bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression profile of miR-214, miR-204, miR-25, miR-15a, IL-33, and plasma level of Malondialdehyde might serve as potential biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Almawashee Haydar Sahib , Khalaj-Kondori Mohammad , Feizi Mohammad Ali Hoseinpour , Safaralizadeh Reza
Published: June 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a late-of-onset neurodegenerative disease that affects elder people. Despite immense research on deciphering the pathophysiology of AD, the precise etiology of AD remains still elusive. Deregulations of miRNAs play essential roles in AD pathogenesis and as a result, they might be potential biomarkers for AD development and diagnosis. This study was aimed to assess the expression of miR-214, miR-204, miR-15a, miR-25, and investigate their correlations with the expression of IL-33, plasma level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of the AD patients. Blood samples were obtained from125 participants including 75 AD patients and 50 healthy controls. Plasma and Blood leukocytes were isolated and used for subsequent analysis. Results showed that the plasma level of MDA was significantly higher in the AD patients. Besides, IL-33, miR-15a and miR-25 were downregulated in the patients’ group but miR-214 and miR-204 expressions were upregulated. Plasma MDA level showed a negative correlation with the MMSE and a positive correlation with the IL-33 expression. We also observed a statistically meaningful negative correlation between miR-15a and IL-33 expressions. Correlations between the studied miRNAs and MDA were all non-significant. Furthermore, none of the miRNAs or IL-33 expressions were correlated with the MMSE scores. ROC curve analysis revealed that expressions of the studied miRNAs, IL-33, and the plasma level of MDA could differentiate AD patients from healthy controls. In conclusion, our results showed that expressions of miR-214, miR-204, miR-25, miR-15a, IL33, and plasma level of MDA might be considered as potential biomarkers for AD development and diagnosis.
Zfp521 prolonged expression partially relaunches the generic neuronal genes in U87MG glioblastoma cells: a primitive study
Authors: Rahimi-Movaghar Vafa , Mirsadeghi Sara , Heidary Yasaman , Alizadeh Seyed Danial , Ghodsi Zahra , Harrop James , Ghodsi Seyed Mohammad , Kiani Sahar
Published: June 2024

Study Design: An experimental in-vitroand in-vivo parallel group study.
Objectives: To investigate the prolonged effects of Zfp521 on gene expression in the U87MG glioma cell line and assess its in vivo impact on animal movement post-transplantation into spinal cord injury (SCI).
Setting: Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology Laboratory.
Methods: U87MG cells were transduced with Zfp521-IRES-GFP and maintained in neural inductive medium for over 3 weeks. Gene expression of Gfap, Itga6, Pax6, nestin, Sox1, Tubb3, and Olig2 was analyzed. Transplanted cells' impact on locomotor capacity in SCI was assessed using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale and footprint analysis.
Results: Zfp521 overexpression induced morphological changes and aggregated formation in U87MG cells, with a transfection rate of 26%. Significant upregulation of Pax6, Tubb3, and Olig2 and decreasing of Sox1 were observed, while Gfap, Itga6, and nestin showed non-significant changes. In SCI animals, U87-Zfp521 exhibited substantial recovery in hindlimb motor coordination (BBB score of 12) and weight support. Moreover, gait analysis revealed increased step length, stride angle, and step width in U87-Zfp521 animalsduring a five-week treatment. While plantar application showed no significant improvement.
Conclusions: Controlling Zfp521 expression level prominently enables the neuronal and oligodendrocyte lineage alley in the glioblastoma cell line that can be the potential therapy for promoting recovery in GBM and SCIs, highlighting its role as a promising target for further exploration in neural regeneration strategies.
Sponsorship: This work was funded by Tehran University of Medical Sciences with grant number 97-02-38-39408.
Differentiating between PCNSL GCB Subtype and Non-GCB Subtype using Radiomics: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Shen Yelong , Wu Siyu , Wu Yanan , Cui Chao , Li Haiou , Yang Shuang , Liu Xuejun , Chen Xingzhi , Huang Chencui , Wang Ximing
Published: June 2024

Objectives
To investigate the characteristics and pathological basis of MRI in germinal center B cell (GCB) and non-germinal center B cell (non-GCB) in PCNSL (primary central nervous system lymphoma). And to explore the predictive ability of MRI radiomics-based in differentiating the GCB and non-GCB of PCNSL.
Methods
This study retrospectively analyzed standard diagnostic MRI examinations in 24 immunocompetent patients (9 men; age 56.4 ± 15.1 years) with GCB and 56 immunocompetent patients (35 men; age 61.1 ± 9.3 years) with non-GCB. The radiomics features were extracted from ADC, DWI, and T1-CE images respectively, and the features were screened by machine learning algorithm and statistical method. Finally, radiomics models of seven different sequence permutations were constructed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC AUC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of all models. Delong test was utilized to compare the differences among models.
Results
The GCB cases all showed diffusion restriction, which was observed in 80.36% of the non-GBM cases; p < 0.05. Grade 3 edema was rare in GCB cases (8.33%) and common in non-GCB cases (50.00%); p < 0.001. 62.50% of male patients were non-GCB and 37.50% of female patients were non-GCB; p < 0.05. Additionally, patients with the GCB subtype are younger than those with the non-GCB subtype; p < 0.05. The best prediction model in our study used a combination of ADC, DWI, and T1-CE achieving the highest AUC of 0.854. And there was a significant difference between the best-combined model and some of the other models.
Conclusion
The GCB subtype is commonly seen in women, with mild peritumoral edema in most cases and diffusion restriction in all cases; however, the non-GCB subtype is commonly seen in men, with severe peritumoral edema in most cases. Additionally, the radiomics model developed by all sequences combined had good performance in discriminating between GCB and non-GCB.
Transcriptome of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Reveals Impacts of Rhizosphere Microbiomes on Host Interactions
Authors: Garcia Joshua , Moravek Micaela , Fish Tara , Thannhauser Ted , Fei Zhangjun , Sparks Jed , Giovannoni James , Kao-Kniffin Jenny
Published: June 2024

The gut microbiome of worms from composting facilities potentially harbors organisms that are beneficial to plant growth and development. We transferred microbiomes from worm castings (i.e. vermicompost) into tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) rhizospheres to examine their impacts on plant growth and physiology. We hypothesized that tomatoes grown with living vermicompost microbiomes in their rhizospheres would display transcriptome changes in key nutrient pathways compared to sterilized vermicompost and control (no compost) inoculant treatments. Vermicompost microbiome treatment significantly impacted bacterial communities in tomato rhizospheres, but showed high fungal variability between treatments. Plants treated with vermicompost or sterile vermicompost exhibited increased productivity and foliar δ15N values at harvest, along with decreased fruit phytoene content at the red ripe stage, compared to the control. RNA sequencing revealed distinct gene expression changes in the vermicompost treatment, including upregulation of nutrient transporter genes. Despite phenotypic similarities between vermicompost and sterile vermicompost treatments, plant transcriptome analyses suggest that rhizosphere microbiomes derived from vermicompost can influence tomato gene expression and growth-related regulatory pathways. These findings highlight the potential of rhizosphere microbiomes to influence crops at the molecular level and the value of RNA sequencing in uncovering molecular responses in plant microbiome studies.
Stakeholder analysis of banning unhealthy product advertisement
Authors: Najafi Marziyeh , Mosadeghrad AliMohammad , Arab Mohammad
Published: June 2024

Background: The advertising of unhealthy products, by influencing the level of consumption of these products, has become a pressing concern due to its contribution to the rise of non-communicable diseases in society. Policy-making to control advertising, however, faces numerous challenges due to the need to involve different stakeholders. This study aims to analyze the stakeholders involved in banning the advertising of unhealthy products in Iran, potentially paving the way for more effective health policies.
Methods: This research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 18 stakeholders in the advertising of unhealthy goods in Iran in 2022. The experts were selected using a purposive and snowball sampling method. PolicyMaker V.4 and MAXQDA V.16 software were used to analyze stakeholders.
Results: The study revealed that out of 26 stakeholders, 20 were active, and six were inactive. Notably, the media emerged as key stakeholders with significant power, opposing the ban on advertising harmful goods. On the other hand, the Ministry of Health, the National Standards Organisation, the Food and Drug Organisation, and the medical system were the most supportive actors. The Ministries of Culture and Industry and political institutions, while powerful, showed moderate support. These findings underscore the complex dynamics of stakeholder involvement in banning unhealthy product advertisements in Iran.
Conclusions: The study's findings highlight the crucial role of stakeholders with a neutral approach and high power in the success of banning unhealthy product advertisements. Importantly, the Ministry of Health, if granted more power to lead and manage stakeholders, could significantly enhance the effectiveness of health policies. This suggests that engaging influential stakeholders in a leadership team could be a promising strategy for future health policy initiatives.
Risk Factors for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Sepsis Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yin Rui , Yang Xiaoshan , Yao yaoyanfen
Published: June 2024

Background
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a critical complication of sepsis, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Identifying risk factors for ARDS among sepsis patients is essential for early intervention and improving outcomes.
Methods
We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis, reviewing studies that examined the association between various risk factors and ARDS development in sepsis patients. Databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched up to January 2024, without language restrictions. Eligible studies included observational cohorts and case-control studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed through I² statistics, and publication bias was evaluated via the Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index.
Results
15 studies with more than 40,000 participants were analyzed. Significant risk factors for ARDS included pulmonary infection (OR: 2.696, 95% CI: 1.655 to 4.390), septic shock (OR: 2.627, 95% CI: 1.850 to 3.731), and pancreatitis (OR: 3.734, 95% CI: 2.958 to 4.712). No significant associations were found for sex (OR: 1.106, 95% CI: 0.957 to 1.279), smoking status (OR: 1.214, 95% CI: 0.835 to 1.765), or steroid use (OR: 0.901, 95% CI: 0.617 to 1.314). APACHE-II and SOFA scores were predictive of ARDS development, emphasizing their utility in clinical assessments.
Conclusion
Pulmonary infection, septic shock, and pancreatitis significantly increase ARDS risk in sepsis patients. Our findings advocate for targeted management of these risk factors to mitigate ARDS development, emphasizing the importance of personalized care in sepsis management.
Assessment of Molecular Modulation by Multifrequency Electromagnetic Pulses to Preferably Eradicate Tumorigenic cells
Authors: Piredda Roberta , Martínez Luis G. Rodríguez , Stakamakis kostantinos , Martinez-Ortega Jorge , Ferraz Alejandro López , Almendral Jose M. , Revilla Yolanda
Published: June 2024

Physics methods of cancer therapy are extensively used in the clinical practice, but they are invasive and often confront undesired side effects. A fully new equipment that allows sustained emission of intense and time controlled non-ionizing multifrequency electromagnetic pulse (MEMP), has been applied to eukaryotic cells in culture. The equipment discriminates the overall electronegative charge of the cell cultures, and its subsequent proportional emission may thereby become higher and lethal to cancer cells of generally high metabolic activity, whereas low tumorigenic cells would be much less affected. We tested the specificity and efficacy of the equipment against a collection of (i) highly tumorigenic cells of human (glioblastoma, cervical carcinoma, and skin) and mouse (colon adenocarcinoma) origin; (ii) cell lines of much lower tumorigenicity (non-human primate kidney and mouse fibroblasts), and (iii) primary porcine macrophages lacking tumorigenicity. Time and intensity control of the MEMP allowed progressive decay of viability fairly correlating to cell tumorigenicity, which was provoked by a proportional alteration of the cytoplasmic membrane permeability, cell cycle arrest at G2, and general collapse of the actin and intermediate filaments cytoskeleton to the perinuclear region. Correspondingly, these effects drastically inhibited the proliferative capacity of the most tumorigenic cells in clonogenic assays. Moreover, MEMP suppressed in a dose-dependent manner the tumorigenicity of retrovirally transduced luciferase expressing colon adenocarcinoma cells in xenografted immune-competent mice, as determined by tumor growth in a bioluminescence imaging system. Our results support MEMP as an anti-cancer non-invasive physical treatment of substantial specificity for tumorigenic cells with promising therapeutic potential in oncology.
Effect of Different Fixed Lingual Retainers on Tooth Mobility: Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: KÜÇÜK Eyüp Burak , GÜLER Özge ÇELİK , ARPAĞ Osman Fatih , EREN Hatice Kübra
Published: June 2024

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the effect of different fixed lingual retainers (LRs) on tooth mobility after orthodontic treatment using a Periotest® device.
Materials and methods: A total of 82 patients (43 females and 39 males; mean age = 18.61 ± 3.71 years) with no missing teeth in the lower inter-canine region were treated with fixed orthodontic mechanics. At the completion of the orthodontic treatment, each patient was fitted with either Ortho FlexTech (Reliance; Group I), dead soft 8-braided (Bond-A-Braid, Reliance; Group II), or 5-stranded (PentaOne, Masel; Group III) LR wire. A control group consisting of people with a healthy periodontal condition and no bone loss was included (Control; Group C). The mobility of the lower anterior teeth on the right and left sides was measured using a Periotest® device before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 10 months after (T2) the application of the LR. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc LSD, repeated ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc test, and Pearson χ2 tests.
Results: Tooth mobility was significantly lower at T1 and T2 compared to that at T0 (P < 0.05); however, there were no differences in the mobility at T1 and T2 in all study groups (P > 0.05). When the mobility measurements taken at the different times were compared, there was no statistical difference between the groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: In all the study groups, tooth mobility decreased immediately after LR application and did not change during the 10-month follow-up. There were no significant differences in tooth mobility among the study groups.
Clinical relevance: Any of the studied types of retainer wires could be used by clinicians.
Clinical Trial Number: NCT06284499
Genomic profiling of lymph node and distant metastases from papillary and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas
Authors: Máximo Valdemar , Melo Miguel , Sobrinho-Simões Manuel , Soares Paula , Paula Arnaud Da Cruz
Published: June 2024

Purpose: To perform a molecular profiling of the metastases from papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinomas (PDTCs).
Methods: We retrieved and analyzed the molecular and clinical features of 136 metastases from PTCs and 35 metastases from PDTCs subjected to targeted DNA sequencing, from cBioPortal. The clinicopathological data included the number and location of the metastases, and genomic data included mutations, translocations, copy number alterations and fraction of the genome altered (FGA).
Results: Bone metastases from PTCs had a lower frequency of BRAF mutations than the lymph node metastases (LNMs) (43% vs 88%, p<0.01), and a higher frequency of RBM10 and NRAS mutations than the LNMs (21% vs 3% for both, p<0.05). The FGA of the bone metastases was higher than the FGA of the lung metastases (5.6% vs 1.3%, p<0.05). The frequency of RETtranslocations was higher in the lung metastases from PTCs than the LNMs (15% vs 3%, p<0.05). The LNMs from PTC patients harboring 4 or more distant metastases (DMs) had a higher frequency of TERTpromoter mutations than the LNMs from patients harboring less than 4 DMs (96% vs 65%, p<0.001). SDHA gene amplifications were enriched in the bone metastases from PDTCs and absent in the LNMs (38% vs 0%, p<0.05). Conclusion: Metastases from PTCs and PDTCs harbor clinically relevant alterations affecting distinct body locations, such as NRAS and RBM10 mutations, RET translocations and SDHAamplifications that may be explored therapeutically.
Genetic association of allergic diseases, serum IgE levels and osteoarthritis: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Kai , Xiong Xianghua , Wu Ning , Li Hangyu
Published: June 2024

Objective
The question of whether there is a causal relationship between allergic diseases, immunoglobulin E levels, and osteoarthritis remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the bidirectional causal association between allergic diseases, serum IgE levels, and osteoarthritis using a Mendelian randomization study approach.
Methods
This study utilized publicly available pooled statistics from large genome-wide association studies to assess the causal associations between allergic diseases, serum IgE levels, and osteoarthritis. The analysis employed inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode methods. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted using MR-Egger regression, Cochran's Q test, and MR-PRESSO test to ensure the reliability of the findings.
Results
The IVW results indicated that there was no significant causal relationship between allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis with KOA (OR = 1.02, 95% CI:0.96–1.09, P = 0.544; OR = 1.00, 95% CI:0.96–1.04, P = 0.933) and HOA (OR = 0.95, 95% CI:0.89–1.02, P = 0.127; OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.94–1.06, P = 0.992). Similarly, KOA and HOA did not have a causal effect on allergic asthma (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.86–1.32, P = 0.553; OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.89–1.23, P = 0.610), atopic dermatitis (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.83–1.31, P = 0.692; OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.83–1.05, P = 0.284), and serum IgE levels (OR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.74–1.31, P = 0.916; OR 1.15, 95% CI: 0.99–1.34, P = 0.071). However, there was a causal effect of serum IgE levels on KOA, as they were found to increase the incidence of KOA (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.10, P < 0.05). On the other hand, serum IgE levels did not have a causal effect on HOA (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94–1.08, P = 0.799).
Conclusions
From a genetic perspective, a causal relationship between serum IgE levels and the risk of KOA was observed. However, there was no evidence of a bidirectional causality between atopic disease and OA. Furthermore, the use of MR methods did not support the existence of a causal effect of IgE levels on HOA or OA on IgE levels.
Modeling Daily Profiles of ER and Socialization While Caregiving: Links to Regulation Success and Child Emotional Traits
Authors: Cox Margaret N. , Weston Sara J. , Garcia Jazz , Wright Joanna H. , Gallo John C.R. , Giuliani Nicole R.
Published: June 2024

There is a well-established effect of caregiver responses to child emotions on child emotion regulation development. However, targeted family interventions require knowledge of how caregivers regulate their own (emotion regulation; ER) and their child’s (emotion socialization strategies) emotions during daily parent-child interactions, and how contextual variables influence perceived ER and socialization success. This study uses ecological momentary assessment methods (Nparticipants = 197; 3 surveys per day over 7 days) and latent class analysis to model daily ER and socialization strategies used by caregivers of preschool-aged children in daily life. Results indicated that perceived regulation success was highest for caregivers in ER and socialization profiles characterized by frequent endorsement of “no regulation.” However, ER and socialization profiles characterized by high diversity (e.g., flexibility) in strategies were most successful for regulating the emotions of children with high emotional lability and for regulating caregiver emotions at timepoints when caregivers endorsed experiencing a negative emotion, respectively. Thus, results of this study suggest that competence with diverse ER and socialization strategies and flexible application of strategies across situations may be particularly beneficial for caregivers managing difficult or variable emotions in themselves and their child.
Quantitative Analysis of Tennis Players' Momentum and Influencing Factors Based on the XGBoost Model
Authors: WANG Donghong , ZHANG Xu , JIANG Wenli
Published: June 2024

Momentum can directly or indirectly affect a tennis player's mentality and the trajectory of the game, thereby changing the outcome of the match. The article provides a clear quantitative description of the concept of momentum in tennis, analyzing the impact of momentum fluctuations on the trajectory of the game and the athlete's scoring; a secondary indicator system is established, and the weights of each indicator are determined through expert analysis method, CRITIC weighting method, and hierarchical analysis method. The final value of momentum is randomly tested with a random walk model. The results show that momentum is not random but influenced by specific factors, indicating that there is a certain correlation between the fluctuation of momentum and the success of the player. Due to the non-normal distribution of momentum, using the XGBoost model and Shap feature importance analysis can determine the significant influence of factors such as the distance run by athletes and the speed at which they hit the tennis ball. Moreover, the model demonstrated excellent performance in five randomly selected matches, with low error indicators and high fitting degrees,and an R² coefficient of up to 0.9814, showing the model's high precision and strong generalization capability.
16S rRNA sequencing and Targeted Metabolomics Analyses Reveal Rhizosphere Microbial Diversity and Flavonoids Dynamics in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi
Authors: Wang Yan , Yan Feng , Guo Quan , Tang Jing , Hu Xiaochen , Chen Ying , Yan Yonggang , Gao Jing , Zhang Gang , Li Yimin
Published: June 2024

Aims
Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi is a commonly used bulk Chinese medicinal material in China. Clinically, it is often divided into Ziqin and Kuqin respectively into medicine, and herbal research and pharmacological studies have shown that Ziqin and Kuqin have different effects. Therefore, we collected the HuangQin and its rhizosphere soils at different growth periods to explore the influence of soil microorganisms on flavonoid synthesis in HuangQin.
Methods
In this study, high-throughput sequencing and the UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics method were used to sequencing 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolic analysis of HuangQin rhizosphere soil samples and HuangQin, respectively.
Results
The results showed that the number of OTUs for the four years were 7594, 10227, 10280, and 9796, respectively. And with prolonged cultivation, the abundance of Pseudarthrobacter, Achromobacter and other beneficial bacteria gradually decreased. A total of 552 secondary metabolites were identified in the metabolome. Correlation analysis of soil physicochemical properties and differential microorganisms showed that Pseudarthrobacter was significantly correlated with TN, AN, AK, and NH4+-N, Nocardioides exhibited a notable correlation with TN and AK, as well as a significant association with AN and pH, and there is a significant correlation between Haliangium and AP.
Conclusion
This study showed that soil physicochemical properties and soil microorganisms would affect the accumulation of flavonoids in S. baicalensis, which provided an important basis for improving the quality of S. baicalensis through reasonable fertilization and precise microbiota management.
Prognostic Value of B7-H3 Expression in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma and Its Impact on Immunotherapy Response
Authors: Özalp Faruk Recep , Yörükoğlu Kutsal , Yıldırım Eda Çalışkan , Uzun Mehmet , Semiz Hüseyin Salih
Published: June 2024

Background:
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterised by its immunogenic and proangiogenic nature and its resistance to conventional therapies. The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has significantly improved patient survival, but resistance to these treatments remains a challenge. B7-H3, a potential immune checkpoint, has been implicated in modulating the tumour microenvironment and immune escape mechanisms in RCC.
Methods:
Immunohistochemical analysis of B7-H3 expression was performed in 84 metastatic RCC patients. Tissue microarrays and separate sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue were used for immunohistochemical staining. Membranous taining of the tumor cells was scored and statistical analyses were performed to assess the correlation between B7-H3 expression and treatment outcome.
Results:
B7-H3 expression was absent in 31% of patients, while 33.3% had a score of 1+, 31% had 2+, and 4.8% had 3+. High B7-H3 expression correlated with poorer OS (20 months vs. 45 months, p=0.012). In patients receiving nivolumab, those with high B7-H3 expression had shorter PFS (2 months vs. 8 months, p=0.037) and OS (17 months vs. 51 months, p=0.01). B7-H3 expression was the only factor significantly affecting PFS and OS in multivariate analysis.
Conclusion:
High B7-H3 expression is associated with poorer survival outcomes and reduced response to nivolumab in metastatic RCC patients. B7-H3 may serve as a predictive biomarker for immunotherapy response. Future studies should explore targeting B7-H3 in combination with existing therapies to enhance treatment efficacy.
Mutation profile and molecular heterogeneity in mismatch repair deficient endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Cai Yumeng , Wang Jing , Zhang Zijuan , Li Pan , Fang Jiuyuan , Cui Liang , Zhang Yuhan , Pang Junyi , You Yan , Wu Huanwen , liang zhiyong
Published: June 2024

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) with deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) is a specific molecular entity with unique clinicopathological features. Herein, we depicted the mutation profile of dMMR ECs and explored the molecular heterogeneity among dMMR subgroups with different etiologies. Next-generation sequencing based on a 1021-gene panel was applied to 74 dMMR ECs and 43 proficient MMR (pMMR) ECs. In addition, methylation-specific PCR was applied for accessing MLH1 promoter hypermethylation (MLH1me+) in dMMR cases. The mutation rates of PTEN, ARID1A, KRAS, and MSH2 were significantly higher in dMMR group, while the CTNNB1 and MSH3 mutations were more commonly observed in pMMR group (p < 0.05). Compared to pMMR ECs, dMMR ECs had significantly higher alteration frequencies in RTK-RAS, NOTCH, Cell Cycle and HRR pathway (p < 0.05). Remarkably, the interaction patterns within and across pathways were different between dMMR and pMMR groups. Intriguingly, no CTNNB1 mutation were found in dMMR ECs, while half of the WNT-activated pMMR ECs were CTNNB1 mutated, which were generally mutually exclusive with other WNT pathway key genes. The median tumor mutational burden (TMB) of dMMR ECs was significantly higher than pMMR ECs. However, ultra-high TMB value was related to pathogenic POLE mutation both in dMMR and pMMR ECs. As for dMMR subgroups, KEAP1 and FBXW7 mutations, which may have potential predictive effect of immunotherapy, were more prevalent in the Lynch subgroup. The Lynch subgroup also had significantly higher median TMB than the MLH1me+ subgroup and Lynch-like subgroup. dMMR ECs has distinctive genomic profile with molecular heterogeneity, which may have potential prognostic and therapeutic implications.
The level of cognitive functioning in school-aged children is predicted by resting EEG Directed Phase Lag Index
Authors: Charlebois-Poirier Audrey-Rose , Davoudi Saeideh , Lalancette Ève , Knoth Inga Sophia , Lippé Sarah
Published: June 2024

Quantifying cognitive potential relies on psychometric measures that do not directly reflect cortical activity. While the relationship between cognitive ability and resting state EEG signal dynamics has been extensively studied in children with below-average cognitive performances, there remains a paucity of research focusing on individuals with normal to above-average cognitive functioning. This study aimed to elucidate the resting EEG dynamics in children aged four to 12 years across normal to above-average cognitive potential. Our findings indicate that signal complexity, as measured by Multiscale Entropy (MSE), was not significantly predictive of the level of cognitive functioning. However, utilizing Directed Phase Lag Index (DPLI) as an effective connectivity measure, we observed consistent patterns of information flow between anterior and posterior regions. Fronto-parietal as well as local connectivity patterns were seen across most of the cognitive functions. Moreover, specific connectivity patterns were obtained for each intellectual quotient index (namely verbal comprehension, visuospatial, fluid reasoning, and processing speed indexes as well as full-scale intellectual quotient). These results underscore the presence of long-range connections and support fronto-parietal theories of cognitive abilities within the resting state brain dynamics of children.
Homogeneous Boiling over Melting Ice
Authors: Vasel-Be-Hagh Ahmad , Hagan Ty
Published: June 2024

We report on discovering the homogeneous boiling of water film above the interface of liquid water and solid ice. This phenomenon was induced via longwave infrared radiation generated by a continuous wave CO$_2$ laser. This experimental investigation employed a high-speed camera and the Schlieren visualization technique. The study discovered that the minimum power intensity required for homogeneous boiling to occur within a liquid film residual resting in equilibrium over a melting ice block is substantially lower than values reported in the literature for a liquid water medium without ice. The article explains how ice as the irradiation medium promotes thermocavitation bubble generation. This observation is counterintuitive, as one might intuitively believe ice presence would result in enhanced cooling, demanding a higher power to initiate boiling. We offer three reasons for this observation: 1) the suppression of convective dissipation of the heat via the ice below the melted water, 2) instabilities caused by substantial temperature gradients between the irradiated meltwater and ice surface, and 3) instabilities caused by pressure gradients due to uneven melting of the ice surface. Experiments were also performed where irradiated borated ice exhibited simultaneous homogeneous and heterogeneous boiling, demonstrating an even lower power intensity to initiate thermocavitation.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Myricetin on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Male Rats
Authors: Hassan Farah Ahmed , Al-Shawi Nada Naji
Published: June 2024

5- Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely-used as an anticancer drug to treat solid cancers, such as those of the colon, breast, rectum, and pancreas. However, its clinical application is limited due to its gastrointestinal and hematological toxicity. Myricetin (3, 3′, 4′, 5, 5′,7-hexahydroxyflavone) is a naturally-occurring flavanol found in fruits, vegetables, teas, and medicinal plants that has antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-aging, and anti-diabetic activities. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of two doses of myricetin on 5-flurouracil-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of seven rats each: Control (group 1) rats received distilled water daily for 20 days; group 2 rats were intraperitoneally (IP)-injected with a single toxic dose (150 mg/kg) of 5-FU on day 20; groups 3 and 4 rats orally-received either 25 or 50 mg/kg/day of myricetin, respectively, for 20 days. Group 5 and 6 rats orally-received 25 or 50 mg/kg/day of myricetin, respectively, for 20 days, and were IP-injected with 5-FU on day 20. From the results obtained from this study, it can be concluded that myricetin increases antioxidant levels and reduces liver inflammation, decreasing negative side-effects. The inclusion of myricetin with 5-FU resulted in positive histological changes that enhanced liver function.
A Hybrid Semidefinite and Bilinear Programming Approach to Aligning Partially Overlapping Point Sets
Authors: Lian Wei , Ma Fei , Cui Zhesen , Pan Hang
Published: June 2024

In many applications, the demand arises for algorithms that can align partially overlapping point sets while remaining invariant to corresponding transformations. This research introduces a method to meet these requirements by minimizing the objective function of the robust point matching (RPM) algorithm. First, we transform the RPM problem into the minimization of a quadratic function with a quadratic constraint through variable substitution. By leveraging semidefinite relaxation and the convex envelope of bilinear monomials, we relax the problem, creating a lower bound problem that can be efficiently solved using linear assignment and low-dimensional semidefinite programming. Additionally, we develop a branch-and-bound (BnB) algorithm that branches only over the transformation variable, ensuring good convergence. Empirical evaluations demonstrate that the proposed methodology is robust against various types of disturbances when compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Stagewise Boosting Distributional Regression
Authors: Wetscher Mattias , Seiler Johannes , Stauffer Reto , Umlauf Nikolaus
Published: June 2024

Forward stagewise regression is a simple algorithm that can be used to estimate regularized
models. The updating rule adds a small constant to a regression
coefficient in each iteration, such that the underlying optimization problem is solved slowly with
small improvements. This is similar to gradient boosting, with the essential difference
that the step size is determined by the product of the gradient and a step length parameter in the
latter algorithm. One often overlooked challenge in gradient boosting for distributional regression
is the issue of a vanishing small gradient,
which practically halts the algorithm's progress. We show that gradient boosting in this case
oftentimes results in suboptimal models, especially for
complex problems certain distributional parameters are never updated due to the vanishing gradient.
Therefore, we propose a stagewise boosting-type algorithm for distributional regression, combining stagewise regression ideas with gradient boosting.
Additionally, we extend it with a novel regularization method, correlation filtering,
to provide additional stability when the problem involves a large number of covariates. Furthermore, the algorithm includes best-subset selection for parameters and can be applied to big data problems by leveraging stochastic approximations of the updating steps. Besides the advantage of processing large datasets, the stochastic nature of the approximations can lead to better results, especially for complex distributions, by reducing the risk of being trapped in a local optimum. The performance of our proposed stagewise boosting distributional regression approach is investigated in an extensive simulation study and by estimating a full probabilistic model for lightning counts with data of more than 9.1 million observations and 672 covariates.
Production and characterization of PLZT ceramic materials for pieozoelectric applications in aerospace sector
Authors: Yeni Huseyin Aykut , Ebeoglugil Mehmet Faruk , Sutcu Mucahit , Sahin Korhan , Celik Erdal
Published: June 2024

This paper details the production and characterization of PLZT ceramics for piezoelectric applications in the aerospace sector. The PLZT ceramics were successfully synthesized using the mixed-oxide method, employing PbO, La2O3, ZrO2 and TiO2 powders. The preparation of PLZT materials involved wet ball milling, followed by calcination, pressing, and sintering at 1250 °C for 4 hours. The densities, water absorption, and apparent porosities of the ceramics were quantified using the Archimedes method. Comprehensive characterization of the PLZT materials’ structural, microstructural, mechanical, dielectric, and vibrational properties was conducted using XRD, SEM, DUH, HRDA, and LCVA techniques. It was observed that increasing the La content in PLZT resulted in increased weight loss, decreased bulk density, and apparent specific gravity, with a positive correlation to linear shrinkage in diameter. The linear shrinkage in thickness and linear volumetric shrinkage initially increased and subsequently decreased. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of a perovskite phase in PLZT with both rhombohedral and tetragonal symmetry. SEM analysis revealed that the grain size of the PLZT (8/65/35) sample ranged from 1 to 5 μm. DUH studies indicated an increase in hardness and better resistance to deformation and penetration with higher La mole fractions, with elastic moduli of 119.40 GPa, 150.10 GPa, and 85.50 GPa for PLZT samples containing 2%, 8%, and 15% mole La, respectively. The dielectric response analysis showed that samples with 8 mole % La exhibited the highest dielectric constant. Additionally, the study assessed the efficacy of the PLZT material in vibration attenuation and generation, highlighting its potential for energy generation applications.
Comprehensive Prediction of Regional Natural Gas Hydrate Resources Based on Volume Method Evaluation
Authors: Jiang Dongxun , Li Zhaocheng
Published: June 2024

As a clean backup energy source, natural gas hydrates have garnered significant global attention, making it crucial to establish models for predicting the total volume of regional resources. This article employs the volumetric method as the foundation for predictions, utilizing data from 14 wells within the study area as test dataset. Initially, we choose the KNN interpolation algorithm to establish the nearest neighbor value, subsequently estimating the effective area and delineating the distribution range of hydrate resources. Subsequently, using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (KS test), we discover that the parameters of natural gas hydrate resources approximately adhere to both the Weber and Poisson distributions, depending on the coordinates. And we delineate the general distribution pattern of natural gas hydrates and estimate the resource quantity within each well as well as the total regional volume. Lastly, employing a combination of local search algorithms—greedy, simulated annealing, and Monte Carlo—along with a global search algorithm (genetic algorithm), we predict the location of wells with the greatest potential future resource volume. After thorough consideration, we identify five potential well locations and assess the applicability of our current algorithmic model in various environments, along with its future prospects.
Climatological Analysis of Rainfall over Hinatuan City, Surigao del Sur in eastern Mindanao—the wettest location in the Philippines
Authors: Olaguera Lyndon Mark , Manalo John
Published: June 2024

Analysis of the daily rainfall records from 43 synoptic stations of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) from 1979 to 2019 reveal that the wettest station in the Philippines is in Hinatuan City, Surigao del Sur, in eastern Mindanao Island in terms of mean annual total rainfall. Despite being located at a low elevation (~ 3 meters above sea level), the mean annual total rainfall in this station is about 4554 mm, which is roughly 700 mm more than the mean annual total rainfall in Baguio City station, the station with the highest elevation (~ 1500 meters above sea level) in the country. Further analysis of the statistical characteristics of rainfall and comparison with other stations in terms of intensity, frequency, duration (i.e., short, medium, long, and very long events), and extremes show that this station has the highest number of wet months (200–500 mm month− 1) and heavy rainfall months (> 500 mm month− 1). It also ranks first in terms of monthly rainfall amounts from January to April. This station has varying ranks across the different duration categories and is not superior compared to the other stations. The contributions of multiscale disturbances such as Tropical Cyclones (TCs), Low Pressure Systems (LPSs), and the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) to the rainfall extremes over Hinatuan City station are also quantified. The results show that TCs, LPSs, and MJO contribute by about 4–17%, 2–48%, 3–40% to the monthly extremes over Hinatuan City station. The impact of LPS is more apparent between June to November. Still, the largest portion of extremes are associated with other disturbances, which contribute about 30–70%. The results of this study may serve as a basis for future characterization of the spatial variation of rainfall including the variations in extremes and their potential causes over the Philippines.
Comparative analysis of floristic richness and diversity in six central forest reserves of north eastern Uganda
Authors: Ojelel Samuel , Katuura Esther , Mucunguzi Patrick , Kalema James
Published: June 2024

As the extinction risk of plants increases globally, there is need to prioritize areas with high floristic richness and diversity to inform the design of evidence-based conservation interventions. As such, this study aimed to; (i) determine the floristic richness and diversity in six central forest reserves of north eastern Uganda and (ii) evaluate the similarity and complementarity of floristic composition. Data was collected from nested quadrats (20 x 20 m for trees, 10 x 10 m for shrubs and 5 x 5 m for herbaceous climbers, forbs and grasses) placed at intervals of 100 m along a transect of 1000–1500 m. Species richness, diversity and evenness were determined for each forest reserve. Binary similarity coefficients were computed because only presence/absence data of plant species was recorded. A sum of 417 plant species in 76 families were recorded representing 8.7% of known vascular plants reported in Uganda. All the CFRs had high diversity indices ranging from 4.2 in Kano CFR to 4.47 in Bululu hill CFR. In terms of floristic similarity, the CFRs clustered into two groups namely Onyurut and Ogera hills cluster and Akur, Kano, Bululu hills and Mount Moroto cluster. The CFRs complement one another by supporting plant species not recorded elsewhere. Notably, three CFRs (Bululu hills, Mount Moroto and Onyurut) account for 81.53% of the plant taxa. Addition of the fourth (Ogera hills) accommodates nearly 90% of the species and the fifth (Akur CFR) accounts for more than 95% of the species. The highest threat level on taxa in these CFRs is Vulnerable (4 species) and Near Threatened (4 species) with 137 Least Concern and 270 Not Evaluated. The CFRs in NE Uganda have richness and floristic diversity with up to 8.7% of the known plants in Uganda present. The two similarity clusters depict variation in altitudinal, proximity and climatic conditions. Five CFRs are required to conserve 95% of the species recorded. There is need to assess the population of the threatened species, and investigate the edaphic factors which influence plant distribution.
Flash flood risk mapping using Analytic Hierarchy Process and machine learning: case of Souk-Ahras City, Northeastern Algeria
Authors: Mechentel Elhadi , Dairi Sabri , Djebbar Yassine , HAMMAR Yahia
Published: June 2024

As the frequency and severity of floods increase, owing mostly to climate change and anthropogenic activities, identifying flood-prone locations is becoming an increasingly critical task. This study applies a new modeling technique for mapping flash-flood susceptibility in the urban basin of Souk-Ahras, Northeastern Algeria. The study area has been frequently affected by flash floods triggered by torrential rains, steep slopes, and high urbanization rates. The methodology used combines the multi-criteria Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with machine learning, represented by the XGBoost Algorithm. Nine flash-flood conditioning factors were considered, including Land Use Land Cover (LULC), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Rainfall, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Slope, Elevation, Curvature, distance to road, and Lithology. The model training procedure used 46 flood spots and 109 no-flood points, which were randomly chosen from sites without a flood history. Model validation, represented by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, revealed that the AHP-XGBoost model achieved an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 84.5%, compared to 80% and 83% for the standalone AHP and XGBoost models, respectively. This clearly shows an optimal performance for the hybrid model considered.
Maleated cassava starch/poly (vinyl alcohol)/clay nanocomposite films for banana preservation: Physical properties and application
Authors: Riyajan Saad
Published: June 2024

Maleated cassava starch (MCS)/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/ kaolin clay (KC) nanocomposite films with high mechanical and barrier properties were prepared by casting film. Based on the MCS /PVA matrix, the effects of KC content on the MCS /PVA/KC nanocomposite films were investigated. X-ray diffraction results demonstrated that the MCS/PVA/KC nanocomposite films exhibited KC good dispersion in the polymer matrix. FTIR spectra showed that the molecular interactions in the MCS/PVA/KC films with higher PVA content enhanced. The maximum tensile strength and elongation at break for the MCS/PVA/KC composite films were 18 MPa and 330%, respectively. The MCS/PVA/KC composite was applied to extend the shelf-life of the banana and results showed that the good shelf-life of the banana was accepted. The MCS/PVA/KC composite film is a promising material for high-barrier food packaging.