bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Image quality evaluation method for surface crack detection based on standard test chart
Authors: Zhu Zhiheng , Huang Dongliang , Zhou Xuanyi , Chen Dingping , Fu Jinyang , Yang Junsheng 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe use of automated equipment for surface crack detection based on digital image acquisition is becoming increasingly popular in the inspection industry. While researchers typically focus on improving the accuracy of recognition methods, the image quality is essential to the effectiveness of the algorithm. However, evaluating the quality of crack images has received little attention in computer‐aided civil and infrastructure engineering. A prominent issue is whether surface cracks are visible and measurable in images. This study proposes an image quality evaluation method using an original standard test chart that simulates cracks of different widths and directions. Geometric transformations and preprocessing techniques are employed in a full‐reference strategy to process the acquired crack images. The resulting information provides quantitative scores for crack visibility and measurability. The proposed Crack Structural Similarity Index is more in line with human perception and offers an accurate evaluation of real image quality. The study shows that Gaussian blur disturbance and random noise disturbance primarily affect measurability and visibility, respectively. Furthermore, the study finds that the quality of the crack image improves with increasing sensor pixel size and using a prime lens over a zoom or long zoom lens. This approach enables comparing image quality collected by different devices in the field environment and provides guidance for optimizing field acquisition parameters. In the future, the results of this study can be applied to facilitate the application of automated testing equipment and improve overall performance.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus thermostable direct haemolysin induces non‐classical programmed cell death despite caspase activation
Authors: Verma Pratima , Chauhan Aakanksha , Thakur Reena , Lata Kusum , Sharma Arpita , Chattopadhyay Kausik , Mukhopadhaya Arunika 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThermostable direct haemolysin (TDH) is the key virulence factor secreted by the human gastroenteric bacterial pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus. TDH is a membrane‐damaging pore‐forming toxin. It evokes potent cytotoxicity, the mechanism of which still remains under‐explored. Here, we have elucidated the mechanistic details of cell death response elicited by TDH. Employing Caco‐2 intestinal epithelial cells and THP‐1 monocytic cells, we show that TDH induces some of the hallmark features of apoptosis‐like programmed cell death. TDH triggers caspase‐3 and 7 activations in the THP‐1 cells, while caspase‐7 activation is observed in the Caco‐2 cells. Interestingly, TDH appears to induce caspase‐independent cell death. Higher XIAP level and lower Smac/Diablo level upon TDH intoxication provide plausible explanation for the functional inability of caspases in the THP‐1 cells, in particular. Further exploration reveals that mitochondria play a central role in the TDH‐induced cell death. TDH triggers mitochondrial damage, resulting in the release of AIF and endonuclease G, responsible for the execution of caspase‐independent cell death. Among the other critical mediators of cell death, ROS is found to play an important role in the THP‐1 cells, while PARP‐1 appears to play a critical role in the Caco‐2 cells. Altogether, our work provides critical new insights into the mechanism of cell death induction by TDH, showing a common central theme of non‐classical programmed cell death. Our study also unravels the interplay of crucial molecules in the underlying signalling processes. Our findings add valuable insights into the role of TDH in the context of the host–pathogen interaction processes.
Intracellular polyamines regulate redox homeostasis with cAMP–PKA signalling during sexual mating/filamentation and pathogenicity of Sporisorium scitamineum
Authors: Yin Kai , Cui Guobing , Bi Xinping , Liang Meiling , Hu Zhijian , Deng Yi Zhen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSugarcane smut caused by Sporisorium scitamineum seriously impairs sugarcane production and quality. Sexual mating/filamentation is a critical step of S. scitamineum pathogenesis, yet the regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we identified the SsAGA, SsODC, and SsSAMDC genes, which are involved in polyamine biosynthesis in S. scitamineum. Deletion of SsODC led to complete loss of filamentous growth after sexual mating, and deletion of SsAGA or SsSAMDC caused reduced filamentation. Double deletion of SsODC and SsSAMDC resulted in auxotrophy for putrescine (PUT) and spermidine (SPD) when grown on minimal medium (MM), indicating that these two genes encode enzymes that are critical for PUT and SPD biosynthesis. We further showed that low PUT concentrations promoted S. scitamineum filamentation, while high PUT concentrations suppressed filamentation. Disrupted fungal polyamine biosynthesis also resulted in a loss of pathogenicity and reduced fungal biomass within infected plants at the early infection stage. SPD formed a gradient from the diseased part to nonsymptom parts of the cane stem, suggesting that SPD is probably favourable for fungal virulence. Mutants of the cAMP–PKA (SsGPA3–SsUAC1–SsADR1) signalling pathway displayed up‐regulation of the SsODC gene and elevated intracellular levels of PUT. SsODC directly interacted with SsGPA3, and sporidia of the ss1uac1ΔodcΔ mutant displayed abundant pseudohyphae. Furthermore, we found that elevated PUT levels caused accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), probably by suppressing transcription of ROS‐scavenging enzymes, while SPD played the opposite role. Overall, our work proves that polyamines play important roles in the pathogenic development of sugarcane smut fungus, probably by collaboratively regulating intracellular redox homeostasis with the cAMP–PKA signalling pathway.
Feeding during the resting phase causes gastrointestinal tract dysfunction and desynchronization of metabolic and neuronal rhythms in rats
Authors: Salgado‐Delgado Roberto C. , Espinosa‐Tanguma Ricardo , Valdés Abadía Belkis , Ramírez‐Plascencia Oscar D. , Escobar Carolina , Saderi Nadia 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundDisrupted circadian rhythms may result from a misalignment between the environmental cycles (due to shift work, sleep restriction, feeding at an unusual time of day) and endogenous rhythms or by physiological aging. Among the numerous adverse effects, disrupted rhythms affect the brain‐gut axis, contributing to the pathogenesis of several diseases in the gastrointestinal tract, for example, abdominal pain, constipation, gastric dyspepsia, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and others.MethodsThis study evaluated the rat gastric emptying, gastrointestinal motility, a clock gene, gut hormones, and the neuron activity on the nucleus of tractus solitarius (NTS), area postrema (AP), and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) in rats with restricted food access to the rest phase for 4 weeks.Key ResultsOur results show that food restricted to the rest light period disturbed the expression pattern of a series of transcripts, including metabolic and circadian regulation. Also, the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones, gastric emptying, intestinal motility, and NTS, AP, and DMV activity were altered.Conclusions & InferencesThese data indicate the importance of the time of the day food is ingested on the regulation of energy balance and the endocrine activity of the stomach and small intestine, emphasizing the importance of food as a powerful circadian synchronizer and an essential factor for the triggering of gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic problems. These findings offer a novel clue regarding the obesity‐promoting effect attributed to feeding time and open the possibility of treating this and other intestinal disorders.
MYB6/bHLH13‐AbSUS2 involved in sugar metabolism regulates root hair initiation of Abies beshanzuensis
Authors: Liu Bin , Wang Tingjin , Liu Lingjuan , Xiao Duohong , Yang Yang , Yuan Lu , Zhang Aijun , Xu Kexin , Liu Shenglong , Liu Ke , Chen Liping 
Published: October 2023

Summary
Root hair is regarded as a pivotal complementary survival tactic for mycorrhizal plant like Abies beshanzuensis when symbiosis is disrupted. Relatively little is known about the mechanism underlying root hair morphogenesis in plant species that are strongly dependent on mycorrhizal symbiosis. Many of these species are endangered, and this knowledge is critical for ensuring their survival.
Here, a MYB6/bHLH13‐sucrose synthase 2 (AbSUS2) module was newly identified and characterized in A. beshanzuensis using bioinformatics, histochemistry, molecular biology, and transgenesis.
Functional, expression pattern, and localization analysis showed that AbSUS2 participated in sucrose synthesis and was involved in root hair initiation in A. beshanzuensis. Additionally, the major enzymatic product of AbSUS2 was found to suppress root hair initiation in vitro. Our data further showed that a complex involving the transcription factors AbMYB6 and AbbHLH13 directly interacted with the promoter of AbSUS2 and strengthened its expression, thereby inhibiting root hair initiation in response to exogenous sucrose.
Our findings offer novel insights into how root hair morphogenesis is regulated in mycorrhizal plants and also provide a new strategy for the preservation of endangered mycorrhizal plant species.
Role of the rostral dorsomedial column of the periaqueductal gray during social defeat in rats
Authors: de Almeida Alisson Pinto , Tamais Alicia Moraes , Zerbini Carolina , Melleu Fernando Falkenburger , Canteras Newton Sabino , Motta Simone Cristina 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPrevious studies showed that the dorsal premammillary nucleus of the hypothalamus (PMD) is involved in social passive defensive behaviors likely to be meditated by descending projections to the periaqueductal gray (PAG). We focused on the rostral dorsomedial PAG (rPAGdm) to reveal its putative neural mechanisms involved in mediating social defensive responses. By combining retrograde tracing and FOS expression analysis, we showed that in addition to the PMD, the rPAGdm is influenced by several brain sites active during social defeat. Next, we found that cytotoxic lesions of the rPAGdm drastically reduced passive defense and did not affect active defensive responses. We then examined the rPAGdm's projection pattern and found that the PAGdm projections are mostly restricted to midbrain sites, including the precommissural nucleus, different columns of the PAG, and the cuneiform nucleus (CUN). Also, we found decreased FOS expression in the caudal PAGdm, CUN, and PMD after the rPAGdm was lesioned. The results support that the rPAGdm mediates passive social defensive responses through ascending paths to prosencephalic circuits likely mediated by the CUN. This study provides further support for the role of the PAG in the modulation of behavioral responses by working as a unique hub for influencing prosencephalic sites during the mediation of aversive responses.
Potential biopsychosocial factors mediating/moderating the relationship between depressive symptoms and body size among children and adolescents: A systematic review
Authors: Cao Bing , Shao Xiaoli , Xiao Yefei , McIntyre Roger S. , Teopiz Kayla M. , Li Ruonan , Fan Linlin , Chen Hong 
Published: October 2023

SummaryThe prevalence of depression and obesity in the pediatric population has increased along with multiple adverse health outcomes in later life. However, the mechanisms underlying the bidirectional relationship between obesity and depression have not yet been clarified. We aim to systematically summarize the literature reporting on mediational or moderational biopsychosocial factors in the relationship between depression and body size among children and adolescents. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and PsychArticles) were systematically searched from inception until December 23, 2021, and subsequently updated until June 9, 2023. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022301475). A total of 36 unique records reporting 152,513 children and adolescents meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. The results indicate that disparate psychological variables (e.g., body image, victimization and bullying, eating disorders, and sleep problems) may mediate the bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and body size. Moreover, the mediational/moderational effect of biological factors has not been well established. The moderational effect of social factors was inconsistently reported. Future research should aim to identify and characterize factors that may impact the bidirectional relationship between depression and obesity to inform prevention intervention strategies for affected children and adolescents.
Oral diseases are associated with cognitive function in adults over 60 years old
Authors: Gao Chenyi , Larvin Harriet , Bishop David Timothy , Bunce David , Pavitt Susan , Wu Jianhua , Kang Jing 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the bidirectional association between oral diseases and cognitive function comprehensively.Subjects and MethodsThis cross sectional study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Oral diseases include periodontitis, dental caries, and tooth loss (end point of oral disease resulting in tooth extraction). Cognitive function included three domains: memory, processing speed, and executive function. A global cognitive score was then derived from sum of the three cognitive domains. Oral cognition associations were examined using various statistical models: (1) Regress oral disease on cognitive function; (2) Regress cognitive function on oral disease; and (3) Structural equation modelling treating cognition and oral disease as latent variables.ResultsThere were 2508 participants aged 60+ who had both oral and cognitive information. Associations between various oral disease and global cognitive score were observed (Odds ratio ORcog‐>periodontitis 0.95, 95% Confidence Interval [0.92, 0.99]; βcog‐>caries −0.13, [−0.23, −0.04]; βcog‐>tooth loss −0.03 [−0.04, −0.01]; βtooth loss‐>cog −0.04 [−0.06, −0.02]; βcaries‐>cog −0.03 [−0.06, −0.01]; βperiodontitis‐>cog −0.39 [−0.69, −0.10]). Significant correlation was also found between these oral disease and cognitive function using structural equation model (r −0.22, [−0.34, −0.10]).ConclusionsThis study found robust bidirectional associations between oral disease and cognitive function using various modelling approaches among the aging population.
Pathways from childhood trauma to aberrant salience: A structural equation approach to mentalization model
Authors: Ozdemir Ercan , MacBeth Angus , Griffiths Helen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the relationship between affective disturbances and aberrant salience in the context of childhood trauma, attachment, and mentalization in an analogue study.MethodsUsing a cross‐sectional design, an online community sample completed self‐report measures of key variables. Structural equation modelling was used to test childhood trauma's influence on aberrant salience via a set of intermediate risk factors (depression, negative schizotypy, and insecure attachment). These intermediate risk factors were assumed to lead to the proximal risk factors of aberrant salience (i.e., disorganized schizotypy and disorganized attachment) depending on the vulnerability of mentalizing capacity to elevated stress.ResultsThe sample (N = 1263) was 78% female and aged between 18 and 35 years. The tested models closely fitted the observed data, revealing significant pathways from childhood trauma to aberrant salience via the hypothesized pathways. The direct effect of childhood trauma on aberrant salience was significant.ConclusionFindings suggest that the pathway to aberrant salience may be characterized by disorganization of self‐state and intersubjectivity as a function of diminishment in mentalizing ability. This may relate to changes in attachment organization and socio‐cognitive capacity, which could constitute possible risk factors signalling development of aberrant salience.
Specific members of the TOPLESS family are susceptibility genes for Fusarium wilt in tomato and Arabidopsis
Authors: Aalders Thomas R. , de Sain Mara , Gawehns Fleur , Oudejans Nina , Jak Yoran D. , Dekker Henk L. , Rep Martijn , van den Burg Harrold A. , Takken Frank L.W. 
Published: October 2023

SummaryVascular wilt diseases caused by Fusarium oxysporum are a major threat to many agriculturally important crops. Genetic resistance is rare and inevitably overcome by the emergence of new races. To identify potentially durable and non‐race‐specific genetic resistance against Fusarium wilt diseases, we set out to identify effector targets in tomato that mediate susceptibility to the fungus. For this purpose, we used the SIX8 effector protein, an important and conserved virulence factor present in many pathogenic F. oxysporum isolates. Using protein pull‐downs and yeast two‐hybrid assays, SIX8 was found to interact specifically with two members of the tomato TOPLESS family: TPL1 and TPL2. Loss‐of‐function mutations in TPL1 strongly reduced disease susceptibility to Fusarium wilt and a tpl1;tpl2 double mutant exerted an even higher level of resistance. Similarly, Arabidopsis tpl;tpr1 mutants became significantly less diseased upon F. oxysporum inoculation as compared to wildtype plants. We conclude that TPLs encode susceptibility genes whose mutation can confer resistance to F. oxysporum.
Tinea capitis in newborns: Report of a case and review of the literature with a focus on treatment modalities
Authors: Dell'Antonia Massimo , Pavan Giacomina , Lai Danila , Sechi Andrea 
Published: October 2023

AbstractTinea capitis is a common disease in children but rare in newborns younger than 1 month of age. Only 29 cases of tinea capitis in newborns have been described in indexed literature from 1990 until now. While antifungal agents can be used topically and systemically, systemic antifungal therapy is generally accepted as the treatment of choice for tinea capitis due to limited penetration of topical agents into the hair follicle. However, there is a lack of data on the use of systemic antifungal agents in newborns, and there are reports of successful treatment of tinea capitis in newborns using only topical therapy. In this paper, we present a case of tinea capitis in a 29‐day‐old female baby and review the previous 29 reported cases.
Silkworm Bombyx mori as a model organism: A review
Authors: Ashraf Hashim , Qamar Ayesha 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBombyx mori Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), a very important economical insect and backbone of the silk industry, is fully reliant on humans for its life cycle. It has short life span, possessing many genes having high degree of homology with human disease‐causing genes, low breeding and maintenance cost, has less ethical issues associated with it and has also got its genome fully sequenced. Because of these characteristics, it has been recognized as an alternate invertebrate model organism candidate for use in life science research. It has been successfully used as an alternative invertebrate model organism in a variety of scientific domains, including human disease models, environmental monitoring models, epigenetic models and microbial drug screening and discovery models, since the last decade. This newly emerged model has given promising results so far in its short journey and has a tremendous future prospect of establishing itself as a successful model just like the classical invertebrate models, Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 (Diptera: Drosophilidae) and Caenorhabditis elegans Maupas, 1900 (Rhabditida: Rhabditidae). The use of the silkworm B. mori as a model organism in areas linked to human health and disease is reviewed here.
Ion incorporation into bone grafting materials
Authors: Zhao Qin , Ni Yueqi , Wei Hongjiang , Duan Yiling , Chen Jingqiu , Xiao Qi , Gao Jie , Yu Yiqian , Cui Yu , Ouyang Simin , Miron Richard J. , Zhang Yufeng , Wu Chengtie 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe use of biomaterials in regenerative medicine has expanded to treat various disorders caused by trauma or disease in orthopedics and dentistry. However, the treatment of large and complex bone defects presents a challenge, leading to a pressing need for optimized biomaterials for bone repair. Recent advances in chemical sciences have enabled the incorporation of therapeutic ions into bone grafts to enhance their performance. These ions, such as strontium (for bone regeneration/osteoporosis), copper (for angiogenesis), boron (for bone growth), iron (for chemotaxis), cobalt (for B12 synthesis), lithium (for osteogenesis/cementogenesis), silver (for antibacterial resistance), and magnesium (for bone and cartilage regeneration), among others (e.g., zinc, sodium, and silica), have been studied extensively. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and recent developments in ion incorporation into biomaterials for bone and periodontal tissue repair. It also discusses recently developed biomaterials from a basic design and clinical application perspective. Additionally, the review highlights the importance of precise ion introduction into biomaterials to address existing limitations and challenges in combination therapies. Future prospects and opportunities for the development and optimization of biomaterials for bone tissue engineering are emphasized.
Joint contributions from brain activity and activity‐independent functional connectivity to working memory aging
Authors: Yang Caishui , Fan Jialing , Chen Kewei , Zhang Zhanjun ,   for the Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative
Published: October 2023

AbstractWorking memory (WM) impairment has been well characterized in normal aging. Various studies have explored changes in either the regional activity or the interregional connectivity underlying the aging process of WM. We proposed that brain activity and connectivity would independently alter with aging and affect WM performance. WM was assessed with a classical N‐back task during functional magnetic resonance imaging in a community‐based sample comprising 168 elderly subjects (aged 55–86 years old). Following the rationale of background functional connectivity, we assessed age‐related alterations in brain activity and seed‐based interregional connectivity independently. Analyses revealed age‐related decrease in positive activity of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and an increase in the negative activity of the ventral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the local functional dysfunctions were accompanied by alterations in their connectivity to other cortical regions. Importantly, regional activity impairments in the IPL and ACC could mediate age‐related effects on accuracy rate and reaction time, respectively, and those effects were further counterbalanced by enhancement of their background functional connectivity. We thus claimed that age‐induced alterations in regional activity and interregional connectivity occurred independently and contributed to WM changes in aging. Our findings presented the way brain activity and functional connectivity interact in the late adulthood, thus providing a new perspective for understanding WM and cognitive aging.