bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seventy-two models of large mammal connectivity across Panama: insights into a critical biogeographic linkage zone
Authors: Cushman Samuel A. , Craighead Kimberly A. , Yacelga Milton , Kaszta Zaneta M. , Wan Ho Yi , Macdonald David W. 
Published: December 2023

AimThe goal of this study was to evaluate consistency among multiple connectivity models for jaguar and puma across Panama to evaluate the plausible current patterns of habitat connectivity for these and potentially other species in this critical biogeographic linkage zone.ApproachWe compared 72 different models of landscape connectivity for both large felids using both empirically based and expert opinion derived resistance layers. We conducted resistant kernel modeling with different dispersal abilities to reflect uncertainty in the movement potential of the two species. We applied three transformations to the resulting connectivity surfaces to account for uncertainty about the shape of the dispersal kernel function. We then evaluated the similarities and differences among these connectivity models, identifying several factors that drive their differences. We quantified the factors that drive differences in connectivity predictions using surface correlation, Mantel testing, and agglomerative hierarchical clustering.ResultsWe found that the main differences among predicted connectivity surfaces were related to species and resistance modeling approach, with relatively little consistent difference related to dispersal ability and nonlinear kernel transformation. Based on the ensemble connectivity prediction across the 72 models, we identified two major core areas, corresponding to the eastern and western portions of the central mountain range, significant attenuation of connectivity in lowland and developed areas of Panama, a major breakage in connectivity in the Canal Zone spanning the width of the country, and weak but potentially critical movement routes connecting the two core areas across the Canal Zone.ImplicationsThis paper contributes to both a theoretical and practical understanding of the functional connectivity of large felids, confirming the strong effect of differences in source points and resistance surfaces on connectivity predictions and identifying and mapping key core areas, barriers, and potential corridors for carnivore movement across the critical Pan-American linkage of the Isthmus of Panama.
The enrichment of the gut microbiota Lachnoclostridium is associated with the presence of intratumoral tertiary lymphoid structures in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhao Rui , Li Jiacheng , Chen Bo , Zhao Jungang , Hu Leyin , Huang Kate , Chen Qiwen , Yao Jiangqiao , Lin Ganglian , Bao Lishimeng , Lu Mengmeng , Wang Yi , Chen Gang , Wu Fang 
Published: December 2023

Backgrounds and aimsImmunotherapies have formed an entirely new treatment paradigm for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) has been associated with good response to immunotherapy in most solid tumors. Nonetheless, the role of TLS in human HCC remains controversial, and recent studies suggest that their functional heterogeneity may relate to different locations within the tumor. Exploring factors that influence the formation of TLS in HCC may provide more useful insights. However, factors affecting the presence of TLSs are still unclear. The human gut microbiota can regulate the host immune system and is associated with the efficacy of immunotherapy but, in HCC, whether the gut microbiota is related to the presence of TLS still lacks sufficient evidence.MethodsWe performed pathological examinations of tumor and para-tumor tissue sections. Based on the location of TLS in tissues, all patients were divided into intratumoral TLS (It-TLS) group and desertic TLS (De-TLS) group. According to the grouping results, we statistically analyzed the clinical, biological, and pathological features; preoperative gut microbiota data; and postoperative pathological features of patients.ResultsIn a retrospective study cohort of 60 cases from a single center, differential microbiota analysis showed that compared with the De-TLS group, the abundance of Lachnoclostridium, Hungatella, Blautia, Fusobacterium, and Clostridium was increased in the It-TLS group. Among them, the enrichment of Lachnoclostridium was the most significant and was unrelated to the clinical, biological, and pathological features of the patients. It can be seen that the difference in abundance levels of microbiota is related to the presence of TLS.ConclusionOur findings prove the enrichment of Lachnoclostridium-dominated gut microbiota is associated with the presence of It-TLS in HCC patients.
Genotype analysis to clarify RhD variants in discrepant samples of Chilean population
Authors: Aburto Andrés , Zapata Diego , Retamales Eduardo , Fernández Jorge , Barra Gisselle , Peña Francisca , Cárcamo Sofía , Saavedra Nicolás , Sandoval Cristian , Orellana Juan , Caamaño José 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThe D antigen variants are classified as weak, partial, and extremely weak (DEL) and can be differentiated using molecular tests. In Chile, the laboratories of local blood centers do not identify variants of the D antigen, referring them for study to the Reference Laboratory of the Public Health Institute of Chile. So, our aim was to talk about the results of the molecular analysis of variants of the D antigen in samples that had different results in the serological classification.MethodsIn the D antigen classification of the Rh system, 479 samples with serological discrepant results were sent for molecular analysis. The Rh phenotype was performed with monoclonal anti-C, anti-c, anti-E, and anti-e antisera by direct agglutination. To find the D antigen, researchers used direct agglutination with monoclonal antisera and indirect antiglobulin testing with the column (gel) agglutination method. Molecular analysis was performed with a polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (SSP-PCR) and sequencing.Results and discussionThe presence of D antigen variants was confirmed in 332 samples (69.3%), with an initial discrepancy in serological classification. In this group of discrepant samples, the frequency of weak RhD variants was 66% (219/332), that of extremely weak RhD was 28% (93/332), and that of partial RhD was 6% (20/332). The weak variants type 2 (27.4%), type 3 (8.4%), type 48 (8.4%), and type 1 (8.1%) were the next most prevalent variants after RHD*DEL43 (28%). The ccEe (R2r) phenotype was the most frequently detected (38.4%) and is present in 87% of the RHD*DEL43 samples. The E antigen is associated with the presence of this variant. Our analyses give the first description of D antigen variants in Chile. The most common variants are DEL type (RHD*DEL43) and weak (weak type 2), which are linked to the ccDEe (R2r) phenotype. These findings allow us to characterize the variants of the D antigen in Chile and, according to the obtained data, to design strategies for the management of donors, patients, and pregnant women.
Diversity and community composition of strictly anaerobic and culturable bacteria from the feces of Styrofoam-fed Tenebrio molitor larvae: a culturomics-based study
Authors: Zhu Junyu , Chen Xiaochen , Chen Sheng-Chung , Qiu Wanling , Yu Jianying , Guo Tengfei , Wang Xianxing 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionIn recent years, researchers have been exploring the plastic-degrading abilities of bacteria residing in the guts of Styrofoam-eating Tenebrio molitor larvae. However, none of the reported strains have displayed highly efficient plastic degradation capabilities, and it’s noteworthy that none of the existing studies have focused on strictly anaerobic microbes.MethodsIn this study, we exclusively fed Styrofoam to T. molitor larvae and examined how this dietary change influence the gut’s bacterial community composition, as observed through fecal bacteria using bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and the small-scale culturomics method with 20 types of anaerobic media under four different conditions.ResultsThe results revealed a significant shift in the dominant phylogroup from Lactococcus (37.8%) to Escherichia–Shigella (54.7%) when comparing the feces of larvae fed with bran and Styrofoam, as analyzing through the bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. For small-scale culturomics method, a total of 226 strains of anaerobic bacteria were isolated and purified using the rolling-tube/strictly anaerobic technique. Among them, 226 strains were classified into 3 phyla, 7 classes, 9 orders, 17 families, 29 genera, 42 known species and 34 potential novel species.DiscussionInterestingly, 24 genera in total, identified through the culturomics method, were not found in the results obtained from amplicon sequencing. Here, we present a collection of culturable anaerobic bacteria from the feces of T. molitor larvae, which might be a promising avenue for investigating the biodegradability of plastics by combining specific strains, either randomly or intentionally, while considering the abundance ratio of the microbial community composition.
Patterns of attentional bias in antenatal depression: an eye-tracking study
Authors: Xu Yao , Zheng Peiwen , Feng Wenqian , Chen Lipeng , Sun Shiyu , Liu Jie , Tang Weina , Bao Ciqing , Xu Ling , Xu Dongwu , Zhao Ke 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionOne of the most common mental disorders in the perinatal period is depression, which is associated with impaired emotional functioning due to alterations in different cognitive aspects including thought and facial emotion recognition. These functional impairment may affect emerging maternal sensitivity and have lasting consequences for the dyadic relationship. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of depressive symptoms on the attention bias of infant stimuli during pregnancy.MethodsEighty-six pregnant women completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and an eye-tracking task comprising infant-related emotion images. All participants showed biased attention to infant-related images.ResultsFirst, compared to healthy pregnant women, pregnant women with depression symptoms initially directed their attention to infant-related stimuli more quickly (F (1, 84) = 6.175, p = 0.015, η2 = 0.068). Second, the two groups of pregnant women paid attention to the positive infant stimuli faster than the neutral infant stimuli, and the first fixation latency bias score was significantly smaller than that of the infant-related negative stimulus (p = 0.007). Third, compared with the neutral stimulus, the non-depression group showed a longer first gaze duration to the negative stimulus of infants (p = 0.019), while the depressive symptoms group did not show this difference.ConclusionWe speculate that structural and functional changes in affective motivation and cognitive-attention brain areas may induce these attentional bias patterns. These results provide suggestions for the implementation of clinical intervention programs to correct the attention bias of antenatal depressed women.
Enabling knowledge translation: implementation of a web-based tool for independent walking prediction after traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Hakimjavadi Ramtin , Hong Heather A. , Fallah Nader , Humphreys Suzanne , Kingwell Stephen , Stratton Alexandra , Tsai Eve , Wai Eugene K. , Walden Kristen , Noonan Vanessa K. , Phan Philippe 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionSeveral clinical prediction rules (CPRs) have been published, but few are easily accessible or convenient for clinicians to use in practice. We aimed to develop, implement, and describe the process of building a web-based CPR for predicting independent walking 1-year after a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).MethodsUsing the published and validated CPR, a front-end web application called “Ambulation” was built using HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript. A survey was created using QualtricsXM Software to gather insights on the application's usability and user experience. Website activity was monitored using Google Analytics. Ambulation was developed with a core team of seven clinicians and researchers. To refine the app's content, website design, and utility, 20 professionals from different disciplines, including persons with lived experience, were consulted.ResultsAfter 11 revisions, Ambulation was uploaded onto a unique web domain and launched (www.ambulation.ca) as a pilot with 30 clinicians (surgeons, physiatrists, and physiotherapists). The website consists of five web pages: Home, Calculation, Team, Contact, and Privacy Policy. Responses from the user survey (n = 6) were positive and provided insight into the usability of the tool and its clinical utility (e.g., helpful in discharge planning and rehabilitation), and the overall face validity of the CPR. Since its public release on February 7, 2022, to February 28, 2023, Ambulation had 594 total users, 565 (95.1%) new users, 26 (4.4%) returning users, 363 (61.1%) engaged sessions (i.e., the number of sessions that lasted 10 seconds/longer, had one/more conversion events e.g., performing the calculation, or two/more page or screen views), and the majority of the users originating from the United States (39.9%) and Canada (38.2%).DiscussionAmbulation is a CPR for predicting independent walking 1-year after TSCI and it can assist frontline clinicians with clinical decision-making (e.g., time to surgery or rehabilitation plan), patient education and goal setting soon after injury. This tool is an example of adapting a validated CPR for independent walking into an easily accessible and usable web-based tool for use in clinical practice. This study may help inform how other CPRs can be adopted into clinical practice.
Frontal lobe epilepsy: an eye tracking study of memory and attention
Authors: Zhang Qiong , Sun Weifeng , Huang Kailing , Qin Li , Wen Shirui , Long Xiaoyan , Wang Quan , Feng Li 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics and mechanisms of working memory impairment in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) through a memory game paradigm combined with eye tracking technology.MethodWe included 44 patients with FLE and 50 healthy controls (HC). All participants completed a series of neuropsychological scale assessments and a short-term memory game on an automated computer-based memory evaluation platform with an eye tracker.ResultsMemory scale scores of FLE patients including digit span (U = 747.50, p = 0.007), visual recognition (U = 766.50, p = 0.010), and logical memory (U = 544.00, p &lt; 0.001) were significantly lower than HC. The patients with FLE took longer to complete the four levels of difficulty of the short-term memory game than healthy controls (level 1: U = 2974.50, p = 0.000; level 2: U = 3060.50, p = 0.000; level 3: U = 2465.00, p = 0.000; level 4: U = 2199.00, p = 0.000). During the memory decoding period, first fixation on the targets took significantly longer for FLE patients for all difficulty levels compared to controls (level 1: U = 3407.00, p = 0.008; level 2: U = 3618.00, p = 0.036; level 3: U = 3345.00, p = 0.006; level 4: U = 2781.00, p = 0.000). The average fixation duration per target among patients with FLE was found to be significantly longer compared to HC (level 1: U = 2994.50, p = 0.000; level 2: U = 3101.00, p = 0.000; level 3: U = 2559.50, p = 0.000; level 4: U = 2184.50, p = 0.000). The total fixation duration on AOI/total completion time of FLE patients was significantly lower than those of HC for levels 1 to 3 (level 1: U = 1557.00, p = 0.000; level 2: U = 2333.00, p = 0.000; level 3: U = 2757.00, p = 0.000). Furthermore, the eye tracking data during the memory decoding phase were correlated with neuropsychological scale scores (p &lt; 0.05).ConclusionPatients with FLE exhibited short-term memory impairment probably due to deficits in attentional maintenance, especially during the memory decoding phase. Eye tracking technology provided the possibility to help separate and quantify visual attention from memory processing, contributing to exploring underlying mechanisms of memory impairment in FLE.
Role of gonadally synthesized steroid hormones in the colorectal cancer microenvironment
Authors: Wenxuan Liu , Liu Li , Zhang Lilong , Qiu Zhendong , Wu Zhongkai , Deng Wenhong 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveTo understand the relationship between steroid hormones synthesized by the gonads and colorectal cancer as well as its tumor microenvironment, in the expectation of providing new ideas in order to detect and treat colorectal cancer.MethodsThrough reviewing the relevant literature at home and abroad, we summarized that androgens promote the growth of colorectal cancer, and estrogens and progesterone help prevent bowel cancer from developing; these three hormones also have a relevant role in the cellular and other non-cellular components of the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer.ConclusionThe current literature suggests that androgens, estrogens, and progesterone are valuable in diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer, and that androgens promote the growth of colorectal cancer whereas estrogens and progesterone inhibit colorectal cancer, and that, in addition, the receptors associated with them are implicated in the modulation of a variety of cellular components of the microenvironment of colorectal cancer.
Parental preferences for the procedural sedation of children in dentistry: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Zhuge Jinru , Zheng Dongyue , Li Xingwang , Nie Xin , Liu Jiefan , Liu Ruohai 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThe aim of this study was to explore parental preferences for the procedural sedation of children in dentistry through a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to inform clinical decisions and oral health management.MethodsBased on literature reviews, interviews with parents of pediatric dental patients, and expert consultation, six attributes, including fasting time, recovery time, sedative administration routes, adverse reactions, sedation depth and procedure cost, were incorporated into the DCE questionnaire. The DCE questionnaire collected data on parental preferences for pediatric dental sedation treatment from June to August 2022. A conditional logit model was used to analyze preference and willingness to pay (WTP) for each attribute and its level. Subgroup analyses assessing the impact of parents' dental anxiety on procedural sedation preferences were also conducted using conditional logit models.ResultsA total of 186 valid questionnaires were gathered. Parents' preferences for fewer adverse reactions, a milder sedation depth, lower out-of-pocket cost, shorter fasting and recovery times and administration by inhalation were significantly associated with their choice of sedation model. The conditional logit model showed that parents were most interested in treatments with no adverse reactions (0% vs. 15%) (Coef, 1.033; 95% CI, 0.833–1.233), followed by those providing minimal sedation (vs. deep sedation) (Coef, 0.609; 95% CI, 0.448–0.769). Moreover, the relative importance of adverse reactions and fasting time was higher among anxious than nonanxious parents. The study found a WTP threshold of ¥1,538 for reducing adverse reactions (15% to 0%). The WTP threshold for the best sedation procedure scenario (no fasting requirement, 10 min recovery time, administration by inhalation, 0% adverse reaction incidence and minimal sedation) was ¥3,830.ConclusionReducing the adverse reactions and depth of sedation are predominant considerations for parents regarding procedural sedation in pediatric dentistry, followed by lower cost, shorter fasting and recovery times and inhalation sedation. Parents with dental anxiety had a stronger preference for options with a lower incidence of adverse reactions and shorter fasting time than parents without dental anxiety. This discovery is helpful for doctors and can promote collaborative decision-making among parents and doctors.
Association of antihypertensive drugs with COVID-19 outcomes: a drug-target Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Kun , Gao Hengxing , Chen Mingwei 
Published: December 2023

Background: Observational investigations have provided conflicting results regarding the effect of antihypertensive drugs on the risk of COVID-19 outcomes. We intended to assess the causal effect of antihypertensive drugs on COVID-19 outcomes using drug-target Mendelian randomization (MR), mainly including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), β-blockers (BBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs).Methods: We used the genetic variants (minor allele frequency &gt;1%, r2 &lt; 0.30) located within 100 k bases of each drug target gene and associated with lower systolic blood pressure (p &lt; 5 × 10−8) as genetic proxies for antihypertensive drugs. COVID-19 outcomes included COVID-19 susceptibility (122,616 cases and 2,475,240 controls), hospitalization (32,519 cases and 206,2805 controls), and severe illness (13,769 cases and 1,072,442 controls). All studies were conducted on populations of European ancestry. MR estimates were generated using an inverse variance weighted (IVW) model.Results: IVW-MR analysis observed a weak causality between CCBs and COVID-19 susceptibility (OR: 0.993, 95% CI: 0.988–0.999, p = 0.012). Sensitivity analysis suggested that this result was robust. No evidence was found for a link between other antihypertensive drugs and COVID-19 outcomes.Conclusion: The present study suggests that CCBs may reduce COVID-19 susceptibility in European populations.
Identification of WRKY gene family members in amaranth based on a transcriptome database and functional analysis of AtrWRKY42-2 in betalain metabolism
Authors: Yang Rongzhi , Huang Tianliu , Song Weiwei , An Zixian , Lai Zhongxiong , Liu Shengcai 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionWRKY TFs (WRKY transcription factors) contribute to the synthesis of secondary metabolites in plants. Betalains are natural pigments that do not coexist with anthocyanins within the same plant. Amaranthus tricolor (‘Suxian No.1’) is an important leaf vegetable rich in betalains. However, the WRKY family members in amaranth and their roles in betalain synthesis and metabolism are still unclear.MethodsTo elucidate the molecular characteristics of the amaranth WRKY gene family and its role in betalain synthesis, WRKY gene family members were screened and identified using amaranth transcriptome data, and their physicochemical properties, conserved domains, phylogenetic relationships, and conserved motifs were analyzed using bioinformatics methods.ResultsIn total, 72 WRKY family members were identified from the amaranth transcriptome. Three WRKY genes involved in betalain synthesis were screened in the phylogenetic analysis of WRKY TFs. RT-qPCR showed that the expression levels of these three genes in red amaranth ‘Suxian No.1’ were higher than those in green amaranth ‘Suxian No.2’ and also showed that the expression level of AtrWRKY42 gene short-spliced transcript AtrWRKY42-2 in Amaranth ‘Suxian No.1’ was higher than that of the complete sequence AtrWRKY42-1, so the short-spliced transcript AtrWRKY42-2 was mainly expressed in ‘Suxian No.2’ amaranth. Moreover, the total expression levels of AtrWRKY42-1 and AtrWRKY42-2 were down-regulated after GA3 treatment, so AtrWRKY42-2 was identified as a candidate gene. Therefore, the short splice variant AtrWRKY42-2 cDNA sequence, gDNA sequence, and promoter sequence of AtrWRKY42 were cloned, and the PRI 101-AN-AtrWRKY42-2-EGFP vector was constructed to evaluate subcellular localization, revealing that AtrWRKY42-2 is located in the nucleus. The overexpression vector pRI 101-AN-AtrWRKY42-2-EGFP and VIGS (virus-induced gene silencing) vector pTRV2-AtrWRKY42-2 were transferred into leaves of ‘Suxian No.1’ by an Agrobacterium-mediated method. The results showed that AtrWRKY42-2 overexpression could promote the expression of AtrCYP76AD1 and increase betalain synthesis. A yeast one-hybrid assay demonstrated that AtrWRKY42-2 could bind to the AtrCYP76AD1 promoter to regulate betalain synthesis.DiscussionThis study lays a foundation for further exploring the function of AtrWRKY42-2 in betalain metabolism.