bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corruption Basics
Authors: Pyman Mark , Heywood Paul M.
Published: May 2024

This chapter runs through some key concepts and explains the choice of sectors as the unit of analysis, as well as explaining how to identify and to rank core issues.
Synthetic Data in Medicine
Authors: Ziethmann Paula , Friedrich Sarah , Schlögl-Flierl Kerstin
Published: May 2024

This paper explores the multifaceted implications of synthetic data in AI model development, particularly
in medical contexts such as oncology. It examines the benefits of synthetic data, including privacy enhancement
and bias reduction, but also highlights the associated risks, such as data loss and bias exacerbation. The
paper discusses the ethical considerations and proposes strategies to ensure resilience in human-machine
relationships, especially in oncology.
Fast flow of an Oldroyd-B model fluid through a narrow slowly varying contraction
Authors: Hinch John , Boyko Evgeniy , Stone Howard A.
Published: May 2024

Lubrication theory is adapted to incorporate the large normal stresses that occur for order-one Deborah numbers,

$De$

, the ratio of the relaxation time to the residence time. Comparing with the pressure drop for a Newtonian viscous fluid with a viscosity equal to that of an Oldroyd-B fluid in steady simple shear, we find numerically a reduced pressure drop through a contraction and an increased pressure drop through an expansion, both changing linearly with

$De$

at high

$De$

. For a constriction, there is a smaller pressure drop that plateaus at high

$De$

. For a contraction, much of the change in pressure drop occurs in the stress relaxation in a long exit channel. An asymptotic analysis for high

$De$

, based on the idea that normal stresses are stretched by an accelerating flow in proportion to the square of the velocity, reveals that the large linear changes in pressure drop are due to higher normal stresses pulling the fluid through the narrowest gap. A secondary cause of the reduction is that the elastic shear stresses do not have time to build up to their steady-state equilibrium value while they accelerate through a contraction. We find for a contraction or expansion that the high

$De$

analysis works well for

$De>0.4$

.
Finite-size inertial spherical particles in turbulence
Authors: Chiarini Alessandro , Rosti Marco Edoardo
Published: May 2024

We investigate by direct numerical simulations the fluid–solid interaction of non-dilute suspensions of spherical particles moving in triperiodic turbulence, at the relatively large Reynolds number of

$Re_\lambda \approx 400$

. The solid-to-fluid density ratio is varied between

$1.3$

and

$100$

, the particle diameter

$D$

is in the range

$16 \le D/\eta \le 123$

(

$\eta$

is the Kolmogorov scale) and the volume fraction of the suspension is

$0.079$

. Turbulence is sustained using the Arnold–Beltrami–Childress cellular-flow forcing. The influence of the solid phase on the largest and energetic scales of the flow changes with the size and density of the particles. Light and large particles modulate all scales in an isotropic way, while heavier and smaller particles modulate the largest scales of the flow towards an anisotropic state. Smaller scales are isotropic and homogeneous for all cases. The mechanism driving the energy transfer across scales changes with the size and the density of the particles. For large and light particles the energy transfer is only marginally influenced by the fluid–solid interaction. For small and heavy particles, instead, the classical energy cascade is subdominant at all scales, and the energy transfer is essentially driven by the fluid–solid coupling. The influence of the solid phase on the flow intermittency is also discussed. Besides, the collective motion of the particles and their preferential location in relation to properties of the carrier flow are analysed. The solid phase exhibits moderate clustering; for large particles the level of clustering decreases with their density, while for small particles it is maximum for intermediate values.
EVALUATION FUNCTIONS AND REFLEXIVITY OF BANACH SPACES OF HOLOMORPHIC FUNCTIONS
Authors: CAO GUANGFU , HE LI , LI JI , ZHANG SHUQING
Published: May 2024

Let

$B(\Omega )$

be a Banach space of holomorphic functions on a bounded connected domain

$\Omega $

in

${{\mathbb C}^n}$

. In this paper, we establish a criterion for

$B(\Omega )$

to be reflexive via evaluation functions on

$B(\Omega )$

, that is,

$B(\Omega )$

is reflexive if and only if the evaluation functions span the dual space

$(B(\Omega ))^{*} $

.
Assessing the job preferences of senior medical students for mandatory service: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Tozduman Buşra , Sözmen Melih Kaan
Published: May 2024

Aim:

To investigate the job preferences of senior medical students for mandatory service as general practitioners using discrete choice experiment.

Introduction:

Health workforce is directly associated with health service coverage and health outcomes. However, there is a global shortage of healthcare workers (HCWs) in rural areas. Discrete choice experiments can guide the policy and decision-makers to increase recruitment and retention of HCWs in remote and rural areas by determining their job preferences. The aim of this study is to investigate job preferences of senior medical students for mandatory service as general practitioners.

Methods:

This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 144 medical students. To estimate students’ preferences for different levels of job attributes, a mixed logit model was utilised. Simulations of job uptake rates and willingness to pay (WTP) estimates were computed.

Findings:

All attributes had an impact on the job preferences of students with the following order of priority: salary, workload, proximity to family/friends, working environment, facility and developmental status. For a normal workload and a workplace closed to family/friends which were the most valued attributes after salary, WTPs were 2818.8 Turkish lira (TRY) ($398.7) and 2287.5 TRY ($323.6), respectively. The preference weights of various job characteristics were modified by gender, the presence of a HCW parent and willingness to perform mandatory service. To recruit young physicians where they are most needed, monetary incentives appear to be the most efficient intervention. Non-pecuniary job characteristics also affected job preferences. Packages of both monetary and non-monetary incentives tailored to individual characteristics would be the most efficient approach.
Future Increase in Lightning Around the South China Sea Under Climate Change
Authors: Xu Liangtao , Cao Xi , Lan Xiaoqing , Zhang Wenjuan , Sun Chenghu , Zhang Yijun
Published: May 2024

The impact of global warming on lightning flash rates remains relatively unknown. In this study, the South China Sea (SCS) and the surrounding areas within Southeast Asia were selected to examine the long‐term trend and future projection of lightning activity based on the currently longest satellite‐based lightning data set available and climate models. Our study revealed a reduction in the observed lightning flash rates around the SCS, with a linear trend of −0.11 fl km−2 yr−2 during 1996–2013. In contrast, the precipitation around the SCS exhibited an increasing trend and was negatively correlated with the local lightning flash rate. The sea surface temperature gradient over equatorial Pacific Ocean, latent heat flux over the equatorial Indian Ocean, local convective available potential energy, precipitation and aerosol changes collectively accounted for 82% of the variance in the lightning fluctuations over the SCS and Southeast Asia. Multiple linear regression proxies of lightning flash rates were constructed and applied to the climate models. The models indicated that lightning activity around the SCS is projected to intensify by 10% and 12% by the end of the 21st century under SSP245 and SSP370, respectively.
Multiple Lagrangian Jet‐Core Structures in the Malvinas Current
Authors: Bodnariuk N. , Saraceno M. , Ruiz‐Etcheverry L. A. , Simionato C. , Andrade‐Canto F. , Beron‐Vera F. J. , Olascoaga M. J.
Published: May 2024

The Malvinas Current (MC) in the Southwestern Atlantic is characterized as a system of multiple Lagrangian jets. This is done by applying geodesic theory of Lagrangian Coherent Structures (LCSs) on altimetry‐derived velocity. The number and spatial disposition of jet‐cores organizing the MC are found to vary in time influenced by topographic waves propagating along the current. The Lagrangian analysis reveals that permanent jet‐cores tend to approach one another upstream, yet do not merge into a single jet as the Eulerian analysis of the data suggests. Independent support for the existence of multiple jets is provided by trajectories of surface drifters from a deployment of unparalleled dimensions for the region and ocean color images. The drifters develop the characteristic boomerang‐shaped patterns into which passive tracers straddling jet‐cores deform and exhibit Lagrangian metrics that are largely consistent with those derived from altimetry data. Ocean color imagery reveals similar “chevrons” and suggest upwelling along the jets, which is consistent with a new solution of arrested topographic wave dynamics. This observation and the finding that the MC jet system is influenced by propagating waves suggests that the MC variability may have major implications in the modulation of primary productivity on synoptic timescales. Drifters flowing into the open ocean, exhibit organizing patterns that are largely shaped by mesoscale circulation and essentially differ from those observed along the MC. Evidence of this observation is provided on the basis of LCS analysis and the calculation of a quasi‐objective Lagrangian metric derived directly from drifter trajectories.
Spatially selective p-type doping for constructing lateral WS2 p-n homojunction via low-energy nitrogen ion implantation
Authors: Kang Yufan , Pei Yongfeng , He Dong , Xu Hang , Ma Mingjun , Yan Jialu , Jiang Changzhong , Li Wenqing , Xiao Xiangheng
Published: May 2024

The construction of lateral p-n junctions is very important and challenging in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor manufacturing process. Previous researches have demonstrated that vertical p-n junction can be prepared simply by vertical stacking of 2D materials. However, interface pollution and large area scalability are challenges that are difficult to overcome with vertical stacking technology. Constructing 2D lateral p-n homojunction is an effective strategy to address these issues. Spatially selective p-type doping of 2D semiconductors is expected to construct lateral p-n homojunction. In this work, we have developed a low-energy ion implantation system that reduces the implanted energy to 300 eV. Low-energy implantation can form a shallow implantation depth, which is more suitable for modulating the electrical and optical properties of 2D materials. Hence, we utilize low-energy ion implantation to directly dope nitrogen ions into few-layer WS2 and successfully realize a precise regulation for WS2 with its conductivity type transforming from n-type to bipolar or even p-type conduction. Furthermore, the universality of this method is demonstrated by extending it to other 2D semiconductors, including WSe2, SnS2 and MoS2. Based on this method, a lateral WS2 p-n homojunction is fabricated, which exhibits significant rectification characteristics. A photodetector based on p-n junction with photovoltaic effect is also prepared, and the open circuit voltage can reach to 0.39 V. This work provides an effective way for controllable doping of 2D semiconductors.
Off-camera gaze decreases evaluation scores in a simulated online job interview
Authors: Shinya Masahiro , Yamane Noriko , Mori Yuki , Teaman Brian
Published: May 2024

During the pandemic, digital communication became paramount. Due to the discrepancy between the placement of the camera and the screen in typical smartphones, tablets and laptops, mutual eye contact cannot be made in standard video communication. Although the positive effect of eye contact in traditional communication has been well-documented, its role in virtual contexts remains less explored. In this study, we conducted experiments to gauge the impact of gaze direction during a simulated online job interview. Twelve university students were recruited as interviewees. The interview consisted of two recording sessions where they delivered the same prepared speech: in the first session, they faced the camera, and in the second, they directed their gaze towards the screen. Based on the recorded videos, we created three stimuli: one where the interviewee’s gaze was directed at the camera (CAM), one where the interviewee’s gaze was skewed downward (SKW), and a voice-only stimulus without camera recordings (VO). Thirty-eight full-time workers participated in the study and evaluated the stimuli. The results revealed that the SKW condition garnered significantly less favorable evaluations than the CAM condition and the VO condition. Moreover, a secondary analysis indicated a potential gender bias in evaluations: the female evaluators evaluated the interviewees of SKW condition more harshly than the male evaluators did, and the difference in some evaluation criteria between the CAM and SKW conditions was larger for the female interviewees than for the male interviewees. Our findings emphasize the significance of gaze direction and potential gender biases in online interactions.
Biomaterial-based sponge for efficient and environmentally sound removal of bacteria from water
Authors: You Zewang , Lorente Alejandro , Marlina Dini , Haag Rainer , Wagner Olaf
Published: May 2024

Designing materials capable of disinfecting water without releasing harmful by-products is an ongoing challenge. Here, we report a novel polycationic sponge material synthesized from chitosan derivatives and cellulose fibers, exhibiting antibacterial properties. The design of such material is based on three key principles. First, the formation of a highly porous structure through cryogelation for an extensive surface area. Second, the incorporation of cationic quaternary ammonium moieties onto chitosan to enhance bacterial adsorption and antibacterial activity. Lastly, the reinforcement of mechanical properties through integration of cellulose fibers. The presented sponge materials exhibit up to a 4-log (99.99%) reduction within 6 h against both gram-positive B. subtilis and gram-negative E. coli. Notably, QCHI90/Cell, with the highest surface charge, exhibits a 2–4.5 log reduction within 1 h of incubation time. The eco-friendly synthesis from water and readily available biomaterials, along with cost-effectiveness and simplicity, underscores its versatility and feasibility of upscaling. Together with its outstanding antibacterial activity, this macroporous biomaterial emerges as a promising candidate for water disinfection applications.
The complexometric behavior of selected aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals shows that they are more than AIEgens
Authors: Biesen Lukas , Müller Thomas J. J.
Published: May 2024

Using the established synthetic methods, aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals and subsequent bi- and multichromophores can be readily synthesized. Aside from pronounced AIE (aggregation induced emission) properties, these selected examples possess distinct complexometric behavior for various metals purely based on the underlying structural motifs. This affects the fluorescence properties of the materials which can be readily exploited for metal ion detection and for the formation of different metal-aroyl-S,N-ketene acetal complexes that were confirmed by Job plot analysis. In particular, gold(I), iron(III), and ruthenium (III) ions reveal complexation enhanced or quenched emission. For most dyes, weakly coodinating complexes were observed, only in case of a phenanthroline aroyl-S,N-ketene acetal multichromophore, measurements indicate the formation of a strongly coordinating complex. For this multichromophore, the complexation results in a loss of fluorescence intensity whereas for dimethylamino-aroyl-S,N-ketene acetals and bipyridine bichromophores, the observed quantum yield is nearly tripled upon complexation. Even if no stable complexes are formed, changes in absorption and emission properties allow for a simple ion detection.
Assessment of serum vitamin D levels in children aged 0–17 years old in a Chinese population: a comprehensive study
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Zhou Lijun , Ren Yaqiong , Zhang Hongyan , Qiu Wenna , Wang Hongying
Published: May 2024

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency pose global public health challenges, yet research on serum vitamin D levels in the 0–17-year-old age group in southeastern China remains limited. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating serum 25(OH)D levels in children in the region aged 0–17 years, contributing crucial data for understanding vitamin D nutritional status. Liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) technology was used. Vitamin D testing was integrated into routine diagnostic procedures for 11,116 children in Wujiang District, Suzhou City. Among the 0–17-year age group, comprising 6348 boys and 4768 girls, the prevalence of serum 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency was 21.4% and 31.0%, respectively. The median serum 25(OH)D concentration was 29.72 ng/mL (21.84–39.84 ng/mL) in boys compared to 28.48 ng/mL (20.65–39.23 ng/mL) in girls. Seasonal variations were observed, with median serum 25(OH)D concentrations of 29.02 ng/mL (20.73–39.72 ng/mL) in spring, 28.79 ng/mL (21.53–39.37 ng/mL) in summer, 30.12 ng/mL (22.00–39.70 ng/mL) in autumn, and 28.58 ng/mL (19.97–39.46 ng/mL) in winter. Statistically significant differences were noted in the serum 25(OH)D levels during autumn and winter. In conclusion, the rate of adequate vitamin D levels in local children was 47.5%, revealing a relatively high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (21.4%) and insufficiency (31.0%), especially during the post-preschool period. Advocating for vitamin D supplementation in children is crucial for ensuring adequate vitamin D support.
Analysis of spatial patterns and influencing factors of farmland transfer in China based on ESDA-GeoDetector
Authors: He Xiuli , Liu Wenxin
Published: May 2024

Farmland transfer is a critical component in facilitating agricultural scale management and improving agricultural production efficiency. This study examines the spatial distribution of farmland transfer in China and identifies the factors influencing it, offering valuable guidance for advancing China’s farmland transfer practices. Through the application of mathematical statistics and GIS spatial analysis, the study investigates changes in spatial patterns related to the scale, rate, mode, and recipients of farmland transfer across China's 30 provinces from 2015 to 2020. Geographical detectors are also employed to identify the key factors influencing the extent and pace of farmland transfer. The study reveals that between 2015 and 2020, China's farmland transfer area increased from 29,789 to 37,638 million hectares. Provinces with abundant farmland resources generally experienced larger farmland transfers, while economically developed regions and major grain-producing areas saw higher rates of farmland transfers. The predominant mode of farmland transfer in China was leasing (subcontracting), accounting for over 80% of the total transferred area. Large-scale grain growers and family farms were significant participants in farmland transfers, acquiring approximately 60.1% of the transferred lands, followed by professional cooperatives (21.5%), enterprises (10.4%), and other entities (7.9%). Key factors influencing the farmland transfer area include the "regional farmland area", the "proportion of family farms supported by loans", and the "proportion of non-agricultural population", with explanatory powers of 0.663, 0.319, and 0.225, respectively. Notably, there is a substantial interaction between the "regional farmland area" and factors such as the "proportion of family farms supported by loans" and the "grain yield per unit area", with explanatory powers reaching 0.957 and 0.901, respectively. These findings offer valuable insights for promoting farmland transfer in agriculturally rich regions. Factors affecting the farmland transfer rate include "grain yield per unit area", "GDP per capita", and the "proportion of non-agricultural population", each with an explanatory power above 0.500. Moreover, their interactive explanatory powers with other indicators exceed 0.600, indicating that provinces with high agricultural productivity or economic development levels are more likely to undergo farmland transfer. The paper concludes by proposing strategies and recommendations to promote farmland transfer in both "large agricultural areas" and "metropolitan suburbs."
Spectrum of MRI findings in central nervous system affection in Lyme neuroborreliosis
Authors: Volk T. , Urbach H. , Fingerle V. , Bardutzky J. , Rauer S. , Dersch Rick
Published: May 2024

Affections of the central nervous system (CNS) rarely occur in Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). CNS manifestations can have residual neurological symptoms despite antibiotic treatment. We explored the spectrum of CNS affections in patients with LNB in a tertiary care center in a region endemic for Lyme borreliosis. We retrospectively included patients treated at a tertiary care center from January 2020–December 2021 fulfilling the case criteria for LNB as stated in the current German guideline on LNB. Clinical data, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings and MRI imaging were collected. We included 35 patients with LNB, 24 with early manifestations and 11 with CNS-LNB. CNS-LNB patients had encephalomyelitis (n = 6) or cerebral vasculitis (n = 5). Patients with early LNB and CNS-LNB differed regarding albumin CSF/serum quotient and total protein in CSF. Duration from onset of symptoms until diagnosis was statistically significantly longer in patients with encephalomyelitis. MRI findings were heterogeneous and showed longitudinal extensive myelitis, perimedullar leptomeningeal enhancement, pontomesencephalic lesions or cerebral vasculitis. CNS-LNB can present with a variety of clinical syndromes and MRI changes. No clear pattern of MRI findings in CNS-LNB could be identified. The role of MRI consists in ruling out other causes of neurological symptoms.
Analytical study of one dimensional time fractional Schrödinger problems arising in quantum mechanics
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Alsayaad Yahya
Published: May 2024

This work presents the analytical study of one dimensional time-fractional nonlinear Schrödinger equation arising in quantum mechanics. In present research, we establish an idea of the Sumudu transform residual power series method (ST-RPSM) to generate the numerical solution of nonlinear Schrödinger models with the fractional derivatives. The proposed idea is the composition of Sumudu transform (ST) and the residual power series method (RPSM). The fractional derivatives are taken in Caputo sense. The proposed technique is unique since it requires no assumptions or variable constraints. The ST-RPSM obtains its results through a series of successive iterations, and the resulting form rapidly converges to the exact solution. The results obtained via ST-RPSM show that this scheme is authentic, effective, and simple for nonlinear fractional models. Some graphical structures are displayed at different levels of fractional orders using Mathematica Software.
Increased water temperature contributes to a chondrogenesis response in the eyes of spotted wolffish
Authors: Kwabiah Rebecca R. , Weiland Eva , Henderson Sarah , Vasquez Ignacio , Paradis Hélène , Tucker Denise , Dimitrov Iliana , Gardiner Danielle , Tucker Stephanie , Newhook Nicholas , Boyce Danny , Scapigliati Giuseppe , Kirby Simon , Santander Javier , Gendron Robert L.
Published: May 2024

Adult vertebrate cartilage is usually quiescent. Some vertebrates possess ocular scleral skeletons composed of cartilage or bone. The morphological characteristics of the spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) scleral skeleton have not been described. Here we assessed the scleral skeletons of cultured spotted wolffish, a globally threatened marine species. The healthy spotted wolffish we assessed had scleral skeletons with a low percentage of cells staining for the chondrogenesis marker sex-determining region Y-box (Sox) 9, but harboured a population of intraocular cells that co-express immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Sox9. Scleral skeletons of spotted wolffish with grossly observable eye abnormalities displayed a high degree of perochondrial activation as evidenced by cellular morphology and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and phosphotyrosine. Cells staining for cluster of differentiation (CD) 45 and IgM accumulated around sites of active chondrogenesis, which contained cells that strongly expressed Sox9. The level of scleral chondrogenesis and the numbers of scleral cartilage PCNA positive cells increased with the temperature of the water in which spotted wolffish were cultured. Our results provide new knowledge of differing Sox9 spatial tissue expression patterns during chondrogenesis in normal control and ocular insult paradigms. Our work also provides evidence that spotted wolffish possess an inherent scleral chondrogenesis response that may be sensitive to temperature. This work also advances the fundamental knowledge of teleost ocular skeletal systems.
Leveraging graph neural networks for supporting automatic triage of patients
Authors: Defilippo Annamaria , Veltri Pierangelo , Lió Pietro , Guzzi Pietro Hiram
Published: May 2024

Patient triage is crucial in emergency departments, ensuring timely and appropriate care based on correctly evaluating the emergency grade of patient conditions. Triage methods are generally performed by human operator based on her own experience and information that are gathered from the patient management process. Thus, it is a process that can generate errors in emergency-level associations. Recently, Traditional triage methods heavily rely on human decisions, which can be subjective and prone to errors. A growing interest has recently been focused on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to develop algorithms to maximize information gathering and minimize errors in patient triage processing. We define and implement an AI-based module to manage patients’ emergency code assignments in emergency departments. It uses historical data from the emergency department to train the medical decision-making process. Data containing relevant patient information, such as vital signs, symptoms, and medical history, accurately classify patients into triage categories. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieved high accuracy outperforming traditional triage methods. By using the proposed method, we claim that healthcare professionals can predict severity index to guide patient management processing and resource allocation.
NLRC5 promotes endometrial carcinoma progression by regulating NF-κB pathway-mediated mismatch repair gene deficiency
Authors: Liu Xiaojing , Zhu Haiqing , Guo Bao , Chen Jiahua , Zhang Junhui , Wang Tao , Zhang Jing , Shan Wenjun , Zou Junchi , Cao Yunxia , Wei Bing , Zhan Lei
Published: May 2024

The innate immune molecule NLR family CARD domain-containing 5 (NLRC5) plays a significant role in endometrial carcinoma (EC) immunosurveillance. However, NLRC5 also plays a protumor role in EC cells. Mismatch repair gene deficiency (dMMR) can enable tumors to grow faster and also can exhibit high sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this study, we attempted to determine whether NLRC5-mediated protumor role in EC is via the regulation of dMMR. Our findings revealed that NLRC5 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of EC cells and induced the dMMR status of EC in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying NLRC5 regulated dMMR was also verified. We first found NLRC5 could suppress nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathway in EC cells. Then we validated that the positive effect of NLRC5 in dMMR was restricted when NF-κB was activated by lipopolysaccharides in NLRC5-overexpression EC cell lines. In conclusion, our present study confirmed the novel NLRC5/NF-κB/MMR regulatory mechanism of the protumor effect of NLRC5 on EC cells, thereby suggesting that the NLRC5-mediated protumor in EC was depend on the function of MMR.
Novel paired CD13-negative (MT-50.1) and CD13-positive (MT-50.4) HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines with differential regulatory T cell-like activity
Authors: Egawa Yuki , Higuchi Tomonori , Hashida Yumiko , Ueno Kazuyuki , Kojima Kensuke , Daibata Masanori
Published: May 2024

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) occurs after human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection with a long latency period exceeding several decades. This implies the presence of immune evasion mechanisms for HTLV-1-infected T cells. Although ATL cells have a CD4+CD25+ phenotype similar to that of regulatory T cells (Tregs), they do not always possess the immunosuppressive functions of Tregs. Factors that impart effective immunosuppressive functions to HTLV-1-infected cells may exist. A previous study identified a new CD13+ Treg subpopulation with enhanced immunosuppressive activity. We, herein, describe the paired CD13− (designated as MT-50.1) and CD13+ (MT-50.4) HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines with Treg-like phenotype, derived from the peripheral blood of a single patient with lymphoma-type ATL. The cell lines were found to be derived from HTLV-1-infected non-leukemic cells. MT-50.4 cells secreted higher levels of immunosuppressive cytokines, IL-10 and TGF-β, expressed higher levels of Foxp3, and showed stronger suppression of CD4+CD25− T cell proliferation than MT-50.1 cells. Furthermore, the CD13 inhibitor bestatin significantly attenuated MT-50.4 cell growth, while it did not for MT-50.1 cells. These findings suggest that CD13 expression may be involved in the increased Treg-like activity of MT-50.4 cells. Hence, MT-50.4 cells will be useful for in-depth studies of CD13+Foxp3+ HTLV-1-infected cells.
Synthesis of organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites modified by catalase-like catalytic sites for the controlling of kiwifruit bacterial canker
Authors: Ding Zhenghao , Song Qingqing , Wang Guangdi , Zhong Zhuojun , Zhong Guoyong , Li Hong , Chen Yuexin , Zhou Xiang , Liu Liwei , Yang Song
Published: May 2024

The catalase-like catalytic activity of the ZnO@PDA-Mn nanocomposites reduced the oxidative damage of plants induced by bacterial infection, and effectively enhanced the control effect of kiwifruit canker disease.
Facile synthesis of Fe3C/rGO via an in situ assembly route as an effective cocatalyst of Pt toward methanol electrooxidation
Authors: Yang Ganceng , Li Xin , Liu Yue , Wang Jiaqi , Min Siqi , Jiao Yanqing , Yan Haijing
Published: May 2024

In this paper, the Pt–Fe3C/rGO catalyst is synthesized by an in situ assembly strategy. The strong interaction between Fe3C and Pt is favorable for boosting the methanol electrooxidation activity, CO anti-poisoning ability and remarkable stability.
Decoding Shared Genetics: Unveiling the Link Between Major Depressive Disorder and Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Tian Haodong
Published: May 2024

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder, and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary central nervous system tumor. Patients with GBM have been shown to have a high incidence of MDD, but the pathogenesis of these two diseases remains unclear. This study utilized a high-throughput omics approach to explore the genetic link between MDD and GBM. First, five shared genes between MDD and GBM were identified using differential expression analysis, including EN1 and UBE2C. The result showed that the shared genes EN1 and UBE2C were both differentially expressed in the two diseases, respectively, and related to the development of glioma, dopamine regulation and Alzheimer's disease. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed different functional enrichments in neural activity for GBM and MDD, respectively. The co-expression network results highlighted the common molecular mechanisms between MDD and GBM gene modules, emphasizing neuralrelated activities and gene expression regulation. Our study reveals a compelling genetic link between MDD and GBM, revealing potential co-pathogenesis. And EN1 and UBE2C emerged as key genes, indicating common signaling pathways and potential therapeutic targets. Further exploration of these genes and pathways could provide avenues for targeted therapeutic intervention in these devastating diseases.
Immune Escape and Metabolic Reprogramming in Colon Cancer: Insights from Endocytosis-Related Genes
Authors: Qin Yu , Mao Yang , Han Yuxin , Cheng Kai , Shi Jiangcheng
Published: May 2024

Colon cancer (COAD) is a common malignancy, yet its etiology is not fully elucidated. This study gathered endocytosis-related genes, using gene expression profiles from TCGA databases to categorize molecular subtypes of COAD into Cluster1 and Cluster2 based on genes related to endocytosis, and further explored the connection between the two molecular subtypes and prognostic characteristics. Differential expression analysis of the two subtypes revealed 3412 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), whose functions were remarkably enriched in the cellular metastasis and oxidative phosphorylation in Cluster1 by fGSEA. Additionally, Cluster1 exhibited higher expression levels of DEGs associated with immune infiltration and metabolism in comparison to Cluster2 by GSVA, and TIDE scores indicated patients with Cluster2 may benefit more from immunotherapy. Based on the DEGs, we utilized univariate Cox regression to identify 759 prognostic genes, which were then screened by three machine learning models (Lasso, RF, SVM-RFE) simultaneously, resulting in four feature genes: NEK4, MED13, OXSR1, and SLAIN2. Moreover, in Cluter1, these feature genes displayed consistent positive or negative correlations with immune escape-related and metabolic reprogramming-related pathways and genes in Pearson heatmap. There results suggesting that there are significant differences in immune escape and metabolic reprogramming between colon cancer subtypes Cluster1 and Cluster2 as determined by genes according to endocytosis.
Gene expression analysis of the L-arginine pathway in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Yu , Liu Hongde
Published: May 2024

Objective: To explore the key genes and their expression profiles in L-arginine biosynthesis and metabolic pathways in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using bioinformatics methods. Methods: Differential expression analysis, prediction of upstream transcription factors, and survival analysis were carried out using gene expression data from RCC patients in the TCGA public database and clinical data. Results: Among 64 genes related to L-arginine anabolism, only the gene PYCR1 was up-regulated (P < 0.01); 31 genes were down-regulated (P < 0.05), including argininosuccinate synthase (ASS1), argininosuccinate lyase (ASL), and arginase 2 (ARG2). The transcriptional activators of these three genes, BRD2, EGR1, HNF4A, JUN, NFYA, NFYB, NFYC, SPI1, and TCF7L2, were down-regulated in cancer, whereas the transcriptional repressors c- Myc, ATF4, and ZNF263, were up-regulated. It is hypothesised that the down-regulation of these three genes is associated with changes in the expression of the above transcription factors. In addition, compared to control samples, the correlation between ASL and ASS1 in expression became weaker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC), and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC), from 0.77, 0.86, and 0.85, respectively, to 0.36, 0.16, and 0.24. Respectively, high expression of ASL corresponded to longer ccRCC patients' overall survival (OS) (P = 0.024), which could be an independent prognostic factor for pRCC (P = 0.04). Conclusions: It is hypothesized that down-regulation of ASL, ASS1 and ARG2 expression leads to inhibition of the L-arginine-related pathway, which in turn correlates with RCC development, and that this down-regulation may be due to changes in transcription factor expression.
Evaluation of the Effect of a New Fully Biodegradable External Dressing for Promoting Diabetic Ulcerative Wound Healing
Authors: Li Dan , Fan Lingshuang , Liang Dong , Chen Yihan , Ding Yi , Liu Guiming , Huang Gaoling , Zeng Yiwen , Feng Jingqiu , Li Anjie , Wu Xianghan , Mei Jiarui , Liu Xin , Zhang Chunhong
Published: May 2024

In order to verify the effect of the new fully biodegradable external dressing on the repair of diabetes skin wounds and the promotion of wound healing, this study applied sodium alginate hydrogel dressing products which are supplemented with phage and conotoxin analgesic peptides to the skin lesions of diabetes mice, and comprehensively used the quantitative measurement of serological indicators, Image J Tissue section and other techniques to evaluate the effect of the new hydrogel dressing on the repair of diabetes wounds and the promotion of wound healing. The behavioral observation and analysis of mice did not show obvious regularity and difference. According to the results of serum cytokine analysis, functional hydrogel dressings can promote cell regeneration and wound healing in mice. Image J software analysis showed that the healing results of the experimental group were better than those of the negative control group, and the percentage of collagen fiber content showed an upward trend. Through comprehensive evaluation, it can be observed that the new fully biodegradable external dressing has obvious positive effects on wound healing, collagen fiber reconstruction and wound infection prevention of diabetes. The new biodegradable dressing not only promotes wound healing but also solves environmental pollution problems. It meets the sustainable development needs of society and has broad application prospects.
Retrosynthesis of Wulfenioidins L with Potential Anti-Zika Virus Activity
Authors: Wang Tanghe , Gu Yuning
Published: May 2024

The paper discusses the retrosynthesis of Wulfenioidin L, a compound showing potential anti-Zika virus activity. Wulfenioidins were isolated from Orthosiphon wulfenioides, with some demonstrating virus entry inhibition. The paper focuses on Wulfenioidin L due to its relative potency and fewer pharmacokinetic challenges compared to others. It presents significant synthesis challenges, including its polycyclic structure with chiral centers and multiple substituents. The study proposes two retrosynthetic pathways for Wulfenioidin L, involving complex reactions like Diels-Alder and oxidation. The synthesis approach also addresses issues like regioselectivity, yield optimization, and environmentally friendly practices.
An overview of maxillary sinus elevation: Anatomically weak structures, complications, and managements
Authors: Jiang Xinyi
Published: May 2024

During implant surgery, when there's insufficient bone in the posterior maxillary region, maxillary sinus elevation is necessary. However, the maxillary sinus contains several anatomically weak structures. Since the surgery is complicated, insufficient understanding of the maxillary sinus anatomy and potential complications can lead to serious consequences such as sinus perforation, ultimately causing implant failure. Depending on surgical methods and indications, maxillary sinus elevation is primarily divided into elevation through alveolar ridge and lateral sinus floor elevation. During surgery, attention should be paid to the course of vessels and nerves, sinus floor morphology, bone thickness, mucosal positioning, and septa within the maxillary sinus. During the surgical process, some complications may occur, such as mucosal perforation, inflammation, bleeding, dizziness, etc. Clarifying their managements in advance helps to improve the success rate of implantation. This article reviewed the anatomically weak structures, potential complications, and their managements to offer clinical treatment strategies.
Exploration and review of the molecular mechanisms of hepatitis C virus infection-induced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huang Zhengxin
Published: May 2024

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a virus that causes acute and chronic hepatitis, which can progress to liver damage. The link between HCV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been proven by many studies. Long-term inflammation caused by HCV infection is one of the carcinogenic factors. Secondly, HCV infection significantly changes the expression of many specific genes and signaling pathways in hepatocytes. The signaling pathways affected by HCV infection have been found to be related to cellular defense mechanisms (apoptosis, proliferation, and antioxidant responses), cellular metabolism (lipid and protein metabolism), and intracellular transport (vesicles). Changes caused by HCV tend to persist and are associated with liver carcinogenesis even after cure, as evidenced by the subsequent development of HCC that persists after clearance of HCV. This study employed transcriptome sequencing data from public databases for gene enrichment analysis. The results were subsequently compared with the findings in the literature review. As a result, it was observed that HCV infection increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma by altering the gene expression associated with the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, cellular apoptosis, protein synthesis, and intracellular transport.
An Exploration of the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Dietary Factors
Authors: Yang Wanzhou
Published: May 2024

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a clinical pathological syndrome characterized by diffuse hepatocellular macrovesicular steatosis caused by other liver-damaging factors except for alcohol. At present, there are no specific drugs for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the Eastern world or the Western world, so dietary factors play an important role in the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this review, we briefly discussed the roles and mechanisms of dietary components (including fructose, protein, and vitamins) in the progression or prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Although patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can benefit from weight loss, excessive reduction of food intake can exacerbate fat accumulation in hepatocytes. In addition, we discussed the Mediterranean dietary pattern and compared the effectiveness of low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets in preventing the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Transarterielle periartikuläre Embolisation (TAPE): klinischer
Einsatz und aktuelle Entwicklungen
Authors: Freyhardt Patrick , Katoh Marcus
Published: May 2024

Obwohl bei der transarteriellen periartikulären Embolisation (TAPE) noch viele
Aspekte erforscht werden müssen, findet sie eine zunehmende Verbreitung und
Akzeptanz bei der Behandlung von Gelenkschmerzen. Diese Arbeit stellt den
aktuellen Stand vor, benennt mögliche Indikationen, beschreibt die
interventionelle Technik und fasst die in der Literatur verfügbaren Ergebnisse
zusammen.
Modification and Structure–Activity Relationship Study of Cyclodepsipeptide Trichodestruxin D Derivatives as Potential Antitumor Agents
Authors: Zou Jihua , Lu Yifei , Li Xiang , Gai Conghao , Zou Yan , Zhao Qingjie
Published: May 2024

Trichodestruxins A–D are cyclic peptides isolated from the plant endophyte fungus Trichoderma harzianum with inhibitory activities against the proliferation of tumor cells. This study aimed to modify the structure of trichodestruxin D (TD-(R)) to improve its antitumor activity and analyze the structure–activity relationship (SAR) to provide references for lead optimization. In this study, seven TD-(R) derivatives (TD-(S), TD-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) were designed by different strategies, namely amino acid mutation, configuration switching, replacement of ester with amide, and N-methylation/demethylation. Those derivatives were prepared by a solid-phase peptide synthesis strategy, and structurally characterized by high-resolution mass spectra. The inhibitory activities of the peptides against the lung carcinoma A549 cells were assessed by determining cellular proliferation and migration using CCK-8 and a 24-well migration plate. Our data confirmed the inhibitory effect of those derivatives on A549 cell proliferation, among which TD-(S), TD-1, and TD-2 displayed higher inhibitory activity compared with the control (DMSO) group, but their inhibitory activity was slightly decreased than that of TD-(R). The inhibitory activity of TD-3, TD-4, and TD-6 on A549 cell migration was much better than that of TD-(R). SAR studies demonstrated a pivotal role in the configuration of the residue of 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-pentenoic acid and some residues in the structure of TD-(R). In conclusion, TD-3, TD-4, and TD-6 may be potential agents for the treatment of cancer migration, and our modification methods will provide a reference for the development of anticancer drugs in the future.
Centre party, district magnitude, and wage inequality in service economy
Authors: Son Jung Wook , Park Jong Hee
Published: May 2024

This paper aims to elucidate the variations in wage inequality within the service industry across different nations. Scholars have emphasised the pivotal role of policies designed to balance flexibility and job security in the service sector, crucial for fostering its growth while mitigating wage disparities. We argue that the balance between flexibility and security of service sector employment is most likely to emerge under centre party governments in high-magnitude electoral systems. Centre parties, owing to their political detachment from organised labour and industry, encounter fewer obstacles in representing the unorganised interests of service sector workers. Furthermore, high-district magnitude systems incentivise centre parties to build comprehensive coalitions that address the diverse concerns of service sector workers. Our empirical analysis, spanning 14 OECD countries from 1995 to 2007, demonstrates that service sector wage inequality diminishes as district magnitude and the cabinet share of centre parties increase.