bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High speciation rate of niche specialists in hot springs
Authors: He Qing , Wang Shang , Feng Kai , Michaletz Sean T , Hou Weiguo , Zhang Wenhui , Li Fangru , Zhang Yidi , Wang Danrui , Peng Xi , Yang Xingsheng , Deng Ye 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Ecological and evolutionary processes simultaneously regulate microbial diversity, but the evolutionary processes and their driving forces remain largely unexplored. Here we investigated the ecological and evolutionary characteristics of microbiota in hot springs spanning a broad temperature range (54.8–80 °C) by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes. Our results demonstrated that niche specialists and niche generalists are embedded in a complex interaction of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. On the thermal tolerance niche axis, thermal (T) sensitive (at a specific temperature) versus T-resistant (at least in five temperatures) species were characterized by different niche breadth, community abundance and dispersal potential, consequently differing in potential evolutionary trajectory. The niche-specialized T-sensitive species experienced strong temperature barriers, leading to completely species shift and high fitness but low abundant communities at each temperature (“home niche”), and such trade-offs thus reinforced peak performance, as evidenced by high speciation across temperatures and increasing diversification potential with temperature. In contrast, T-resistant species are advantageous of niche expansion but with poor local performance, as shown by wide niche breadth with high extinction, indicating these niche generalists are “jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none”. Despite of such differences, the T-sensitive and T-resistant species are evolutionarily interacted. Specifically, the continuous transition from T-sensitive to T-resistant species insured the exclusion probability of T-resistant species at a relatively constant level across temperatures. The co-evolution and co-adaptation of T-sensitive and T-resistant species were in line with the red queen theory. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that high speciation of niche specialists could alleviate the environmental-filtering-induced negative effect on diversity.
Super enhancers targeting ZBTB16 in osteogenesis protect against osteoporosis
Authors: Yu Wenhui , Xie Zhongyu , Li Jinteng , Lin Jiajie , Su Zepeng , Che Yunshu , Ye Feng , Zhang Zhaoqiang , Xu Peitao , Zeng Yipeng , Xu Xiaojun , Li Zhikun , Feng Pei , Mi Rujia , Wu Yanfeng , Shen Huiyong 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAs the major cell precursors in osteogenesis, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are indispensable for bone homeostasis and development. However, the primary mechanisms regulating osteogenic differentiation are controversial. Composed of multiple constituent enhancers, super enhancers (SEs) are powerful cis-regulatory elements that identify genes that ensure sequential differentiation. The present study demonstrated that SEs were indispensable for MSC osteogenesis and involved in osteoporosis development. Through integrated analysis, we identified the most common SE-targeted and osteoporosis-related osteogenic gene, ZBTB16. ZBTB16, positively regulated by SEs, promoted MSC osteogenesis but was expressed at lower levels in osteoporosis. Mechanistically, SEs recruited bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) at the site of ZBTB16, which then bound to RNA polymerase II-associated protein 2 (RPAP2) that transported RNA polymerase II (POL II) into the nucleus. The subsequent synergistic regulation of POL II carboxyterminal domain (CTD) phosphorylation by BRD4 and RPAP2 initiated ZBTB16 transcriptional elongation, which facilitated MSC osteogenesis via the key osteogenic transcription factor SP7. Bone-targeting ZBTB16 overexpression had a therapeutic effect on the decreased bone density and remodeling capacity of Brd4fl/flPrx1-cre mice and osteoporosis (OP) models. Therefore, our study shows that SEs orchestrate the osteogenesis of MSCs by targeting ZBTB16 expression, which provides an attractive focus and therapeutic target for osteoporosis.
The efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in patients on concomitant treatment with levetiracetam
Authors: Mavri Alenka , Ilc Sara 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGuidelines do not support the combination of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam, due to potential relevant P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated interaction that might result in decreased DOACs concentrations and increased thromboembolic risk. However, there is no systematic data on the safety of this combination. The aim of this study was to find patients concurrently treated with levetiracetam and DOAC, assess their plasma concentrations of DOAC, and the incidence of thromboembolic events. From our registry of patients on anticoagulation drugs we identified 21 patients concomitantly treated with levetiracetam and DOAC, 19 patients with atrial fibrillation and two patients with venous thromboembolism. Eight patients received dabigatran, 9 apixaban and 4 rivaroxaban. For each subject blood samples were collected for determination of trough DOAC and trough levetiracetam concentrations. The average age was 75 ± 9 years, 84% were males, HAS-BLED score was 1.8 ± 0.8, and in patients with atrial fibrillation CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.6 ± 2.0. The average trough concentration level of levetiracetam was 31.0 ± 34.5 mg/L. Median trough concentrations of DOACs were for dabigatran 72 (range 25–386) ng/mL, for rivaroxaban 47 (range 19–75) ng/mL, and for apixaban 139 (range 36–302) ng/mL. During the observation period of 1388 ± 994 days none of the patients suffered a thromboembolic event. Our results did not demonstrate a reduction in DOACs plasma levels during levetiracetam treatment, suggesting that levetiracetam could not be an important P-gp inducer in humans. DOAC in combination with levetiracetam remained effective therapy to protect against thromboembolic events.
Imaging of atherosclerosis with [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-TATE in a translational head-to-head comparison study with [18F]FDG, and Na[18F]F in rabbits
Authors: Grandjean Constance E. , Pedersen Sune F. , Christensen Camilla , Dibenedetto Altea , Eriksen Thomas , Binderup Tina , Kjaer Andreas 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAtherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the larger arteries that may lead to cardiovascular events. Identification of patients at highest risk of cardiovascular events is challenging, but molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) may prove useful. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare head-to-head three different PET tracers. Furthermore, tracer uptake is compared to gene expression alterations of the arterial vessel wall. Male New Zealand White rabbits (control group; n = 10, atherosclerotic group; n = 11) were used for the study. Vessel wall uptake was assessed with the three different PET tracers: [18F]FDG (inflammation), Na[18F]F (microcalcification), and [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-TATE (macrophages), using PET/computed tomography (CT). Tracer uptake was measured as standardized uptake value (SUV), and arteries from both groups were analyzed ex vivo by autoradiography, qPCR, histology, and immunohistochemistry. In rabbits, the atherosclerotic group showed significantly higher uptake of all three tracers compared to the control group [18F]FDG: SUVmean 1.50 ± 0.11 versus 1.23 ± 0.09, p = 0.025; Na[18F]F: SUVmean 1.54 ± 0.06 versus 1.18 ± 0.10, p = 0.006; and [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-TATE: SUVmean 2.30 ± 0.27 versus 1.65 ± 0.16; p = 0.047. Of the 102 genes analyzed, 52 were differentially expressed in the atherosclerotic group compared to the control group and several genes correlated with tracer uptake. In conclusion, we demonstrated the diagnostic value of [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-TATE and Na[18F]F for identifying atherosclerosis in rabbits. The two PET tracers provided information distinct from that obtained with [18F]FDG. None of the three tracers correlated significantly to each other, but [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-TATE and Na[18F]F uptake both correlated with markers of inflammation. [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-TATE was higher in atherosclerotic rabbits compared to [18F]FDG and Na[18F]F.
Expressive language sampling and outcome measures for treatment trials in fragile X and down syndromes: composite scores and psychometric properties
Authors: Abbeduto Leonard , del Hoyo Soriano Laura , Berry-Kravis Elizabeth , Sterling Audra , Edgin Jamie O. , Abdelnur Nadia , Drayton Andrea , Hoffmann Anne , Hamilton Debra , Harvey Danielle J. , Thurman Angela John 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe lack of psychometrically sound outcome measures has been a barrier to evaluating the efficacy of treatments proposed for core symptoms of intellectual disability (ID). Research on Expressive Language Sampling (ELS) procedures suggest it is a promising approach to measuring treatment efficacy. ELS entails collecting samples of a participant’s talk in interactions with an examiner that are naturalistic but sufficiently structured to ensure consistency and limit examiner effects on the language produced. In this study, we extended previous research on ELS by analyzing an existing dataset to determine whether psychometrically adequate composite scores reflecting multiple dimensions of language can be derived from ELS procedures administered to 6- to 23-year-olds with fragile X syndrome (n = 80) or Down syndrome (n = 78). Data came from ELS conversation and narration procedures administered twice in a 4-week test–retest interval. We found that several composites emerged from variables indexing syntax, vocabulary, planning processes, speech articulation, and talkativeness, although there were some differences in the composites for the two syndromes. Evidence of strong test–retest reliability and construct validity of two of three composites were obtained for each syndrome. Situations in which the composite scores would be useful in evaluating treatment efficacy are outlined.
Real-time measurements of vascular permeability in the mouse eye using vitreous fluorophotometry
Authors: Colé Nadine , Thoele Janina , Ullmer Christoph , Foxton Richard H. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBreakdown of blood-retinal barrier integrity underpins pathological changes in numerous ocular diseases, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Whilst anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies have revolutionised disease treatment, novel therapies are still required to meet patients' unmet needs. To help develop new treatments, robust methods are needed to measure changes in vascular permeability in ocular tissues in animal models. We present here a method for detecting vascular permeability using fluorophotometry, which enables real-time measurements of fluorescent dye accumulation in different compartments of the mouse eye. We applied this method in several mouse models with different increased vascular leakage, including models of uveitis, diabetic retinopathy and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Furthermore, in the JR5558 mouse model of CNV, we observed with anti-VEGF post-treatment a longitudinal reduction in permeability, in the same animal eyes. We conclude fluorophotometry is a useful method for measuring vascular permeability in the mouse eye, and can be used over multiple time points, without the need to sacrifice the animal. This method has the potential to be used in both basic research for studying the progression and factors underlying disease, but also for drug discovery and development of novel therapeutics.
A comparison of peripapillary vessel density between subjects with normal-tension glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma with similar extents of glaucomatous damage
Authors: Lee Min-Woo , Yu Hwa-Young , Park Kee-Sup , Jin Sun-Young , Kim Jin-Soo 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to identify differences in retinal microvasculature impairments between patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and those with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with similar extents of structural and visual field damage. Participants with glaucoma-suspect (GS), NTG, POAG, and normal controls were consecutively enrolled. Peripapillary vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) were compared among the groups. Linear regression analyses were performed to identify the relationship between VD, PD and visual field parameters. The VDs of the full areas were 18.3 ± 0.7, 17.3 ± 1.7, 16.5 ± 1.7, and 15.8 ± 2.3 mm−1 in the control, GS, NTG, and POAG groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The VDs of the outer and inner areas and the PDs of all areas also differed significantly among the groups (all P < 0.001). In the NTG group, the VDs of the full, outer, and inner areas were significantly associated with all visual field parameters including the mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and visual field index (VFI). In the POAG group, the VDs of the full and inner areas were significantly associated with PSD and VFI but not with MD. In conclusion, with similar degrees of retinal nerve fiber layer thinning and visual field damage in both groups, the POAG group showed a lower peripapillary VD and PD than the NTG group. VD and PD were significantly associated with visual field loss.
Oxidative damage contributes to bisphenol S-induced development block at 2-cell stage preimplantation embryos in mice through inhibiting of embryonic genome activation
Authors: Ning Anfeng , Xiao Nansong , Wang Hu , Guan Chunyi , Ma Xu , Xia Hongfei 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAlthough bisphenol S (BPS), as a bisphenol A (BPA) substitute, has been widely used in the commodity, it is embryotoxic in recent experiments. Nowadays, it remains unclear how BPS affects preimplantation embryos. Here, my team investigated the effects of BPS on preimplantation embryos and the possible molecular mechanisms in mice. The results showed that 10–6 mol/L BPS exposure delayed the blastocysts stage, and exposure to 10–4 mol/L BPS induced 2-cell block in mice preimplantation embryos. A significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and antioxidant enzyme genes Sod1, Gpx1, Gpx6, and Prdx2 expression were shown, but the level of apoptosis was normal in 2-cell blocked embryos. Further experiments demonstrated that embryonic genome activation (EGA) specific genes Hsp70.1 and Hsc70 were significantly decreased, which implied that ROS and EGA activation have the potential to block 2-cell development. Antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and folic acid (FA) were used to further explore the roles of ROS and EGA in 2-cell block. Only 1200 U/mL SOD was found to alleviate the phenomenon of 2-cell block, reduce oxidative damage, and restore the expression of EGA-specific genes Hsp70.1 and Hsc70. Conclusively, this study demonstrates for the first time that BPS can induce 2-cell block, which is mainly mediated by ROS aggregation and results in the failure of EGA activation.
Calibration and verification of DEM parameters of wet-sticky feed raw materials
Authors: Peng Fei , Zhang Limei , Li Zhiqiang , Chen Jianming 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn order to improve the accuracy of the parameters needed in the discrete element method (DEM) simulation process of wet-sticky feed raw materials, the JKR contact model in DEM was used to calibrate and verify the physical parameters of wet-sticky feed raw materials. Firstly, the parameters that have a significant effect on the angle of repose were screened using a Plackett–Burman design, and the screened parameters were: MM rolling friction coefficient, MM static friction coefficient, and JKR surface energy. Then, the three screened parameters were selected as the influencing factors and the accumulation angle of repose was selected as evaluating indicator; thus, the performance optimization experiments were carried out with the quadratic orthogonal rotation design. Taking the experimentally measured angle of repose value of 54.25°as the target value, the significance parameters were optimized, and the optimal combination was obtained : MM rolling friction factor was 0.21, MM static friction factor was 0.51, and JKR surface energy was 0.65. Finally, the angle of repose and SPP tests were compared under the calibrated parameters. The results showed that the relative error of experimental and simulated tests in angle of repose was 0.57%, and the compression displacement and compression ratio of the experimental and simulated tests in SPP were 1.01% and 0.95%, respectively, which improved the reliability of the simulated results. The research findings provide a reference basis for simulation study and optimal design of related equipment for feed raw materials.
Experimental study on the reasonable proportions of rock-like materials for water-induced strength degradation in rock slope model test
Authors: Cui Yuan , Xu Chao , Xue Lei , Dong Jinyu , Jiang Tong 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWater-induced strength deterioration of rock mass is a crucial factor for rock slope instability. To better show the degradation process of rock slope water–rock interaction, we used bentonite as a water-sensitive regulator to build a new rock-like material that matches the features of water-induced strength degradation based on the cement-gypsum bonded materials. Twenty-five schemes of the material mixture proportion were designed using the orthogonal design method considering four factors with five variable levels, and a variety of experiments were conducted to obtain physico-mechanical parameters. In addition, one group of rock-like material proportion was selected and applied to the large-scale physical model test. The experiment results reveal that: (1) The failure mode of this rock-like material is highly similar to that of natural rock masses, and the physico-mechanical parameters vary over a wide range; (2) The bentonite content has a significant influence on the density, elastic modulus, and tensile strength of rock-like materials; (3) It is feasible to obtain the regression equation based on the linear regression analysis to determine the proportion of rock-like material; (4) Through application, the new rock-like material can effectively simulate or reveal the startup mechanism and instability characteristics of rock slopes under water-induced degradation. These studies can serve as a guide for the fabrication of rock-like material in the other model tests.
Noncyclic continuous Pancharatnam—Berry phase in dual-beam interference
Authors: Leinonen Aleksi , Hannonen Antti , Partanen Henri , Heikkinen Janne , Setälä Tero , Friberg Ari T. , Hakala Tommi K. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe geometric phase for classical electromagnetic light beams, in its original formulation as introduced by Pancharatnam, concerns fields experiencing cyclic, discrete in-phase polarization-state changes. A similar phase was later recognized by Berry to govern the behavior of adiabatic quantum systems, with consequent extensions to nonadiabatic and noncyclic evolutions of the quantum state. However, no optical counterpart for the noncyclic, adiabatic (continuous) evolution has been demonstrated. Here we employ a modified Young’s two-pinhole setup with controlled pinhole polarizations and intensities to generate on interference an arbitrary continuous spatial evolution of the polarization state, an optical analogue to the adiabatic case. The customized arrangement allows separating at any point the accumulated dynamical and geometric phases from the total phase, enabling a detailed study of the noncyclic Pancharatnam–Berry phase in a continuous transformation. Our theoretical and experimental results are in excellent agreement and consistent with the geodesic rule for noncyclic evolutions.
Exploring Gaussian elimination based solution methods of electric systems using circuit principles
Authors: Duan Tong , Dinavahi Venkata 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn power system simulation, the mathematical solution methods are typically regarded as pure numerical operations, which are independent of the circuit principles. In this letter, it is demonstrated that the computational procedures in the commonly used numerical solution methods for circuit equations are essentially equivalent to the basic principles of electricity. The computational procedures of the representative Gaussian elimination based solution methods (including GE and pivoting method for sparsity of GE/LU) are comprehensively analyzed and their deep relationships with the circuit principles are revealed: the computation process of these mathematics based numerical solution methods can be completely explained using circuit principles. The interesting findings could help understand the computational process of solution methods from the circuit perspective, which may also guide the design of new circuit solution methods.
Lanczos method for spatio‐temporal graph convolutional networks to forecast expressway flow
Authors: Gou Zhumei , Shen Yonggang , Chen Shuifu 
Published: June 2023

AbstractTraffic forecasting has made pronounced progress with the development of graph convolution networks and the use of the topology of road networks. However, existing works face some limitations when it comes to modelling spatial dependencies. For example, pre‐defined graphs rely on global information to establish spatial relationships, and the spatial receptive field is limited by the polynomial convolutional method. To address these limitations, the authors propose the Lanczos method for Spatio‐Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks (LSTGCN); this approach uses the low‐rank approximation theory to drive pre‐defined graphs to collect important information and eliminate spatial redundancy. Additionally, a learnable dynamic graph feature (LDGF) module generates adaptive graphs and perceives the latent invariance‐variability between graph nodes. To further improve the model's ability to capture spatial dependencies and temporal correlations, multi‐span spatial learning is employed for enlarged receptive fields, which can be well integrated into gated recurrent units. The authors conducted baselines comparison and ablation experiments on real‐world datasets, and the findings show that the LSTGCN model outperforms the baselines and improves prediction accuracy. Notably, this work is the first attempt to use graph low‐rank theory for traffic prediction.
Optimization of solvent evaporation method in liposomal nanocarriers loaded‐garlic essential oil (Allium sativum): Based on the encapsulation efficiency, antioxidant capacity, and instability
Authors: Ahmed Salar Ali , Saleem Mahmood Fadhil , Hassanzadeh Hamed 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis study is aimed to optimise the preparation factors, such as sonication time (5–20 min), cholesterol to lecetin ratio (CHLR) (0.2–0.8), and essential oil content (0.1–0.3 g/100 g) in solvent evaporation method for formulation of liposomal nanocarriers containing garlic essential oil (GEO) in order to find the highest encapsulation efficiency and stability with strongest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The droplet size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, turbidity, changes in turbidity after storage (as a measure of instability), antioxidant capacity, and antimicrobial activity were measured for all prepared samples of nanoliposome. The sonication time is recognised as the most effective factor on the droplet size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, turbidity, and instability while CHLR was the most effective factor on zeta potential and instability. The content of GEO significantly affected the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in particular against gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The results of FTIR based on the identification of functional groups confirmed the presence of GEO in the spectra of the prepared nanoliposome and also it was not observed the interaction between the components of the nanoliposome. The overall optimum conditions were determined by response surface methodology (RSM) as the predicted values of the studied factors (sonication time: 18.99 min, CHLR: 0.59 and content of GEO: 0.3 g/100 g) based on obtaining the highest stability and efficiency as well as strongest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.