bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the transcriptional response mechanisms to yellow and wilt disease, caused by race 6 of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris in two contrasting chickpea cultivars
Authors: Faramarzpour Aliakbar , Dezhsetan Sara , Khoshro Hamid Hassaneian , Mansuri Raheleh Mirdar , Pouralibaba Hamid Reza , Shobbar Zahra-Sadat
Published: December 2024

Background
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) ranks as the third most crucial grain legume worldwide. Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (Foc)) is a devastating fungal disease that prevents the maximum potential for chickpea production.
Results
To identify genes and pathways involved in resistance to race 6 of Foc, this study utilized transcriptome sequencing of two chickpea cultivars: resistant (Ana) and susceptible (Hashem) to Foc race 6. Illumina sequencing of the root samples yielded 133.5 million raw reads, with about 90% of the clean reads mapped to the chickpea reference genome. The analysis revealed that 518 genes (317 upregulated and 201 downregulated) in the resistant genotype (Ana) and 1063 genes (587 upregulated and 476 downregulated) in the susceptible genotype (Hashem) were differentially expressed under Fusarium wilt (FW) disease stress caused by Foc race 6. The expression patterns of some differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated using quantitative real-time PCR. A total of 127 genes were exclusively upregulated under FW stress in the resistant cultivar, including several genes involved in sensing (e.g., CaNLR-RPM1, CaLYK5-RLK, CaPR5-RLK, CaLRR-RLK, and CaRLP-EIX2), signaling (e.g., CaPP7, CaEPS1, CaSTY13, and CaPR-1), transcription regulation (e.g., CaMYBs, CaGLK, CaERFs, CaZAT11-like, and CaNAC6) and cell wall integrity (e.g., CaPGI2-like, CaEXLs, CaCSLD and CaCYP73A100-like).
Conclusions
The achieved results could provide significant insights into the molecular mechanism underlying resistance to FW and could be valuable for breeding programs aimed at developing FW-resistant chickpea varieties.
Sequential treatment using low-dose rituximab and belimumab for thrombotic microangiopathy with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yang Zhenle , Liu Suwen , Zong Zihan , Li Qian , Yu Lichun , Sun Shuzhen
Published: December 2024

Introduction:
Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a serious complication that can occur in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and TMA adversely affects prognosis and increases mortality. The treatment of TMA often requires immunosuppressive agents, high-dose corticosteroids and plasma exchange (PEX). Both rituximab (RTX) and belimumab (BEL) target B cells. The combination of RTX and BEL has recently been used for refractory and severe organ involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the clinical outcome of patients with TMA and SLE treated with sequential therapy between RTX and BEL remains elusive.
Case Series:
We reported 2 patients who were diagnosed with SLE with TMA and were administered a combination treatment of high-dose corticosteroids, immunoglobulin, and PEX at the initial stage. No improvements in microangiopathic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, or renal failure were observed. Low-dose RTX was administered in both patients, and both patients responded well. BEL was utilized to rapidly reduce the reliance on these agents and prevent the relapse of SLE at the maintenance stage. Ultimately, 2 patients fully recovered with an SLE Disease Activity Index score of 0, and prednisolone was stopped without relapse.
Conclusion
Sequential treatment with low-dose RTX and BEL could be an encouraging approach for the treatment of TMA in patients with SLE and rapid glucocorticoid reduction.
Unraveling the Genetic Architecture of Peanut pod-related traits via Genome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Yang Junchen , Yue Yunlai , Chen Chengmeng , Chen Wen , Chen Yong , Zhang Hui
Published: December 2024

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a significant oilseed and food crop worldwide. Key factors affecting yield and quality include seed weight, hull weight, pod volume, and the ratio of seed weight to hull weight. This research aimed to elucidate the genetic underpinnings of peanut seed weight, hull weight, pod volume, and the ratio of seed weight to hull weight through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). A diverse population of 104 peanut varieties was utilized, and a high-density SNP dataset was generated through haplotype screening and genotype correction. A total of 40 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with peanut pod-related traits were identified through GWAS analysis, with 12 SNPs linked to seed weight, 12 associated with hull weight, 10 to the ratio of seed weight/hull weight(SW/HW), and 6 to pod volume. Notably, the loci identified for seed weight and hull weight were entirely identical. In 2013, three SNPs(AX-176804770, AX-147254843, and AX-177639117) were co-localized for the three traits: the seed weight, hull weight, and SW/HW. In 2015, only one SNP (AX-176810349) was co-localized for these traits. Based on these sites, 264 candidate genes were selected, with 84, 84, 76, and 20 genes related to seed weight, hull weight, SW/HW, and pod volume, respectively, and all of the genes are associated with plant growth. My research focuses on four key traits: seed weight, hull weight, pod volume, and the ratio of seed weight to hull weight. This study not only provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of these four traits but also serves as a resource of candidate genes aimed at enhancing peanut quality and facilitating genetic breeding efforts.
Recovery of Carbon Fiber from Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics using Alkali Molten Hydroxide
Authors: Wajima Takaaki , Yamashita Kazuki
Published: December 2024

High-strength carbon fibers were recovered by a new method, involving the decomposition of the resin part of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) by heating it in a mixture of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH). Alkali molten hydroxide was prepared by heating the mixture of NaOH and KOH at various ratios (NaOH:KOH = 1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, 0:1) at 400oC, and the CFRP was then heated with the aforementioned alkali molten hydroxide under a nitrogen atmosphere at 200–400oC for 0–90 min. Subsequently, the CFRP was washed with distilled water and filtered to recover the carbon fibers, and its tensile strength was estimated. Carbon fibers with higher strength can be recovered by heating the CFRP with an alkali molten hydroxide. As the temperature increased, the strength of the recovered carbon fiber decreased owing to the increase in gas generation caused by the decomposition of the resin and carbon fiber in the molten hydroxide, such as H2 and CH4. KOH increase in the alkali molten hydroxide promoted decomposition of the resin, whereas the fiber was degraded. High-strength carbon fiber, nearly the same as virgin fiber, can be recovered at 200oC using the NaOH:KOH molten hydroxide at a ratio of 1:3.
Relationship between Plant Strategy Types and Soil Characteristics in Backdunes and Foredunes
Authors: Elmas Emire , Türkiş Sevda , Bani Barış
Published: December 2024

Dune ecosystems harbor a limited array of plant species, thriving despite their challenging habitats. This study aims to explore the distribution of plant strategy types in foredune and backdune regions and their correlation with soil variables. CSR strategies and seasonal soil variables were analysed, encompassing soil moisture, organic matter, TN, NH4-N, NO3, P, pH, Na, K, Cl, Ca, CaCO3, Mg, EC, and CEC. The dissimilarity between foredune and backdune areas was assessed using the Bray–Curtis similarity matrix and SIMPER. CCA was used to examine the relationships between plant strategies and soil variables. The dissimilarity rate between two sites in terms of the distribution of strategy types was 67.04%. All soil variables, except P for both areas and CaCO3 for the backdune, exhibited significant seasonal variations (p < 0.05). The C/CR and SC strategy types was in positive correlations with pH, salinity, EC, and CaCO3, and negative ones with TN, P, K, saturation, organic matter, moisture, and CEC. The R/CR, R/CSR, SR/CSR, S/SR, SC/CSR and CR/CSR strategy types correlated positively with TN, P, K, saturation, organic matter, moisture, and CEC. Similarly, negative correlations were detected between CR/CSR, R/CSR, SR/CSR, and S/SR strategy types and pH, salinity, EC, and CaCO3. This study underscores the spatial dynamics involved in reaching the climax stage within dune ecosystems, showcasing the resilience of species that adapt to stressful environments. Even in the absence of disturbance, species uniquely suited to these conditions can thrive, marking the culmination of succession in such ecosystems.
Draft Genome of Naganishia uzbekistanensis from a Clinical Pulmonary Infection
Authors: Dai Rongchen , Chen Xinfei , Fan Xin , Gu Li , Zhang Li , Guo Dan , Xu Yingchun , Xiao Meng
Published: December 2024

The high-quality genome of Naganishia uzbekistanensis was first assembled from the clinical isolate CY11558, obtained from a patient with a postoperative pulmonary infection. This pioneering work provides a crucial reference for the diagnosis and identification of infections caused by this yeast species, thereby enhancing clinical treatment strategies.
Long-term effects of multicomponent training in the body composition and physical fitness of breast cancer survivors: a controlled and experimental study with clustering analysis
Authors: Encarnação Samuel Gonçalves Almeida , Schneider André , Almeida Roberto Gonçalves , Bernardes Luciano , Forte Pedro , Fernandes Helder Jaime , Monteiro António Miguel
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Multicomponent training is suggested as an efficient way to address the side effects of long-term treatment in breast cancer survivors and reduce the age-related relapse risk in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a multicomponent training intervention on breast cancer survivors' physical fitness and body composition.
Methods: This experimental and controlled study included 19 breast cancer survivors with 64.0 ± 8.6 years, to evaluate long-term effects (36 weeks) of multicomponent training on body composition [body weight (kg), body mass index, body fat (%), lean mass (kg), body water (%), basal metabolism (Kcal) and visceral fat (index)] and physical fitness [Upper limb strength (repetitions), lower limb strength (repetitions), upper limb flexibility (cm), lower limb flexibility (cm), dynamic balance (seconds), and aerobic fitness (repetitions)]. Bayesian statistical tests were employed to analyze the reduced dataset size, considering a Bayes factor ≥ 10 as the cutoff for significant differences. Hierarchical clustering identified participant improvements using Manhattan distance, and clusters were ranked by responsiveness.
Results: The experimental improved body weight, body fat percentage, and physical fitness after the intervention, while no changes were observed in the control group. Cluster analysis showed that higher responders varied from 28% to 86% across variables, while others showed lower, but still positive, responses.
Discussion and Conclusion: The multicomponent physical exercise program effectively improved all physical fitness variables but was limited in body composition, exposing improvements only in body weight and % body fat. The intervention did not cause any side effects or injury to the participants.
Experiential Learning for Nutrition Literacy of School-Aged Children: A Study Protocol of Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Li Nana , Yang Jing , Zhang Ti , Zheng Liuyuan , Li Xiaoyue , Zhu Minmin
Published: December 2024

Background
The global increase in childhood and adolescent obesity presents a critical public health challenge. Nutrient literacy, which refers to the ability to acquire, understand, and apply nutritional information, has the potential to address this issue.
Methods
This cluster-randomized controlled trial targets third and fourth-grade students in Nanshan District, Shenzhen City. The study will span three months and involves eight primary schools, which are randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups in a 1:1 ratio. The experiential learning-based intervention mainly includes experiential classroom activities, practical nutritional activities, family healthy eating recording and daily nutrition health education. Control groups receive standard nutritional education provided by the schools. Data collection occurs at baseline and post-intervention, focusing on nutrient literacy and children's dietary habits using the “Food and Nutrition Literacy Questionnaire for Chinese School-age Children” (FNLQ-SC) and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).
Discussion
This protocol integrates interactive classroom activities, practical skill development, and family involvement. It aims to improve children’s nutrient literacy and dietary habits, potentially mitigating childhood obesity and related chronic diseases.
Trial registration
The trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 30 October 2024 (No.: ChiCTR2400091566).
Distal femur replacement for infected bone defects due to end-stage periprosthetic joint infection or trauma. A staged strategy protocol using the stemless CompressÒ device protected with a fast resorbable antibiotic-loaded hydrogel.
Authors: Corona Pablo S. , Vicens Margalida H. , Fraile Rosa , Amat Carles , Vicente Matías
Published: December 2024

Background: Distal femur replacement (DFR) with a stemmed megaprosthesis represents a challenge due to high rates of loosening and limited reconstructive options if the implant fails. Such an unfavourable scenario is even more complex where there are also infected bone defects. The Compress® device was developed to provide an alternative to traditional intramedullary stems. We report on the outcomes of a staged protocol using the Compress® DFR, protected with a vancomycin-gentamicin-loaded hydrogel, in infected non-oncological scenarios.
Methods: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study including patients with infected defects of the distal femur following orthopaedic trauma or periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and managed with the protocol described. Protocol features, microbiological data, radiological results, complications, infection control and implant survivorship were assessed. Minimum follow-up was 18 months or until implant removal.
Results: 21 cases of Compress® DFR were included. On average, patients had had 4.9 prior surgeries and 14.5 cm distal femur bone defects after pseudo-oncological resection. After median follow-up of 42 months (18-83 months), no infection recurrence occurred; limb salvage was achieved in all cases. Five patients experienced aseptic loosening, all within the first 7 postoperative months. Beyond this time threshold, no further implant failures were observed, resulting in a cumulative implant survival rate of 75 % at 1 and 5 years, and of 75% at final follow-up.
Conclusion: Staged Compress® DFR (protected with an antibiotic-loaded hydrogel) is a valid option for selected patients. It offers high rates of infection control, implant survivorship, and ease of revision, with aseptic failures occurring primarily in the initial postoperative months.
Learning Experiences of Medical Imaging Undergraduates Participating in the “Creative H&E” Project Incorporating Design Thinking: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Gao Yang , Wang Xiaomei , Li Xiaojin , Yin Haiyan , Ma Qun , Guo Yan
Published: December 2024

Background
Cultivation of comprehensive quality medical imaging talent should start during the teaching of basic medical courses. The interdisciplinary team of Jining Medical College integrated design-thinking into the project-based teaching of basic medical courses and implemented the “Creative H&E” learning skills development competition project, which lasted for 14 weeks, including the preliminary contest (writing a textbook play script), semi-final contest (shooting creative videos), and final contest (on-site stage display).
Methods
A qualitative research design was employed to explore how the unique project-based learning method of “Creative H&E” specifically affects the learning experience of medical imaging undergraduates. Ten award-winning students majoring in medical imaging were selected for in-depth one-on-one interviews. The interview outline covered six topics: motivation and preparation for the competition, creative background and process of the winning works, design and realization of the winning works, teamwork and communication during preparation and participation, experience and outcome of the competition, and feedback and suggestions of the competition. The interview results were systematically analyzed using NVivo 14 software.
Results
The medical imaging undergraduates were interested in “Creative H&E” projects and believed that this experience deepened their knowledge and understanding, cultivated their teamwork abilities, and stimulated innovative thinking.
Conclusions
Through creative conception and design realization, medical knowledge and design thinking are skillfully combined, and innovative thinking and practical abilities are significantly improved.
This experience provided a solid foundation for the undergraduates’ future academic and professional development, and stimulated their desire for more practical opportunities. Project-based learning with design thinking has a remarkable effect on medical imaging in undergraduate education, which can enhance students’ learning motivation and satisfaction and their practical skills and innovative thinking. This study provides a useful reference for medical imaging reforms and innovations in undergraduate education.
Liquid-matter relaxor ferroelectrics: from double-well to flatten energy landscapes in polar nematic fluids
Authors: AYA Satoshi , Zhang Xinxin , Zou Yu , Deng Minghui , Huang Xiang , Ye Fan , Liu Xiujuan , Xu Erxiang , Shen Yang , Huang Mingjun
Published: December 2024

Knowing that the traditional relaxor ferroelectrics stem in crystalline matters, one may ask whether one would stabilize the liquid-matter analogy. The perspective is challenging and may enable a generic design of fluidic and flexible relaxor ferroelectrics. In this report, we unveil a novel polar matter state, dubbed the nematic relaxor ferroelectrics, by artificially introducing random-field polar nanoregions with nematicity into a dielectric nematic environment. We observe clear signatures of relaxors with strong field-induced polarizations, up to 1.1 μC·cm-2 at an ultralow electric field at 5 V·μm-1, and ultrahigh dielectric permittivity over a broad temperature range. Based on the Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory, we reconstruct free-energy landscapes from electricity-field vs polarization curves. We discover a continuous modification of energy landscapes from a double-well shape to a single-well shape with a broadening energy bottom, corresponding to a shift from nematic ferroelectrics to nematic relaxors with significant polarization fluctuations.
Changes in Hippocampal Volume after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Authors: Kriukova Kseniia , Boswell Misque , Asifriyaz Tuba , Gong Joyce , Duncan Dominique , Vespa Paul
Published: December 2024

Objective: To investigate hippocampal volume changes in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients compared to healthy controls and assess their association with post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), focusing on age-related effects.
Methods: Imaging and demographic data for TBI patients were obtained from the Epilepsy Bioinformatics Study for Antiepileptogenic Therapy (EpiBioS4Rx) database; healthy controls matched by age and sex were sourced from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Intramural Healthy Volunteer Dataset, the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), and the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE). MRI images for TBI subjects were obtained within 14–32 days post-injury. MRI data were preprocessed and segmented using FreeSurfer's recon-all pipeline and the hippocampal subfield segmentation module.
Results: TBI patients showed significantly smaller average hippocampal volumes than controls (β = −191.0, p = 8.33e−04, FDR p = 1.47e−03, Cohen’s d = −0.36), notably in the right and left CA1 head regions. No significant hippocampal volume differences were found between TBI⁺ and TBI⁻ patients overall. In patients aged 60+, TBI⁺ patients had significantly larger volumes in the right CA1 head than TBI⁻ patients (β = 57.43, p = 0.0300, FDR p = 0.040; Cohen’s d = 1.06).
Conclusion: Hippocampal atrophy is evident in TBI patients but not directly linked to PTE development in most age groups. In patients over 60, hypertrophy in the right CA1 head may be associated with PTE, suggesting age and regional hippocampal changes influence epilepsy risk post-TBI. These findings highlight the complexity of hippocampal involvement in PTE and suggest potential shared mechanisms with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Targeted disruption of PRC1.1 complex enhances bone remodeling
Authors: Wu Xudong , Liu Dayong , Liu Jinsong , Feng Shiqing , Xing Liangyu , Xu Jinxin , Gong Meihan , Liu Yunzhi , Meng Lingyu , Du Ruyue , Li Xuanyuan , Zhou Ying , Ouyang Zhaoguang , Liu Xu , Tao Shaofei , Cao Yuxin , Liu Chunyi , Gao Feng , Han Ruohui , Shen Hui , Dong Yan , Xu Yong , Li Tao , Chen He , Zhao Yingying , Fan Baoyou
Published: December 2024

Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) are pivotal epigenetic regulators preserving cell identity by restricting the transcription responsiveness to sub-threshold levels of extracellular signals. Their roles in osteoblast function and bone formation remain largely unexplored. Here in aging osteoblasts, we observed a selective activation of PRC1.1 complex, with KDM2B acting as a chromatin-binding factor and BCOR and PCGF1 serving as essential catalytic partners for histone H2A monoubiquitylation (H2AK119ub1). Using genetic models, we found that osteoblast-specific KDM2B inactivation significantly enhances bone remodeling under steady-state conditions and in scenarios of bone loss. This enhancement is attributed to H2AK119ub1 downregulation which leads to the derepression of Wnt signaling. Furthermore, we developed a small molecule termed iBP, that specifically inhibits the interaction between BCOR and PCGF1, thereby suppressing PRC1.1 activity. Notably, iBP promotes bone formation in mouse models of bone loss. Therefore, our findings suggest that targeting PRC1.1 augments cellular responses to Wnt signaling and may offer a promising strategy to counteract bone deterioration.
M-VIDIA: A Multi-View representation to Increase modality Depth using Integrative AI
Authors: Goh Wilson , Peng Hui
Published: December 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) models are powerful tools for addressing data challenges such as complexity, sparsity, and noise. Multi-view learning (MVL), which leverages multiple data representations (“views”), holds great potential by enhancing signal quality and improving task performance. However, its application in biomedical research remains largely underexplored. To address this gap, we introduce Multi-View representation to Increase Modality Depth using Integrative AI (M-VIDIA), a novel MVL framework. M-VIDIA integrates diverse views to boost performance across various tasks, including differential expression analysis, patient diagnosis, and cell clustering. Our findings demonstrate that M-VIDIA consistently outperforms other approaches, significantly improving sensitivity and signal quality. This represents a major advancement in data-driven AI, highlighting the crucial role of high-quality data representation in producing reproducible and interpretable results in biomedical research. M-VIDIA is available for use at http://www.ai4pro.tech:3838.
Trends and Challenges in Geriatric Neurosurgery: Preparing for the Future
Authors: Møen Einar Naveen , Mahesparan Rupavathana , Schipmann Stephanie
Published: December 2024

Background.
The world is experiencing a demographic shift towards a larger proportion of older people. This has large consequences, also for the healthcare system, and neurosurgical departments. Geriatric patients represent a range of unique challenges, including those related to treatment, resource allocation, prioritization and ethical concerns. In order to meet the challenge with an increased demand of geriatric neurosurgical care and prepare for planning and establishment of health service requirements, we must first understand the demographic trends, common diagnoses, and types of procedures geriatric patients undergo. The objective of this study is to investigate and report these parameters.
Methods.
Data was retrieved from the Lifecare Orbit Surgical Management system on all geriatric patients (≥ 65). The dataset included date of birth, date of surgery, duration of surgery, procedure codes, diagnosis codes, and type of admission. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were done using the R programming language.
Results.
The most common procedures in the geriatric population were decompression of lumbar spinal canal and nerve roots (8.54%), decompression of lumbar nerve roots (7.38%), and evacuation of subdural hematoma (7.16%). The prevalence of emergency procedures increased with advancing age, and conversely, more complex elective procedures decreased with advancing age.
Conclusions.
In this study, we identified a shift toward emergency-driven care and a reduction in complex procedures as patients age. Further analysis of resource utilization and clinical outcomes, such as length of stay, will be essential in guiding future strategies for geriatric neurosurgical care.
Extracellular vesicle inclusion of aVb3 integrin dependent on caveolin-1 tyrosine-14 phosphorylation and subsequent transfer to recipient melanoma cells promotes migration, invasion and metastasis
Authors: Huilcaman Ricardo , Campos America , Orellana Pamela , Simon Layla , Varas-Godoy Manuel , Grünenwald F , Baohai Shao , Heinecke Jay , Lobos-Gonzalez Lorena , Leyton Lisette , Quest Andrew. F. G.
Published: December 2024

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is a membrane protein that promotes migration, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells when phosphorylated on tyrosine-14 (Y14) by a cell intrinsic mechanism involving the activation of a novel Rab5-Rac1 signaling axis. Moreover, CAV1 expressed in aggressive cancer cells is included into extracellular vesicles (EVs) and such EVs increase the metastatic potential of recipient lower grade cancer cells. However, the relevance of CAV1 Y14 phosphorylation in these extrinsic EV-stimulated events remained to be determined. Here we used B16F10 mouse melanoma cells over-expressing wild-type CAV1, phospho-mimetic CAV1(Y14E) or phospho-null CAV1(Y14F) as models to determine how the EV protein content was affected by Y14 phosphorylation and how these EVs modulated the metastatic potential of recipient B16F10 cells lacking CAV1. EVs from B16F10 cells over-expressing wild-type and CAV1(Y14/E) contain CAV1, and other proteins linked to signaling pathways associated with cell adhesion and migration. CAV1 inclusion in EVs was reduced by the Y14F mutation and global protein composition was also significantly different. Moreover, CAV1 wild-type and CAV1(Y14E) EVs promoted migration, as well as invasion of cells lacking CAV1 [B16F10(Mock) cells]. In addition, β3 integrin was transferred via CAV1(Y14E) EVs to B16F10 (Mock) cells, and treatment with such EVs promoted metastasis of recipient B16F10(Mock) cells. Finally, CAV1(Y14E) EV-enhanced migration, invasion and metastasis of recipient cells was blocked by anti-αVβ3 antibodies. In conclusion, CAV1 phosphorylated on Y14 not only intrinsically promotes migration, invasion and metastasis of cells expressing the protein (in cis), but also favors the inclusion of CAV1 into EVs, as well as the extrinsic acquisition of malignant traits in recipient cells, through integrin transfer (in trans).
Enhanced removal of Crystal violet dye from aqueous solution using Synthesized ZnO, Zn 1-x Fe x O, and Zn 1-x Cu x O nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, Kinetic and Adsorption studies
Authors: Tekyeh Masome Naseri , Mehrparvar Dariush , Moradian Rostam , Mahdavi Shahriar
Published: December 2024

Unlike other industrial processes, the textile industry has the highest negative environmental impact due to the bulky dimensions of wastewater polluted with dyes and chemical additives. It is well known that these pollutants damage the ecosystems. In this study, ZnO, Zn1 − xFexO, and Zn1 − xCuxO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using the sol-gel method and characterized through UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and EDX. Furthermore, ZnO, Zn1 − xFexO, and Zn1 − xCuxO NPs have been used to remove toxic crystal violet (CV) dye from water by surface adsorption. During the batch adsorption process, we examined the impact of several parameters such as time, dose of adsorbent, pH, concentration of CV, and temperature. The experimental data agreed with the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model for three NPs. The CV adsorption on all NPs was spontaneous and endothermic. The maximum adsorption capacities of CV on ZnO, Zn1 − xFexO, and Zn1 − xCuxO NPs were 4.99, 4.58, and 4.58 mg/g, respectively.
Association between Non-High-Density Lipoprotein to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio (NHHR) and α-1 Acid Glycoprotein Levels in Adult Women (NHANES 2015-2020)
Authors: Tian Rongqian , Huang Hui , Zhang Jinrong , Ming Wai-Kit , Jiang Yuzhen , Liu Saijun , Luo Xiaoping , Zheng Xinkai , Lyu Jun , Deng Liehua
Published: December 2024

Background
Currently, an important lipid marker for assessing the risk of chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders is considered to be the non-HDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio (NHHR). This study aimed to examine the association between NHHR and the inflammatory biomarker alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) and assess the potential of NHHR as an inflammatory marker for chronic inflammation.
Methods
This cross-sectional analysis used serum samples from adult women participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2015 and 2020. The NHHR was treated as the independent variable, with AGP as the dependent variable. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the association between NHHR and AGP. Nonlinear associations were examined using spline regression and threshold effect analysis. Furthermore, subgroup and sensitivity evaluations were performed to evaluate the reliability of the findings.
Results
The analysis included 3,027 adult women, revealing a significant positive correlation between NHHR and AGP levels. Each incremental increase in NHHR was correlated with a 0.605 mg/dL increase in square-root-transformed AGP levels, as found in the fully adjusted model. Nonlinear analysis revealed a threshold effect at a critical value of 3.167, suggesting that the relationship between the NHHR and AGP was more pronounced below this threshold. Further subgrouping and sensitivity analyses confirmed that the connection between NHHR and AGP was consistent across most of the population.
Conclusions
For the first time, this research reveals a direct relationship between NHHR and AGP, and also shows that a novel biomarker that can assess chronic inflammation is NHHR. These findings underscore the critical importance of regular monitoring of NHHR and AGP levels to enhance health management, particularly in the realm of chronic disease prevention and intervention strategies.
Shifts in ridership, satisfaction, and willingness to pay when buses are electrified
Authors: Salvo Alberto , Wong Timothy
Published: December 2024

Do citizens value electrification of public transport? Consumer theory predicts that cleaner and quieter services will attract commuters to electric buses as these displace conventional diesel. This response has not been tested, despite the vast investment planned by local governments and school districts worldwide as they decarbonize and tackle local air pollution and traffic gridlock. Here we provide a three-pronged analysis of the empirical demand response to bus electrification. First, ridership increases with the timing, duration, and intensity of a bus line’s electrification. Second, commuters alighting from electric buses report higher satisfaction with noise, fumes, and smell compared with a diesel bus control. Third, residents of a neighborhood exposed to electric buses for over one year are willing to pay US$ 0.085 for an electric relative to a diesel bus ride, which amounts to US$ 20 per resident per year. Consumer welfare gains are $250,000 per electric bus procured, a neglected local demand-side co-benefit in public transit’s energy transition that is comparable to the carbon savings.
MAEL: Meta-Active Semi-Supervised Ensemble Learning Model for DDoS Attack Detection
Authors: Kamel Ali El , Saidane Ahmed , Youssed Habib
Published: December 2024

Cyberattacks against businesses have significantly increased in recent years, causing significant financial losses as well as privacy violations. Because of their harmful consequences on network infrastructure, including the depletion of computational resources and the saturation of communication channels, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks stand out among these threats. In order to protect big networks, it is now essential to create effective ways to identify and stop DDoS attacks. However, using supervised learning models in DDoS attacks detection seems to be no longer appropriate, taking in consideration the fast growth of DDoS attacks in style and frequency. It is advised to use online semi-supervised learning models for identifying misbehaving flows and probable DDoS attacks by extending knowledge of labeled flows across unlabeled flows using graph-based learning models. Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), a subset of Neural Networks, excel in processing graph-structured data, offering promising avenues for innovation in this domain.
This paper proposes an efficient GNN-based approach to detect DDoS attacks when flows are partially labeled. It involves a sequential application of multiple GNN layers to compute flow embeddings, capturing relevant information about the hosts involved in forwarding network traffic. These flow embeddings serve as inputs to a binary classifier, which predicts the likely label of each flow. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, showcasing notable improvements in key performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, and F1-Score.
Machine Vision with CMOS based Hyperspectral Image Sensor Enables Meat Freshness Sensing
Authors: Lee Suyeon , Kim Hyochul , Kim Seokin , Han Jeong Su , Kim Un Jeong
Published: December 2024

Imaging spectral information and analyzing its properties of materials have become intriguing for consumer electronics toward food inspection, beauty care and etc. Those sensory physical quantities are difficult to quantify. Hyperspectral cameras, which capture its figure and spectral information simultaneously, can be a good candidate for non-destructive remote sensing. In this study, with the aid of a hyperspectral imaging system (HIS) and machine learning (ML), meat freshness is converted into a measurable physical quantity, i.e., freshness index (FI). FI is defined from meat fluorescence, which has a strong correlation with bacterial density. Combined with ML techniques, hyperspectral data are processed more efficiently. By employing linear discriminant and quadratic component analyses, FI can be estimated from its decision boundary after hyperspectral data are obtained at an unknown freshness state. We demonstrate HIS grafted with ML performs as artificial eye and brain which is advanced machine vision for consumer electronics including refrigerators and smartphones. Advanced sensing versatility utilized by computational sensing systems allows hyper-personalization and hyper-customization of human life.
The Impact of Synergistic Antileishmanial Activity of Ag: Se Core-Shell Nanoparticles Synthesized with Plantago lanceolate leishmania tropica
Authors: Jaber Zahraa B , Ardalan Naksheen M.
Published: December 2024

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) poses a significant health threat. At present, miltefosine is the primary treatment for CL. Due to the high levels of resistance and associated side effects, researchers are investigating alternative therapeutic options, particularly the use of nanoparticles. This study aimed to synthesize Ag Se core-shell nanoparticles at concentrations of 125 and 250 µg mL-1 through the plasma jet process, examining the combined effects of Ag Se nanoparticles with Plantago lanceolata L. extract at concentrations of 125 and 250 µg mL-1 on Leishmania tropica. Miltefosine, an established anti-leishmaniasis medication, served as the control in this research. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesized using an extract from P. lanceolata at concentrations of 125 and 250 µg mL-1, in a 3:7 ratio. The characterization of the synthesized Ag NPs was conducted through various techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This experimental investigation assessed the anti-leishmanial efficacy of the Ag Se NPs at concentrations of 125 and 250 µg mL-1, utilizing dilutions of 25%, 50%, and 100% overexposure periods of 1, 24, and 48 hours on a sample of 1×10^4 live parasites. The quantification of live parasites was performed using Trypan blue and Giemsa stain on a hemocytometer slide. The findings from this study, conducted one hour post-treatment administration, indicated no significant differences among the various exposure treatments. Notably, the concentration of 100% Ag Se NPs at 250 µg mL-1 exhibited the most pronounced anti-leishmanial effect, recorded at 30.4%. Furthermore, the combination of Ag Se NPs (250 µg mL-1) with P. lanceolata L. extract (250 µg mL-1) resulted in a growth inhibition of 49.3% after a synergistic effect observed over 48 hours. In summary, Ag: Se NPs demonstrate an inhibitory effect on the growth of L. tropica.
Improving Indian Ocean Analysis using ROMS with Sea Level Anomaly Assimilation
Authors: Baduru Balaji
Published: December 2024

Regional Analysis of Indian OceaN (RAIN) system, an advanced data assimilation framework,was developed to improve ocean state forecasts in the Indian Ocean. RAIN assimilates in-situ temperature, salinity profiles, and along-track Sea Surface Temperature (SST) using Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (LETKF) blended with Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). The RAIN system has been upgraded in the present study to improve forecast accuracy by incorporating satellite-derived Sea Level Anomaly (SLA), which captures variations in sea surface height caused by oceanic processes like currents, eddies, and mesoscale dynamics. Assimilating SLA in the ROMS is challenging as the model estimated SLA is not characteristically at par with the observed SLA. Steric effects are neglected in the model estimated SLA whereas satellite altimetry measurements include steric height as well. To address this, a steric correction is applied to SLA observations before assimilation to account for the thermal expansion and aligning observed SLA with the ROMS framework. The RAIN system employs a sequential assimilation strategy to integrate corrected SLA alongside in-situ temperature, salinity, and SST to generate a comprehensive ocean state analysis. Assimilation of modified SLA significantly enhances the ability of the RAIN system to forecast ocean states accurately. The upgraded RAIN system enhances the representation of ocean dynamics and mesoscale features, leading to more reliable predictions crucial for marine navigation, climate research, and environmental monitoring in the Indian Ocean region.
Sero-prevalence and Potential Risk Factors of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in Goats in Mandhera District, Sahil Region, Somaliland
Authors: Abdi Abdirahman Saed
Published: December 2024

A Peste des Petits Ruminant (PPR) is highly contagious diseases of small ruminants, causing socioeconomic loss estimated for millions of dollars annually. The limited studies in Somaliland are not systematically coordinated to elucidate the national status of the disease and so more in study area, Sahil region. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and assess potential risk factors of PPRV in unvaccinated goats in selected district, Sahil region, Somaliland. A multi-stage random sampling was used to select study villages and herds with a random sampling approach. Study animals (522 goats) both sexes older than 6 months was selected with a simple random sampling. From the animals, blood samples were aseptically collected and PPRV antibodies from the serum were analyzed using competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA). A checklist was used to collect associated epidemiological risk factors. Associated risk factors with the occurrence of PPR were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. The overall seroprevalence of PPR was 5.3%. Goats from medium flock sizes, were almost 5 times higher chance of being seropositive than the small flock size (AOR= 5.2, 95% CI: 1.5 – 14.3,P=0.003). Also goats reared together with sheep were almost 4 times higher chance (AOR=4.2, 95% CI: 1.7-15.7, P=0.047) seropositive than those raised separately. Grazing place and age were less likely risk of becoming seropositive to PPRV antibodies than their counterparts. The seropositivity indicates the existence of PPRV circulating in the entire study area. To confirm the effect of mixing different species, spatial distribution, identification of exact PPRV lineage and continuous monitoring and surveillance, further studies on the country level are necessary towards the control and eradication of the disease.
A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY ON PREVALENCE AND ETIOLOGY OF ANAEMIA IN PREGNANT FEMALE IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE
Authors: Palat Ashok , Narayan Laxmi , Chhaya Chhaya
Published: December 2024

Background: Anemia in pregnancy is a significant public health concern, particularly in developing countries, where it contributes to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The etiology of anemia in pregnant women is multifactorial, often involving nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron, vitamin B12, and folate. Understanding the prevalence, causes, and associated factors of anemia in this population is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Aim: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women attending a tertiary care center and to determine its etiology and associated factors.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government Hospital, Kota, including 250 pregnant women. Participants underwent a detailed clinical examination, and blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin levels and peripheral blood smear findings. The study assessed nutritional deficiencies, including iron, vitamin B12, and folate, as the primary etiologies of anemia. Data on sociodemographic factors, parity, birth spacing, and ANC booking status were also collected and analyzed for associations with anemia.

Results: The study found a high prevalence of anemia (81.2%) among the participants, with moderate anemia being the most common form (54.4%). Nutritional deficiencies were the primary causes, with iron deficiency anemia present in 48% of cases. A significant proportion of women (20.8%) had combined deficiencies of vitamin B12, folate, and iron. Anemia was significantly associated with lower socioeconomic status, multiparity, and birth spacing of less than 24 months. No significant associations were observed with age, education, occupation, residence, type of family, or ANC booking status.

Conclusion: This study underscores the high burden of anemia among pregnant women, driven predominantly by nutritional deficiencies. The findings highlight the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities and providing targeted nutritional interventions to reduce the incidence of anemia in this population.
THE MILITARY HISTORY OF THE SELJUQ EMPIRE UNDER THE REIGN OF ALP ARSLAN (1063-1072): A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors:   Research Centre for Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia., Azraai Jamsari Ezad , Muhammad Imran Raja Abdul Aziz Raja ,   Pusat PERMATA@Pintar Negara, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia., Zulfazdlee Abul Hassan Ashari Mohamad ,   Research Centre for Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia., Muttaqin Anwar ,   Research Centre for Arabic Language and Islamic Civilization, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia., Yazid Ahmad Md ,   Research Centre for Sharia, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia., Hafiz Safiai Mohd ,   Research Centre for Sharia, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.,   Institute of Islam Hadhari, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia., Mohd Nasir Badlihisham ,   Academy of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Published: December 2024

This study is anchored on Schloemers assertion that the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 was a monumental conflict between the Islamic forces led by Alp Arslan and the Byzantine army under Emperor Romanus IV. Alp Arslans tactical brilliance in exploiting the enemys strategies led to the defeat of the Byzantine forces, despite their numerical superiority and sufficient equipment. Consequently, Alp Arslans strategies and cunning, along with the effectiveness of the Islamic forces, became the primary factors behind the Seljuq Empires victory. Based on this premise, this study aimed to conduct a literature review on the military history of the Seljuq Empire during Alp Arslans reign, with a particular focus on his involvement in the Battle of Manzikert. This qualitative study employed historical research and content analysis for data collection and analysis purposes, particularly relying on credible sources. Findings reveal that the literature on this topic can be categorized into three main themes, namely the state of the Seljuq Empire in the 11th century, biography of Alp Arslan, and the Seljuq militarys involvement in the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. Discussions on these three themes facilitate further examination, particularly regarding the Seljuq militarys engagement during Alp Arslans era in the Battle of Manzikert.