bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low‐density lipoproteins, resveratrol and quercetin as alternative additives to improve boar semen cooling
Authors: González Darío , Rojas Mauricio , Rojano Benjamín , Restrepo Giovanni 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLow‐density lipoproteins (LDL), quercetin (Q) and resveratrol (R) have been used for sperm preservation to improve sperm quality in different species. To evaluate the effects of LDL, Q and R during the cooling of boar semen. Fifteen boar semen samples were diluted in a BTS extender supplemented with the treatments: LDL at 6%, Q at 10 μM (Q10), 30 μM (Q30) and 50 μM (Q50), or R at 10 μM (R10), 30 μM (R30) and 50 μM. A control without supplementation was included. The semen was stored by cooling at 16°C for 96 h. Every 24 h, sperm motility and kinetics were evaluated using a computer‐assisted sperm analyzer (IVOS). At 24 and 96 h of cooling, functional membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM) of sperm were evaluated by the hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) an flow cytometry with JC‐1 probe, respectively, LDL improved progressive motility of sperm during cooling. Likewise, LDL increased average path velocity (VAP) and straight‐line velocity (VSL) and/or curvilinear velocity (VCL) during the first 48 h of cooling. The use of Q between 10 and 30 μM caused a reduction in total motility, progressive motility and amplitude of the lateral head displacement during the entire cooling period, as well as a decrease in VAP, VSL and VCL at 96 h of cooling. LDL, Q10, Q30 and Q50 modulated mitochondrial activity by reducing high‐ΔΨM sperm at 0 and 96 h of cooling. During the cooling of the boar semen prior to artificial insemination, the parameters of sperm quality that could influence fertility decrease; however, the inclusion of antioxidants and additives that protect the plasma membrane, such as LDL, could mitigate the damaging effects on spermatozoa. It is concluded that LDL can improve the motility and kinetics of boar semen during cooling while it could modulating the sperm's mitochondrial activity. On the contrary, Q could alter the motility and kinetics of boar sperm during the cooling period.
Why do U.S. conservatives take fewer COVID‐19 precautions? The role of worry, perceived risk, and governmental trust
Authors: Helweg‐Larsen Marie , Peterson Laurel M. , DiMuccio Sarah H. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractResearch suggests a U.S. political ideology gap for taking COVID‐19 precautions, but we do not know the role of cognitive risk (assessed here as perceived risk) and affective risk (assessed here as worry) in explaining why conservative Americans participated in fewer recommended precautions (e.g., mask wearing) and whether governmental trust attenuates the effect. We predicted that conservatives (compared with liberals) would take fewer precautions because they thought they were less at risk and were less worried about COVID‐19, but that this would be more pronounced for those with low governmental trust. In this study, U.S. adults (representative sample: N = 738; Mage = 46.8; 52% women; 78% white) who had not had COVID‐19 took two online surveys 2 weeks apart during the first wave of the pandemic (April 2020). Participants reported ideology, perceived risk of getting or dying of COVID‐19, worry about COVID‐19, and trust in the CDC and state officials at baseline. At follow‐up, participants reported on COVID‐19 precautions: (1) prevention behavior participation (e.g., mask wearing) and (2) behavioral willingness for future behaviors (e.g., vaccination). Results showed that, politically conservative Americans took fewer precautions due to lower worry (but unexpectedly not due to lower perceived risk). As predicted, when trust was high, the ideology gap was muted for predicting precautions as well as for predicting perceived risk and worry. In sum, conservatives worried less about COVID‐19 which predicted fewer precautions, but trust in governmental institutions reduced this ideological gap. Improving governmental trust could be one fruitful path to increasing COVID‐19 precautions.
Exploring the Impact of Sensor Location on Seismocardiography-Derived Cardiac Time Intervals
Authors: Mann Aysha J. , Gamage Peshala Thibbotuwawa , Kakavand Bahram , Taebi Amirtahà 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Cardiac time intervals (CTIs) are important parameters for evaluating cardiac function and can be measured noninvasively through electrocardiography (ECG) and seismocardiography (SCG). SCG signals exhibit distinct spectrotemporal characteristics when acquired from various locations on the chest. Thus, this study aimed to explore how SCG measurement location affects the estimation of SCG-based CTIs. ECG and SCG signals were acquired from 14 healthy adults, with three accelerometers placed on the top, middle, and bottom of the sternum. A custom-built algorithm was developed to estimate heart rates (HRs) from ECG (HRECG) and SCG (HRSCG) signals. Moreover, SCG fiducial points and CTIs, including aortic valve opening and closure, R-R interval, pre-ejection period, left ventricular ejection time, and electromechanical systole, were estimated from the SCG signals at different sternal locations. The average and correlation coefficient (R2) of the CTIs and HRs derived from all three locations were compared, along with the analysis of mean differences for the CTIs and their corresponding sensor locations. The results indicated strong correlations between HRECG and HRSCG, with average R2 values of 0.9930, 0.9968, and 0.9790 for the top, middle, and bottom sternal locations, respectively. Additionally, the study demonstrated that SCG-based CTIs varied depending on the SCG measurement locations. In conclusion, these findings underscore the importance of establishing consistent protocols for reporting CTIs based on SCG. Furthermore, they call for further investigation to compare estimated CTIs with gold-standard methods like echocardiography to identify the best SCG measurement location for accurate CTI estimations.
A Robust Model-Based Strategy for Real-Time Fault Detection and Diagnosis in an Electro-Hydraulic Actuator Using Updated Interactive Multiple Model Smooth Variable Structure Filter
Authors: Saeedzadeh Ahsan , Habibi Saeid , Alavi Marjan , Setoodeh Peyman 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In industries where harsh environments and stringent safety requirements are prevalent, the widespread use of applications has made it essential to focus on fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) in hydraulic actuators. To achieve this, model-based FDD techniques are utilized, which employ estimation tools like observers and filters. However, for many applications, particularly in fluid power systems, observability, and parameter uncertainty pose constraints to extracting information and estimating parameters. To address these issues, an efficient form of interactive multiple model (IMM), called updated IMM (UIMM), is applied to an electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) to detect and isolate persisting friction and leakage faults. UIMM method progresses through a series of models that correspond to the fault condition's progression instead of considering all models at once (as is done in IMM). This reduces the number of models running simultaneously, providing two significant benefits: enhanced computational efficiency and avoidance of the combinatorial explosion. The smooth variable structure filter with variable boundary layer (SVSF-VBL) is used for state and parameter estimation in conjunction with UIMM. SVSF-VBL is a reliable suboptimal estimation method that performs better than the Kalman filter regarding uncertainties related to the system and modeling. The performance of the UIMM method is validated by the simulation of fault conditions for a typical EHA. A fault tolerable control system (FTCS) has been designed to demonstrate the use of the proposed FDD strategy for fault management in a closed-loop system.
Public Open Spaces and Leisure-Time Walking: A Longitudinal Study With Brazilian People in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Florindo Alex Antonio , Onita Bianca Mitie , Knebel Margarethe Thaisi Garro , Wanderley Júnior Rildo de Souza , Teixeira Inaian Pignatti , Turrell Gavin 
Published: August 2023

Aim: To examine whether changes in public open spaces (POS) were associated with leisure-time walking (LTW) between 2014 and 2021. Methods: The sample comprised a prospective cohort of individuals living in São Paulo City, Brazil. The baseline sample was collected in 2014/2015 (4042 people aged 12 y or older) and the second wave in 2020/2021 (1431 people aged 18 y or older, 35.4% of total). Changes in POS scores in 500-m network buffers were based on household address, including positive or negative maintenance and increases or decreases in parks, public squares, and bike paths between 2015 and 2020. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to evaluate LTW in the baseline and second wave. To examine the association of LTW with changes in POS, we used multilevel models in 4 levels: health administration areas, census tracts, individuals, and observations of individuals. The exposure was the POS tertiles, and the outcome was LTW. Results: Changes in LTW prevalence were observed in both periods and according to POS tertiles distributions. When adjusted for time (baseline/second wave), gender, education, and age, the highest POS tertile was significantly associated with a high likelihood for LTW (odds ratio = 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–2.02). Conclusion: The results showed that people in São Paulo who lived within 500-m buffers with the highest access to POS were more likely to practice LTW between 2014/2015 and 2020/2021. These results have important implications for policies that were implemented in 2014, including the New Master Plan to contribute to São Paulo’s good ranking among healthy cities.
The volatilome reveals microcystin concentration, microbial composition, and oxidative stress in a critical Oregon freshwater lake
Authors: Collart Lindsay , Jiang Duo , Halsey Kimberly H. 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Toxins produced by cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater lakes are a serious public health problem. The conditions leading to toxin production are unpredictable, thereby requiring expensive sampling and monitoring programs globally. We explored the potential of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to indicate microcystin presence and concentration and microbial community composition in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. Elastic net regularization regression selected 24 of 229 detected
m/z +
1 values (corresponding to unique VOCs) in models predicting microcystin contamination. These models outperformed regression models based only on environmental parameters, including chlorophyll, pH, and temperature. Several
m/z +
1 values selected by elastic net were putatively identified as saturated fatty aldehydes, which defend cyanobacteria against oxidative stress. Elastic net also identified unique sets of
m/z +
1 values that predicted the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial phyla, classes, and cyanobacterial genera. VOCs appear to reveal the physiological status of cyanobacteria during toxic blooms and may be a key component of lake monitoring strategies.

IMPORTANCE
Harmful algal blooms are among the most significant threats to drinking water safety. Blooms dominated by cyanobacteria can produce potentially harmful toxins and, despite intensive research, toxin production remains unpredictable. We measured gaseous molecules in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, over 2 years and used them to predict the presence and concentration of the cyanotoxin, microcystin, and microbial community composition. Subsets of gaseous compounds were identified that are associated with microcystin production during oxidative stress, pointing to ecosystem-level interactions leading to microcystin contamination. Our approach shows potential for gaseous molecules to be harnessed in monitoring critical waterways.
Dermatomyositis: a debilitating paraneoplastic phenomenon following a diagnosis of localised squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix
Authors: Floyd-Ellis Victoria , Taylor Alexandra 
Published: August 2023

This case report describes the management of a patient, recently diagnosed with Stage IIIC cervical cancer, presenting with significant proximal muscle weakness, dysphagia and cutaneous changes over the hands, knees and outer thighs bilaterally. Following multiple investigations, this clinical presentation was proven to be dermatomyositis as a paraneoplastic phenomenon, a rare diagnosis with cervical cancer.Improvement of the presenting symptoms followed commencement of radical chemoradiation to the primary tumour plus administration of high dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins.As demonstrated in this case, and accompanying literature review, dermatomyositis is a rare complication of cervical cancer but should be considered as urgent treatment of the underlying malignancy is imperative. Involving members of the multidisciplinary team, including dieticians and physiotherapists, is of utmost importance to optimise the patient’s recovery from such a debilitating diagnosis.
Targeting sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 3 inhibits T-cell exhaustion and regulates recruitment of proinflammatory macrophages to improve antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cells against solid tumor
Authors: Gao Ge , Liao Weiting , Shu Pei , Ma Qizhi , He Xia , Zhang Benxia , Qin Diyuan , Wang Yongsheng 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundsChimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells (CAR-T) are limited in solid tumors due to the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME). Combination therapy could be a promising approach to overcome this obstacle. Recent studies have shown that sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1PR)3 has tremendous potential in regulating the immune environment. However, the functional significance of S1PR3 in T-cell-based immunotherapies and the molecular mechanisms have not been fully understood.MethodsHere, we studied the combination of EpCAM-specific CAR T-cell therapy with pharmacological blockade of S1PR3 against solid tumor. We have applied RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, ELISA, cellular/molecular immunological technology, and mouse models of solid cancers.ResultsOur study provided evidence that S1PR3 high expression is positively associated with resistance to programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)-based immunotherapy and increased T-cell exhaustion. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of S1PR3 improves the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Next, we explored the possible combination of S1PR3 antagonist with murine EpCAM-targeted CAR-T cells in immunocompetent mouse models of breast cancer and colon cancer. The results indicated that the S1PR3 antagonist could significantly enhance the efficacy of murine EpCAM CAR-T cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the S1PR3 antagonist improved CAR-T cell activation, regulated the central memory phenotype, and reduced CAR-T cell exhaustion in vitro. Targeting S1PR3 was shown to remodel the TME through the recruitment of proinflammatory macrophages by promoting macrophage activation and proinflammatory phenotype polarization, resulting in improved CAR-T cell infiltration and amplified recruitment of CD8+T cells.ConclusionsThis work demonstrated targeting S1PR3 could increase the antitumor activities of CAR-T cell therapy at least partially by inhibiting T-cell exhaustion and remodeling the TME through the recruitment of proinflammatory macrophages. These findings provided additional rationale for combining S1PR3 inhibitor with CAR-T cells for the treatment of solid tumor.
Causal Role for Neutrophil Elastase in Thoracic Aortic Dissection in Mice
Authors: Yang Mei , Zhou Xinmiao , Pearce Stuart W.A. , Yang Zhisheng , Chen Qishan , Niu Kaiyuan , Liu Chenxin , Luo Jun , Li Dan , Shao Yue , Zhang Cheng , Chen Dan , Wu Qingchen , Cutillas Pedro R. , Zhao Lin , Xiao Qingzhong , Zhang Li 
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND:
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a life-threatening aortic disease without effective medical treatment. Increasing evidence has suggested a role for NE (neutrophil elastase) in vascular diseases. In this study, we aimed at investigating a causal role for NE in TAD and exploring the molecular mechanisms involved.

METHODS:
β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate was administrated in mice to induce TAD. NE deficiency mice, pharmacological inhibitor GW311616A, and adeno-associated virus-2–mediated in vivo gene transfer were applied to explore a causal role for NE and associated target gene in TAD formation. Multiple functional assays and biochemical analyses were conducted to unravel the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of NE in TAD.

RESULTS:

NE aortic gene expression and plasma activity was significantly increased during β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate–induced TAD and in patients with acute TAD. NE deficiency prevents β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate–induced TAD onset/development, and GW311616A administration ameliorated TAD formation/progression. Decreased levels of neutrophil extracellular traps, inflammatory cells, and MMP (matrix metalloproteinase)-2/9 were observed in NE-deficient mice. TBL1x (F-box-like/WD repeat-containing protein TBL1x) has been identified as a novel substrate and functional downstream target of NE in TAD. Loss-of-function studies revealed that NE mediated inflammatory cell transendothelial migration by modulating TBL1x-LTA4H (leukotriene A4 hydrolase) signaling and that NE regulated smooth muscle cell phenotype modulation under TAD pathological condition by regulating TBL1x-MECP2 (methyl CpG-binding protein 2) signal axis. Further mechanistic studies showed that TBL1x inhibition decreased the binding of TBL1x and HDAC3 (histone deacetylase 3) to
MECP2
and
LTA4H
gene promoters, respectively. Finally, adeno-associated virus-2–mediated
Tbl1x
gene knockdown in aortic smooth muscle cells confirmed a regulatory role for TBL1x in NE-mediated TAD formation.

CONCLUSIONS:
We unravel a critical role of NE and its target TBL1x in regulating inflammatory cell migration and smooth muscle cell phenotype modulation in the context of TAD. Our findings suggest that the NE-TBL1x signal axis represents a valuable therapeutic for treating high-risk TAD patients.
Female Gene Networks Are Expressed in Myofibroblast-Like Smooth Muscle Cells in Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques
Authors: Diez Benavente Ernest , Karnewar Santosh , Buono Michele , Mili Eloi , Hartman Robin J.G. , Kapteijn Daniek , Slenders Lotte , Daniels Mark , Aherrahrou Redouane , Reinberger Tobias , Mol Barend M. , de Borst Gert J. , de Kleijn Dominique P.V. , Prange Koen H.M. , Depuydt Marie A.C. , de Winther Menno P.J. , Kuiper Johan , Björkegren Johan L.M. , Erdmann Jeanette , Civelek Mete , Mokry Michal , Owens Gary K. , Pasterkamp Gerard , den Ruijter Hester M. 
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND:
Women presenting with coronary artery disease more often present with fibrous atherosclerotic plaques, which are currently understudied. Phenotypically modulated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) contribute to atherosclerosis in women. How these phenotypically modulated SMCs shape female versus male plaques is unknown.

METHODS:

Gene regulatory networks were created using RNAseq gene expression data from human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The networks were prioritized based on sex bias, relevance for smooth muscle biology, and coronary artery disease genetic enrichment. Network expression was linked to histologically determined plaque phenotypes. In addition, their expression in plaque cell types was studied at single-cell resolution using single-cell RNAseq. Finally, their relevance for disease progression was studied in female and male

Apoe
−/−

mice fed a Western diet for 18 and 30 weeks.

RESULTS:

Here, we identify multiple sex-stratified gene regulatory networks from human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Prioritization of the female networks identified 2 main SMC gene regulatory networks in late-stage atherosclerosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing mapped these female networks to 2 SMC phenotypes: a phenotypically modulated myofibroblast-like SMC network and a contractile SMC network. The myofibroblast-like network was mostly expressed in plaques that were vulnerable in women. Finally, the mice ortholog of key driver gene
MFGE8
(milk fat globule EGF and factor V/VIII domain containing) showed retained expression in advanced plaques from female mice but was downregulated in male mice during atherosclerosis progression.

CONCLUSIONS:
Female atherosclerosis is characterized by gene regulatory networks that are active in fibrous vulnerable plaques rich in myofibroblast-like SMCs.
Cardiac Genetic Investigation of Sudden Infant and Early Childhood Death: A Study From Victims to Families
Authors: Kotta Maria‐Christina , Torchio Margherita , Bayliss Pauline , Cohen Marta C. , Quarrell Oliver , Wheeldon Nigel , Marton Tamás , Gentilini Davide , Crotti Lia , Coombs Robert C. , Schwartz Peter J. 
Published: August 2023

Background
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death up to age 1. Sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) is similar but affects mostly toddlers aged 1 to 4. SUDC is rarer than SIDS, and although cardiogenetic testing (molecular autopsy) identifies an underlying cause in a fraction of SIDS, less is known about SUDC.

Methods and Results

Seventy‐seven SIDS and 16 SUDC cases underwent molecular autopsy with 25 definitive‐evidence arrhythmia‐associated genes. In 18 cases, another 76 genes with varying degrees of evidence were analyzed. Parents were offered cascade screening. Double‐blind review of clinical‐genetic data established genotype–phenotype correlations. The yield of likely pathogenic variants in the 25 genes was higher in SUDC than in SIDS (18.8% [3/16] versus 2.6% [2/77], respectively;
P
=0.03), whereas novel/ultra‐rare variants of uncertain significance were comparably represented. Rare variants of uncertain significance and likely benign variants were found only in SIDS. In cases with expanded analyses, likely pathogenic/likely benign variants stemmed only from definitive‐evidence genes, whereas all other genes contributed only variants of uncertain significance. Among 24 parents screened, variant status and phenotype largely agreed, and 3 cases positively correlated for cardiac channelopathies. Genotype–phenotype correlations significantly aided variant adjudication.

Conclusions
Genetic yield is higher in SUDC than in SIDS although, in both, it is contributed only by definitive‐evidence genes. SIDS/SUDC cascade family screening facilitates establishment or dismissal of a diagnosis through definitive variant adjudication indicating that anonymity is no longer justifiable. Channelopathies may underlie a relevant fraction of SUDC. Binary classifications of genetic causality (pathogenic versus benign) could not always be adequate.