bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photodynamic bactericidal nanomaterials in food packaging: From principle to application
Authors: Zhang Chushu , Zhang Jiancheng , Cao Shining , Tang Yueyi , Wang Mian , Qu Chunjuan 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCompared to traditional preservatives, photodynamic inactivation (PDI) offers a promising bactericidal approach due to its nontoxic nature and low propensity for microbial resistance. In this paper, we initially investigate the principles and antibacterial mechanisms underlying PDI. We then review factors influencing PDI's germicidal efficacy in food preservation. Furthermore, we delve into the application potential of PDI nanomaterials, such as quantum dots, titanium dioxide, and graphene, in packaging and films. Special attention is given to the impact of PDI treatment on food quality and the potential for microbial tolerance development. Last, we discuss the migration and safety of PDI nanomaterials. The chemical basis of PDI involves the generation of reactive oxygen species through the activation of endogenous or exogenous photosensitizers. Its primary antibacterial mechanisms encompass the disruption of cell membranes, impairment of cellular functions, and inhibition of quorum sensing. The multi‐target action of PDI significantly reduces the likelihood of resistance development. PDI has great potential for application in the field of antibacterial packaging. The information contained in this paper will provide effective reference for the design of new antibacterial packaging.
Engineered Bacteria for Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Using Synthetic Biology
Authors: Jin Kai , Huang Yi , Che Hailong , Wu Yihan 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTUsing synthetic biology techniques, bacteria have been engineered to serve as microrobots for diagnosing diseases and delivering treatments. These engineered bacteria can be used individually or in combination as microbial consortia. The components within these consortia complement each other, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and providing synergistic effects that improve treatment efficacy. The application of microbial therapies in cancer, intestinal diseases, and metabolic disorders underscores their significant potential. The impact of these therapies on the host's native microbiota is crucial, as engineered microbes can modulate and interact with the host's microbial environment, influencing treatment outcomes and overall health. Despite numerous advancements, challenges remain. These include ensuring the long‐term survival and safety of bacteria, developing new chassis microbes and gene editing techniques for non‐model strains, minimising potential toxicity, and understanding bacterial interactions with the host microbiota. This mini‐review examines the current state of engineered bacteria and microbial consortia in disease diagnosis and treatment, highlighting advancements, challenges, and future directions in this promising field.
Allocation of internal cash flow when firms pay less tax: The role of state ownership and political connections
Authors: Cao Yuqiang , Chen Xikai , Lu Meiting , Shan Yaowen 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThis paper investigates the allocation of internal cash flow among Chinese firms. Compared to their US peers, Chinese firms are less likely to use tax‐related cash for investments, particularly in marketable securities, or to increase cash balance; instead, they mainly use tax‐related cash to reduce their reliance on external financing. Further tests show the differences in cash allocation between Chinese and US firms are more pronounced among Chinese non‐state owned enterprises and firms without political connections. The results highlight the importance of governmental connections in mitigating tax repayment risks and enhancing the flexibility of internal cash allocation.
Identification of a global gene expression signature associated with the genetic risk of catastrophic fracture in iPSC‐derived osteoblasts from Thoroughbred horses
Authors: Palomino Lago Esther , Ross Amy K. C. , McClellan Alyce , Guest Deborah J. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBone fractures are a significant problem in Thoroughbred racehorses. The risk of fracture is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. To determine the biological processes that are affected in genetically susceptible horses, we utilised polygenic risk scoring to establish induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from horses at high and low genetic risk. RNA‐sequencing on iPSC‐derived osteoblasts revealed 112 genes that were significantly differentially expressed. Forty‐three of these genes have known roles in bone, 27 are not yet annotated in the equine genome and 42 currently have no described role in bone. However, many of the proteins encoded by the known and unknown genes have reported interactions. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes were overrepresented in processes regulating the extracellular matrix and pathways known to be involved in bone remodelling and bone diseases. Gene set enrichment analysis also detected numerous biological processes and pathways involved in glycolysis with the associated genes having a higher expression in the iPSC‐osteoblasts from horses with low polygenic risk scores for fracture. Therefore, the differentially expressed genes may be relevant for maintaining bone homeostasis and contribute to fracture risk. A deeper understanding of the consequences of mis‐regulation of these genes and the identification of the DNA variants which underpin their differential expression may reveal more about the molecular mechanisms which are involved in equine bone health and fracture risk.
Mature‐Aged People in the Rural Health Workforce System: A Systems Modelling Approach
Authors: Quilliam Claire , Thompson Jason , Crawford Nicole , McKinstry Carol , Chambers Aaron , Bhat Ravi , Stanbrook Leigh 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe median age of people in rural areas is older than those living in metropolitan areas. Harnessing the potential of the mature‐aged population in rural communities may present a uniquely sustainable approach to strengthening the rural health workforce system. The objective of this study was to map the rural health workforce system in Australia and identify the current and potential role of mature‐aged people in the workforce system.SettingNot applicable.ParticipantsNot applicable.DesignSystems thinking, specifically causal loop diagramming.ResultsThe causal loop diagram illustrates the interrelated variables in the rural health workforce system. It also illustrates that the potential contribution of mature‐aged people living in rural communities has been overlooked in the strategies to address the rural workforce undersupply.ConclusionHealth workforces in regional, rural and remote communities in Australia have experienced constant undersupply despite ongoing government and community effort. Novel approaches are required to determine potential strategies to harness the capacity of rural mature‐aged people to strengthen the rural health workforce.
Trends in childhood asthma in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden
Authors: Gehrt Lise , Vahlkvist Signe , Petersen Thomas Houmann , Englund Hélène , Nieminen Heta , Laake Ida , Kofoed Poul‐Erik , Feiring Berit , Benn Christine Stabell , Trogstad Lill , Sørup Signe 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAimEstimate the incidence of asthma among children aged 0 to 15 years in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden during 2000–2017.MethodsCases of preschool asthma (up to 6 years) and school‐age asthma (from 6 years) were identified through national registers using an algorithm including hospital diagnoses and prescription medicines. The respective cumulative incidence (CI) was estimated in 1‐year age intervals for each country and birth year.ResultsThe CI of algorithm‐based preschool asthma peaked for the birth cohorts 2008 or 2009 at 14.8% in Denmark, 11.0% in Finland, 15.1% in Norway and 13.7% in Sweden. For later birth cohorts, a slight decrease was observed. The CI of school‐age asthma was 7.1% in Denmark, 10.5% in Finland, 9.7% in Norway and 10.2% in Sweden (children born in 2002). A slight decline over time was seen in Denmark and Norway, and a slight increase in Sweden and Finland.ConclusionFinland had a markedly lower CI of preschool asthma and Denmark lower CI of school‐age asthma as estimated by prescriptions and hospital diagnoses. Preschool asthma may have plateaued in the Nordic countries. For school‐age asthma trends over time varied by country. Differences in diagnostic and prescription practices may have influenced the results.
Association Between Child Varicella Vaccination and Zoster in Household Adults: A Retrospective Japanese Cohort Study
Authors: Sato So , Ono Sachiko , Sasabuchi Yusuke , Michihata Nobuaki , Uemura Kohei , Yasunaga Hideo 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAimSome countries are hesitant to implement routine varicella vaccination for children because of concerns over the exogenous boosting hypothesis, which suggests that vaccinating children may increase herpes zoster cases in adults. However, substantial evidence supporting this hypothesis is lacking. This study assessed the association between a child's varicella vaccination status and herpes zoster occurrence in adults in the same household.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analysed data from a Japanese city between April 2014 and December 2022. We included individuals aged ≥ 18 years living in households with a single child eligible for varicella vaccination. Children's vaccination status was categorised as unvaccinated, first‐dose vaccinated or second‐dose vaccinated. Cox regression analysis with time‐dependent exposure assessed herpes zoster incidence in adults.ResultsAmong 4023 eligible individuals, 136 (3.4%) developed herpes zoster over the median follow‐up of 552 days. Neither the first nor the second dose of varicella vaccine in children was significantly associated with an increased risk of herpes zoster in adults (hazard ratio 1.24 [95% confidence interval, 0.69–2.23] for the first dose and 1.51 [0.87–2.62] for the second dose).ConclusionVaricella vaccination in households with a single child was not significantly associated with an increased risk of herpes zoster in adults.
Prebiotics as modulators of colonic calcium and magnesium uptake
Authors: Stumpff Friederike , Manneck David 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCa2+ and Mg2+ are essential nutrients, and deficiency can cause serious health problems. Thus, lack of Ca2+ and Mg2+ can lead to osteoporosis, with incidence rising both in absolute and age‐specific terms, while Mg2+ deficiency is associated with type II diabetes. Prevention via vitamin D or estrogen is controversial, and the bioavailability of Ca2+ and Mg2+ from supplements is significantly lower than that from milk products. Problems are likely to increase as populations age and the number of people on vegan diets surges. Developing new therapeutic strategies requires a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in absorption by intestinal epithelia. The vitamin‐D dependent, active pathway for the uptake of Ca2+ from the upper small intestine involving TRPV6 is highly efficient but only accounts for about 20% of total uptake. Instead, most Ca2+ uptake is thought to occur via passive paracellular diffusion across the ileum, although sufficiently high luminal concentrations are difficult to achieve.. Interestingly, colon and caecum also have a considerable capacity for the active absorption of Ca2+ and Mg2+, the molecular mechanisms of which are unclear. Intriguingly, stimulating fermentation by prebiotics enhances colonic absorption, which can rise from ~10% to ~30% of the total. Notably, fermentation releases protons, which inhibits channels highly selective for Ca2+ and Mg2+ (TRPV6 and TRPM6/TRPM7). Conversely, the non‐selective cation channel TRPV3 is stimulated by both intracellular acidification and by numerous herbal compounds. Spicy, fiber‐rich food, as traditionally consumed in many cultures, might enhance the uptake of Ca2+ and Mg2+ via this pathway.
Postnatal development of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide‐expressing GABAergic interneurons in mouse somatosensory cortex
Authors: Simacek Clara A. , Kirischuk Sergei , Mittmann Thomas 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAimDespite dysfunctional vasoactive intestinal polypeptide‐positive interneurons (VIP‐INs) being linked to the emergence of neurodevelopmental disorders, the temporal profile of VIP‐IN functional maturation and cortical network integration remains unclear.MethodsPostnatal VIP‐IN development was traced with patch clamp experiments in the somatosensory cortex of Vip‐IRES‐cre x tdTomato mice. Age groups were chosen during barrel field formation, before and after activation of main sensory inputs, and in adult animals (postnatal days (P) P3–4, P8–10, P14–16, and P30–36).ResultsChanges in passive and active membrane properties show a maturation towards accelerated signal integrations. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs and IPSCs) showed progressive VIP‐IN integration into cortical networks, likely via synaptogenesis: mEPSC frequency increased before P8–10, while mIPSC frequency increased at P14–16. Only mIPSC kinetics became accelerated, and the E/I ratio of synaptic inputs, defined as a ratio of mEPSC to mIPSC charge transfer, remained constant throughout the investigated developmental stages. Evoked (e)EPSCs and (e)IPSCs showed increased amplitudes, while only eIPSCs demonstrated faster kinetics. eEPSCs and eIPSCs revealed a paired‐pulse facilitation by P14–16, indicating probably a decrease in the presynaptic release probability (pr) and a paired‐pulse depression in adulthood. eIPSCs also showed the latter, suggesting a decrease in pr for both signal transmission pathways at this time point.ConclusionsVIP‐INs mature towards faster signal integration and pursue different strategies to avoid overexcitation. Excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission become stronger and shorter via different pre‐ and postsynaptic alterations, likely promoting the execution of active whisking.
Machine learning‐based blood pressure estimation using impedance cardiography data
Authors: Bothe T. L. , Patzak A. , Opatz O. S. , Heinz V. , Pilz N. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractObjectiveAccurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is crucial for the diagnosis, risk assessment, treatment decision‐making, and monitoring of cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, cuff‐based BP measurements suffer from inaccuracies and discomfort. This study is the first to access the feasibility of machine learning‐based BP estimation using impedance cardiography (ICG) data.MethodsWe analyzed ICG data from 71 young and healthy adults. Nine different machine learning algorithms were evaluated for their BP estimation performance against quality controlled, oscillometric (cuff‐based), arterial BP measurements during mental (Trier social stress test), and physical exercise (bike ergometer). Models were optimized to minimize the root mean squared error and their performance was evaluated against accuracy and regression metrics.ResultsThe multi‐linear regression model demonstrated the highest measurement accuracy for systolic BP with a mean difference of −0.01 mmHg, a standard deviation (SD) of 10.79 mmHg, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 8.20 mmHg, and a correlation coefficient of r = 0.82. In contrast, the support vector regression model achieved the highest accuracy for diastolic BP with a mean difference of 0.15 mmHg, SD = 7.79 mmHg, MEA = 6.05 mmHg, and a correlation coefficient of r = 0.51.ConclusionThe study demonstrates the feasibility of ICG‐based machine learning algorithms for estimating cuff‐based reference BP. However, further research into limiting biases, improving performance, and standardized validation is needed before clinical use.
Ca2+ excitability of glia to neuromodulator octopamine in Drosophila living brain is greater than that of neurons
Authors: Černe Urška , Horvat Anemari , Sanjković Ena , Kozoderc Nika , Kreft Marko , Zorec Robert , Scholz Nicole , Vardjan Nina 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAimOctopamine in the Drosophila brain has a neuromodulatory role similar to that of noradrenaline in mammals. After release from Tdc2 neurons, octopamine/tyramine may trigger intracellular Ca2+ signaling via adrenoceptor‐like receptors on neural cells, modulating neurotransmission. Octopamine/tyramine receptors are expressed in neurons and glia, but how each of these cell types responds to octopamine remains elusive. This study aimed to characterize Ca2+ responses of neurons and astrocytes to neuromodulatory octopamine signals.MethodsWe expressed Ca2+ indicator jGCaMP7b in specific cell type in adult Drosophila brains and performed intracellular Ca2+ imaging in the brain optic lobes upon bath application of octopamine by confocal microscopy.ResultsOctopamine‐stimulated Ca2+ responses in neurons were different from those of glial cells. The amplitude of octopamine‐mediated Ca2+ signals in neurons was 3.4‐fold greater than in astrocytes. However, astrocytes were more sensitive to octopamine; the median effective concentration that triggered Ca2+ responses was nearly 6‐fold lower in astrocytes than in neurons. In both cell types, Ca2+ transients are shaped by Gq and Gs protein‐coupled octopamine/tyramine receptors. Our snRNA‐seq database screening uncovered differential expression patterns of these receptors between brain cell types, which may explain the difference in Ca2+ signaling.ConclusionIn the brain optic lobes, astrocytes, not neurons, appear to be the sole responders to low concentration octopamine signals, and therefore likely drive synaptic plasticity and visual processing. Given the interconnectivity of the optic lobes with other brain regions, octopaminergic signals acting through the optic lobe astrocytes may also influence higher‐order brain functions including learning and memory.
Potential role of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in the amygdala in mitigating stress‐induced high blood pressure via exercise in rats
Authors: Tomita Keisuke , Yamanaka Ko , Nguyen Thu Van , Kim Jimmy , Pham Linh Thuy , Kobayashi Toru , Gouraud Sabine S. , Waki Hidefumi 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAimChronic stress elevates blood pressure, whereas regular exercise exerts antistress and antihypertensive effects. However, the mechanisms of stress‐induced hypertension and preventive effects through exercise remain unknown. Thus, we investigated the molecular basis involved in autonomic blood pressure regulation within the amygdala.MethodsThe effects of a 3‐week restraint stress and daily voluntary exercise against stress on cardiovascular parameters and gene expression profiles in the amygdala were examined using a microarray method. Candidate genes were selected from differentially expressed genes; the localization of their expression within the central nucleus of the amygdala and their roles in cardiovascular regulation were examined using small‐interfering RNA transfection and radiotelemetry.ResultsChronic restraint stress caused an increase in blood pressure levels; however, with voluntary exercise, the blood pressure levels remained comparable to those of the controls. Compared with the controls, chronic restraint stress decreased signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 expression in the amygdala, whereas voluntary exercise improved its expression to normal levels. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in neurons of the amygdala; inhibition of this expression using small‐interfering RNA increased the arterial pressure. However, spontaneous baroreflex gain and low‐ and high‐frequency components of heart rate variability remained unaffected by the inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3.ConclusionIn the amygdala, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 regulates the blood pressure levels and is possibly involved in blood pressure elevation in response to chronic stress and its improvement by voluntary exercise.
Left superior cervical ganglia lymph node mimicry and its role in rat ventricular arrhythmias following myocardial infarction
Authors: Yu Qingxia , Li Yan , Yan Wenju , Han Weizhong , Liu Qian , Zhang Junyi , Li Xiaolu , Shi Yugen , Wang Yu , Yin Jie , Yan Suhua 
Published: January 2025

AbstractAimSympathetic overactivation may lead to severe ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) post‐myocardial infarction (MI). The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is an extracardiac sympathetic ganglion which regulates cardiac autonomic tone. We aimed to investigate the characteristics and functional significance of SCG on neuro‐cardiac communication post‐MI.MethodsConstructed MI rat model by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, and electrophysiological, SCG sympathetic nerve activity testing, echocardiography and histology study were performed. The proteins and gene expression were detected using RNA‐seq, spatial transcriptomics, quantitative PCR, and western blotting.ResultsThe SCG neuronal remodeling was recognized by significant increase in adrenergic tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) (+) neurons and decrease in neuronal size. Top differentially expressed genes enriched in pro‐inflammatory profile and nerve regulatory factor in left SCG (LSCG) post‐MI. Interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6 increased significantly at Day 3, ahead of nerve growth factor (NGF) which peaked at Day 7 post‐MI. Spatial transcriptomics further identified the relativity of TH enrichment with macrophages and cytokines. Therapeutic LSCG‐ectomy successfully triggered cardiac denervation and improved VA vulnerability. Eventually, cardiac denervation attenuated macrophage/mast cell infiltration at para‐infarct regions, thus improved cardiac dysfunction. Mechanism study revealed that genetic knockdown of NGF receptor trkA in LSCG reversed sympathetic remodeling and cardiac inflammation, which may be partially mediated by substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP).ConclusionExtracardiac sympathetic LSCG remodeling participated in arrhythmogenesis and cardiac inflammation/function post‐MI. NGF bridged neuro‐immune crosstalk between pro‐inflammatory shifting and sympathetic overdrive. Targeting LSCG modification facilitated cardiac protection and prevented VAs post‐MI.