bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating genomic signatures of aging in brain tissue as it relates to Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lynch Megan T. , Taub Margaret A. , Farfel Jose M. , Yang Jingyun , Abadir Peter , De Jager Philip L. , Grodstein Francine , Bennett David A. , Mathias Rasika A. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTelomere length (TL) attrition, epigenetic age acceleration, and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) decline are established hallmarks of aging. Each has been individually associated with Alzheimer’s dementia, cognitive function, and pathologic Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Epigenetic age and mtDNAcn have been studied in brain tissue directly but prior work on TL in brain is limited to small sample sizes and most studies have examined leukocyte TL. Importantly, TL, epigenetic age clocks, and mtDNAcn have not been studied jointly in brain tissue from an AD cohort. We examined dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) tissue from N = 367 participants of the Religious Orders Study (ROS) or the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP). TL and mtDNAcn were estimated from whole genome sequencing (WGS) data and cortical clock age was computed on 347 CpG sites. We examined dementia, MCI, and level of and change in cognition, pathologic AD, and three quantitative AD traits, as well as measures of other neurodegenerative diseases and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD). We previously showed that mtDNAcn from DLPFC brain tissue was associated with clinical and pathologic features of AD. Here, we show that those associations are independent of TL. We found TL to be associated with β-amyloid levels (beta = − 0.15, p = 0.023), hippocampal sclerosis (OR = 0.56, p = 0.0015) and cerebral atherosclerosis (OR = 1.44, p = 0.0007). We found strong associations between mtDNAcn and clinical measures of AD. The strongest associations with pathologic measures of AD were with cortical clock and there were associations of mtDNAcn with global AD pathology and tau tangles. Of the other pathologic traits, mtDNAcn was associated with hippocampal sclerosis, macroscopic infarctions and CAA and cortical clock was associated with Lewy bodies. Multi-modal age acceleration, accelerated aging on both mtDNAcn and cortical clock, had greater effect size than a single measure alone. These findings highlight for the first time that age acceleration determined on multiple genomic measures, mtDNAcn and cortical clock may have a larger effect on AD/AD related disorders (ADRD) pathogenesis than single measures.
Influence of juvenile hormone analog on behavior in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta
Authors: Starkey Jesse , Hawkings Chloe , Tamborindeguy Cecilia 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDivision of labor is a hallmark characteristic of social insect colonies. While it is understood that worker differentiation is regulated through either the queen or her brood, the understanding of the physiology behind task regulation varies within social species. Studies in eusocial insects have shown that juvenile hormone (JH) is associated with division of labor and the onset of foraging tasks. Although, outside of a few key species, this interaction has yet to be elucidated in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. In this study, we evaluated the role of a JH analog, S-hydroprene in worker task transition in Solenopsis invicta. S-hydroprene was applied to nurses to observe behavioral changes. S-hyroprene application to nurses did not affect phototaxis, but there was a shift in behavior from internal, nest-based behaviors to external, foraging-based behaviors. These results show that JH may be implicated in worker task transition in S. invicta and may function similarly as it does in other eusocial insects.
A system for bioelectronic delivery of treatment directed toward wound healing
Authors: Baniya Prabhat , Tebyani Maryam , Asefifeyzabadi Narges , Nguyen Tiffany , Hernandez Cristian , Zhu Kan , Li Houpu , Selberg John , Hsieh Hao-Chieh , Pansodtee Pattawong , Yang Hsin-ya , Recendez Cynthia , Keller Gordon , Hee Wan Shen , Aslankoohi Elham , Isseroff Roslyn Rivkah , Zhao Min , Gomez Marcella , Rolandi Marco , Teodorescu Mircea 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe development of wearable bioelectronic systems is a promising approach for optimal delivery of therapeutic treatments. These systems can provide continuous delivery of ions, charged biomolecules, and an electric field for various medical applications. However, rapid prototyping of wearable bioelectronic systems for controlled delivery of specific treatments with a scalable fabrication process is challenging. We present a wearable bioelectronic system comprised of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) device cast in customizable 3D printed molds and a printed circuit board (PCB), which employs commercially available engineering components and tools throughout design and fabrication. The system, featuring solution-filled reservoirs, embedded electrodes, and hydrogel-filled capillary tubing, is assembled modularly. The PDMS and PCB both contain matching through-holes designed to hold metallic contact posts coated with silver epoxy, allowing for mechanical and electrical integration. This assembly scheme allows us to interchange subsystem components, such as various PCB designs and reservoir solutions. We present three PCB designs: a wired version and two battery-powered versions with and without onboard memory. The wired design uses an external voltage controller for device actuation. The battery-powered PCB design uses a microcontroller unit to enable pre-programmed applied voltages and deep sleep mode to prolong battery run time. Finally, the battery-powered PCB with onboard memory is developed to record delivered currents, which enables us to verify treatment dose delivered. To demonstrate the functionality of the platform, the devices are used to deliver H$$^+$$

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in vivo using mouse models and fluoxetine ex vivo using a simulated wound environment. Immunohistochemistry staining shows an improvement of 35.86% in the M1/M2 ratio of H$$^+$$

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—treated wounds compared with control wounds, indicating the potential of the platform to improve wound healing.
Effects of season, depth and pre-cultivation fertilizing on Ulva growth dynamics offshore the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Zollmann Meiron , Liberzon Alex , Palatnik Ruslana R. , Zilberman David , Golberg Alexander 
Published: September 2023

AbstractOffshore macroalgae production could provide an alternative source of biomass for food, materials and energy. However, the offshore environment in general, specifically the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS) offshore, is a high energy and low nutrients environment, thus challenging for macroalgae farming. In this study, we experimentally investigated the impact of season, depth, and pre-cultivation fertilization duration on the growth rates and chemical composition of offshoreUlvabiomass, and developed a predictive model tailored to offshore conditions, capable of estimating both biomass growth rate and nitrogen content. Specifically, we measuredUlvabiomass growth rate and internal nitrogen in the nitrogen-poor EMS a few kilometers offshore the Israeli coast at various depths and on-shore pre-cultivation fertilization schedules. Based on these data, we constructed a predictive cultivation model ofUlvaoffshore growth, which allows for the optimization of fertilization requirements for offshore cultivation. This study provides new insights on the effects of seasonality, depth, and pre-cultivation fertilization duration on growth rates and chemical composition of offshoreUlvasp. biomass production.
Chromatic aberration and spectral dependency of extended-range-of-vision intraocular lens technology
Authors: Łabuz Grzegorz , Yan Weijia , Baur Isabella D. , Khoramnia Ramin , Auffarth Gerd U. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study compared the optical quality and chromatic performance of refractive-diffractive intraocular lenses (IOLs) that are designed to extend the range of vision of pseudophakic patients and alter chromatic aberration. Five IOLs were evaluated, Tecnis Synergy and Triumf POD L GF, both intended to compensate for eye's chromatism, as well as Acriva Trinova Pro C—a lens that increases chromatic aberration, and AT Lisa Tri and AcrySof IQ PanOptix. An optical setup composed of a corneal model inducing monochromatic and chromatic aberrations and incorporating various spectral conditions was employed. The two chromatic-aberration correcting IOLs demonstrated the lowest far-focus dispersion, but it was negative only, with the Synergy indicating its ability to reduce eye’s chromatic aberration. Although the Trinova increased far-point chromatism, it was close to the level of the PanOptix, but higher than that of the AT Lisa. All the studied models demonstrated varying optical quality in response to light color. Still, the strongest spectral dependency was associated with achromatizing technology. Therefore, chromatic aberration and wavelength dependency should be considered in IOL optimization and predicting visual function, particularly in non-white spectral conditions.
A remote sensing approach for exploring the dynamics of jellyfish, relative to the water current
Authors: Diamant Roee , Alexandri Talmon , Barak Noga , Lotan Tamar 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDrifting in large numbers, jellyfish often interfere in the operation of nearshore electrical plants, cause disturbances to marine recreational activity, encroach upon local fish populations, and impact food webs. Understanding the dynamic mechanisms behind jellyfish behavior is of importance in order to create migration models. In this work, we focus on the small-scale dynamics of jellyfish and offer a novel method to accurately track the trajectory of individual jellyfish with respect to the water current. The existing approaches for similar tasks usually involve a surface float tied to the jellyfish for location reference. This operation may induce drag on the jellyfish, thereby affecting its motion. Instead, we propose to attach an acoustic tag to the jellyfish’s bell and then track its geographical location using acoustic beacons, which detect the tag’s emissions, decode its ID and depth, and calculate the tag’s position via time-difference-of-arrival acoustic localization. To observe the jellyfish’s motion relative to the water current, we use a submerged floater that is deployed together with the released tagged jellyfish. Being Lagrangian on the horizontal plane while maintaining an on-demand depth, the floater drifts with the water current; thus, its trajectory serves as a reference for the current’s velocity field. Using an acoustic modem and a hydrophone mounted to the floater, the operator from the deploying boat remotely changes the depth of the floater on-the-fly, to align it with that of the tagged jellyfish (as reported by the jellyfish’s acoustic tag), thereby serving as a reference for the jellyfish’s 3D motion with respect to the water current. We performed a proof-of-concept to demonstrate our approach over three jellyfish caught and tagged in Haifa Bay, and three corresponding floaters. The results present different dynamics for the three jellyfish, and show how they can move with, and even against, the water current.
A powered simple walking model explains the decline in propulsive force and hip flexion torque compensation in human gait
Authors: Ohtsu Hajime , Hase Kazunori , Sakoda Kouta , Aoi Shinya , Kita Shunsuke , Ogaya Shinya 
Published: September 2023

AbstractExcessive hip flexion torque to prioritize leg swings in the elderly is likely to be a factor that reduces their propulsive force and gait stability, but the mechanism is not clear. To understand the mechanism, we investigated how propulsive force, hip flexion torque, and margin of stability (MoS) change when only the hip spring stiffness is increased without changing the walking speed in the simple walking model, and verified whether the relationship holds in human walking. The results showed that at walking speeds between 0.50 and 1.75 m/s, increasing hip spring stiffness increased hip flexion torque and decreased the propulsive force and MoS in both the model and human walking. Furthermore, it was found that the increase in hip flexion torque was explained by the increase in spring stiffness, and the decreases in the propulsive force and MoS were explained by the increase in step frequency associated with the increase in spring stiffness. Therefore, the increase in hip flexion torque likely decreased the propulsive force and MoS, and this mechanism was explained by the intervening hip spring stiffness. Our findings may help in the control design of walking assistance devices, and in improving our understanding of elderly walking strategies.
Pet ownership and maintenance of cognitive function in community-residing older adults: evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)
Authors: Friedmann Erika , Gee Nancy R. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Kitner-Triolo Melissa H. , Resnick Barbara , Adesanya Ikmat , Koodaly Lincy , Gurlu Merve 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPet ownership has been associated with reduced deterioration in physical health as older adults age; little research focused on deterioration in cognitive function. We examine the relationship of pet, dog, cat ownership, and dog walking to changes in cognitive function among 637 generally healthy community-dwelling older adults (185 pet owners) aged 50–100 years (M = 68.3, SD = 9.6) within the BLSA. Cognitive assessments every 1–4 years over 1–13 years (M = 7.5, SD = 3.6) include the California Verbal Learning (Immediate, Short, Long Recall); Benton Visual Retention; Trail-Making (Trails A, B, B-A); Digit Span; Boston Naming (Naming); and Digit Symbol Substitution (Digit Symbol) Tests. In linear mixed models, deterioration in cognitive function with age was slower for pet owners than non-owners (Immediate, Short, Long Recall; Trails A,B,B-A; Naming; Digit Symbol); dog owners than non-owners (Immediate, Short Recall; Trails A,B; Naming; Digit Symbol); and cat owners than non-owners (Immediate, Short, Long Recall; Naming), controlling for age and comorbidities. Among dog owners (N = 73) walkers experienced slower deterioration than non-walkers (Trails B, B-A; Short Recall). All ps ≤ 0.05. We provide important longitudinal evidence that pet ownership and dog walking contribute to maintaining cognitive function with aging and the need to support pet ownership and dog walking in design of senior communities and services.
Modulation of colonic immunometabolic responses during Clostridioides difficile infection ameliorates disease severity and inflammation
Authors: Tubau-Juni Nuria , Bassaganya-Riera Josep , Leber Andrew J. , Alva Sameeksha S. , Baker Ryan , Hontecillas Raquel 
Published: September 2023

AbstractClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and its clinical symptoms can span from asymptomatic colonization to pseudomembranous colitis and even death. The current standard of care for CDI is antibiotic treatment to achieve bacterial clearance; however, 15 to 35% of patients experience recurrence after initial response to antibiotics. We have conducted a comprehensive, global colonic transcriptomics analysis of a 10-day study in mice to provide new insights on the local host response during CDI and identify novel host metabolic mechanisms with therapeutic potential. The analysis indicates major alterations of colonic gene expression kinetics at the acute infection stage, that are restored during the recovery phase. At the metabolic level, we observe a biphasic response pattern characterized by upregulated glycolytic metabolism during the peak of inflammation, while mitochondrial metabolism predominates during the recovery/healing stage. Inhibition of glycolysis via 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) administration during CDI decreases disease severity, protects from mortality, and ameliorates colitis in vivo. Additionally, 2-DG also protects intestinal epithelial cells from C. difficile toxin damage, preventing loss of barrier integrity and secretion of proinflammatory mediators. These data postulate the pharmacological targeting of host immunometabolic pathways as novel treatment modalities for CDI.
Characterising resting patterns of mother-calf humpback whale groups in a semi-enclosed embayment along the Australian east coast migration pathway
Authors: Jones Alexandra , Bruce Eleanor , Cato Douglas H. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractOn migration from low latitude breeding grounds to high latitude feeding grounds, humpback whale mothers and calves spend time resting in coastal embayments. Unlike other areas where resting has been documented, Jervis Bay, on Australia’s east coast, is remote from both breeding and feeding grounds, and provides a unique opportunity to compare resting behaviour observed within a semi-enclosed embayment to observations offshore. Land-based, and UAV surveys were conducted in Jervis Bay in 2018, 2019, and 2021. We show that (i) a disproportionately high percentage of groups with a calf enter Jervis Bay during the southbound migration, (ii) travelling speeds are significantly slower in the Bay compared to offshore, indicating resting behaviour, and (iii) aerial observations highlight resting and nurturing behaviour. Subsequently, we conclude that Jervis Bay is an important area for resting mother-calf humpback whale groups. Comparison with reports of resting behaviour during migration in areas nearer the breeding grounds shows commonalities that characterise resting behaviour in mothers and calves. This characterisation will allow improved monitoring and management of humpback whales in nearshore embayments during a critical stage of calf development, particularly those with increased anthropogenic activities.
Association between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene variants and nitric oxide production in preeclampsia: a case–control study in Ghana
Authors: Fondjo Linda Ahenkorah , Awuah Enoch Ofori , Sakyi Samuel Asamoah , Senu Ebenezer , Detoh Eric 
Published: September 2023

AbstractEvidence suggests that a major cause of PE is endothelial dysfunction emanating from the reduced bioavailability of Nitric oxide (NO). Variants of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene may lead to decreased NO levels. We explored the association between eNOS gene variants and nitric oxide levels among preeclamptic women in the Ghanaian population. This case–control study included 75 preeclamptic women and 75 healthy normotensive pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Nkawie-Toase Government Hospital, Ghana. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, obstetric and clinical data. Blood was obtained for DNA extraction; the gene variants were determined using PCR and RFLP. Preeclamptic women had significantly lower NO concentration compared to the normotensives (p < 0.0001) and was significantly different between VNTR variants (p < 0.0001). A significant difference in VNTR intron 4 distribution was also observed between the preeclamptic and normotensive women with 4c4c” (12.0%) and “4a4c” (1.3%) genotypes found predominantly in preeclamptic women (p < 0.0001). There was significantly higher distribution of “TC” genotype in preeclamptic women (44.0%) compared to normotensives (22.7%) (p = 0.019). However, possessing “4a4b” (cOR: 0.17, 95% CI 0.04–0.64) and “4b4b” (cOR: 0.09, 95% CI 0.02–0.38) significantly decreased the likelihood of experiencing preeclampsia by 83% and 91% respectively. Nitric oxide is reduced in preeclamptic women. NO levels in preeclampsia are altered by VNTR intron 4 variants but not T786C variants. Possessing VNTR intron 4 “4b” allele decreases the risk of PE while the “4c” allele increases the risk of PE. There is the need for eNOS variant screening and nitric oxide estimation among pregnant women for early prediction of women at risk of preeclampsia.
Clinical value of vestibulo-ocular reflex in the differentiation of spinocerebellar ataxias
Authors: Kim Jae-Myung , Nam Tai-Seung , Choi Seong-Min , Kim Byeong C. , Lee Seung-Han 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) currently depends upon genetic testing. Although genetic testing for SCA is highly specific, clinical parameters for the differentiation of SCAs are still insufficient. We aimed to assess the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) parameters of various SCA subtypes to determine whether they have substantial value in differential diagnosis. We consecutively enrolled 33 genetically confirmed SCA patients (SCA2 = 8, SCA3 = 6, SCA6 = 10, SCA7 = 9). Normative data were obtained from 36 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Quantitative indicators of VOR were measured using video head impulse test (HIT) and combined ocular motor dysfunctions were investigated using video-oculography. Compared with the control group, the VOR gains in SCA2 were relatively spared, but were markedly decreased for all six canals in SCA3. The VOR gains for the posterior canals (PCs) were significantly decreased in SCA6, and for both vertical canals were decreased in SCA7. The VOR gains for the horizontal canals in SCA3 were negatively correlated with disease severity (R = -0.900, p = 0.037). Abnormal catch-up saccades were common in SCA3 and SCA6, rare in SCA7 and absent in SCA2. Spontaneous, headshaking-induced, and positional nystagmus were only documented in SCA6. SCA3 and SCA6 commonly showed horizontal gaze-evoked nystagmus, but SCA2 and SCA7 had characteristic saccadic slowing without gaze-evoked nystagmus. VOR impairments are common in SCAs, but their patterns vary depending on subtype. In addition to ocular motor characteristics, distinctive VOR performance for each subtype using video HIT may aid the differential diagnosis of the SCA genotypes.
Asarinin attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by activating PPARγ
Authors: Zeng Qian , Zhou Ting-ting , Huang Wen-jie , Huang Xiao-ting , Huang Lei , Zhang Xiao-hua , Sang Xiao-xue , Luo Yu-yang , Tian Yu-mei , Wu Bin , Liu Lin , Luo Zi-qiang , He Bin , Liu Wei , Tang Si-yuan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease that lacks effective treatment modalities. Once patients are diagnosed with IPF, their median survival is approximately 3–5 years. PPARγ is an important target for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Asarinin is a lignan compound that can be extracted from food plant Asarum heterotropoides. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of asarinin in a pulmonary fibrosis model constructed using bleomycin in mice and explored the underlying mechanisms. Intraperitoneal administration of asarinin to mice with pulmonary fibrosis showed that asarinin effectively attenuated pulmonary fibrosis, and this effect was significantly inhibited by the PPARγ inhibitor GW9662. Asarinin inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition in vitro, while GW9662 and PPARγ gene silencing significantly inhibited this effect. In addition, asarinin inhibited not only the canonical Smad pathway of TGF-β but also the non-canonical AKT and MAPK pathways by activating PPARγ. Our study demonstrates that asarinin can be used as a therapeutic agent for pulmonary fibrosis, and that PPARγ is its key target.