bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shared genetic architecture between irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disorders reveals molecular pathways of the gut-brain axis
Authors: Tesfaye Markos , Jaholkowski Piotr , Hindley Guy F. L. , Shadrin Alexey A. , Rahman Zillur , Bahrami Shahram , Lin Aihua , Holen Børge , Parker Nadine , Cheng Weiqiu , Rødevand Linn , Frei Oleksandr , Djurovic Srdjan , Dale Anders M. , Smeland Olav B. , O’Connell Kevin S. , Andreassen Ole A. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often co-occurs with psychiatric and gastrointestinal disorders. A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified several genetic risk variants for IBS. However, most of the heritability remains unidentified, and the genetic overlap with psychiatric and somatic disorders is not quantified beyond genome-wide genetic correlations. Here, we characterize the genetic architecture of IBS, further, investigate its genetic overlap with psychiatric and gastrointestinal phenotypes, and identify novel genomic risk loci.

Methods
Using GWAS summary statistics of IBS (53,400 cases and 433,201 controls), and psychiatric and gastrointestinal phenotypes, we performed bivariate casual mixture model analysis to characterize the genetic architecture and genetic overlap between these phenotypes. We leveraged identified genetic overlap to boost the discovery of genomic loci associated with IBS, and to identify specific shared loci associated with both IBS and psychiatric and gastrointestinal phenotypes, using the conditional/conjunctional false discovery rate (condFDR/conjFDR) framework. We used functional mapping and gene annotation (FUMA) for functional analyses.

Results
IBS was highly polygenic with 12k trait-influencing variants. We found extensive polygenic overlap between IBS and psychiatric disorders and to a lesser extent with gastrointestinal diseases. We identified 132 independent IBS-associated loci (condFDR < 0.05) by conditioning on psychiatric disorders (n = 127) and gastrointestinal diseases (n = 24). Using conjFDR, 70 unique loci were shared between IBS and psychiatric disorders. Functional analyses of shared loci revealed enrichment for biological pathways of the nervous and immune systems. Genetic correlations and shared loci between psychiatric disorders and IBS subtypes were different.

Conclusions
We found extensive polygenic overlap of IBS and psychiatric and gastrointestinal phenotypes beyond what was revealed with genetic correlations. Leveraging the overlap, we discovered genetic loci associated with IBS which implicate a wide range of biological pathways beyond the gut-brain axis. Genetic differences may underlie the clinical subtype of IBS. These results increase our understanding of the pathophysiology of IBS which may form the basis for the development of individualized interventions.
Sex differences in song syntax and syllable diversity in testosterone-induced songs of adult male and female canaries
Authors: dos Santos Ednei B. , Ball Gregory F. , Logue David M. , Cornil Charlotte A. , Balthazart Jacques 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Behavioral sex differences are widespread in the animal world. These differences can be qualitative (i.e., behavior present in one sex but not the other, a true sex dimorphism) or quantitative (behavior is present at a higher rate or quality in one sex compared to the other). Singing in oscine songbirds is associated with both types of differences. In canaries, female rarely sing spontaneously but they can be induced to do so by treatments with steroids. Song in these females is, however, not fully masculinized and exhibits relatively subtle differences in quality as compared with male song. We analyzed here sex differences in syllable content and syllable use between singing male and female canaries.

Methods
Songs were recorded from three groups of castrated male and three groups of photoregressed female canaries that had received Silastic™ implants filled with testosterone (T), with T plus estradiol (E2), or left empty (control). After 6 weeks of hormone treatment, 30 songs were recorded from each of the 47 subjects. Songs were segmented and each syllable was annotated. Various metrics of syllable diversity were extracted and network analysis was employed to characterize syllable sequences.

Results
Male and female songs were characterized by marked sex differences related to syllable use. Compared to females, males had a larger syllable-type repertoire and their songs contained more syllable types. Network analysis of syllable sequences showed that males follow more fixed patterns of syllable transitions than females. Both sexes, however, produced song of the same duration containing the same number of syllables produced at similar rates (numbers per second).

Conclusions
Under the influence of T, canaries of both sexes are able to produce generally similar vocalizations that nevertheless differ in specific ways. The development of song during ontogeny appears to be a very sophisticated process that is presumably based on genetic and endocrine mechanisms but also on specific learning processes. These data highlight the importance of detailed behavioral analyses to identify the many dimensions of a behavior that can differ between males and females.
Analysis of differences in tobacco leaf microbial communities after redrying in Chinese provinces and from abroad
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Xu Qiang , Yang Mengmeng , Yang Yue , Fu Jincun , Miao Chenlin , Wang Guiyao , Hu Liwei , Hu Zongyu 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMicroorganisms play an important role in the tobacco aging process. Before the aging process, raw tobacco leaves must be threshed and redried. In order to explore the differences of microbial community structure of threshed and redried tobacco leaves from different origins at home and abroad, 14 groups of tobacco leaves from 8 different countries were tested by high-throughput DNA sequencing and microbiology analysis. Then, through amplicon sequence variants (ASV) cluster analysis, Venn diagram and species labeling and other microbial diversity analysis, the dominant bacteria and fungi on the surface of threshed and redried tobacco leaves were obtained. The results showed that there were significant differences in the composition of tobacco bacteria and fungi after threshing and redrying from different geographical areas. The relative abundance of Microbacterium and Sphingomonas in domestic tobacco leaves was significantly higher than that of foreign tobacco leaves. The relative abundance of Pseudomonas in foreign tobacco bacterial colonies was significantly higher than that of domestic tobacco leaves. In terms of fungi, the relative abundance of Aspergillus and Alternaria in domestic tobacco leaves was significantly higher than that of foreign tobacco leaves. Septoria, Sampaiozyma, Cladosporium and Phoma account for significantly higher proportions of foreign tobacco leaves. These microorganisms may be indispensable in aging process to form different flavors of tobacco leaves. It provides an important theoretical basis for the further use of microorganisms to promote tobacco leaf aging.
An efficient and scalable vaccine passport verification system based on ciphertext policy attribute-based encryption and blockchain
Authors: Fugkeaw Somchart 
Published: August 2023

AbstractImplementing a trust and secure immunity or vaccine passport verification system is now crucial for many countries. The system typically aims to enable the secure access control and verification of vaccination records which will be used by trusted parties. However, the issues related to the system scalability in supporting a large number of data access requests, the enforcement of the user consent for data sharing, and the flexibility in delegating the access capability to trusted parties have not been resolved by existing works. In this paper, we propose a Universal Vaccine Passport Verification System (UniVAC) to support a decentralized, scalable, secure, and fine-grained, access control for Covid-19 vaccine passport data sharing and verification. At a core of our scheme, we employ the ciphertext policy attribute-based encryption (CP-ABE) to support secure and fine-grained access control and use the blockchain to record access transactions and provide data indexing. Furthermore, we propose a ciphertext retrieval method based on regional blockchain segmentation and introduce the outsourced CP-ABE decryption as a part of the proxy re-encryption (PRE) process to enable scalable and secure ciphertext delivery of the encrypted vaccine passport under the requestor’s public key. Finally, we conducted the extensive experiments in real cloud environment and the results showed that our proposed scheme is more efficient and scalable than related works.
Liquid chromatography as analytical tool for the study of natural and early synthetic dyes in traditional Saxon textiles
Authors: Petroviciu Irina , Teodorescu Iulia , Vasilca Silvana , Albu Florin , Medvedovici Andrei 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Confirmed since the twelth century, the Saxon community in Transylvania developed over the years in a rigorous powerful society, with its own lifestyle, social, economic, cultural and artistic standards. Together with research in historic documents, this society is now revealed by material studies of eighteenth– twentieth century objects in the Emil Sigerius collection, preserved in the ASTRA Museum, Sibiu, Romania. Embroideries made in Saxon households as well as representative Saxon coats manufactured in workshops, and dated between 1892 and 1908 (years embroidered on objects), were studied in terms of dye analysis, in order to understand if adoption of new materials goes together with the stylistic improvements. Dye analysis were performed by liquid chromatography with UV–vis and mass spectrometric detection (LC-DAD-MS), nowadays the most appropriate technique for the characterization and identification of colour components in heritage textiles. MS detection, with a triple quadrupole mass analyser, was used to achieve clear identification of each dye in a complex matrix. Construction of suitable spectral libraries through studies on standard dyes and dyed textiles definitely improved the ability to detect natural and early synthetic with greater certainty. Identification of fuchsine (1856), methyl violet (1861), orange II (1876) brilliant green (1879), quinoline yellow (1881) and rhodamine B (1887) in textiles dated about 20 years after the dyes first synthesis prove that transition from natural to synthetic dyes in the Saxon community was very fast, especially for textiles made in specialized workshops. The analytical configurations used prove their competence in textile studies, based on natural and early synthetic dyes research, and promotes the use of advanced analytical techniques in heritage science applications.
The synergistic effect of biochar and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)/poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacarylate)/chitosan) hydrogels on saline soil properties and carrot productivity
Authors: Abdeen Sayed A. , Hefni Hassan H. H. , Awadallah-F Ahmed , El-Rahman Nasser R. Abd 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Soil salinity is one of the most important factors limiting crop production. Furthermore, with the increasing population and saline soil worldwide there is no choice but to utilize saline soil to increase the agricultural regions. Therefore, to improve carrot productivity under saline conditions, it is necessary to provide good management such as applying hydrogels and biochar for improving soil properties.

Methodology
Hydrogels (PEtOx-HEMA-CS) were synthesized from poly (2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA as crosslinker) and chitosan (CS) via exposure those to gamma irradiation dose; 30 kGy of dose rate 0.9 kGy/h and obtained three types of hydrogels according to concentration of chitosan used. The PEtOx-HEMA-CS hydrogels were enhanced water holding capacity for agriculture purposes. The chemical structures of obtained hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM. The swelling (%) and gelation (%) were determined. Biochar (BC) as an active substance was physically mixed with those hydrogels at various ratios (0/100, 0.5/99.5, 1/99 and 100/0 (g/g) biochar/hydrogels). BC, PEtOx-HEMA-CS and the mixture of PEtOx-HEMA-CS-BC were mixed with saline soil at ratio 0.05% and 0.1% w/w of obtained materials/soil. A pot experiment was conducted to mitigate the salinity hazards on carrot productivity using biochar with and without hydrogels. Mean maximum temperature, minimum temperature, precipitation, relative humidity and wind speed from September to December in the studied region are 28.66 ℃, 15.76 ℃, 0.01 mm, 58.81%, 5.94 km/h, respectively.

Findings
The obtained data referred that there is a significant decrease in soil salinity and exchangeable sodium percentage and increase in organic matter, cation exchange capacity, field capacity, permanent wilting point and available water especially at (PEtOx-HEMA-CS5)0.1-BC1. The highest increment percentage of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium were 36.36%, 70% and 72%, respectively. In addition, the relative increase of carrot productivity was 49.63% at the highest rates of biochar and hydrogels. However, the highest value of water use efficiency was observed at the mixture of biochar and hydrogels at (PEtOx-HEMA-CS5)0.1-BC1.

Conclusions
Finally, applying biochar combined with (PEtOx-HEMA-CS5) could be recommended as a good approach to improve carrot productivity and water use efficiency under saline soil conditions.

Graphical Abstract
On the use of prior distributions in bayesian inference applied to Ecology: an ecological example using binomial proportions in exotic plants, Central Chile
Authors: Bustamante Ramiro O. , Iturriaga Andrés , Flores-Alvarado Sandra , García Rafael A. , Goncalves Estefany 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe use of Bayesian inference (BI) is a common methodology for data analysis in Ecology and Evolution. This statistical approach is particularly useful in cases which information is scarce, because allows formalizing sources of information, other than sampling data (priors), obtained from technical reports, expert opinions and beliefs. Recent reviews detected that most ecological studies use non-informativepriorswithout any justification, ignoring other sources of independent information available to construct informativepriors. In this study, we examined how the selection of informative or non-informative priors, affects hypothesis testing. We compared the proportion of occupied sites (occupancy) in four exotic plant species living in two contrasting environments in Central Chile. Given that occupancy is related to binomial proportions, we developed a statistical procedure based on beta distribution, to compare occupancies using Bayes factor.ResultsBayes factor obtained from different non-informative priors led to similar inferences relative to H0. The use of informative prior drastically changed our decisions about H0in three of four plant species.ConclusionsThe selection of priors is critical because they determine hypothesis testing. The use of independent information will improve our inferences, which is precisely the strength of BI. We hypothesize that the reluctance to use informative priors in ecological studies reflects extreme positivism and the use of non-informative priors is a strategy to avoid subjectivity; by doing that, ecologists depart from the philosophy of BI which accepts that the subjective knowledge is a valid, and sometimes the only alternative, to know the world.
Large bowel perforation due to cytomegalovirus colitis in a post-cardiac surgical patient on chronic hemodialysis
Authors: Fukunaga Naoto , Wakami Tatsuto , Shimoji Akio , Maeda Toshi , Mori Otohime , Yoshizawa Kosuke , Okada Tatsuji , Tamura Nobushige 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis with colonic perforation is an exceedingly rare but life-threatening condition. The most comorbid diagnosis in patients with perforated CMV colitis is human immunodeficiency virus in the setting of advanced immunosuppression associated with CD4 < 50 cells/μL.

Case presentation
A 75-year-old female with a ≥ 30-year history of hemodialysis presented with progressive dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiography showed moderate mitral stenosis and severe aortic stenosis. Although she was a high-risk candidate with a risk for mortality of 17.17% and morbidity and mortality both of 35.63% in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk calculator, we performed mitral and aortic valve replacement with both biological valves. Postoperative course was complicated with a high dose of inotropic support, cardiac tamponade requiring open drainage, and the need for a tracheostomy. Abdominal distension was observed, and enhanced computed tomography demonstrated free air and a suspected perforated sigmoid colon. Emergency laparotomy revealed a 20-cm longitudinal perforation in the sigmoid colon. A left hemicolectomy with stoma was performed. Immunostaining of a sample of her colon showed cytomegalovirus-positive cells.

Conclusions
Cardiac surgeons should consider cytomegalovirus colitis as a differential diagnosis during the course of cardiac surgery even in immunocompetent patients.
Association of Maternal TSH, FT4 With Children's BMI Trajectories, and Obesity: A Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Yang Mengting , Zhang Shanshan , Teng Yuzhu , Ru Xue , Zhu Linlin , Han Yan , Tao Xingyong , Cao Hui , Yan Shuangqin , Tao Fangbiao , Huang Kun 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the association between maternal TSH, free thyroxine (FT4), and children's body mass index (BMI) trajectories and obesity.

Method
Based on the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort in China, we repeatedly assayed maternal thyroid functions in 3 trimesters of pregnancy. Children's height and weight were measured 15 times before they were age 6 years. Body fat was assessed when children were aged 6 years. Mplus software was used to fit maternal thyroid hormone trajectories and BMI trajectories. Multivariate logistic regression models and generalized linear models were used in data analysis.

Results
Low maternal FT4 trajectory was observed to be related to an increased risk of a high children's BMI trajectory and overweight, with an odds ratio and 95% CI of 1.580 (1.169-2.135) and 1.505 (1.064-2.129), respectively. Increased maternal FT4 concentrations in the first, second, and third trimesters were associated with a decreased risk of high children's BMI trajectories and obesity. There was a positive association between low maternal FT4 trajectory and 6-year-old children's body fat ratio with β and 95% CI of 0.983 (0.138-1.829). Furthermore, negative correlations between maternal FT4 concentration in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy and body fat ratio were observed.

Conclusions
Low maternal FT4 trajectory during pregnancy may predict a high BMI trajectory in children and relate to overweight and high body fat ratio in 6-year-old children. High maternal FT4 concentrations throughout pregnancy may be associated with the decreasing risk of obesity and low body fat ratio in 6-year-old children.
Social Determinants of Health and Associations With Outcomes in Pediatric Patients With Brain Tumors
Authors: Aguirre Alexander O. , Lim Jaims , Kuo Cathleen C. , Ruggiero Nicco , Siddiqi Manhal , Monteiro Andre , Baig Ammad A. , Housley Steven B. , Recker Matthew J. , Li Veetai , Reynolds Renée M. 
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are nonmedical factors that affect health outcomes. Limited investigation has been completed on the potential association of these factors to adverse outcomes in pediatric populations. In this study, the authors aimed to analyze the effects of SDOH disparities and their relationship with outcomes after brain tumor resection or biopsy in children.

METHODS:
The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of their center's pediatric patients with brain tumor. Black race, public insurance, median household income, and distance to hospital were the investigated SDOH factors. Univariate analysis was completed between number of SDOH factors and patient demographics. Multivariate linear regression models were created to identify coassociated determinants and outcomes.

RESULTS:
A total of 272 patients were identified and included in the final analysis. Among these patients, 81 (29.8%) had no SDOH disparities, 103 (37.9%) had 1, 71 (26.1%) had 2, and 17 (6.2%) had 3. An increased number of SDOH disparities was associated with increased percentage of missed appointments (P = .002) and emergency room visits (P = .004). Univariate analysis demonstrated increased missed appointments (P = .01), number of postoperative imaging (P = .005), and number of emergency room visits (P = .003). In multivariate analysis, decreased median household income was independently associated with increased length of hospital stay (P = .02).

CONCLUSION:
The SDOH disparities are prevalent and impactful in this vulnerable population. This study demonstrates the need for a shift in research focus toward identifying the full extent of the impact of these factors on postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with brain tumor.
Barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion in research and academia stubbornly persist. So, what are we doing about it?
Authors: Prince Lynne R. , Francis Sheila E. 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT
Despite an appetite for change, equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI)-related issues continue to ripple through the world of research and academia, from inequity at the point of entry into education, through to lack of diversity and equality in senior roles. Many academic institutes and governments are taking action to solve these issues, and we welcome the growing number of inclusive practices in the science communication arena. Building from this, we – at the University of Sheffield, UK – have assessed our own situation, responded to pressures applied by research councils, and listened to our staff and student voice. Our new ‘One University’ initiative puts EDI on a par with research, innovation and education as a core university priority, and our Gender, Disability and Race Action Plans allow us to make measurable and impactful changes. Tackling EDI issues needs a collaborative approach, action at an institutional- or sector-wide level and clear commitment from senior leaders.
Studying exogenous extracellular vesicle biodistribution byin vivofluorescence microscopy
Authors: Lau Sien Yee , Kang Matthew , Hisey Colin L. , Chamley Lawrence W. 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bound vesicles released from cells that play a crucial role in many physiological processes and pathological mechanisms. As such, there is great interest in their biodistribution. One currently accessible technology to study their fate in vivo involves fluorescent labelling of exogenous EVs followed by whole-animal imaging. Although this is not a new technology, its translation from studying the fate of whole cells to subcellular EVs requires adaptation of the labelling techniques, excess dye removal and a refined experimental design. In this Review, we detail the methods and considerations for using fluorescence in vivo and ex vivo imaging to study the biodistribution of exogenous EVs and their roles in physiology and disease biology.