bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measure of deviancy from marginal mean equality based on cumulative marginal probabilities in square contingency tables
Authors: Ando Shuji 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study proposes a measure that can concurrently evaluate the degree and direction of deviancy from the marginal mean equality (ME) model in square contingency tables with ordered categories. The proposed measure is constructed as the function of the row and column cumulative marginal probabilities. When the ME model does not fit data, we are interested in measuring the degree of deviancy from the ME model, because the model having weaker restrictions than the ME model is only the saturated model. This existing measure, which represents the degree of deviancy from the ME model, does not depend on the probabilities that observations will fall in the main diagonal cells of the table. For the data in which observations are concentrated in the main diagonal cells, the existing measure may overestimate the degree of deviancy from the ME model. The proposed measure can address this issue. This study derives an estimator and an approximate confidence interval for the proposed measure using the delta method. The proposed measure would be utility for comparing degrees of deviancy from the ME model in two datasets. The proposed measure is evaluated the usefulness with the application to real data of clinical trials.
Fano 4-folds with $b_{2}>12$ are products of surfaces
Authors: Casagrande C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLet $X$
X
be a smooth, complex Fano 4-fold, and $\rho _{X}$

ρ
X

its Picard number. We show that if $\rho _{X}>12$

ρ
X

>
12
, then $X$
X
is a product of del Pezzo surfaces. The proof relies on a careful study of divisorial elementary contractions $f\colon X\to Y$
f
:
X
→
Y
such that $\dim f(\operatorname{Exc}(f))=2$
dim
f
(
Exc
(
f
)
)
=
2
, together with the author’s previous work on Fano 4-folds. In particular, given $f\colon X\to Y$
f
:
X
→
Y
as above, under suitable assumptions we show that $S:=f(\operatorname{Exc}(f))$
S
:
=
f
(
Exc
(
f
)
)
is a smooth del Pezzo surface with $-K_{S}=(-K_{Y})_{|S}$
−

K
S

=

(
−

K
Y

)

|
S

.
Regulatory Pathways in Growth Plate Chondrocytes that Are Impacted by Matrix Vesicle microRNA Identified by Targeted RISC Pulldown and Sequencing of the Resulting Transcriptome
Authors: Asmussen Niels C. , Cohen David J. , Boyan Barbara D. , Schwartz Zvi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDuring endochondral bone formation, growth plate chondrocytes are differentially regulated by various factors and hormones. As the cellular phenotype changes, the composition of the extracellular matrix is altered, including the production and composition of matrix vesicles (MV) and their cargo of microRNA. The regulatory functions of these MV microRNA in the growth plate are still largely unknown. To address this question, we undertook a targeted bioinformatics approach. A subset of five MV microRNA was selected for analysis based on their specific enrichment in these extracellular vesicles compared to the parent cells (miR-1-3p, miR-22-3p, miR-30c-5p, miR-122-5p, and miR-133a-3p). Synthetic biotinylated versions of the microRNA were produced using locked nucleic acid (LNA) and were transfected into rat growth plate chondrocytes. The resulting LNA to mRNA complexes were pulled down and sequenced, and the transcriptomic data were used to run pathway analysis pipelines. Bone and musculoskeletal pathways were discovered to be regulated by the specific microRNA, notably those associated with transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and Wnt pathways, cell differentiation and proliferation, and regulation of vesicles and calcium transport. These results can help with understanding the maturation of the growth plate and the regulatory role of microRNA in MV.
Study of the Membrane Activity of the Synthetic Peptide ∆M3 Against Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase Escherichia coli Isolates
Authors: Fandiño-Devia Estefanía , Santa-González Gloria A. , Klaiss-Luna Maria C. , Manrique-Moreno Marcela 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEscherichia coli is the most common microorganism causing nosocomial or community-acquired bacteremia, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates are identified worldwide with increasing frequency. For this reason, it is necessary to evaluate potential new molecules like antimicrobial peptides. They are recognized for their biological potential which makes them promising candidates in the fight against infections. The goal of this research was to evaluate the potential of the synthetic peptide ΔM3 on several extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing E. coli isolates. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of the peptide was spectrophotometrically determined. Additionally, the capacity of the peptide to interact with the bacterial membrane was monitored by fluorescence microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the synthetic peptide is active against Escherichia coli isolates at concentrations similar to Meropenem. On the other hand, no cytotoxic effect was observed in HaCaT keratinocyte cells even at 10 times the minimal inhibitory concentration. Microscopy results showed a permeabilizing effect of the peptide on the bacteria. The infrared results showed that ΔM3 showed affinity for the lipids of the microorganism’s membrane. The results suggest that the ∆M3 interacts with the negatively charged lipids from the E. coli by a disturbing effect on membrane. Finally, the secondary structure experiments of the peptide showed a random structure in solution that did not change during the interaction with the membranes.
Graphic Abstract
Novel anti-inflammatory diketopiperazine alkaloids from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium brasilianum
Authors: Zhang Ya-Hui , Du Hui-Fang , Liu Yun-Feng , Cao Fei , Luo Du-Qiang , Wang Chang-Yun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Diketopiperazine alkaloids have proven the most abundant heterocyclic alkaloids up to now, which usually process diverse scaffolds and rich biological activities. In our search for bioactive diketopiperazine alkaloids from marine-derived fungi, two novel diketopiperazine alkaloids, penipiperazine A (1) and its biogenetically related new metabolite (2), together with a known analogue neofipiperzine C (3), were obtained from the strain Penicillium brasilianum. Their planar structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, 13C NMR calculation, Marfey’s, ECD, and ORD methods. Compound 1 featured a unique 6/5/6/6/5 indole-pyrazino-pyrazino-pyrrolo system, and its plausible biogenetic pathway was also proposed. Additionally, compounds 1–3 have been tested for their inflammatory activities. 1 and 2 significantly inhibited the release of NO and the expression of related pro-inflammatory cytokines on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, suggesting they could be attracting candidate for further development as anti-inflammatory agent.

Key points
• A novel diketopiperazine alkaloid featuring a unique 6/5/6/6/5 indole-pyrazino-pyrazino-pyrrolo system was isolated from the marine fungus Penicillium brasilianum.
• The structure of 1 was elucidated by detailed analysis of 2D NMR data, 13C NMR calculation, Marfey’s, ECD, and ORD methods.
• Compounds 1 and 2 significantly inhibited the release of NO and the expression of related pro-inflammatory cytokines on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Graphical Abstract
Attenuation of Zucchini mosaic virus disease in cucumber plants by mycorrhizal symbiosis
Authors: Metwally Rabab A. , Taha Mohamed A. , El-Moaty Nada M. Abd , Abdelhameed Reda E. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Key message
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi generated systemic acquired resistance in cucumber to Zucchini yellow mosaic virus, indicating their prospective application in the soil as a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach to inhibit the spread of pathogens.

Abstract
The wide spread of plant pathogens affects the whole world, causing several plant diseases and threatening national food security as it disrupts the quantity and quality of economically important crops. Recently, environmentally acceptable mitigating practices have been required for sustainable agriculture, restricting the use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural areas. Herein, the biological control of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants using arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was investigated. Compared to control plants, ZYMV-infected plants displayed high disease incidence (DI) and severity (DS) with various symptoms, including severe yellow mosaic, mottling and green blisters of leaves. However, AM fungal inoculation exhibited 50% inhibition for these symptoms and limited DS to 26% as compared to non-colonized ones. The detection of ZYMV by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay technique exhibited a significant reduction in AM-inoculated plants (5.23-fold) compared with non-colonized ones. Besides, mycorrhizal root colonization (F%) was slightly reduced by ZYMV infection. ZYMV infection decreased all growth parameters and pigment fractions and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, however, these parameters were significantly enhanced and the MDA content was decreased by AM fungal colonization. Also, the protein, proline and antioxidant enzymes (POX and CAT) were increased with ZYMV infection with more enhancements due to AM root colonization. Remarkably, defence pathogenesis-related (PR) genes such as PR-a, PR-b, and PR-10 were quickly expressed in response to AM treatment. Our findings demonstrated the beneficial function of AM fungi in triggering the plant defence against ZYMV as they caused systemic acquired resistance in cucumber plants and supported their potential use in the soil as an environment-friendly method of hindering the spread of pathogenic microorganisms sustainably.
Scanxiety and quality of life around follow-up imaging in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Kamphuis Maarten J. , van der Kamp Laura T. , van Eijk Ruben P. A. , Rinkel Gabriel J. E. , Visser-Meily Johanna M. A. , van der Schaaf Irene C. , Vergouwen Mervyn D. I. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objectives
Patients with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) may experience scanxiety around follow-up imaging. We studied the prevalence and temporal pattern of scanxiety, and compared quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients with and without scanxiety.

Methods
We performed a prospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center in the Netherlands between October 2021 and November 2022. We sent questionnaires to patients ≥ 18 years old undergoing UIA follow-up imaging 4 weeks before (T1), immediately after (T2), and 6 weeks after the scan (T3) to assess health-related QoL (HRQoL) and emotional functioning. At T3, we also assessed scanxiety with a purpose-designed questionnaire. We compared differences in QoL outcomes between respondents with and without scanxiety using mixed models.

Results
Of 158 eligible patients, 106 (67%) participated (mean age 61 years ± 11 [standard deviation], 84 women). Sixty of the 91 respondents (66%) who completed the purpose-designed questionnaire experienced scanxiety. Of the 49 respondents who experienced scanxiety after the scan, it resolved in 22 (45%) within a day after receiving the radiology report. HRQoL did not differ between respondents with or without scanxiety. Emotional functioning was worse for respondents with scanxiety (mean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale sum score difference at T1, 3.6 [95% CI, 0.9–6.3]; T2, 4.1 [95% CI, 1.5–6.8]; and T3, 4.0 [95% CI, 1.5–6.5]).

Conclusions
Two-thirds of the respondents experienced scanxiety around follow-up imaging, which often resolved within a day after receiving results. Patients with scanxiety had similar HRQoL but worse emotional functioning compared to patients without scanxiety. The time between the scan and receiving the results should be minimized to decrease the duration of scanxiety.

Clinical relevance statement
We showed that scanxiety is common in UIA patients, and negatively associated with emotional functioning. Since scanxiety often disappears immediately after receiving the radiology report, it should be communicated to the patient as early as possible to alleviate patients’ distress.

Key Points

• Many patients with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm experience emotional distress around follow-up imaging, termed “scanxiety.”

• Patients with scanxiety had worse emotional functioning compared to patients without scanxiety.

• Scanxiety often resolved within a day after receiving the radiology report.
Structural attributes and macrofaunal assemblages associated with rose gorgonian gardens (Leptogorgia sp. nov.) in Central Chile: opening the door for conservation actions
Authors: Camps-Castellà Judith , Prado Patricia , Tena-Medialdea José , Brante Antonio , Hinojosa Iván A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractGorgonians (like corals) are important habitat-forming organisms that support a diversity of macrofauna. This study explored structural attributes of gorgonian gardens formed by rose gorgonians (Leptogorgia sp. nov.) and associated macrofaunal assemblages in Caleta Pichicuy (Central Chile). Hierarchical sampling was conducted at 20 m depth (maximum colony abundances) in order to assess spatial variability in abundance and colony attributes at two spatial scales (among sites and rocky walls). The abundance and composition of the associated vagile and sessile macrofauna were also examined using univariant (Taxa richness and Shannon index (H’e)) and multivariant approaches and were compared with adjacent bare rocky habitats. Our results showed a high abundance of gorgonians (ca. 28.9–36.5 colonies m−2) compared to other gorgonian gardens in the world. For structural attributes, our results showed smaller colonies with thicker holdfasts in more exposed sites, suggesting the influence of hydrodynamic forces on the colony morphology. Taxa richness and H’e of vagile fauna showed threefold and twofold, respectively, higher values in gorgonian gardens compared to bare walls, but no differences were observed for sessile fauna. In addition, PCoA and PERMANOVA evidenced a distinctive assemblages’ composition between habitats for both vagile and sessile fauna. Correlation analyzes and dbRDA showed, however, little association between structural attributes and associated faunal assemblages (R2 = 0.06, and ca. 3–9.4% of the total variation explained, respectively). Our results constitute the first assessment of structural habitat complexity and accompanying fauna in these gorgonian gardens and establish the baseline for understanding possible future changes associated to human activities.
Dynamic changes in endoplasmic reticulum morphology and its contact with the plasma membrane in motor neurons in response to nerve injury
Authors: Elgendy Mahmoud , Tamada Hiromi , Taira Takaya , Iio Yuma , Kawamura Akinobu , Kunogi Ayusa , Mizutani Yuka , Kiyama Hiroshi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) extends throughout a cell and plays a critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Changes in ER shape could provide a clue to explore the mechanisms that underlie the fate determination of neurons after axon injury because the ER drastically changes its morphology under neuronal stress to maintain cellular homeostasis and recover from damage. Because of their tiny structures and richness in the soma, the detailed morphology of the ER and its dynamics have not been well analysed. In this study, the focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) analysis was performed to explore the ultra-structures of the ER in the somata of motor neuron with axon regenerative injury models. In normal motor neurons, ER in the somata is abundantly localised near the perinucleus and represents lamella-like structures. After injury, analysis of the ER volume and ER branching points indicated a collapse of the normal distribution and a transformation from lamella-like structures to mesh-like structures. Furthermore, accompanied by ER accumulation near the plasma membrane (PM), the contact between the ER and PM (ER-PM contacts) significantly increased after injury. The accumulation of extended-synaptotagmin 1 (E-Syt1), a tethering protein of the ER and PM that regulates Ca2+-dependent lipid transfer, was also identified by immunohistochemistry and quantitative Real-time PCR after injury. These morphological alterations of ER and the increase in ER-PM contacts may be crucial events that occur in motor neurons as a resilient response for the survival after axonal injury.
Comparative outcomes and prognostic indicators in adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis
Authors: Kwak JungHak , Bae Hye Lim , Jung Younghoon , Choi Jaebong , Hwang Hyeonuk , Kim Jung Hee , Kim Su-jin , Lee Kyu Eun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The indications for adrenalectomy and feasibility of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis are controversial. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes between open adrenalectomy (OA) and laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) and to evaluate the prognostic factors for oncological outcomes of adrenal metastasis.

Materials and Methods
We conducted a retrospective chart review of 141 consecutive patients who underwent adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis at Seoul National University Hospital from April 2005 to February 2021. Surgical and oncological outcomes were compared between OA and LA.

Results
OA was performed in 95 (67.4%) patients, and 46 (32.6%) patients underwent LA. Among the patients who underwent adrenalectomy without adjacent organ resection for adrenal tumors less than 8 cm, LA was associated with a shorter operation time (100.1 ± 48.8 vs. 158.6 ± 81.2, P = 0.001), less blood loss (94.8 ± 93.8 vs. 566.8 ± 1156.0, P = 0.034), and a shorter hospital stay (3.7 ± 1.3 vs. 6.9 ± 5.8, P = 0.003). For locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), on multivariate analysis, a positive pathological margin (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.777, P = 0.002), disease activity at the primary site (HR: 6.497, P = 0.005), other metastases (HR: 4.154, P = 0.015), and a relatively larger tumor size (HR: 1.198, P = 0.018) were significantly associated with poor LRRFS. Multivariate analysis indicated that metachronous metastasis (HR: 0.51, P = 0.032) was associated with a longer overall survival (OS), whereas a positive pathological margin (HR: 2.40, P = 0.017), metastases to other organs (HR: 2.08, P = 0.025), and a relatively larger tumor size (HR: 1.11, P = 0.046) were associated with a shorter OS.

Conclusions
LA is a feasible treatment option for adrenal metastasis in selected patients. The pathological margin, metastases to other organs, and tumor size should be considered in adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis.
A meta-analysis on the diagnostic utility of ultrasound in pediatric distal forearm fractures
Authors: Hassankhani Amir , Amoukhteh Melika , Jannatdoust Payam , Valizadeh Parya , Ghadimi Delaram J. , Vasavada Pauravi S. , Johnston Jennifer H. , Gholamrezanezhad Ali 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPediatric distal forearm fractures, comprising 30% of musculoskeletal injuries in children, are conventionally diagnosed using radiography. Ultrasound has emerged as a safer diagnostic tool, eliminating ionizing radiation, enabling bedside examinations with real-time imaging, and proving effective in non-hospital settings. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound for detecting distal forearm fractures in the pediatric population. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted through a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases until October 1, 2023, following established guidelines. Eligible studies, reporting diagnostic accuracy measures of ultrasound in pediatric patients with distal forearm fractures, were included. Relevant data elements were extracted, and data analysis was performed. The analysis included 14 studies with 1377 patients, revealing pooled sensitivity and specificity of 94.5 (95% CI 92.7–95.9) and 93.5 (95% CI 89.6–96.0), respectively. Considering pre-test probabilities of 25%, 50%, and 75% for pediatric distal forearm fractures, positive post-test probabilities were 83%, 44%, and 98%, while negative post-test probabilities were 2%, 6%, and 15%, respectively. The bivariate model indicated significantly higher diagnostic accuracy in the subgroup with trained ultrasound performers vs. untrained performers (p = 0.03). Furthermore, diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher in the subgroup examining radius fractures vs. ulna fractures (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were observed between 4-view and 6-view ultrasound subgroups or between radiologist ultrasound interpreters and non-radiologist interpreters. This study highlighted ultrasound’s reliability in detecting pediatric distal forearm fractures, emphasizing the crucial role of expertise in precisely confirming fractures through ultrasound examinations.
Mechanism of miR-7 mediating TLR4/TRAF6/NF-κB inflammatory pathway in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ren Jianfeng , Han Bing , Feng Ping , Shao Gang , Chang Yunli 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study is aimed at investigating the roles of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and microRNA-7 (miR-7) in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression. We assessed TLR4 and miR-7 expression in CRC cells and tissues using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The relationship between miR-7 and TLR4 was analyzed through dual luciferase reporter assays. MTT, wound healing, and cell invasion assays were conducted to examine the effects of TLR4 and miR-7 on CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Western blotting was used to explore the involvement of the TRAF6/NF-κB signaling pathway. miR-7 was underexpressed in CRC, while TLR4 levels were increased. miR-7 negatively regulated TLR4 expression and its knockdown enhanced CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. TLR4 knockdown had the opposite effects. The TRAF6/NF-κB pathway was linked to TLR4’s role in tumor progression. miR-7 might inhibit TRAF6/NF-κB target a signaling pathway of TLR4 and promote CRC occurrence. miR-7 may therefore be used as a sensitive biomarker in CRC patients.