bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heat stress and heat strain among outdoor workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua
Authors: Petropoulos Zoe E. , Keogh Sinead A. , Jarquín Emmanuel , López-Pilarte Damaris , Amador Velázquez Juan José , García-Trabanino Ramón , Amador Sánchez Magaly Rosario , Guevara Raúl , Gruener Alexa , Allen Dustin R. , Leibler Jessica H. , Delgado Iris S. , McClean Michael D. , Friedman David J. , Brooks Daniel R. , Scammell Madeleine K. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
There is growing attention on occupational heat stress in Central America, as workers in this region are affected by a unique form of chronic kidney disease. Previous studies have examined wet bulb globe temperatures and estimated metabolic rates to assess heat stress, but there are limited data characterizing heat strain among these workers.

Objective
The aims were to characterize heat stress and heat strain and examine whether job task, break duration, hydration practices, and kidney function were associated with heat strain.

Methods
We used data from the MesoAmerican Nephropathy Occupational Study, a cohort of 569 outdoor workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua who underwent workplace exposure monitoring, including continuous measurement of core body temperature (Tc), heart rate (HR), physical activity, and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), over the course of three days in January 2018 - May 2018. Participants represented five industries: sugarcane, corn, plantain, brickmaking, and construction.

Results
Median WBGTs were relatively high (>27 °C) at most sites, particularly when work shifts spanned the afternoon hours (e.g., 29.2 °C among plantain workers). Sugarcane workers, especially cane cutters in both countries and Nicaraguan agrichemical applicators, had the highest estimated metabolic rates (medians: 299–318 kcal/hr). Most workers spent little time on break (<10% of the shift), as determined by physical activity data. Overall, sugarcane workers—particularly those in Nicaragua—experienced the highest Tc and HR values. However, a few workers in other industries reached high Tc (>39 °C) as well. Impaired kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate <90 mL/min/1.73 m2) was associated with higher Tc and HR values, even after adjustment.

Significance
This is the largest study to-date examining heat stress and strain among outdoor workers in Central America. Workers at sugar companies regularly experienced Tc > 38°C (76.9% of monitored person-days at Nicaraguan companies; 46.5% at Salvadoran companies). Workers with impaired kidney function had higher measures of Tc and HR.

Impact statement
This study examined levels of occupational heat stress and heat strain experienced among outdoor workers in five industries in El Salvador and Nicaragua. We characterized heat stress using wet bulb globe temperatures and estimated metabolic rate and heat strain using core body temperature and heart rate. Sugarcane workers, particularly cane cutters and Nicaraguan agrichemical applicators, performed more strenuous work and experienced greater levels of heat strain. Impaired kidney function was associated with higher heart rates and core body temperatures.
Resilience to substance use disorder following childhood maltreatment: association with peripheral biomarkers of endocannabinoid function and neural indices of emotion regulation
Authors: Perini Irene , Mayo Leah M. , Capusan Andrea J. , Paul Elisabeth R. , Yngve Adam , Kampe Robin , Gauffin Emelie , Mazurka Raegan , Ghafouri Bijar , Stensson Niclas , Asratian Anna , Hamilton J. Paul , Kastbom Åsa , Gustafsson Per A. , Heilig Markus 
Published: April 2023

AbstractChildhood maltreatment (CM) is a risk factor for substance use disorders (SUD) in adulthood. Understanding the mechanisms by which people are susceptible or resilient to developing SUD after exposure to CM is important for improving intervention. This case-control study investigated the impact of prospectively assessed CM on biomarkers of endocannabinoid function and emotion regulation in relation to the susceptibility or resilience to developing SUD. Four groups were defined across the dimensions of CM and lifetime SUD (N = 101 in total). After screening, participants completed two experimental sessions on separate days, aimed at assessing the behavioral, physiological, and neural mechanisms involved in emotion regulation. In the first session, participants engaged in tasks assessing biochemical (i.e., cortisol, endocannabinoids), behavioral, and psychophysiological indices of stress and affective reactivity. During the second session, the behavioral and brain mechanisms associated with emotion regulation and negative affect were investigated using magnetic resonance imaging. CM-exposed adults who did not develop SUD, operationally defined as resilient to developing SUD, had higher peripheral levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide at baseline and during stress exposure, compared to controls. Similarly, this group had increased activity in salience and emotion regulation regions in task-based measures of emotion regulation compared to controls, and CM-exposed adults with lifetime SUD. At rest, the resilient group also showed significantly greater negative connectivity between ventromedial prefrontal cortex and anterior insula compared to controls and CM-exposed adults with lifetime SUD. Collectively, these peripheral and central findings point to mechanisms of potential resilience to developing SUD after documented CM exposure.
Exosomal circSPIRE1 mediates glycosylation of E-cadherin to suppress metastasis of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Shu Guannan , Lu Xuanxuan , Pan Yihui , Cen Junjie , Huang Kangbo , Zhou Mi , Lu Jun , Dong Jiaqi , Han Hui , Chen Wei , Lin Juan , Luo Junhang , Zhang Jiaxing 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMetastasis is the main cause of mortality in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) involvement in RCC metastasis has been described, although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We evaluated recurring lung-metastasis cases using patient-derived xenograft models and isolated a highly metastatic clone. CircSPIRE1 was identified as a metastasis-inhibiting circRNA in clinical cohort and xenograft models. Mechanistically, circSPIRE1 suppressed mesenchymal state through regulating ELAV like RNA binding protein 1-mRNA binding, and upregulating polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 3 (GALNT3) and KH domain RNA binding protein (QKI) expression. GALNT3 promoted glycosylation and cytomembrane localization of E-cadherin. QKI formed a positive feedback loop to enhance circSPIRE1 expression. Meanwhile, exosomal circSPIRE1 suppressed angiogenesis and vessel permeability. Our work reveals a non-canonical route for circRNAs in RCC to suppress metastasis. Furthermore, a nanomedicine consisting of circSPIRE1 plasmid suppressed metastasis formation. In conclusion, circSPIRE1 may be a predictor of metastasis and a potential therapeutic target of metastatic RCC.
Functional morphometry: non-invasive estimation of the alveolar surface area in extremely preterm infants
Authors: Williams Emma E. , Gareth Jones J. , McCurnin Donald , Rüdiger Mario , Nanjundappa Mahesh , Greenough Anne , Dassios Theodore 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
The main pathophysiologic characteristic of chronic respiratory disease following extremely premature birth is arrested alveolar growth, which translates to a smaller alveolar surface area (SA). We aimed to use non-invasive measurements to estimate the SA in extremely preterm infants.

Methods
Paired measurements of the fraction of inspired oxygen and transcutaneous oxygen saturation were used to calculate the ventilation/perfusion ratio, which was translated to SA using Fick’s law of diffusion. The SA was then adjusted using volumetric capnography.

Results
Thirty infants with a median (range) gestational age of 26.3 (22.9–27.9) weeks were studied. The median (range) adjusted SA was 647.9 (316.4–902.7) cm2. The adjusted SA was lower in the infants who required home oxygen [637.7 (323.5–837.5) cm2] compared to those who did not [799.1 (444.2–902.7) cm2, p = 0.016]. In predicting the need for supplemental home oxygen, the adjusted SA had an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.815 (p = 0.017). An adjusted SA ≥688.6 cm2 had 86% sensitivity and 77% specificity in predicting the need for supplemental home oxygen.

Conclusions
The alveolar surface area can be estimated non-invasively in extremely preterm infants. The adjusted alveolar surface area has the potential to predict the subsequent need for discharge home on supplemental oxygen.

Impact

We describe a novel biomarker of respiratory disease following extremely preterm birth.

The adjusted alveolar surface area index was derived by non-invasive measurements of the ventilation/perfusion ratio and adjusted by concurrent measurements of volumetric capnography.

The adjusted alveolar surface area was markedly reduced in extremely preterm infants studied at 7 days of life and could predict the need for discharge home on supplemental oxygen.

This method could be used at the bedside to estimate the alveolar surface area and provide an index of the severity of lung disease, and assist in monitoring, clinical management and prognosis.
Tumour budding-based grading as independent prognostic biomarker in HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck cancer
Authors: Stögbauer Fabian , Beck Susanne , Ourailidis Iordanis , Hess Jochen , Poremba Christopher , Lauterbach Maren , Wollenberg Barbara , Buchberger Anna Maria Stefanie , Jesinghaus Moritz , Schirmacher Peter , Stenzinger Albrecht , Weichert Wilko , Boxberg Melanie , Budczies Jan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
The prognostic significance of tumour budding (TB) and minimal cell nest size (MCNS) was shown in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). However, the optimisation of cutpoints, the prognostic impact in HPV-positive HNSCC, and the comparison with other histopathological grading systems are insufficiently investigated.

Methods
TB and MCNS were analysed digitally in 1 and 10 high-power fields (HPF) of 331 HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases from TCGA. Optimising the cutpoints a new cellular dissociation grading (CDG) system was defined and compared to the WHO grading and the Brandwein–Gensler (BG) risk model.

Results
The two-tiered CDG system based solely on TB yielded optimal prognostic stratification with shortened overall survival for CDG-high cases. Optimal cut-offs were two buds (1 HPF) and six buds (10 HPF), respectively. Analysing MCNS did not add prognostic significance to quantifying TB. CDG was a significant prognostic marker in HPV-negative and HPV-positive tumours and prognostically superior to the WHO and BG systems. High CDG was associated with clinically occult lymph-node metastases.

Conclusions
The most comprehensive study of TB in HNSCC so far confirmed its prognostic impact in HPV-negative tumours and for the first time in HPV-positive tumours. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its applicability for therapy guidance in HNSCC.
A neural network model for high entropy alloy design
Authors: Wang Jaemin , Kwon Hyeonseok , Kim Hyoung Seop , Lee Byeong-Joo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA neural network model is developed to search vast compositional space of high entropy alloys (HEAs). The model predicts the mechanical properties of HEAs better than several other models. It’s because the special structure of the model helps the model understand the characteristics of constituent elements of HEAs. In addition, thermodynamics descriptors were utilized as input to the model so that the model predicts better by understanding the thermodynamic properties of HEAs. A conditional random search, which is good at finding local optimal values, was selected as the inverse predictor and designed two HEAs using the model. We experimentally verified that the HEAs have the best combination of strength and ductility and this proves the validity of the model and alloy design method. The strengthening mechanism of the designed HEAs is further discussed based on microstructure and lattice distortion effect. The present alloy design approach, specialized in finding multiple local optima, could help researchers design an infinite number of new alloys with interesting properties.
Dehydration of a crystal hydrate at subglacial temperatures
Authors: Eaby Alan C. , Myburgh Dirkie C. , Kosimov Akmal , Kwit Marcin , Esterhuysen Catharine , Janiak Agnieszka M. , Barbour Leonard J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWater is one of the most important substances on our planet1. It is ubiquitous in its solid, liquid and vaporous states and all known biological systems depend on its unique chemical and physical properties. Moreover, many materials exist as water adducts, chief among which are crystal hydrates (a specific class of inclusion compound), which usually retain water indefinitely at subambient temperatures2. We describe a porous organic crystal that readily and reversibly adsorbs water into 1-nm-wide channels at more than 55% relative humidity. The water uptake/release is chromogenic, thus providing a convenient visual indication of the hydration state of the crystal over a wide temperature range. The complementary techniques of X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and molecular simulations were used to establish that the nanoconfined water is in a state of flux above −70 °C, thus allowing low-temperature dehydration to occur. We were able to determine the kinetics of dehydration over a wide temperature range, including well below 0 °C which, owing to the presence of atmospheric moisture, is usually challenging to accomplish. This discovery unlocks opportunities for designing materials that capture/release water over a range of temperatures that extend well below the freezing point of bulk water.
Ageing-associated changes in transcriptional elongation influence longevity
Authors: Debès Cédric , Papadakis Antonios , Grönke Sebastian , Karalay Özlem , Tain Luke S. , Mizi Athanasia , Nakamura Shuhei , Hahn Oliver , Weigelt Carina , Josipovic Natasa , Zirkel Anne , Brusius Isabell , Sofiadis Konstantinos , Lamprousi Mantha , Lu Yu-Xuan , Huang Wenming , Esmaillie Reza , Kubacki Torsten , Späth Martin R. , Schermer Bernhard , Benzing Thomas , Müller Roman-Ulrich , Antebi Adam , Partridge Linda , Papantonis Argyris , Beyer Andreas 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPhysiological homeostasis becomes compromised during ageing, as a result of impairment of cellular processes, including transcription and RNA splicing1–4. However, the molecular mechanisms leading to the loss of transcriptional fidelity are so far elusive, as are ways of preventing it. Here we profiled and analysed genome-wide, ageing-related changes in transcriptional processes across different organisms: nematodes, fruitflies, mice, rats and humans. The average transcriptional elongation speed (RNA polymerase II speed) increased with age in all five species. Along with these changes in elongation speed, we observed changes in splicing, including a reduction of unspliced transcripts and the formation of more circular RNAs. Two lifespan-extending interventions, dietary restriction and lowered insulin–IGF signalling, both reversed most of these ageing-related changes. Genetic variants in RNA polymerase II that reduced its speed in worms5 and flies6 increased their lifespan. Similarly, reducing the speed of RNA polymerase II by overexpressing histone components, to counter age-associated changes in nucleosome positioning, also extended lifespan in flies and the division potential of human cells. Our findings uncover fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying animal ageing and lifespan-extending interventions, and point to possible preventive measures.
Astrocyte–neuron subproteomes and obsessive–compulsive disorder mechanisms
Authors: Soto Joselyn S. , Jami-Alahmadi Yasaman , Chacon Jakelyn , Moye Stefanie L. , Diaz-Castro Blanca , Wohlschlegel James A. , Khakh Baljit S. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAstrocytes and neurons extensively interact in the brain. Identifying astrocyte and neuron proteomes is essential for elucidating the protein networks that dictate their respective contributions to physiology and disease. Here we used cell-specific and subcompartment-specific proximity-dependent biotinylation1 to study the proteomes of striatal astrocytes and neurons in vivo. We evaluated cytosolic and plasma membrane compartments for astrocytes and neurons to discover how these cells differ at the protein level in their signalling machinery. We also assessed subcellular compartments of astrocytes, including end feet and fine processes, to reveal their subproteomes and the molecular basis of essential astrocyte signalling and homeostatic functions. Notably, SAPAP3 (encoded by Dlgap3), which is associated with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and repetitive behaviours2–8, was detected at high levels in striatal astrocytes and was enriched within specific astrocyte subcompartments where it regulated actin cytoskeleton organization. Furthermore, genetic rescue experiments combined with behavioural analyses and molecular assessments in a mouse model of OCD4 lacking SAPAP3 revealed distinct contributions of astrocytic and neuronal SAPAP3 to repetitive and anxiety-related OCD-like phenotypes. Our data define how astrocytes and neurons differ at the protein level and in their major signalling pathways. Moreover, they reveal how astrocyte subproteomes vary between physiological subcompartments and how both astrocyte and neuronal SAPAP3 mechanisms contribute to OCD phenotypes in mice. Our data indicate that therapeutic strategies that target both astrocytes and neurons may be useful to explore in OCD and potentially other brain disorders.
Unified access to up-to-date residue-level annotations from UniProtKB and other biological databases for PDB data
Authors: Choudhary Preeti , Anyango Stephen , Berrisford John , Tolchard James , Varadi Mihaly , Velankar Sameer 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMore than 61,000 proteins have up-to-date correspondence between their amino acid sequence (UniProtKB) and their 3D structures (PDB), enabled by the Structure Integration with Function, Taxonomy and Sequences (SIFTS) resource. SIFTS incorporates residue-level annotations from many other biological resources. SIFTS data is available in various formats like XML, CSV and TSV format or also accessible via the PDBe REST API but always maintained separately from the structure data (PDBx/mmCIF file) in the PDB archive. Here, we extended the wwPDB PDBx/mmCIF data dictionary with additional categories to accommodate SIFTS data and added the UniProtKB, Pfam, SCOP2, and CATH residue-level annotations directly into the PDBx/mmCIF files from the PDB archive. With the integrated UniProtKB annotations, these files now provide consistent numbering of residues in different PDB entries allowing easy comparison of structure models. The extended dictionary yields a more consistent, standardised metadata description without altering the core PDB information. This development enables up-to-date cross-reference information at the residue level resulting in better data interoperability, supporting improved data analysis and visualisation.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Qilongtian ameliorate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice via inhibiting IL-17 signal pathway
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Luo Ting , Yuan Dezheng , Liu Jing , Fu Yi , Yuan Jiali 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a special type of pulmonary parenchymal disease, with chronic, progressive, fibrosis, and high mortality. There is a lack of safe, effective, and affordable treatment methods. Qilongtian (QLT) is a traditional Chinese prescription that is composed of Panax notoginseng, Earthworm, and Rhodiola, and shows the remarkable clinical curative effect of PF. However, the mechanism of QLT remains to be clarified. Therefore, we studied the effectivity of QLT in treating Bleomycin (BLM) induced PF mice. 36 C57BL/6 J mice were randomized into the control group, the model group, the low-, medium- and high-dose QLT group, and Pirfenidone group. After establishing a model of pulmonary fibrosis in mice, the control and model groups were infused with a normal saline solution, and the delivery group was infused with QLT. Pulmonary function in the mice from each group was detected. Pulmonary tissue morphologies and collagen deposition were stained by HE and Masson. The content of hydroxyproline (HYP) was detected by alkaline hydrolysis and the mRNA and protein expression of related genes in pulmonary tissues were detected by using q-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Our studies have shown that QLT significantly reduced the inflammatory injury, hydroxy-proline content, and collagen deposition of pulmonary tissue in BLM-induced PF mice and down-regulated the cytokine related to inflammation and fibrosis and PF expression on the mRNA and protein level in PF mice. To identify the mechanism of QLT, the Transcriptome was measured and the IL-17 signal pathway was screened out for further research. Further studies indicated that QLT reduced the mRNAs and protein levels of interleukin 17 (IL-17), c–c motif chemokine ligand 12 (CCL12), c-x-c motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5), fos-like antigen 1 (FOSL1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), and amphiregulin (AREG), which are inflammation and fibrosis-related genes in the IL-17 signal pathway. The results indicated that the potential mechanism for QLT in the prevention of PF progression was by inhibiting inflammation resulting in the IL-17 signal pathway. Our study provides the novel scientific basis of QLT and represents new therapeutics for PF in clinical.
Papaya latex mediated synthesis of prism shaped proteolytic gold nanozymes
Authors: Das Ajoy Kumar , Kalita Jon Jyoti , Borah Maina , Das Suradip , Sharma Manav , Saharia Dhiren , Sarma Kushal Konwar , Bora Samrat , Bora Utpal 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBeyond natural enzymes, the artificially synthesized nanozymes have attracted a significant interest as it can overcome the limitations of the former. Here, we report synthesis of shape controlled nanozymes showing proteolytic activity using Carica papaya L. (papaya) latex. The nanozymes synthesized under optimized reaction conditions exhibited sharp SPR peak around 550 nm with high abundance (45.85%) of prism shaped particles. FTIR analysis and coagulation test indicated the presence of papaya latex enzymes as capping agents over the gold nanoprisms. The milk clot assay and the inhibition test with egg white confirmed the proteolytic activity of the nanozymes and the presence of cysteine protease on it, respectively. The nanozymes were found to be biocompatible and did not elicit any toxic response in both in-vitro and in-vivo study. Based on our findings, we envisage that these biocompatible, shape-specific nanozymes can have potential theragnostic applications.