bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combination therapy with saxagliptin and vitamin D for the preservation of β-cell function in adult-onset type 1 diabetes: a multi-center, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Yan Xiang , Li Xia , Liu Bingwen , Huang Jiaqi , Xiang Yufei , Hu Yuhang , Tang Xiaohan , Zhang Ziwei , Huang Gan , Xie Zhiguo , Zhou Houde , Liu Zhenqi , Wang Xiangbing , Leslie Richard David , Zhou Zhiguang 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDisease modifying therapies aiming to preserve β-cell function in patients with adult-onset autoimmune type 1 diabetes are lacking. Here, we conducted a multi-centre, randomized, controlled trial to assess the β-cell preservation effects of saxagliptin alone and saxagliptin combined with vitamin D as adjunctive therapies in adult-onset autoimmune type 1 diabetes. In this 3-arm trial, 301 participants were randomly assigned to a 24-month course of the conventional therapy (metformin with or without insulin) or adjunctive saxagliptin or adjunctive saxagliptin plus vitamin D to the conventional therapy. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to 24 months in the fasting C-peptide. The secondary endpoints included the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for C-peptide level in a 2-h mixed-meal tolerance test, glycemic control, total daily insulin use and safety, respectively. The primary endpoint was not achieved in saxagliptin plus vitamin D group (P = 0.18) and saxagliptin group (P = 0.26). However, compared with the conventional therapy, 2-h C-peptide AUC from 24 months to baseline decreased less with saxagliptin plus vitamin D (-276 pmol/L vs. -419 pmol/L; P = 0.01), and not to the same degree with saxagliptin alone (-314 pmol/L; P = 0.14). Notably, for participants with higher glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA) levels, the decline of β-cell function was much lower in saxagliptin plus vitamin D group than in the conventional therapy group (P = 0.001). Insulin dose was significantly reduced in both active treatment groups than in the conventional therapy group despite all groups having similar glycemic control. In conclusion, the combination of saxagliptin and vitamin D preserves pancreatic β-cell function in adult-onset autoimmune type 1 diabetes, an effect especially efficacious in individuals with higher GADA levels. Our results provide evidence for a novel adjunct to insulin and metformin as potential initial treatment for adult-onset type 1 diabetes. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02407899).
Ultra-stable and tough bioinspired crack-based tactile sensor for small legged robots
Authors: Kim Taewi , Hong Insic , Kim Minho , Im Sunghoon , Roh Yeonwook , Kim Changhwan , Lim Jongcheon , Kim Dongjin , Park Jieun , Lee Seunggon , Lim Daseul , Cho Junggwang , Huh Seokhaeng , Jo Seung-Un , Kim ChangHwan , Koh Je-Sung , Han Seungyong , Kang Daeshik 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFor legged robots, collecting tactile information is essential for stable posture and efficient gait. However, mounting sensors on small robots weighing less than 1 kg remain challenges in terms of the sensor’s durability, flexibility, sensitivity, and size. Crack-based sensors featuring ultra-sensitivity, small-size, and flexibility could be a promising candidate, but performance degradation due to crack growing by repeated use is a stumbling block. This paper presents an ultra-stable and tough bio-inspired crack-based sensor by controlling the crack depth using silver nanowire (Ag NW) mesh as a crack stop layer. The Ag NW mesh inspired by skin collagen structure effectively mitigated crack propagation. The sensor was very thin, lightweight, sensitive, and ultra-durable that maintains its sensitivity during 200,000 cycles of 0.5% strain. We demonstrate sensor’s feasibility by implementing the tactile sensation to bio-inspired robots, and propose statistical and deep learning-based analysis methods which successfully distinguished terrain type.
Multi-regional alterations in glucose and purine metabolic pathways in the Parkinson’s disease dementia brain
Authors: Scholefield Melissa , Church Stephanie J. , Taylor George , Knight David , Unwin Richard D. , Cooper Garth J. S. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, most commonly characterised by motor dysfunction, but also with a high prevalence of cognitive decline in the decades following diagnosis—a condition known as Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Although several metabolic disruptions have been identified in PD, there has yet to be a multi-regional analysis of multiple metabolites conducted in PDD brains. This discovery study attempts to address this gap in knowledge. A semi-targeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of nine neuropathologically-confirmed PDD cases vs nine controls was performed, looking at nine different brain regions, including the cingulate gyrus, cerebellum, hippocampus, motor cortex, medulla, middle temporal gyrus, pons, substantia nigra and primary visual cortex. Case–control differences were determined by multiple t-tests followed by 10% FDR correction. Of 64 identified analytes, 49 were found to be altered in at least one region of the PDD brain. These included metabolites from several pathways, including glucose and purine metabolism and the TCA cycle, with widespread increases in fructose, inosine and ribose-5-phosphate, as well as decreases in proline, serine and deoxyguanosine. Higher numbers of alterations were observed in PDD brain regions that are affected during earlier α-synuclein Braak stages—with the exception of the cerebellum, which showed an unexpectedly high number of metabolic changes. PDD brains show multi-regional alterations in glucose and purine metabolic pathways that reflect the progression of α-synuclein Braak staging. Unexpectedly, the cerebellum also shows a high number of metabolic changes.
An optimized messenger RNA vaccine candidate protects non-human primates from Zika virus infection
Authors: Bollman Brooke , Nunna Naveen , Bahl Kapil , Hsiao Chiaowen Joyce , Bennett Hamilton , Butler Scott , Foreman Bryant , Burgomaster Katherine E. , Aleshnick Maya , Kong Wing-Pui , Fisher Brian E. , Ruckwardt Tracy J. , Morabito Kaitlyn M. , Graham Barney S. , Dowd Kimberly A. , Pierson Theodore C. , Carfi Andrea 
Published: April 2023

AbstractZika virus (ZIKV), an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes, was identified as a cause of congenital disease during a major outbreak in the Americas in 2016. Vaccine design strategies relied on limited available isolate sequence information due to the rapid response necessary. The first-generation ZIKV mRNA vaccine, mRNA-1325, was initially generated and, as additional strain sequences became available, a second mRNA vaccine, mRNA-1893, was developed. Herein, we compared the immune responses following mRNA-1325 and mRNA-1893 vaccination and reported that mRNA-1893 generated comparable neutralizing antibody titers to mRNA-1325 at 1/20th of the dose and provided complete protection from ZIKV challenge in non-human primates. In-depth characterization of these vaccines indicated that the observed immunologic differences could be attributed to a single amino acid residue difference that compromised mRNA-1325 virus-like particle formation.
Tissue memory relies on stem cell priming in distal undamaged areas
Authors: Levra Levron Chiara , Watanabe Mika , Proserpio Valentina , Piacenti Gabriele , Lauria Andrea , Kaltenbach Stefan , Tamburrini Annalaura , Nohara Takuma , Anselmi Francesca , Duval Carlotta , Elettrico Luca , Donna Daniela , Conti Laura , Baev Denis , Natsuga Ken , Hagai Tzachi , Oliviero Salvatore , Donati Giacomo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractEpithelial cells that participated in wound repair elicit a more efficient response to future injuries, which is believed to be locally restricted. Here we show that cell adaptation resulting from a localized tissue damage has a wide spatial impact at a scale not previously appreciated. We demonstrate that a specific stem cell population, distant from the original injury, originates long-lasting wound memory progenitors residing in their own niche. Notably, these distal memory cells have not taken part in the first healing but become intrinsically pre-activated through priming. This cell state, maintained at the chromatin and transcriptional level, leads to an enhanced wound repair that is partially recapitulated through epigenetic perturbation. Importantly wound memory has long-term harmful consequences, exacerbating tumourigenesis. Overall, we show that sub-organ-scale adaptation to injury relies on spatially organized memory-dedicated progenitors, characterized by an actionable cell state that establishes an epigenetic field cancerization and predisposes to tumour onset.
Nationwide health, socio-economic and genetic predictors of COVID-19 vaccination status in Finland
Authors: Hartonen Tuomo , Jermy Bradley , Sõnajalg Hanna , Vartiainen Pekka , Krebs Kristi , Vabalas Andrius ,   FinnGen,   Estonian Biobank Research Team, Metspalu Andres , Esko Tõnu , Nelis Mari , Hudjashov Georgi , Leino Tuija , Nohynek Hanna , Sivelä Jonas , Mägi Reedik , Daly Mark , Ollila Hanna M. , Milani Lili , Perola Markus , Ripatti Samuli , Ganna Andrea 
Published: April 2023

AbstractUnderstanding factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination can highlight issues in public health systems. Using machine learning, we considered the effects of 2,890 health, socio-economic and demographic factors in the entire Finnish population aged 30–80 and genome-wide information from 273,765 individuals. The strongest predictors of vaccination status were labour income and medication purchase history. Mental health conditions and having unvaccinated first-degree relatives were associated with reduced vaccination. A prediction model combining all predictors achieved good discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.801; 95% confidence interval, 0.799–0.803). The 1% of individuals with the highest predicted risk of not vaccinating had an observed vaccination rate of 18.8%, compared with 90.3% in the study population. We identified eight genetic loci associated with vaccination uptake and derived a polygenic score, which was a weak predictor in an independent subset. Our results suggest that individuals at higher risk of suffering the worst consequences of COVID-19 are also less likely to vaccinate.
Electrical control of hybrid exciton transport in a van der Waals heterostructure
Authors: Tagarelli Fedele , Lopriore Edoardo , Erkensten Daniel , Perea-Causín Raül , Brem Samuel , Hagel Joakim , Sun Zhe , Pasquale Gabriele , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Malic Ermin , Kis Andras 
Published: April 2023

AbstractInteractions between out-of-plane dipoles in bosonic gases enable the long-range propagation of excitons. The lack of direct control over collective dipolar properties has so far limited the degrees of tunability and the microscopic understanding of exciton transport. In this work we modulate the layer hybridization and interplay between many-body interactions of excitons in a van der Waals heterostructure with an applied vertical electric field. By performing spatiotemporally resolved measurements supported by microscopic theory, we uncover the dipole-dependent properties and transport of excitons with different degrees of hybridization. Moreover, we find constant emission quantum yields of the transporting species as a function of excitation power with radiative decay mechanisms dominating over nonradiative ones, a fundamental requirement for efficient excitonic devices. Our findings provide a complete picture of the many-body effects in the transport of dilute exciton gases, and have crucial implications for studying emerging states of matter such as Bose–Einstein condensation and optoelectronic applications based on exciton propagation.
Photonic metamaterial analogue of a continuous time crystal
Authors: Liu Tongjun , Ou Jun-Yu , MacDonald Kevin F. , Zheludev Nikolay I. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractTime crystals are an eagerly sought phase of matter with broken time-translation symmetry. Quantum time crystals with discretely broken time-translation symmetry have been demonstrated in trapped ions, atoms and spins whereas continuously broken time-translation symmetry has been observed in an atomic condensate inside an optical cavity. Here we report that a classical metamaterial nanostructure, a two-dimensional array of plasmonic metamolecules supported on flexible nanowires, can be driven to a state possessing all of the key features of a continuous time crystal: continuous coherent illumination by light resonant with the metamolecules’ plasmonic mode triggers a spontaneous phase transition to a superradiant-like state of transmissivity oscillations, resulting from many-body interactions among the metamolecules, characterized by long-range order in space and time. The phenomenon is of interest to the study of dynamic classical many-body states in the strongly correlated regime and applications in all-optical modulation, frequency conversion and timing.
Anti-inflammatory effect of combining fish oil and evening primrose oil supplementation on breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Arsic Aleksandra , Krstic Predrag , Paunovic Marija , Nedovic Jasmina , Jakovljevic Vladimir , Vucic Vesna 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBreast cancer is the most common malignant tumor and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in women throughout the world. This study is a parallel, randomized, double-blind, controlled, 12-week supplementation trial, investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of dietary intake of fish oil and evening primrose oil (EPO), in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The primary outcomes were changes in the nutritional status and inflammatory cytokines of patients during the study. The secondary outcomes were changes in hematological and biochemical parameters and fatty acid profile. Of the 32 eligible patients, half of them is randomly assigned to a treatment arm with fish oil and EPO (n = 16), or a control arm (n = 16) with mineral oil as a placebo. The intervention group was taking 2 gel capsules of fish oil and 3 gel capsules of EPO (400 mg eicosapentaenoic acid, 600 mg docosahexaenoic acid, and 351 mg gamma-linolenic acid) fish oil and evening primrose oil for 12 weeks, during their chemotherapy. The control/placebo group was taking 5 gel capsules of 1g of mineral oil. One of the patients dropped out due to discontinuation of the treatment (in the placebo group) and two did not show up at the post-treatment measurements (in the intervention group), thus, 29 women completed the study. The results showed an increase in plasma levels of docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3), docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3), total n-3PUFA, vaccenic acid (18:1n-7), and a decrease in n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in the intervention group. An increase in the plasma level of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (20:3n-6) was observed in the placebo group. There was no difference in plasma levels of interleukin (IL) IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, while the level of IL-6 decreased in both groups and was significantly lower in the intervention group at the end of the study. In conclusion, this supplementation improved the PUFA status and decreased the level of IL-6 in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Consequently, this treatment may help reduce cancer complications resulting from impaired lipid metabolism and inflammation. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03516253. Date of registration 04/05/2018.
Modeling the relationship between neuronal activity and the BOLD signal: contributions from astrocyte calcium dynamics
Authors: Tesler Federico , Linne Marja-Leena , Destexhe Alain 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFunctional magnetic resonance imaging relies on the coupling between neuronal and vascular activity, but the mechanisms behind this coupling are still under discussion. Recent experimental evidence suggests that calcium signaling may play a significant role in neurovascular coupling. However, it is still controversial where this calcium signal is located (in neurons or elsewhere), how it operates and how relevant is its role. In this paper we introduce a biologically plausible model of the neurovascular coupling and we show that calcium signaling in astrocytes can explain main aspects of the dynamics of the coupling. We find that calcium signaling can explain so-far unrelated features such as the linear and non-linear regimes, the negative vascular response (undershoot) and the emergence of a (calcium-driven) Hemodynamic Response Function. These features are reproduced here for the first time by a single model of the detailed neuronal-astrocyte-vascular pathway. Furthermore, we analyze how information is coded and transmitted from the neuronal to the vascular system and we predict that frequency modulation of astrocytic calcium dynamics plays a key role in this process. Finally, our work provides a framework to link neuronal activity to the BOLD signal, and vice-versa, where neuronal activity can be inferred from the BOLD signal. This opens new ways to link known alterations of astrocytic calcium signaling in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases) with detectable changes in the neurovascular coupling.
Optimizing construction company selection using einstein weighted aggregation operators for q-rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft set
Authors: Zulqarnain Rana Muhammad , Siddique Imran , Mahboob Abid , Ahmad Hijaz , Askar Sameh , Gurmani Shahid Hussain 
Published: April 2023

AbstractInfrastructure development and the economy heavily rely on the construction industry. However, decision-making in construction projects can be intricate and difficult due to conflicting standards and requirements. To address this challenge, the q-rung orthopair fuzzy soft set (q-ROFSS) has emerged as a useful tool incorporating fuzzy and uncertain contractions. In many cases, further characterization of attributes is necessary as their values are not mutually exclusive. The prevalent q-ROFSS structures cannot resolve this state. The q-rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft sets (q-ROFHSS) is a leeway of q-ROFSS that use multi-parameter approximation functions to scare the scarcities of predominant fuzzy sets structures. The fundamental objective of this research is to introduce the Einstein weighted aggregation operators (AOs) for q-rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft sets (q-ROFHSS), such as q-rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft Einstein weighted average and geometric operators, and discuss their fundamental properties. Mathematical explanations of decision-making (DM) contractions is present to approve the rationality of the developed approach. Einstein AOs, based on predictions, carried an animated multi-criteria group decision (MCGDM) method with the most substantial significance with the prominent MCGDM structures. Moreover, we utilize our proposed MCGDM model to select the most suitable construction company for a given construction project. The proposed method is evaluated through a statistical analysis, which helps ensure the DM process's efficiency. This analysis demonstrates that the proposed method is more realistic and reliable than other DM approaches. Overall, the research provides valuable insights for decision-makers in the construction industry who seek to optimize their DM processes and improve the outcomes of their projects.
The role of presepsin in pediatric patients with oncological and hematological diseases experiencing febrile neutropenia
Authors: Cerasi Sara , Leardini Davide , Lisanti Nunzia , Belotti Tamara , Pierantoni Luca , Zama Daniele , Lanari Marcello , Prete Arcangelo , Masetti Riccardo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractFebrile neutropenia (FN) represents one of the main complications of pediatric patients with oncological and hematological diseases. In these patients, it is crucial to identify bacterial infections. The aim of this study is to evaluate presepsin as an early biomarker of bacterial infections during FN. We compared patients with oncological and hematological diseases and a 2:1 age-matched healthy control group. In the FN group, we evaluated 4 biomarkers, namely, C reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin 6 (IL6) and presepsin at the onset of fever (T0) and 48 h after T0 (T1). In the control group, we only evaluated presepsin. We enrolled a total of 41 children with oncological and hematological diseases disease experiencing 50 FN episodes and 100 healthy patients in the control group. In patients with FN, we found that presepsin was significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.001). However, in the FN group, we did not find a statistically significant difference between patients with and without bacteremia (p = 0.989 at T0, p = 0.619 at T1). Presepsin values at T1 were higher in patients experiencing an unfavorable outcome (p = 0.025). This study shows that presepsin increases in neutropenic patients, but it only revealed useful in predicting an unfavorable outcome 48 h from the onset of fever.
Young children can use their subjective straight-ahead to remap visuo-motor alterations
Authors: Esposito Davide , Miehlbradt Jenifer , Tonelli Alessia , Mazzoni Alberto , Gori Monica 
Published: April 2023

AbstractYoung children and adults process spatial information differently: the former use their bodies as primary reference, while adults seem capable of using abstract frames. The transition is estimated to occur between the 6th and the 12th year of age. The mechanisms underlying spatial encoding in children and adults are unclear, as well as those underlying the transition. Here, we investigated the role of the subjective straight-ahead (SSA), the body antero-posterior half-plane mental model, in spatial encoding before and after the expected transition. We tested 6–7-year-old and 10–11-year-old children, and adults on a spatial alignment task in virtual reality, searching for differences in performance when targets were placed frontally or sideways. The performance differences were assessed both in a naturalistic baseline condition and in a test condition that discouraged using body-centered coordinates through a head-related visuo-motor conflict. We found no differences in the baseline condition, while all groups showed differences between central and lateral targets (SSA effect) in the visuo-motor conflict condition, and 6–7-year-old children showed the largest effect. These results confirm the expected transition timing; moreover, they suggest that children can abstract from the body using their SSA and that the transition underlies the maturation of a world-centered reference frame.