevant to the catalytic cycle beyond the chemical step.
Superconducting diode effect sign change in epitaxial Al-InAs Josephson junctions
Authors: Lotfizadeh Neda , Schiela William F. , Pekerten Barış , Yu Peng , Elfeky Bassel Heiba , Strickland William M. , Matos-Abiague Alex , Shabani Javad 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere has recently been a surge of interest in studying the superconducting diode effect (SDE) partly due to the possibility of uncovering the intrinsic properties of a material system. A change of sign of the SDE at finite magnetic field has previously been attributed to different mechanisms. Here, we observe the SDE in epitaxial Al-InAs Josephson junctions with strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC). We show that this effect strongly depends on the orientation of the in-plane magnetic field. In the presence of a strong magnetic field, we observe a change of sign in the SDE. Simulation and measurement of supercurrent suggest that depending on the superconducting widths, WS, this sign change may not necessarily be related to 0–π or topological transitions. We find that the strongest sign change in junctions with narrow WS is consistent with SOC-induced asymmetry of the critical current under magnetic-field inversion, while in wider WS, the sign reversal could be related to 0–π transitions and topological superconductivity.
Activation of telecom emitters in silicon upon ion implantation and ns pulsed laser annealing
Authors: Andrini Greta , Zanelli Gabriele , Ditalia Tchernij Sviatoslav , Corte Emilio , Nieto Hernández Elena , Verna Alessio , Cocuzza Matteo , Bernardi Ettore , Virzì Salvatore , Traina Paolo , Degiovanni Ivo P. , Genovese Marco , Olivero Paolo , Forneris Jacopo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractRecent demonstrations of optically active telecom emitters show that silicon is a compelling candidate for solid-state quantum photonic platforms. In particular, the fabrication of a defect known as the G center has been shown in carbon-rich silicon upon conventional thermal annealing. However, the high-yield controlled fabrication of these emitters at the wafer scale still requires the identification of a suitable thermodynamic pathway enabling its activation following ion implantation. Here we demonstrate the activation of G centers in high-purity silicon substrates upon nanosecond pulsed laser annealing. The proposed method enables non-invasive, localized activation of G centers by the supply of short non-stationary pulses, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional rapid thermal annealing related to the structural metastability of the emitters. A finite-element analysis highlights the strong non-stationarity of the technique, offering radically different defect-engineering capabilities with respect to conventional longer thermal treatments, paving the way to the direct and controlled fabrication of emitters embedded in integrated photonic circuits and waveguides.
Exacerbated summer European warming not captured by climate models neglecting long-term aerosol changes
Authors: Schumacher Dominik L. , Singh Jitendra , Hauser Mathias , Fischer Erich M. , Wild Martin , Seneviratne Sonia I. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn much of western-central Europe, summer temperatures have surged three times faster than the global mean warming since 1980, yet this is not captured by most climate model simulations. Here we disentangle this warming into thermodynamic and circulation-induced contributions, and show that the latter is the main reason why numerically simulated warming is weaker than observed. Crucially, regional climate models from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment with constant aerosol forcings systematically show the strongest discrepancies from observations: in these simulations, the regional brightening and associated thermodynamic warming due to aerosol reductions is not represented. We estimate an effect of ~0.5 °C over western-central Europe for our model ensemble, and the discrepancy to climate models with evolving aerosols increases in future projections. To better reap the benefits of regional high-resolution simulations, it is thus imperative to represent the relevant external forcings and associated responses across the entire climate model chain.
Observational constraint on a feedback from supercooled clouds reduces projected warming uncertainty
Authors: Cesana Grégory V. , Ackerman Andrew S. , Fridlind Ann M. , Silber Israel , Del Genio Anthony D. , Zelinka Mark D. , Chepfer Hélène , Khadir Théodore , Roehrig Romain 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe increase of carbon-dioxide-doubling-induced warming (climate sensitivity) in the latest climate models is primarily attributed to a larger extratropical cloud feedback. This is thought to be partly driven by a greater ratio of supercooled liquid-phase clouds to all clouds, termed liquid phase ratio. We use an instrument simulator approach to show that this ratio has increased in the latest climate models and is overestimated rather than underestimated as previously thought. In our analysis of multiple models, a greater ratio corresponds to stronger negative cloud feedback, in contradiction with single-model-based studies. We trace this unexpected result to a cloud feedback involving a shift from supercooled to warm clouds as climate warms, which corresponds to greater cloud amount and optical depth and weakens the extratropical cloud feedback. Better constraining this ratio in climate models – and thus this supercooled cloud feedback – impacts their climate sensitivities by up to 1 ˚C and reduces inter-model spread.
Genomics reveals heterogeneous Plasmodium falciparum transmission and selection signals in Zambia
Authors: Fola Abebe A. , He Qixin , Xie Shaojun , Thimmapuram Jyothi , Bhide Ketaki P. , Dorman Jack , Ciubotariu Ilinca I. , Mwenda Mulenga C. , Mambwe Brenda , Mulube Conceptor , Hawela Moonga , Norris Douglas E. , Moss William J. , Bridges Daniel J. , Carpi Giovanna 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Genomic surveillance is crucial for monitoring malaria transmission and understanding parasite adaptation to interventions. Zambia lacks prior nationwide efforts in malaria genomic surveillance among African countries.

Methods
We conducted genomic surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum parasites from the 2018 Malaria Indicator Survey in Zambia, a nationally representative household survey of children under five years of age. We whole-genome sequenced and analyzed 241 P. falciparum genomes from regions with varying levels of malaria transmission across Zambia and estimated genetic metrics that are informative about transmission intensity, genetic relatedness between parasites, and selection.

Results
We provide genomic evidence of widespread within-host polygenomic infections, regardless of epidemiological characteristics, underscoring the extensive and ongoing endemic malaria transmission in Zambia. Our analysis reveals country-level clustering of parasites from Zambia and neighboring regions, with distinct separation in West Africa. Within Zambia, identity by descent (IBD) relatedness analysis uncovers local spatial clustering and rare cases of long-distance sharing of closely related parasite pairs. Genomic regions with large shared IBD segments and strong positive selection signatures implicate genes involved in sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and artemisinin combination therapies drug resistance, but no signature related to chloroquine resistance. Furthermore, differences in selection signatures, including drug resistance loci, are observed between eastern and western Zambian parasite populations, suggesting variable transmission intensity and ongoing drug pressure.

Conclusions
Our findings enhance our understanding of nationwide P. falciparum transmission in Zambia, establishing a baseline for analyzing parasite genetic metrics as they vary over time and space. These insights highlight the urgency of strengthening malaria control programs and surveillance of antimalarial drug resistance.