bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental study and clustering of operating staff of search systems in the sense of stress resistance
Authors: Shakhovska Nataliya , Kaminskyi Roman , Khudoba Bohdan 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionThe main goal of this study is to develop a methodology for the organization of experimental selection of operator personnel based on the analysis of their behavior under the influence of micro-stresses.MethodsA human-machine interface model has been developed, which considers the change in the functional state of the human operator. The presented concept of the difficulty of detecting the object of attention contributed to developing a particular sequence of ordinary test images with stressor images included in it and presented models of the flow of presenting test images to the recipient.ResultsWith the help of descriptive statistics, the parameters of individual box-plot diagrams were determined, and the recipient group was clustered.DiscussionOverall, the proposed approach based on the example of the conducted grouping makes it possible to ensure the objectivity and efficiency of the professional selection of applicants for operator specialties.
Initiating luteal phase support with sc progesterone based on low serum progesterone on the transfer day in true natural cycle frozen embryo transfers
Authors: Demirel Cem , Özcan Pınar , Tülek Fırat , Timur Hikmet Tunç , Pasin Özge 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionConcerning contemporary in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) practice, the use of frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles has become more common than fresh transfers. Natural cycle (NC), programmed artificial cycle and mild stimulation cycle are primary endometrium preparation cycles. Monitoring serum progesterone levels in FET cycles are in the scope of current research focus. Low progesterone levels on the day of embryo transfer is presumed to negatively affect pregnancy outcomes, while progesterone supplementation may improve pregnancy rates. The purpose of our trial is to evaluate whether initiating subcutaneous (SC) progesterone supplementation on the day of embryo transfer when serum progesterone levels are below 10 ng/mL in tNC-FET will result in pregnancy rates comparable to those of patients with sufficient serum progesterone.MethodsRetrospective single centre study was conducted between August 2022 and April 2023 with 181 tNC-FETs. Patients were separated into groups according to serum progesterone concentrations (≥10 ng/mL and &lt;10 ng/mL) on embryo transfer (ET) day. S.c progesterone (25 mg) was given on the day of ET when serum progesterone was &lt;10 ng/mL, continuing until the 10th gestational week. Blood samples for pregnancy tests were collected 12 days after ET. Outcome parameters were pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), miscarriage rate, multiple pregnancy rate, biochemical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR).ResultsAbout half (49.7%) had adequate progesterone concentrations (≥10ng/mL) on ET day. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding positive pregnancy test, OPR, multiple pregnancies, and miscarriage rates (57.8% versus 52.7%; 34.4% versus 29.7%, 1.1% versus 2.2%; 7.8% versus 5.5%; respectively, for progesterone concentrations on ET day ≥10 ng/mL and &lt;10 ng/mL). With 55.2% of transfers leading to clinical pregnancy, significant differences emerged in biochemical pregnancy and CPR (3.3% vs 12.1%, P=0.02; 54.4% vs 40.7%, P=0.03, for ≥10 ng/mL and &lt;10 ng/mL progesterone concentrations on ET day).DiscussionThis study indicates that nearly half of the tNC-FETs may need luteal phase support due to low progesterone. However, 25 mc sc progesterone rescued the luteal support and yielded similar OPR as compared to normal progesterone group. Further studies are needed for understanding optimal progesterone levels, supplementation effectiveness, and potential benefits of earlier supplementation in FETs.
Analysis of the light performance of Chinese solar greenhouse with internal insulation based on a solar radiation model
Authors: Sun Qian , Song Yang , Yang Zhigang , Liu Xiaorui , Cui Shimao 
Published: October 2023

Chinese solar greenhouses are important agricultural building facilities with highly efficient and sustainable solar energy consumption. A solar greenhouse with an external insulation blanket for heat preservation is the most prevalent type of CSG. However, greenhouse performance degrades as the thermal insulation performance of the external blanket deteriorates over time when the blanket is exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Moreover, the external blanket is usually parked in an inconvenient location on the south roof in the practice, resulting in shading owing to its increasing coverage length. This significantly influences the solar radiation received by the south roof and that projected on the wall, ultimately affecting the light performance of the greenhouse. Therefore, a solar greenhouse with an innovatively applied internal insulation system was proposed in this study. To analyze the light performance of the solar greenhouse, a solar radiation model was established and verified by comparing the measured and calculated values. Based on the calculated model results, the spatial distribution of solar radiation inside the greenhouse and its allocation to the interior surfaces of the greenhouse were simulated. The total captured and transmitted solar radiation accumulations were compared for three different roof shapes. The captured and transmitted radiation accumulation of the greenhouse with internal insulation increased by 3.9–9.5 and 1.8–4.4 MJ compared to the two other greenhouses, respectively. The effect of the position of the parked blanket on the beam solar radiation projected on the wall and ground was considered. The results indicated that the increased blanket coverage length decreased the cumulative radiation on the wall by 25.24%–99.82%, which did not contribute to improving greenhouse energy-saving production. This study provides a new approach to greenhouse design and optimization.
Annual short-burst mass anthelmintic administration reduces tuberculosis severity but not prevalence in a wildlife reservoir
Authors: Lello Joanne , Gassó Diana , Gonçalves Pilar , Risco David , García Waldo L. , Segalés Joaquim , Garrido-Amaro Cristina , Mentaberre Gregorio , Torres-Blas Irene , Velarde Roser , López-Olvera Jorge R. , Fernández-Llario Pedro , Serrano Emmanuel 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionTuberculosis (TB), caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), is an important disease in both human and animal systems. Helminths are commonly found in coinfection with MTC and TB is often exacerbated in such coinfections. Long-term anthelmintic administration, to control helminths, can improve a host’s ability to control MTC infection. Mass drug administration programmes, in which anthelmintics are given only once or twice a year, leaving periods where helminth reinfection can occur, are common in both human and domestic animal populations. To date, the effect of such intermittent control programmes on MTC infection and severity has not been explored.MethodsHere we investigate the consequences of a ten-day, annual, mass ivermectin administration on TB prevalence and severity in free-ranging juvenile and yearling (&lt;2 years) wild boar (Sus scrofa).ResultsThis single annual anthelmintic treatment administered over six years reduced TB severity. Further, the proportion of wild boar with severe TB continued to decrease with successive treatments. TB prevalence, however, did not decrease significantly over the course of the study.DiscussionWhile ivermectin has direct anti-mycobacterial effects in vitro, the short duration of treatment means that the reduction in TB severity we observe in wild boar is unlikely to be accounted for by such a direct mechanism. Disruption of the helminth community and subsequent modification or enhancement of the host immune response is a potential mechanism. Future work should examine the consequences of annual anthelmintic drug administration on helminth community composition and structure and on the host immunological responses through time.
Movement behavior, habitat selection, and functional responses to habitat availability among four species of wintering waterfowl in California
Authors: Overton Cory T. , Casazza Michael L. 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionHabitat selection analyses provide a window into the perceived value of habitats by animals and how those perceptions compare with other animals, change across time, or change in relation to availability (termed functional responses). Habitat selection analysis and functional responses can be used to develop strategies to avoid habitat limitations, guide habitat management, and set attainable conservation goals. GPS relocations of marked animals are the principal data used in habitat selection analysis. The accuracy and frequency with which tracking devices collect data are increasing and may result in non-stationary point processes that result from latent behaviors previously unidentifiable in sparse data.MethodsWe investigated non-stationary step length distributions and integrated a two-mixture model of animal movement with step selection analysis to identify patterns of activity among four species of co-occurring waterfowl that winter in the Central Valley of California, United States. We evaluated relative strength of selection and compared functional responses across a range of habitat types for two goose and two dabbling duck species.ResultsGoose species (greater white-fronted goose [Anser albifrons] and lesser snow goose [Anser caerulescens caerulescens]) used habitats similarly and displayed similar functional responses with habitat availability. Northern pintail (Anas acuta) displayed functional responses for habitats that provided primary food resources and sanctuary from hunting that were more similar to geese than to mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), which expressed a more generalist pattern of habitat selection.DiscussionOur results define conditions where food resource competition between geese and ducks could operate, which indicate that some species may be more impacted than others. Specifically, early season food limitation may manifest more strongly in snow geese due to longer movements and stronger functional response with rice availability. Late season limitations may manifest in northern pintail, which remain reliant on rice later but may not be reflected in habitat selection patterns due to a consistent functional response with rice availability. We show that multiple movement processes present in high-resolution data can be used to obtain a variety of information about animal behavior and that subsequent step selection analyses may demonstrate unique functional responses relative to alternate habitat selection methods that warrant additional investigation.
Single-cell RNA-seq public data reveal the gene regulatory network landscape of respiratory epithelial and peripheral immune cells in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Zhang Lin , Nishi Hafumi , Kinoshita Kengo 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionInfection with SARS-CoV-2 leads to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which can result in acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ failure. However, its comprehensive influence on pathological immune responses in the respiratory epithelium and peripheral immune cells is not yet fully understood.MethodsIn this study, we analyzed multiple public scRNA-seq datasets of nasopharyngeal swabs and peripheral blood to investigate the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) of healthy individuals and COVID-19 patients with mild/moderate and severe disease, respectively. Cell-cell communication networks among cell types were also inferred. Finally, validations were conducted using bulk RNA-seq and proteome data.ResultsSimilar and dissimilar regulons were identified within or between epithelial and immune cells during COVID-19 severity progression. The relative transcription factors (TFs) and their targets were used to construct GRNs among different infection sites and conditions. Between respiratory epithelial and peripheral immune cells, different TFs tended to be used to regulate the activity of a cell between healthy individuals and COVID-19 patients, although they had some TFs in common. For example, XBP1, FOS, STAT1, and STAT2 were activated in both the epithelial and immune cells of virus-infected individuals. In contrast, severe COVID-19 cases exhibited activation of CEBPD in peripheral immune cells, while CEBPB was exclusively activated in respiratory epithelial cells. Moreover, in patients with severe COVID-19, although some inflammatory genes, such as S100A8/A9, were found to be upregulated in both respiratory epithelial and peripheral immune cells, their relative regulators can differ in terms of cell types. The cell-cell communication analysis suggested that epidermal growth factor receptor signaling among epithelia contributes to mild/moderate disease, and chemokine signaling among immune cells contributes to severe disease.ConclusionThis study identified cell type- and condition-specific regulons in a wide range of cell types from the initial infection site to the peripheral blood, and clarified the diverse mechanisms of maladaptive responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
PTPN1 is a prognostic biomarker related to cancer immunity and drug sensitivity: from pan-cancer analysis to validation in breast cancer
Authors: Zhao Ruijun , Chen Shuanglong , Cui Weiheng , Xie Chaoyu , Zhang Aiping , Yang Li , Dong Hongmei 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundProtein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1), a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase superfamily, has been identified as an oncogene and therapeutic target in various cancers. However, its precise role in determining the prognosis of human cancer and immunological responses remains elusive. This study investigated the relationship between PTPN1 expression and clinical outcomes, immune infiltration, and drug sensitivity in human cancers, which will improve understanding regarding its prognostic value and immunological role in pan-cancer.MethodsThe PTPN1 expression profile was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia databases. Kaplan-Meier, univariate Cox regression, and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were utilized to clarify the relationship between PTPN1 expression and the prognosis of pan-cancer patients. The relationships between PTPN1 expression and the presence of tumor-infiltrated immune cells were analyzed using Estimation of Stromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumor tissues using Expression data and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to examine the effects of PTPN1 level on the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to paclitaxel. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to investigate the relationship between PTPN1 expression, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoint gene expression in human breast cancer tissues and a mouse xenograft model.ResultsThe pan-cancer analysis revealed that PTPN1 was frequently up-regulated in various cancers. High PTPN1 expression was associated with poor prognosis in most cancers. Furthermore, PTPN1 expression correlated highly with the presence of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the expression of immune checkpoint pathway marker genes in different cancers. Furthermore, PTPN1 significantly predicted the prognosis for patients undergoing immunotherapy. The results of the CCK-8 viability assay revealed that PTPN1 knockdown increased the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells to paclitaxel. Finally, our results demonstrated that PTPN1 was associated with immune infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression in breast cancer.ConclusionPTPN1 was overexpressed in multiple cancer types and correlated with the clinical outcome and tumor immunity, suggesting it could be a valuable potential prognostic and immunological biomarker for pan-cancer.
The immune cell landscape of glioblastoma patients highlights a myeloid-enriched and immune suppressed microenvironment compared to metastatic brain tumors
Authors: Musca Beatrice , Russo Maria Giovanna , Tushe Ada , Magri Sara , Battaggia Greta , Pinton Laura , Bonaudo Camilla , Della Puppa Alessandro , Mandruzzato Susanna 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionBrain metastases (BrM), which commonly arise in patients with melanoma, breast cancer and lung cancer, are associated with a poor clinical prognosis. In this context, the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role since it either promotes or inhibits tumor progression. Our previous studies have characterized the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioblastoma (GBM). The aim of this study is to compare the immune profiles of BrM and GBM in order to identify potential differences that may be exploited in their differential treatment.MethodsTumor and/or blood samples were taken from 20 BrM patients and 19 GBM patients. Multi-parametric flow cytometry was used to evaluate myeloid and lymphoid cells, as well as the expression of immune checkpoints in the TME and blood. In selected cases, the immunosuppressive ability of sorted myeloid cells was tested, and the ex vivo proliferation of myeloid, lymphoid and tumor cell populations was analyzed.ResultsHigh frequencies of myeloid cells dominated both the BrM and GBM landscapes, but a higher presence of tumor-associated macrophages was observed in GBM, while BrM were characterized by a significant presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Exhaustion markers were highly expressed in all T cells from both primary and metastatic brain tumors. Ex vivo analysis of the cell cycle of a single sample of a BrM and of a GBM revealed subsets of proliferating tumor cells and blood-derived macrophages, but quiescent resident microglial cells and few proliferating lymphocytes. Macrophages sorted from a single lung BrM exhibited a strong immunosuppressive activity, as previously shown for primary GBM. Finally, a significant expansion of some myeloid cell subsets was observed in the blood of both GBM and BrM patients.DiscussionOur results define the main characteristics of the immune profile of BrM and GBM, which are distinguished by different levels of immunosuppressive myeloid cells and lymphocytes devoid of effector function. Understanding the role of the different cells in establishing the metastatic setting is critical for improving the therapeutic efficacy of new targeted immunotherapy strategies.
Recent large-scale mixed layer and vertical stratification maxima changes
Authors: Roch Marisa , Brandt Peter , Schmidtko Sunke 
Published: October 2023

The warming climate is causing a strengthening of ocean stratification. Ocean stratification, in turn, has significant impacts on physical, biogeochemical and ecological processes, such as ocean circulation, ventilation, air-sea interactions, nutrient fluxes, primary productivity and fisheries. How these processes are affected in detail by changing stratification still remains uncertain and are likely to vary locally. Here, we investigate the state and trend of different parameters characterizing the stratification of the global upper-ocean which can be derived from Argo profiles for the period 2006-2021. Among those parameters are mixed layer depth, magnitude and depth of the vertical stratification maximum. The summertime stratification maximum has increased in both hemispheres, respectively. During wintertime, the stratification maximum has intensified in the Northern Hemisphere, while changes in the Southern Hemisphere have been relatively small. Comparisons to mixed layer characteristics show that a strengthening stratification is mainly accompanied by a warming and freshening of the mixed layer. In agreement with previous observational studies, we find a large-scale mixed layer deepening that regionally contributes to the increasing stratification. Globally, the vertical stratification maximum strengthens by 7-8% and the mixed layer deepens by 4 m during 2006-2021. This hints to an ongoing de-coupling of the surface ocean from the ocean interior. The investigated changes can help determine the origin of existing model-observation discrepancies and improve predictions on climate change impact on upper-ocean ecology and biogeochemistry.
Serum interleukin-6, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein at hospital admission can identify patients at low risk for severe COVID-19 progression
Authors: Zobel Christian Matthias , Wenzel Werner , Krüger Jan Philipp , Baumgarten Ulrich , Wagelöhner Tobias , Neumann Nino , Foroutan Behruz , Müller Rico , Müller Annette , Rauschning Dominic , Schüßler Meike , Scheit Lorenz , Weinreich Felix , Oltmanns Klaas , Keidel Franziska , Koch Maria , Spethmann Sebastian , Schreiner Maximilian 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundCOVID-19 can show a variable course, from asymptomatic infections to acute respiratory failure and death. For efficient allocation of resources, patients should be stratified according to their risk for a severe course as early as possible.Methods135 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia at four German hospitals were prospectively included in this observational study. A standardized clinical laboratory profile was taken at hospital admission and a panel of serum markers with possible roles in the COVID-associated cytokine storm were also determined. 112 patients could be evaluated. The primary endpoint of ventilator requirement or death within 30 days of symptom onset was met by 13 patients.ResultsSerum elevations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) at hospital admission were each highly significantly (p &lt; 0.001) associated with ventilator requirement/death within 30 days of symptom onset. With a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 65–67%, IL-6 ≥ 52.8 pg/ml, PCT ≥ 0.11 ng/ml, and CRP ≥ 71.1 mg/L were predictive of a severe course of COVID-19. Positive likelihood ratios were between 2.6–2.8 and negative likelihood ratios were between 0.11–0.13 for these three markers.ConclusionNegative likelihood ratios indicate that IL-6, PCT, and CRP at hospital admission can be used for identifying patients at low risk for severe COVID-19 progression.
Brief and long maternal separation in C57Bl6J mice: behavioral consequences for the dam and the offspring
Authors: Rombaut Cynthia , Roura-Martinez David , Lepolard Catherine , Gascon Eduardo 
Published: October 2023

IntroductionAnimal models, especially rodents, have become instrumental to experimentally investigate the effects of an adverse post-natal environment on the developing brain. For this purpose, maternal separation (MS) paradigms have been widely used in the last decades. Nonetheless, how MS affects maternal behavior and, ultimately, the offspring depend on multiple variables.MethodsTo gain further insights into the consequences of MS, we decided to thoroughly measure and compare the effects of short (15 min, 3 times/day) vs. long (3 h, 1 time/day) separation on multiple maternally-associated behaviors and across the entire post-natal period.ResultsCompared to unhandled control litters, our results confirmed previous studies and indicated that SMS enhanced the time and variety of maternal care whereas LMS resulted in poor caregiving. We also showed that SMS-accrued caregiving persisted during the whole post-natal period. In contrast, LMS effects on maternal behavior were restricted to the early life (P2-P10). Finally, we also analyzed the behavioral consequences of these different rearing social environments on the offspring. We found that MS has profound effects in social tasks. We showed that affiliative touch, a type of prosocial behavior that provides comfort to others, is particularly sensitive to the modification of maternal caregiving.DiscussionOur results provide further support to the contention that interactions during the early post-natal period critically contribute to emotional processing and brain co-construction.