bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adipocere formation in biofilms as a first step in soft tissue preservation
Authors: Mähler Bastian , Janssen Kathrin , Tahoun Mariam , Tomaschek Frank , Schellhorn Rico , Müller Christa E. , Bierbaum Gabriele , Rust Jes 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe preservation of soft tissue in the fossil record is mostly due to the replacement of organic structures by minerals (e.g. calcite, aragonite or apatite) called pseudomorphs. In rare cases soft tissues were preserved by pyrite. We assume that adipocere, as the shaping component, might be a preliminary stage in the pyritisation of soft tissues under anaerobic conditions. Using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet and mass spectrometric detection (HPLC–UV/MS) and confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) we were able to demonstrate the transformation of the hepatopancreas (digestive gland) of the crayfish Cambarellus diminutus [Hobbs 1945] into adipocere within only 9 days, just inside a biofilm. Microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) which were responsible for the biofilm (Sphaerotilus [Kutzig 1833] and Pluteus [Fries 1857]) and maybe the adipocere formation (Clostridium [Prazmowski 1880]) were detected by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Furthermore, micro-computed tomography (µ-CT) analyses revealed a precipitation of calcite and further showed that in animals with biofilm formation calcite precipitates in finer grained crystals than in individuals without biofilm formation, and that the precipitates were denser and replicated the structures of the cuticles better than the coarse precipitates.
The impact of the ST131 clone on recurrent ESBL-producing E. coli urinary tract infection: a prospective comparative study
Authors: Lindblom Anna , Kiszakiewicz Camilla , Kristiansson Erik , Yazdanshenas Shora , Kamenska Nina , Karami Nahid , Åhrén Christina 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe global emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli), mainly causing urinary tract infections (UTI), is of great concern. Almost one third of patients with UTI, develop recurrent UTI (RUTI). We followed 297 patients for one year after their first episode of UTI due to ESBL-E. coli. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the globally dominant sequence type (ST)131 clone and its clades, on the risk of subsequent recurrences with ESBL-E. coli. Isolates from patients developing RUTI (68/297) were compared with those from patients with sporadic UTI (SUTI, 229/297). No association was found between RUTI and the two most prevalent phylogroups B2 and D, blaCTX-M genes, or resistance profile. Half of the patients with RUTI were infected with ST131 isolates. Clade C2 were in dominance (50/119) among ST131 isolates. They were more common in patients with RUTI than SUTI (28% vs 13%) and multivariate analysis showed an increased odds-ratio (OR = 2.21, p = 0.033) for recurrences in patients infected with these isolates as compared to non-ST131 isolates. Detecting specific biomarkers, as ST131 clade C2, in ESBL-E. coli UTI isolates may aid in prediction of RUTI and improve diagnostics and care of patients with a risk of ESBL-E. coli recurrences.
Building reliable radiomic models using image perturbation
Authors: Teng Xinzhi , Zhang Jiang , Zwanenburg Alex , Sun Jiachen , Huang Yuhua , Lam Saikit , Zhang Yuanpeng , Li Bing , Zhou Ta , Xiao Haonan , Liu Chenyang , Li Wen , Han Xinyang , Ma Zongrui , Li Tian , Cai Jing 
Published: June 2022

AbstractRadiomic model reliability is a central premise for its clinical translation. Presently, it is assessed using test–retest or external data, which, unfortunately, is often scarce in reality. Therefore, we aimed to develop a novel image perturbation-based method (IPBM) for the first of its kind toward building a reliable radiomic model. We first developed a radiomic prognostic model for head-and-neck cancer patients on a training (70%) and evaluated on a testing (30%) cohort using C-index. Subsequently, we applied the IPBM to CT images of both cohorts (Perturbed-Train and Perturbed-Test cohort) to generate 60 additional samples for both cohorts. Model reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) to quantify consistency of the C-index among the 60 samples in the Perturbed-Train and Perturbed-Test cohorts. Besides, we re-trained the radiomic model using reliable RFs exclusively (ICC > 0.75) to validate the IPBM. Results showed moderate model reliability in Perturbed-Train (ICC: 0.565, 95%CI 0.518–0.615) and Perturbed-Test (ICC: 0.596, 95%CI 0.527–0.670) cohorts. An enhanced reliability of the re-trained model was observed in Perturbed-Train (ICC: 0.782, 95%CI 0.759–0.815) and Perturbed-Test (ICC: 0.825, 95%CI 0.782–0.867) cohorts, indicating validity of the IPBM. To conclude, we demonstrated capability of the IPBM toward building reliable radiomic models, providing community with a novel model reliability assessment strategy prior to prospective evaluation.
Resting-state functional connectivity and socioemotional processes in male perpetrators of intimate partner violence against women
Authors: Amaoui Sofia , Martín-Pérez Cristina , Marín-Morales Agar , Bueso-Izquierdo Natalia , García-León María Ángeles , Pérez-García Miguel , Verdejo-Román Juan 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIntimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is a serious and overwhelming public concern. Neuroimaging techniques have provided insights into the brain mechanisms underlying IPVAW perpetration. The purpose of this study is to examine the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) involving the process of social decision-making of male perpetrators. Twenty-six male perpetrators convicted for an IPVAW crime were compared to 29 men convicted for crimes other than IPVAW (other offenders) and 29 men with no criminal records (non-offenders) using a seed-based approach. Seeds were located in areas involved in reflective (prefrontal), impulsive (amygdala and striatum) and interoceptive (insula) processing. Then, as an exploratory analysis, the connectivity networks on male perpetrators were correlated with measures of executive functions and socioemotional self-report measures. Male perpetrators in comparison to other offenders and non-offenders, presented higher rsFC between prefrontal, limbic, brainstem, temporal and basal ganglia areas. Also male perpetrators showed higher rsFC between insula, default mode network and basal ganglia, while lower rsFC was found between prefrontal and motor areas and between amygdala, occipital and parietal areas. Exploratory correlations suggest that the specific rsFC in male perpetrators might be more related to socioemotional processes than to executive functions. These results showed that male perpetrators present a specific rsFC in brain systems that are essential for an adaptive social decision-making.
Incentive motivation improves numerosity discrimination in children and adolescents
Authors: Spliethoff Luca , Li Shu-Chen , Dix Annika 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe recently showed that incentive motivation improves the precision of the Approximate Number System (ANS) in young adults. To shed light on the development of incentive motivation, the present study investigated whether this effect and its underlying mechanisms may also be observed in younger samples. Specifically, seven-year-old children (n = 23; 12 girls) and 14-year-old adolescents (n = 30; 15 girls) performed a dot comparison task with monetary reward incentives. Both age groups showed higher accuracy in a reward compared to a neutral condition and, similarly, higher processing efficiency as revealed by the drift rate parameter of the EZ-diffusion model. Furthermore, in line with the Incentive Salience Hypothesis, phasic pupil dilations—indicating the activation of the brain’s salience network—were greater in incentivized trials in both age groups. Together these finding suggest that incentive modulation improves numerosity discrimination in children and adolescents by enhancing the perceptual saliency of numerosity information. However, the observed reward anticipation effects were less pronounced in children relative to adolescents. Furthermore, unlike previous findings regarding young adults, the decision thresholds of children and adolescents were not raised by the monetary reward, which may indicate a more protracted development of incentive regulation of response caution than perceptual evidence accumulation.
Robust antibacterial activity of functionalized carbon nanotube- levofloxacine conjugate based on in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Hassani Marzieh , Tahghighi Azar , Rohani Mahdi , Hekmati Malak , Ahmadian Maryam , Ahmadvand Hassan 
Published: June 2022

AbstractA new nano-antibiotic was synthesized from the conjugation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with levofloxacin (MWCNT-LVX) through covalent grafting of drug with surface-modified carbon nanotubes in order to achieve an effective, safe, fast-acting nano-drug with the minimal side effects. This study is the first report on the evaluation of in vitro cell viability and antibacterial activity of nano-antibiotic along in addition to the in vivo antibacterial activity in a burn wound model. The drug-loading and release profile at different pH levels was determined using an ultraviolet–visible spectrometer. MWCNT-LVX was synthesized by a simple, reproducible and cost-effective method for the first time and characterized using various techniques, such as scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and so forth. The noncytotoxic nano-antibiotic showed more satisfactory in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus compared to Pseudomona aeruginosa. The novel synthetic nano-drug possessed high loading capacity and pH-sensitive release profile; resultantly, it exhibited very potent bactericidal activity in a mouse S. aureus wound infection model compared to LVX. Based on the results, the antibacterial properties of the drug enhanced after conjugating with surface-modified MWCNTs. The nano-antibiotic has great industrialization potential for the simple route of synthesis, no toxicity, proper drug loading and release, low effective dose, and strong activity against wound infections. In virtue of unique properties, MWCNTs can serve as a controlled release and delivery system for drugs. The easy penetration to biological membranes and barriers can also increase the drug delivery at lower doses compared to the main drug alone, which can lead to the reduction of its side effects. Hence, MWCNTs can be considered a promising nano-carrier of LVX in the treatment of skin infections.
Simplified quantum optical Stokes observables and Bell’s theorem
Authors: Schlichtholz Konrad , Woloncewicz Bianka , Żukowski Marek 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe discuss a simplified form of Stokes operators for quantum optical fields that involve the known concept of binning. Behind polarization analyzer photon numbers (more generally intensities) are measured. We have two outputs, say, for horizontal and vertical polarization. If the value obtained in horizontal output is greater than in vertical one we put 1. Otherwise, we put − 1. For equal photon numbers, we put 0. Such observables do not have all properties of the Stokes operators, but can be employed in Bell type measurements, involving polarization analyzers. They are especially handy for states of undefined number of photons, e.g. squeezed vacuum and their realisation is intuitive. We show that our observables can lead to quite robust violations of associated Bell inequalities. We formulate a strongly supported numerically conjecture that one can observe with this approach violations of local realism for the four mode squeezed vacuum for all pumping powers (i.e. gain values).
piRNA-like small RNAs target transposable elements in a Clade IV parasitic nematode
Authors: Suleiman Mona , Kounosu Asuka , Murcott Ben , Dayi Mehmet , Pawluk Rebecca , Yoshida Akemi , Viney Mark , Kikuchi Taisei , Hunt Vicky L. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe small RNA (sRNA) pathways identified in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans are not widely conserved across nematodes. For example, the PIWI pathway and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are involved in regulating and silencing transposable elements (TE) in most animals but have been lost in nematodes outside of the C. elegans group (Clade V), and little is known about how nematodes regulate TEs in the absence of the PIWI pathway. Here, we investigated the role of sRNAs in the Clade IV parasitic nematode Strongyloides ratti by comparing two genetically identical adult stages (the parasitic female and free-living female). We identified putative small-interfering RNAs, microRNAs and tRNA-derived sRNA fragments that are differentially expressed between the two adult stages. Two classes of sRNAs were predicted to regulate TE activity including (i) a parasite-associated class of 21–22 nt long sRNAs with a 5′ uridine (21-22Us) and a 5′ monophosphate, and (ii) 27 nt long sRNAs with a 5′ guanine/adenine (27GAs) and a 5′ modification. The 21-22Us show striking resemblance to the 21U PIWI-interacting RNAs found in C. elegans, including an AT rich upstream sequence, overlapping loci and physical clustering in the genome. Overall, we have shown that an alternative class of sRNAs compensate for the loss of piRNAs and regulate TE activity in nematodes outside of Clade V.
Recurrent exon-deleting activating mutations in AHR act as drivers of urinary tract cancer
Authors: Vlaar Judith M. , Borgman Anouska , Kalkhoven Eric , Westland Denise , Besselink Nicolle , Shale Charles , Faltas Bishoy M. , Priestley Peter , Kuijk Ewart , Cuppen Edwin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBladder cancer has a high recurrence rate and low survival of advanced stage patients. Few genetic drivers of bladder cancer have thus far been identified. We performed in-depth structural variant analysis on whole-genome sequencing data of 206 metastasized urinary tract cancers. In ~ 10% of the patients, we identified recurrent in-frame deletions of exons 8 and 9 in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor gene (AHRΔe8-9), which codes for a ligand-activated transcription factor. Pan-cancer analyses show that AHRΔe8-9 is highly specific to urinary tract cancer and mutually exclusive with other bladder cancer drivers. The ligand-binding domain of the AHRΔe8-9 protein is disrupted and we show that this results in ligand-independent AHR-pathway activation. In bladder organoids, AHRΔe8-9 induces a transformed phenotype that is characterized by upregulation of AHR target genes, downregulation of differentiation markers and upregulation of genes associated with stemness and urothelial cancer. Furthermore, AHRΔe8-9 expression results in anchorage independent growth of bladder organoids, indicating tumorigenic potential. DNA-binding deficient AHRΔe8-9 fails to induce transformation, suggesting a role for AHR target genes in the acquisition of the oncogenic phenotype. In conclusion, we show that AHRΔe8-9 is a novel driver of urinary tract cancer and that the AHR pathway could be an interesting therapeutic target.
Severity of underweight and risk of fracture: a Korean nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Han Sangsoo , Park Jiwon , Nah Sangun , Jang Hae-Dong , Han Kyungdo , Hong Jae-Young 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUnderweight is an important modifiable risk factor for fractures. However, there have been few large cohort studies regarding the relationship between underweight and fracture in the general population. We investigated the risk of fracture development according to underweight severity in a large population cohort. This nationwide cohort study included 2,896,320 people aged ≥ 40 years who underwent national health checkups in 2009 and were followed up to identify the incidence of fracture until December 31, 2018. After applying the exclusion criteria that included overweight and obese individuals, the study population was divided according to body mass index (BMI) into normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 23.0), mild underweight (17.5 ≤ BMI < 18.5), moderate underweight (16.5 ≤ BMI < 17.5), and severe underweight (BMI < 16.5) groups. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to calculate the hazard ratios for risk of fracture according to underweight severity. Severely underweight participants had a 28% increased fracture risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–1.37) compared with those of normal weight. In addition, fracture risk was increased by 14% in individuals with moderate underweight (adjusted HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.08–1.19) and 9% in those with mild underweight (adjusted HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.06–1.13). The severity of underweight was significantly associated with risk of fracture.
Ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate enhances adipocyte function
Authors: Nishitani Shigeki , Fukuhara Atsunori , Tomita Issei , Kume Shinji , Shin Jihoon , Okuno Yosuke , Otsuki Michio , Maegawa Hiroshi , Shimomura Iichiro 
Published: June 2022

AbstractKetone bodies, including 3HBA, are endogenous products of fatty acid oxidation, and Hmgcs2 is the first rate-limiting enzyme of ketogenesis. From database analysis and in vivo and in vitro experiments, we found that adipose tissue and adipocytes express Hmgcs2, and that adipocytes produce and secrete 3HBA. Treatment with 3HBA enhanced the gene expression levels of the antioxidative stress factors, PPARγ, and lipogenic factors in adipose tissue in vivo and in adipocytes in vitro, accompanied by reduced ROS levels. Knockdown of endogenous Hmgcs2 in adipocytes markedly decreased 3HBA levels in adipocytes and decreased the gene expression levels of the antioxidative stress factors, PPARγ, and lipogenic factors with increased ROS levels. Conversely, overexpression of Hmgcs2 in adipocytes increased 3HBA secretion from adipocytes and enhanced the gene expression levels of the antioxidative stress factors, PPARγ, and lipogenic factors. These results demonstrate that 3HBA plays significant roles in enhancing the physiological function of adipocytes.
Water quality assessment of east Tiaoxi River, China, based on a comprehensive water quality index model and Monte-Carlo simulation
Authors: Jin Wei , Li Yuan , Lu Li , Zhang Dong , He Shanying , Shentu Jiali , Chai Qiwei , Huang Lei 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe comprehensive water quality index (CWQI) reflects the comprehensive pollution status of rivers through mathematical statistics of several water quality indicators. Using computational mathematical simulations, high-confidence CWQI predictions can be obtained based on limited water quality monitoring samples. At present, most of the CWQI reported in the literature are based on conventional indicators such as nitrogen and phosphorus levels, and do not include the petroleum hydrocarbons levels. This article takes a typical river in eastern China as an example, based on the 1-year monitoring at 20 sampling sets, a CWQI containing five factors, TN, NH4+-N, TP, ∑n-Alks, and ∑PAHs was established, and further predicted by a Monte-Carlo model. The predicted CWQI for each monitoring section is above 0.7, indicating that most of the monitoring sections are moderately polluted, and some sections are seriously polluted. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient analysis results show that TN, ∑PAHs, and ∑n-Alks are the main factors influencing the water quality, especially the petroleum hydrocarbons have a significant impact on the middle and lower reaches due to shipping. In the future, more attention should be paid to petroleum hydrocarbon organic pollutants in the water quality evaluation of similar rivers.
Predictivity of daily gait speed using tri-axial accelerometers for two-year incident disability among Japanese older adults
Authors: Takayanagi Naoto , Sudo Motoki , Yamashiro Yukari , Chiba Ippei , Lee Sangyoon , Niki Yoshifumi , Shimada Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2022

AbstractGait speed is an important indicator of functional decline in older adults. Recently, daily gait speed has been assessed using accelerometers. However, it is unclear whether this parameter can predict the decline in functional abilities. This study investigates whether daily gait speed can be a predictor of incident disability risk as well as in-laboratory gait speed. A sample of 1860 older adults (Male: 728, Female: 1132; 70.1 ± 6.2 years) were instructed to wear accelerometers on the waist. The association between daily gait speed for two weeks and incident disability during a two-year period was analyzed by using the cut-off value for screening prefrailty in the previous study (106.3 cm/s). Furthermore, the associations with in-laboratory gait speed (cut-off value: 100 cm/s), number of steps (cut-off value: 6342.2 steps/day), and incident disability were also analyzed. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed a significant hazard ratio of low daily gait speed (HR, 2.97; p = 0.02) comparable to that of low in-laboratory gait speed (HR: 2.53; p = 0.01). Conversely, the number of steps had no significant association with incident disability (HR: 1.99; p = 0.12). These results suggest that daily gait speed can be a predictor of incident disability risk in older adults.
Identification of an inflammatory response signature associated with prognostic stratification and drug sensitivity in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Song Congkuan , Lu Zilong , Lai Kai , Li Donghang , Hao Bo , Xu Chenzhen , Pan Shize , Li Ning , Geng Qing 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIncreasing evidence has confirmed the close connection between inflammatory response and tumorigenesis. However, the relationship between inflammatory response genes (IRGs) and the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) as well as the response to drug therapy remains poorly investigated. Here, we comprehensively analyzed IRGs RNA expression profiling and clinical features of over 2000 LUAD patients from 12 public datasets. The Cox regression method and LASSO analysis were combined to develop a novel IRG signature for risk stratification and drug efficacy prediction in LUAD patients. Enriched pathways, tumor microenvironment (TME), genomic and somatic mutation landscape in different subgroups were evaluated and compared with each other. This established IRG signature including 11 IRGs (ADM, GPC3, IL7R, NMI, NMURI, PSEN1, PTPRE, PVR, SEMA4D, SERPINE1, SPHK1), could well categorize patients into significantly different prognostic subgroups, and have better predictive in independently assessing survival as compared to a single clinical factor. High IRG scores (IRGS) patients might benefit more from immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Comprehensive analysis uncovered significant differences in enriched pathways, TME, genomic and somatic mutation landscape between the two subgroups. Additionally, integrating the IRGS and TNM stage, a reliable prognostic nomogram was developed to optimize survival prediction, and validated in an independent external dataset for clinical application. Take together, the proposed IRG signature in this study is a promising biomarker for risk stratification and drug efficacy prediction in LUAD patients. This study may be meaningful for explaining the responses of clinical therapeutic drugs and providing new strategies for administrating sufferer of LUAD.