bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and blood pressure among airline pilots: a mediation analysis of body composition
Authors: Wilson Daniel , Driller Matthew , Johnston Ben , Gill Nicholas 
Published: October 2023

Objective:
Blood pressure (BP), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and body composition are independently associated with health outcomes, yet the relationship between these variables has not been explored among airline pilots. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between CRF and BP, and further examine whether the relationship is mediated by body composition.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 356 airline pilots in New Zealand. We measured height, body mass, BP, waist circumference, skinfolds, and CRF (via a WattBike cycle ergometer submaximal VO2max test). Partial correlation coefficients were estimated to examine the relationships between all variables while controlling for age and sex. Haye's PROCESS macro and the Sobel test were utilized for the mediation analysis.

Results:
All body composition variables (body mass index, waist circumference and body fat percentage) were positively correlated with all BP variables (systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean arterial pressure) (P < 0.001). CRF was negatively correlated with all body composition and BP variables (P < 0.001). The Sobel test and indirect effect were significant (P < 0.001), confirming that all body composition variables partially mediate the relationship between CRF and all blood pressure variables.

Conclusion:
Lower CRF is associated with higher blood pressure, and body composition partially mediates the relationship between these health risk factors. These findings highlight the importance of physical fitness and healthy body composition in the management of blood pressure among this occupational group.
Effects of mind-body exercise on body constitution and circadian rhythm in people with suboptimal health status
Authors: Kung Yen-Ying , Shen Yuh-Chiang , Li Jia-Yi , Kao Yao-Kai , Kuo Terry B. J. , Yang Cheryl C. H. 
Published: October 2023

Background:
Suboptimal health status (SHS) is a dynamic state in which people have not been diagnosed with a disease but tend to develop diseases. People with SHS are more prone to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Suitable interventions in people with SHS can prevent disease development. SHS is correlated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based constitutions, including Yang-Xu (yang deficiency), Yin-Xu (yin deficiency), and stasis types. The circadian rhythm is a potential biomarker of health and metabolism. Baduanjin exercise, a kind of mind-body exercise, has been regarded to adjust body constitution and metabolism, but few studies have evaluated the effects of Baduanjin exercise on body constitution and circadian rhythms. Therefore, this randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of Baduanjin exercise on body constitution and circadian rhythms in people with SHS.

Methods:
Seventy-six participants with SHS were divided into the Baduanjin exercise and control groups (watching a Baduanjin video), with the interventions lasting 12 weeks. The Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ), SHS Questionnaire-25 (SHSQ-25), and actigraphy for circadian rhythm measurement were conducted.

Results:
The scores of SHSQ-25, Yang-Xu, Yin-Xu, and BCQ stasis decreased significantly after 12 weeks in the Baduanjin exercise group, but not in the control group. Interdaily stability of the circadian rhythm increased significantly in the Baduanjin exercise group but not in the control group.

Conclusion:
This is the first report of improved health status, modulated body constitution, and increased interdaily stability of the circadian rhythm in participants with SHS who practiced Baduanjin exercise.
Metabolic Syndrome Accelerates the Age-Related Increase of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas
Authors: Tanaka Shunta , Tsujimae Masahiro , Masuda Atsuhiro , Inoue Jun , Inomata Noriko , Uemura Hisahiro , Kohashi Shinya , Nagao Kae , Masuda Shigeto , Abe Shohei , Gonda Masanori , Yamakawa Kohei , Ashina Shigeto , Nakano Ryota , Tanaka Takeshi , Yamada Yasutaka , Sakai Arata , Kobayashi Takashi , Shiomi Hideyuki , Fujita Koichi , Anami Takahiro , Fujita Tsuyoshi , Watanabe Akihiko , Kodama Yuzo 
Published: October 2023

Objectives
Aging is associated with a high prevalence of pancreatic cysts and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Metabolic syndrome (MS) may increase the risk of neoplasms, including those that develop in the pancreas. However, the influence of factors associated with MS on the development of IPMN remains unclear.

Methods
A total of 9363 patients who underwent abdominal ultrasound examinations between April 2012 and May 2013 were included in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the presence of IPMN by age.

Results
Pancreatic cysts were detected in 198 of 9363 patients, of whom 129 were found to have IPMNs. The presence of IPMN significantly correlated with age (10-year increments; odds ratio, 2.73; 95% CI, 2.28–3.29; P < 0.001). High body mass index, history of smoking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and MS were associated with a higher prevalence of IPMN with advancing age. In multivariate analysis, the presence of IPMN was more frequent in elderly patients with MS (odds ratio, 3.14; 95% CI, 3.14–6.72; P = 0.003).

Conclusions
The present study suggests that the incidence of IPMN increases with age and is accelerated in the presence of MS.
Deep Learning for Detection of Pneumothorax and Pleural Effusion on Chest Radiographs
Authors: Tejani Ali , Dowling Thomas , Sanampudi Sreeja , Yazdani Rana , Canan Arzu , Malja Elona , Xi Yin , Abbara Suhny , Peshock Ron M. , Kay Fernando U. 
Published: October 2023

Purpose:
To study the performance of artificial intelligence (AI) for detecting pleural pathology on chest radiographs (CXRs) using computed tomography as ground truth.

Patients and Methods:
Retrospective study of subjects undergoing CXR in various clinical settings. Computed tomography obtained within 24 hours of the CXR was used to volumetrically quantify pleural effusions (PEfs) and pneumothoraxes (Ptxs). CXR was evaluated by AI software (INSIGHT CXR; Lunit) and by 3 second-year radiology residents, followed by AI-assisted reassessment after a 3-month washout period. We used the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) to assess AI versus residents’ performance and mixed-model analyses to investigate differences in reading time and interreader concordance.

Results:
There were 96 control subjects, 165 with PEf, and 101 with Ptx. AI-AUROC was noninferior to aggregate resident-AUROC for PEf (0.82 vs 0.86, P < 0.001) and Ptx (0.80 vs 0.84, P = 0.001) detection. AI-assisted resident-AUROC was higher but not significantly different from the baseline. AI-assisted reading time was reduced by 49% (157 vs 80 s per case, P = 0.009), and Fleiss kappa for Ptx detection increased from 0.70 to 0.78 (P = 0.003). AI decreased detection error for PEf (odds ratio = 0.74, P = 0.024) and Ptx (odds ratio = 0.39, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
Current AI technology for the detection of PEf and Ptx on CXR was noninferior to second-year resident performance and could help decrease reading time and detection error.
Functional Impairment in Small Airways Associated With the Breathlessness Symptoms in Long–Coronavirus Disease
Authors: Kim Minsuok , Hwang Jeongeun , Grist James T. , Abueid Gabriele , Yoon Soon Ho , Grau Vicente , Fraser Emily , Gleeson Fergus V. 
Published: October 2023

Purpose:
This study aimed to determine the association between functional impairment in small airways and symptoms of dyspnea in patients with Long-coronavirus disease (COVID), using imaging and computational modeling analysis.

Patients and Methods:
Thirty-four patients with Long-COVID underwent thoracic computed tomography and hyperpolarized Xenon-129 magnetic resonance imaging (HP Xe MRI) scans. Twenty-two answered dyspnea-12 questionnaires. We used a computed tomography–based full-scale airway network (FAN) flow model to simulate pulmonary ventilation. The ventilation distribution projected on a coronal plane and the percentage lobar ventilation modeled in the FAN model were compared with the HP Xe MRI data. To assess the ventilation heterogeneity in small airways, we calculated the fractal dimensions of the impaired ventilation regions in the HP Xe MRI and FAN models.

Results:
The ventilation distribution projected on a coronal plane showed an excellent resemblance between HP Xe MRI scans and FAN models (structure similarity index: 0.87 ± 0.04). In both the image and the model, the existence of large clustered ventilation defects was not identifiable regardless of dyspnea severity. The percentage lobar ventilation of the HP Xe MRI and FAN model showed a strong correlation (ρ = 0.63, P < 0.001). The difference in the fractal dimension of impaired ventilation zones between the low and high dyspnea-12 score groups was significant (HP Xe MRI: 1.97 [1.89 to 2.04] and 2.08 [2.06 to 2.14], P = 0.005; FAN: 2.60 [2.59 to 2.64] and 2.64 [2.63 to 2.65], P = 0.056).

Conclusions:
This study has identified a potential association of small airway functional impairment with breathlessness in Long-COVID, using fractal analysis of HP Xe MRI scans and FAN models.
New Imaging Protocol to Assess Endotracheal Tube Placement
Authors: Liubaskas Rokas , Eisenberg Ronald L. , Chakrala Nihara L. , Liubauske Aurelija , Liberman Yuval , Oren-Grinberg Achikam , Tridente Daniela M. , Litmanovich Diana E. 
Published: October 2023

Purpose:
After intubation, a frontal chest radiograph (CXR) is obtained to assess the endotracheal tube (ETT) position by measuring the ETT tip-to-carina distance. ETT tip location changes with neck position and can be determined by assessing the position of the mandible. As the mandible is typically not visualized on standard CXRs, we developed a new protocol where the mandible is seen on the CXR, hypothesizing that it will improve the accuracy of the ETT position assessment.

Patients and Methods:
Two groups of intubated patients studied (February 9, 2021 to May 4, 2021): CXR taken in either standard or new protocol (visible mandible required). Two observers independently assessed the images for the neck position (neutral, flexed, and extended) based on the mandible position relative to the vertebral bodies. With the mandible absent (ie, neck position unknown), we established terms: “gray zone” (difficult to assess the ETT position adequately) and “clear zone” (confident recommendation to retract, advance, or maintain ETT position). We compared the rate of confident assessment of the ETT in the standard versus the new protocol.

Results:
Of 308 patients, 155 had standard CXRs and 153 had the new protocol. Interrater agreements for the distance between the ETT and the carina and mandible height based on vertebral bodies were 0.986 (P < 0.001) and 0.955 (P < 0.001), respectively. The mandible was visualized significantly more often (P < 0.001) with the new protocol (92%; 141/153) than with the standard protocol (21%; 32/155). By visualizing the mandible or the presence of the ETT within the clear zone, a reader could confidently assess the ETT position more often using the new protocol (96.7% vs 51.6%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:
Mandible visibility on postintubation CXR is helpful for assessing the ETT position. The new protocol resulted in a significant increase in both visualizing the mandible and accurately determining ETT position on postintubation CXR.
Ambient Temperature Bacterial Large Ribosomal Subunit Structure Enabled by Serial Femtosecond X-ray Crystallography
Authors: Tosun Bilge , Rao Yashas , Destan Ebru , Dao E. Han , Ertem Fatma Betul , Yilmaz Merve , Yapici Ilkin , Gul Mehmet , Ayan Esra , Johnson Jerome , Shafiei Alaleh , Kulakman Cahine , Hayes Brandon , Liang Mengning , Yoon Chun Hong , Su Zhen , Hunter Mark S. , Kupitz Christopher , Poitevin Frederic , Ciftci Halil Ibrahim , Sierra Raymond G. , Gregory Steven T. , Milon Pohl , Kurkcuoglu Ozge , DeMirci Hasan 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTRibosomes are the supramolecular complexes responsible for protein synthesis. The large 50S ribosomal subunit catalyzes the peptidyl transferase reaction and peptide bond formation between amino acids. The 50S is targeted by many known clinically effective antibiotics. Available structures, obtained at cryogenic temperatures (CT), are used for drug discovery despite that active or important target sites may display a structural configuration that is CT-induced. The introduction of ultrafast and ultrabright X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) pulses has enabled the structural observation of biological macro- and supramolecules at previously unattainable, near-physiological temperatures. In this study, we use ultrafast and ultrabright XFEL pulses to solve the apo form of 50S ribosomal subunit isolated from the extremely thermophilic bacteriumThermus thermophilusat ambient temperature (AT). The dimeric structure of the 50S subunit presented in this work is among the largest (∼3 megadalton) structures determined using an XFEL source to date. This study demonstrates the ability to obtain new information about ribosome structural dynamics at AT through serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (SFX). This allowed us to capture previously unobserved dynamics of ribosomal protein uL23 and coordination by hexahydrated magnesium cations at ahithertounseen resolution at near-physiological temperature. Also, residue A2602, at the core of the peptidyl transferase center (PTC), shows a rather different orientation of the sugar moiety if compared to CT structures. In addition, our structure highlights the importance of flexible residues at both the PTC and in the binding sites for antibiotics erythromycin and chloramphenicol. The method implemented here may also serve as a starting point for future structural research involving the 50S subunit complexes by employing time-resolved mix-inject and probe kineto-crystallography experiments at XFELs. Unveiling ligand-dependent 50S dynamics at physiological temperatures shall guide further development of next-generation antibiotics that target the translation machinery.
Neural-circuit basis of song preference learning in fruit flies
Authors: Imoto Keisuke , Ishikawa Yuki , Aso Yoshinori , Funke Jan , Tanaka Ryoya , Kamikouchi Azusa 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAs observed in human language learning and song learning in birds, the fruit flyDrosophila melanogasterchanges its’ auditory behaviors according to prior sound experiences. Female flies that have heard male courtship songs of the same species are less responsive to courtship songs of different species. This phenomenon, known as song preference learning in flies, requires GABAergic input to pC1 neurons in the central brain, with these neurons playing a key role in mating behavior by integrating multimodal sensory and internal information. The neural circuit basis of this GABAergic input, however, has not yet been identified.Here, we find that pCd-2 neurons, totaling four cells per hemibrain and expressing the sex-determination genedoublesex, provide the GABAergic input to pC1 neurons for song preference learning. First, RNAi-mediated knockdown of GABA production in pCd-2 neurons abolished song preference learning. Second, pCd-2 neurons directly, and in many cases mutually, connect with pC1 neurons, suggesting the existence of reciprocal circuits between pC1 and pCd-2 neurons. Finally, GABAergic and dopaminergic inputs to pCd-2 neurons are necessary for song preference learning. Together, this study suggests that reciprocal circuits between pC1 and pCd-2 neurons serve as a sensory and internal state-integrated hub, allowing flexible control over female copulation. Consequently, this provides a neural circuit model that underlies experience-dependent auditory plasticity.SignificanceTo find a suitable mate, an organism must adapt its behavior based on past experiences. In the case ofDrosophila, female assessments of male song signals, which contain information about the status and species of the sender, are experience dependent. Here, we show that reciprocal circuits in the central brain modulate the female’s song response depending on her previous auditory experiences. These circuits exhibit feedback and lateral inhibition motifs, and are regulated by dopaminergic and GABAergic inputs. While the effects of prior auditory experiences on sound responsiveness have been extensively studied in other species, our research advances the use ofDrosophilaas a model for dissecting the circuitry underlying experience-dependent auditory plasticity at single-cell resolution.
Where to stop Ψ-BLAST iterations so that the found sequences remain related to the query sequence?
Authors: Bogatyreva Natalya S. , Finkelstein Alexei V. , Ivankov Dmitry N. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe BLAST program [Altschul et al., 1990, J. Mol. Biol., 215:403-410] stands as a widely used tool for the search of the most similar sequences, while the iterative Ψ-BLAST program [Altschul et al., 1997, Nucl. Acids Res., 25:3389-3402] offers a high sensitivity for detecting remote homologs of the query sequence through an iterative usage of the BLAST search. However, the number of iterations that have to be used by the Ψ-BLAST is rather poorly justified in the literature. Our study shows that, as the number of iterations increases, Ψ-BLAST rapidly loses the ability to be guided by the query sequence in the search for homologs. When working with the non-redundant (nr) sequence database of 2021, Ψ-BLAST, already after the second iteration, retains the query sequence at the top of the list of the found homologs to this sequence in only 18% of cases. Moreover, a query sequence is still listed among homologs found by Ψ-BLAST after the recommended 10 iterations [Altschul et al., 1997, Nucl. Acids Res., 25:3389-3402] in only 42% of cases. Using a considerably smaller nr database-2011 as a reference, we reveal that these effects intensify over time. Our findings underscore the necessity for circumspection when interpreting Ψ-BLAST outcomes; the degree of vigilance must increase with the database size. A vigilant monitoring of the position of the query sequence in the array of detected homologs is needed. We recommend using the disappearance of the query sequence from the list of homologs produced by Ψ-BLAST as a criterion to conclude the Ψ-BLAST iterations.
Alpha-Asarone Attenuates Alcohol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in a Murine Model by Ameliorating Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Modulating Apoptotic-Autophagic Cell Death
Authors: Abdelhamid Amir Mohamed , Ali Nada A.M. , El Sayed Norhan M. , Radwan Asmaa 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAlcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of chronic liver injury characterized by steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. This study explored the hepatoprotective mechanisms of alpha-asarone in a mouse model of chronic-binge alcohol feeding. Adult male mice were randomized into control, alcohol, and alcohol plus alpha-asarone groups. Serum aminotransferases and histopathology assessed liver injury. Oxidative stress was evaluated via malondialdehyde content, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities. Pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were quantified by ELISA. P53-mediated apoptosis was determined by immunohistochemistry. Key autophagy markers AMPK, Beclin-1, and LC3 were examined by immunoblotting. Alcohol administration increased serum ALT, AST and ALP, indicating hepatocellular damage. This liver dysfunction was associated with increased oxidative stress, inflammation, p53 expression and altered autophagy. Alpha-asarone treatment significantly decreased ALT, AST and ALP levels and improved histological architecture versus alcohol alone. Alpha-asarone also mitigated oxidative stress, reduced TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels, ameliorated p53 overexpression and favorably modulated autophagy markers. Our findings demonstrate that alpha-asarone confers protective effects against ALD by enhancing antioxidant defenses, suppressing hepatic inflammation, regulating apoptotic signaling, and restoring autophagic flux. This preclinical study provides compelling evidence for the therapeutic potential of alpha-asarone in attenuating alcohol-induced liver injury and warrants further evaluation as a pharmacotherapy for ALD.
Signal Peptide of Human Serum Albumin (residues 1-18) Forms Amyloid-like Aggregates
Authors: Thakur D. C. , Saumya Kumar Udit , Singh Vipendra Kumar , Giri Rajanish 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSignal peptides (SPs) are essential tools in sorting or translocating the synthesized proteins. However, except few examples, their studies in isolation are quite limited. Here we asked a question of the aggregation propensity of signal peptide (residues 1-18) of Human Serum Albumin (HSA). Molecular dynamic simulations were used to acquire observations into the mechanism through which signal peptides of HSA self-aggregated in physiological conditions. Further, we confirmed our results by combining dye-based assays, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. It was noted that the signal peptide of HSA (region 1-18) forms typical amyloid-like fibrils.Graphical
The force-sensing GPCR LPHN2 is indispensable for normal auditory function
Authors: Yang Zhao , Wang Ming-Wei , Zhou Shu-Hua , Song Zhi-Chen , Zhu Kong-Kai , Wen Xin , Zhang Qi-Yue , Guan Ying , Gao Jia-Rui , Wang Xiao-Hui , Wang Ya-Qi , Liu Wen-Wen , Xu Lei , Xiong Wei , Chai Ren-Jie , Wang Chuan , Xu Zhi-Gang , Yu Xiao , Sun Jin-Peng 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe conversion of force sensation into electrical signals via mechanoelectrical transduction (MET) is considered the key step in auditory perception. Here, we found that G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) LPHN2/ADGRL2 was expressed at the tips of stereocilia in cochlear hair cells and was associated with MET channel components. Hair cell-specific LPHN2 deficiency caused hearing loss and impaired MET responses. A specific inhibitor of LPHN2, developed by in silico screening and pharmacological characterization, reversibly blocked the MET response. Mechanistically, administration of force to LPHN2 activated TMC1 through direct interaction and caused conformational changes in TMC1 in vitro. Furthermore, the sensing of force by LPHN2 stimulated Ca2+responses and neurotransmitter release in hair cells. Finally, hearing loss in LPHN2-deficient mice was reversed by the re-expression of LPHN2-GAIN in cochlear hair cells. The important roles of LPHN2 in auditory perception and a TMC-coupled force sensor indicated that GPCRs could be candidate auditory receptors.