bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel feature selection algorithm for identifying hub genes in lung cancer
Authors: Mohamed Tehnan I. A. , Ezugwu Absalom E. , Fonou-Dombeu Jean Vincent , Mohammed Mohanad , Greeff Japie , Elbashir Murtada K. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractLung cancer, a life-threatening disease primarily affecting lung tissue, remains a significant contributor to mortality in both developed and developing nations. Accurate biomarker identification is imperative for effective cancer diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. This study introduces the Voting-Based Enhanced Binary Ebola Optimization Search Algorithm (VBEOSA), an innovative ensemble-based approach combining binary optimization and the Ebola optimization search algorithm. VBEOSA harnesses the collective power of the state-of-the-art classification models through soft voting. Moreover, our research applies VBEOSA to an extensive lung cancer gene expression dataset obtained from TCGA, following essential preprocessing steps including outlier detection and removal, data normalization, and filtration. VBEOSA aids in feature selection, leading to the discovery of key hub genes closely associated with lung cancer, validated through comprehensive protein–protein interaction analysis. Notably, our investigation reveals ten significant hub genes—ADRB2, ACTB, ARRB2, GNGT2, ADRB1, ACTG1, ACACA, ATP5A1, ADCY9, and ADRA1B—each demonstrating substantial involvement in the domain of lung cancer. Furthermore, our pathway analysis sheds light on the prominence of strategic pathways such as salivary secretion and the calcium signaling pathway, providing invaluable insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning lung cancer. We also utilize the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) method to identify gene modules exhibiting strong correlations with clinical attributes associated with lung cancer. Our findings underscore the efficacy of VBEOSA in feature selection and offer profound insights into the multifaceted molecular landscape of lung cancer. Finally, we are confident that this research has the potential to improve diagnostic capabilities and further enrich our understanding of the disease, thus setting the stage for future advancements in the clinical management of lung cancer. The VBEOSA source codes is publicly available at https://github.com/TEHNAN/VBEOSA-A-Novel-Feature-Selection-Algorithm-for-Identifying-hub-Genes-in-Lung-Cancer.
Express detection of visual objects by primate superior colliculus neurons
Authors: Bogadhi Amarender R. , Hafed Ziad M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPrimate superior colliculus (SC) neurons exhibit visual feature tuning properties and are implicated in a subcortical network hypothesized to mediate fast threat and/or conspecific detection. However, the mechanisms through which SC neurons contribute to peripheral object detection, for supporting rapid orienting responses, remain unclear. Here we explored whether, and how quickly, SC neurons detect real-life object stimuli. We presented experimentally-controlled gray-scale images of seven different object categories, and their corresponding luminance- and spectral-matched image controls, within the extrafoveal response fields of SC neurons. We found that all of our functionally-identified SC neuron types preferentially detected real-life objects even in their very first stimulus-evoked visual bursts. Intriguingly, even visually-responsive motor-related neurons exhibited such robust early object detection. We further identified spatial frequency information in visual images as an important, but not exhaustive, source for the earliest (within 100 ms) but not for the late (after 100 ms) component of object detection by SC neurons. Our results demonstrate rapid and robust detection of extrafoveal visual objects by the SC. Besides supporting recent evidence that even SC saccade-related motor bursts can preferentially represent visual objects, these results reveal a plausible mechanism through which rapid orienting responses to extrafoveal visual objects can be mediated.
Enhancing autism spectrum disorder classification in children through the integration of traditional statistics and classical machine learning techniques in EEG analysis
Authors: Rogala Jacek , Żygierewicz Jarosław , Malinowska Urszula , Cygan Hanna , Stawicka Elżbieta , Kobus Adam , Vanrumste Bart 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder hallmarked by challenges in social communication, limited interests, and repetitive, stereotyped movements and behaviors. Numerous research efforts have indicated that individuals with ASD exhibit distinct brain connectivity patterns compared to control groups. However, these investigations, often constrained by small sample sizes, have led to inconsistent results, suggesting both heightened and diminished long-range connectivity within ASD populations. To bolster our analysis and enhance their reliability, we conducted a retrospective study using two different connectivity metrics and employed both traditional statistical methods and machine learning techniques. The concurrent use of statistical analysis and classical machine learning techniques advanced our understanding of model predictions derived from the spectral or connectivity attributes of a subject's EEG signal, while also verifying these predictions. Significantly, the utilization of machine learning methodologies empowered us to identify a unique subgroup of correctly classified children with ASD, defined by the analyzed EEG features. This improved approach is expected to contribute significantly to the existing body of knowledge on ASD and potentially guide personalized treatment strategies.
Trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in South Korea, 1998–2021: a nationally representative serial study
Authors: Lee Myeongcheol , Lee Hojae , Park Jaeyu , Kim Hyeon Jin , Kwon Rosie , Lee Seung Won , Kim Sunyoung , Koyanagi Ai , Smith Lee , Kim Min Seo , Fond Guillaume , Boyer Laurent , Rahmati Masoud , Rhee Sang Youl , Yon Dong Keon 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe impact of the pandemic on hypertension management is unknown, particularly regarding changes in demographic risk factors. We conducted a comprehensive study between 1998 and 2021 on the long-term trends in hypertension prevalence in South Korea, including a comparison of the pre-pandemic and pandemic eras. Data from 1998 to 2021 of 108,687 Korean adults were obtained through a nationwide, large-scale, and serial study. We conducted a weighted complex sampling analysis on the estimates of national prevalence and compared the slope of hypertension prevalence before and during the pandemic to determine the trend dynamics. We included 108,687 participants over 24 years, 1998–2021. While the prevalence of patients with hypertension consistently increased before the pandemic from 25.51% [95% CI: 24.27–26.75] in 1998–2005 to 27.81% [95% CI: 26.97–28.66] in 2016–2019, the increasing slope in hypertension prevalence slowed during the pandemic period (28.07% [95% CI: 26.16–29.98] for 2021; βdiff, −0.012 [−0.023 to 0.000]). Hypertension awareness, treatment, control, and control rates among patients receiving treatment followed similar trends. Compared to the pre-pandemic era, individuals aged 19–59 years or male had significantly increased control rates among the treated patients during the pandemic. This study investigated long-term trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control among Korean adults. The absence of a reduction in the health indicators associated with hypertension during the pandemic implies that medical services for individuals with hypertension remain unaffected.
Investigating the value of balance and proprioception scores to predict lower limb injuries in professional judokas
Authors: Darbandi Shirzad Mian , Zarei Mostafa , Mohammadi Haniyeh , Hosseinzadeh Mahdi 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe investigated the ability of balance and proprioception screening tests to predict lower limb injuries in professional male judokas. Fifty-three male judokas of the national teams (Mean ± SD, age 18.68 ± 3.08 years, weight 75.34 ± 11.62 kg, height 175.28 ± 7.24 cm) participated in this study. Limits of stability (LOS), single leg stability (SLS), and knee joint position sense (JPS) was recorded as the screening tests before starting the 10 month follow up. Lower limb injury was recorded all through the follow up. Fifteen lower limb sport injuries were recorded for 53 judokas during the follow-up recordings. Significant accuracy of SLS, overall bilateral ratio (AUC 0.646, 95% CI 0.452–0.839, p = 0.046), as well as JPS 60° bilateral ratio (AUC 0.657, 95% CI 0.480–0.834, p = 0.044), and LOS overall (AUC 0.696, 95% CI 0.551–0.840, p = 0.031) were revealed discriminating between injured and uninjured judokas. The optimum cut-off of SLS, overall bilateral ratio, JPS 60° bilateral ratio, and LOS overall associated with belonging to uninjured judokas group was ≤ 1.15%, ≤ 1.09%, and ≤ 1.09 respectively (sensitivity, 0.763, 0.711, 0.789 respectively; specificity, 0.600). Although the absolute unilateral balance and proprioception scores were almost the same between injured and non-injured judokas, the bilateral ratio of both these indices were different between the two groups. Lower limbs bilateral balance and proprioception asymmetries is a more important risk factor than the absolute unilateral balance and proprioception scores for sustaining lower limb injuries in professional male judokas. Medical professionals and coaches are suggested to use these findings as pre-participation screening tools identify injury-prone athletes.
Dynamics of major environmental disasters involving fire in the Brazilian Pantanal
Authors: Pelissari Tatiane Deoti , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo , Teodoro Larissa Pereira Ribeiro , Lima Mendelson , Santana Dthenifer Cordeiro , Rossi Fernando Saragosa , dos Santos Daniel Henrique , De Almeida Silva Renan , Lourençoni Thaís , da Silva Junior Carlos Antonio 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe 2020 environmental catastrophe in Pantanal has highlighted the fragility of environmental policies and practices for managing and fighting fires in this biome. Therefore, it is essential to know the causes and circumstances that potentiate these fires. This study aimed to: (I) assess the relationship between fire foci and carbon absorption (GPP), precipitation, and carbon dioxide (CO2) flux; (ii) analyze vegetation recovery using the differenced normalized burn ratio (ΔNBR) in Brazilian Pantanal between 2001 and 2022; and (iii) identify priority areas, where the highest intensities of fire foci have occurred, in order to guide public policies in Brazil to maintain local conservation. To this purpose, fire foci were detected using data from the MODIS MOD14/MYD14 algorithm, annual precipitation with CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data), and CO2 flux using the MODIS/MODO9A1 product, and Gross Primary Production (GPP) with the MODIS/MOD17A2 product. The severity of the burned area was also assessed using the ΔNBR index and the risk areas were determined using the averages of these images. During the time series studied, a total of 300,127 fire foci were detected throughout the Pantanal, where 2020 had the highest number of foci and the lowest accumulated precipitation. The years with the highest precipitation were 2014 and 2018. The year 2018 was also the second year with the highest GPP value. The Pettit test showed a trend for 2008 and 2011 as the points of change in the CO2 flux and GPP variables. Principal component analysis clustered fire foci and precipitation on opposite sides, as well as GPP and CO2 flux, while ΔNBR clustered HS, MHS and MLS classes with the years 2020, 2019, 2002 and 2021. There was a high negative correlation between fire foci × rainfall and GPP × CO2 flux. The years with the largest areas of High severity (HS), Moderate-high severity (MHS) and Moderate-low severity (MLS) classes were 2020 and 2019, respectively. The most vulnerable areas for severe fires were the municipalities of Cáceres, Poconé, and Corumbá. The major fire catastrophe in 2020 is correlated with the low precipitation in 2019, the high precipitation in 2018, and the increased GPP, as well government policies unfavorable to the environment.
Load-induced deformation of the tibia and its effect on implant loosening detection
Authors: ter Wee M. A. , Dobbe J. G. G. , Buijs G. S. , Kievit A. J. , Schafroth M. U. , Maas M. , Blankevoort L. , Streekstra G. J. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractCT imaging under external valgus and varus loading conditions and consecutive image analysis can be used to detect tibial implant loosening after total knee arthroplasty. However, the applied load causes the tibia to deform, which could result in an overestimation of implant displacement. This research evaluates the extent of tibia deformation and its effect on measuring implant displacement. Ten cadaver specimen with TKA were CT-scanned under valgus/varus loading (20 Nm), first implanted without bone cement fixation (mimicking a loose implant) and subsequently with bone cement fixation (mimicking a fixed implant). By means of image analysis, three relative displacements were assessed: (1) between the proximal and distal tibia (measure of deformation), (2) between the implant and the whole tibia (including potential deformation effect) and (3) between the implant and the proximal tibia (reduced deformation effect). Relative displacements were quantified in terms of translations along, and rotations about the axes of a local coordinate system. As a measure of deformation, the proximal tibia moved relative to the distal tibia by, on average 1.27 mm (± 0.50 mm) and 0.64° (± 0.25°). Deformation caused an overestimation of implant displacement in the cemented implant. The implant displaced with respect to the whole tibia by 0.45 mm (± 0.22 mm) and 0.79° (± 0.38°). Relative to the proximal tibia, the implant moved by 0.23 mm (± 0.10 mm) and 0.62° (± 0.34°). The differentiation between loose and fixed implants improved when tibia deformation was compensated for by using the proximal tibia rather than the whole tibia.
Effect of lipotoxicity on mitochondrial function and epigenetic programming during bovine in vitro embryo production
Authors: Meulders Ben , Marei Waleed F. A. , Xhonneux Inne , Bols Peter E. J. , Leroy Jo L. M. R. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMaternal metabolic disorders may cause lipotoxic effects on the developing oocyte. Understanding the timing at which this might disrupt embryo epigenetic programming and how this is linked with mitochondrial dysfunction is crucial for improving assisted reproductive treatments, but has not been investigated before. Therefore, we used a bovine in vitro model to investigate if pathophysiological palmitic acid (PA) concentrations during in vitro oocyte maturation and in vitro embryo culture alter embryo epigenetic patterns (DNA methylation (5mC) and histone acetylation/methylation (H3K9ac/H3K9me2)) compared to control (CONT) and solvent control (SCONT), at the zygote and morula stage. Secondly, we investigated if these epigenetic alterations are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and changes in ATP production rate, or altered expression of epigenetic regulatory genes. Compared to SCONT, H3K9ac and H3K9me2 levels were increased in PA-derived zygotes. Also, 5mC and H3K9me2 levels were increased in PA-exposed morulae compared to SCONT. This was associated with complete inhibition of glycolytic ATP production in oocytes, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and complete inhibition of glycolytic ATP production in 4-cell embryos and reduced SOD2 expression in PA-exposed zygotes and morulae. For the first time, epigenetic alterations in metabolically compromised zygotes and morulae have been observed in parallel with mitochondrial dysfunction in the same study.
Behavioral and physiological fatigue-related factors influencing timing and force control learning in pianists
Authors: Takemi Mitsuaki , Akahoshi Mai , Ushiba Junichi , Furuya Shinichi 
Published: December 2023

AbstractOptimizing the training regimen depending on neuromuscular fatigue is crucial for the well-being of professionals intensively practicing motor skills, such as athletes and musicians, as persistent fatigue can hinder learning and cause neuromuscular injuries. However, accurate assessment of fatigue is challenging because of the dissociation between subjective perception and its impact on motor and cognitive performance. To address this issue, we investigated the interplay between fatigue and learning development in 28 pianists during three hours of auditory-motor training, dividing them into two groups subjected to different resting conditions. Changes in behavior and muscle activity during training were measured to identify potential indicators capable of detecting fatigue before subjective awareness. Our results indicate that motor learning and fatigue development are independent of resting frequency and timing. Learning indices, such as reduction in force and timing errors throughout training, did not differ between the groups. No discernible distinctions emerged in fatigue-related behavioral and physiological indicators between the groups. Regression analysis revealed that several fatigue-related indicators, such as tapping speed variability and electromyogram amplitude per unit force, could explain the learning of timing and force control. Our findings suggest the absence of a universal resting schedule for optimizing auditory-motor learning.
Anti-Bordetella bronchiseptica effects of targeted bacteriophages via microbiome and metabolic mediated mechanisms
Authors: Hosseindoust Abdolreza , Choi YoHan , Ha SangHun , Tajudeen Habeeb , Mun JunYoung , Kinara Elick , Kim YoungIn , Kim JinSoo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBordetella bronchiseptica poses a significant challenge in the context of respiratory infections, particularly in weanling pigs. In this study, we investigated the impact of a novel targeted bacteriophage in controlling B. bronchiseptica challenge (BBC) in an experimental design involving five distinct treatment groups: NC (no challenge), PC (BBC challenge), BF (108 pfu bacteriophage/kg diet + BBC), BN (2 × 107 pfu/day bacteriophage by nasal spray + BBC), and AT (antibiotic + BBC). The experiment was conducted for 2 weeks. The highest turbinate score was observed in the PC. The BF treatment showed higher plasma IL (interleukine)-1β and IL-6 compared with the BN and AT treatments. Plasma concentrations of IL-1β were increased in the BF pigs compared with the BN, AT, and NC. Among the BBC groups, the PC treatment exhibited a higher abundance of Staphylococcus. aureus and B. bronchiseptica in the lung. A lower S. aureus, Streptococcus. suis, and B. bronchiseptica colonization was detected in the AT compared with the BF and BN treatments. The BF showed lower plasma zonulin compared with the BN and AT. A higher plasma concentration of superoxide dismutase was observed in the BF and AT compared with PC and BN. The BN influenced the glycine, serine-threonine metabolism; glycerolipid metabolism; glyoxylate-dicarboxylate metabolism; and arachidonic acid metabolism compared with the NC. In conclusion, nasal-sprayed bacteriophage effectively controlled B. bronchiseptica infection, however, their efficiency was lower than the antibiotic.
Analysis of spatial variation of street landscape greening and influencing factors: an example from Fuzhou city, China
Authors: Jin Bowen , Geng Jianwei , Ke Shan , Pan Hui 
Published: December 2023

AbstractUrban street greening is an important part of urban green infrastructure, and Green View Index (GVI) is widely used to assess urban street quality and ecosystem service value as an important indicator to quantify the perception of green street landscape from a pedestrian perspective. However, the distribution of street greenery is imbalanced. Therefore, to explore the differences in street greening levels within urban cities, we crawled streetscape data using the Internet to assess the spatial distribution patterns of urban street GVI using deep learning and spatial autocorrelation, and combined 11 surrounding environmental features with multi-source geographic data to further analyze the key factors influencing the spatial variation of block GVI using ordinary least squares, geographically weighted regression (GWR) models, and multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) models. The results show that the mean value of GVI in Fuzhou city is low (23.08%), with large differences among neighborhoods and a significant spatial autocorrelation. Among the regression models, MGWR has the best fit with an R2 of 0.702, where the variables of NDVI, house price, accessibility of water bodies and parks, and the proportion of built-up land have a greater impact on GVI, and the factors do not have the same spatial effect size. The results can provide a scientific basis for promoting green visual equity in different blocks.
Accelerated soil drying linked to increasing evaporative demand in wet regions
Authors: Qing Yamin , Wang Shuo , Yang Zong-Liang , Gentine Pierre , Zhang Boen , Alexander Jagger 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe rapid decline in soil water affects water resources, plant physiology, and agricultural development. However, the changes in soil drying rate and associated climatic mechanisms behind such changes remain poorly understood. Here, we find that wet regions have witnessed a significant increasing trend in the soil drying rate during 1980−2020, with an average increase of 6.01 − 9.90% per decade, whereas there is no consistent trend in dry regions. We also identify a near-linear relationship between the annual soil drying rate and its influencing factors associated with atmospheric aridity and high temperatures. Further, enhanced evapotranspiration by atmospheric aridity and high temperatures is the dominant factor increasing the soil drying rate in wet regions. Our results highlight the accelerated soil drying in the recent four decades in wet regions, which implies an increased risk of rapidly developing droughts, posing a serious challenge for the adaptability of ecosystems and agriculture to rapid drying.
Home-run trials for rare cancers: giving the right drug(s) to the right patients at the right time and in the right place
Authors: Adashek Jacob J. , Kurzrock Razelle 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn oncology clinical trials, many patients spend their final months at a central clinical trial facility far from home for “mandatory” protocol visits/diagnostic testing. Studies suggest that the travel strain may be greatest among patients living in low‐income areas and/or participating in early-phase studies. In this regard, rare cancers constitute a special unmet need with limited therapeutic options and few trials. Though individually uncommon, rare cancers as a group constitute ~22% of the cancer burden; the portion of cancer burden may even be greater if biomarker-defined rare subsets of either a single cancer type or a tissue-agnostic subgroup are included. Exacerbating the access issue is the fact that, in addition to the paucity of trials, many centers will not activate existing single-arm trials, often due to accrual concerns, which may further disadvantage this patient group and also jeopardize trial completion. Decentralized clinical trials may resolve some of these challenges by allowing patients to participate from close to home. Decentralized clinical trials can take the form of being site-less, with the coordinating body working remotely and care provided by the home oncologist, or by taking the tack of National Cancer Institute/cooperative groups (e.g., NCI-MATCH genomics matching trial or SWOG1609 [NCI] DART immunotherapy rare cancer trial) using a platform design with multiple cohorts and opening at >1000 sites. Decentralized trials now also have supportive FDA guidance. Importantly, home-run trials permit clinical trial access to underserved groups, including those in rural areas and patients financially unable to travel to a central facility.