bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results of Eustachian tube balloon dilation measured using the nine-step test
Authors: Bae Seong Hoon , Kwak Seungmin , Han Ji Hyuk , Jung Jinsei , Kim Sung Huhn , Choi Jae Young , Moon In Seok 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSuggested several decades ago, the nine-step test is an intuitive test of Eustachian tube function. However, studies employing the nine-step test to assess the results of Eustachian tube balloon dilation (EBD) are limited. We aimed to objectively evaluate the efficacy of EBD in opening failure patients with decreased maximal peak pressure difference (MPD) using the nine-step test. Patients who had MPD values ≤ 13 daPa in the nine-step test were enrolled. The patients were categorized into two groups according to treatment decisions after discussion with a clinician: an EBD group (N = 26) and a medication group (N = 30). One month after treatment, the seven-item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ7) and the nine-step test were administered to all participants and subgroups of symptomatic participants (ETDQ7 > 15). MPD improved (increased) in both the EBD group and the medication group. ETDQ7 values improved (decreased) in the EBD group, but not in the medication group. In subgroup analysis, MPD and ETDQ7 values improved only in the symptomatic EBD group. According to the nine-step test, EBD can normalize 53.8% of decreased MPD. Posttreatment MPD and ETDQ7 scores were significantly better in the EBD group than in the medication group. However, EBD in patients with abnormal nine-step test results seemed less efficacious when the treatment results of the medication group were considered.
Improving citrus bud grafting efficiency
Authors: Niedz Randall P. , Bowman Kim D. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCommercial citrus trees are composed of a scion grafted onto a rootstock. Because grafting is one of the most expensive methods of plant propagation, grafting efficiency is of large practical importance. The purpose of this study was to improve citrus bud-grafting efficiency. The effects of six factors that included BA, Tween-20, DMSO, type of solvent (water or EtOH), cardinal orientation of grafted bud, and type of supplemental light (LED, metal halide, none) on forty-four bud-grafting measures were determined using a multifactor design of experiment approach. Four measures useful for identifying treatments of practical value included the number of rootstock axial buds that formed shoots, the percentage of grafted buds that formed shoots, the length of the longest shoot formed from the grafted buds, and the total leaf area of the grafted bud shoots. The factors that most affected these responses were no supplemental light to minimize the number of shoots from rootstock axial buds, a south orientation and 5 mM BA to maximize the percentage of grafted buds that formed shoots, a north orientation and 5 mM BA to maximize the length of the longest grafted bud shoot, and 5 mM BA to maximize the leaf area of the grafted bud shoots.
Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on lung function after surgery under general anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kashiwagi Shizuka , Mihara Takahiro , Yokoi Ayako , Yokoyama Chisaki , Nakajima Daisuke , Goto Takahisa 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRemote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) protects organs from ischemia–reperfusion injury. Recent trials showed that RIPC improved gas exchange in patients undergoing lung or cardiac surgery. We performed a systematic search to identify randomized controlled trials involving RIPC in surgery under general anesthesia. The primary outcome was the PaO2/FIO2 (P/F) ratio at 24 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes were A-a DO2, the respiratory index, duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation (MV), incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and serum cytokine levels. The analyses included 71 trials comprising 7854 patients. Patients with RIPC showed higher P/F ratio than controls (mean difference [MD] 36.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 12.8 to 60.4, I2 = 69%). The cause of heterogeneity was not identified by the subgroup analysis. Similarly, A-a DO2 (MD 15.2, 95% CI − 29.7 to − 0.6, I2 = 87%) and respiratory index (MD − 0.17, 95% CI − 0.34 to − 0.01, I2 = 94%) were lower in the RIPC group. Additionally, the RIPC group was weaned from MV earlier (MD − 0.9 h, 95% CI − 1.4 to − 0.4, I2 = 78%). Furthermore, the incidence of ARDS was lower in the RIPC group (relative risk 0.73, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.89, I2 = 0%). Serum TNFα was lower in the RIPC group (SMD − 0.6, 95%CI − 1.0 to − 0.3 I2 = 87%). No significant difference was observed in interleukin-6, 8 and 10. Our meta-analysis suggested that RIPC improved oxygenation after surgery under general anesthesia.Clinical trial number: This study protocol was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (registration number: UMIN000030918), https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000035305.
Urban nature visitation, accessibility, and impact of travel distance for sustainable cities
Authors: Talal Michelle L. , Gruntman Michal 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAccessible urban nature is a key component of creating sustainable urban communities and promoting human health and well-being. To balance the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, the United Nations adopted several sustainable developmental goals (SDGs), such as SDG 11 for sustainable cities and communities, which aims to improve urban planning and management, including equitable access to urban nature. However, more information is still needed regarding how planners and managers can promote urban nature visitation and equitable access during health and environmental crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in urban nature visitation during the pandemic and then to determine if the effect of the pandemic on the frequency of urban nature site visitation varied by distance to home, using an innovative approach of analyzing both publicly available large-scale mobility data and a web-based survey of urban residents of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. The mobility data results showed that there was a negative mean % difference in park visits compared to baseline during the first and third lockdowns, but an increase compared to baseline between lockdowns and even during the second lockdown. This suggests that urban residents had greater need to reconnect with urban nature during and after periods of intense stress. In addition, the survey results showed an increasing negative effect of distance on urban nature site visitation during the pandemic, specifically for urban nature sites located more than 1 km from home. Altogether, the mobility data and survey results suggest that people who lived within 1 km of their preferred urban nature site had disproportionate access to the benefits of urban nature during and after lockdowns than others. To effectively make social and ecological transitions toward urban sustainability, it is vital that cities promote urban nature accessibility during current and future environmental and health crises. Cities should collaborate with diverse stakeholders to create/maintain accessible urban nature sites nearby all sociodemographic groups, provide sustainability education and training to convey the benefits of urban nature, and pursue participatory solutions for understanding urban nature needs and preferences. In this manner, it will be possible to address the growing influence of proximity/travel distance and additional factors that affect urban nature visitation and ultimately, human health and urban sustainability.
Contributions of viral oncogenes of HPV-18 and hypoxia to oxidative stress and genetic damage in human keratinocytes
Authors: Hochmann Jimena , Millán Magdalena , Hernández Paola , Lafon-Hughes Laura , Aiuto Natali D’ , Silva Alejandro , Llaguno Juan , Alonso Julia , Fernández Ariel , Pereira-Prado Vanesa , Sotelo-Silveira José , Bologna-Molina Ronell , Arocena Miguel 
Published: October 2023

AbstractInfection with high-risk human papillomaviruses like HPV-16 and HPV-18 is highly associated with the development of cervical and other cancers. Malignant transformation requires viral oncoproteins E5, E6 and E7, which promote cell proliferation and increase DNA damage. Oxidative stress and hypoxia are also key factors in cervical malignant transformation. Increased levels of reactive species of oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) are found in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment, promoting genetic instability and invasiveness. In this work, we studied the combined effect of E5, E6 and E7 and hypoxia in increasing oxidative stress and promoting DNA damage and nuclear architecture alterations. HaCaT cells containing HPV-18 viral oncogenes (HaCaT E5/E6/E7-18) showed higher ROS levels in normoxia and higher levels of RNS in hypoxia compared to HaCaT parental cells, as well as higher genetic damage in hypoxia as measured by γH2AX and comet assays. In hypoxia, HaCaT E5/E6/E7-18 increased its nuclear dry mass and both cell types displayed marked heterogeneity in nuclear dry mass distribution and increased nuclear foci. Our results show contributions of both viral oncogenes and hypoxia to oxidative stress, DNA damage and altered nuclear architecture, exemplifying how an altered microenvironment combines with oncogenic transformation to promote tumor progression.
An S-band multimode reflector antenna for a satellite constellation tracking system
Authors: Wu Handong , Ren Yuhui , Wang Yingying , Zhang Kai 
Published: October 2023

AbstractA multimode reflector antenna is a new concept proposed by our team in recent years, which does not correspond to the use of the traditional multimode feed but to innovation in the reflector design. This paper presents anS-band multimode reflector antenna based on multimode reflector theory. To achieve a flat-top beam shape, the main reflector of the antenna is divided into a middle region and an edge region. The height difference between them is approximatelyλ0/4, and then, the reflected waves in different areas partially cancel out in the direction of maximum radiation. The voltage standing wave ratio of the antenna is less than 1.5 from 2.8 to 3.4 GHz (19.4%), and the gain is more than 29.2 dB in the same frequency band. At the same time, a good flat-top beam is achieved in the range of ± 2°. The antenna can be used for satellite constellation tracking and other systems that require high-gain flat-top beams.
Chemical applicability and computation of K-Banhatti indices for benzenoid hydrocarbons and triazine-based covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Shanmukha M. C. , Ismail Rashad , Gowtham K. J. , Usha A. , Azeem Muhammad , Al-Sabri Esmail Hassan Abdullatif 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe novel applications in chemistry include the mathematical models of molecular structure of the compounds which has numerous findings in this area that refers to mathematical chemistry. Topological descriptors play a major role in QSAR/QSPR studies that analyses the biological and physicochemical properties of the compounds. In the recent times, a new type of topological descriptors are proposed, called K-Banhatti indices. In this study the chemical applicability of K-Banhatti indices are examined for benzenoid hydrocarbons (derivatives of benzene). These indices have shown remarkable results through the study of statistical analysis. Subsequently, triazine-based covalent organic frameworks (CoF’s) are studied for which $$B_1(G)$$

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Estimation of health risk and economic loss attributable to PM2.5 and O3 pollution in Jilin Province, China
Authors: Ma Yuxia , Zhang Yifan , Wang Wanci , Qin Pengpeng , Li Heping , Jiao Haoran , Wei Jing 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAmbient pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3), pose significant risks to both public health and economic development. In recent years, PM2.5 concentration in China has decreased significantly, whereas that of O3 has increased rapidly, leading to considerable health risks. In this study, a generalized additive model was employed to establish the relationship of PM2.5 and O3 exposure with non-accidental mortality across 17 districts and counties in Jilin Province, China, over 2015–2016. The health burden and economic losses attributable to PM2.5 and O3 were assessed using high-resolution satellite and population data. According to the results, per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and O3 concentrations related to an overall relative risk (95% confidence interval) of 1.004 (1.001–1.007) and 1.009 (1.005–1.012), respectively. In general, the spatial distribution of mortality and economic losses was uneven. Throughout the study period, a total of 23,051.274 mortalities and 27,825.015 million Chinese Yuan (CNY) in economic losses were attributed to O3 exposure, which considerably surpassing the 5,450.716 mortalities and 6,553,780 million CNY in economic losses attributed to PM2.5 exposure. The O3-related health risks and economic losses increased by 3.75% and 9.3% from 2015 to 2016, while those linked to PM2.5 decreased by 23.33% and 18.7%. Sensitivity analysis results indicated that changes in pollutant concentrations were the major factors affecting mortality rather than baseline mortality and population.
Prognostic value of controlling nutritional status on clinical and survival outcomes in cancer patients treated with immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Jiacheng , Li Man , Zhang Lilong , Kuang Tianrui , Yu Jia , Wang Weixing 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCancer is a leading cause of death globally. Immunotherapy has shown promise in treating various types of cancer, but its effectiveness varies among patients. The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score has been linked to the prognosis of different cancers. However, its predictive value for immunotherapy outcomes is not well understood. Our research represents the pioneering meta-study to examine the prognostic value of the CONUT score on cancer patients treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). A comprehensive literature search was conducted using various databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. The study was conducted until July 28, 2023. This analysis encompassed a comprehensive evaluation of various clinical outcomes, namely overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). 663 patients from 8 studies were included in this study. It showed that cancer patients with high CONUT score had poorer OS (HR: 1.94, 95% CI, 1.52–2.47, p < 0.001) and PFS (HR: 2.22, 95% CI, 1.48–3.31, p < 0.001), as well as worse ORR (OR: 0.46, 95% CI, 0.25–0.85, p = 0.013) and DCR (HR: 0.29, 95% CI, 0.14–0.59, p = 0.001). The CONUT score can predict the prognosis of tumor patients treated with ICIs.
Enhanced surface temperature over India during 1980–2020 and future projections: causal links of the drivers and trends
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Kuttippurath Jayanarayanan , Gopikrishnan G. S. , Kumar Pankaj , Varikoden Hamza 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe Earth’s surface temperatures have increased significantly since the beginning of industrialisation. The high emissions of greenhouse gases have contributed to global warming and climate change, which is expected to continue. Here, we investigate the long-term trends of surface temperature in India using surface, satellite and reanalysis data for the period of 1980–2020, and assess the influence of geophysical drivers on temperature change using the causal discovery. The highest mean surface temperatures are observed in the southern India and the lowest in Himalaya in accordance with the incidence of solar radiation. Causal discovery reveals the relative influence of atmospheric processes, aerosols and specific humidity on surface temperature. We observe a positive trend in temperature during pre-monsoon (0.1–0.3 °C dec−1) and post-monsoon (0.2–0.4 °C dec−1) seasons in the northwest, northeast and north-central India. The analysis exposes high annual (0.22 ± 0.14 °C dec−1) and monsoon (0.24 ± 0.08 °C dec−1) warming in the northeast India. Post-monsoon season shows a positive trend in the entire India, where the highest value is estimated for the western Himalaya (0.2–0.5 °C dec−1) and northeast India (0.1–0.4 °C dec−1). Analyses with the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6) results show that temperature can increase up to 1.1–5.1 °C by year 2100 under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP5)–8.5 scenario. The increasing trend of temperature in India is a big concern, which calls for adaption and mitigation measures to alleviate adverse effects of accelerated warming and regional climate change.
Nucleoporin downregulation modulates progenitor differentiation independent of nuclear pore numbers
Authors: Neely Amy E. , Zhang Yang , Blumensaadt Laura A. , Mao Hongjing , Brenner Benjamin , Sun Cheng , Zhang Hao F. , Bao Xiaomin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNucleoporins (NUPs) comprise nuclear pore complexes, gateways for nucleocytoplasmic transport. As primary human keratinocytes switch from the progenitor state towards differentiation, most NUPs are strongly downregulated, with NUP93 being the most downregulated NUP in this process. To determine if this NUP downregulation is accompanied by a reduction in nuclear pore numbers, we leveraged Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy. No significant changes in nuclear pore numbers were detected using three independent NUP antibodies; however, NUP reduction in other subcellular compartments such as the cytoplasm was identified. To investigate how NUP reduction influences keratinocyte differentiation, we knocked down NUP93 in keratinocytes in the progenitor-state culture condition. NUP93 knockdown diminished keratinocytes’ clonogenicity and epidermal regenerative capacity, without drastically affecting nuclear pore numbers or permeability. Using transcriptome profiling, we identified that NUP93 knockdown induces differentiation genes related to both mechanical and immune barrier functions, including the activation of known NF-κB target genes. Consistently, keratinocytes with NUP93 knockdown exhibited increased nuclear localization of the NF-κB p65/p50 transcription factors, and increased NF-κB reporter activity. Taken together, these findings highlight the gene regulatory roles contributed by differential NUP expression levels in keratinocyte differentiation, independent of nuclear pore numbers.
Form factor determination of biological molecules with X-ray free electron laser small-angle scattering (XFEL-SAS)
Authors: Blanchet Clement E. , Round Adam , Mertens Haydyn D. T. , Ayyer Kartik , Graewert Melissa , Awel Salah , Franke Daniel , Dörner Katerina , Bajt Saša , Bean Richard , Custódio Tânia F. , de Wijn Raphael , Juncheng E. , Henkel Alessandra , Gruzinov Andrey , Jeffries Cy M. , Kim Yoonhee , Kirkwood Henry , Kloos Marco , Knoška Juraj , Koliyadu Jayanath , Letrun Romain , Löw Christian , Makroczyova Jana , Mall Abhishek , Meijers Rob , Pena Murillo Gisel Esperanza , Oberthür Dominik , Round Ekaterina , Seuring Carolin , Sikorski Marcin , Vagovic Patrik , Valerio Joana , Wollweber Tamme , Zhuang Yulong , Schulz Joachim , Haas Heinrich , Chapman Henry N. , Mancuso Adrian P. , Svergun Dmitri 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFree-electron lasers (FEL) are revolutionizing X-ray-based structural biology methods. While protein crystallography is already routinely performed at FELs, Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) studies of biological macromolecules are not as prevalent. SAXS allows the study of the shape and overall structure of proteins and nucleic acids in solution, in a quasi-native environment. In solution, chemical and biophysical parameters that have an influence on the structure and dynamics of molecules can be varied and their effect on conformational changes can be monitored in time-resolved XFEL and SAXS experiments. We report here the collection of scattering form factors of proteins in solution using FEL X-rays. The form factors correspond to the scattering signal of the protein ensemble alone; the scattering contributions from the solvent and the instrument are separately measured and accurately subtracted. The experiment was done using a liquid jet for sample delivery. These results pave the way for time-resolved studies and measurements from dilute samples, capitalizing on the intense and short FEL X-ray pulses.
Neuroligin 2 governs synaptic morphology and function through RACK1-cofilin signaling in Drosophila
Authors: Sun Yichen , Li Moyi , Geng Junhua , Meng Sibie , Tu Renjun , Zhuang Yan , Sun Mingkuan , Rui Menglong , Ou Mengzhu , Xing Guangling , Johnson Travis K. , Xie Wei 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNeuroligins are transmembrane cell adhesion proteins well-known for their genetic links to autism spectrum disorders. Neuroligins can function by regulating the actin cytoskeleton, however the factors and mechanisms involved are still largely unknown. Here, using the Drosophila neuromuscular junction as a model, we reveal that F-Actin assembly at the Drosophila NMJ is controlled through Cofilin signaling mediated by an interaction between DNlg2 and RACK1, factors not previously known to work together. The deletion of DNlg2 displays disrupted RACK1-Cofilin signaling pathway with diminished actin cytoskeleton proteo-stasis at the terminal of the NMJ, aberrant NMJ structure, reduced synaptic transmission, and abnormal locomotion at the third-instar larval stage. Overexpression of wildtype and activated Cofilin in muscles are sufficient to rescue the morphological and physiological defects in dnlg2 mutants, while inactivated Cofilin is not. Since the DNlg2 paralog DNlg1 is known to regulate F-actin assembly mainly via a specific interaction with WAVE complex, our present work suggests that the orchestration of F-actin by Neuroligins is a diverse and complex process critical for neural connectivity.
Melanopsin-mediated optical entrainment regulates circadian rhythms in vertebrates
Authors: Pan Deng , Wang Zixu , Chen Yaoxing , Cao Jing 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMelanopsin (OPN4) is a light-sensitive protein that plays a vital role in the regulation of circadian rhythms and other nonvisual functions. Current research on OPN4 has focused on mammals; more evidence is needed from non-mammalian vertebrates to fully assess the significance of the non-visual photosensitization of OPN4 for circadian rhythm regulation. There are species differences in the regulatory mechanisms of OPN4 for vertebrate circadian rhythms, which may be due to the differences in the cutting variants, tissue localization, and photosensitive activation pathway of OPN4. We here summarize the distribution of OPN4 in mammals, birds, and teleost fish, and the classical excitation mode for the non-visual photosensitive function of OPN4 in mammals is discussed. In addition, the role of OPN4-expressing cells in regulating circadian rhythm in different vertebrates is highlighted, and the potential rhythmic regulatory effects of various neuropeptides or neurotransmitters expressed in mammalian OPN4-expressing ganglion cells are summarized among them.