bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of cobalt/copper ions on the structural, thermal, optical, and emission properties of erbium zinc lead borate glasses
Authors: Taha Eman O. , Saeed Aly 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA host glass network of 70B2O3–10Pb3O4–18ZnO–2Er2O3 (ErCoCu1) was proposed and the impact of 1 mol% of Co or/and Cu ions on its structural, thermal, optical, and green emission properties was studied extensively. The X-ray diffraction spectra confirmed the amorphous structure of the produced glasses. Density and density-based parameters behavior showed that the Co or/and Cu ions fill the interstitial positions of the proposed ErCoCu1 network, causing its compactness. Both ATR-FTIR and Raman Spectra affirmed the formation of the fundamental structural units of the borate network, B–O–B linkage, BO3, and BO4. Additionally, the penetration of Co or/and Cu ions inside the ErCoCu1 converts the tetrahedral BO4 units to triangle BO3 causing its richness by non-bridging oxygens. The addition of Co or/and Cu reduces the glass transition temperature as a result of the conversion of the BO4 to BO3 units. Optical absorption spectra for the host glass ErCoCu1 showed many of the distinguished absorption bands of the Er3+ ion. Penetration of Co ion generates two broadbands referring to the presence of Co2+ ions in both tetrahedral and octahedral coordination and Co3+ ions in the tetrahedral coordination. In the Cu-doped glasses, the characteristic absorption bands of Cu2+ and Cu+ were observed. A green emission was generated from the ErCoCu1 glass under 380 nm excitation wavelength. Moreover, no significant effect of Co or/and Cu on the emission spectra was recorded. The considered glasses had appropriate properties qualifying them for optoelectronics and nonlinear optics applications.
Prospective epigenome and transcriptome analyses of cord and peripheral blood from preterm infants at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Cho Hye-Youn , Wang Xuting , Campbell Michelle R. , Panduri Vijayalakshmi , Coviello Silvina , Caballero Mauricio T. , Bennett Brian D. , Kleeberger Steven R. , Polack Fernando P. , Ofman Gaston , Bell Douglas A. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a prevalent chronic lung disease of prematurity with limited treatment options. To uncover biomarkers of BPD risk, this study investigated epigenetic and transcriptomic signatures of prematurity at birth and during the neonatal period at day 14 and 28. Peripheral blood DNAs from preterm infants were applied to methylation arrays and cell-type composition was estimated by deconvolution. Covariate-adjusted robust linear regression elucidated BPD- and prolonged oxygen (≥ 14 days) exposure-associated CpGs. RNAs from cord and peripheral blood were sequenced, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for BPD or oxygen exposure were determined. Estimated neutrophil–lymphocyte ratios in peripheral blood at day 14 in BPD infants were significantly higher than nonBPD infants, suggesting an heightened inflammatory response in developing BPD. BPD-DEGs in cord blood indicated lymphopoiesis inhibition, altered Th1/Th2 responses, DNA damage, and organ degeneration. On day 14, BPD-associated CpGs were highly enriched in neutrophil activation, infection, and CD4 + T cell quantity, and BPD-DEGs were involved in DNA damage, cellular senescence, T cell homeostasis, and hyper-cytokinesis. On day 28, BPD-associated CpGs along with BPD-DEGs were enriched for phagocytosis, neurological disorder, and nucleotide metabolism. Oxygen supplementation markedly downregulated mitochondrial biogenesis genes and altered CpGs annotated to developmental genes. Prematurity-altered DNA methylation could cause abnormal lymphopoiesis, cellular assembly and cell cycle progression to increase BPD risk. Similar pathways between epigenome and transcriptome networks suggest coordination of the two in dysregulating leukopoiesis, adaptive immunity, and innate immunity. The results provide molecular insights into biomarkers for early detection and prevention of BPD.
A novel multiplex qPCR‑HRM assay for the simultaneous detection of four abortive zoonotic agents in cattle, sheep, and goats
Authors: Modise Boitumelo M. , Mpoloka Sununguko W. , Settypalli Tirumala B. K. , Hyera Joseph , Natale Alda , Ceglie Letizia , Gcebe Nomakorinte , Marobela-Raborokgwe Chandapiwa , Viljoen Gerrit J. , Cattoli Giovanni , Lamien Charles E. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAbortifacient pathogens induce substantial economic losses in the livestock industry worldwide, and many of these pathogens are zoonotic, impacting human health. As Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira spp., and Listeria monocytogenes cause abortion, rapid differential molecular diagnostic tests are needed to facilitate early and accurate detection of abortion to establish effective control measures. However, the available molecular methods are laborious, time-consuming, or costly. Therefore, we developed and validated a novel multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method based on high-resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis to simultaneously detect and differentiate four zoonotic abortifacient agents in cattle, goats, and sheep. Our HRM assay generated four well-separated melting peaks allowing the differentiation between the four zoonotic abortifacients. Out of 216 DNA samples tested, Brucella spp. was detected in 45 samples, Coxiella burnetii in 57 samples, Leptospira spp. in 12 samples, and Listeria monocytogenes in 19 samples, co-infection with Brucella spp. and Coxiella burnetii in 41 samples, and 42 samples were negative. This assay demonstrated good analytical sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. This is a valuable rapid, cost-saving, and reliable diagnostic tool for detecting individual and co-infections for zoonotic abortifacient agents in ruminants.
In vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial evaluation of sugar-modified nucleoside analogues
Authors: Bege Miklós , Singh Vigyasa , Sharma Neha , Debreczeni Nóra , Bereczki Ilona , Poonam  , Herczegh Pál , Rathi Brijesh , Singh Shailja , Borbás Anikó 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infections are a major burden on the population and the healthcare system. The establishment of Pf resistance to most existing antimalarial therapies has complicated the problem, and the emergence of resistance to artemisinin derivatives is even more concerning. It is increasingly difficult to cure malaria patients due to the limited availability of effective antimalarial drugs, resulting in an urgent need for more efficacious and affordable treatments to eradicate this disease. Herein, new nucleoside analogues including morpholino-nucleoside hybrids and thio-substituted nucleoside derivatives were prepared and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo antiparasitic activity that led a few hits especially nucleoside-thiopyranoside conjugates, which are highly effective against Pf3D7 and PfRKL-9 strains in submicromolar concentration. One adenosine derivative and four pyrimidine nucleoside analogues significantly reduced the parasite burden in mouse models infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Importantly, no significant hemolysis and cytotoxicity towards human cell line (RAW) was observed for the hits, suggesting their safety profile. Preliminary research suggested that these thiosugar-nucleoside conjugates could be used to accelerate the antimalarial drug development pipeline and thus deserve further investigation.
A pilot in vivo study: potential ovarian cancer therapeutic by placental extracellular vesicles
Authors: Chen Xinyue , Tijono Sofian , Tsai Bridget , Chamley Lawrence William , Ching Lai-Ming , Chen Qi 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The biological links between cancer and pregnancy are of interest due to parallel proliferative, immunosuppressive, and invasive mechanisms between tumour and placental cells. However, the proliferation and invasion of placental cells are strictly regulated. The understanding of this regulation is largely unknown. Placental extracellular vesicles (EVs) may play an important role in this regulation, as placental EVs are known to contribute to maternal adaptation, including adaptation of the vascular and immune systems. We have previously reported that placental EVs significantly inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation by delaying the progression of the cell cycle. We, therefore, performed this pilot in vivo study to investigate whether placental EVs can also inhibit ovarian tumour growth in a SKOV-3 human tumour xenograft model. A single intraperitoneal injection of placental EVs at 15 days post tumour implantation, significantly inhibited the growth of the tumours in our in vivo model. Signs of cellular necrosis were observed in the ovarian tumour tissues, but not in other organs collected from mice that had been treated with placental EVs. Expression of receptor-interacting kinase 1 (RIPK1) and mixed linkage kinase domain-like (MLKL), which are mediators of necroptosis were not observed in our xenografted tumours. However, extensive infiltration of CD169+ macrophages and NK cells in ovarian tumour tissues collected from placental micro-EVs treated mice were observed. We demonstrate here that inhibition of ovarian tumour growth in our xenograft model by placental EVs involves cellular necrosis and infiltration of CD169+ macrophages and NK cells into the tumour tissues.
Maternal voluntary wheel running modulates glucose homeostasis, the gut microbiota and its derived fecal metabolites in offspring
Authors: Zhang Ling , Zou Wenyu , Hu Yongyan , Wu Honghua , Gao Ying , Zhang Junqing , Zheng Jia 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Maternal overnutrition can dramatically increase the susceptibility of offspring to metabolic diseases, whereas maternal exercise may improve glucose metabolism in offspring. However, the underlying mechanism programming the intergenerational effects of maternal exercise on the benefits of glucose metabolism has not been fully elaborated. C57BL/6 female mice were randomly assigned to four subgroups according to a diet and exercise paradigm before and during pregnancy as follows: NC (fed with normal chow diet and sedentary), NCEx (fed with normal chow diet and running), HF (fed with high-fat diet and sedentary), and HFEx (fed with high-fat diet and running). Integrative 16S rDNA sequencing and mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling were synchronously performed to characterize the effects of maternal exercise on the gut microbiota composition and metabolite alterations in offspring. Maternal exercise, acting as a natural pharmaceutical intervention, prevented deleterious effects on glucose metabolism in offspring. 16S rDNA sequencing revealed remarkable changes in the gut microbiota composition in offspring. Metabolic profiling indicated multiple altered metabolites, which were enriched in butanoate metabolism signaling in offspring. We further found that maternal exercise could mediate gene expression related to intestinal gluconeogenesis in offspring. In conclusion, our study indicated that maternal running significantly improved glucose metabolism in offspring and counteracted the detrimental effects of maternal high-fat feeding before and during pregnancy. We further demonstrated that maternal voluntary wheel running could integratively program the gut microbiota composition and fecal metabolite changes and then regulate butanoate metabolism and mediate intestinal gluconeogenesis in offspring.
The role of IFN-γ-signalling in response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy
Authors: Wong Chun Wai , Huang Yang Yu , Hurlstone Adam 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, widely known as immune checkpoint blockade therapy (ICBT), is now the fourth pillar in cancer treatment, offering the chance of durable remission for patients with advanced disease. However, ICBT fails to induce objective responses in most cancer patients with still others progressing after an initial response. It is necessary, therefore, to elucidate the primary and acquired resistance mechanisms to ICBT to improve its efficacy. Here, we highlight the paradoxical role of the cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in ICBT response: on the one hand induction of IFN-γ signalling in the tumour microenvironment correlates with good ICBT response as it drives the cellular immune responses required for tumour destruction; nonetheless, IFN-γ signalling is implicated in ICBT acquired resistance. We address the negative feedback and immunoregulatory effects of IFN-γ signalling that promote immune evasion and resistance to ICBT and discuss how these can be targeted pharmacologically to restore sensitivity or circumvent resistance.
FRDet: Few‐shot object detection via feature reconstruction
Authors: Chen Zhihao , Mao Yingchi , Qian Yong , Pan Zhenxiang , Xu Shufang 
Published: July 2023

AbstractState‐of‐the‐art object detection models rely on large‐scale datasets for training to achieve good precision. Without sufficient samples, the model can suffer from severe overfitting. Current explorations in few‐shot object detection are mainly divided into meta‐learning‐based methods and fine‐tuning‐based methods. However, existing models do not focus on how feature maps should be processed to present more accurate regions of interest (RoIs), leading to many non‐supporting RoIs. These non‐supporting RoIs can increase the burden of subsequent classification and even lead to misclassification. Additionally, catastrophic forgetting is inevitable in both few‐shot object detection models. Many models classify directly in low‐dimensional spaces due to insufficient resources, but this transformation of the data space can confuse some categories and lead to misclassification. To address these problems, the Feature Reconstruction Detector (FRDet) is proposed, a simple yet effective fine‐tune‐based approach for few‐shot object detection. FRDet includes a region proposal network (RPN) based on channel attention and space attention called Multi‐Attention RPN (MARPN) and a head based on feature reconstruction called Feature Reconstruction Head (FRHead). MARPN utilizes channel attention to suppress non‐supporting classes and spatial attention to enhance support classes based on Attention RPN, resulting in fewer but more accurate RoIs. Meanwhile, FRHead utilizes support features to reconstruct query RoI features through a closed‐form solution, allowing for a comprehensive and fine‐grained comparison. The model was validated on the PASCAL VOC, MS COCO, FSOD, and CUB200 datasets and achieved better results.
Test‐driven development, engagement in activity, and maintainability: An empirical study
Authors: Ren Wei , Barrett Stephen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe software engineering community aims to achieve and maintain high‐efficient software engineering practical activities. One of the techniques used for this purpose is Test‐Driven Development (TDD), which is a cyclic and test‐centered development method positively related to maintainability, which may vary depending on the context and application. Previous research has indicated that TDD's benefits on maintainability may be due to the improved focus on coding and testing activities. However, limited research has investigated the role of engagement in software quality. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between TDD methods, engagement level in development activities, and maintainability. The primary research questions addressed in this study are does following TDD methods improve the engagement level in development activities? And does a higher engagement level leads to better maintainability? The study employs a statistical analysis technique, regression analysis to explore the research questions. The results show that TDD behaviours improve the engagement level, and engaging in development activities has a significant positive impact on maintainability. Additionally, the study finds that the positive impact of focussing on testing, such as writing more test cases, is more pronounced compared to coding activities. Our study adds to current software engineering literature that not only personal expertise but the engagement level in the development process are associated with software quality and calls for the emphasis on developer's engagement.
Guided wave signal‐based sensing and classification for small geological structure
Authors: Sun Hongyu , Song Jiao , Zhou Shanshan , Liu Qiang , Lu Xiang , Qi Mingming 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSensing, Computing and Communication Integration (SC2) is widely believed as a new enabling technology. A non‐negative tensor sparse factorisation (NTSF) algorithm based on tensor analysis is proposed for sensing and classification of Small Geological Structure in coal mines. Utilising this method, advanced detection of geological anomalies hidden in coal seams was achieved. The morphological properties of geological anomalies in coal seams and the propagation characteristics of guided waves were first thoroughly studied. A three‐dimensional (3D) medium geometry model was developed for a complicated coal seam with Goaf, collapse column, scouring zone, and tiny fault based on COMSOL Multiphysics. On this model, the third‐order tensors data was constructed. Then, the TUCKER‐based NTSF algorithm was employed for feature extraction and classification. To achieve multi‐dimensional feature, the two‐dimensional data in the form of a matrix is collected, and a multiplicative update method is introduced to update the algorithm iteratively. Finally, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) multi‐classifier with Gaussian radial basis kernel function is selected for classification of Small Geological Structure. The experimental results show that the classification accuracy based on the NTSF and SVM is as high as 97.33%, which demonstrates that the proposed algorithm is suitable for Sensing and Classification of Small Geological Structure in coal mines.
Self-limited Familial Neonatal Epilepsy due to the c.1589G > A Novel Pathogenic Variant in KCNQ2: A Family Report
Authors: Basarir Gunce , Ozer Kaya Ozge , Kusgoz Fatma , Olgac Dundar Nihal , Gencpinar Pinar 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSelf-limited familial neonatal epilepsy is an autosomal dominant epileptic syndrome characterized by episodes of seizures occurring in the first days of life. Most patients have heterozygous mutations of KCNQ2 gene located on 20q13. A variety of clinical phenotypes have been associated with KCNQ2 mutations, making the prediction of this rare entity difficult. Herein, we report a rare KCNQ2 variant in two siblings with self-limited familial neonatal epilepsy. The siblings had tonic seizures accompanied by clonic jerks in the first few days after birth. Genetic analysis of the siblings revealed a heterozygous KCNQ2 variant: c.1589G > A; (p.Ser530Asn). The identical variant subsequently was identified in the mother. To our knowledge, this variant has not been previously reported in individuals with KCNQ2-related disease. This is the first report that reveals c.1589G > A variant of KCNQ2 gene as a pathogenic variant in two siblings.
Non-COVID-19 Cutaneous Mucormycosis from a Plastic Surgical Perspective
Authors: Brajesh Vimalendu , Sharma Sneha , Aggarwal Aditya , Singh Sukhdeep , Mahendru Sanjay , Singh Hardeep , Jain Ankit , Jain Rahul , Khazanchi Rakesh Kumar 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background Cutaneous mucormycosis is a rare and fulminant infection associated with high mortality. Plastic surgeons come across this infection in the settings of road traffic accidents, surgical site infections, and as a secondary infection with underlying bacterial soft tissue infections. Due to this infection's rarity and aggressive course, it is essential to initiate prompt multidisciplinary management at the first presentation. With this study, we aim to present a protocol for managing the condition.
Methods This is a retrospective observational study of patients with cutaneous mucormycosis managed at a tertiary care hospital from January 1, 2016 to November 30, 2022 excluding patients with mucormycosis who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019.
Results Of 24 patients, 22 were males, and most were in the age group of 41 to 60 years. Sixteen patients survived and five out of eight deceased had comorbidities, six presented primarily without prior debridement, and six had trunk involvement.
Conclusion A high index of clinical suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and management of patients with invasive cutaneous mucormycosis. A multidisciplinary approach with appropriate medical and surgical management can improve outcomes in cases that otherwise carry a high mortality rate.
DNM1L Variant Presenting as Adolescent-Onset Sensory Neuronopathy, Spasticity, Dystonia, and Ataxia
Authors: Wang Alexander S. , Lemire Gabrielle , VanNoy Grace E. , Austin-Tse Christina , O'Donnell-Luria Anne , Kilbane Camilla 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
DMN1L encodes for dynaminlike protein 1 (DLP1), which plays a key role in peroxisomal and mitochondrial fission. Individuals with heterozygous variants in DNM1L present with a wide range of neurologic symptoms, including encephalopathy, epilepsy, and motor deficits. Here we report on a woman presenting with adolescence onset of sensory neuronopathy, spasticity, dystonia, and ataxia. Trio genome sequencing identified a heterozygous variant in DNM1L (NM_012062.3 c.121G > A/p.Val41Met), which was thought to be pathogenic. This case describes the latest known symptomatic onset of DMN1L-related disease described in the literature. We highlight our approach to a challenging diagnostic workup and interpretation of a specific variant that has not been previously reported. Furthermore, the case highlights the diagnostic importance of utilizing genomic sequencing and research studies for patients with rare disease.
Identification of Plasma Thrombopoietin Level and Its Significance in Patients with Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Zhang Mengying , Zhang Gaochao , Xu Fangfang , Liu Mengyuan , Dong Xifeng , Qi Weiwei , Wang Huaquan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objective Our objective was to investigate the concentration of plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) in patients with aplastic anemia (AA) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), as well as its relationship with patients' responses to recombined human TPO (rhTPO) therapy.
Methods We detected the concentration of plasma TPO in 31 patients with AA, 27 patients with MDS, and 11 normal controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results The median concentration of plasma TPO in patients with AA, MDS, and controls was (841.08 ± 768.64), (212.41 ± 338.93), and (35.09 ± 18.21) pg/mL, respectively. The TPO concentration in patients with AA and MDS was significantly higher than that in controls (p < 0.05). The median platelet (PLT) counts were (184 ± 34) ×109/L in the control group and (24 ± 19) ×109/L and (80 ± 71) ×109/L in AA and MDS patients, respectively. Negative correlations were found between plasma TPO concentration and PLT counts as well as megakaryocytes in bone marrow (p < 0.05). In AA patients treated with rhTPO, a negative correlation was observed between increased PLT counts and pretreatment TPO levels (p < 0.05).
Conclusion Plasma TPO concentration in AA and MDS was significantly higher than that in normal controls. Plasma TPO was negatively correlated with peripheral blood PLT counts and bone marrow megakaryocyte counts. The pretreatment TPO level may serve as a prognostic indicator for the therapeutic effect of rhTPO in AA patients.