bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Of forests and grasslands: human, primate, and ungulate palaeoecology in Late Pleistocene-Holocene Sri Lanka
Authors: Amano Noel , Wedage Oshan , Ilgner Jana , Boivin Nicole , Petraglia Michael , Roberts Patrick 
Published: May 2023

The Wet Zone region of Sri Lanka has provided some of the earliest direct evidence of human utilization of rainforest resources anywhere in the world. Stable isotope analysis of human and animal remains, alongside detailed zooarchaeological analyses, have demonstrated reliance on rainforest resources as far back as 48,000 years ago. However, changes in human adaptations and the varying niches of exploited fauna, through major periods of climatic change such as during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, remain relatively under-explored. Here, we present the results of stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope analyses of dental enamel from 311 animal and eight human teeth recovered from recent excavations at Fa-Hien Lena and Kitulgala Beli-lena from contexts spanning the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. Our data for human teeth from the Terminal Pleistocene and Holocene layers of Fa-Hien Lena and the Holocene layers of Kitulgala Beli-lena show little departure from rainforest resource reliance between the Pleistocene and Holocene. Meanwhile, the most dominant faunal taxa, including cercopithecid monkeys, show a similar stability in canopied forest habitation across the different species. However, δ13C data from ungulates found at Fa-Hien Lena indicate human populations did have access to forest edge and grassland habitats, suggesting either specific foraging trips or long-distance trade with other communities. In addition, our reporting of an Early Holocene presence of rhinoceros in the Wet Zone forest of Sri Lanka, the last fossil occurrence of this now regionally-extirpated taxon, highlights ongoing human interactions with large mammal communities on the island. We argue that our data demonstrate the benefits of detailed isotopic and zooarchaeological studies for detailed insights into the nature of tropical human adaptations through time.
Mapping structural lineaments using the edge filters of the potential field: a case study of the Rizhao–Lianyungang area, East China
Authors: Sun Yanyun , Zeng Xiangzhi , Yang Wencai , Li Xiao , Zhang Wan , Zhang Xuanjie 
Published: May 2023

Background: Edge enhancement plays an important role in potential field data processing and interpretation, which facilitate regional tectonic studies, mineral and energy exploration. This is because edges on potential field often indicate linear geological structures such as fractures, edges of geological bodies and so on. With the development of meticulous edge enhancement on potential field, the phenomenon of false edges caused by the associated anomalies when detect ing edges from magnetic field cannot be ignored.Methods: Aiming at this problem, we proposes a modified magnetic edge detection method (SP Mag) based on the second order spectral moment. This method has been tested on both synthetic and field data. The synthetic test show that SP Mag cannot only balanced edges no matter from strong or weak anomalies, but also eliminates those false edges caused by the associated anomalies in magnetic field, which provide more effective information for subsequent interpretation.Results: We apply this new method to the RTP aero magnetic field and gravity field of Rizhao Lianyungang area. The lineaments recognized by the SP Mag method correspond well with geologic structures through comparing with geological maps.Discussion: The results illustrate the usefulness of the method for potential field interpretation. Furthermore, more geological and geophysical data should be still combined for comprehensive interpretation in the actual interpretation, though the SP Mag method can recognize lineaments effectively.
The role of 18F−FDG PET in predicting the pathological response and prognosis to unresectable HCC patients treated with lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitors as a conversion therapy
Authors: Wang Guanyun , Zhang Wenwen , Luan Xiaohui , Wang Zhanbo , Liu Jiajin , Xu Xiaodan , Zhang Jinming , Xu Baixuan , Lu Shichun , Wang Ruimin , Ma Guangyu 
Published: May 2023

PurposeTo investigate the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET), as an imaging biomarker, for predicting pathological response and prognosis of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with Lenvatinib and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors as a conversion therapy.MethodsA total of 28 unresectable HCC patients with BCLC stage B or C were treated with Lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitors before surgery. The 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were acquired before pre- (scan-1) and post-conversion therapy (scan-2). The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), TLR (tumor-to-normal liver standardized uptake value ratio), and the percentages of post-treatment changes in metabolic parameters (ΔSUVmax [%] and ΔTLR [%]) were calculated. Major pathological response (MPR) was identified based on the residual viable tumor in the resected primary tumor specimen (≤10%). Differences in the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) stratified by ΔTLR were examined by the Kaplan-Meier method.Results11 (11/28, 39.3%) patients were considered as MPR responders and 17 (17/28, 60.7%) patients as non-MPR responders after conversion therapy. ΔSUVmax (-70.0 [-78.8, -48.8] vs. -21.7 [-38.8, 5.7], respectively; P&lt;0.001) and ΔTLR (-67.6 [-78.1, -56.8] vs. -18.6 [-27.9, 4.0], respectively; P&lt;0.001) were reduced in the responder group than those in the non-responder group. According to the results of the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, ΔTLR showed an excellent predictive value for the MPR of primary HCC lesions (area under curve=0.989, with the optimal diagnostic threshold of -46.15). When using ΔTLR of -21.36% as a threshold, patients with ΔTLR-based metabolic response had superior PFS (log-rank test, P=0.001) and OS (log-rank test, P=0.016) compared with those without ΔTLR-based metabolic response.Conclusion18F-FDG PET is a valuable tool for predicting pathological response and prognosis of unresectable HCC patients treated by Lenvatinib combined with PD-1 as a conversion therapy.
Identification of hub cuproptosis related genes and immune cell infiltration characteristics in periodontitis
Authors: Liu Shuying , Ge Jiaying , Chu Yiting , Cai Shuangyu , Gong Aixiu , Wu Jun , Zhang Jinghan 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionPeriodontitis is an inflammatory disease and its molecular mechanisms is not clear. A recently discovered cell death pathway called cuproptosis, may related to the disease.MethodsThe datasets GSE10334 of human periodontitis and control were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) for analysis.Following the use of two machine learning algorithms, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and support vector machine-recursive feature removal (SVM-RFE) were used to find CRG-based signature. Then the Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was used to evaluate the gene signature's discriminatory ability. The CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm was used to study the link between hub genes and distinct types of immune cells. Next, the association of the CRGs with immune cells in periodontitis and relevant clusters of cuproptosis were found. The link between various clusters was ascertained by the GSVA and CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm. Finally, An external dataset (GSE16134) was used to confirm the diagnosis capacity of the identified biomarkers. In addition, clinical samples were examined using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to verifiy the expression of genes related to cuprotosis in periodontitis and the signature may better predict the periodontitis. Results15 periodontitis-related DE-CRGs were found,then 11-CRG-based signature was found by using of LASSO and SVM-RFE. ROC curves also supported the value of signature. CIBERSORT results of immune cell signature in periodontitis showed that signature genes is a crucial component of the immune response.The relevant clusters of cuproptosis found that the NFE2L2, SLC31A1, FDX1,LIAS, DLD, DLAT, and DBT showed a highest expression levels in Cluster2 ,while the NLRP3, MTF1, and DLST displayed the lowest level in Cluster 2 but the highest level in Cluster1. The GSVA results also showed that the 11 cuproptosis diagnostic gene may regulate the periodontitis by affecting immune cells. The external dataset (GSE16134) confirm the diagnosis capacity of the identified biomarkers, and clinical samples examined by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry also verified that these cuprotosis related signiture genes in periodontitis may better predict the periodontitis. ConclusionThese findings have important implications for the cuproptosis and periodontitis, and highlight further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying this relationship between the cuproptosis and periodontitis.
The efficacy of adebrelimab compared with durvalumab and atezolizumab in untreated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: a survival analysis of reconstructed patient-level data
Authors: Wang Bi-Cheng , Fu Chen , Lin Guo-He 
Published: May 2023

BackgroundAdebrelimab showed excellent efficacy in the first-line treatment for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). However, whether adebrelimab is superior to durvalumab and atezolizumab remains unclear. Therefore, we, in this study, aimed to compare the survival data of adebrelimab (CAPSTONE-1 trial) with durvalumab (CASPIAN trial) and atezolizumab (IMpower133 trial) in the first-line setting of ES-SCLC patients.MethodsOnline databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL, were systematically searched on December 2, 2022. The metaSurvival and IPDfromKM methods were used to analyze the summary survival curves and the reconstructed patient-level data. The main endpoints were median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).ResultsIn this analysis, survival data in the CASPIAN, IMpower133, and CAPSTONE-1 trials were collected from five published studies. The pooled median OS and PFS were 14.0 months (95% CI 11.2-16.6) and 5.6 months (95% CI 4.7-6.7) when ES-SCLC patients received chemotherapy (etoposide and cisplatin/carboplatin) and anti-PD-L1 therapy. Based on the reconstructed patient-level data, adebrelimab significantly prolonged survival outcomes against atezolizumab (OS: Hazard ratio [HR]0.76, 95% CI 0.60-0.95; PFS: HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.54-0.83) and durvalumab (OS: HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60-0.92).ConclusionFor previously untreated ES-SCLC patients, longer survival time might be benefited from adding adebrelimab to etoposide-platinum chemotherapy. In future studies, further real-world evidence or head-to-head clinical trials are warranted to confirm the differences between the PD-L1 inhibitors.
Fabrication of a colorimetric sensor using acetic acid-capped drug-mediated copper oxide nanoparticles for nitrite biosensing in processed food
Authors: Nishan Umar , Rehman Sajida , Ullah Riaz , Bari Ahmed , Afridi Saifullah , Shah Mohibullah , Iqbal Jibran , Asad Muhammad , Badshah Amir , Khan Naeem , Hwang In Min , Khan Hameed Ullah , Muhammad Nawshad 
Published: May 2023

Nitrite (NO2−) and nitrate (NO3−) are frequently used in cured meat products as preservatives, as they give a better taste and work well in color fixation. As a key possible carcinogen, excessive dietary consumption of NO2− in cured meat products would be bad for health. Herein, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized using the drug Augmentin as a reducing and capping agent. The desired synthesis of CuO NPs was confirmed by various characterization techniques, including UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The new approach of drug-mediated acetic acid-capped CuO NPs was developed for simple colorimetric detection of nitrite ions in a mimic solution of processed food. The color of the detection system changes from brown to yellow with the increase in the concentration of NO2− and has been observed with the naked eye. The selectivity of the NO2− detection system by the UV–visible spectrum and the naked eye is compared to other ions, such as Br−, I−, Cl−1, PO4−3, CO32−, and SO42−. The platform was successfully employed for the determination of nitrite in real samples. Moreover, this probe can be used for the sensitive detection of NO2− with a linear range of 1 × 10−8 to 2.40 × 10−6 M, a detection limit of 2.69 × 10−7 M, a limit of quantification 8.9 × 10−7 M, and a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.997. Our results suggest that this sensor can be used for on-site analysis and quantification as well as in the fields of disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food safety.
Modeling the contact dispensing process of conductive adhesives with different viscosities and optimization of droplet deposition
Authors: Zou Jiajia , Huang Mengqiu , Zhao Dan , Chen Fang , Wang Daochang 
Published: May 2023

Introduction: The contact dispensing process is composed of extrusion, stretching, and liquid bridge breakage, which is greatly impacted by the viscosity and surface tension of the dispensed liquid and the contact angle between the liquid and the substrate. Regarding contact dispensing of conductive adhesives, few studies have investigated the influence of the viscosity of conductive adhesives on the dispensing process.Methods: In the present study, computer simulation was used to explore the contact dispensing process of high-viscosity adhesives, and a dispensing device was designed to verify the simulation results.Results and discussion: The results showed that the viscosity of the adhesives had the greatest influence on the dispensing process, and the higher the viscosity, the more difficult it was to break the liquid bridge, which seriously affected the stability of the contact dispensing process. In the dispensing process, once the adhesive had filled the gap between the needle tip and the substrate, increasing the dispensing time caused the diameter of the droplet to increase. Decreasing the lifting speed of the needle allowed sufficient time for the adhesive surface to restore changes caused by stretching, thereby eliminating unstable droplets and achieving droplets with regular morphology. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that computer simulation is a powerful tool for providing key information to improve the contact dispensing process, obtain droplets with optimal morphology, and achieve excellent bonding between the conductive adhesive and the substrate.
Associations between gait performance and pain intensity, psychosocial factors, executive functions as well as prefrontal cortex activity in chronic low back pain patients: A cross-sectional fNIRS study
Authors: Nguyen Toan , Behrens Martin , Broscheid Kim-Charline , Bielitzki Robert , Weber Saskia , Libnow Saskia , Malczewski Victoria , Baldauf Lukas , Milberger Xenia , Jassmann Lena , Wustmann Anne , Meiler Katharina , Drange Steffen , Franke Jörg , Schega Lutz 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionActivities of daily living, such as walking, are impaired in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients compared to healthy individuals. Thereby, pain intensity, psychosocial factors, cognitive functioning and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity during walking might be related to gait performance during single and dual task walking (STW, DTW). However, to the best of our knowledge, these associations have not yet been explored in a large sample of CLBP patients.MethodGait kinematics (inertial measurement units) and PFC activity (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) during STW and DTW were measured in 108 CLBP patients (79 females, 29 males). Additionally, pain intensity, kinesiophobia, pain coping strategies, depression and executive functioning were quantified and correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the associations between parameters.ResultsThe gait parameters showed small correlations with acute pain intensity, pain coping strategies and depression. Stride length and velocity during STW and DTW were (slightly to moderately) positively correlated with executive function test performance. Specific small to moderate correlations were found between the gait parameters and dorsolateral PFC activity during STW and DTW.ConclusionPatients with higher acute pain intensity and better coping skills demonstrated slower and less variable gait, which might reflect a pain minimization strategy. Psychosocial factors seem to play no or only a minor role, while good executive functions might be a prerequisite for a better gait performance in CLBP patients. The specific associations between gait parameters and PFC activity during walking indicate that the availability and utilization of brain resources are crucial for a good gait performance.
Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein as a potential biomarker for large vessel vasculitides
Authors: Umezawa Natsuka , Mizoguchi Fumitaka , Maejima Yasuhiro , Kimura Naoki , Hasegawa Hisanori , Hosoya Tadashi , Fujimoto Minoru , Kohsaka Hitoshi , Naka Tetsuji , Yasuda Shinsuke 
Published: May 2023

ObjectivesSerum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) have been used as useful biomarkers for reflecting the activity of large vessel vasculitides (LVV). However, a novel biomarker that could have a complementary role to these markers is still required. In this retrospective observational study, we investigated whether leucine-rich α-2 glycoprotein (LRG), a known biomarker in several inflammatory diseases, could be a novel biomarker for LVVs.Methods49 eligible patients with Takayasu arteritis (TAK) or giant cell arteritis (GCA) whose serum was preserved in our laboratory were enrolled. The concentrations of LRG were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The clinical course was reviewed retrospectively from their medical records. The disease activity was determined according to the current consensus definition.ResultsThe serum LRG levels were higher in patients with active disease than those in remission, and decreased after the treatments. While LRG levels were positively correlated with both CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, LRG exhibited inferior performance as an indicator of disease activity compared to CRP and ESR. Of 35 CRP-negative patients, 11 had positive LRG. Among the 11 patients, two had active disease.ConclusionThis preliminary study indicated that LRG could be a novel biomarker for LVV. Further large studies should be required to promise the significance of LRG in LVV.
Evidence of phylosymbiosis in Formica ants
Authors: Jackson Raphaella , Patapiou Patapios A. , Golding Gemma , Helanterä Heikki , Economou Chloe K. , Chapuisat Michel , Henry Lee M. 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionInsects share intimate relationships with microbes that play important roles in their biology. Yet our understanding of how host-bound microbial communities assemble and perpetuate over evolutionary time is limited. Ants host a wide range of microbes with diverse functions and are an emerging model for studying the evolution of insect microbiomes. Here, we ask whether phylogenetically related ant species have formed distinct and stable microbiomes.MethodsTo answer this question, we investigated the microbial communities associated with queens of 14 Formica species from five clades, using deep coverage 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.ResultsWe reveal that Formica species and clades harbor highly defined microbial communities that are dominated by four bacteria genera: Wolbachia, Lactobacillus, Liliensternia, and Spiroplasma. Our analysis reveals that the composition of Formica microbiomes mirrors the phylogeny of the host, i.e., phylosymbiosis, in that related hosts harbor more similar microbial communities. In addition, we find there are significant correlations between microbe co-occurrences.DiscussionOur results demonstrate Formica ants carry microbial communities that recapitulate the phylogeny of their hosts. Our data suggests that the co-occurrence of different bacteria genera may at least in part be due to synergistic and antagonistic interactions between microbes. Additional factors potentially contributing to the phylosymbiotic signal are discussed, including host phylogenetic relatedness, host-microbe genetic compatibility, modes of transmission, and similarities in host ecologies (e.g., diets). Overall, our results support the growing body of evidence that microbial community composition closely depends on the phylogeny of their hosts, despite bacteria having diverse modes of transmission and localization within the host.
Characterization and selection of probiotic lactic acid bacteria from different dietary sources for development of functional foods
Authors: Khushboo  , Karnwal Arun , Malik Tabarak 
Published: May 2023

IntroductionDietary sources have an abundance of bacteria, mainly lactic acid bacteria (LABs), which have long been regarded as probiotics in humans and animals. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used as probiotic agents due to their ability to produce a variety of beneficial compounds for cultivars and their status as safe microorganisms.MethodsIn this current study, the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from several dietary sources such as curd, pickle, milk, and wheat dough. The principal focus of this study was to determine the survivability of these microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract and to use promising strains to create probiotic drinks with numerous health benefits. The isolates were identified using a combination of morphological, biochemical, molecular and sugar fermentation patterns, like phenotypic characteristics, sugar fermentation, MR-VP reaction, catalase test, urease test, oxidase test, H2S production, NH3 production synthesis from arginine, citrate utilization, indole test, and 16s rRNA sequencing.ResultsTwo (CM1 and OS1) of the 60 isolates obtained showed the best probiotic results and were identified as Lactobacillus acidophilus CM1 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii OS1. These organism sequences were submitted to Gen bank with accession numbers OP811266.1 and OP824643.1, respectively. The acid tolerance test results indicated that most strains could survive significantly in an acidic environment with pH levels of 2 and 3. Similarly, the salt tolerance test results showed that both Lactobacillus acidophilus CM1 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii OS1 could survive at 4 and 6% NaCl levels significantly. The isolates also showed their ability to ferment sugars such as lactose xylose, glucose, sucrose, and fructose.DiscussionIn conclusion, the study showed that the bacteria isolated from different food sources were indeed probiotic lactic acid bacteria and had probiotic properties. These isolates hold potential for future research in the formulation of millet-based probiotic beverages. However, further studies are required to confirm their effectiveness and safety in improving human health. This research provides a foundation for developing functional foods and drinks that can positively affect human health by incorporating probiotic microorganism.