bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Giardiavirus infection alleviates growth restriction and intestinal damage caused by the intestinal parasite Giardia duodenalis
Authors: Li Lu , Cao Lili , Yang Qiankun , Zhao Zhiteng , Yuan Jianqi , Liu Shaoxiong , Jin Qinqin , Li Jianhua , Li Xin , Wang Xiaocen , Zhang Nan , Jiang Weina , Gong Pengtao 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background

Giardia duodenalis is a prevalent intestinal pathogen causing giardiasis, a condition characterized by diarrhea and frequently linked to malnutrition and growth impairments in children. The virulence of Giardiavirus (GLV) may efficiently clear Giardia parasites from infected patients. However, we have a limited understanding of GLV transmission among Giardia species and GLV-infected Giardia’s impact on pathogenicity.

Methods
This study investigated extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated via ultracentrifugation or exosome assay kit to detect the presence of GLV in EVs, the results were detected using ultrastructure and molecular methods, including transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and dot blot. Transwell migration assays confirmed the spread of GLV-enveloped EVs among Giardia species using inhibitor experiments and immunofluorescence. Mice gavaged with Giardia, with or without GLV infection, were assessed for disease progression, including growth parameters (weight and size gains), intestinal permeability, and pathology.

Results
Parts of GLV exploit the Giardia EVs pathway to reach the extracellular environment, allowing GLV to spread among Giardia species via these EVs. The uptake of GLV-containing EVs by Giardia results in rapid trophozoite infection, and GLV wrapped in EVs also offers protection against external interference. Importantly, EV-coated GLV-infected Giardia leads to divergent clinical symptoms in mice, posing less risk to mice and reducing symptoms, such as emaciation, stunted growth, and lesion damage, compared with GLV-free Giardia-infected mice.

Conclusions
Our studies show that GLV wrapped in EVs can spread among Giardia species, and GLV infection alleviates the lesions caused by Giardia. These findings reveal that GLV could be a target for the development of novel intervention strategies against Giardia.

Graphical abstract
“Bad timing for illness relapse!” Mood symptoms, challenges and strategies for wellbeing in the first year postpartum among infant mothers with bipolar disorder: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Anke Teija MS , Skjelstad Dag Vegard 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
The postpartum period is associated with a high risk of illness episodes in women with bipolar disorder (BD) and is a critical developmental phase for both a new mother and her infant. This mixed-methods study aimed to investigate the occurrence of mood symptoms among infant mothers with BD in the first year postpartum, as well as their perceptions of the first year, their challenges and their strategies for wellbeing.

Methods
Twenty-six women with BD participated. Mood symptoms were assessed at 3 and 12 months postpartum with the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology and Young Mania Rating Scale. Occurrences of additional postpartum mood deviations were investigated through an interview at 12 months, which also covered the women’s postpartum experiences. Thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative dataset (interviews and field notes).

Results
42% of the women were euthymic or had only mild mood symptoms at 3 and 12 months. 58% had moderate to severe symptoms at either or both time points. A positive (38%) vs. mixed (62%) perception of the first year was strongly associated with euthymia-mild vs. moderate-severe mood deviations, as was the experience of maternal developmental achievement vs. struggles. The women experienced postpartum mood deviations and illness episodes as being particularly poorly timed. Further challenges included balancing self-care and infant mothering, familial relations, and negative experiences with the health and care systems. Illness acceptance with mindfulness of one’s own and the infant’s needs was a primary strategy for wellbeing, which was complemented by the support of one’s partner and family and postpartum treatment.

Conclusions
Our findings propose that without impeding mood deviations and concomitant challenges, infant mothers with BD can enjoy their new motherhood and experience phase-specific growth equally to healthy mothers. On the other hand, moderate to severe mood deviations can adversely impact the experience of the postpartum year and one’s own sense of mothering. Efforts to prevent postpartum mood deviations need to be complemented with interventions that target phase-specific BD challenges and support wellbeing strategies for both the mother and her infant. In summary, women’s needs to function as infant mothers must be considered in the postpartum treatment of BD.
A novel PTH1R mutation causes primary failure of eruption via the cAMP-PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Lu Kejie , Qian Ying , Gong Jiaxing , Li Zhiyong , Yu Mengfei , Wang Huiming 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Primary failure of eruption (PFE) is a rare disorder characterized by a posterior open bite. While mutations in the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) gene have been demonstrated to cause PFE, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.

Methods
Whole exome sequencing was conducted to identify PTH1R variants in a PFE family. MG63 cells that stably expressed the corresponding mutant PTH1R were established using lentiviruses. Next, osteogenesis was assessed by measuring cell alkaline phosphatase activity, conducting alizarin red staining, and evaluating osteoblast-specific gene expression. Then, computational analysis of binding affinity and RNA sequencing were carried out. Lastly, rescue experiments were performed to validate the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of PFE.

Results
A novel PTH1R missense mutation (c.904G > A, p.E302K) was identified in a Chinese family affected by PFE. Moreover, the E302K mutation inhibited the expression of osteogenic-specific genes and proteins in MG63 cells. Computational analysis revealed the E302K mutation decreased the binding affinity of Gαs to the PTH1R protein. Consistently, cAMP accumulation assays demonstrated that the E302K mutation impaired the intracellular PTH1-34 -induced accumulation of cAMP. Further RNA sequencing analysis and validation experiments revealed that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway was predominantly down-regulated in response to the E302K mutation. Finally, forskolin partially restored the effects of the E302K mutation on osteogenesis.

Conclusions
This study indicated that the E302K mutation in PTH1R decreased the binding affinity of PTH1R protein for Gαs, down-regulated the cAMP-PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and inhibited osteogenesis, eventually leading to PFE. This study not only expands the genotypic spectrum of PTH1R mutations but also elucidates the underlying pathogenic mechanism of PTH1R-associated PFE.
Dialysis-related amyloidosis: a review from case series
Authors: Ubara Yoshifumi , Suwabe Tatsuya , Wada Takehiko , Sawa Naoki 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In Japan, dialysis first started in 1963 with intermittent peritoneal dialysis, followed by hemodialysis in 1966. The introduction of dialysis made it possible to treat end-stage renal failure, which at that time was a fatal or malignant disease, making it a benign disease and enabling long-term survival. However, patients who survived on dialysis for more than 10 years often developed dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA), a serious dialysis complication that causes bone and joint lesions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical destructive spondyloarthropathy (DSA), and lumbar DSA. DRA led to impaired activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL), and ultimately, death. Because DRA was caused by the deposition of beta-2 microglobulin (β2MG), treatment methods were devised to remove serum β2MG, i.e., dialysis fluid was purified, dialyzers with dialysis membranes were developed, and hemodiafiltration was introduced. These approaches not only greatly reduced the β2MG concentration in the blood, but they also significantly increased the number of years until the onset of DRA and decreased the amount of deposited amyloid. Unfortunately, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) removes less β2MG than hemodialysis and patients who undergo CAPD for more than ten years can develop lumbar DSA, which decreases their ADL and can cause death. This article describes the history of treatment of dialysis amyloidosis at our hospital, a pioneering institution for dialysis in Japan, with reference to relevant publications.
The HIF-1α/miR-145b/Angpt2 axis attenuates renal fibrosis induced by unilateral renal ischemia–reperfusion
Authors: Cheng Bingyou , Huang Shang , Zhou Lin , Zhu Pei , Li Zhongpu , Hu Liang , Liu Jingsong , Zhu Kejian 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Renal fibrosis is a major pathological feature in chronic kidney disease, and is considered the final common pathway for virtually all progressive kidney diseases. Although a large amount of progress has been made in understanding renal fibrosis, the pathogenesis is very complex and still incompletely understood.

Methods
Renal fibrosis was induced by unilateral renal ischemia–reperfusion (uIR) operation. In some experiments, microRNA-145b (miR-145b) mimic or locked nucleic-acid-modified (LNA-modified) anti-miR-145b was delivered to mice through tail vein injection every 2 days, for a total of seven injections following uIR operation. In some experiments, YC-1 (a selective HIF-1α inhibitor) was given intraperitoneally on the day of uIR operation and continued until the mice were euthanized. The mice were euthanized 2 weeks after uIR operation for further analysis.

Results
We demonstrated a significant increase of microRNA-145b (miR-145b) in renal tubular cells in mice following a uIR operation. The uIR operation led to the activation of HIF-1α in renal tubular cells, and inhibition of HIF-1α prevented the increase of miR-145b. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays further verified HIF-1α directly binding to the miR-145b gene promoter upon uIR operation. Functionally, inhibiting miR-145b using locked nucleic-acid-modified (LNA-modified) anti-miR-145b could aggravate renal tubular injury and promote the progression of renal fibrosis following uIR operation, indicating that miR-145b serves as an anti-fibrotic factor. Further, our study also found miR-145b in vivo transfection suppressed the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2) in mice after uIR operation. Luciferase microRNA target reporter assays further verified Angpt2 as a direct target of miR-145b.

Conclusions
This study unveiled a HIF-1α/microRNA-145b/Angpt2 axis that could ameliorate tubular injury and delay the development and progression of renal fibrosis.
Attitudes of Ukrainian refugees in Austria: gender roles, democracy, and confidence in international institutions
Authors: Riederer B. , Buber-Ennser I. , Setz I. , Kohlenberger J. , Rengs B. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The perception of cultural differences between refugee populations and host societies is central to political debates on integration. This study examines cultural values within the context of the Ukrainian refugee flows to Austria, following the Russian war of aggression. Previous research has shown that Ukrainian refugees represent a self-selected group in terms of their socioeconomic profile. However, there is limited evidence on whether and how their beliefs differ from those in their home society and align with those in their host society. Our research addresses this gap by offering a comparative analysis of two value dimensions: (1) gender roles, and (2) political attitudes. We utilize three large-scale data sources for our analyses to compare Ukrainian arrivals in Austria with the Austrian and Ukrainian resident populations. These sources include a rapid-response survey among Ukrainian arrivals in Austria conducted in 2022, and the most recent waves of the World Values Survey (WVS Ukraine 2020) and the European Values Study (EVS Austria 2018). Our results reveal a complex pattern. The gender role attitudes of Ukrainian arrivals deviate from both their home and host societies. Ukrainian refugees tend to hold more liberal gender role attitudes than the Ukrainian resident population and more traditional gender role attitudes than the Austrian resident population. When controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, the differences with the home country decrease, whereas the differences with the host country increase. This suggests that the selection of refugees in terms of education or age accounts for their in-between position in gender roles. Regarding beliefs in democracy, Ukrainian arrivals tend to align more closely with their home country than their host country. However, they indicate much more confidence in the EU than their compatriots and the Austrian resident population. The differences in attitudes towards democracy and confidence in international institutions remain stable even after accounting for sociodemographic characteristics, indicating that these differences are not due to socioeconomic self-selection processes. Finally, we find that Ukrainian arrivals from Kyiv stand out in both value dimensions, as they tend to hold less traditional gender role attitudes and have a more positive evaluation of democracy compared to those from other regions of Ukraine.
Benzodiazepines induced stupor in a four-year-old child: when EEG meets toxicology
Authors: Montanari Eva , Siliquini Sabrina , Faro Alfredo Fabrizio Lo , Rotolo Maria Concetta , Busardò Francesco Paolo , Vidua Raghvendra Kumar , De Simone Stefania , Montana Angelo 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
The differential diagnosis of stupor is complex, especially in emergency settings. Idiopathic recurrent stupor, linked to the "endozepine-4" effect, must be considered, too. Stupor associated with endozepine has recently been questioned because more sophisticated toxicological tests have revealed that it is just an unreported exogenous exposure to benzodiazepines.

Case presentation
A four-year-old child in a stupor state was admitted to the Emergency Department. The EEG carried out during the state of stupor showed a typical pattern of acute drug abuse. Toxicological analyses revealed a high concentration of benzodiazepine, while second-level analyses identified both lorazepam and lormetazepam. Benzodiazepines chronic exposure was detected in unconventional matrices analysis, such as hair. It was an acute lorazepam and lormetazepam intoxication in a chronic tox history.

Conclusions
Should a patient in a stupor show up in an emergency, it becomes of primary importance to perform EEG and high-sensibility toxicological tests. Once the acute intoxication has been resolved, it is essential to analyze alternative matrices, such as hair, to reconstruct the patient's previous tox history. This suggestion is highly recommended in case of children. Chronic benzodiazepine intoxication may be a manifestation of chronic abuse, especially when directed towards children.
Sidewalk matching: a smartphone-based GNSS positioning technique for pedestrians in urban canyons
Authors: Weng Duojie , Chen Wu , Ding Mengyu , Liu Simin , Wang Jingxian 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In urban canyons, most of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are blocked or reflected by high-rising buildings. The lack of redundant fault-free measurements poses a great challenge for detecting and isolating faulty measurements, degrading the GNSS positioning accuracy, particularly in the cross-street direction. The current GNSS positioning accuracy in urban canyons is not sufficient for identifying the sides of a street, which is highly demanded by numerous pedestrian applications. To address this issue, this study proposes a sidewalk matching technique to improve the redundancy of fault-free measurements and achieve positioning accuracy at sidewalk level in urban canyons. The technique relies on a simple pedestrian map and smartphone sensors, without Three-Dimensional (3D) building models. A new algorithm is proposed to identify the sides of the street, and a searching algorithm is developed to find GNSS position under constraints of the sidewalk. Extensive evaluation of the proposed technique based on a real-time platform demonstrated that the accuracy of GNSS positioning was less than 5 m, enabling seamless determination of the street sides in urban canyons. The new sidewalk matching technique can be used in various real-life applications, including pedestrian collision avoidance systems, online ride-hailing service, and jaywalking monitoring.
Improving cancer prevention and control through implementing academic-local public health department partnerships – protocol for a cluster-randomized implementation trial using a positive deviance approach
Authors: Mazzucca-Ragan Stephanie , Allen Peg , Amos Kathleen , Barker Abigail R. , Brewer Madisen , Erwin Paul C. , Gannon Jessica , Gao Feng , Jacob Rebekah R. , Lengnick-Hall Rebecca , Brownson Ross C. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Local public health departments in the United States are responsible for implementing cancer-related programs and policies in their communities; however, many staff have not been trained to use evidence-based processes, and the organizational climate may be unsupportive of evidence-based processes. A promising approach to address these gaps is through academic-public health department (AHD) partnerships, in which practitioners and academics collaborate to improve public health practice and education through joint research projects and educational opportunities. Prior research has demonstrated the benefits of AHD partnerships to public health practice and education. However, knowledge about how AHD partnerships should be structured to support implementation of programs and policies is sparse.

Methods
This is a mixed methods, two-phase study, guided by the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment (EPIS) Framework, in which AHD partnerships are a relational type of bridging factor. A positive deviance approach will be used to understand how AHD partnerships are best structured and supported. In the formative phase, we will survey academics and local health department staff (n = 500) to characterize AHD partnerships and understand contextual influences. We will conduct in-depth interviews with eight AHD partnerships (four high and four low engagement), to identify differences between high and low engagement partnerships. The second, experimental phase will be a paired group randomized trial with 28 AHD partnerships (n = 14 randomized to implementation arm and n = 14 to the control arm). A menu of strategies will be refined through survey and interview findings, literature, and our team’s previous work. The trial will assess whether these strategies can be used to strengthen partnerships and improve adoption of cancer prevention and control programs and policies. We will evaluate changes in AHD partnership engagement and implementation of evidence-based programs and policies.

Discussion
This first-of-its-kind study will focus on collaborations that leverage complementary expertise of health department staff and academics to improve public health practice. Our results can impact the field by identifying new, sustainable models for how public health practitioners and academics can work together to meet common goals, increase the use of evidence-based programs and policies, and expand our understanding of bridging factors within the EPIS framework.

Trial registration
Prospective registered on 9/17/2024 at clinicaltrials.gov no. NCT06605196 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06605196).
Dynamic Stability of Cooperative Investment Under Uncertainty
Authors: Ketelaars Martijn W. , Borm Peter , Kort Peter M. 
Published: February 2025

Modeling Cooperative and Noncooperative Incentives in Investment Projects: A Novel Approach Using Cooperative Game Theory and Real Options Theory In “Dynamic Stability of Cooperative Investment under Uncertainty,” Ketelaars, Borm, and Kort study an investment project involving multiple stakeholders. The research was prompted by the fact that many infrastructure projects, such as Feyenoord City in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and the new Berlin airport, failed or were significantly delayed. Recognizing that the various stakeholders have outside options, the authors combine concepts from cooperative game theory and real options to analyze a coalitional and dynamic stability concept. They characterize the proportional investment scheme as the scheme that maximizes total project value and results in the earliest investment timing. They show that dynamic stability can be present when the market is stable and when the market is growing and volatile. However, the proportional investment scheme is more sensitive to dynamic instability in a market with high profit growth and low profit uncertainty, or vice versa.
Association between serum neurofilament light chains and Life’s Essential 8: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Wang Tao , Yan Li-Ming , Ma Teng-Chi , Gao Xiao-Rong 
Published: February 2025

Background and aim
Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), a protein released into the bloodstream post-neuronal axonal damage, has been validated as a robust biomarker for a range of neurological and systemic diseases. Concurrently, Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) comprises a holistic suite of health behaviors and metabolic markers that are essential for assessing and enhancing cardiovascular health. Nevertheless, the interrelation between LE8 and sNfL is not yet fully elucidated. This investigation seeks to evaluate the association between LE8 and sNfL within the framework of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods
According to data from the 2013–2014 NHANES, the study enrolled a total of 5262 participants aged between 20 and 75 years. We excluded 3035 individuals lacking sNfL measurements, included 2071 subjects for analysis, and further excluded cases from LE8 due to missing data. Ultimately, 1691 valid datasets were obtained. Hierarchical and multiple regression analyses were conducted, supplemented by smooth curve fitting and saturation effect analysis to investigate the relationship between LE8 and sNfL.

Results
An inverse correlation was observed between LE8 scores and sNfL levels. For each SD change increase in LE8, log-transformed sNfL levels decreased by 0.14 (-0.17, -0.11 in the non-adjusted model), 0.08 (-0.10, -0.05 in the minimally adjusted model), and 0.08 (-0.12, -0.05 in the fully adjusted model). The multi-factor adjusted β coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for LE8 categories (<50, 50 ~ 80, and ≥80) were as follows: reference, -0.20 (-0.34, -0.06), and -0.26 (-0.42, -0.10). The inflection point was determined to be 58.12, identified using a two-piece linear regression model.

Conclusion
The analysis indicated a non-linear relationship between LE8 scores and sNfL levels. Associations were noted a positive association between LE8 and sNfL. These results suggest that lifestyle modifications and optimization of metabolic markers could potentially correlate with reduced sNfL levels; further investigation is necessary to confirm a causal relationship.