bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and construction of Map Kabao Tunnel, longest rail tunnel in Thailand
Authors: Morya Phichet , Chansutham Tassawat , Phienwej Noppadol , Chanrungautai Sirisin , Inkoom Pratuang , Jongpradit Pornkasem 
Published: June 2023

AbstractMap Kabao Tunnel is a significant part of the track doubling project for the railway line connecting Bangkok to Northeast Thailand. The 5.2 km‐long twin‐tube tunnel makes is the longest railway tunnel in Thailand. The conventional tunnelling method was used to excavate the tunnel through complex geological conditions consisting of thrusted and folded carbonate and clastic sedimentary rocks. While encountering a few incidents of tunnelling difficulties caused by the poor quality of the rock mass attributed to weathering, sheared discontinuities, and karst features, the construction of the tunnel was ultimately successful and was completed in 2023. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the lessons learned from the design and construction of this mountain rail tunnel project.
Exosomes released from macrophages infected with Talaromyces marneffei activate the innate immune responses and decrease the replication
Authors: Ji Guangquan , Feng Shan , Ren Hong , Chen Wenhao , Chen Renqiong 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionRecent studies have demonstrated that exosomes play roles in pathogenesis and in the treatment of various diseases. We explored the influence of exosomes released from Talaromyces marneffei (T. marneffei)‐infected macrophages on human macrophages to determine whether they play a role in the pathogenesis of T. marneffei infection.MethodsExosomes derived from macrophages infected with T. marneffei were extracted and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and western blot. Moreover, we examined exosomes that modulated IL‐10 and TNF‐α secretion and activation of p42 and p44 extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and activation of autophagy.ResultsWe found that exosomes promoted activation of ERK1/2 and autophagy, IL‐10 and TNF‐α secretion in human macrophages. Further, exosomes decreased the multiplication of T. marneffei in T. marneffei‐infected human macrophages. Interestingly, exosomes isolated from T. marneffei‐infected but not from uninfected macrophages can stimulate innate immune responses in resting macrophages.ConclusionOur studies are the first to demonstrate that exosomes isolated from T. marneffei‐infected macrophages can modulate the immune system to control inflammation, and we hypothesize that exosomes play significant roles in activation of ERK1/2 and autophagy, the replication of T. marneffei and cytokine production during T. marneffei infection.
Circ_0035292 knockdown alleviates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced WI‐38 cell apoptosis and inflammatory injury
Authors: Guo Ying , Li Zhouzhen , Cheng Chen 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundCircular RNAs have emerged as important regulators in the pathogenesis of human diseases, including infantile pneumonia (IP). In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of circ_0035292 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated Wistsar Institute (WI)‐38 cells.MethodsQuantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were executed to detect the levels of circ_0035292, microRNA‐370‐3p (miR‐370‐3p) and transducin β‐like 1X related protein 1 (TBL1XR1). Cell counting kit‐8, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine, and flow cytometry assessed cell proliferation and apoptosis. Concentrations of inflammatory factors were examined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were adopted to analyze binding between miR‐370‐3p and circ_0035292 or TBL1XR1.ResultsCirc_0035292 level was increased in IP patients and LPS‐triggered WI‐38 cells. Circ_0035292 knockdown rescued LPS‐mediated WI‐38 cell proliferation suppression and WI‐38 cell apoptosis and inflammation promotion. Circ_0035292 interacted with miR‐370‐3p and miR‐370‐3p directly targeted TBL1XR1. Moreover, miR‐370‐3p overexpression alleviated LPS‐induced WI‐38 cell apoptosis and inflammatory injury, which was abrogated via TBL1XR1 upregulation. Circ_0035292 absence inhibited the NF‐κB pathway.ConclusionKnockdown of circ_0035292 rescued LPS‐triggered WI‐38 cell injury via miR‐370‐3p/TBL1XR1 axis and NF‐κB pathway.
RhoA/ROCK signalling activated by ARHGEF3 promotes muscle weakness via autophagy in dystrophic mdx mice
Authors: You Jae‐Sung , Kim Yongdeok , Lee Soohyun , Bashir Rashid , Chen Jie 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by dystrophin deficiency, leads to progressive and fatal muscle weakness through yet‐to‐be‐fully deciphered molecular perturbations. Emerging evidence implicates RhoA/Rho‐associated protein kinase (ROCK) signalling in DMD pathology, yet its direct role in DMD muscle function, and related mechanisms, are unknown.MethodsThree‐dimensionally engineered dystrophin‐deficient mdx skeletal muscles and mdx mice were used to test the role of ROCK in DMD muscle function in vitro and in situ, respectively. The role of ARHGEF3, one of the RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), in RhoA/ROCK signalling and DMD pathology was examined by generating Arhgef3 knockout mdx mice. The role of RhoA/ROCK signalling in mediating the function of ARHGEF3 was determined by evaluating the effects of wild‐type or GEF‐inactive ARHGEF3 overexpression with ROCK inhibitor treatment. To gain more mechanistic insights, autophagy flux and the role of autophagy were assessed in various conditions with chloroquine.ResultsInhibition of ROCK with Y‐27632 improved muscle force production in 3D‐engineered mdx muscles (+25% from three independent experiments, P < 0.05) and in mice (+25%, P < 0.001). Unlike suggested by previous studies, this improvement was independent of muscle differentiation or quantity and instead related to increased muscle quality. We found that ARHGEF3 was elevated and responsible for RhoA/ROCK activation in mdx muscles, and that depleting ARHGEF3 in mdx mice restored muscle quality (up to +36%, P < 0.01) and morphology without affecting regeneration. Conversely, overexpressing ARHGEF3 further compromised mdx muscle quality (−13% vs. empty vector control, P < 0.01) in GEF activity‐ and ROCK‐dependent manner. Notably, ARHGEF3/ROCK inhibition exerted the effects by rescuing autophagy which is commonly impaired in dystrophic muscles.ConclusionsOur findings uncover a new pathological mechanism of muscle weakness in DMD involving the ARHGEF3‐ROCK‐autophagy pathway and the therapeutic potential of targeting ARHGEF3 in DMD.
Low prevalence of anti‐Orthopoxvirus neutralizing antibodies in an urban population of Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Jaqueline Silva , Barbosa Costa Galileu , Stoffella Dutra Ana Gabriella , Domingos Iago José da Silva , Costa Pedro Starling Pereira Martins da , Silva Pedro Henrique Bastos e , Kroon Erna Geessien , de Oliveira Danilo Bretas , Trindade Giliane de Souza 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSince 1999, Vaccinia virus (VACV) has been described as a causative agent of bovine vaccinia (BV), a zoonotic disease that occurs mainly in rural areas of Brazil. However, the circulation of VACV in urban environments and its associated burden has been poorly explored. Moreover, the current monkeypox (mpox) outbreak has raised questions regarding the immune status of the worldwide population previous vaccinated against smallpox. Hence, we conducted a cross‐sectional study to better understand the prevalence of anti‐OPV neutralizing antibodies (NA) and related exposure factors in a susceptible urban population of Brazil. A total of 372 individuals were sampled, yielding an overall seroprevalence of 16.9% (CI95% = 13.4–21.1), and antibodies titers ranging from 100 to 800 neutralizing units/mL. The prevalence of NA among individuals potentially vaccinated against smallpox (≥36 years old [yo]) was 24.9% (IC 95% = 19.5–31.2), and among those unvaccinated (<36yo) was 6.7% (IC 95% = 3.7–11.8). Interestingly, contact with horses was pointed out as an exposure factor for the presence of NA, however, the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age ≥36yo and the presence of vaccine take were independently associated with the presence of anti‐OPV NA. Our findings suggest that vulnerable populations could be subclinically exposed to VACV in urban areas, drawing attention to alternative routes of zoonotic VACV exposure. Our data is also important for better strategies to mitigate zoonotic OPV infections mainly among vulnerable populations.
Clinical efficacy of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir combination for treating diabetic patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Wu Jheng‐Yan , Liu Mei‐Yuan , Liu Ting‐Hui , Chuang Min‐Hsiang , Hsu Wan‐Hsuan , Huang Po‐Yu , Tsai Ya‐Wen , Kuo Chia‐Yin , Yeh Chun‐Ting , Lai Chih‐Cheng 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (NMV‐r) for treating COVID‐19 in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). This retrospective cohort study used the TriNetX research network to identify adult diabetic patients with COVID‐19 between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. Propensity score matching was used to match patients who received NMV‐r (NMV‐r group) with those who did not receive NMV‐r (control group). The primary outcome was all‐cause hospitalization or death during the 30‐day follow‐up period. Two cohorts comprising 13 822 patients with balanced baseline characteristics were created using propensity score matching. During the follow‐up period, the NMV‐r group had a lower risk of all‐cause hospitalization or death than the control group (1.4% [n = 193] vs. 3.1% [n = 434]; hazard ratio [HR], 0.497; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.420–0.589). Compared with the control group, the NMV‐r group also had a lower risk of all‐cause hospitalization (HR, 0.606; 95% CI, 0.508–0.723) and all‐cause mortality (HR, 0.076; 95% CI, 0.033–0.175). This lower risk was consistently observed in almost all subgroup analyses, which examined sex (male: 0.520 [0.401–0.675]; female: 0.586 [0.465–0.739]), age (age 18–64 years: 0.767 [0.601–0.980]; ≥65 years: 0.394 [0.308–0.505]), level of HbA1c (<7.5%: 0.490 [0.401–0.599]; ≥7.5%: 0.655 [0.441–0.972]), unvaccinated (0.466 [0.362–0.599]), type 1 DM (0.453 [0.286–0.718]) and type 2 DM (0.430 [0.361–0.511]). NMV‐r can help reduce the risk of all‐cause hospitalization or death in nonhospitalized patients with DM and COVID‐19.
Clinical isolates of hepatitis B virus genotype C have higher in vitro transmission efficiency than genotype B isolates
Authors: Li Jing , Li Jisu , Chen Shiqi , Xu Weicheng , Zhang Jiming , Tong Shuping 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSerum samples were collected from 54 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive Chinese patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) subgenotype B2 or C2. They were compared for transmission efficiency using same volume of samples or infectivity using same genome copy number. Adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) during inoculation did not increase infectivity of fresh samples but markedly increased infectivity following prolonged sample storage. Differentiated HepaRG cells infected without PEG produced more hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and higher HBsAg/HBeAg ratio than sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP)‐reconstituted HepG2 cells infected with PEG. They better supported replication of core promoter mutant in contrast to wild‐type (WT) virus by HepG2/NTCP cells. Overall, subgenotype C2 samples had higher viral load than B2 samples, and in general produced more HBeAg, HBsAg, and replicative DNA following same‐volume inoculation. Precore mutant was more prevalent in subgenotype B2 and had reduced transmission efficiency. When same genome copy number of viral particles was inoculated, viral signals were not necessarily higher for three WT C2 isolates than four WT B2 isolates. Using viral particles generated from cloned HBV genome, three WT C2 isolates showed slightly reduced infectivity than three B2 isolates. In conclusion, subgenotype C2 serum samples had higher transmission efficiency than B2 isolates in association with higher viral load and lower prevalence of precore mutant, but not necessarily higher infectivity. PEG‐independent infection by HBV viremic serum samples is probably attributed to a labile host factor.
SARS‐CoV‐2 NSP13 interacts with host IRF3, blocking antiviral immune responses
Authors: Feng Kuan , Zhang Hui‐Jiao , Min Yuan‐Qin , Zhou Min , Deng Fei , Wang Hua‐Lin , Li Pei‐Qing , Ning Yun‐Jia 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), poses an unprecedented threat to human health since late 2019. Notably, the progression of the disease is associated with impaired antiviral interferon (IFN) responses. Although multiple viral proteins were identified as potential IFN antagonists, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we firstly demonstrate that SARS‐CoV‐2 NSP13 protein robustly antagonizes IFN response induced by the constitutively active form of transcription factor IRF3 (IRF3/5D). This induction of IFN response by IRF3/5D is independent of the upstream kinase, TBK1, a previously reported NSP13 target, thus indicating that NSP13 can act at the level of IRF3 to antagonize IFN production. Consistently, NSP13 exhibits a specific, TBK1‐independent interaction with IRF3, which, moreover, is much stronger than that of NSP13 with TBK1. Furthermore, the NSP13‐IRF3 interaction was shown to occur between the NSP13 1B domain and IRF3 IRF association domain (IAD). In agreement with the strong targeting of IRF3 by NSP13, we then found that NSP13 blocks IRF3‐directed signal transduction and antiviral gene expression, counteracting IRF3‐driven anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 activity. These data suggest that IRF3 is likely to be a major target of NSP13 in antagonizing antiviral IFN responses and provide new insights into the SARS‐CoV‐2–host interactions that lead to viral immune evasion.
Structure–activity relationship between gluten and dough quality of sprouted wheat flour based on air classification‐induced component recombination
Authors: Guo Jia , Qi Xiaoxiao , Liu Yuanxiao , Guan Erqi , Wen Jiping , Bian Ke 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDAir classification can separate sprouted wheat flour (SWF) into three types: coarse wheat flour (F1), medium wheat flour (F2) and fine wheat flour (F3). The gluten quality of SWF can be indirectly improved by removing inferior parts (F3). In order to reveal the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon, the composition and structural changes of gluten, as well as the rheological properties and fermentation characteristics of gluten in recombinant dough in the process of air classification of all three SWF types, were analyzed in this study.RESULTSOverall, sprouting significantly reduced the content of high‐molecular‐weight subunits, such as glutenin subunit and ω‐gliadin. It also destroyed the structural content, such as disulfide bonds, α‐helix and β‐turn contents, which maintained the stability of gluten gel. Air classification made the above changes in F3 more severe but reversed them in F1. Moreover, rheological properties were more affected by gluten composition, whereas fermentation characteristics were more affected by gluten structure.CONCLUSIONAfter air classification, particles rich in high molecular weight subunits from SWF are enriched in F1, and the gluten of F1 has more secondary structure that maintain gel stability, which ultimately lead to improved rheology properties and fermentation characteristics. F3 relatively exhibits the opppsite phenomenon. These results further reveal the potential mechanism of improvement of SWF gluten by air classification. Moreover, Thus, this study provides new perspectives for the utilization of SWF. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Improvement in growth performance and digestive function from amniotic injections of N‐acetylglutamate in broiler chickens
Authors: Wang Jiguang , Xu Changchun , Song Zhigang , Wu Shugeng , Wang Jing , Qi Guanghai , Zhang Haijun 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDN‐acetylglutamate (NAG) is the initial and essectial substrate in the process of de novo arginine synthesis, plays an important role in intestinal development. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of in ovo feeding of NAG, 1.5 mg/egg at 17.5 days of incubation (DOI) via amnion, on hatching performance, early intestinal histomorphometry, jejunal barrier, digestive function, and growth performance of broiler chickens between 1 and 14 days of age.RESULTSAmniotic injection of NAG had no significant effect on hatching characteristics compared with the non‐injected control group (NC group). Birds in the NAG solution‐injected group (NAG group) exhibited lower average daily feed intake and better feed efficiency during a period of 1–14 days. In comparison with the NC group, the NAG group had decreased crypt depth (CD) in the ileum and increased villus height (VH) / CD in the jejunum at 7 days, and decreased CD in duodenum and significantly increased VH in the jejunum at 14 days. However, the effects of in ovo supplementation with NAG on the density of goblet cells, and gene expression of mucin 2 and alkaline phosphatase were not significant. Chicks in the NAG group had a significantly higher mRNA expression level of trypsin and maltase in jejunum at 7 days than the NC group but not at 14 days.CONCLUSIONAmniotic injections of NAG (1.5 mg/egg) at 17.5 DOI could improve early growth performance of broilers during 1–14 days after hatching by accelerating the development of the intestine and enhancing jejunal digestive function. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Recognition of suitable small watersheds for check dam construction on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Chen Yulan , Bai Leichao , Jiao Juying , Wang Nan , Li Jianjun , Xu Qian , Yan Xiqin , Tang Bingzhe 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCheck dams are used for soil and water conservation worldwide, especially on the Chinese Loess Plateau, which has suffered from severe soil and water loss. To promote ecological conservation and high‐quality development in the Yellow River basin, considerable effort should be devoted to building check dams in the small watersheds where the conditions permit on the Loess Plateau. Therefore, suitable small watersheds must be identified for constructing new check dams. In this study, the weighted overlay method (WOM) of the multi‐criteria decision‐making analysis method, the random forest (RF), and the support vector machine (SVM) of machine learning methods were first applied to simulate the suitability of small watersheds for check dam construction in the Ganguyi upstream area of the Yanhe River basin on the Loess Plateau. Accuracy assessment showed that the accuracy of the three models was almost perfect and RF had the highest accuracy of 0.95, followed by SVM (0.87), and WOM (0.83). Meanwhile, the impacts of topographic factors and soil erodibility were found to be generally higher than those of the other factors, and 56% of small watersheds had high and very high suitability for check dam construction, 67% of these small watersheds have already been built as check dams. Finally, a total of 108 small watersheds were found to be suitable in the study area when considering their environmental characteristics. The methodology developed in the study can be used as a preliminary planning step for check dam construction and as a foundation for detailed field investigations in the future, which help to realize the sustainable use of soil and water resources.
Selective logging and shifting agriculture may help maintain forest biomass on the Yucatán peninsula
Authors: Hernández Gómez Irving Uriel , Ellis Edward A. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractEvaluation and monitoring of forest biomass are important to help combat global warming and conserve biodiversity. Above ground biomass (AGB) mapping has been effectively used to assess forest loss, degradation, and recovery in the tropics. In this study, temporal (2007, 2010, and 2015) AGB maps were developed for the Mayan Zone of the Yucatan Peninsula, México integrating vegetation data from the National Forest Inventory (NFI) with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image data (ALOS PALSAR). We assess if degradation could be attributed to the land use categories present in the study area: selectively logged forest, shifting agriculture, permanent commercial cultivation, and conservation forest. Spatial autoregressive models are applied to determine differences in AGB dynamics between land use categories, compared to baselines of mature conserved forest. We find that forest biomass remains stable in the study area. AGB does not differ in selectively logged areas compared to conserved mature forests. Biomass losses are observed due to deforestation for commercial cropping and pasture. AGB in shifting agriculture areas, however, fluctuates and shows a slight gain from 2007 to 2015. AGB mapping using NFI data and SAR imagery has the potential for monitoring forest loss and degradation on the Yucatan Peninsula.
Attempted treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis with one session of either Neodymium YAG laser or Intense Pulsed Light: A within patient randomized trial of treated versus untreated contralateral axilla
Authors: Taudorf Elisabeth H. , Henning Mattias , Olsen Jonas , Thorlacius Linnea , Christensen Robin , Jemec Gregor 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundPrimary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH) affects 1−5% of the world's population who has an unmet need for improved treatments. The heating of sweat glands with specific microwave therapy has shown promising results, yet, treatment with widely available devices such as long‐pulsed Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers, diode lasers or Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) may serve as pragmatic alternatives.ObjectivesTo compare sweat secretion of treated versus untreated contralateral control axilla 1−3 months after one session of Nd:YAG laser or IPL in patients with PAH.MethodsA within‐person randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized to receive either one session of Nd:YAG laser or IPL in one axilla with the contra‐lateral serving as control. Sweat production was assessed by gravimetry, trans‐epidermal water loss, hyperhidrosis disease severity scale and dynamic optical coherence tomography. Mixed‐effects models were used to handle the within‐person design, containing both fixed effect factors (side, group, and subgroup), and random effects (patients), while also adjusting for the level at baseline.ResultsA total of 20 patients were enrolled. At follow‐up 1−3 months after treatment, sweat secretion was not affected in the treated axilla when compared to the control axillae (0.01 [95%CI: −0.04 to 0.05]; p = 0.68). In the Nd:YAG subgroup (10 patients), least squares means for sweat secretion was 0.18 mg/5 min in the treated versus 0.15 mg/5 min in the control axilla, respectively, corresponding to a statistically insignificant mean difference of 0.02 mg/5 min (95% CI: −0.06 to 0.11; p = 0.54). In the IPL subgroup (10 patients), sweat secretion was 0.06 mg/5 min in the treated axilla versus 0.07 mg/5 min in the control axilla with a statistically insignificant difference of –0.01 points (95% CI: −0.03 to 0.02; p = 0.46). Likewise, none of the secondary outcomes were significantly affected by treatment. However, both treatments appeared safe and well tolerated with no adverse effects reported at follow‐up.ConclusionsOne treatment with external 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser or 640 nm IPL at commercially available settings, failed to demonstrate clinical benefit in treating PAH, with narrow confidence intervals implying that this was not due to a type‐2 error.