bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HSPB5 suppresses renal inflammation and protects lupus-prone NZB/W F1 mice from severe renal damage
Authors: Knapp Justin , Braunstein Marsela , Berg Spencer Iner Thomas , Shirriff Cody 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Lupus nephritis (LN) is an inflammatory disease of the kidneys affecting patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Current immunosuppressive and cytotoxic therapies are associated with serious side effects and fail to protect 20–40% of LN patients from end-stage renal disease. In this study, we investigated whether a small heat shock protein, HSPB5, can reduce kidney inflammation and the clinical manifestations of the disease in NZB/W F1 mice. Furthermore, we investigated whether HSPB5 can enhance the effects of methylprednisolone, a standard-of-care drug in LN, in an endotoxemia mouse model.

Methods
NZB/W F1 mice were treated with HSPB5, methylprednisolone, or vehicle from 23 to 38 weeks of age. Disease progression was evaluated by weekly proteinuria scores. At the end of the study, the blood, urine, spleens, and kidneys were collected for the assessment of proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen, kidney histology, serum IL-6 and anti-dsDNA levels, immune cell populations, and their phenotypes, as well as the transcript levels of proinflammatory chemokine/cytokines in the kidneys. HSPB5 was also evaluated in combination with methylprednisolone in a lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia mouse model; serum IL-6 levels were measured at 24 h post-endotoxemia induction.

Results
HSPB5 significantly reduced terminal proteinuria and BUN and substantially improved kidney pathology. Similar trends, although to a lower extent, were observed with methylprednisolone treatment. Serum IL-6 levels and kidney expression of BAFF, IL-6, IFNγ, MCP-1 (CCL2), and KIM-1 were reduced, whereas nephrin expression was significantly preserved compared to vehicle-treated mice. Lastly, splenic Tregs and Bregs were significantly induced with HSPB5 treatment. HSPB5 in combination with methylprednisolone also significantly reduced serum IL-6 levels in endotoxemia mice.

Conclusions
HSPB5 treatment reduces kidney inflammation and injury, providing therapeutic benefits in NZB/W F1 mice. Given that HSPB5 enhances the anti-inflammatory effects of methylprednisolone, there is a strong interest to develop HSBP5 as a therapeutic for the treatment of LN.
Phantom and clinical evaluation of the effect of a new Bayesian penalized likelihood reconstruction algorithm (HYPER Iterative) on 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT image quality
Authors: Xu Lei , Cui Can , Li Rushuai , Yang Rui , Liu Rencong , Meng Qingle , Wang Feng 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Bayesian penalized likelihood (BPL) algorithm is an effective way to suppress noise in the process of positron emission tomography (PET) image reconstruction by incorporating a smooth penalty. The strength of the smooth penalty is controlled by the penalization factor. The aim was to investigate the impact of different penalization factors and acquisition times in a new BPL algorithm, HYPER Iterative, on the quality of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT images. A phantom and 25 patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms who underwent 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT were included. The PET data were acquired in a list-mode with a digital PET/CT scanner and reconstructed by ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) and the HYPER Iterative algorithm with seven penalization factors between 0.03 and 0.5 for acquisitions of 2 and 3 min per bed position (m/b), both including time-of-flight and point of spread function recovery. The contrast recovery (CR), background variability (BV) and radioactivity concentration ratio (RCR) of the phantom; The SUVmean and coefficient of variation (CV) of the liver; and the SUVmax of the lesions were measured. Image quality was rated by two radiologists using a five-point Likert scale.

Results
The CR, BV, and RCR decreased with increasing penalization factors for four “hot” spheres, and the HYPER Iterative 2 m/b groups with penalization factors of 0.07 to 0.2 had equivalent CR and superior BV performance compared to the OSEM 3 m/b group. The liver SUVmean values were approximately equal in all reconstruction groups (range 5.95–5.97), and the liver CVs of the HYPER Iterative 2 m/b and 3 m/b groups with the penalization factors of 0.1 to 0.2 were equivalent to those of the OSEM 3 m/b group (p = 0.113–0.711 and p = 0.079–0.287, respectively), while the lesion SUVmax significantly increased by 19–22% and 25%, respectively (all p < 0.001). The highest qualitative score was attained at a penalization factor of 0.2 for the HYPER Iterative 2 m/b group (3.20 ± 0.52) and 3 m/b group (3.70 ± 0.36); those scores were comparable to or greater than that of the OSEM 3 m/b group (3.09 ± 0.36, p = 0.388 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions
The HYPER Iterative algorithm with a penalization factor of 0.2 resulted in higher lesion contrast and lower image noise than OSEM for 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT, allowing the same image quality to be achieved with less injected radioactivity and a shorter acquisition time.
Evaluating the potential of whole-genome sequencing for tracing transmission routes in experimental infections and natural outbreaks of bovine respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Johnson Paul C. D. , Hägglund Sara , Näslund Katarina , Meyer Gilles , Taylor Geraldine , Orton Richard J. , Zohari Siamak , Haydon Daniel T. , Valarcher Jean François 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a major cause of respiratory disease in cattle. Genomic sequencing can resolve phylogenetic relationships between virus populations, which can be used to infer transmission routes and potentially inform the design of biosecurity measures. Sequencing of short (<2000 nt) segments of the 15 000-nt BRSV genome has revealed geographic and temporal clustering of BRSV populations, but insufficient variation to distinguish viruses collected from herds infected close together in space and time. This study investigated the potential for whole-genome sequencing to reveal sufficient genomic variation for inferring transmission routes between herds. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data were generated from experimental infections and from natural outbreaks in Jämtland and Uppsala counties in Sweden. Sufficient depth of coverage for analysis of consensus and sub-consensus sequence diversity was obtained from 47 to 20 samples respectively. Few (range: 0–6 polymorphisms across the six experiments) consensus-level polymorphisms were observed along experimental transmissions. A much higher level of diversity (146 polymorphic sites) was found among the consensus sequences from the outbreak samples. The majority (144/146) of polymorphisms were between rather than within counties, suggesting that consensus whole-genome sequences show insufficient spatial resolution for inferring direct transmission routes, but might allow identification of outbreak sources at the regional scale. By contrast, within-sample diversity was generally higher in the experimental than the outbreak samples. Analyses to infer known (experimental) and suspected (outbreak) transmission links from within-sample diversity data were uninformative. In conclusion, analysis of the whole-genome sequence of BRSV from experimental samples discriminated between circulating isolates from distant areas, but insufficient diversity was observed between closely related isolates to aid local transmission route inference.
Streptococcus mutans membrane vesicles inhibit the biofilm formation of Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis
Authors: Cui Guxin , Li Pengpeng , Wu Ruixue , Lin Huancai 
Published: December 2022

AbstractStreptococcus mutans, whose main virulence factor is glucosyltransferase (Gtf), has a substantial impact on the development of dental caries. S. mutans membrane vesicles (MVs), which are rich in Gtfs, have been shown to affect biofilm formation of other microorganisms. Streptococcus gordonii and Streptococcus sanguinis are initial colonizers of tooth surfaces, which provide attachment sites for subsequent microorganisms and are crucial in the development of oral biofilms. S. mutans and S. gordonii, as well as S. mutans and S. sanguinis, have a complex competitive and cooperative relationship, but it is unclear whether S. mutans MVs play a role in these interspecific interactions. Therefore, we co-cultured S. mutans MVs, having or lacking Gtfs, with S. gordonii and S. sanguinis. Our results showed that S. mutans MVs inhibited biofilm formation of S. gordonii and S. sanguinis but did not affect their planktonic growth; contrastingly, S. mutans ΔgtfBC mutant MVs had little effect on both their growth and biofilm formation. Additionally, there were fewer and more dispersed bacteria in the biofilms of the S. mutans MV-treated group than that in the control group. Furthermore, the expression levels of the biofilm-related virulence factors GtfG, GtfP, and SpxB in S. gordonii and S. sanguinis were significantly downregulated in response to S. mutans MVs. In conclusion, the results of our study showed that S. mutans MVs inhibited biofilm formation of S. gordonii and S. sanguinis, revealing an important role for MVs in interspecific interactions.
Joint target tracking and identification in complex traffic scene
Authors: Cao Wen , Li Qiwei , Hu Yansu , Ma Shuai 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn practical road traffic scene, targets usually face high ground clutter, high and variable motion, high nonlinearity, which lead to targets tracking or identification challenging. What’s more, tracking and identification are usually interdependent in reality, and thus it is promising to solve them jointly. In this paper, we propose a novel joint tracking and identification (JTI) scheme to handle such problems involving coupled tracking and identification, i.e., JTI problems. Specifically, we formulate the JTI problem in complex traffic scene using a hybrid system. Then, by exploiting the generalized Bayes risk for JTI, we derive analytical estimator and decider for the coupling of tracking and identification in complex road targets motion. Furthermore, an unscented Kalman filter-expected mode augmentation-based estimation strategy is creatively developed to improve both estimation and decision performance. In additions, a joint performance evaluation metric is presented to assess the performance the joint of the proposed JTI scheme. Finally, two simulation examples under different traffic scenarios demonstrate that the proposed JTI approach outperforms the traditional tracking-then-identification and identification-then-tracking methods in joint performance.
Single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery versus microsurgical resection for the treatment of vestibular schwannoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jakubeit Thomas , Sturtz Sibylle , Sow Dorothea , Groß Wolfram , Mosch Christoph , Patt Mattea , Weingärtner Vera , Boström Jan , Goldbrunner Roland , Markes Martina 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Vestibular schwannomas are benign tumours for which various treatments are available. We performed a systematic review of prospective controlled trials comparing the patient-relevant benefits and harms of single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (sfSRS) with microsurgical resection (MR) in patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Methods
We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized prospective controlled trials in MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and study registries (last search: 09/2021) and also screened reference lists of relevant systematic reviews. Manufacturers were asked to provide unpublished data. Eligible studies investigated at least one patient-relevant outcome. We assessed the risk of bias (high or low) at the study and outcome level. If feasible, meta-analyses were performed. We graded the results into different categories (hint, indication, or proof of greater benefit or harm).

Results
We identified three non-randomized prospective controlled trials of generally low quality with evaluable data on 339 patients with unilateral vestibular schwannoma. There was an indication of greater benefit of sfSRS compared with MR for facial palsy (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02–0.21, p < 0.001, 2 studies), hearing function (no pooled estimate available, 2 studies), and length of hospital stay (no pooled estimate available, 2 studies). We found no clinically relevant differences for mortality, vertigo, headaches, tinnitus, balance function, work disability, adverse events, and health-related quality of life.

Conclusions
Our systematic review indicates that sfSRS has greater benefits than MR in patients with unilateral vestibular schwannoma. However, it is unclear whether this conclusion still holds after 2 years, as long-term studies are lacking. It is also unclear whether the effects of sfSRS are similar in patients with bilateral vestibular schwannomas. Long-term prospective studies including patients with this condition would therefore be useful.

Systematic review registration
The full (German language) protocol and report (Commission No. N20-03) are available on the institute’s website: www.iqwig.de/en/projects/n20-03.html
Modeling the potential impacts of automated vehicles on pollutant emissions under different scenarios of a test track
Authors: Biramo Zelalem Birhanu , Mekonnen Anteneh Afework 
Published: December 2022

AbstractOne of the significant sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions is the road transportation sector. These emissions are worsened by driving behaviors and network conditions. It is common knowledge that experienced and inexperienced drivers behave differently when operating vehicles. Given the same vehicle in a different timeframe, the drivers’ reactions to similar situations vary, which has a significant influence on the emissions and fuel consumption as their use of acceleration and speed differ. Because the driving patterns of automated vehicles are programmable and provide a platform for smooth driving situations, it is predicted that deploying them might potentially reduce fuel consumption, particularly in urban areas with given traffic situations. This study’s goal is to examine how different degrees of automated vehicles behave when it comes to emissions and how accelerations affect that behavior. Furthermore, the total aggregated emissions on the synthesized urban network are evaluated and compared to legacy vehicles. The emission measuring model is based on the Handbook Emission Factors for Road Transport (HBEFA)3 and is utilized with the Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO) microscopic simulation software. The results demonstrate that acceleration value is strongly correlated with individual vehicle emissions. Although the ability of automated vehicles (AVs) to swiftly achieve higher acceleration values has an adverse effect on emissions reduction, it was compensated by the rate of accelerations, which decreases as the automation level increases. According to the simulation results, automated vehicles can reduce carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 38.56%, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 17.09%, hydrocarbons (HC) emissions by 36.3%, particulate matter (PMx) emissions by 28.12%, nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 19.78% in the most optimistic scenario (that is, when all vehicles are replaced by the upper bound automated vehicles) in the network level.
Targeted single-cell genomics reveals novel host adaptation strategies of the symbiotic bacteria Endozoicomonas in Acropora tenuis coral
Authors: Ide Keigo , Nishikawa Yohei , Maruyama Toru , Tsukada Yuko , Kogawa Masato , Takeda Hiroki , Ito Haruka , Wagatsuma Ryota , Miyaoka Rimi , Nakano Yoshikatsu , Kinjo Koji , Ito Michihiro , Hosokawa Masahito , Yura Kei , Suda Shoichiro , Takeyama Haruko 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
Endozoicomonas bacteria symbiosis with various marine organisms is hypothesized as a potential indicator of health in corals. Although many amplicon analyses using 16S rRNA gene have suggested the diversity of Endozoicomonas species, genome analysis has been limited due to contamination of host-derived sequences and difficulties in culture and metagenomic analysis. Therefore, the evolutionary and functional potential of individual Endozoicomonas species symbiotic with the same coral species remains unresolved.

Results
In this study, we applied a novel single-cell genomics technique using droplet microfluidics to obtain single-cell amplified genomes (SAGs) for uncultured coral-associated Endozoicomonas spp. We obtained seven novel Endozoicomonas genomes and quantitative bacterial composition from Acropora tenuis corals at four sites in Japan. Our quantitative 16S rRNA gene and comparative genomic analysis revealed that these Endozoicomonas spp. belong to different lineages (Clade A and Clade B), with widely varying abundance among individual corals. Furthermore, each Endozoicomonas species possessed various eukaryotic-like genes in clade-specific genes. It was suggested that these eukaryotic-like genes might have a potential ability of different functions in each clade, such as infection of the host coral or suppression of host immune pathways. These Endozoicomonas species may have adopted different host adaptation strategies despite living symbiotically on the same coral.

Conclusions
This study suggests that coral-associated Endozoicomonas spp. on the same species of coral have different evolutional strategies and functional potentials in each species and emphasizes the need to analyze the genome of each uncultured strain in future coral-Endozoicomonas relationships studies.
WATLAS: high-throughput and real-time tracking of many small birds in the Dutch Wadden Sea
Authors: Bijleveld Allert I. , van Maarseveen Frank , Denissen Bas , Dekinga Anne , Penning Emma , Ersoy Selin , Gupte Pratik R. , de Monte Luc , ten Horn Job , Bom Roeland A. , Toledo Sivan , Nathan Ran , Beardsworth Christine E. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTracking animal movement is important for understanding how animals interact with their (changing) environment, and crucial for predicting and explaining how animals are affected by anthropogenic activities. The Wadden Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a region of global importance for millions of shorebirds. Due to climate change and anthropogenic activity, understanding and predicting movement and space-use in areas like the Wadden Sea is increasingly important. Monitoring and predicting animal movement, however, requires high-resolution tracking of many individuals. While high-resolution tracking has been made possible through GPS, trade-offs between tag weight and battery life limit its use to larger species. Here, we introduce WATLAS (the Wadden Sea deployment of the ATLAS tracking system) capable of monitoring the movements of hundreds of (small) birds simultaneously in the Dutch Wadden Sea. WATLAS employs an array of receiver stations that can detect and localize small, low-cost tags at fine spatial (metres) and temporal resolution (seconds). From 2017 to 2021, we tracked red knots, sanderlings, bar-tailed godwits, and common terns. We use parts of these data to give four use-cases revealing its performance and demonstrating how WATLAS can be used to study numerous aspects of animal behaviour, such as, space-use (both intra- and inter-specific), among-individual variation, and social networks across levels of organization: from individuals, to species, to populations, and even communities. After describing the WATLAS system, we first illustrate space-use of red knots across the study area and how the tidal environment affects their movement. Secondly, we show large among-individual differences in distances travelled per day, and thirdly illustrate how high-throughput WATLAS data allows calculating a proximity-based social network. Finally, we demonstrate that using WATLAS to monitor multiple species can reveal differential space use. For example, despite sanderlings and red knots roosting together, they foraged in different areas of the mudflats. The high-resolution tracking data collected by WATLAS offers many possibilities for research into the drivers of bird movement in the Wadden Sea. WATLAS could provide a tool for impact assessment, and thus aid nature conservation and management of the globally important Wadden Sea ecosystem.
Workplace incivility as a risk factor for workplace bullying and psychological well-being: a longitudinal study of targets and bystanders in a sample of swedish engineers
Authors: Holm Kristoffer , Torkelson Eva , Bäckström Martin 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Background
The aim of the present study is to explore whether (experienced and witnessed) workplace incivility is a risk factor for (experienced and witnessed) workplace bullying. An additional aim is to explore whether experienced workplace incivility is associated with psychological well-being above and beyond the influence of (experienced and witnessed) workplace bullying on well-being.

Methods
A survey was distributed via e-mail to a panel of Swedish engineers. The survey was administered at three time points over one year. In total, N = 1005 engineers responded to the survey. Of these, N = 341 responded to more than one survey, providing longitudinal data. N = 111 responded to all three surveys.

Results
The results showed that the likelihood of being targeted by workplace bullying was higher for those who had previously experienced incivility, even when taking previous bullying exposure into account. There was also partial support for a higher likelihood of witnessing bullying at a later time point for those that had previously witnessed incivility. Additionally, the results showed that experienced workplace incivility was negatively related to psychological well-being over time, even when controlling for previous levels of experienced and witnessed workplace bullying and well-being. However, this result was only found over one of the two time lags.

Conclusion
The findings of the present study suggests that workplace incivility can be a risk factor for future bullying. In addition, the findings suggest that experienced workplace incivility exerts a unique negative effect on psychological well-being, even when accounting for exposure to workplace bullying.