bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LMOD1 Exerts a Tumor‐Suppressive Role in Breast Cancer by Restraining the JAK2/STAT3 Pathway
Authors: Fang Xiansong , Wen Xiaoyun , Hou Ya , Zhou Liang , Jiang Yingjie , Chen Yu
Published: December 2024

Breast cancer has seriously affected women's physical and mental health. This investigation aims at screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in breast cancer and illuminating the potential biological functions of Leiomodin 1 (LMOD1) and its behind mechanisms against breast cancer. The common DEGs (co‐DEGs) between the GSE22820 and GSE29431 data sets and pivotal genes were screened out using bioinformatics methods. The biological roles of LMOD1 overexpression on malignant phenotypes were validated by functional assays and the impact on fatty acid synthesis was also elucidated in breast cancer cell lines. Additionally, colivelin, a STAT3 activator, was applied for further investigating the role of LMOD1 on the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in vitro. A total of 208 co‐DEGs and 5 focal genes were screened through bioinformatics analysis, and 5 focal genes were downregulated in breast cancer cell lines. LMOD1 overexpression retarded proliferative, migratory, invasive capabilities of breast cancer cells. LMOD1 overexpression suppressed fatty acid synthesis. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects on malignant phenotypes of breast cancer cells with LMOD1 overexpression were partially abolished after colivelin treatment. Additionally, LMOD1 could impede fatty acid synthesis in breast cancer cells. Our study highlighted LMOD1 exerted as a tumor‐suppressive role in breast cancer, which was correlated with restraining the JAK2/STAT3 pathway activation.
Dexmedetomidine Regulates Macrophage Phenotype Remodeling Through AMPK/SIRT1 to Alleviate Inflammatory Mediators and Lung Injury
Authors: Zhao Yi‐si , Shi Ya‐kang , Li Ke‐feng , Ma Bei , Lin Shi‐hui , Xing Yu , Xu Fang
Published: December 2024

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) and can cause excessive inflammation. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a drug that exerts anti‐inflammatory effects. Identifying the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of DEX in the context of ALI/ARDS possesses potential significance for the prevention and treatment of ARDS. In this study, DEX was used to treat mouse models of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated cells. Immunofluorescence, western blot analysis, and flow cytometry were used to detect macrophage phenotypic markers in mice, and western blot analysis, real‐time qPCR (RT‐qPCR), ELISA, and immunofluorescence were used to detect macrophage phenotype markers in RAW264.7 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect phenotypic markers of bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDM). Culture medium collected from macrophages was used to cultivate human non‐small cell adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549) to detect their aquaporins 1 (AQP1) expression and apoptosis status. Western blot analysis was used to detect the activation of the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sirtuin 1(SIRT1) signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. The regulatory effect of DEX on macrophage phenotype remodeling was detected by knocking down AMPK expression in cells using AMPK shRNA. The results showed that in both in vivo and in vitro experiments, DEX downregulated the expression of M1 markers (tumor necrosis factor‐α [TNF‐α], nitric oxide synthase [iNOS], and cluster of differentiation [CD]‐86) and upregulated the expression of M2 markers (arginase‐1 [ARG‐1], interleukin [IL]‐10, and CD206) in macrophages. The culture medium of macrophages treated with DEX alleviated the edema and apoptosis of A549 cells. DEX activates the AMPK/SIRT1 signaling pathway in macrophages. After AMPK knockdown, the ability of DEX to regulate macrophage phenotype remodeling decreased. Together, this study suggests that DEX regulates macrophage phenotype remodeling by activating the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway, thereby reducing ALI/ARDS.
Evaluation of the effects of avatar on learning temporomandibular joint in a metaverse‐based training
Authors: Basmaci Fulya , Bulut Ali Can , Ozcelik Erol , Zerdali Ekici Saliha , Kilicarslan Mehmet Ali , Cagiltay Nergiz Ercil
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Avatars, representing users in the digital world, can influence users' behavior and attitudes. This study evaluates the impact of representing dental students receiving temporomandibular joint (TMJ) education in the metaverse via an anonymous or identified avatar.

Methods

Participants included 80 dental students in their fourth and fifth years of study. They were randomly assigned to either the avatar group (identified avatar) or the control group (anonymous avatar). Prior to training, participants completed a demographic questionnaire and a pretraining knowledge assessment. TMJ training was conducted in the metaverse for both groups. Pre‐ and post‐training assessments included the Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and a shyness scale to ensure group comparability. A post‐test consisting of five questions was administered to both groups after 2 weeks of training.

Results

There were no significant differences in pretraining scores for prior knowledge (p = 0.67), trait anxiety (p = 0.28), state anxiety (p = 0.92), or shyness (p = 0.42) between the avatar and control groups, indicating comparability at baseline. Post‐training analysis revealed significantly higher post‐test scores in the avatar group (median = 80) compared to the control group (median = 60) (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Metaverse environments offer various benefits for students, educators, and educational institutions in health education programs. Representing learners and their identities in training environments can enhance learning outcomes.
Synovial fluid dual‐biomarker algorithm accurately differentiates osteoarthritis from inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Keter Daniel , Thai‐Paquette Van , Miamidian John , Gulati Simmi , Toler Krista
Published: December 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) prevalence increases as the population ages. Diagnosing osteoarthritis often occurs in the late stages when cartilage degradation is severe, making it difficult to distinguish from other types of arthritis. Accurate differentiation of primary osteoarthritis from other arthritic conditions is crucial for effective treatment planning. A new diagnostic test has been developed that uses a dual‐biomarker algorithm to inform osteoarthritis diagnosis. Synovial fluid from patients with confirmed primary osteoarthritis showed elevated levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein. However, this biomarker alone could not distinguish primary osteoarthritis from other inflammatory conditions that also cause cartilage deterioration. Therefore, a combinatorial algorithm using cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and Interleukin‐8 concentrations was developed to differentiate primary osteoarthritis from inflammatory arthritis. Clinical decision limits for cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentration and the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein to Interleukin‐8 ratio were established and validated using 171 human knee synovial fluid specimens. The osteoarthritis algorithm demonstrated clinical sensitivity and specificity of 87.0% and 88.9%, respectively. This is the first report of a biomarker test that can differentiate primary osteoarthritis from inflammatory arthritis with a high degree of accuracy.
In Situ Forming Hypoxia‐Induced Exosome‐Loaded Hydrogel for Enhanced Diabetic Wound Healing
Authors: Wang Yong‐fei , Zhao Gang , A Sigen , Xu Qian , Wu Xiao‐li , Wang Wen‐Xin , Rui Yong‐jun
Published: December 2024

Diabetic wound healing presents unique challenges, including impaired angiogenesis, prolonged inflammation, and delayed re‐epithelialization. Advancements in tissue engineering offer promising solutions through cell/drug‐based therapies. Exosomes (Exo) derived from hypoxia‐preconditioned adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) have gained attention for their potential to address these complex issues in diabetic wounds. Existing strategies for Exo delivery aim to overcome drawbacks associated with conventional administration methods, including rapid loss of activity, frequent dosing, and off‐target effects. However, complexities in fabrication, undesirable components within the delivery system, and unforeseen outcomes have hindered the efficacy of these approaches. Thus, an in situ formed hydrogel is engineered using click chemistry to facilitate the convenient encapsulation of hypoxia‐induced Exo. The hydrogel swiftly transitioned into a gel state upon mixing and facilitated the controlled release of Exo at various loading dosages. Through systematic screening of Exo‐hydrogel formulations, it is demonstrated that the encapsulated Exo retained their bioactivity, exhibits therapeutic efficacy in vitro via scratch and tube formation assays. Further, the optimal Exo‐hydrogel promotes accelerated wound healing while preventing scar formation in a diabetic rat wound model. The Exo‐loaded hydrogel represents a promising approach for efficient Exo delivery in wound healing applications and holds potential for broader applications in diverse medical fields.
The Effect of Gender on the Intestinal Flora of Colorectal Cancer Under Different Stages
Authors: He Fuhai , Huang Xiaoliang , Wang Zhen , Qin Mingjian , Chen Chuanbin , Huang Zigui , Wu Yongzhi , Huang Yongqi , Tang Binzhe , Long Chenyan , Mo Xianwei , Tang Weizhong , Liu Jungang
Published: December 2024

This study aims to determine whether gender is a factor in the interplay between the human intestinal flora and colorectal cancer (CRC), ultimately providing new evidence for the clinical prediction and management of CRC in different genders. In this study, we included 186 untreated CRC patients, and classified them into two groups based on pathological staging: Groups Ⅰ–Ⅱ and Groups Ⅲ–Ⅳ, with male and female groups within each group. We collected preoperative fecal samples from these patients and performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze their intestinal flora. In the CRC Stages I–II cohort, the gut microbiota of the female group exhibited greater diversity and abundance compared to the male group, with a total of 13 gut microbiota demonstrating significant disparities. Notably, s__Parabacteroides gordonii, s__Bacteroides faecis, and s__Bacteroides nordii were found to be more prevalent in the female group relative to the male group. Within the CRC Stages III–IV cohort, 51 gut microbiota exhibited significant differences between the genders. In the immunocyte composition of fecal samples from patients with CRC, a higher proportion of naive B cells is observed in the male group as compared to the female group. In female CRC patients within the CRC Stages III–IV cohort, Actinomyces exhibited a significant negative correlation with activated dendritic cells, CD4+ memory T cells, and eosinophils. In male CRC patients within the CRC Stages III–IV cohort, Actinomyces demonstrated a significant positive correlation with naive B cells and a significant positive correlation with immune activation genes TNFRSF25 and TMIGD2. In female CRC patients within the CRC Stages III–IV cohort, Actinomyces showed a significant negative correlation with activated dendritic cells, CD4+ memory T cells, and eosinophils, and a significant positive correlation with immune activation genes TNFSF13B, LTA, KLRK1, and CXCL12. In the CRC Stages I–II group, the female group's intestinal flora is more diverse and richer than the male group. In the CRC Stages III–IV group, there are a total of 51 different intestinal flora in both the male and female groups. We also found that Actinomyces affects the occurrence and development of CRC in the male and female groups through different pathways. The results show that the intestinal flora differs between male and female CRC patients and is closely associated with cancer development.
Tracheoesophageal Puncture Outcomes at a Safety Net Hospital
Authors: Palmer Trace T. , Hopper Samuel J. , Murray M. Caroline , Ho John , Oglesby Kacie R. , Sanford Paige , Paul Oishika , Alston Josephine S. , Jefferson Gina D. , Jackson Lana L. , Kane Anne C.
Published: December 2024

Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is the gold standard for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy (TL). Retrospective analysis was performed of TEP outcomes in patients between 2013 and 2020 at a single tertiary hospital. TEP was performed primarily in 79%, secondarily in 6%, and not placed in 15% of 226 patients. Within the study population, 53.4% utilized their TEP, including 52% of primary and 71.4% of secondary TEPs. TEP‐related complication occurred in 50.8%, including 50.8% of primary and 50% of secondary TEPs. Secondary TEP was less likely in Black versus White patients, and more likely in patients undergoing pharyngectomy. Older patients and those with TEP complications were less likely to utilize TEP. Our study, performed in a TL population of predominantly lower socioeconomic status, showed high complication rates and low rates of utilization overall. Our findings suggest secondary TEP may be favorable to allow increased pre‐operatively counseling and patient healing prior to procedure.
Redox Stability and Electrical Properties of the High‐Entropy (Pb0.2Ca0.2Ba0.2Sr0.2Mg0.2)0.7La0.3WO4.15 Oxide Ion Conductor
Authors: Lv Jiasheng , Song Xingping , Fang Jing , Deng Xia , Xu Jungu
Published: December 2024

Donor‐doped Pb1−xLaxWO4 (x ≤ 0.3) materials are well‐known for their high oxygen ionic conductivity. However, their poor phase and redox stabilities under a reducing atmosphere hinder their practical applications, such as electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells. In this work, a high‐entropy (Pb0.2Ca0.2Ba0.2Sr0.2Mg0.2)0.7La0.3WO4.15 material is prepared through a traditional solid‐state reaction method, aimed to enhance the phase and redox stability of the material under reducing atmosphere. The results reveal that this material has high phase and structural stability in high oxygen partial pressure environments. However, it will still undergo phase decomposition, yielding impurity, and introducing strong electronic conduction, showing even lower redox stability and phase stability than the non‐high‐entropy counterpart Pb0.7La0.3WO4.15. Thus, improving the phase and redox stabilities under reducing atmospheres of the PbWO4‐based materials is still the main challenge in the future.
Multi‐Party Semi‐Quantum Private Comparison Protocol of Size Relation with d‐Level GHZ States
Authors: Zhou Nan‐Run , Chen Zhen‐Yong , Liu Yan‐Yan , Gong Li‐Hua
Published: December 2024

A new multi‐party semi‐quantum private comparison protocol of size relation is designed based on d‐level GHZ states. Multiple classical participants could compare their privacies while keeping them secure under an ideal environment. Compared with some similar protocols, the classical participants in the designed protocol do not need to prepare and measure quantum states. Besides, the qubit efficiency of the protocol reaches 33.33%. It is demonstrated that the output result of the proposed protocol is correct. Finally, security analysis manifests that the proposed protocol behaves well in withstanding intercept‐resend attack, measure‐resend attack, entanglement attack, Trojan horse attack, and so on.
Pulsed Magneto‐Oscillation Processing Improves the Quality of SCM435 Cold Heading Steel Billet and Its Hot‐Rolled Wire Rods
Authors: Wang Lang , Zhang Hongbiao , Chen Yue , Huang Yan , Zuo Xiaotan , Liu Haining , Xu Zhishuai , Li Renxing , Zhong Honggang , Zhai Qijie
Published: December 2024

Pulsed magneto‐oscillation (PMO) has a high homogenization effect on continuous castings, but the heritability of it on hot‐rolled wire rods has not been studied. Recently, the effect of pulsed magneto‐oscillation on SCM435 cold heading steel billet and its hot‐rolled wire rod were investigated. A 180 mm × 180 mm ten‐strand continuous casting machine was used, with the first strand treated by pulsed magneto‐oscillation, and billets hot‐rolled to Φ6.5 mm wire rods. The results showed that compared with the billet without pulsed magneto‐oscillation treatment, the proportion of central equiaxed grain zone of pulsed magneto‐oscillation treated billet increased from 26.5% to 37.4%, and the secondary dendritic arm spacing of columnar was reduced. Futhermore, the segregation index ranges of Cr and Mn decreased by 47.1% and 33.3%, respectively. For the hot rolled wire rods, the solutes homogeneity and the mechanical properties of the rods produced by pulsed magneto‐oscillation treated billet were improved. And its banded structure was significantly refined, where the maximum band width was reduced from 35.4 μm to 12.3 μm. This study showed that the properties of wire rod could be significantly improved by improving the homogeneity of the casting billet by pulsed magneto‐oscillation, and a good histogenetic effect was obtained.
Who's the boss? Understanding the spatial relationship between snow leopard and Eurasian lynx in southern Mongolia
Authors: Byambasuren Choidogjamts , Johansson Örjan , Alexander Justine Shanti , Lkhagvajav Purevjav , Samelius Gustaf , Sharma Koustubh
Published: December 2024

Interspecific competition, a fundamental ecological process characterized by negative interactions between species, plays a vital role in shaping ecological communities. Despite the co‐occurrence of the snow leopard Panthera uncia and the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx across vast landscapes in Asia, their interactions remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how the presence of snow leopards affected site‐use by lynx and whether the presence of snow leopards resulted in behavioral adaptations by the lynx. Between 2017 and 2022, we conducted camera trap‐based surveys across six sites in southern Mongolia and evaluated species co‐occurrence by snow leopards and lynx using the occupancy framework. We assumed snow leopards to be the dominant species while using topographical and land cover variables as covariates. Our results show that the presence of snow leopards influenced site‐use by lynx, leading to a shift in space use when snow leopards were present. Specifically, lynx used the entire range of ruggedness and did not select for shrubby areas in the absence of snow leopards, whereas they avoided rugged areas and had a strong preference for shrubby areas when snow leopards were present. Our findings emphasize the influence a larger predator can have on the space use of a smaller predator, and how the presence of snow leopards can alter the space‐use of lynx. Understanding these interactions and behavioral adaptations can be useful for developing effective conservation strategies in the region.
Scientific, bibliometric and biographical analysis of 71 Jewish and dissident pharmacologists persecuted in Germany between 1933 and 1945
Authors: Mispagel Mirja , Seifert Roland
Published: December 2024

Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, founded in 1873, is the oldest pharmacological journal. This study sheds light on the influence of persecution and expulsion of Jewish and dissident German pharmacologists during the Nazi era (1933–1945) on their scientific work and publication behaviour. The analysis is based on the German-language book ‘Verfolgte deutschsprachige Pharmakologen (persecuted German-speaking pharmacologists) 1933–1945’ by Trendelenburg and Löffelholz (2008), which contains short biographies of 71 persecuted pharmacologists. We analysed their publication activity from 1900 to 1980, the topics of the publications and the emigration data. Most persecuted pharmacologists emigrated, with two peaks of emigration around 1933 and 1938. Most pharmacologists emigrated to the USA, followed by Great Britain. Five of the scientists who emigrated to Great Britain were elected to the British Pharmacological Society’s Pharmacology Hall of Fame, and one of them was a Nobel Laureate. Very few of the emigrated pharmacologists returned to Germany. After the Nazis came to power in 1933, the share of papers by persecuted pharmacologists in Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology dropped sharply. At around 1936, several of the persecuted pharmacologists began to publish increasingly in the American competitor journal, the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. The persecuted pharmacologists who emigrated to Great Britain had a major influence on the British Journal of Pharmacology, founded in 1946, as initially, they accounted for a high proportion of publications. We further analysed the papers published in Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology by persecuted pharmacologists between 1933 and 1945. About half of these papers were submitted from abroad, indicating that despite the persecution and repression, papers from persecuted pharmacologists previously working at German institutes were still published during this period. Most of the papers by persecuted pharmacologists published from German institutes during this period were published under regime-critical or politically persecuted institute directors. Persecuted pharmacologists covered a huge spectrum of scientific topics, highlighting their immense scientific impact. After World War II, Naunyn–Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology lost much of its previous thematic diversity for decades. Overall, our analyses highlight the enormous loss to German pharmacology due to the persecution, exclusion and expulsion of ‘non-Aryan’ pharmacologists. Conversely, pharmacology of the USA and Great Britain benefited greatly from the emigration of distinguished scientists from Germany.
Adverse events associated with the use of cannabis-based products in people living with cancer: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Cheah Irene , Hunter Jennifer , Gelissen Ingrid , Chan Wai-Jo Jocelin , Harnett Joanna E.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To summarise the extent and type of evidence in relation to adverse events (AEs) associated with the use of cannabis-based products (CBP) in people living with cancer.

Methods

The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews was applied. A search was performed in MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Scopus, Web of Science Core Collections and AMED (Ovid) from their inception to 7 May 2023. Primary studies reporting AEs associated with any form of natural or synthetic CBP use in any cancer care setting and location were included.

Results

One hundred fifty-two studies were included, with the most prevalent being randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 61), followed by non-randomised controlled trials (n = 26) and case reports (n = 23). CBP was mainly used in gastrointestinal, liver, or peritoneal cancer (n = 98) and haematological or lymphoid cancer (n = 92), primarily to manage nausea and vomiting (n = 78) and cancer pain (n = 37). The most common CBP ingredients were combinations of THC and CBD (n = 69), synthetic THC (n = 47), single compounds of THC (n = 42) and CBD (n = 16) with diverse forms, administration routes and doses. The primary methods of administration were oral (n = 94) and inhalation (n = 54). A broad range of AEs were reported; the most common were related to the nervous system (n = 118), psychiatric (n = 101) and gastrointestinal system (n = 81). Diverse patient characteristics, significant under-reporting and low-quality reporting were observed in many studies.

Conclusions

More rigorous research designs that prioritise comprehensive, standardised reporting of AEs and CBP use are required to fully elucidate the safety profile of CBP use in cancer care.
“Hope and Hurdles” in Liver Machine Perfusion: A Review and Future Directions of Machine Perfusion in Liver Transplantation
Authors: O’Kane Lisa , Lee-Riddle Grace S. , Guarrera James V.
Published: December 2024

Purpose of Review

A shortage of donor organs for liver transplant has led to innovations to improve organ preservation via machine perfusion. This review evaluates the latest literature on hypothermic and normothermic machine perfusion, as well as emerging efforts to combine perfusion modalities and logistical considerations.

Recent Findings

Randomized controlled trials utilizing both hypothermic and normothermic machine perfusion establish safety and benefit for organ utilization and outcomes for liver transplant. Data regarding combined perfusion strategies are emerging, with an emphasis on expanding the donor organ pool with extended criteria donors. Logistical considerations such as cost, allocation, policy development, and education will need to be considered to facilitate more widespread adoption.

Machine perfusion is an important innovation in liver transplant that improves outcomes. Future studies are needed for expanded applications and policy development is necessary for its implementation.
Nested compressive sensing for ECG signals using novel hybrid two-level approach of DWT and DCT sensing and sparsification
Authors: Kumar Subramanyam Shashi , Ramachandran Prakash
Published: December 2024

This paper demonstrates the merits of nested Compressive Sensing (CS) approach for Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals using discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and discrete cosine transform (DCT) as sensing matrix and sparsifying matrix. The implementation of CS framework is done using Gradient Projection for Sparse Reconstruction (GPSR). It is tested on 9 ECG signals of different arrhythmia categories obtained from MITBIH and BIDMC dataset. It is analysed for 3 different combinations, case (1) DCT sensing and DWT sparsification, case (2) DWT sensing and DCT sparsification and case (3) DWT sensing and DWT sparsification. A novel hybrid nested CS approach is proposed as case (4) which is a combination of case (2) in higher level and case (1) in lower level. This nested method yields the best PRD of 1.39 for CR = 0.2 and performs better than all proposed cases. This proposed approach involves a fair method of discarding the measurements in all frequency band and performs better than the state of the art work when the sampling rate is reduced by 4 times for ECG signal 100.dat from MIT-BIH (Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Beth Israel Hospital) database for CR = 0.2. It is shown that the reconstruction time of the proposed nested CS approach is lesser than non-nested CS approach.
Challenges and advances in nanocellulose-based adsorbents for dye removal: mechanisms and future directions
Authors: Nagendran Vasundra , Goveas Louella Concepta , Vinayagam Ramesh , Varadavenkatesan Thivaharan , Selvaraj Raja
Published: December 2024

The rapid growth of the textile industry has led to a sharp increase in dye-filled wastewater, posing a significant environmental concern. Adsorption is a promising method for dye removal, but traditional adsorbents often fall short due to limited capacity, lack of sustainability, and low selectivity. Nanocellulose-based materials have shown great potential, with some achieving high adsorption capacities, such as 3429.23 mg/g for Congo Red on cellulose-based aerogel and 2282.3 mg/g for malachite green on magnetic nanocellulose-based adsorbents. These adsorbents follow various adsorption models, including Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and kinetic models such as the pseudo-second-order model indicating strong interactions with target dyes. This review thoroughly examines nanocellulose-based adsorbents, exploring their types, properties, and preparation methods. This review analyses dye interactions, including factors influencing adsorption, and provides an in-depth look at adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics. Also, this review aims to clarify the true potential of nanocellulose-based adsorbents for dye removal, summarizing recent advancements while identifying research gaps and future directions to support further development in this field.
Legendre wavelet based numerical method for the solution of marangoni convective flow of dusty ree-erying fluid over a riga plate with activation energy
Authors: Shiralashetti S. C. , Kulkarni Priyanka I. , Hanaji Savita I.
Published: December 2024

Legendre wavelet based numerical method has been developed for the solution of the system of non-linear differential equations arising in the study of a Marangoni convective flow of dusty Ree-Erying fluid over a Riga plate in Darcy-Forchheimer medium with Soret, Dufour, non-linear radiation, activation energy effects and entropy generation analysis. The proposed method is validated by comparing the solutions of the test problem with the Bernoulli wavelet based numerical method and the exact solution and by comparing the results of the considered dusty fluid problem for some fixed parameters with the previously published results. The effects of various factors on the velocity, thermal, concentration attributes are studied by using the proposed method. It is observed that the Ree-Erying fluid parameter and Marangoni ratio parameter escalates the velocity and declines the temperature and concentration. The opposite behaviour is observed for Deborah number. The concentration declines for higher chemical reaction parameter and improves for activation energy. Both entropy generation and Bejan number escalates for radiation parameter and diffusion parameter. The proposed method is reliable, fast computable and powerful tool to solve the differential equations.
Minds and machines: evaluating the feasibility of constructing an advanced artificial intelligence
Authors: Sgantzos Konstantinos , Stelios Spyridon , Tzavaras Panagiotis , Theologou Kostas
Published: December 2024

It is a popular hypothesis for researchers worldwide that if we manage to construct a lifelike intelligence that depicts most aspects of the human brain, it will be easier for us to understand our own existence. This discussion often ends up in polemic altercations between philosophers, neuroscientists, and technologists on the definition of intelligence. It has also been a subject of interest in both academic and industrial societies, with two prominent concepts emanating at the peak of it, often as one and the same: Artificial Intelligence and Natural Intelligence. While these terms are often used interchangeably, we theorize that they represent two totally distinct and often contradictory constructs. This work aims to portray the most significant divergences between Artificial Intelligence and Natural Intelligence and find out if those can converge under the current technological advancements. We focus primarily on their accurate definitions, then their inner workings, and their potentials and limitations enumerating in the process relative sociological and ethical consequences. Finally, we show why under the current methods the probability of creating an advanced form of Artificial Intelligence is minimal.
Increased IDO expression and regulatory T cells in acute myeloid leukemia: implications for immune escape and therapeutic targeting
Authors: Hakak Raziyeh , Poopak Behzad , Majd Ahmad
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs) (CD4+/FOXP3+) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Methods

This cross-sectional case–control study was conducted between Jan 2022 and Dec 2023. Bone marrow samples were collected from 20 healthy individuals and 15 patients with AML. Flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and western blotting were used to evaluate the frequency of Treg and IDO expression levels.

Results

The Treg percentage among total lymphocytes was lower in the AML group than that in the normal group. However, Treg percentage among T-helper (Th) lymphocytes was significantly higher in the AML group than that in the normal group (p < 0.05). The mean IDO expression in the AML group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (p = 0.004). A significant relationship was observed between IDO expression and Treg percentage among Th lymphocytes in the AML group (correlation = 0.637; p = 0.003). Moreover, western blot analysis showed a significant increase in IDO protein intensity in the AML group compared with that in the control group (p < 0.001). A significant difference was observed between the IDO concentrations in the AML group and that in the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, a significant difference between TGF-β levels in the AML group and those in the control group (p < 0.01) was observed.

Conclusion

IDO inhibition using novel IDO inhibitors along with chemotherapy is a promising approach to overcome the immune escape mechanisms in patients with AML, who exhibit increased levels of IDO expression and Tregs.
Jehovah's Witnesses
Authors: Chu Jolene , Peltonen Ollimatti
Published: December 2024

Jehovah's Witnesses began as an informal Bible study group in the 1870s that sought to recover first-century Christian beliefs and practices. They disseminated literature announcing the expected reign of God's Kingdom and called themselves Bible Students. In 1931, they adopted the name Jehovah's Witnesses, epitomizing their belief in the Christian obligation to preach the gospel worldwide. Known for their ethic of nonviolence and their evangelizing work, and despite worshipping freely in most countries, Witnesses are subject to controversy, particularly vis-à-vis mainstream Christianity, the State, and secularized societies. The authors are practicing Jehovah's Witnesses who present this work as neither apologia nor official account, but as an emic description of the history, beliefs, identity, and organizational structure of Witnesses, and their societal interactions. While briefly covering main controversies, this Element focuses on the culture and lived experience of the millions comprising the Witness community. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Religious involvement and subjective wellbeing among older adults in Taiwan: exploring gender and age differences
Authors: Zhang Keqing , Zhang Wei , Ellison Christopher G. , Wang Wei-Pang
Published: December 2024

This study addresses a significant knowledge gap in the literature by examining the relationship between religious involvement and subjective wellbeing (SWB) among older adults in Taiwan, a cultural context that has been underrepresented in existing research, with a focus on gender and age differences. Using data collected in Taichung City in 2017 (N = 645), this study measured religious involvement through religious affiliation, religiosity and frequency of religious participation, and assessed SWB via life satisfaction and happiness. Findings revealed no significant association between religious involvement and life satisfaction. However, religious participation was positively correlated with happiness. Gender differences were observed: Buddhism and Taoism were positively associated with life satisfaction among males, whereas religiosity and religious participation were significantly related to life satisfaction and happiness among females. Age disparities were also found, with religiosity significantly relating to both life satisfaction and happiness in the old-old group (70–89 years) but not in the young-old group (60–69 years). These findings highlight the nuanced associations between religious involvement and SWB, emphasising the importance of considering gender and age variations in future research. Future studies should further explore the cultural contexts that shape these relationships and examine other potential mediating factors to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how religious involvement influences wellbeing across different demographic groups.
Global Trends in Social Inclusion and Social Inclusion Policy: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Brik Anis Ben , Brown C. Taylor
Published: December 2024

As pressures build, this study can serve as a guidepost for scholars and policymakers to learn from global trends in social inclusion and social inclusion policy. Our systematic review of global trends in social inclusion and social inclusion policy points to the general expansion and retrenchment of social inclusion policy amid increasing social exclusion associated with trends such as globalisation and neoliberalism. In the absence of recent, detailed case descriptions of social inclusion policy at the national level, we call for a renewed scholarly focus on case studies of social inclusion policy. We also discuss the likelihood that persistent climate change, migration, ageing populations, and technological innovations are poised to dramatically influence global social inclusion and suggest that future research should seek to understand the relationship between these developments and social inclusion. As we look to the future and the growing needs of excluded populations, we aim to use this study to learn from and build on these global trends to promote the inclusion of excluded groups around the world.
A compact self-quintuplexing antenna by HM-SIW cavity
Authors: Shekhar Swapnil , Priya Shruti , Kumar Kundan
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a novel compact self-quintuplexing antenna using a half-mode substrate-integrated waveguide cavity to implement multi-operation wireless services. The proposed antenna design incorporates five triangular protrusions of different dimensions, assembled with SIW to function as the radiating elements. Each radiator supports the one-eighth mode of the SIW cavity. The resonance frequencies of radiators are 3.63, 4.44, 5.23, 6.21, and 7.05 GHz. Each radiator operates at a distinct frequency due to the differing dimensions and is independently driven by 50 Ω microstrip lines. The measured reflection coefficients and isolation among any two ports are less than −10 dB and better than 23.6 dB, respectively. The measured gains at their respective resonant frequencies are 5.66, 4.84, 5.03, 7.08, and 6.59 dBi. The front-to-back ratio is better than 8.7 dB in each band. The difference of co-to-cross-polarization is greater than 19.3 dB.
Earth Observation Data to Support Environmental Justice: Linking Non‐Permitted Poultry Operations to Social Vulnerability Indices
Authors: Tulbure Mirela G. , Caineta Júlio , Cox Brooke , Stehman Stephen V. , Ercumen Ayse , Witter Rebecca , Emanuel Ryan , Powell Dana E. , Burdette Kemp , White‐Williamson Sherri , Tuberty Shea
Published: December 2024

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) apply massive amounts of untreated waste to nearby farmlands, with severe environmental health impacts of swine CAFOs and proximity to disadvantaged communities well documented in some US regions. Most studies documenting the impacts of CAFOs rely almost exclusively on CAFO locations known from incomplete public records. Poultry CAFOs generate dry waste and operate without federal permits; thus, their environmental justice (EJ) impacts are undocumented. North Carolina (NC), a leading poultry producer, has seen a significant increase in poultry CAFOs, particularly since the 1997 swine CAFO moratorium. Using literature‐derived heuristics, this study refined the locations of poultry CAFOs derived based on Earth Observation (EO) data and deep learning, reducing the overestimation of poultry CAFO density by 54% after heuristic adjustments. We removed 51.8% of misclassified features in NC and 61.5% across the US, significantly improving data set accuracy. Spatial analysis, including Local Indicators of Spatial Association, revealed that poultry CAFOs often cluster in census tracts with high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores, indicating potential EJ issues. Notably, one‐third of NC's census tracts with high poultry CAFO density also have high SVI, primarily in rural eastern regions. Similar patterns were observed in the South and Southeast of the US. However, not all high‐density CAFO areas correspond with high SVI, suggesting a complex relationship between CAFO locations and community vulnerabilities. This study highlights the critical need for comprehensive, high‐quality data on unpermitted poultry CAFOs derived using AI algorithms to fully understand their impacts on communities and accurately inform EJ evaluations.
Exploring latitudinal gradients and environmental drivers of amphipod biodiversity patterns regarding depth and habitat variations
Authors: Momtazi Farzaneh , Saeedi Hanieh
Published: December 2024

Amphipods are known as umbrella species in conservation biology that their protection indirectly protects other species. Recent hypotheses suggest a bimodal latitudinal global species richness pattern for amphipods, irrespective of species’ depth or habitat type. Phylogeographic hypotheses suggested two distinct procedures for amphipod diversification: ecological radiation and Pangea fragmentation. This study aimed to revisit the bimodal latitudinal pattern of species richness for amphipods, investigate similarities in species composition and main environmental amphipod distribution drivers regarding their depth and habitat variations. The comprehensive database was collected from open-access data and a personal sampling database from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. After rigorous data quality controls, the final dataset comprised 1,142,416 distribution records of 6,424 accepted marine amphipod species distributed from 0 to 10,900 m depth. All the species were grouped into pelagic and benthic, shallow-water (> 200 m), and deep-sea (< 200 m). Alpha and gamma species richness and the expected number of species per 50 random samples (ES50) were calculated. Our findings showed that species richness patterns in amphipods are shaped not only by habitat types but also by depth, and they are not significantly bimodal in all groups. Also, the Beta diversity of benthic species revealed distinct diversification patterns between benthic and pelagic species. The species similarity clusters revealed a fragmentation between Gondwana and Laurasia for shallow benthic species. However, the similarity between pelagic amphipod communities is more compatible with ecological parameters. Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) highlighted that environmental variables play a significant role in species distributions, for example, temperature and chlorophyll levels were the main predictors of species richness in shallow waters. However, a complete effect of multiple environmental variables is responsible for deep-sea species gradients. These findings are crucial information to be considered when managing the species richness and establishing conservation priorities for their habitats.
Nanovesicles
Authors: Pujol-Solé N. , Ferrer-Tasies L. , Tomsen-Melero J. , Carreño A. , Castellar-Álvarez C. , Alcaina-Hernando M. , Ventosa N. , González-Mira E. , Köber M.
Published: December 2024

Nanovesicle-based nanopharmaceuticals are highly complex formulations whose efficacy and safety are highly dependent on their physico-chemical and biological characteristics, and even small deviations may result in altered pharmacokinetics, in vivo clearance, drug release kinetics and toxicity/safety profiling. While the exact set of critical quality attributes (CQAs) may vary for each particular product, existing regulatory guidelines list the most common critical parameters of nanovesicle-based nanopharmaceuticals. In this chapter, we describe the most relevant physico-chemical and biological attributes in detail and discuss the suitability and scope of different analytical techniques for their characterization.
Dendrimers
Authors: Müllerová M. , Strašák T.
Published: December 2024

Dendrimers are radially symmetric, nano-sized molecules with well-defined, monodisperse structures with advantageous properties for biomedicinal applications. In this chapter, we review recent developments from investigations on dendrimers focused predominantly on drug loading and delivery. Attention is given, among others, to encapsulation approaches and characterization of conjugates of dendrimers, not only with drug molecules but also genetic material and imaging agents.
Genetically Engineered Protein Nano-carriers: Viral Capsids and Cage Proteins
Authors: Şen Senem , Semerci Aslı , Karaca Melis , Şeker Urartu Özgür Şafak
Published: December 2024

Recent advances in nanotechnology have significantly altered drug therapies and nanocarriers have begun to be used as promising platforms for efficient, targeted drug therapy. These submicron-sized colloidal systems offer numerous advantages over conventional treatments, including improved efficacy, reduced side effects, and resistance to destabilization. Precise control is made possible by surface qualities, payload, size, and targeting due to high surface areas and small dimensions. Given that this knowledge has a great deal of promise for the advancement in immunology, vaccine development, and cancer treatment, a superior treatment potential has been created by combining it with novel approaches. Enhancing nanocarrier functionality, genetic engineering has enabled the creation of protein nanocages that self-assemble from protein subunits to deliver therapeutic and diagnostic molecules. Viral particles are notable due to their immunogenic properties and potential for vaccine development, offering uniform morphology, biocompatibility, and easy functionalization. The unique geometric structure of protein nanocages allows the imaging of multiple ligands and functional molecules, enhancing biocompatibility and targeting. Overall, it appears that the combinatorial synergistic effect of genetic engineering with nanotechnology enables the creation of promising drug delivery vehicles that offer structural consistency, biocompatibility, and customizable functionality.
Photomagnetism in Prussian blue and Prussian blue analogues: between coordination chemistry and solid state physics
Authors: Concina I.
Published: December 2024

Prussian blue and its analogues are now undergoing their renaissance, being widely investigated as extremely promising functional materials in different fields. This chapter presents their photoinduced magnetic behaviour, discussing some of the most relevant investigations published in this field since the discovery of their magnetic features. Particular attention is devoted to their structural and compositional diversity, in a perspective conjugating classical coordination chemistry with solid state physics. The efforts of a broad scientific community, including chemists and physicists, as well as experimentalists and theoreticians, are presented, highlighting the role of recently developed analytical techniques (such as ultra-fast pump and probe spectroscopy and empowered calculation approaches), while highlighting the power still held by more classical spectroscopic methods.
Principles and recent developments in visible-light photoclick chemistry
Authors: Simeth Nadja A. , Fu Youxin
Published: December 2024

Photoclick reactions are photochemical transformations that either behave like ground state click reactions or gate them through light-activation. To be compatible with future applications in the material sciences and in biology, an increasing number of visible-light responsive variations are being developed. These latest developments have been discussed in the present chapter, together with systems that can be operated with multiple wavelengths at the same time.