bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isotopic and proteomic evidence for communal stability at Pre-Pottery Neolithic Jericho in the Southern Levant
Authors: Wang Xiaoran , Zhang Baoshuai , Sun Yufeng , Ingman Tara , Eisenmann Stefanie , Lucas Mary , Scott Erin , Ilgner Jana , Wu Gao , le Roux Petrus , Wu Xiaotong , Zhang Xingxiang , Fan Anchuan , Roberts Patrick , Stockhammer Philipp W. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAs one of the key, long-term occupied sites in the Southern Levant, Jericho was one of the most important early Neolithic centres to witness social and economic changes associated with the domestication of plants and animals. This study applies strontium (87Sr/86Sr), oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotope analyses to the enamel of 52 human teeth from Pre-Pottery Neolithic (PPN) layers of Jericho to directly study human diet and mobility and investigate the degree of consolidation and the flexibility of social organization of Jericho society in the PPN period. The results indicate only two non-local individuals out of the 44 sampled inhabitants identified by strontium isotope analysis and are consistent with the presence of a largely sedentary community at PPN Jericho with no evidence for large-scale migration. We also construct strontium spatial baselines (87Sr/86Sr map) with local 87Sr/86Sr signatures for the sites across the Southern Levant based on systematic compilation and analysis of available data. In addition, we apply proteomic analysis of sex-specific amelogenin peptides in tooth enamel for sex estimation of the sampled individuals (n = 44), the results of which showed a sex-biased ratio (more male than female detected in this sample pool) in Jericho society during the PPN period, which may be due to the limited sample size or selective ritual practices like particular burial zones used for specific groups. We also pretreated a batch of human bone samples recovered from PPNB Jericho for stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses for dietary investigations. However, the extracted collagen showed poor preservation and no valid δ13C or δ15N data were obtained.
BBD optimized antioxidants of Crotalaria candicans and its nanoconjugates, exert potent in vivo anti-biofilm effects against MRSA
Authors: Subramani Ramya M. , Lotha Robert , Shamprasad Bhanuvalli R. , Sridharan Sriram , Natesan Ravichandran , Nagarajan Saisubramanian , Sivasubramanian Arvind 
Published: September 2023

AbstractCrotalaria genus is extensively dispersed in tropical and subtropical provinces, and it is found to harbor antioxidant flavonoids. Response surface methodology-based optimization was carried out for the purpose of efficient extraction involving a suitable solvent which can maximize the yield along with higher total phenolic content and total flavonoid content (TFC). Optimization conditions for extraction of C.candicans flavonoids (CCF) based on variables such as solvent, solid-solvent ratio and extraction temperature were evaluated. The optimized conditions were found as Solvent i.e., Aqueous-ethanol (53.42%), Solid-solvent ratio (1:15.83 w/v) and temperature (44.42 °C) and resulted to obtain the TFC as 176.23 mg QRET/g C. candicans extract with the yield 27.42 mg CCF/g (C. candicans dry weight). LC–MS analysis of CCF, revealed the presence of seven major flavonoids. The antioxidant flavonoids were further used to functionalize the zero-valent silver (ZVAgF) and copper (ZVCuF) nanoparticles. The ZVAgF and ZVCuF were investigated using UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry to confirm the presence of the zero valent metals and possible functional groups which capped the elemental metal. Further transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering method and zeta-potential studies were done to understand their respective structural and morphological properties. The efficacy of the as-prepared ZVAgF/ZVCuF as antibiofilm agents on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with the mechanism studies have been explored. The MRSA-colony count from the infection zebrafish (in vivo) model, portrayed a reduction of > 1.9 fold for ZVCuF and > twofold for ZVAgF, with no alteration in liver morphology when treated with ZVAgF, implying that the nanoparticles were safe and biocompatible.
BHLHE40, a potential immune therapy target, regulated by FGD5-AS1/miR-15a-5p in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Qi Wenxin , Liu Qian , Fu Wenjun , Shi Jiaming , Shi Minmin , Duan Songqi , Li Zhe , Song Shaohua , Wang Jiao , Liu Yihao 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPancreatic cancer, as one of the neoplasms with the highest degree of malignancy, has become a main disease of concerns in recent years. BHLHE40, a critical transcription factor for remodeling of the tumor immune microenvironment, has been described to be substantially increased in a variety of tumor-associated immune cells. Nevertheless, the pro-cancer biological functions and underlying molecular mechanisms of BHLHE40 for pancreatic cancer and its unique microenvironment are unclear. Hereby, we investigated the pro-oncogenic role of BHLHE40 in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment by bioinformatics analysis and cell biology experiments and determined that the expression of BHLHE40 was obviously elevated in pancreatic cancer tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. In parallel, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis unveiled that lower expression of BHLHE40 was strongly associated with better prognosis of patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed the accuracy of the BHLHE40-related prediction model. Subsequent, spearman correlation analysis observed that higher expression of BHLHE40 might be involved in immunosuppression of pancreatic cancer. Silencing of BHLHE40 could inhibit proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo, implying that BHLHE40 is expected to be a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. In addition, we explored and validated the FGD5-AS1/miR-15a-5p axis as a potential upstream regulatory mode for high expression of BHLHE40 in pancreatic cancer. In summary, our data showed that ceRNA involved in the regulation of BHLHE40 contributes to the promotion of immunosuppressive response in pancreatic and is expected to be a diagnostic marker and potential immunotherapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
Renoprotective potential of concomittant medications with SGLT2 inhibitors and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in diabetic nephropathy without albuminuria: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ishibashi Tatsuya , Morita Shuhei , Furuta Hiroto , Nishi Masahiro , Matsuoka Taka-Aki 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe renal protective effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors on diabetic nephropathy without albuminuria have not been fully investigated. This retrospective cohort study focused on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of > 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, and a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio < 30 mg/gCr. After propensity score matching, using covariates such as age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c levels, and prescription history of RAS inhibitors, we established a cohort of 58 patients: the SGLT2 inhibitor group (n = 28) and the control group (n = 28). In this cohort, we compared the annual eGFR decline rate between the two groups. The SGLT2 inhibitor group exhibited a significantly smaller eGFR change than the control group (− 1.15 vs. − 2.18 mL/min/1.73 m2/year). Within the SGLT2 inhibitor group, patients prescribed RAS inhibitors had demonstrated an even smaller eGFR change (− 0.70 mL/min/1.73 m2/year). In conclusion, SGLT2 inhibitors also have safeguarding effects in the stage of diabetic nephropathy without albuminuria, and the combined use of a SGLT2 inhibitor and a RAS inhibitor appears to be more effective than the single use of each.
Association of osteoporosis and sarcopenia with fracture risk in transfusion-dependent thalassemia
Authors: Thavonlun Suttana , Houngngam Natnicha , Kingpetch Kanaungnit , Numkarunarunrote Numphung , Santisitthanon Prangareeya , Buranasupkajorn Patinut , Pongchaiyakul Chatlert , Sutcharitchan Pranee , Wattanachanya Lalita 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPatients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) have an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures. They also have several potential factors associated with sarcopenia. There has been currently no study on sarcopenia and its association with falls and fractures in TDT. This study aims to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with osteoporosis, fragility fractures, and sarcopenia in adults with TDT. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the hematologic clinic at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Clinical data and laboratory testing were collected. Bone mineral density and morphometric vertebral fracture were assessed. Sarcopenia was defined using the 2014 and 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. We included 112 TDT patients aged 35.1 ± 12.5 years. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 38.4%. Fragility fractures were found in 20.5% of patients. Lower BMI (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.12–0.72,P = 0.007) and hypogonadal state (OR 3.72; 95% CI 1.09–12.74,P = 0.036) were independently associated with osteoporosis. According to the 2014 AWGS criteria, the prevalence of overall sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia was 44.6% and 13.4%, respectively. Severe sarcopenia was strongly associated with fragility fractures (OR 4.59, 95% CI 1.21–17.46,P = 0.025). In conclusion, osteoporosis, fragility fractures, and sarcopenia were prevalent in adults with TDT. Severe sarcopenia was associated with fragility fractures. Early osteoporosis and sarcopenia screening and prevention may reduce fracture risk and its complications in these patients.
Establishment of a 96-well transwell system using primary human gut organoids to capture multiple quantitative pathway readouts
Authors: Wright Charles W. , Li Naomi , Shaffer Lynsey , Hill Armetta , Boyer Nicolas , Alves Stephen E. , Venkataraman Sriraman , Biswas Kaustav , Lieberman Linda A. , Mohammadi Sina 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDisruptions in the gut epithelial barrier can lead to the development of chronic indications such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Historically, barrier function has been assessed in cancer cell lines, which do not contain all human intestinal cell types, leading to poor translatability. To bridge this gap, we adapted human primary gut organoids grown as monolayers to quantify transcription factor phosphorylation, gene expression, cytokine production, and barrier function. In this work we describe and characterize a novel 96-well human gut organoid-derived monolayer system that enables quantitative assessment of candidate therapeutics. Normal human intestine differentiation patterns and barrier function were characterized and confirmed to recapitulate key aspects of in vivo biology. Next, cellular response to TNF-α (a central driver of IBD) was determined using a diverse cadre of quantitative readouts. We showed that TNF-α pathway antagonists rescued damage caused by TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that this system is suitable for quantitative assessment of barrier modulating factors. Taken together, we have established a robust primary cell-based 96-well system capable of interrogating questions around mucosal response. This system is well suited to provide pivotal functional data to support translational target and drug discovery efforts.
Association between sense of coherence and health and well-being among older survivors of a natural disaster: a prospective outcome-wide study
Authors: Hikichi Hiroyuki , Shiba Koichiro , Aida Jun , Kondo Katsunori , Kawachi Ichiro 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe examined whether pre-disaster Sense of Coherence (SOC) mitigated the impact of housing damage on health and well-being of older survivors after the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. A panel survey was conducted in a city located 80 km west of the epicenter seven months before and three years after the disaster (3594 respondents). Among respondents with lighter property damage, higher SOC was inversely associated with mental distress (coefficient − 0.29, 95% CI (confidence interval) − 0.39, − 0.19, p < .01), unhappiness (coefficient − 0.33, 95% CI − 0.43, − 0.23, p < .01), low expectation of mutual help (coefficient − 0.17, 95% CI − 0.27, − 0.07, p < .01), and weak community attachment (coefficient − 0.20, 95% CI − 0.30, − 0.11, p < .01). Conversely, among those who experienced housing loss, higher SOC was no longer protectively associated with health and well-being. Loss of generalized resistance resources due to serious damage led to difficulties in stress coping.
Network analysis to estimate central insomnia symptoms among daytime workers at-risk for insomnia
Authors: Takano Yuta , Ibata Rui , Nakano Norihito , Sakano Yuji 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAlthough insomnia complaints are associated with mental health problems and reduced work productivity, the central insomnia symptoms in workers at-risk for insomnia remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the central insomnia symptoms among daytime workers at risk for insomnia. The participants were 881 Japanese daytime workers at-risk for insomnia with a mean age of 49.33 ± 9.92 years. At-risk for insomnia was defined as an Athens Insomnia Scale score of six or higher. The Athens Insomnia Scale was used as a screening for at-risk insomnia because it has higher sensitivity and specificity than other insomnia screening scales. The Insomnia Severity Index is recommended as a mechanism of insomnia and an outcome measure; therefore, a network analysis was conducted with the seven items of the Insomnia Severity Index. The important variables in the connections between insomnia symptoms were estimated from centrality indices, which were interpretable only for strength. The strength value results suggest that difficulty staying asleep and worry about sleep problems were the central insomnia symptoms. The connections were stronger for difficulty staying asleep and problem waking up too early, difficulty staying asleep and difficulty falling asleep, and interference with daytime functions and noticeable to others. Worry about sleep problems was strongly associated with variables other than nocturnal insomnia symptoms. Therefore, difficulty staying asleep and worry about sleep problems are important variables in daytime workers at-risk for insomnia and are key points for improvement or exacerbation of insomnia symptoms.
Midwinter breakdown of ENSO climate impacts in East Asia
Authors: Geng Xin , Noh Kyung-Min , Kim Kyungna , Kug Jong-Seong 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influence on the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) exhibits remarkable non-stationarity on subseasonal timescales, severely limiting climate predictability. Here, based on observational and reanalysis datasets, we identify a robust subseasonal variability in the EAWM response to ENSO, with a notable synchronous break in mid-January lasting about 10 days. We suggest that this breakdown is largely caused by interference from the abrupt phase reversal of the ENSO-driven North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which occurs about a week earlier in early January. During El Niño years, the NAO phase transition from positive to negative triggers a rapid change in the mid-latitude atmospheric circulation via the quasi-stationary Rossby wave adjustment. This results in the strengthening of the Siberian high, which produces strong northerly wind anomalies over East Asia, while the anomalous western North Pacific anticyclone weakens and shrinks to the south, eventually leading to the collapse of the teleconnection.
ALK fusions in the pan-cancer setting: another tumor-agnostic target?
Authors: Shreenivas Aditya , Janku Filip , Gouda Mohamed A. , Chen Hui-Zi , George Ben , Kato Shumei , Kurzrock Razelle 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAnaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) alterations (activating mutations, amplifications, and fusions/rearrangements) occur in ~3.3% of cancers.ALKfusions/rearrangements are discerned in >50% of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) and anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs), but only in ~0.2% of other cancers outside of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a rate that may be below the viability threshold of even large-scale treatment trials. Five ALK inhibitors –alectinib, brigatinib, ceritinb, crizotinib, and lorlatinib—are FDA approved forALK-aberrant NSCLCs, and crizotinib is also approved forALK-aberrant IMTs and ALCL, including in children. Herein, we review the pharmacologic tractability ofALKalterations, focusing beyond NSCLC. Importantly, the hallmark of approved indications is the presence ofALKfusions/rearrangements, and response rates of ~50–85%. Moreover, there are numerous reports of ALK inhibitor activity in multiple solid and hematologic tumors (e.g., histiocytosis, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, myeloma, and colorectal, neuroendocrine, ovarian, pancreatic, renal, and thyroid cancer) bearingALKfusions/rearrangements. Many reports used crizotinib or alectinib, but each of the approved ALK inhibitors have shown activity. ALK inhibitor activity is also seen in neuroblastoma, which bearALKmutations (rather than fusions/rearrangements), but response rates are lower (~10–20%). Current data suggests that ALK inhibitors have tissue-agnostic activity in neoplasms bearingALKfusions/rearrangements.
Recent advances in enantioselective ring-opening polymerization and copolymerization
Authors: Xie Xiaoyu , Huo Ziyu , Jang Eungyo , Tong Rong 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPrecisely controlling macromolecular stereochemistry and sequences is a powerful strategy for manipulating polymer properties. Controlled synthetic routes to prepare degradable polyester, polycarbonate, and polyether are of recent interest due to the need for sustainable materials as alternatives to petrochemical-based polyolefins. Enantioselective ring-opening polymerization and ring-opening copolymerization of racemic monomers offer access to stereoregular polymers, specifically enantiopure polymers that form stereocomplexes with improved physicochemical and mechanical properties. Here, we highlight the state-of-the-art of this polymerization chemistry that can produce microstructure-defined polymers. In particular, the structures and performances of various homogeneous enantioselective catalysts are presented. Trends and future challenges of such chemistry are discussed.
Conversion of the bronchial tree into a conforming electrode to ablate the lung nodule in a porcine model
Authors: Shah Izaz Ali , Seol Hee Yun , Cho Youngdae , Ji Wonjun , Seo Jaeyoung , Lee Cheolmin , Chon Min-Ku , Shin Donghoon , Kim Justin H. , Choo Ki-Seok , Park Junhui , Kim Juhyung , Yoo Hyoungsuk , Kim June-Hong 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the treatment options for lung nodules. However, the need for exact delivery of the rigid metal electrode into the center of the target mass often leads to complications or suboptimal results. To overcome these limitations, a concept of conforming electrodes using a flexible material has been tested in this study.

Methods
A bronchoscopy-guided RFA (CAROL) under a temperature-controlled mode was tested in in-vivo and ex-vivo porcine lungs. Gallium-based liquid metal was used for turning the bronchial tree into temporary RF electrodes. A customized bronchoscopy-guided balloon-tipped guiding catheter (CAROL catheter) was used to make the procedure feasible under fluoroscopy imaging guidance. The computer simulation was also performed to gain further insight into the ablation results. Safety was also assessed including the liquid metal remaining in the body.

Results
The bronchial electrode injected from the CAROL catheter was able to turn the target site bronchial air pipe into a temporally multi-tined RF electrode. The mean volume of Gallium for each effective CAROL was 0.46 ± 0.47 ml. The ablation results showed highly efficacious and consistent results, especially in the peripheral lung. Most bronchial electrodes were also retrieved by either bronchoscopic suction immediately after the procedure or by natural expectoration thereafter. The liquid metal used in these experiments did not have any significant safety issues. Computer simulation also supports these results.

Conclusion
The CAROL ablation was very effective and safe in porcine lungs showing encouraging potential to overcome the conventional approaches.
Improving Perceptual Speech Ratings: The Effects of Auditory Training on Judgments of Dysarthric Speech
Authors: Stipancic Kaila L. , Golzy Mojgan , Zhao Yunxin , Pinkerton Louise , Rohl Andrea , Kuruvilla-Dugdale Mili 
Published: September 2023

Purpose:
Auditory training has been shown to reduce rater variability in perceptual voice assessment. Because rater variability is also a central issue in the auditory-perceptual assessment of dysarthria, this study sought to determine if training produces a meaningful change in rater reliability, criterion validity, and scaling magnitude of four features: overall speech impairment, articulatory imprecision, monotony, and slow rate.

Method:
Forty-four nonexperts randomized to training and nontraining listener groups completed a pretest and posttest. Only the former group underwent auditory training between pre- and posttests. For both testing and training, listeners rated samples from speakers with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD), and neurologically healthy control speakers using separate visual analog scales (VASs) for each of the four features. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to compare inter- and intrarater reliability between pre- and posttest for both listener groups. For criterion validity, severity ratings from the two nonexpert listener groups were compared to those of two experienced listeners for all four features. To determine changes in scaling magnitude, raw VAS scores for each feature were compared from pre- to posttest within the two nonexpert listener groups. Scaling changes were also compared between the two listener groups for the pre- and posttest conditions.

Results and Conclusions:
In the training group, a meaningful improvement in interrater reliability was observed for some features in all three speaker groups, but not in the nontraining group. In contrast, for intrarater reliability, in the nontraining group, a meaningful improvement was observed for many features in all three speaker groups, but only for PD monotony and slow rate in the training group. All ratings from the nonexpert listeners were valid except for monotony. Raw VAS scores did not meaningfully change from pre- to posttest for any of the features, but there was a trend toward lower scores posttraining, mainly for the ALS samples. Modifications to the auditory training paradigm to further improve reliability and validity, along with future goals for optimizing training, are discussed.