bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroid stimulating hormone: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shimizu Yuji , Matsuyama Mutsumi , Noguchi Yuko , Takada Midori , Kawashiri Shin-Ya , Fukui Shoichi , Nakamichi Seiko , Nagata Yasuhiro , Maeda Takahiro , Hayashida Naomi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTo maintain normal level of thyroid hormone, especially for free thyroxine (FT4), individuals with latent thyroid gland damage might have required higher thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) than those without latent thyroid gland damage. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) is a main cause of auto-immune thyroiditis, and therefore euthyroid individuals positive for TPO-Ab might have latent damage to the thyroid gland. Therefore, the association between TSH values and TPO-Ab positivity may be useful to determine the influence of latent thyroid gland damage on requirement of TSH. Furthermore, because latent damage of thyroid might elevate TSH level but not FT4 level, those associations should be observed independent from FT4. This cross-sectional study analyzed 1431 Japanese with normal ranges of free triiodothyronine (FT3) and FT4. Since TPO-Ab is associated with atherosclerosis in euthyroid individuals, cardiovascular risk factors might underlie the association between TPO-Ab and TSH values. After adjusting for FT4 and known cardiovascular risk factors, the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of TPO-Ab positivity for logarithmic value of TSH was 1.53 (1.20, 1.95). Essentially the same association was observed when the analysis was restricted to individuals without subclinical hypothyroidism (1.54 [1.15, 2.13]). Euthyroid individuals with latent thyroid gland damage might have increased the requirement of TSH.
Pathogenic Leptospira are widespread in the urban wildlife of southern California
Authors: Helman Sarah K. , Tokuyama Amanda F. N. , Mummah Riley O. , Stone Nathan E. , Gamble Mason W. , Snedden Celine E. , Borremans Benny , Gomez Ana C. R. , Cox Caitlin , Nussbaum Julianne , Tweedt Isobel , Haake David A. , Galloway Renee L. , Monzón Javier , Riley Seth P. D. , Sikich Jeff A. , Brown Justin , Friscia Anthony , Sahl Jason W. , Wagner David M. , Lynch Jessica W. , Prager Katherine C. , Lloyd-Smith James O. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLeptospirosis, the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world, is broadly understudied in multi-host wildlife systems. Knowledge gaps regarding Leptospira circulation in wildlife, particularly in densely populated areas, contribute to frequent misdiagnoses in humans and domestic animals. We assessed Leptospira prevalence levels and risk factors in five target wildlife species across the greater Los Angeles region: striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), raccoons (Procyon lotor), coyotes (Canis latrans), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), and fox squirrels (Sciurus niger). We sampled more than 960 individual animals, including over 700 from target species in the greater Los Angeles region, and an additional 266 sampled opportunistically from other California regions and species. In the five target species seroprevalences ranged from 5 to 60%, and infection prevalences ranged from 0.8 to 15.2% in all except fox squirrels (0%). Leptospira phylogenomics and patterns of serologic reactivity suggest that mainland terrestrial wildlife, particularly mesocarnivores, could be the source of repeated observed introductions of Leptospira into local marine and island ecosystems. Overall, we found evidence of widespread Leptospira exposure in wildlife across Los Angeles and surrounding regions. This indicates exposure risk for humans and domestic animals and highlights that this pathogen can circulate endemically in many wildlife species even in densely populated urban areas.
Representation of rewards differing in their hedonic valence in the caudate nucleus correlates with the performance in a problem-solving task in dogs (Canis familiaris)
Authors: Cuaya Laura V. , Hernández-Pérez Raúl , Andics Attila , Báji Rita , Gácsi Márta , Guilloux Marion , Roche Alice , Callejon Laurence , Miklósi Ádám , Ujfalussy Dorottya Júlia 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe have investigated dogs’ (Canis familiaris) abilities in associating different sounds with appetitive stimuli of different incentive values. The association’s establishment was first tested on family dogs (n = 20) in a problem-solving behavioural paradigm (experiment 1), then in a problem-solving behavioural paradigm as well as an fMRI study on specially trained family dogs (n = 20) (experiment 2). The aim was to show behavioural and parallel neural effects of the association formed between the two sounds and two different associated appetitive stimuli. The latency of solving the problem was considered an indicator of the motivational state. In our first experiment, where only behaviour was studied, we found that dogs were quicker in solving a problem upon hearing the sound associated with food higher in reward value, suggesting that they have successfully associated the sounds with the corresponding food value. In our second experiment, this behaviour difference was not significant. In the fMRI study, the cerebral response to the two sounds was compared both before and after the associative training. Two bilateral regions of interest were explored: the caudate nucleus and the amygdala. After the associative training, the response in the caudate nucleus was higher to the sound related to a higher reward value food than to the sound related to a lower reward value food, which difference was not present before the associative training. We found an increase in the amygdala response to both sounds after the training. In a whole-brain representational similarity analysis, we found that cerebral patterns in the caudate nucleus to the two sounds were different only after the training. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between the dissimilarity index in the caudate nucleus for activation responses to the two sounds and the difference in latencies (i.e. high reward value associated sound condition latency—low reward value associated sound condition latency) to solve the behavioural task: the bigger the difference between the conditions in latency to solve the task, the greater the difference in the neural representation of the two sounds was. In summary, family dogs’ brain activation patterns reflected their expectations based on what they learned about the relationship between two sounds and their associated appetitive stimuli.
Age of epilepsy onset as modulating factor for naming deficit after epilepsy surgery: a voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping study
Authors: Reindl Caroline , Walther Katrin , Allgäuer Anna-Lena , Lang Johannes D. , Welte Tamara M. , Stritzelberger Jenny , Gollwitzer Stephanie , Schwarz Michael , Trollmann Regina , Madzar Dominik , Knott Michael , Doerfler Arnd , Seifert Frank , Rössler Karl , Brandner Sebastian , Rampp Stefan , Schwab Stefan , Hamer Hajo M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAge at onset of epilepsy is an important predictor of deterioration in naming ability following epilepsy surgery. In 141 patients with left hemispheric epilepsy and language dominance who received epilepsy surgery at the Epilepsy Centre Erlangen, naming of objects (Boston naming test, BNT) was assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Surgical lesions were plotted on postoperative MRI and normalized for statistical analysis using voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VBLSM). The correlation between lesion and presence of postoperative naming deterioration was examined varying the considered age range of epilepsy onsets. The VBLSM analysis showed that volumes of cortex areas in the left temporal lobe, which were associated with postoperative decline of naming, increased with each year of later epilepsy onset. In patients with later onset, an increasing left posterior temporobasal area was significantly associated with a postoperative deficit when included in the resection. For late epilepsy onset, the temporomesial expansion also included the left hippocampus. The results underline that early onset of epilepsy is a good prognostic factor for unchanged postoperative naming ability following epilepsy surgery. For later age of epilepsy onset, the extent of the area at risk of postoperative naming deficit at 6 months after surgery included an increasing left temporobasal area which finally also comprised the hippocampus.
Building capacity for estimating fire emissions from tropical peatlands; a worked example from Indonesia
Authors: Krisnawati Haruni , Volkova Liubov , Budiharto Budiharto , Zamzani Franky , Adinugroho Wahyu C. , Qirom Muhammad A. , Weston Christopher J. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTropical peatlands are globally significant in the terrestrial carbon cycle as they are comprised of a large forest carbon sink and a large peat carbon store—both of which can potentially be exchanged with the atmosphere on decadal time frames. Greenhouse gas emissions from fire-disturbance and development of tropical peatlands over the last few decades, and the potential for ongoing emissions, highlights the need for policy to slow or halt emissions and to activate mechanisms to sequester carbon through restoration of degraded peatlands. The UN REDD + scheme provides a means for developing countries to receive payments for avoided deforestation and forest degradation, but the steps to achieve REDD+ compliance are rigorous and the details required can be a barrier to activating benefits—especially for peatlands where repeated cycles of fire interrupt forest recovery and create a range of recovery classes. Therefore, to improve estimates of peat fire emissions and of carbon balance of tropical peatlands, the biomass and combustion factor parameters need to be developed and applied according to forest recovery stage. In this study we use published activity data from the extensive 1997 fires in the peatlands of Indonesian Borneo to detail a transparent and accountable way to estimate and report emissions from tropical peatland fires. This example for estimating and reporting emissions is provided to assist REDD+ countries to efficiently develop their capacity for improving emissions estimates from fire-impacted tropical peatlands.
Small for gestational age and early childhood caries: the BRISA cohort study
Authors: Fernandes Juliana de Kássia Braga , de Sousa Francenilde Silva , Alves Cláudia Maria Coelho , Ribeiro Cecília Cláudia Costa , Simões Vanda Maria Ferreira , Saraiva Maria da Conceição Pereira , Thomaz Erika Barbara Abreu Fonseca 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study tests the hypothesis that children 12–30 months born small for gestational age (SGA) aged are more susceptible to severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). We used data on 865 children aged 12–30 months from a prospective cohort study conducted in a city in the northeast of Brazil. The study outcome was S-ECC, defined based on the proportion of decayed tooth surfaces (cavitated or not). The main exposure variable was SGA, defined according to the Kramer criterion and the INTERGROWTH-21st standard. Direct (SGA → S-ECC) and indirect effects were estimated using structural equation modeling, calculating standardized factor loadings (SFL) and P-values (alpha = 5%). The final models showed a good fit. SGA influenced S-ECC in the direct and indirect paths. In the group of SGA children with 12 or more erupted teeth defined according to the Kramer criterion, the direct effect was positive (SFL = 0.163; P = 0.019); while among all SGA children defined according to the INTERGROWTH-21st standard, the direct effect was negative (SFL =  − 0.711; P < 0.001). Age and number of erupted teeth may influence the occurrence of S-ECC in SGA children, as the number of teeth affects the time of exposure to disease risk factors.
Shelf-life, bioburden, water and oxygen permeability studies of laser welded SEBS/PP blended polymer
Authors: Sundera Murthe Satisvar , Sreekantan Srimala , Mydin Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. , Vasudevan Mugashini , Appaturi Jimmy Nelson 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe most common material used for blood bags is PVC, which requires the addition of DEHP to increase its flexibility. DEHP is known to cross the polymer barrier and move into the stored blood and, ultimately, the patient's bloodstream. In this work, an alternative prototype composed of SEBS/PP was fabricated through blow-moulding and compared with the commercially available PVC-based blood bag which was designated as the control. The blow-moulded sample layers were welded together using CO2 lasers and optimized to obtain complete sealing of the sides. The samples' performance characteristics were analyzed using water permeability, oxygen permeability, shelf-life, and bioburden tests. The SEBS/PP sample exhibited the highest oxygen permeability rate of 1486.6 cc/m2/24 h after 40 days of ageing, indicating that the sample is conducive for red blood cell (RBC) respiration. On the other hand, the SEBS/PP sample showcased a lower water permeability rate of 0.098 g/h m2 after 40 days of aging, indicating a high-water barrier property and thus preventing water loss during storage. In comparison, the oxygen and water permeability rates of PVC-DEHP were found to be distinctly lower in performance (662.7 cc/m2/24 h and 0.221 g/h m2, respectively). In addition, shelf-life analyses revealed that after 40 days of ageing, polymer samples exhibited no visual damage or degradation. The optimal parameters to obtain adequate welding of the SEBS/PP were determined to be power of 60% (18 W), speed of 70 in/sec and 500 Pulse Per Inch (PPI). Furthermore, the bioburden estimates of SEBS/PP of 115 CFU are markedly lower compared to the bioburden estimate of PVC-DEHP of 213 CFU. The SEBS/PP prototype can potentially be an effective alternative to PVC-based blood bags, particularly for high-risk patients in order to reduce the likelihood of medical issues.
Farmyard manure, a potential organic additive to reclaim copper and Macrophomina phaseolina stress responses in mash bean plants
Authors: Akhtar Sundus , Shoaib Amna , Javiad Iqra , Qaisar Uzma , Tasadduq Raazia 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn the era of global warming, stress combinations instead of individual stress are realistic threats faced by plants that can alter or trigger a wide range of plant responses. In the current study, the cumulative effect of charcoal rot disease caused by notorious fungal pathogen viz., Macrophomina phaseolina was investigated under toxic levels of copper (Cu) in mash bean, and farmyard manure (FYM) was employed to manage stress. Therefore, Cu-spiked soil (50 and 100 mg/kg) was inoculated with the pathogen, and amended with 2% FYM, to assess the effect of intricate interactions on mash bean plants through pot experiments. Results demonstrated that the individual stress of the pathogen or Cu was more severe for morpho-growth, physio-biochemical, and expression profiles of stress-related genes and total protein in mash bean plants as compared to stress combinations. Under single Cu stress, a significant amount of Cu accumulated in plant tissues, particularly in roots than in upper ground tissues, while, under stress combination less Cu accumulated in the plants. Nonetheless, 2% FYM in soil encountered the negative effect of stress responses provoked by the pathogen, Cu, or both by improving health markers (photosynthetic pigments, reducing sugar, total phenolics) and oxidative stress markers (catalase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase), together with regulating the expression of stress-related genes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and cytokinin-resistant genes), and proteins, besides decreasing Cu uptake in the plants. FYM worked better at lower concentrations (50 mg/kg) of Cu than at higher ones (100 mg/kg), hence could be used as a suitable option for better growth, yield, and crop performance under charcoal rot disease stress in Cu-contaminated soils.
Targeting transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) using Pirfenidone, a potential repurposing therapeutic strategy in colorectal cancer
Authors: Jamialahmadi Hamid , Nazari Seyedeh Elnaz , TanzadehPanah Hamid , Saburi Ehsan , Asgharzadeh Fereshteh , Khojasteh-Leylakoohi Fatemeh , Alaei Maryam , Mirahmadi Mahdi , Babaei Fatemeh , Asghari Seyedeh Zahra , Mansouri Saeide , Khalili-Tanha Ghazaleh , Maftooh Mina , Fiuji Hamid , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , Ferns Gordon A. , Khazaei Majid , Avan Amir 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe modulating factors within the tumor microenvironment, for example, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), may limit the response to chemo and immunotherapy protocols in colorectal cancer (CRC). In the current study, the therapeutic potential of targeting the TGF-β pathway using Pirfenidone (PFD), a TGF-β inhibitor, either alone or in combination with five fluorouracil (5-FU) has been explored in preclinical models of CRC. The anti-proliferative and migratory effects of PFD were assessed by MTT and wound-healing assays respectively. Xenograft models were used to study the anti-tumor activity, histopathological, and side effects analysis. Targeting of TGF-β resulted in suppression of cell proliferation and migration, associated with modulation of survivin and MMP9/E-cadherin. Moreover, the PFD inhibited TGF-β induced tumor progression, fibrosis, and inflammatory response through perturbation of collagen and E-cadherin. Targeting the TGF-β pathway using PFD may increase the anti-tumor effects of 5-FU and reduce tumor development, providing a new therapeutic approach to CRC treatment.
Gender and culture bias in letters of recommendation for computer science and data science masters programs
Authors: Zhao Yijun , Qi Zhengxin , Grossi John , Weiss Gary M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLetters of Recommendation (LORs) are widely utilized for admission to both undergraduate and graduate programs, and are becoming even more important with the decreasing role that standardized tests play in the admissions process. However, LORs are highly subjective and thus can inject recommender bias into the process, leading to an inequitable evaluation of the candidates’ competitiveness and competence. Our study utilizes natural language processing methods and manually determined ratings to investigate gender and cultural differences and biases in LORs written for STEM Master’s program applicants. We generate features to measure important characteristics of the LORs and then compare these characteristics across groups based on recommender gender, applicant gender, and applicant country of origin. One set of features, which measure the underlying sentiment, tone, and emotions associated with each LOR, is automatically generated using IBM Watson’s Natural Language Understanding (NLU) service. The second set of features is measured manually by our research team and quantifies the relevance, specificity, and positivity of each LOR. We identify and discuss features that exhibit statistically significant differences across gender and culture study groups. Our analysis is based on approximately 4000 applications for the MS in Data Science and MS in Computer Science programs at Fordham University. To our knowledge, no similar study has been performed on these graduate programs.
Objective analysis of partial three-dimensional rotator cuff muscle volume and fat infiltration across ages and sex from clinical MRI scans
Authors: Riem Lara , Blemker Silvia S. , DuCharme Olivia , Leitch Elizabeth B. , Cousins Matthew , Antosh Ivan J. , Defoor Mikalyn , Sheean Andrew J. , Werner Brian C. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjective analysis of rotator cuff (RC) atrophy and fatty infiltration (FI) from clinical MRI is limited by qualitative measures and variation in scapular coverage. The goals of this study were to: develop/evaluate a method to quantify RC muscle size, atrophy, and FI from clinical MRIs (with typical lateral only coverage) and then quantify the effects of age and sex on RC muscle. To develop the method, 47 full scapula coverage CTs with matching clinical MRIs were used to: correct for variation in scan capture, and ensure impactful information of the RC is measured. Utilizing this methodology and automated artificial intelligence, 170 healthy clinical shoulder MRIs of varying age and sex were segmented, and each RC muscle’s size, relative contribution, and FI as a function of scapula location were quantified. A two-way ANOVA was used to examine the effect of age and sex on RC musculature. The analysis revealed significant (p < 0.05): decreases in size of the supraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis with age; decreased supraspinatus and increased infraspinatus relative contribution with age; and increased FI in the infraspinatus with age and in females. This study demonstrated that clinically obtained MRIs can be utilized for automatic 3D analysis of the RC. This method is not susceptible to coverage variation or patient size. Application of methodology in a healthy population revealed differences in RC musculature across ages and FI level between sexes. This large database can be used to reference expected muscle characteristics as a function of scapula location and could eventually be used in conjunction with the proposed methodology for analysis in patient populations.
Omarigliptin inhibits brain cell ferroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Zhang Yan , Liu Yang , Yong V. Wee , Xue Mengzhou 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIntracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a disastrous disease without effective treatment. An extensive body of evidence indicate that neuronal ferroptosis is a key contributor to neurological disfunctions after ICH. Omarigliptin, also known as MK3102, is an anti-diabetic drug that inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP4). Recently, MK3102 is reported to exhibit anti-ferroptosis and anti-oxidative effects in different pathological conditions. However, the anti-ferroptosis ability of MK3102 in ICH injury is unknown. Hemin was administrated to model ICH injury in cultured primary cortical neurons, and collagenase VII was used to induce ICH in C57BL/6 mice. MK3102 was administered after ICH. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was applied to detect cell viability. Neurological functions were assessed through the Focal deficits neurological scores and corner test. HE and TUNEL staining was applied to evaluate brain damage areas and cell death, respectively. Ferroptosis was evaluated in cultured neurons by fluorescent probe DCFH-DA, FerroOrange, Liperfluo and immunofluorescence of GPX4, AIFM2 and FACL4. Perls staining was performed to visualize Fe3+ deposition. Ferroptosis-related proteins in mouse brain were measured by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. MK3102 reduced the neurotoxicity of hemin in cultured primary cortical neurons. It improved neurological functions associated with a decrease in the number of dead neurons and the area of brain damage after ICH in mice. Moreover, MK3102 prominently upregulated glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) levels after ICH. In addition, the elevation of iron content, lipid peroxidation and FACL4 after ICH; and reduction of GPX4 and AIFM2; were mitigated by MK3102 in vitro and in vivo. The neuroprotective effect of MK3102 may be related to anti-ferroptosis by regulating GLP-1R after ICH injury.