bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Implicit Mentalizing in Autism Spectrum Disorder with Theta-burst stimulation of the Right Temporoparietal Junction: A Randomized Sham-controlled Double-blind Crossover Study
Authors: Hallajian Amir-Homayun , Dehghani-Arani Fateme , Sima Sepehr , Heydari Amirmahdi , Sharifi Kiomars , Rahmati Yasamin , Rostami Reza , Salehinejad Mohammad Ali 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Theory of mind (ToM), the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others, is impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) is a key brain region in ToM with altered activity in ASD. Theta-burst stimulation is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that can be used to modulate cortical activity.The present study investigated the impact of theta-burst stimulation on the rTPJ on implicit mentalizing and egocentric bias in children and adolescents with high-functioning ASD. Out of the 17 initially recruited subjects, 12 completed three sessions of continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS), intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), and sham stimulation in a randomized order. Immediately after each stimulation session, cognitive correlates of ToM including implicit mentalizing and egocentric bias were evaluated using a computerized test. Both cTBS and iTBS significantly improved implicit mentalizing with a large effect size compared to sham stimulation, with cTBS being more effective than iTBS. However, the analysis showed no effect of stimulation on egocentric bias. The main limitation of this study was the small sample size, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The findings suggest that theta-burst stimulation improves theory of mind in ASD and highlights the causal relationship between the rTPJ and implicit mentalizing in this population. The rTPJ may be a potential target for improving implicit mentalizing ability in autism and other disorders with impaired ToM.
Efficient Estimation of Population Variance of a Sensitive Variable Using a New Scrambling Response Model
Authors: Saleem Iram , Sanaullah Aamir , Al-Essa Laila A , Bashir Shakila 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
In this study, a new scrambling response model is introduced to deal with a sensitive variable, and then following the proposed scrambling response model, a generalized estimator for variance estimation of sensitive variable based-on two auxiliary information. The expressions of the bias, the mean square error, and the minimum mean square error are derived up to the first order of approximation. Simulation and empirical results show that the proposed generalized estimator under both scrambling response models attains minimum mean square error as compared to existing estimators. Also, the degree of privacy protection of the respondent for the proposed model is evaluated through simulation and empirical study.
Genetic Functional Similarity Clustering Using CRISPR-Cas9 Knockout Data
Authors: Lee Jion , Cho Min Hyung , Hong Han sol , No Kyoung Tai , Cho Kwang Hwi 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background:
Machine learning models have become a powerful tool in the field of genetics, allowing scientists to make more accurate predictions about the functions of genes using currently available information. Utilizing both pre-existing annotations from previous studies and multiple genome-wide experimental data would provide us with the potential to construct a more comprehensive model about the functional similarity between genes.
Results:
In this paper, we used knockout phenotype information obtained from CRISPR-cas9 knockout experiments performed under various conditions and using various cells to improve gene functional similarity prediction. We applied Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (HDBSCAN) and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering algorithms to find functionally linked gene groups from knockout data. Subsequent gene enrichment analysis revealed that gene groups defined with knockout data could be associated with specific biological functionality with a high degree of statistical significance. Furthermore, we were able to identify possible functional similarities between an undescribed gene and previously researched genes by using HDBSCAN labels. As a case study, we manually investigated KCNA1/SCN9A pair, which showed highly similar HDBSCAN label profiles, and identified that they were both associated with Oncogene-Induced Senescence (OIS), information that was not found in available databases.
Conclusion:
We found that previously unaddressed functional similarities between genes could be identified from genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 phenotype datasets. This approach might help to identify novel biomarkers or potential drug targets for diseases with few therapeutic options.
Prediction of filtering efficiency of an air filter by using light shading rate
Authors: Sekiguchi Yusuke , toyama Ryoma , Zama Yoshio 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
There have been some studies on the theoretical formula for predicting the filtering efficiency of an air filter; however, accurate predictions remain challenging even today. Measurement of the filtering efficiency of an air filter requires multiple devices, including compressed air, a particle generator, and a particle counter. Therefore, utilizing easily measurable performance parameters for prediction is advantageous as it eliminates the need for measuring equipment, resulting in significant cost reduction. This study focuses on the light shading rate (LSR) as a readily measurable parameter that potentially correlates with filtering efficiency. To predict filtering efficiency, an empirical formula using LSR was attempted to be developed. Four types of test filters were produced using glass wool with different fiber diameters (df) as materials. The packing density (a), thickness (T), LSR, and filtering efficiency were measured and analyzed. In modeling LSR, the number of fibers (Nf) for thickness direction was obtained by calculating the inter-fiber distance (Di) using the packing density and the fiber diameter. The LSR per fiber (LSR/Nf) was determined based on the number of fibers (Nf). To assess the validity of the experimental formula for LSR, calculated and actual LSR values were compared, demonstrating a high level of agreement. Additionally, an experimental formula was constructed to predict the filtering efficiency based on the correlation between the LSR and the filtering efficiency. The experimental formula for predicting filtering efficiency also exhibited a high level of agreement, affirming the effectiveness of utilizing LSR for predicting the filtering efficiency.
Perception towards the implementation of telemedicine during COVID-19 Pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Assaye Bayou Tilahun , belachew Muluken , worku Aynadis , birhanu Sefefe , Sisay Ayenew , kassaw Mitiku , Mekonen Habtamu 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in the use of telemedicine as a means of delivering healthcare services remotely. Healthcare providers play a key role in the adoption and implementation of telemedicine to be effectiveness. Despite its benefits, such as increased access to care and reduced risk of infection transmission, there are concerns about its effectiveness and acceptance. The objective of the study was to assess health professionals' perceptions of telemedicine implementation and associated factors at government health facility during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among eight hundred forty-five study participants from December 2020 to February 2021. A pre-test was performed on 5% of the total sample size, and the quality of the data was ensured by checking its completeness and consistency. Descriptive statistics and bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used. The Variables with a P-value equal to or less than 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were entered into a multivariable logistic regression, and model fitness was assessed.
Result:The study revealed that 60.9% of professionals had a good perception toward telemedicine implementation, with an 87.2% response rate. Health professionals with IT support staff, ICT training , who use social media platforms regularly, and availability of computer or smartphone within/outside their health facilitywere 4.7, 3.3, 3.7, and 13.2 times more likely to have a positive association towards telemedicine implementation respectively.
Conclusion: More than half of the health professionals had a good perception of telemedicine. Social media use, ICT training, computer accessibility, and the presence of IT support staff were all found to have positive associations with the telemedicine perception. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government should take the initiative to strengthen opportunities for health professionals to learn and apply telemedicine in their medical practice by providing ICT training, IT infrastructure and support staff, improving computer access, and recommending health professionals' positive use of social media in the health facility.
Stem cell antigen-1 cell-derived fibroblasts are crucial for cardiac fibrosis during heart failure
Authors: Tao Tingting , Du Luping , Teng Peng , Guo Yan , Wang Xuyang , Hu Yanhua , Zhao Haige , Xu Qingbo , Ma Liang 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Aims
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) present in the heart cannot differentiate into cardiomyocytes, but may play a role in pathological conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to scrutinise the role and mechanism of MSC differentiation in vivo during heart failure.
Methods and Results
We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of total non-cardiomyocytes from murine and adult human hearts. By analysing the transcriptomes of single cells, we illustrated the dynamics of the cell landscape during the progression of heart hypertrophy, including those of stem cell antigen-1 (Sca1)+ stem/progenitor cells and fibroblasts. By combining genetic lineage tracing and bone marrow transplantation models, we demonstrated that non-bone marrow-derived Sca1+ cells give rise to fibroblasts. Interestingly, partial depletion of Sca1+ stem cells alleviated the severity of myocardial fibrosis and led to a significant improvement in cardiac function in Sca1-CreERT2;Rosa26-eGFP-DTA mice. Similar non-cardiomyocyte cell composition and heterogeneity were observed in human patients with heart failure. Mechanistically, our study revealed that Sca1+ cells can transform into fibroblasts and affect the severity of fibrosis through the Wnt4-Pdgfra pathway
Conclusions
Our study describes the cellular landscape of hypertrophic hearts and reveals that fibroblasts derived from Sca1+ cells with a non-bone marrow source of largely account for cardiac fibrosis. These findings provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis and have potential therapeutic implications for heart failure.
Graphical abstract:
Microbial Contaminated Paper Substrate – UV-Vis-NIR spectra of Model Systems
Authors: Gal Lukas , Paračková Patrícia , Kaliňáková Barbora , Šimonová Simona , Reháková Milena , Čeppan Michal 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
This study aims to study the possibility of distinguishing the UV-Vis-NIR spectra of filamentous fungi on a paper substrate from the background. Model samples of five filamentous fungi were used: Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Trichoderma atroviride. The model samples were cultivated on paper substrates, and two methods, Cross Validation (CV) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were utilised to compare their spectra with the reference background spectra. The results of the CV analysis indicated that certain combined spectra sets of Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum, Trichoderma atroviride, Aspergillus niger, and Alternaria alternata, at specific surface concentrations, exhibited two active components, signifying distinguishable differences from the background spectra. Additionally, the score scatter diagrams derived from PCA revealed clusters of samples, further confirming the distinguishability of the filamentous fungi spectra from the background. However, for Trichoderma atroviride, the scatter diagram demonstrated a relatively large scattering of points, impeding the resolution of spectra with a surface concentration of 2 105 cm-2 due to measurement inaccuracies. Based on the combined results of CV and PCA, the study concluded that the lower threshold of measurability for UV-Vis-NIR spectra varied among the different filamentous fungi. For example, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Trichoderma atroviride exhibited a threshold around a surface concentration of 2 106 cm-2, while Aspergillus niger had a threshold around 2 105 cm-2, and Alternaria alternata had a threshold around 2 103 cm-2. In summary, this research provides insights into the distinguishability of filamentous fungi spectra on the paper substrate from background spectra using spectral analysis techniques, offering potential applications in fungal identification and characterisation.
Mental Health and Quality of Life of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Prior to and After Radioactive Iodine Treatment: A Prospective Study
Authors: Changchien Te-Chang , Yen Yung-Chieh , Lu Yung-Chuan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background Although patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) have a good prognosis, their long-term clinical course can influence their mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, few studies have evaluated mental health–related factors influencing subsequent HRQoL in this population.Methods In this 1-month cohort study, we evaluated the depressive and anxiety symptoms and HRQoL of patients with DTC and examined possible predictors of further HRQoL impairment. In total, 181 patients completed a questionnaire self-rating their mental health status (the Chinese Health Questionnaire [CHQ] and Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire [TDQ]) and HRQoL (the 36-item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) at baseline and 1 month after RAI therapy.Results Compared with the Taiwanese general population, the patients with DTC reported worse HRQoL in all dimensions of the SF-36. Multivariate regression models indicated that anxiety and depressive symptoms were both inversely correlated with some dimensions (physical functioning, bodily pain, and general health perceptions for CHQ; role limitations due to physical problems, and social functioning for TDQ). However, a psychiatric follow-up and treatment history was significantly associated with physical functioning and role limitations due to the physical problem dimensions of their HRQoL.Conclusions In conclusion, although anxiety and depressive symptoms may negatively affect certain domains of HRQoL, psychiatric follow-up can improve the physical dimension.
A Mendelian Randomization Study on IBD and Aging
Authors: Li Fan , Wang Zhaodi , Tang Tongyu , Liu Yuyuan , Zhao Qi , Wang Zhi , Han Xiaoping , Xu Zifeng , Chang Yu , Gou Zhaoyang , Li Yuqin 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background and Aims: Although observational studies have reported correlations between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and aging, there is no evidence supporting causal relationships between the two.
Methods: Summary data from the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) were subjected to two-sample and bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the causal relationships between biomarkers of IBD and aging. Following IEU GWAS database screening and single nucleotide polymorphism filtering, various MR methods, including the inverse-variance weighted method, were applied to qualified instrumental variables. The heterogeneity and pleiotropy of the instrumental variables were verified by sensitivity analyses.
Results: Ulcerative colitis (UC) was associated with a 0.10 standard deviation (SD) unit increase in DNA methylation PhenoAge acceleration (adjusted P-value=0.010). SD unit increases in intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration were associated with increases in the probability of Crohn’s disease (CD) and IBD of 0.05 (adjusted P-value=0.032) and 0.04 (adjusted P-value=0.039), respectively. SD unit increases in physical activity and DNA methylation PhenoAge acceleration increased the probabilities of IBD by 0.03 and 0.04 (adjusted P-value=0.039), respectively. CD was associated with shorter telomere length; UC was associated with increased DNA methylation PhenoAge acceleration; and IBD was associated with decreased appendicular lean mass. Four factors associated with aging showed causal relationships: telomere length, DNA methylation GrimAge acceleration, DNA methylation Hannum age acceleration, and usual walking pace, with IBD ruled out.
Conclusion: These findings provide new evidence for the causal relationship between IBD and aging in European populations, as well as providing suggestions for the prevention and treatment of IBD.
Elevated neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts bone metastasis in esophageal cancer
Authors: wang xuan , Zhang Xin , Chen Min , Bai Shuheng , li Wenyang , Wu Fang , Yang Yiping , Gao Ying , Ren Juan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Research on bone metastasis in esophageal cancer (EC) is relatively limited. Once bone metastasis occurs in patients, their prognosis is poor, and it severely affects their quality of life. Currently, there is a lack of convenient tumor markers for early identification of bone metastasis in EC. Our research aims to explore whether neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can predict bone metastasis in patients with EC.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of clinical indicators was performed on 604 patients with EC. They were divided into groups based on whether or not there was bone metastasis, and the patients' coagulation-related tests, blood routine, tumor markers and other indicators were collected. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were used to determine the predictive ability of parameters such as NLR for bone metastasis in EC, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the impact of each indicator on bone metastasis. Using binary logistic regression to obtain the predictive probability of NLR combined with tumor markers.
Results
ROC curves analysis suggested that the area under the curve (AUC) of the NLR was 0.681, with a sensitivity of 79.2% and a specificity of 52.6%, which can be used as a predictive factor for bone metastasis in EC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high NLR (odds ratio [OR]: 2.608, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.395–4.874, P = 0.003) can function as an independent risk factor for bone metastasis in patients with EC. Additionally, high PT, high APTT, high FDP, high CEA, high CA724, low hemoglobin, and low platelet levels can also predict bone metastasis in EC. When NLR was combined with tumor markers, the area under the curve was 0.760 (95% CI: 0.713–0.807, P < 0.001), significantly enhancing the predictability of bone metastasis in EC.
Conclusion
NLR, as a convenient, non-invasive, and cost-effective inflammatory indicator, could predict bone metastasis in EC. Combining NLR with tumor markers can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of bone metastasis in EC.
Lessons to be popular: the chemical basis of aggregation pheromone in Trypanosoma cruzi- infected and non-infected Chagasic bugs
Authors: Alavez-Rosas David , Gutiérrez-Cabrera Ana E. , Cruz-López Leopoldo , Córdoba-Aguilar Alex 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Aggregation is one of the most remarkable behaviors in the animal kingdom – a process that is usually governed by pheromones. Triatomines are blood-sucking bugs that act as vectors ofTrypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease in mammals, including humans. Triatomines usually gather in roosting refuges by using aggregation pheromones of unknown chemical structure. In terms of vector control, one option to reduce triatomine-human contact is via capturing the insects into traps baited with lures based on such aggregation pheromones. As a first step towards this aim, we have elucidated the aggregation pheromone in the triatomineTriatoma pallidipennis, usingT. cruzi-infected and non-infected bugs. We utilized different extraction techniques and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for the identification. Also, two different bioassays were implemented for evaluating the attractant and arrestant activity of the pheromone. We found thatT. pallidipennisproduced short-chain aldehydes as attractants, and nitrogen-derived compounds as arrestants. We detected differences in the production and perception of these compounds according to whether animals were infected or not. These findings are promising tools for triatomine control and serve to show thatT. cruzimay influence triatomine chemical ecology.
GTPBP8 is required for mitoribosomal biogenesis and mitochondrial translation
Authors: Wang Liang , Hilander Taru , Liu Xiaonan , Tsang Hoiying , Eriksson Ove , Jackson Christopher B. , Varjosalo Markku , Zhao Hongxia 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Mitochondrial translation occurs on the mitochondrial ribosome, also known as the mitoribosome. The assembly of mitoribosomes is a highly coordinated process. During mitoribosome biogenesis, various assembly factors transiently associate with the nascent ribosome in facilitating the accurate and efficient construction of the mitoribosome. However, the specific factors involved in the assembly process, the precise mechanisms, and the cellular compartments involved in this vital process are not yet fully understood. In this study, we discovered a crucial role for GTP-binding protein 8 (GTPBP8) in the assembly of the mitoribosomal large subunit (mt-LSU) and mitochondrial translation. GTPBP8 is identified as a novel GTPase located in the matrix and peripherally bound to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Importantly, GTPBP8 is specifically associated with the mt-LSU during its assembly. Depletion of GTPBP8 leads to abnormal accumulation of the mt-LSU at a late assembly stage, indicating that GTPBP8 is essential for proper mt-LSU assembly. Furthermore, the absence of GTPBP8 results in reduced levels of fully assembled 55S monosomes. This impaired assembly leads to compromised mitochondrial translation and, consequently, impaired mitochondrial function. The identification of GTPBP8 as an important player in these processes provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial protein synthesis and its regulation.