bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding population-specific structural differences in brain aging
Authors: THOTTUPATTU ALPHIN J , Sivaswamy Jayanthi , Holla Bharath , Saini Jithender 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Understanding distinct neurological aging patterns across various populations is vital in the context of a globally aging populace. This study seeks to unravel the structural variations in the aging brain, taking into consideration different ethnic backgrounds. MRI data from Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Caucasian populations were analyzed using a two-pronged approach. Initially, a group analysis was performed involving tissue segmentation through FSL-FAST, examining gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Subsequently, a continuous model-based analysis was employed, defining aging as a diffeomorphic transformation, which facilitated a detailed intra- and inter-population analysis, and examined both global anatomy and age-dependent distances of each population in comparison to the Indian population. The analysis revealed distinct aging trajectories in the different populations. Notably, the Japanese demographic exhibited a delayed onset of GM reductions and ventricular expansion. Additionally, we observed a significant hemispherical asymmetry in the expansion rate in the left brain's CSF-filled region across all populations. Detailed insights into the spatial distribution of brain deformations over time were obtained, with particular focus on anatomical changes relative to a reference time point. Our findings are a step towards a nuanced understanding of the aging process, opening avenues for personalized age-related healthcare strategies rooted in a understanding of population-specific neurological aging trajectories.
Symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhiza amplifies herbivory interactions and decreases the energy of floral nectar
Authors: Vera Gabriel A. Brito , Perez Fernanda 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background and Aims
Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are crucial in terrestrial ecosystems, exchanging nutrients for carbon with plants and potentially modulating events on the soil surface by making nutrients available to herbivores and pollinators. The quadruple interactions between mycorrhizae, plants, herbivores, and pollinators are a complex phenomenon as a whole; a detailed understanding of their synergistic or antagonistic effects remains a pending research challenge.
Methods
To comprehend these multiple interactions, AM were inoculated into Nicotiana tabacum and the magnitude of the symbiotic effect on floral (nectar, floral morphology, floral count) and vegetative (plant size) characteristics was evaluated, as well as the effect on pollinator visitation rate and herbivory intensity.
Results
We support the hypothesis of a symbiotic effect with a tendency toward antagonism, resulting in negative consequences for the plant. Symbiosis decreased the synthesis of floral nectar, and consequently reduced the energy content of floral nectar, without producing any effect on the pollinator visitation rate. An increase in herbivory rate was observed in mycorrhizal plants, indicating that belowground symbiotic relationships enhanced surface-level antagonistic interactions.
Conclusion
Mycorrhiza negatively influenced the plant's metabolic activity, leading to repercussions for energy investment in both pollinator manipulation resources (nectar) and defense and protection against herbivores.
Evaluation of the Influencing Factors of English Teachers' Online Small-class Blended Teaching from the Perspective of Psychology
Authors: Zhang Jing , Liu Huiqin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The superiority of the blended learning model has become a new research topic in China's educational circles, and the factors that affect the effectiveness of blended teaching have also attracted increasing attention. This paper attempted to analyze the factors affecting blended teaching from the perspective of psychology, and to lay a theoretical foundation for future research. This paper also proposed a Co-evolutionary Teaching-learning-based Optimization (CTLBO) for solving constrained optimization problems. This method combined the advantages of co-evolution and Teaching Learning Based Optimization (TLBO) without adding any parameters and retained the advantages of TLBO algorithm with fewer parameters. Through the analysis of three small-class English teaching cases, this paper can help teachers better understand the influence of their own cognition on their teaching behavior. Through the investigation of the blended teaching method, it was found that 65.28% of the students chose the blended teaching of online and offline. No matter the reason, it can be seen that blended teaching is very popular among students. Teachers' guidance in the classroom can promote the interaction, communication and emotional exchange between teachers and students, which cannot be ignored.
Prevotella histicola activates the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway through the gut–bone axis and promotes osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to alleviate estrogen-deficient osteoporosis
Authors: Huang Furong , Tan Zenglin , Wu Minmin , Xu Tingting , Guo Anhao , Pan Jingye , Yan Hede , Chen Lei 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is characterized by dysregulated bone metabolism owing to estrogen insufficiency. Our previous clinical study revealed that postmenopausal women afflicted with osteoporosis exhibited notably diminished levels of Prevotella abundance relative to individuals possessing normal bone density. This study aimed to confirm the anti-osteoporosis-like effects of P. histicola and elucidate its potential mechanism. Mice were treated with P. histicola after ovariectomy (OVX). Changes in bone strength among the mice were detected using micro-computed tomography (CT), and alterations in the microbiome were examined using 16S rRNA sequencing. CT of the distal femurs demonstrated that P. histicola significantly improved bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) compared to the OVX + high fat diet (HFD) group. Furthermore, P. histicola ameliorated dysbiosis induced by the HFD and OVX and alleviated intestinal mucosal damage after OVX. Intestinal tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin were significantly upregulated in the treatment group, and CD163 angiogenesis-related macrophage marker and Ki-67 proliferation marker increased compared to that in the OVX + HFD group. P. histicola mitigated the levels of circulating and bone TNF-α while enhancing the expression of osteogenic-related transcription factor Runx2. Furthermore, P. histicola upregulated OCN expression in OVX + HFD mice and promoted osteogenesis by facilitating osteogenic differentiation through the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. In summary, P. histicola potentially ameliorates intestinal permeability, reduces serum and femoral inflammation levels, and promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells through the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway to alleviate estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis by modulating gut microbiota.
A multi-institutional randomized phase III study comparing minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy versus open distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer; Japan Clinical Oncology Group study JCOG2202 (LAPAN study)
Authors: Ikenaga Naoki , Hashimoto Tadayoshi , Mizusawa Junki , Kitabayashi Ryo , Sano Yusuke , Fukuda Haruhiko , Nakata Kohei , Shibuya Kazuto , Kitahata Yuji , Takada Minoru , Kamei Keiko , Kurahara Hiroshi , Ban Daisuke , Kobayashi Shogo , Nagano Hiroaki , Imamura Hajime , Unno Michiaki , Takahashi Amane , Yagi Shintaro , Wada Hiroshi , Shirakawa Hirofumi , Yamamoto Naoto , Hirono Seiko , Gotohda Naoto , Hatano Etsuro , Nakamura Masafumi , Ueno Makoto 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP), including laparoscopic and robotic distal pancreatectomy, has gained widespread acceptance over the last decade owing to its favorable short-term outcomes. However, evidence regarding its oncologic safety is insufficient. In March 2023, a randomized phase III study was launched in Japan to confirm the non-inferiority of overall survival in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer undergoing MIDP compared with that of patients undergoing open distal pancreatectomy (ODP).
Methods
This is a multi-institutional, randomized, phase III study. A total of 370 patients will be enrolled from 40 institutions within 4 years. The primary endpoint of this study is overall survival, and the secondary endpoints include relapse-free survival, proportion of patients undergoing radical resection, proportion of patients undergoing complete laparoscopic surgery, incidence of adverse surgical events, and length of postoperative hospital stay. Only a credentialed surgeon is eligible to perform both ODP and MIDP. All ODP and MIDP procedures will undergo centralized review using intraoperative photographs. The superiority of MIDP to ODP in terms of overall survival is tested when the non-inferiority of MIDP to ODP is statistically proven.
Discussion
If our study demonstrates the non-inferiority of MIDP in terms of overall survival, it would validate its short-term advantages and establish its long-term clinical efficacy.
Trial registration:
This trial is registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials as jRCT 1031220705 [https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCT1031220705].
Ecological study and forest degradation of the sacred Waldiba Monastery’s dry woodland
Authors: Berhe Daniel Hagos , Retta Abeba Nigussie , Tefera Amare Sisay , Gidey Tesfay , Negussie Aklilu , Birhane Emiru , Hadgu Kiros Meles , Gebrehiwot Kflay 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbance put the woodlands in the monasteries and churches under significant threat. To study the floristic composition and forest degradation of Waldiba monastery dry woodland in Tigrai, Ethiopia, 30 plots were established along transect lines. We recorded 39 native woody species (33 trees, 5 shrubs and 1 liana) belonging to 19 families. Shannon diversity index, Simpson similarity index, evenness and dominance were 3.10, 0.94, 0.58 and 0.06, respectively. The densities of woody species were 922 stems ha-1 with a total basal area of 49.27 m2 ha-1. The tree species with higher IVI value were Dichrostachys cinerea (86.04%), Combretum fragrans (71.87%), Combretum hartmannianum (60.30%) and Combretum sp. (50.15%). The population structure of the woody species demonstrated various patterns. The regeneration status was not promising for vast majority of the species. Vachellia venosa and C. hartmannianum respectively are listed as endangered and vulnerable species in the IUCN red list species category. Waldiba dry woodland has undergone significant cover changes over a period of 46 years. Waldiba has lost much (65%) of its dense forest and open forest (44%) mainly due to anthropogenic disturbance. The woodland with all its biodiversity is under threat. The species with low IVI, species listed in IUCN red list and those species with none to poor regeneration status should be prioritized for in situ and ex situ conservation intervention to avert the threat. Research on reproductive ecology of the threatened endemic species is imperative, as the woodland should be managed for ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation.
Behavioral Consequences of Velocity Commands: Brownian Processes in Human Motor Tasks
Authors: Tessari Federico , Hermus James , Sugimoto-Dimitrova Rika , Hogan Neville 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The motor neuroscience literature suggests that the central nervous system may encode some motor commands in terms of velocity. In this work, we tackle the question: what consequences would velocity commands produce at the behavioral level? Considering the ubiquitous presence of noise in the neuromusculoskeletal system, we predict that velocity commands affected by stationary noise would produce “random walks”, also known as Brownian processes, in position. Brownian motions are distinctively characterized by a linearly growing variance and a power spectral density that declines in inverse proportion to frequency. This work first shows that these Brownian processes are indeed observed in unbounded motion tasks e.g., rotating a crank. We further predict that such growing variance would still be present, but bounded, in tasks requiring a constant posture e.g., maintaining a static hand position or quietly standing. This hypothesis was also confirmed by experimental observations. A series of descriptive models are investigated to justify the observed behavior. Interestingly, one of the models capable of accounting for all the experimental results must feature forward-path velocity commands corrupted by stationary noise. The results of this work provide behavioral support for the hypothesis that humans plan the motion components of their actions in terms of velocity.
Pregnancy in myasthenia gravis: A retrospective analysis of maternal and neonatal outcome from a large tertiary care center in Germany
Authors: Draxler Jakob , Meisel Andreas , Stascheit Frauke , Stein Maike , Gerischer Lea , Mergenthaler Philipp , Herdick Meret , Doksani Paolo , Lehnerer Sophie , Verlohren Stefan , Hoffmann Sarah 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare, potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease with fluctuating muscle weakness frequently affecting women of childbearing age. MG can affect maternal as well as neonatal outcome with risk of worsening of myasthenic symptoms in the mothers and risk of transient neonatal myasthenia gravis (TNMG) and arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) or fetal acetylcholine receptor antibody-associated disorders (FARAD) in the neonates.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of maternal and neonatal outcome in a cohort of pregnant MG patients treated at a tertiary care center in Germany.
Results: Overall, 66 pregnancies were analysed. During 40 (63%) pregnancies, women experienced a worsening of myasthenic symptoms, of whom 10 patients (15.7%) needed acute therapy with IVIg or plasma exchange. There was no case of myasthenic crisis. Rate of caesarian section was comparable to the overall C-section rate at our centre (38% vs. 40%). However, there was a slightly higher rate for operative vaginal delivery (15% vs. 10%) as potential indicator for fatiguing striated musculature in MG patients during the expulsion stage. Rate of TNMG as well as AMC was 3% (two cases each).
Conclusions: Maternal and neonatal outcome in our cohort was favorable with a low rate of myasthenic exacerbations requiring acute therapies and a low rate of TNMG and AMC/FARAD. Our data might help neurologists and obstetricians to advice MG patients with desire to have children.
Comparison of cooking emissions mitigation between automated and manually operated air quality interventions in one-bedroom apartments
Authors: Pantelic Jovan , Tang Mengjia , Byun Kunjun , Knobloch Yaakov , Son Young Joo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We implemented a crossover study design exposing 15 participants to two indoor air quality conditions in the Well Living Lab. The first condition, the Standard Control Condition, resembled the ventilation and air supply of a typical home in the USA with a manually operated stove hood. The second condition, Advanced Control, had an automated: (i) stove hood, (ii) two portable air cleaners (PAC), and (iii) bathroom exhaust. The PM2.5 sensors were placed in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. Once the sensor detected a PM2.5 level of 15 µg/m3 or higher, an air quality intervention (stove hood, PAC or bathroom exhaust) in that space was activated and turned off when the corresponding PM2.5 sensor had three consecutive readings below 6 µg/m3. Advanced Control in the overall apartment reduced PM2.5 concentration by 40% compared to the Standard Control. In the kitchen, the PM2.5 concentration difference between Advanced and Standard Control was ~ 20%. This can be attributed to using the stove hood manually in 66.5% of cooking PM2.5 emission events for 323.6 h compared to 88 h stove hood used in automated mode alongside 61.9 h and 33.7 h of PAC use in living room and bedroom, respectively.
Heteromorphic ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes sharing gene content with mammalian XX/XY are conserved in Madagascan chameleons of the genus Furcifer
Authors: Rovatsos Michail , Mazzoleni Sofia , Augstenová Barbora , Altmanová Marie , Velenský Petr , Glaw Frank , Sanchez Antonio , Kratochvíl Lukáš 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Chameleons are well-known lizards with unique morphology and physiology, but their sex determination has remained poorly studied. Madagascan chameleons of the genus Furcifer have cytogenetically distinct Z and W sex chromosomes and occasionally Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W multiple neo-sex chromosomes. To identify the gene content of their sex chromosomes, we microdissected and sequenced the sex chromosomes of F. cf. oustaleti (ZZ/ZW) and F. pardalis (Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1Z2W). In addition, we sequenced the genomes of a male and a female of F. lateralis (ZZ/ZW) and F. pardalis and performed a comparative coverage analysis between the sexes. Despite the notable heteromorphy and distinctiveness in heterochromatin content, the Z and W sex chromosomes share approximately 90% of their gene content. This finding demonstrates poor correlation of the degree of differentiation of sex chromosomes at the cytogenetic and sequence level. The test of homology based on the comparison of gene copy number variation revealed that female heterogamety with differentiated sex chromosomes remained stable in the genus Furcifer for at least 20 million years. These chameleons co-opted for the role of sex chromosomes the same genomic region as viviparous mammals, lacertids and geckos of the genus Paroedura, which makes these groups excellent model for studies of convergent and divergent evolution of sex chromosomes.
Transcriptome analysis reveals a new insights toward molecular mechanisms of Methylmalonic acidemia in hepatocytes
Authors: Zhang Zhilei , Wang Xin , Wang Yanyun , Li Yahong , Yang Peiying , Sun Yun , tao jiang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background: The overabundance of methylmalonic acid due to the mutation of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase in the mitochondria contributes to hepatocyte damage, impacting various functions, especially energy metabolism. Our study focuses on analyzing transcriptomic alterations induced by methylmalonic acid to elucidate novel mechanisms through which the deficiency of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase causes cellular damage.
Results: In this study, we observed that excessive accumulated methylmalonic acid inhibited endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-phagy by downregulating the expression of the ER-phagy receptor FAM134B. This inhibition coincided with an increase in extracellular Ca2+ influx, which aimed to counterbalance the insufficient Ca2+ levels within the overloaded ER. In addition, methylmalonic acid accumulation in hepatocytes triggered ER stress, initiating unfolded protein response via IRE1α-XBP1 pathway. This response aimed to eliminate misfolded proteins and restore ER homeostasis. Moreover, ER stress and increased Ca2+ levels in the cytoplasm activated autophagy, facilitating the degradation misfolded proteins and the affected organelles. The persistent presence of methylmalonic acid hindered mitophagy by inducing the expression of BCL2L1, leading to the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria in hepatocytes, thereby exacerbating cellular damage.
Conclusions: Our study delves into the impact of methylmalonic acid on hepatocyte functions, shedding light on the interplay between ER-phagy, ER stress, disturbances in Ca2+ flow and mitophagy. By examining these intricate mechanisms, our research unveils promising, previously unexplored therapeutic targets for methylmalonic acidemia.
Coronary microthrombi in the failing human heart: the role of von Willebrand factor and PECAM-1
Authors: Giannakopoulos Theodoros , Richter Manfred , Kostin Sawa , Krizanic Florian , Sasko Benjamin , Ritter Oliver , Pagonas Nikolaos , Kostin Sawa 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background and aim. The recognition of microthrombi in the heart microcirculation has recently emerged from studies in COVID-19 decedents. The present study investigated the ultrastructure of coronary microthrombi in heart failure (HF) due to cardiomyopathies that are unrelated to COVID-19 infection. In addition, we have investigated the role of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and PECAM-1 in microthrombus formation.
Methods. We used electron microscopy to investigate the occurrence of microthrombi in patients with HF due to dilated (DCM, n=7), inflammatory (MYO, n=6) and ischemic (ICM, n=7) cardiomyopathy and 4 control patients. VWF and PECAM-1 was studied by quantitative immunohistochemistry and Western blot.
Results. In comparison to control, the number of microthrombi was increased 7-9 times in HF. This was associated with a 3.5-fold increase in the number of Weibel-Palade bodies (WPb) in DCM and MYO compared to control. A 5-fold increase in WPb in ICM was significantly different from control, DCM and MYO. In Western blot, VWF was increased 2-fold in DCM and MYO, and more than 3-fold in ICM. The difference between ICM and DCM and MYO was statistically significant. These results were confirmed by quantitative immunohistochemistry. Compared to control, PECAM-1 was by approximatively 3-fold increased in all groups of patients.
Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate the occurrence of microthrombi in the failing human heart. The occurrence of microthrombi is associated with increased expression of VWF and the number of WPb, being more pronounced in ICM. These changes are likely not compensated by increases in PECAM-1 expression.
Cryptanalysis of efficient multiparty quantum secret sharing based on a novel structure and single qubits
Authors: Cai Xiao-Qiu , Liu Zi-Fan , Li Shuang , Wang Tian-Yin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Quantum secret sharing is a basic quantum cryptographic primitive, which has a lot of applications in information security and privacy preservation. An efficient multiparty quantum secret sharing protocol [EPJ Quantum Technology 2023 10: 29] based on a novel structure and single qubits was reported recently. In this paper, we give a cryptanalysis of this protocol and show that it cannot satisfy the security requirement for secret sharing because an unauthorized set of agents can gain access to some information on the dealer's secret by a special collusion attack. Furthermore, we put forward an effective way to deal with the security problem.
An open-source controller to build a dynamic light intensity setup
Authors: Caracciolo Ludovico , Philippi John , Theeuwen Tom P.J.M. , Amerongen Herbert van , Harbinson Jeremy 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
The development and physiology of plants are influenced by light intensity and its changes. Despite the significance of this phenomenon, there is a lack of understanding regarding the processes light regulates. This lack of understanding is partly due to the complexity of plant's responses, but also due to the limited availability of light setups capable of producing specific light patterns.
Results
While unraveling the complexities of plant responses will require further studies, this research proposes a simple method to implement dynamic light setups. In this study, we introduce two distinct electronic circuits that are cost-effective and enable the control of dimmable power supply.
Conclusion
This method enables the generation of intricate light patterns and rapid intensity fluctuations, providing a means to investigate how plants respond and develop when exposed to dynamic light conditions.