bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel, Fully Automated, and Reagent‐Agnostic Transient Transfection Protocol
Authors: Nair Vasudha S. , Watson Kinnari 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTransfection is a potent technique to introduce foreign nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells. The capacity of the technique to alter the genetic content of host cells means it is useful for a wide range of applications, including the study of typical cellular processes, disease molecular mechanisms, and gene therapy effects. Here, we discuss a highly reliable and fully automated transient transfection protocol that utilizes an open‐source liquid handler and accompanying HEPA Module. Two commonly used transfection reagents are employed to study the transfection efficiency in two cell lines with a GFP plasmid construct. The detailed method of the protocol, image acquisition, and analysis for evaluating transfection efficacy is provided. With HeLa cells, the transfection efficiency of the reagents ranges from 40.92% to 73.26%, while with the difficult‐to‐transfect A549 cells, the transfection efficiency is between 42.15% and 54%. The efficiency achieved is comparable to similar experiments performed manually. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Seeding of adherent cells (A549 and HeLa) for transient transfection on a Costar 6‐well plate using a liquid handler on Day 0Basic Protocol 2: Transfection of the cell lines using the transfection reagents Lipofectamine 3000 and FuGENE HD on Day 1Support Protocol: Image acquisition and semi‐quantitative analysis of transfection after 24 hr to calculate the transfection efficiency
Efficient Visible‐Light‐Driven Carbon Dioxide Reduction using a Bioinspired Nickel Molecular Catalyst
Authors: Zhang Jing , She Ping , Xu Qiang , Tian Fengkun , Rao Heng , Qin Jun‐Sheng , Bonin Julien , Robert Marc 
Published: February 2024

AbstractInspired by natural enzymes, this study presents a nickel‐based molecular catalyst, [Ni‖(N2S2)]Cl2 (NiN2S2, N2S2=2,11‐dithia[3,3](2,6)pyridinophane), for the photochemical catalytic reduction of CO2 under visible light. The catalyst was synthesized and characterized using various techniques, including liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS), UV‐Visible spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography. The crystallographic analysis revealed a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry with a mononuclear Ni2+ cation, two nitrogen atoms and two sulfur atoms. Photocatalytic CO2 reduction experiments were performed in homogeneous conditions using the catalyst in combination with [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 (bpy=2,2’‐bipyridine) as a photosensitizer and 1,3‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole (BIH) as a sacrificial electron donor. The catalyst achieved a high selectivity of 89 % towards CO and a remarkable turnover number (TON) of 7991 during 8 h of visible light irradiation under CO2 in the presence of phenol as a co‐substrate. The turnover frequency (TOF) in the initial 6 h was 1079 h−1, with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 1.08 %. Controlled experiments confirmed the dependency on the catalyst, light, and sacrificial electron donor for the CO2 reduction process. These findings demonstrate this bioinspired nickel molecular catalyst could be effective for fast and efficient photochemical catalytic reduction of CO2 to CO.
Infiltrating characteristics and prognostic value of tertiary lymphoid structures in resected gastric neuroendocrine neoplasm patients
Authors: Cai Daming , Wang Xingzhou , Yu Heng , Bai Chunhua , Mao Yonghuan , Liang Mengjie , Xia Xuefeng , Liu Song , Wang Meng , Lu Xiaofeng , Du Junfeng , Shen Xiaofei , Guan Wenxian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectivesTertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are lymphocyte aggregates that play an anti‐tumor role in most solid tumors. However, the functions of TLS in gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (GNENs) remain unknown. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and prognostic values of TLS in resected GNEN patients.MethodsHaematoxylin–eosin, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and multiple fluorescent IHC staining were used to assess TLS to investigate the correlation between TLSs and clinicopathological characteristics and its prognostic value.ResultsTertiary lymphoid structures were identified in 84.3% of patients with GNEN. They were located in the stromal area or outside the tumor tissue and mainly composed of B and T cells. A high density of TLSs promoted an anti‐tumor immune response in GNEN. CD15+ TANs and FOXP3+ Tregs in TLSs inhibited the formation of TLSs. High TLS density was significantly associated with prolonged recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of GNENs. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that TLS density, tumor size, tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage and World Health Organisation (WHO) classification were independent prognostic factors for OS, whereas TLS density, tumor size and TNM stage were independent prognostic factors for RFS. Finally, OS and RFS nomograms were developed and validated, which were superior to the WHO classification and the TNM stage.ConclusionTertiary lymphoid structures were mainly located in the stromal area or outside the tumor area, and high TLS density was significantly associated with the good prognosis of patients with GNEN. Incorporating TLS density into a nomogram may improve survival prediction in patients with resected GNEN.
Metabolic alterations of peripheral blood immune cells and heterogeneity of neutrophil in intracranial aneurysms patients
Authors: Ya Xiaolong , Ma Long , Liu Chenglong , Ge Peicong , Xu Yiqiao , Zheng Zhiyao , Mou Siqi , Wang Rong , Zhang Qian , Ye Xun , Zhang Dong , Zhang Yan , Wang Wenjing , Li Hao , Zhao Jizong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundIntracranial aneurysms (IAs) represent a severe cerebrovascular disease that can potentially lead to subarachnoid haemorrhage. Previous studies have demonstrated the involvement of peripheral immune cells in the formation and progression of IAs. Nevertheless, the impact of metabolic alterations in peripheral immune cells and changes in neutrophil heterogeneity on the occurrence and progression of IAs remains uncertain.MethodsSingle‐cell Cytometry by Time‐of‐Flight (CyTOF) technology was employed to profile the single‐cell atlas of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in 72 patients with IAs. In a matched cohort, metabolic shifts in PBMC subsets of IA patients were investigated by contrasting the expression levels of key metabolic enzymes with their respective counterparts in the healthy control group. Simultaneously, compositional differences in peripheral blood PMNs subsets between the two groups were analysed to explore the impact of altered heterogeneity in neutrophils on the initiation and progression of IAs. Furthermore, integrating immune features based on CyTOF analysis and clinical characteristics, we constructed an aneurysm occurrence model and an aneurysm growth model using the random forest method in conjunction with LASSO regression.ResultsDifferent subsets exhibited distinct metabolic characteristics. Overall, PBMCs from patients elevated CD98 expression and increased proliferation. Conversely, CD36 was up‐regulated in T cells, B cells and monocytes from the controls but down‐regulated in NK and NKT cells. The comparison also revealed differences in the metabolism and function of specific subsets between the two groups. In terms of PMNs, the neutrophil landscape within patients group revealed a pronounced shift towards heightened complexity. Various neutrophil subsets from the IA group generally exhibited lower expression levels of anti‐inflammatory functional molecules (IL‐4 and IL‐10). By integrating clinical and immune features, the constructed aneurysm occurrence model could precisely identify patients with IAs with high prediction accuracy (AUC = 0.987). Furthermore, the aneurysm growth model also exhibited superiority over ELAPSS scores in predicting aneurysm growth (lower prediction errors and out‐of‐bag errors).ConclusionThese findings enhanced our understanding of peripheral immune cell participation in aneurysm formation and growth from the perspectives of immune metabolism and neutrophil heterogeneity. Moreover, the predictive model based on CyTOF features holds the potential to aid in diagnosing and monitoring the progression of human IAs.
On the design and analysis of a miniaturized ultra‐wideband (UWB) antenna using quatrefoil‐shaped nonuniform meta‐surfaces for body‐centric communications
Authors: Pandi Ravichandran Venkatesh , Velayudham Narmadha , Velayudham Padmavathy 
Published: February 2024

SummaryThe paper discusses about the design and analysis of a unique circular printed antenna with quatrefoil‐shaped slots and meta‐surface for body centric communications. The antenna design is progressed with a slots in quatrefoil shape carved on the patch placed on Taconic_LX substrate whose thickness is 1 mm. The footprint of the antenna is 32 × 24 × 1 mm3. The antenna's bandwidth is improved using defected ground. The proposed design operates from 2 to 14 GHz of the ultra‐wideband (UWB) spectrum, thus providing 143% bandwidth. The antenna exhibits good gain values of 2.5 and 6 dB at 2.45 and 5.8 GHz, respectively, with efficiency of 81% and 91%. At 2.45 GHz, the design proposed functions in on‐body mode, and at 5.8 GHz, it functions in off‐body mode. Specific absorption rate (SAR) analysis was carried out whose results are within the safety range of health measures. Bending analysis was also done to enhance the antenna's applicability. Path loss, fidelity, and group delay analysis are done. The simulated results were validated by fabricating and testing the prototype. On‐body testing of the fabricated antenna was also done at various body locations. The measured results were found to be in good agreement with the simulated results.
Computation‐efficiency‐oriented resource optimization in NOMA‐assisted multi‐UAV‐enabled MEC networks
Authors: Liu Qingde , Tian Jie , Zhou Xiaotian , Yuan Dongfeng , Zhou You 
Published: February 2024

SummaryUnmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can serve as aerial mobile edge computing (MEC) servers to provide computing services to Internet of Things smart devices (ISDs) with insufficient computing capacity on the ground. However, how to provide energy‐efficient computing services by designing appropriate resource optimization strategy is still a challenge issue in UAV‐enabled MEC networks. To this end, this paper proposes a computation efficiency (CE)‐oriented partial offloading framework for UAV‐enabled MEC networks, where the ISDs' computation bits and energy consumption are taken into account simultaneously. Specifically, we firstly divide the ISDs into multiple clusters and determine the deployment of UAVs by k‐means method. Meanwhile, ISDs occupying the same subchannel in the same cluster can offload data through non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology. Then, the problem of maximizing the CE of the system is formulated by optimizing subchannel allocation, transmit power and computation resources of ISDs. To solve it, we propose a staged optimization approach by using matching theory, Dinkelbach and sequential convex programming (SCP) methods. Numerical results demonstrate the proposed scheme can achieve higher CE compared with other baseline schemes.
Influence of β‐catenin signaling on neurogenesis in neuropsychiatric disorders: Anxiety and depression
Authors: El‐Kadi Rana A. , AbdelKader Noha F. , Zaki Hala F. , Kamel Ahmed S. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIt has been proven that stress, mainly in the early years of life, can lead to anxiety and mood problems. Current treatments for psychiatric disorders are not enough, and some of them show intolerable side effects, emphasizing the urgent need for new treatment targets. Hence, a better understanding of the different brain networks, which are involved in the response to anxiety and depression, may evoke treatments with more specific targets. One of these targets is β‐catenin that regulates brain circuits. β‐Catenin has a dual response toward stress, which may influence coping or vulnerability to stress response. Indeed, β‐catenin signaling involves several processes such as inflammation‐directed brain repair, inflammation‐induced brain damage, and neurogenesis. Interestingly, β‐catenin reduction is accompanied by low neurogenesis, which leads to anxiety and depression. However, in another state, this reduction activates a compensatory mechanism that enhances neurogenesis to protect against depression but may precipitate anxiety. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism of β‐catenin could enhance our knowledge about anxiety and depression's pathophysiology, potentially improving clinical results by targeting it. Herein, the different states of β‐catenin were discussed, shedding light on possible drugs that showed action on psychiatric disorders through β‐catenin.
Association of sodium–glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors and the risk of retinal vascular occlusion: A real‐world retrospective cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Tzu‐Yi , Kang Eugene Yu‐Chuan , Shao Shih‐Chieh , Lai Edward Chia‐Cheng , Wang Nan‐Kai , Garg Sunir J. , Chen Kuan‐Jen , Kang Je‐Ho , Wu Wei‐Chi , Lai Chi‐Chun , Hwang Yih‐Shiou 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimsSodium–glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are proposed to alleviate the development of inflammatory eye diseases. However, the association between SGLT2i and retinal vascular occlusion remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effects of SGLT2i on the incidence of retinal vascular occlusion.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analysed electronic medical records data from the largest multi‐institutional database in Taiwan. Individuals who initiated SGLT2is and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4is) between 2016 and 2019 were included in our analysis. To conduct a homogenous comparison, inverse probability of treatment weighting with propensity scoring was employed. The primary outcome was retinal vascular occlusion, and the secondary outcomes were retinal vascular occlusion‐related complications (macular oedema, vitreous haemorrhage, and tractional retinal detachment) and conditions requiring vitreoretinal intervention (intravitreal injection, retinal laser therapy, and vitrectomy).ResultsIn total, 12,074 SGLT2i users and 39,318 DPP4i users were included. The incidence rate of retinal vascular occlusion in the SGLT2i and DPP4i groups was 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9–1.4) and 1.6 (95% CI, 1.3–1.8) events per 1000 person‐years, respectively, which yielded a subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.55–0.99). Similar risk reductions were observed in the retinal vascular occlusion‐related complications (SHR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.69–0.84) and conditions requiring vitreoretinal intervention (SHR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77–0.94).ConclusionsIn this multi‐institutional study in Taiwan, SGLT2i use was associated with a reduced risk of retinal vascular occlusion. Further prospective studies are required to ascertain this association.
The dwarf neon rainbowfish Melanotaenia praecox, a small spiny‐rayed fish with potential as a new Acanthomorpha model fish: II. Establishment of a microinjection procedure for genetic engineering
Authors: Miyamoto Kazuhide , Abe Gembu , Kawakami Koichi , Tamura Koji , Ansai Satoshi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundRainbowfish is a clade of colorful freshwater fish. Melanotaenia praecox is a small rainbowfish species with biological characteristics that make it potentially useful as an experimental model species. We anticipate that M. praecox could become a new model used in various fields, such as ecology, evolution, and developmental biology. However, few previous studies have described experimental set‐ups needed to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms within this species.ResultsWe describe detailed procedures for genetic engineering in the rainbowfish M. praecox. By using these procedures, we successfully demonstrated CRISPR/Cas‐mediated knockout and Tol2 transposon‐mediated transgenesis in this species. Regarding the CRISPR/Cas system, we disrupted the tyrosinase gene and then showed that injected embryos lacked pigmentation over much of their body. We also demonstrated that a Tol2 construct, including a GFP gene driven by a ubiquitous promoter, was efficiently integrated into the genome of M. praecox embryos.ConclusionsThe establishment of procedures for genetic engineering in M. praecox enables investigation of the genetic mechanisms behind a broad range of biological phenomena in this species. Thus, we suggest that M. praecox can be used as a new model species in various experimental biology fields.
Overvaluation of shape/weight at posttreatment predicts relapse at 12‐month follow‐up after successful behaviorally‐based treatment of binge‐eating disorder
Authors: Grilo Carlos M. , Ivezaj Valentina , Gueorguieva Ralitza 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo test whether overvaluation of shape/weight at the end of treatment prospectively predicts relapse at 12‐month follow‐up in patients with binge‐eating disorder (BED).MethodParticipants were 129 patients with BED who achieved abstinence from binge eating after 6 months of behaviorally‐based weight‐loss treatments in a clinical trial. Independent assessments conducted at posttreatment and at 12‐month follow‐up included the Eating Disorder Examination interview, the Beck Depression Inventory, and weight measurements.ResultsOf the 129 participants who attained abstinence from binge‐eating at posttreatment, 46 (36%) were categorized with clinical overvaluation and 83 (64%) with subclinical overvaluation; 115 (89%) were re‐assessed at 12‐month follow‐up. Participants with overvaluation at posttreatment were significantly more likely than those without to relapse at 12‐months to non‐abstinence from binge eating (54% vs. 28%) and to diagnosis‐level binge‐eating frequency of once weekly or greater (31% vs. 13%). Overvaluation at posttreatment predicted significantly higher eating‐disorder psychopathology and depression scores at 12‐month follow‐up but were unrelated to weight and weight changes. Treatment groups did not have main or interaction effects; posttreatment overvaluation effects were observed regardless of treatment and of covarying for posttreatment value of dependent variables.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that overvaluation of shape/weight at the end of treatment predicts relapse and heightened eating‐disorder psychopathology and depression scores 1 year later in patients who achieved abstinence from binge eating with behaviorally‐based treatments.Overvaluation of shape/weight has significant clinical implications and warrants consideration as a diagnostic specifier for BED as it provides important prospective prognostic information.Public SignificanceAlthough effective treatments are available for binge‐eating disorder, relapse following successful treatments is not uncommon. Almost nothing is known about what predicts relapse following treatments for binge‐eating disorder. Our study found that overvaluation of shape/weight (i.e., body image concerns that overly impact self‐worth) at posttreatment prospectively predicted relapse and higher eating‐disorder psychopathology and depression 1 year later in patients who achieved binge‐eating abstinence with behaviorally based treatments.Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT00829283. (Treatment of obesity and binge eating: Behavioral weight loss vs. stepped care.)
Testing the role of associative learning in evidence‐based treatments for anorexia nervosa
Authors: Reilly Erin E. , Wierenga Christina E. , Le Grange Daniel 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTreatments for anorexia nervosa (AN) remain ineffective for many patients. Processes that can account for differential treatment outcomes remain mostly unknown. We propose that the field test the role of associative learning in current psychological treatments. We hold that this line of research could yield actionable information for understanding non‐response and improving long‐term outcomes. To make this argument, we define associative learning and outline its proposed role in understanding psychiatric disorders and their treatment. We then briefly review data exploring associative learning in AN. We argue that associative learning processes are implicitly implicated in existing treatments; by this rationale, baseline differences in learning may interfere with treatment response. Finally, we outline future research to test our hypotheses. Altogether, future research aimed at better understanding how associative learning may contribute to AN symptom persistence has the potential to inform novel directions in intervention research.Public SignificanceThere is a pressing need to improve outcomes in treatments for anorexia nervosa (AN). We propose that individual differences in associative learning—the ability to form and update associations between cues, contexts, behaviors, and outcomes—may account for differential response to existing treatments. Undertaking this research could provide an understanding of how current treatments work and inform new approaches for those who may be at risk of poor outcomes.
Temporal change in urban fish biodiversity—Gains, losses, and drivers of change
Authors: Lawson Lauren , Edge Christopher B. , Fortin Marie‐Josée , Jackson Donald A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOur aim was to examine temporal change in alpha and beta diversity of freshwater fish communities in rivers that have urbanized over the same period to understand the influence of changes in land use and river connectivity on community change. We used biological (2001–2018), land use (2000–2015), and connectivity data (1987–2017) from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We used linear mixed effects models to determine the strength of upstream land use, connectivity, and their changes over time to explain temporal change in alpha and beta diversity indices. We examined beta diversity using the temporal beta diversity index (TBI) to assess site‐specific community change. The TBI was partitioned into gains and losses, and species‐specific changes in abundance were assessed using paired t‐tests. There were more gains than losses across the study sites as measured by TBI. We found little to no significant differences in species‐specific abundances at aggregated spatial scales (study region, watershed, stream order). We found different relationships between landscape and connectivity variables with the biodiversity indices tested; however, almost all estimated confidence intervals overlapped with zero and had low goodness‐of‐fit. More fish biodiversity gains than losses were found across the study region, as measured by TBI. We found TBI to be a useful indicator of change as it identifies key sites to further investigate. We found two high value TBI sites gained non‐native species, and one site shifted from a cool‐water to warm‐water species dominated community, both of which have management implications. Upstream catchment land use and connectivity had poor explanatory power for change in the measured biodiversity indices. Ultimately, such spatial–temporal datasets are invaluable and can reveal trends in biodiversity useful for environmental management when considering competing interests involved with urban sprawl in the ongoing “Decade on Restoration.”