bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating handgrip strength and functional tests as indicators of gait speed in older females
Authors: Muollo Valentina , D’Emanuele Samuel , Ghiotto Laura , Rudi Doriana , Schena Federico , Tarperi Cantor 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionWith aging, females often experience greater declines in functional capacity [e.g., gait speed (GS)] compared to males, highlighting the need for sex-difference considered in screening and intervention planning. In certain contexts, assessing GS may not be feasible. Handgrip strength (HGS) commonly used as a surrogate measure for physical performance, also serves as an indirect indicator of muscle strength in the lower limbs. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the associations between HGS and common functional tests and to determine the optimal cut-off values for these tests in assessing GS.Methods142 community-dwelling older females aged 60–80 years old (mean age: 75 ± 6 years) were evaluated with HGS, the 30-second arm curl (30 s-AC), 30-second chair stand (30 s-CS), the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and the 8-foot Up &amp; Go (8-UG) test. Pearson's correlation (r) was used to assess the strength of associations between HGS and functional variables, while multiple linear regression models identified determinants of GS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate the effectiveness of various tests in detecting slow GS (&lt;1.0 m/s), by means of the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity.ResultsHGS showed positive significant (p &lt; 0.001) associations with 30 s-AC (r = 0.499), SPPB (r = 0.447), and 30 s-CS (r = 0.329). Standardised coefficients of the linear models were: 30 s-AC (β=0.593), 30 s-CS (β=0.513), 5-CS (β=−0.431), and HGS (β=0.475) (all p &lt; 0.001). ROC analysis revealed the following results: 30 s-AC (AUC = 0.80, cut-off=∼16 repetitions, sensitivity 83%, specificity 36%), 30 s-CS (AUC = 0.74; cut-off=∼13 repetitions, sensitivity 78%, specificity 64%), and 5-CS (AUC = 0.75, cut-off = 10.0 s, sensitivity 81%, specificity 57%), HGS (AUC = 0.73, cut-off=∼20 kg, sensitivity 79%, specificity 46%).DiscussionWe found that HGS was moderately-to-weakly associated with functional outcomes in older females, indicating that it may not reflect the overall body functional capacity. Despite similar AUCs across all tests, the 30 s-CS and 5-CS showed a better balance of sensitivity and specificity, making them potential indicators of slow GS compared to HGS and 30 s-AC.
Reducing trailing limb collisions in older adults through targeted leading limb placement after obstacle crossing: effect of closer foot placement
Authors: Hakamata Tomoki , Higuchi Takahiro 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionOlder adults experience a higher frequency of collisions with obstacles when stepping over obstacles, particularly with the trailing limb. We recently demonstrated that placing the leading limb closer to an obstacle after crossing effectively increases the toe height of the trailing limb, resulting in reduced collision. This study investigated whether the intervention of placing the leading limb closer to the obstacle is effective in reducing trailing limb collisions in healthy older adults.MethodsTwenty-one older individuals (11 males, 10 females; mean age 75.7 years) participated. Participants were allocated to one of two groups: a closer placement group, instructed to place the leading limb on a square target positioned on their walking path after crossing an obstacle, and a control group, instructed to cross the obstacle naturally. The target in the closer group was set at 0.5 times the leading limb's foot placement distance, as determined in a pre-test for each participant. The experimental design included a pre-test, intervention, and post-test.Results and discussionThe collision rate for the trailing limb in the closer group was significantly lower in the post-test than that in the pre-test. Furthermore, the variability in toe height and walking speed of the trailing limb in the closer group decreased significantly in the post-test compared to the pre-test. These findings suggest that the intervention of placing the leading limb foot closer to the obstacle after crossing may improve obstacle avoidance by the trailing limb in healthy older adults.
Blood biochemistry changes in a minipig infarction model
Authors: Kőrösi Dénes , Göcző Ágoston , Varga Noémi , Garamvölgyi Rita , Balogh Nándor , Farkas Kornélia , Vorobcsuk András 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionThe present study aimed to assess changes in biochemical parameters during the adaptation of the myocardial infarction model to a conventional Hungarian minipig breed. According to our hypothesis, changes in the blood level of the necroenzymes are not only related to the interventional procedure but are also influenced by peri-procedural animal keeping and treatment conditions.MethodsClosed chest acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was induced by balloon occlusion for 90 min in the left anterior descendent coronary artery (LAD) in 24 adult, female Pannon minipigs followed by reperfusion. Blood samples were taken before AMI, and immediately after the reperfusion, during the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) on days 3 and 30. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and high-sensitivity troponin I were determined.ResultsWhile the parameters measured at baseline remained within physiological ranges, a notable elevation was seen in comparison with the results observed on day 30. This phenomenon was evident in all the laboratory parameters tested, except hs-troponin. The results for AST, ALT, LDH, and CK were statistically significant (p = 0.011, p = 0.001, p = 0.013, and p = 0.001, respectively). A statistically significant difference was observed between the baseline and 30-day AST/ALT ratio (p = 0.00514).DiscussionThe elevated levels of necroenzymes observed at baseline are likely to be a consequence of the physical and social stress imposed by the study design on the minipigs during the 72-h period prior to intervention. It is essential to define the optimal timing of baseline blood tests to ensure the reliability of the biochemical profile in a large animal infarction model.
The Identification of a Unique Gene MoUNG Required for Growth, Conidiation, and Pathogenicity in Magnaporthe oryzae Through T-DNA Insertion Mutagenesis
Authors: Chen Jing , He Qingfeng , Xie Xuze , Wu Yuting , Liu Shan , Li Xihong , Yi Xianfeng , Zhang Dan , Olsson Stefan , Lu Guodong , Wang Zonghua , Zhang Youjian , Lin Meizhen , Li Ya 
Published: January 2025

Unique genes refer to genes specific to a particular organism and play crucial roles in the biological functions, evolutionary processes, and adaptations to external environments. However, the roles of unique genes in plant pathogenic fungi remain largely unexplored. In this study, we identified a novel unique gene in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, named MoUNG (M. oryzae unique gene), through T-DNA insertion mutagenesis. The disruption of the MoUNG promoter region in the T-DNA insertion mutant (T30-104) led to an almost loss of MoUNG expression. MoUNG has no functional domains and lacks homologues in other organism. It is highly expressed during the early-infection stage between 16 and 32 h post-inoculation (HPI), in contrast to its expression in mycelia and at the later infection stage of 48 HPI. Notably, attempts to knock out MoUNG were unsuccessful, so we examined the T30-104 mutant and found it showed significantly reduced growth, conidiation, and pathogenicity. Introducing the full-length MoUNG with its promoter into T30-104 restored these phenotypic defects. Additionally, subcellular localization assays revealed that MoUNG exhibits a dot-like distribution within the cytoplasm of mycelium, conidium, appressorium, and invasive hypha. Furthermore, knock-down of MoUNG produced results similar to those observed with the insertion mutation. In conclusion, we identified a novel unique gene MoUNG in M. oryzae and demonstrated its involvement in growth, conidiation, and pathogenicity.
Identification of Fungal Metabolite Gliotoxin as a Potent Inhibitor Against Bacterial O-Acetylserine Sulfhydrylase CysK and CysM
Authors: Rahman Azizur , Ono Katsuhiko , Toyomoto Touya , Hanaoka Kenjiro , Sawa Tomohiro 
Published: January 2025

Cysteine is an essential amino acid for sustaining life, including protein synthesis, and serves as a precursor for antioxidant glutathione. Pathogenic bacteria synthesize cysteine via a two-step enzymatic process using serine as the starting material. The first step is catalyzed by serine acetyltransferase, also known as CysE, and the second by O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS), referred to as CysK or CysM. This cysteine biosynthetic pathway in bacteria differs significantly from that in mammals, making it an attractive target for the development of novel antibacterial agents. In this study, we aimed to identify OASS inhibitors. To achieve this, a high-throughput screening system was developed to analyze compounds capable of inhibiting CysK/CysM activity. Screening 168,640 compounds from a chemical library revealed that gliotoxin, a fungal metabolite, strongly inhibits both CysK and CysM. Furthermore, gliotoxin significantly suppressed the growth of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, a Gram-negative bacterium, under cystine-deficient conditions. Gliotoxin possesses a unique disulfide structure classified as epipolythiodioxopiperazine. To date, no studies have reported OASS inhibition by compounds with this structural motif, highlighting its potential for future structural optimization. The screening system developed in this study is expected to accelerate the discovery of functional CysK/CysM inhibitors, providing a foundation for novel antibacterial strategies.
Effects of Vegetable and Fruit Juicing on Gut and Oral Microbiome Composition
Authors: Sardaro Maria Luisa Savo , Grote Veronika , Baik Jennifer , Atallah Marco , Amato Katherine Ryan , Ring Melinda 
Published: January 2025

Background: In recent years, juicing has often been promoted as a convenient way to increase fruit and vegetable intake, with juice-only diets marketed for digestive cleansing and overall health improvement. However, juicing removes most insoluble fiber, which may diminish the health benefits of whole fruits and vegetables. Lower fiber intake can alter the microbiota, affecting metabolism, immunity, and mental health, though little is known about juicing’s specific effects on the microbiota. This study addresses this gap by exploring how juicing impacts gut and oral microbiome composition in an intervention study. Methods: Fourteen participants followed one of three diets—exclusive juice, juice plus food, or plant-based food—for three days. Microbiota samples (stool, saliva, and inner cheek swabs) were collected at baseline, after a pre-intervention elimination diet, immediately after juice intervention, and 14 days after intervention. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to analyze microbiota taxonomic composition. Results: The saliva microbiome differed significantly in response to the elimination diet (unweighted UniFrac: F = 1.72, R = 0.06, p < 0.005; weighted UniFrac: F = 7.62, R = 0.23, p-value = 0.0025) with a significant reduction in Firmicutes (p = 0.004) and a significant increase in Proteobacteria (p = 0.005). The juice intervention diets were also associated with changes in the saliva and cheek microbiota, particularly in the relative abundances of pro-inflammatory bacterial families, potentially due to the high sugar and low fiber intake of the juice-related products. Although no significant shifts in overall gut microbiota composition were observed, with either the elimination diet or the juice intervention diets, bacterial taxa associated with gut permeability, inflammation, and cognitive decline increased in relative abundance. Conclusions: These findings suggest that short-term juice consumption may negatively affect the microbiota.
Repurposing FDA-Approved Agents to Develop a Prototype Helicobacter pylori Shikimate Kinase (HPSK) Inhibitor: A Computational Approach Using Virtual Screening, MM-GBSA Calculations, MD Simulations, and DFT Analysis
Authors: Al Khzem Abdulaziz H. , Shoaib Tagyedeen H. , Mukhtar Rua M. , Alturki Mansour S. , Gomaa Mohamed S. , Hussein Dania , Tawfeeq Nada , Bano Mohsina , Sarafroz Mohammad , Alzahrani Raghad , Alghamdi Hanin , Rants’o Thankhoe A. 
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Helicobacter pylori infects approximately half of the global population, causing chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer, a leading cause of cancer mortality. While current therapies face challenges from rising antibiotic resistance, particularly to clarithromycin, alongside treatment complexity and costs, the World Health Organization has prioritized the development of new antibiotics to combat this high-risk pathogen. In this study, we employed computer-aided drug design (CADD) methodologies, including molecular docking, Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) analysis, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, to explore the potential repurposing of FDA-approved agents as inhibitors of Helicobacter pylori shikimate kinase (HpSK). Methods: Using the Glide module, the HTVS method was initially applied to screen 1615 FDA-approved agents followed by extra-precision (XP) docking for the obtained 111 hits. The obtained XP scores were used to confine the results to those hits with a score above the reference ligand, shikimate, score. This yielded 31 final hits with an XP score above −5.867. MM-GBSA calculations were performed on these top candidates and the reference ligand to refine the analysis and compounds’ prioritization. Results: The 31 compounds displayed binding free energy (ΔGbind) values ranging from 3.61 to −55.92 kcal/mol, with shikimate exhibiting a ΔGbind of −34.24 kcal/mol and 10 hits having a lower ΔGbind value. Out of these ten, three drugs—Dolutegravir, Cangrelor, and Isavuconazonium—were selected for further analysis based on their drug-like properties. Robust and stable binding profiles for both Isavuconazonium and Cangrelor were verified via molecular dynamics simulation. Additionally, Density Functional Theory (DFT) analysis was conducted, and the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbitals (HOMOs), Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbitals (LUMOs), and the energy gap (HLG) between them were calculated. All three drug candidates displayed lower HLG values than shikimate, suggesting higher reactivity and more efficient electronic transitions than the reference ligand. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the identified drugs, although not optimal for direct repurposing, would serve as promising leads against Helicobacter pylori shikimate kinase. These drugs could be valuable leads for experimental assessment and further optimization, particularly with no prototype yet identified. In terms of potential for clinical repurposing, the results point to diflunisal as a promising candidate for further testing.
La chronologie des spéléothèmes par les séries de l’uranium appliquée aux enregistrements par l’endokarst. Historique, perspectives et applications
Authors: Pons-Branchu Edwige , Quinif Yves 
Published: January 2025

La datation des carbonates secondaires (spéléothèmes) est un moyen d’étude complémentaire des études de terrain pour comprendre la genèse de l’endokarst et son évolution au cours du temps. Au cours des dernières décennies, ces datations ont aussi permis de développer de très nombreuses applications, comme par exemple pour l’étude des paléoclimats ou de l’apport de jalons chronologiques en géomorphologie, ou pour les études tectoniques. La datation de spéléothèmes par la méthode
230Th/ 234U couramment appelée méthode «uranium thorium » , sujet principal de cette présentation, a été proposée dès la fin des années 1960, puis a connu un essor important dans les années 1980. Aux premières, basées sur la mesure de la radioactivité (spectrométrie alpha) des isotopes de l’uranium et du thorium ont succédé celles basées sur leur mesure selon leur masse (spectrométrie de masse). Nous présentons ici ces évolutions techniques, et les gains en sensibilité et précision pour les mesures, qui se traduisent par un gain en précision sur les âges obtenus, la réduction considérable des échantillons analysés (et donc le gain en résolution temporelle et spatiale) ainsi qu’un allongement de la période de temps couverte par ces datations, tant pour les âges les plus jeunes que pour la limite supérieure (jusqu’à 600 000 ans voire plus avec les dernières techniques). Toutefois, l’obtention d’âges précis, quelle que soit la technique utilisée, reste dans de nombreux cas limitée par les particularités liées aux objets datés eux-mêmes : i) les spéléothèmes contiennent souvent une fraction «détritique » qui rend nécessaire l’application de corrections d’âge et qui impacte directement la précision sur ces derniers ; ii) les spéléothèmes subissent parfois des «ouvertures de systèmes » qui mobilisent les radionucléides et faussent les âges obtenus. Nous présenterons différents cas d’étude montrant ces particularités, ainsi que les moyens de correction ou validation des âges qui peuvent être mis en oeuvre. Les applications de ces datations pour la connaissance de l’endokarst, sa genèse et son évolution, mais aussi, la connaissance du climat ou de la tectonique régionale seront elles aussi présentées.
An Anatomy of Ethnic Gangsterism and Militant Nationalism in Kenya: The Case of Nairobi, 1940-1963
Authors: Murathi Antony Kimani 
Published: January 2025

Towards the end of the 1940s, Nairobi was characterized by momentous political conflict. A large proportion of Africans were said to be living outside the confines of colonial supervision, a situation that resulted in gangsterism and serious anarchy. Extensive research has been carried out on various dimensions of this episode, revealing that militarism and anarchy were deeply rooted in unresolved issues revolving around economic deprivation and the political exclusion of Africans by the colonial authorities. Some aspects of this violent agitation however remain unexplored. It’s demonstrated in this study that the urban poor in post-1945 Nairobi, pushed to the limits of human endurance, created their own alternative society in clandestine opposition to the forces of law and order. Examining the anarchy, however, reveals a nexus between anti-colonial militancy and ethnic acrimony. The study reveals that tribalism remained an important influence on daily life and political allegiances in the African locations. Armed with various weapons, Kikuyu gangs roamed the streets, terrorizing people of other communities. The spate of militant activity in Nairobi alienated the non-Kikuyu elements in the African population. Anti-colonial militarism thus had far-reaching implications on inter-ethnic relations in Nairobi. The ethnic question remained critical in political transitions that took place in Nairobi city in the post-Mau Mau period. The study was carried out in Nairobi County, particularly in the colonial ‘African locations’ of Pumwani and Shauri Moyo. It entailed the collection and analysis of data from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected from oral informants and the Kenya National Archives while secondary data came from newspapers, books, magazines and dissertations. Data was then corroborated and both context and content analysis were done to guarantee consistency, reliability and validity of the information. A historical research design based on qualitative procedures was employed. Interpretation was done within the Marxist theoretical framework. Marxists hold that social and political behaviour can be reduced to economic motives, and ethnicity is an important force in political behaviour.
CEERS: Increasing Scatter along the Star-forming Main Sequence Indicates Early Galaxies Form in Bursts
Authors: Cole Justin W. , Papovich Casey , Finkelstein Steven L. , Bagley Micaela B. , Dickinson Mark , Iyer Kartheik G. , Yung L. Y. Aaron , Ciesla Laure , Amorín Ricardo O. , Arrabal Haro Pablo , Bhatawdekar Rachana , Calabrò Antonello , Cleri Nikko J. , de la Vega Alexander , Dekel Avishai , Endsley Ryan , Gawiser Eric , Giavalisco Mauro , Hathi Nimish P. , Hirschmann Michaela , Holwerda Benne W. , Kartaltepe Jeyhan S. , Koekemoer Anton M. , Lucas Ray A. , Mascia Sara , Mobasher Bahram , Pérez-González Pablo G. , Rodighiero Giulia , Ronayne Kaila , Tacchella Sandro , Weiner Benjamin J. , Wilkins Stephen M. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
We present the star formation rate–stellar mass (SFR–M
*) relation for galaxies in the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science survey at 4.5 ≤ z ≤ 12. We model the JWST and Hubble Space Telescope rest-UV and rest-optical photometry of galaxies with flexible star formation histories (SFHs) using BAGPIPES. We consider SFRs averaged from the SFHs over 10 Myr (SFR10) and 100 Myr (SFR100), where the photometry probes SFRs on these timescales, effectively tracing nebular emission lines in the rest-optical (on ~10 Myr timescales) and the UV/optical continuum (on ~100 Myr timescales). We measure the slope, normalization and intrinsic scatter of the SFR–M
* relation, taking into account the uncertainty and the covariance of galaxy SFRs and M
*. From z ~ 5 to 9 there is larger scatter in the SFR10–M
* relation, with

σ
(
log
S
F

R

100

)
=
0.4

dex, compared to the SFR100–M
* relation, with

σ
(
log
S
F

R

10

)
=
0.1

dex. This scatter increases with redshift and increasing stellar mass, at least out to z ~ 7. These results can be explained if galaxies at higher redshift experience an increase in star formation variability and form primarily in short, active periods, followed by a lull in star formation (i.e., “napping” phases). We see a significant trend in the ratio R
SFR = SFR10/SFR100 in which, on average, R
SFR decreases with increasing stellar mass and increasing redshift. This yields a star formation “duty cycle” of ~40% for galaxies with

log

M

*

/

M

⊙

≥
9.3

at z ~ 5, declining to ~20% at z ~ 9. Galaxies also experience longer lulls in star formation at higher redshift and at higher stellar mass, such that galaxies transition from periods of higher SFR variability at z ≳ 6 to smoother SFR evolution at z ≲ 4.5.