bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Profiles of testosterone and pre-androgens and sexual function in premenopausal women
Authors: Werner Marlene A , Van Lissa Caspar J , Both Stephanie , Skiba Marina A , Bell Robin J , Davis Susan R 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
There is inconsistent evidence as to the role of testosterone and pre-androgens in premenopausal female sexual function, and reported associations between blood concentrations of these hormones and female sexual function vary in strength.

Aim
To examine the patterns of testosterone and pre-androgen concentrations and variations in sexual function in premenopausal eumenorrheic women.

Methods
This was a secondary analysis of a sample of 588 premenopausal eumenorrheic women from the Grollo-Ruzzene Foundation Young Women’s Health Study. Socio-demographics, health information, and questionnaire data were collected using online surveys. Eligible women were invited to provide a blood sample. We ran latent profile analysis (LPA) and subsequent analyses in R using RStudio.

Outcomes
Indicator variables in the LPA included sexual arousal and desire domains of the Profile of Female Sexual Function and testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione, measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results
Analyses resulted in a pattern of 3 latent classes. Classes reporting relatively lower and higher sexual arousal (LPA-derived means and 95% CIs: -0.79 [-1.24; -0.34] and 0.62 [0.51; 0.72]) did not differ significantly in sex steroid concentrations (testosterone: -0.21 [-0.38; -0.03] and -0.33 [-0.47; -0.20]; DHEA: -0.47 [-0.57; -0.37] and -0.26 [-0.39; -0.13]; androstenedione: -0.36 [-0.50; -0.22] and -0.39 [-0.49; -0.29]), while the class reporting relatively medium arousal (-0.11 [-0.31; 0.08]) showed the highest testosterone, DHEA, and androstenedione concentrations (testosterone: 0.8 [0.60; 1.01]; DHEA: 0.99 [0.76; 1.23]; androstenedione: 1.08 [0.88; 1.29]). There were no significant differences in sexual desire between classes (-0.08 [-0.23; 0.06]; 0.00 [-0.13; 0.14]; 0.10 [-0.09; 0.30]) differing significantly in sex steroid concentrations (-0.69 [-0.80; -0.58], -0.04 [-0.15; 0.07], 0.94 [0.71; 1.16] for testosterone) nor associations between the sex steroid concentrations and degrees of sexual desire.

Clinical Implications
These findings cast further doubt on the utility of measuring sex steroids for diagnosing female sexual dysfunction in premenopausal eumenorrheic women, even when considered in combination.

Strengths and Limitations
We analyzed a large community sample and controlled for potentially biasing factors. We analyzed sex steroid concentrations determined with gold-standard methodology. Excluding women with early menopause and menstrual dysfunction might have resulted in finding 3, rather than more, latent classes.

Conclusion
Testosterone and pre-androgen profiles do not clearly identify premenopausal eumenorrheic women with low sexual arousal and desire.
Toys in the bedroom: use of sexual devices in partnered sexual activity is associated with higher female orgasmic intensity, arousal, and sexual satisfaction and is not related to psychopathologies
Authors: Sansone Andrea , Mollaioli Daniele , Colonnello Elena , Bandini Camilla , Morello Martina , Marinelli Ginevra , Ciocca Giacomo , Limoncin Erika , Jannini Emmanuele A 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Sex devices are tools that can improve the sexual health of users, but their effects on sexual outcomes in partnered intercourse have rarely been evaluated.

Aim
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between partnered and solitary use of sex devices and different sexual health outcomes among sexually active women aged 18–35 in a heterosexual relationship.

Methods
The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 361 participants between May and June 2023 recruited through a social media campaign. Female sexual function was measured with the Female Sexual Function Index and the Orgasmometer-F. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire and the Dark Future Scale were used to investigate psychological health. Statistical analysis was performed with the statistical software R; the significance level for statistical analyses was set as P &lt; 0.05.

Outcomes
The outcomes of the study include female sexual function and orgasmic intensity, as well as measures of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and uncertainty for the future.

Results
Compared to those who only used sex devices for solitary masturbation, women using sex devices in the context of partnered intercourse had higher arousal and satisfaction scores (P = 0.042 and P = 0.004, respectively), as well as higher subjective perception of orgasmic intensity over the last 6 months (P = 0.005) and in partnered sexual intercourse in the last 4 weeks (P = 0.002). Conversely, orgasmic intensity during masturbation in the last 4 weeks was higher among solitary users (P &lt; 0.001). No significant difference was found between the two study groups for all other outcome measures.

Clinical Implications
The use of sex devices in the context of partnered intercourse is associated with increased sexual function and more intense orgasmic experience.

Strengths & Limitations
The study investigates a novel topic, on a large sample size, by using several validated instruments to measure sexual functioning of participants. However, a definite cause-effect relationship cannot be established due to the study design. Self-report bias and lack of clinical data on study participants are further limitations. Additionally, being a study limited to heterosexual, sexually active women involved in a relationship, results cannot be generalized to all women.

Conclusion
The study found an association between better sexual functioning and use of sex devices in partnered intercourse.
The PEBP genes FLOWERING LOCUS T and TERMINAL FLOWER 1 modulate seed dormancy and size
Authors: Nadal Bigas Judit , Fiers Martijn , van der Wal Froukje , Willems Leo A J , Willemsen Viola , Nijveen Harm , Angenent Gerco C , Immink Richard G H 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP) family members FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TERMINAL FLOWER1 (TFL1) are major regulators of plant reproduction. In Arabidopsis, the FT/TFL1 balance defines the timing of floral transition and the determination of inflorescence meristem identity. However, emerging studies have elucidated a plethora of previously unknown functions for these genes in various physiological processes. Here, we characterized potential roles in seed size and dormancy of FT and TFL1 in Arabidopsis thaliana using CRISPR mutants and reporter analysis. Our findings unveiled a role for TFL1 in seed dormancy while confirming the role of FT in regulating this trait. We showed that the interplay between these two genes in seed dormancy is antagonistic, mirroring their roles in flowering time and inflorescence architecture. Analysis of reporter lines demonstrated that FT and TFL1 are partly co-expressed in seeds. Finally, we showed that total seed yield is affected in these mutants. Together, our results highlight the versatility of these two genes beyond their canonical functions. The impact of FT and TFL1 on seed characteristics emphasizes the significance of approaching gene studies from various perspectives, enabling the identification of multifaceted molecular factors that could play a major role in shaping the future of agriculture.
Lyman-α forest power spectrum and its cross-correlation with dark matter haloes in different astrophysical models
Authors: Nakashima Koichiro , Nishizawa Atsushi J , Nagamine Kentaro , Oku Yuri , Shimizu Ikkoh 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACT
The $\mathrm{Ly}\,\alpha$ forest, a series of H i absorption lines in the quasar spectra, is a powerful tool for probing the large-scale structure of the intergalactic medium. Its three-dimensional (3D) correlation and cross-correlations with quasars allow precise measurements of the baryon acoustic oscillation feature and redshift space distortions at redshifts $z\gt 2$. Understanding small-scale astrophysical phenomena, such as star formation and feedback, is crucial for full-shape analyses. In this study, we measure the 3D auto-power spectrum of the $\mathrm{Ly}\,\alpha$ forest and its cross-power spectrum with haloes using hydrodynamic simulations from the gadget3-osaka code, which includes models for star formation and supernova feedback. Across five astrophysical models, we find $5{\!-\!}10~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ differences among them at $k\gt 2\, h\mathrm{Mpc}^{-1}$ in the $\mathrm{Ly}\,\alpha$ auto-power spectrum. The $\mathrm{Ly}\,\alpha \, \times \,$halo cross-power spectra show even larger deviations, exceeding $10~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. Using the fitting models presented by Arinyo-i-Prats et al. and Givans et al., we jointly fit the $\mathrm{Ly}\,\alpha$ auto- and $\mathrm{Ly}\,\alpha$$\times$ halo cross-power spectra, and assess the accuracy of the estimated $f\sigma _8$ parameter by comparing it with the ground truth from the simulations, varying the maximum wavenumber $k_\mathrm{max}$ and minimum halo mass $M_\mathrm{ h}$. Our results demonstrate that the extended model proposed by Givans et al. provides a good fit to the simulated data at $k_\mathrm{max}\le 3.0\, h\mathrm{Mpc}^{-1}$ for $M_\mathrm{ h}\gt 10^{10.5}\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$. Furthermore, the model accurately reproduces the correct value of $f\sigma _8$, irrespective of the astrophysical models employed. This demonstrates its robustness against variations in astrophysical models.
How low education increases COVID-19 mortality: the mediating role of vaccination, distrust in science, and lack of preventative health behavior
Authors: Zhuo Jie , Harrigan Nicholas 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Previous research shows the significant correlation between low education and COVID-19 mortality in underprivileged communities, even when accounting for factors like poverty and race. The exact mechanisms by which low education gives rise to COVID-19 mortality, however, are less clear.

Methods
We propose that low education predicts COVID-19 morality because low education gives rise to a less engaged, less agentic approach to one’s own healthcare. We operationalize low engagement and low agentic behavior as four variables that mediate the effect of low education on COVID-19 mortality: (i) vaccination, (ii) distrust of science (Republican vote), (iii) poor health, and (iv) prevention. We model COVID-19 mortality in 3108 counties of the United States, using deaths across 60 fortnights.

Main Results
All four indicators of an agentic, engaged approach to health are statistically significant mediators of the relationship between low education and COVID-19 mortality: vaccination [IRR = 1.02; (1.02, 1.03)]; Republican vote [IRR: 1.07; (1.06, 1.09)]; poor health [IRR: 1.01; (1.01, 1.02)]; and prevention [IRR: 1.00, (1.001, 1.003)].

Discussion
These findings suggest that low level of formal education predicts mortality from COVID-19 because low levels of education gives rise to a less engaged and less agentic approach to one’s own health.
Clustering of obesogenic behaviours amongst 140 052 South American adolescents: a harmonized meta-analysis of national health surveys
Authors: Matias Thiago Sousa , de Oliveira Araujo Raphael Henrique , Tassitano Rafael Miranda , Ramírez-Vélez Robinson , Sadarangani Kabir P , Ywgne José , Gaia Jhonatan Wélington Pereira , de Jesus Gilmar Mercês , da Silva Danilo Rodrigues Pereira 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and diet synergically coexist (in different ways) within adolescents’ lifestyles. Thus, understanding obesogenic behaviour patterns within populations is critical to promoting adolescents’ health. This study investigates clustering patterns of adolescents’ obesogenic behaviours across South American countries.

Methods
The present work is a harmonized analysis of 10 national representative cross-sectional health surveys investigating adolescents’ risk and protective factors for non-communicable diseases. The surveys used questionnaires, and three obesogenic behaviours were analyzed for cluster formation (physical activity, sitting time, and diet). Sociodemographic variables were sex, age, and food insecurity. The Two-step cluster, the Rao-Scott chi-square test, and a meta-analysis were performed for data analysis.

Results
Three to four cluster solutions were identified in each country, and most clusters are unhealthy. The All-day sitters-very poor diet cluster was observed in Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Chile, Guyana, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador, with a pooled prevalence of 17.8% (95% CI:15.0; 20.7) amongst South American countries, with the highest prevalence observed in Argentina [26.8% (95% CI: 26.7; 26.9)]. Girls were more likely to belong to the unhealthiest clusters.

Conclusions
The lifestyle behaviours of South American adolescents coexist negatively, and there is a severe obesogenic risk for this population. The synergy between physical inactivity and poor/very poor diet was clustered together in all countries, and our analysis did not reveal any natural healthy clusters. Furthermore, girls are at a disadvantage, given that they are the majority in clusters with unhealthy profiles in South America.
Auxin treatment reduces inflorescences number and delays bud development in the alternate bearing Citrus cultivar Murcott mandarin
Authors: Haim Dor , Pochamreddy Madhuri , Doron-Faigenboim Adi , Kamara Itzahk , Ben-Ari Giora , Sadka Avi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Specific cultivars of many commercial fruit tree undergo cycles of heavy fruit load (ON-crop) one year, followed by low fruit load (OFF-crop) the next (termed alternate bearing). Fruit load may affect flowering at various developmental stages, and its presence is suggested to generate a flowering-inhibitory signal. In a previous report, we showed that the presence of fruit induces polar auxin transport from the fruit into the stem, interfering with indole acetic acid (IAA) release from the bud, and thus elevating its levels in the bud meristem. To better understand the relationship between auxin homeostasis in the bud and flowering, IAA or 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were applied with the polar auxin transport blocker 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) to OFF-crop ‘Murcott’ mandarin trees during the flowering-induction period. The treatment reduced inflorescences number and delayed bud development. Transcriptome analysis following the treatment revealed a reduction in the expression of a few flowering-control genes, including LEAFY and SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE. In addition, genes related to carbohydrate metabolism were reduced. We suggest that the elevation of auxin levels in the bud by heavy fruit load directly affects the expression of flowering-control, flower-development, and developmental genes.
Evaluating ASC-4 Transfer Rates in Cataract Surgery: Insights into Timing and Causes of Hospital Transfers
Authors: Stange Nicholas R. , Rauen Matthew P. 
Published: January 2025

Purpose:
To describe the causes, timing, and contributing factors of direct hospital transfer cases from an ophthalmology-specific ambulatory surgery center and to identify potential strategies for decreasing future transfers.

Setting:
A large ophthalmology surgery center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Design:
Retrospective review.

Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed on patients requiring hospital transfer from a Midwest ophthalmology-specific surgery center from March 2022 through July 2024. Variables reviewed included patient demographics, comorbidities, prior surgeries/surgical complications, results of pre-operative physical exams, type of surgery and anesthesia performed, the type and timing of each complication, and the reasons for transfer. Each transfer was assessed for its necessity, preventability, and outcome.

Results:
A total of 22 patients required hospital transfer out of 24,960 admissions for a rate of 0.88 per 1,000 admissions (95% CI: 0.58-1.33). Only 5 (23%) transfer cases were temporally related to anesthesia or surgery. The other 17 (77%) had concerns first noted prior to the induction of anesthesia. Nine (41%) of the surgeries were completed, 1 (5%) partially completed, and the remaining 12 (55%) surgeries were cancelled. The reasons for transfer were largely cardiac and/or blood pressure related (18/22, 82%). Nearly a third of the transfers (7/22, 32%) were considered preventable.

Conclusion:
Hospital transfers from ASCs are rare and all-cause hospital transfer rates may overestimate the true risk of ocular surgery. Most patients requiring hospital transfer were identified in the pre-operative area. Greater attention to preoperative physical exam reports could potentially prevent some hospital transfers.
A Preliminary Application of Bird Surveys Using Environmental DNA Technology: in Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve
Authors: Zhang Song , Ye Xiao , Chen Jiang , Liu Xiao Jun , Jin Tao 
Published: January 2025

AbstractFutian Mangrove Nature Reserve is a vital habitat for birds in Shenzhen city of China, and the diversity of bird species is of considerable concern. Traditional surveys depend on direct observation and expert assessment, necessitating significant manpower for tracking. This study utilized environmental DNA metabarcoding technology to gather 128 environmental samples of water, soil, and air, along with samples of bird feces and feathers collected during the summer and winter of 2023. A total of 72 bird operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. The results revealed variations in bird detection across different environmental samples, with air samples yielding 52 bird OTUs, water samples 29, and soil samples 23. Detected bird OTUs were notably higher in winter samples compared to summer. Additionally, the average number of bird OTUs detected in air samples during summer and winter was 14.9 and 10.1, respectively, significantly exceeding those found in the corresponding water and soil samples. The identification of bird feces and feather samples confirmed the presence of the identified bird species in the environmental samples. This study concludes that environmental DNA technology can serve as a valuable complementary method for monitoring bird diversity, with different environmental samples showing distinct preferences in bird detection.
Triple-effect correction for Cell Painting data with contrastive and domain-adversarial learning
Authors: Yan Chengwei , Zhang Yu , Feng Jiuxin , Hua Heyang , Ruan Zhihan , Li Zhen , Li Siyu , Yan Chaoyang , Li Pingjing , Liu Jian , Chen Shengquan 
Published: January 2025

AbstractCell Painting (CP), as a high-throughput imaging technology, generates extensive cell-stained imaging data, providing unique morphological insights for biological research. However, CP data contains three types of technical effects, referred to as triple effects, including batch effects, gradient-influenced row and column effects (well position effects). The interaction of various technical effects can obscure true biological signals and complicate the characterization of CP data, making correction essential for reliable analysis. Here, we propose cpDistiller, a triple-effect correction method specially designed for CP data, which leverages a pre-trained segmentation model coupled with a semi-supervised Gaussian mixture variational autoencoder utilizing contrastive and domain-adversarial learning. Through extensive qualitative and quantitative experiments across various CP profiles, we demonstrate that cpDistiller effectively corrects triple effects, especially well position effects, a challenge that no current methods address, while preserving cellular heterogeneity. Moreover, cpDistiller effectively captures system-level phenotypic responses to genetic perturbations and reliably infers gene functions and interactions both when combined with scRNA-seq data and independently. cpDistiller also excels at identifying gene and compound targets, which is a critical step in drug discovery and broader biological research.
An improved FLARE system for recording and manipulating neuronal activity
Authors: Zhou Guanwei , Li Ruonan , Bartolik Ola , Ma Yuqian , Wan Wei Wei , Meng Jennifer , Hu Yujia , Ye Bing , Wang Wenjing 
Published: January 2025

SummaryRecording and manipulating neuronal ensembles that underlie cognition and behaviorin vivois challenging. FLARE is a light– and calcium-gated transcriptional reporting system for labeling activated neurons on the order of minutes. However, FLARE is limited by its sensitivity to prolonged neuronal activities. Here, we present an improved version of FLARE, termed cytoFLARE. cytoFLARE incorporates cytosolic expression of the transcription factor and a more sensitive pair of calcium sensing domains. We showed that cytoFLARE provides more calcium– and light-dependent signals in HEK293T cells and higher signal-to-background ratios in neuronal cultures. We further established cytoFLARE transgenicDrosophilamodels and applied cytoFLARE to label activated neurons upon sensory or optogenetic stimulation within a defined time window. Notably, through cytoFLARE-driven expression of an optogenetic actuator, we successfully reactivated neurons involved in the larval nociceptive system. Our findings demonstrate the first characterization and application of time-gated calcium integrators inDrosophila.
Intrinsic Opening of BK Channels Derives from Inherent Leakage in Hydrophobic Gating
Authors: Jia Zhiguang , Zhang Guohui , Shi Jingyi , Cui Jianmin , Chen Jianhan 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe big potassium (BK) channels remain open with a small limiting probability ofPo∼ 10-7at minimal Ca2+and negative voltages < −100 mV. The molecular origin and functional significance of such “intrinsic opening” are not understood. Here we combine atomistic simulations and electrophysiological experiments to show that the intrinsic opening of BK channels is an inherent property of the vapor barrier, generated by hydrophobic dewetting of the BK inner pore in the deactivated state. The vapor barrier only gives rise to a finite free energy barrier, of ∼ 8 kcal/mol, and cannot completely shut down K+flow even when the voltage sensor domains are fully deactivated. This results in the leaking currents that can be measured at negative voltages as the indication of intrinsic opening. The shallow limiting slope ofPoat negative voltages results primarily from the electric field effects on the permeating ion through the vapor barrier. We further demonstrate that the vapor barrier can be perturbed by inner pore mutations and truncation of the cytosolic domains, leading to predicable changes in limiting slope measurements. Therefore, the intrinsic opening in BK channels, and possibly in other ion channels, opens up an opportunity to experimentally study hydrophobic gating. Our results further suggest that intrinsic opening in BK channels is the fundamental basis for the allosteric mechanism of activation by both voltage and Ca2+.