julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
In vitro bioassays for quantifying mixture effects of organic micropollutants extracted from caged fish, water and sediment
2025-10-30

Abstract Fish are exposed to countless chemicals over their lifetime, with the totality of internal exposure termed the eco-exposome. In vitro bioassays can be used to complement targeted chemical analysis to quantify the mixture effects of chemicals in fish and relate them to the effects of extracts water and sediments. Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed in cages for 48 hr and 21 days at four field sites with diverse chemical profiles. Fish, water and sediments were collected, extracted and analyzed with four cell-based reporter gene assays. Water from all sites activated xenobiotic metabolism in vitro, whereas only water from a site near a wastewater treatment plant activated the estrogen receptor. Only 5% of water samples were above their effect-based trigger values (EBTs) for surface water, suggesting a low overall chemical burden. In contrast, 77% of bioactive sediment samples exceeded tentative sediment EBTs, suggesting the mixture effects of chemicals in the sediment are likely to be more problematic. Whole fish extracts activated the arylhydrocarbon receptor and oxidative stress response, with the greatest effect observed at a site impacted by both legacy and more recent contamination. Interpretation of mixture effects in extracts from caged fish versus laboratory controls was confounded by background contamination of fish food, as well as endogenous chemicals. Comparison of measured mixture effects with mixture effects predicted from detected chemical concentrations and their relative effect potencies indicated that mixture effects in fish extracts were mainly dominated by chemicals detected in sediment. Sediment and water did not reliably serve as a proxy for the eco-exposome. Bioanalytical investigation of whole fish extracts provides a novel approach to comprehensively characterize the fish exposome.
An App-Based Remote Patient Monitoring System With Wrist and In-Ear Wearables in Gastrointestinal Oncology: Prospective Feasibility Pilot Study
2025-10-30

Abstract Background Outpatient treatments, including targeted therapies, in oncology are on the rise. The implementation of remote patient monitoring (RPM) between therapy sessions has the potential to enhance patient care and therapy outcomes in the future. Objective This pilot study assessed the feasibility of a new, app-based RPM system (bwHealthApp) by capturing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and vital parameters using a wrist- or in-ear wearable. The study examined adherence, acceptance, and satisfaction, as well as the differences between the two types of wearables. Methods Outpatients with gastrointestinal cancer receiving systemic therapies were invited to use and evaluate the bwHealthApp system for 1 month. The system was set up as an Android smartphone app to assess electronic PROs (ePROs) and connect to wearables for continuous vital sign measurements. A wrist wearable (Beurer AS99) that measured activity and heart rate or an in-ear wearable (Cosinuss Two) that measured heart rate, oxygen saturation, and temperature was used. The data were synchronized remotely to a web client. Outpatients were randomly assigned to the wrist wearable (n=17) or in-ear wearable (n=14) group. At the beginning, middle, and end of the study, patients (N=31) completed questionnaires on various feasibility aspects. Adherence to ePRO completion; wearable use, acceptance, and satisfaction; wearable data quantity and quality; and differences between the wearables were evaluated. Results The mean adherence to bwHealthApp including dropouts was 46% (449/971 days) for ePRO completion and 61% (593/971 days) for wearable use. The system was most frequently used during everyday activities. More than half of the participants were satisfied with bwHealthApp (18/30, 60%) and could imagine continued use (21/30, 70%). Notably, 70% (21/30) rated the system as easy to use. Participants recorded more than 20 million wearable measures; however, 29% (SD 22%, range 3%-76%) of temperature values and 33% (SD 25%, range 10%-92%) of oxygen saturation values were outside the physiological range. For heart rate, the mean proportion of excluded values was 10% (SD 11%, range 4%-48%; in-ear) and 11% (SD 8%, range 4%-33%; wrist). The frequency of use of the two wearables did not differ significantly ( t 29 =1.81; P =.08). The wrist wearable scored significantly better than the in-ear wearable regarding wearing comfort ( t 28 =−11.17; P =.03). Conclusions This bwHealthApp pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of RPM via a mobile app and wearable devices during outpatient systemic cancer therapy, including targeted therapies. The adherence level was moderate, and patients were generally satisfied with the system, although the wrist wearable received a higher rating. The system’s functionality may be enhanced through the integration of additional wearables. This pilot study serves as a foundational framework for long-term assessments examining RPM and clinical data to improve cancer treatments.
Rise of terrestrial isopods in the pet trade and the need for their inclusion in trade regulation
2025-10-30

Abstract Wild animals sold as pets are at a higher risk of extinction than animals that are not traded. Invertebrates are often overlooked in national and international laws designed to control the global pet trade. Among these invertebrates, terrestrial isopods—which function as detritivores—have traditionally been kept to clean terraria housing vertebrates and other arthropods. Over the past 2 decades, they have gained popularity among hobbyists due to their ease of care, vibrant colors, minimal space requirements, and harmlessness to humans. Many traded species have limited distribution areas, sometimes only a single locality. Collecting these species in the wild poses a threat to local populations. Species are continuously being added to the online market. Many of these species, especially from tropical regions in Southeast Asia, Central America, and South America, have not been described scientifically. In addition to threatening native populations, this trade in live specimens increases the probability of non‐native species introductions and invasions to new regions. Given this growing interest, we advocate for including terrestrial isopods in national and international regulations. We encourage scientists to assess the scale of the terrestrial isopod pet trade, scientifically describe traded species, and collect distribution and ecological data. We ask the International Union for Conservation of Nature to establish a terrestrial isopod specialist group to assess the status of traded species, which would facilitate their inclusion in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. We urge policy makers to make conservative lists of species that can be traded applying the precautionary principle in regulating the trade in species with an unknown conservation status and invasion risk.
Predictive modeling of TMS-evoked responses: Unraveling instantaneous excitability states
2025-10-31

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) provides a unique window into instantaneous cortical and corticospinal excitability states. We investigated 50 healthy participants to determine how fluctuations in pre-stimulus brain activity influence single-trial TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs) and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). We developed a novel automated source-level TEP extraction method using individualized spatiotemporal priors that is robust against poor single-trial signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and ongoing oscillations. TEP and MEP amplitudes were predicted with linear mixed-effects models based on pre-stimulation EEG band-powers (theta to gamma), while accounting for temporal drifts (within-session trends), coil control, and inter-subject differences. We found that higher pre-stimulus sensorimotor alpha, beta, and gamma power were each associated with larger TEPs, indicating a more excitable cortical state. Increases in alpha and gamma power immediately before stimulation specifically predicted larger MEPs, reflecting increased corticospinal excitability. These results reveal relationships between ongoing oscillatory brain states and TMS response amplitudes, identifying EEG biomarkers of high- and low-excitability states. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the feasibility of single-trial source-level TMS-EEG analysis and shows that spontaneous alpha-, beta-, and gamma-band oscillations modulate motor cortical and corticospinal responsiveness. These findings can contribute to EEG-informed, brain-state-dependent TMS protocols in optimizing neuromodulatory interventions in clinical and research applications.
Towards a psychology of machines: large language models predict human memory
2025-10-31

Large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, have shown remarkable abilities in natural language processing, opening new avenues in psychological research. This study explores whether LLMs can predict human memory performance in tasks involving garden-path sentences and contextual information. In the first part, we used ChatGPT and Google Gemini to rate the relatedness and memorability of garden-path sentences preceded by either fitting or unfitting contexts. In the second part, human participants read the same sentences, rated their relatedness, and completed a surprise memory test. The results demonstrated that ChatGPT and Google Gemini’s relatedness ratings closely matched those of the human participants, and their memorability ratings effectively aligned with human memory performance. Both LLM and human data revealed that higher relatedness in the unfitting context condition was associated with better memory performance, aligning with probabilistic frameworks of context-dependent learning. These findings suggest that LLMs, despite lacking human-like memory mechanisms, can model aspects of human cognition and serve as valuable tools in psychological research. The field of machine psychology explores this interplay between human cognition and artificial intelligence, offering a bidirectional approach where LLMs can both benefit from and contribute to our understanding of human cognitive processes.
Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection and hepatitis B genotype characterization among blood donors in Jember Regency, East Java, Indonesia
2025-10-31

Abstract Background Despite extensive HBV vaccination efforts in Indonesia, the prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) remains a concern, particularly among blood donors. This study investigated the prevalence of OBI, the distribution of circulating HBV genotypes, seropositivity for HBV-specific antibodies, and the potential influence of mutational characteristics on HBsAg secretion among blood donors in Jember, Indonesia. Methods A total of 330 HBsAg-negative blood donor samples from the Indonesian Red Cross in Jember were analyzed for HBV serological markers. Qualitative nested PCR and quantitative real-time PCR were used to detect HBV viral DNA and to measure viral load, respectively. HBV genotyping in positive samples was performed using Sanger sequencing of the S gene fragment. Results The analysis revealed an OBI prevalence of 3%. Serological testing indicated that 27% of participants were positive for anti-HBs antibodies, 18% for anti-HBc, and 6% for anti-HBc alone. All HBV DNA-positive cases belonged to genotype B, primarily sub genotypes B3 and B4. Phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple mutations in the HBV surface (S) gene and the reverse transcriptase (RT) domain of the polymerase (Pol) protein, including immune escape mutations, suggesting potential risks for HBV transmission and reactivation. Conclusions These findings emphasize the need for enhanced screening, including NAT alongside serological testing, to mitigate OBI risks in blood donors and improve transfusion safety and public health policies in HBV-endemic regions of Indonesia.
Incomplete but invaluable: Reassessing the holotype of a singleton madagascan woodlouse (Oniscidea, Armadillidae)
2025-10-31

Historical type specimens, even when fragmentary, remain critical for resolving longstanding taxonomic uncertainties—particularly within neglected and underfunded groups such as terrestrial isopods. Many species described during early phases of exploration have never been revisited, leaving them in taxonomic limbo due to incomplete descriptions and the scarcity of new material. This study reexamines the Madagascan species Armadillo cassida Budde-Lund, 1908—known only from a single specimen—and finds that its distinctive and atypical morphological features warrant its transfer to a new genus, Revelosa gen. nov. Despite the limitations of the available material, key diagnostic traits were recovered that clearly differentiate it from all other genera in the family Armadillidae. This work highlights the enduring value of historical singletons in clarifying biodiversity, reducing taxonomic noise, and improving classification frameworks, even in the absence of fresh specimens. Such revisions are vital steps toward addressing the taxonomic impediment that continues to hinder progress in biodiversity research.
Plug and Play Multi-Organ Chips: Integrated µGaskets for the Facile and Reversible Connection of Individual Organ-on-Chip Modules
2025-10-31

Multi-organ-chip (MOC) models provide a plethora of auspicious opportunities to replace current in vitro and in vivo models for a more systemic investigation of human (patho-)physiology for drug development and personalized medicine. Integration of individual organ tissues into a systemic circulation remains a major challenge for their implementation/application. Modular ‘mix-and-match’ connection strategies are beneficial in their flexibility for individual organ-on-chip (OoC) module designs, and their connection and experimental timelines, but yet lack a facile implementation/realization without the addition of external connectors and dead volume. We introduce a novel concept for the flexible plug and play integration of OoC modules to an MOC platform by integrated μGaskets. The thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)-based μGaskets provide a highly robust and simultaneously easy connection of customizable tissue models. We characterized the facile fabrication of connection chips equipped with μGaskets and proved their functionality and durability in different burst, pressure and reusability tests.
Photon-Counting Computed Tomography of the Paranasal Sinuses Improves Intraoperative Accuracy of Image-Guided Surgery
2025-10-31

Background: Computed tomography (CT)-based image-guided surgery (IGS) is of great importance in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and requires IGS-specific imaging protocols to ensure high intraoperative accuracy. This study aimed to compare photon-counting CT (PCCT), dual-energy dual-source CT (DECT), and spectral detector CT (SDCT) of the paranasal sinuses with respect to image quality, IGS accuracy and radiation dose. Methods: A formalin-fixed cadaver skull was examined using PCCT, DECT and SDCT at 100 kV tube voltage with descending tube currents (mAs). The setup of electromagnetic IGS was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Accuracy was analyzed endoscopically using defined anatomical landmarks. Diagnostic image quality as well as bone and soft tissue noise were assessed qualitatively using a 5-point Likert scale and quantitatively by determination of signal-to-noise ratio. Radiation dose was evaluated using the dose length product. Results: While PCCT datasets could be registered and navigated accurately down to 10 mAs (1.5 mm error at 10 mAs), both DECT and SDCT exhibited significantly increased inaccuracies below 40 mAs (4.35/5.15 mm for DECT/SDCT at 25 mAs). Using PCCT therefore enabled a 45% radiation dose reduction at the minimally required dose length product using PCCT. Quantitative and qualitative image quality were superior for PCCT compared to DECT and SDCT. Conclusions: PCCT provides excellent accuracy of anatomical landmarks in IGS with superior image quality of the paranasal sinuses in low-mA scans and substantially reduced radiation exposure.
Reference values for shear wave elastography, shear wave dispersion and attenuation imaging in healthy paediatric livers
2025-11-01

Abstract Background The rising prevalence of paediatric liver disease, including metabolic dysfunction- associated steatotic liver disease, highlights the need for reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tools. Advanced ultrasound techniques such as shear wave elastography (SWE), shear wave dispersion (SWD), and attenuation imaging (ATI) offer promising alternatives to biopsy or magnetic resonance imaging, but normative paediatric values remain limited. Objective This study aimed to establish age-specific reference values for SWE, SWD, and ATI in healthy children and to assess potential influencing factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and fasting duration. Materials and methods In this retrospective study, 264 children (135 female, median age 11.5 years) without known liver disease were selected from a cohort of 734. Each child underwent liver ultrasound using a standardized protocol with five ATI and ten SWE/SWD measurements. Only high-quality data were included. Statistical analyses examined correlations between imaging parameters and patient characteristics. Results The median ATI was 0.54 dB/cm/MHz [interquartile range (IQR):0.50–0.58], SWE was 1.24 m/s (IQR:1.14–1.33) and SWD was 11.70 (m/s)/kHz (IQR:10.84–12.13). ATI and SWD values showed significant negative correlations with age ( P &lt; 0.001 and P = 0.0048, respectively). SWD also correlated negatively with BMI z -score ( P &lt; 0.001) and was significantly lower in females ( P = 0.001). SWE showed only a weak positive correlation with measurement depth ( P = 0.0261). Fasting duration had no significant impact on any measurement. Conclusion This study provides reference values for SWE, SWD, and ATI in children. Age and sex influence SWD and ATI values, underscoring the importance of age-specific interpretation in paediatric liver ultrasound. Graphical Abstract
Gαi2 Signaling Regulates Neonatal Respiratory Adaptation
2025-11-01

Heterotrimeric Gi proteins are crucial modulators of G protein-coupled receptor signaling, with Gαi2 ubiquitously expressed and implicated in diverse physiological processes. Previous reports described partial lethality in Gnai2-deficient mice, but the timing and mechanism of death remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that impaired neonatal respiratory adaptation contributes to mortality in Gnai2-deficient neonates. Despite normal Mendelian distribution at birth and no overt malformations, at least 20% of the expected Gnai2-deficient neonates died within minutes after birth, displaying abnormal breathing, cyanosis, and features resembling neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Histological and ultrastructural analyses revealed reduced alveolar surface area, thickened septa, increased mesenchymal tissue, and impaired surfactant ultrastructure, despite unaltered alveolar surfactant phospholipid levels. These findings suggest that Gαi2 modulates the structural deployment and functional organization of surfactant within alveoli, although the incomplete phenotype and survival of some neonates indicate a regulatory rather than indispensable role of Gαi2. Our data underscore the complexity of neonatal respiratory adaptation and highlight potential systemic and intercellular mechanisms underlying alveolar stabilization.
Amyloid‐β Seeds in Alzheimer's Disease: Research Challenges and Implications
2025-11-01

ABSTRACT The amyloid cascade hypothesis, proposed over 30 years ago, places amyloid‐β (Aβ) at the center of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Though controversial, recent clinical successes with Aβ‐targeting therapies have reinforced its importance. However, these treatments have shown only modest clinical benefits in line with a two‐stage AD progression: an early phase driven by Aβ‐seed and a later phase that progresses at least partly independently of Aβ. Evidence of Aβ seed transmission in humans raises both therapeutic potential and biosafety concerns. This review explores current understanding of Aβ seeds, including challenges in studying such seeds, model systems to study Aβ seeds, and biosafety issues when working with Aβ seeds. image
Developing consolidated guidelines for reporting and evaluation of studies using transcranial electrical stimulation (CoRE-tES): protocol for an international Delphi study and expert consensus process
2025-11-01

Introduction In recent decades, transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) has become a widely used non-invasive method for modulating brain function in clinical and non-clinical populations. However, existing tES trials exhibit substantial methodological heterogeneity, often limiting the reproducibility and interpretability of findings. There currently exists a paucity of consensus-driven, standardised recommendations outlining the key factors that should be reported and/or controlled in tES studies. Accordingly, this project aims to develop Consolidated Guidelines for Reporting and Evaluation of studies using tES (CoRE-tES), a tool designed to assess the methodological quality and reporting of laboratory-based and home-based tES studies. These guidelines will support improved quality, consistency, replication and transparency in research involving tES modalities, including transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial alternating current stimulation and transcranial random noise stimulation. Methods and analysis CoRE-tES will be developed and disseminated over five stages. Stage 1 will comprise a review of recent tES literature to assess methodological and reporting quality. Stage 2 will employ a Delphi process to seek agreement among international tES experts on a list of items for inclusion in CoRE-tES. In stage 3, a consensus meeting will be held to synthesise and prioritise the agreed items to form CoRE-tES. Stage 4 will involve production of the final CoRE-tES checklist and an accompanying evaluation and elaboration document. In stage 5, CoRE-tES will be disseminated via journal publication, conferences, professional meetings and social media campaigns. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been obtained from the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number H16803). Findings will be disseminated through scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journal publications, and CoRE-tES will be indexed on the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research Network website.