bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Honey Targets Ribosome Biogenesis Components to Suppress the Growth of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Bangash Aun Ali , Alvi Sahir Sultan , Bangash Muhammad Ali , Ahsan Haider , Khan Shiza , Shareef Rida , Villanueva Georgina , Bansal Divyam , Ahmad Mudassier , Kim Dae Joon , Chauhan Subhash C. , Hafeez Bilal Bin
Published: October 2024

Pancreatic cancer (PanCa) is one of the deadliest cancers, with limited therapeutic response. Various molecular oncogenic events, including dysregulation of ribosome biogenesis, are linked to the induction, progression, and metastasis of PanCa. Thus, the discovery of new therapies suppressing these oncogenic events and ribosome biogenesis could be a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of PanCa. The current study was designed to investigate the anti-cancer effect of honey against PanCa. Our results indicated that honey markedly inhibited the growth and invasive characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells by suppressing the mRNA expression and protein levels of key components of ribosome biogenesis, including RNA Pol-I subunits (RPA194 and RPA135) along with its transcriptional regulators, i.e., UBTF and c-Myc. Honey also induced nucleolar stress in PanCa cells by reducing the expression of various nucleolar proteins (NCL, FBL, and NPM). Honey-mediated regulation on ribosome biogenesis components and nucleolar organization-associated proteins significantly arrested the cell cycle in the G2M phase and induced apoptosis in PanCa cells. These results, for the first time, demonstrated that honey, being a natural remedy, has the potential to induce apoptosis and inhibit the growth and metastatic phenotypes of PanCa by targeting ribosome biogenesis.
Catalysts: Advances in the Catalytic Behavior of Ion-Exchange Resins
Authors: Ramírez Eliana , Iborra Montserrat , Tejero Javier
Published: October 2024

Ion-exchange resins have been embraced as a relevant scientific development of the 20th century [...]
Beyond Cancer Cells: How the Tumor Microenvironment Drives Cancer Progression
Authors: Sabit Hussein , Arneth Borros , Abdel-Ghany Shaimaa , Madyan Engy F. , Ghaleb Ashraf H. , Selvaraj Periasamy , Shin Dong M. , Bommireddy Ramireddy , Elhashash Ahmed
Published: October 2024

Liver cancer represents a substantial global health challenge, contributing significantly to worldwide morbidity and mortality. It has long been understood that tumors are not composed solely of cancerous cells, but also include a variety of normal cells within their structure. These tumor-associated normal cells encompass vascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and various inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, mast cells, eosinophils, and lymphocytes. Additionally, tumor cells engage in complex interactions with stromal cells and elements of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Initially, the components of what is now known as the tumor microenvironment (TME) were thought to be passive bystanders in the processes of tumor proliferation and local invasion. However, recent research has significantly advanced our understanding of the TME’s active role in tumor growth and metastasis. Tumor progression is now known to be driven by an intricate imbalance of positive and negative regulatory signals, primarily influenced by specific growth factors produced by both inflammatory and neoplastic cells. This review article explores the latest developments and future directions in understanding how the TME modulates liver cancer, with the aim of informing the design of novel therapies that target critical components of the TME.
The Endogenous Expression of BMI1 in Adult Human Eyes
Authors: Lu Zhongyang , Morales Maria G. , Liu Shufeng , Ramkumar Hema L.
Published: October 2024

BMI1, also known as B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1, is a protein in the Polycomb group that is implicated in various cellular processes, including stem cell self-renewal and the regulation of cellular senescence. BMI1 plays a role in the regulation of retinal progenitor cells and the renewal of adult neuronal cells. However, the presence, location, and quantification of BMI1 in the adult human eye have never previously been reported. In this study, we collected 45 frozen globes from eye banks, and ocular tissues were dissected. Protein was quantified by utilizing a custom electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assay developed to quantify the BMI1 protein. BMI1 was found in all ocular tissues at the following levels: the retina (1483.6 ± 191.7 pg/mL) and the RPE (296.4 ± 78.1 pg/mL). BMI1 expression was noted ubiquitously in the GCL (ganglion cell layer), the INL (inner nuclear layer), the ONL (outer nuclear layer), and the RPE (retinal pigment epithelium) via immunofluorescence, with higher levels in the inner than in the outer retinal layers and the RPE. These data confirm that BMI1 is expressed in the human retina. Further studies will illuminate the role that BMI1 plays in ocular cells. BMI1 levels are lower in aged retinas, possibly reflecting changes in retinal somatic and stem cell maintenance and disease susceptibility.
Influences of Zr and V Addition on the Crystal Chemistry of θ-Al13Fe4 and the Grain Refinement of α-Al in an Al-4Fe Alloy Based on Experiment and First-Principle Calculations
Authors: Que Zhongping , Fang Changming , Xia Junhai , Fan Zhongyun
Published: October 2024

Fe-containing intermetallic compounds (IMCs) are among the most detrimental second phases in aluminum alloys. One particularly harmful type is θ-Al13Fe4, which exhibits a needle- or plate-like morphology, leading to greater degradation of mechanical properties compared to other Fe-IMCs with more compact structures, such as α-Al15(Fe,Mn)3Si2. The addition of alloying elements is a crucial strategy for modifying the microstructure during the solidification process of aluminum alloys. This study investigates the effects of adding vanadium (V) and zirconium (Zr) on the morphology and crystal chemistry of θ-Al13Fe4 in an Al-4Fe alloy, employing a combination of experimental observations, first-principle calculations, and thermodynamic analysis. Our findings indicate that zirconium significantly refines both the primary θ-Al13Fe4 particles and the α-Al grains. Additionally, a small amount of vanadium can be incorporated into one of the Wyckoff 4i Al sites in θ-Al13Fe4, rather than occupying any Fe sites, under casting conditions, in addition to the formation of binary Al-V phases.
Study on Ni3Al-Based Single Crystal Superalloy Joints Brazed by Vacuum Brazing with Zr-Containing Filler
Authors: Cao Yang , Liu Yuan , Geng Lilun , Song Yang , Zhang Jianqiang , Ji Tianxu , Ye Fei , Zhang Jie , Zhang Heng , Pei Yanling , Li Shusuo , Gong Shengkai
Published: October 2024

Melting point depressants (MPDs) are required to lower the melting point of filler for brazing. In this study, Zr was used as the MPD, and powder filler was prepared by adjusting the Zr and Mo content referring to Thermo-Calc calculations. The prepared filler was used to braze a high-Mo Ni3Al-based single crystal superalloy, IC21, for 1200 °C/30 min. The effects of adjusting the Zr and Mo content on the microstructure and tensile properties of the joint were investigated. The increase in Zr content promotes the formation of Ni7Zr2 in the joint, leading to a decrease in the tensile strength of the joint. The increase in Mo content forms diffusion barriers between the BM and filler, resulting in an enhancement in the tensile strength of the joint. However, continued increases in Mo content leads to an increase in the P-topologically close packed phase, causing a decline in the tensile strength of the joint. When the Zr content was (11.8–12.2) wt.% and the Mo content was (7.3–7.7) wt.%, the tensile strength of the joint at 980 °C reached a maximum of 550 MPa. This study provides a potential direction for the design of brazing filler composition for high-Mo Ni3Al-based superalloys.
Clinical Outcomes of a Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Brostrom Technique without Arthroscopic Assistance
Authors: Vulcano Ettore , Marciano Gerard F. , Pozzessere Enrico
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Surgical management of chronic lateral ankle instability has traditionally been performed using an open technique. Arthroscopic-assisted and all-arthroscopic techniques have gained popularity as they have achieved strong clinical outcomes. However, they rely on the surgeon’s arthroscopic skills and familiarity with arthroscopic anatomy. Recently, a minimally invasive percutaneous technique without arthroscopic assistance has been developed that incorporates the benefits of arthroscopy, such as minimal soft tissue disruption, without the additional requirements of performing an arthroscopic technique. The aim of the current study is to describe the minimally invasive percutaneous technique for chronic lateral ankle instability and report on its clinical outcomes. Methods: Fifty-four consecutive patients without intra-articular ankle pathology underwent lateral ligament repair for chronic ankle instability with a percutaneous technique at a single institution by a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon. Foot Function Index (FFI) score was recorded pre-operatively and post-operatively at final follow-up. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Post-operative complications and patient satisfaction were also recorded. Results: A significant improvement (p < 0.001) in FFI compared to pre-operative values (from 55, SD 4.1, to 10, SD 1.9) was observed. A single patient required a return to the operating room for open revision with allograft reconstruction following a fall 2.5 months post-operatively. There were no other complications including infection or nerve injury. The overall rate of satisfaction after surgery was 98.1%, with one patient dissatisfied due to excessive ankle stiffness. Conclusions: The described minimally invasive percutaneous Brostrom procedure is safe and effective for the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability without intra-articular ankle pathology.
Cybersecurity Certification Requirements for Distributed Energy Resources: A Survey of SunSpec Alliance Standards
Authors: Tsikteris Sean , Diamantopoulos Pantaleon Odyssefs , Tsiropoulou Eirini
Published: October 2024

This survey paper explores the cybersecurity certification requirements defined by the SunSpec Alliance for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) devices, focusing on aspects such as software updates, device communications, authentication mechanisms, device security, logging, and test procedures. The SunSpec cybersecurity standards mandate support for remote and automated software updates, secure communication protocols, stringent authentication practices, and robust logging mechanisms to ensure operational integrity. Furthermore, the paper discusses the implementation of the SAE J3072 standard using the IEEE 2030.5 protocol, emphasizing the secure interactions between electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) for functionalities like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities. This research also examines the SunSpec Modbus standard, which enhances the interoperability among DER system components, facilitating compliance with grid interconnection standards. This paper also analyzes the existing SunSpec Device Information Models, which standardize data exchange formats for DER systems across communication interfaces. Finally, this paper concludes with a detailed discussion of the energy storage cybersecurity specification and the blockchain cybersecurity requirements as proposed by SunSpec Alliance.
Microalgae-Based Crop Support Technologies Show Multifaceted Promise Well-Suited to Looming Threats
Authors: Siedenburg Jules R. , Attard Everaldo , Mamo Julian A. , Verschoor Arjan
Published: October 2024

This review summarises the available evidence on the prospects for using microalgae or their extracts to support crop production. The evidence is limited but suggests technological promise in several distinct ways, namely, higher core productivity, enhanced resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses, and better-quality produce. The different efficacy pathways of these microalgal technologies were examined to assess their scope to help address key farmer priorities. Their scope to help farmers face climate change and land degradation was a particular focus, given the magnitude of these threats. These microalgal technologies are framed in terms of their pertinence to farmer priorities due to the centrality of farmers to food systems. Notably, farmers’ technology adoption decisions are key to food system outcomes. The findings reported suggest that these crop support technologies could potentially deliver major benefits to farmers, consumers, and the environment. For the moment, however, this emerging literature remains largely neglected. Possible reasons for this are considered, as are potential ways forward. The review focuses particularly on the two most researched and widely available microalgae, the genera Arthrospira and Chlorella, in the interest of highlighting options farmers could adopt rapidly while research on the wider body of microalgae-based crop technologies continues.
Study on the Constraint Effect of Vegetation on Ecosystem Services in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Gong Jinyu , Ma Zhiyuan , Hu Chen , He Linxuan , Lei Jingpin
Published: October 2024

Ecosystem services (ESs) serve as the foundation for sustaining human life and development, with vegetation status playing a crucial role in influencing the supply of these services. This study focuses on the Yellow River Basin (YRB), where we quantitatively examined the main ESs indicators from 2010 to 2020. We explored the trends in fractional vegetation cover (FVC) and ESs, as well as the constraint relationship between FVC and total ecosystem services (TES). The findings are as follows. (1) From 2010 to 2020, FVC, landscape aesthetics (LA), soil conservation (SC), food production (FP), and TES in the YRB demonstrated an upward trend, whereas water yield (WY) exhibited a downward trend. (2) A constraint relationship exists between FVC and LA, SC, WY, and TES, with the constraint line taking on a hump-like shape. (3) The threshold value of the constraint line between FVC and LA, SC, WY, and TES are approximately 80%. Below this value, FVC does not impose a constraint effect on LA, SC, WY, and TES, but above 80%, a strong constraint effect emerges, leading to a reduction in LA, SC, WY, and TES. These results offer a valuable data reference for guiding future vegetation restoration and ecological engineering efforts in the region.
Establishment of a Highly Efficient Micropropagation System of Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lecomte
Authors: Li Xiangyang , Chen Zhaoli , Hu Bing , Zeng Bingshan
Published: October 2024

Aquilaria crassna Pierre ex Lecomte is a principal species renowned for its production of agarwood. However, the active components of agarwood are not universally in compliance with the standards set by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. We have identified an elite A. crassna tree with agarotetrol and alcohol extract levels that exceed these standards and have successfully established a stable in vitro micropropagation system using stem segments from this elite tree. The effects of auxins and minerals on axillary-bud induction, shoot multiplication, and rooting were investigated. The most effective medium for axillary-bud induction was a half-strength Murashige and Skoog (1/2MS) medium supplemented with 0.50 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), achieving an induction rate of 53.33% with minimal hyperhydricity. The optimal shoot proliferation medium was an MS medium with 0.40 mg/L 6-BA, yielding a propagation coefficient of 2.96 without hyperhydricity. The best rooting medium comprised quarter-strength MS (1/4MS) macroelements and 1/2MS microelements with 0.10 mg/L naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), resulting in an 82.54% rooting rate. Substrate effects on transplant survival and growth were also evaluated, and peat soil was identified as the best substrate, achieving a survival rate of 96.67%. This study introduces a straightforward and efficient in vitro micropropagation system utilizing mature A. crassna as explants. It holds significant importance for the consistent production of agarwood that complies with the standards of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and provides a model for the targeted breeding of medicinal plants.
An RPA-Based CRISPR/Cas12a Assay in Combination with a Lateral Flow Assay for the Rapid Detection of Shigella flexneri in Food Samples
Authors: Xu Jieru , Zhang Tianxin , Lv Xinrui , Shi Lei , Bai Weibin , Ye Lei
Published: October 2024

Among the pathogens that cause infectious diarrhea in China, Shigella is the most prominent. Shigellosis affects both adults and children, particularly those in developing nations, with nearly 190 million annual cases and a third resulting in fatalities. The recently emerged CRISPR/Cas system has also been increasingly applied for the detection of different biological targets. The lateral flow assay (LFA) has the advantages of short detection time, simple operation, high sensitivity, and low cost, and it provides an ideal platform for on-site detection. In this study, a recombinase polymerase amplification–CRISPR/Cas12a–LFA test for Shigella flexneri was constructed. The established method had good specificity and sensitivity, and the qualitative accuracy of 32 tested strains reached 100%. The detection limit of genomic DNA reached 8.3 copies/μL. With the advantages of high accuracy and portability, this diagnostic apparatus represents a novel method of identification and detection of Shigella flexneri, particularly in settings that lack complex laboratory infrastructure.
Evaluation of High Vacuum Flavor Extraction Device as a Novel Technique for the Extraction of Volatile Compounds
Authors: Liu Mingyuan , Zhou Jie , Qin Jingkai , Qin Zhongyi , Jiang Jiequn , Yu Futian , Chen Mei , Liu Xiaoling , Zhang Meishuo
Published: October 2024

In this study, a high vacuum flavor extraction (HVE) device was developed to address the limitations of traditional extraction methods, such as extended extraction times and artifact generation during high-temperature processes. Firstly, the repeatability and precision of the HVE method were evaluated through quantitative analysis of twelve volatile odor compounds across seven replicate extractions using gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The results showed that the HVE system achieved a mean relative standard deviation (RSD) of 11.60 ± 1.79% and a recovery rate of 90.55 ± 4.56%, demonstrating its precision and reproducibility. Secondly, the performance of HVE was compared with solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) and simultaneous distillation–extraction (SDE) for extracting flavor compounds from fried tilapia mince. The results indicated that HVE was more effective, particularly in extracting aldehydes and pyrazines, which are key contributors to the flavor profile. Finally, sensory evaluations supported these findings, showing that the odor profiles obtained through HVE were most similar to the original sample, with a similarity score of 72.55%, compared to 69.25% for SAFE and 60.29% for SDE. These findings suggest that HVE is a suitable method for the extraction and analysis of volatile compounds in complex food matrices such as fried tilapia mince.
Soil-Mulching Treatment Enhances the Content of Stilbene in Grape Berries: A Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis
Authors: Wang Bo , Wu Weimin , Wang Zhuangwei , Chen Zhenxiao , Wang Xicheng
Published: October 2024

Soil mulching is a useful agronomic practice that promotes early fruit maturation and affects fruit quality. However, the regulatory mechanism of fruit metabolites under soil-mulching treatments remains unknown. In this study, variations in the gene sets and metabolites of grape berries after mulching (rice straw + felt + plastic film) using transcriptome and metagenomic sequencing were investigated. The results of the cluster analysis and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis of the metabolites showed a difference between the mulching and control groups, as did the principal component analysis results for the transcriptome. In total, 36 differentially expressed metabolites were identified, of which 10 (resveratrol, ampelopsin F, piceid, 3,4′-dihydroxy-5-methoxystilbene, ε-viniferin, trans resveratrol, epsilon-viniferin, 3′-hydroxypterostilbene, 1-methyl-resveratrol, and pterostil-bene) were stilbenes. Their content increased after mulching, indicating that stilbene synthase activity increased after mulching. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that the turquoise and blue modules were positively and negatively related to stilbene compounds. The network analysis identified two seed genes (VIT_09s0054g00610, VIT_13s0156g00260) and two transcription factors (VIT_13s0156g00260, VIT_02s0025g04590). Overall, soil mulching promoted the accumulation of stilbene compounds in grapes, and the results provided key genetic information for further studies.
Physicochemical, Antioxidant, Organoleptic, and Anti-Diabetic Properties of Innovative Beef Burgers Enriched with Juices of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) and Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Berries
Authors: Wojtaszek Anna , Salejda Anna Marietta , Nawirska-Olszańska Agnieszka , Zambrowicz Aleksandra , Szmaja Aleksandra , Ambrozik-Haba Jagoda
Published: October 2024

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the selected quality parameters of innovative beef burgers produced with the addition of açaí and/or sea buckthorn berry juices. Methods: Five variants of innovative burgers were obtained, differing in the proportion of juices in the recipe. The pH of meat stuffing, thermal losses, production yield, color (CIE L*a*b*), content of polyphenolic compounds, degree of oxidation of the lipid fraction (TBARS), and antioxidant activity against ABTS radicals were determined. Anti-diabetic activity was measured as the ability to inhibit α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase−4 activity. A sensory evaluation was also performed. Results: Beef burgers formulated with açaí and sea buckthorn juices had up to five times higher total polyphenol content than burgers without added juices. The addition of the juices increased antioxidant activity against ABTS radicals (from 42 to 440 µmol/L/100 g) and effectively inhibited oxidation of the lipid fraction of the beef burgers. Recipe modifications resulted in changes in the color parameters of the beef burgers and had a positive effect on the sensory quality attributes evaluated. Beef burgers containing 0.5 g of açaí juice and 1.0 g of sea buckthorn juice were rated the best in terms of acceptability of appearance, aroma, color, juiciness, and tenderness. The addition of açaí and sea buckthorn juice did not increase the inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV of the innovative beef burgers. Conclusions: The proposed recipe modification may be an effective way to fortify beef burgers with phytochemicals with antioxidant properties while maintaining their sensory properties.
Temporal Changes in the Infrared Spectra of Magellanic Carbon Stars
Authors: Sloan G. C. , Kraemer K. E. , Aringer B. , Cami J. , Eriksson K. , Höfner S. , Lagadec E. , Matsuura M. , McDonald I. , Montiel E. , Sahai R. , Zijlstra A. A.
Published: October 2024

The Medium-Resolution Spectrometer on the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the JWST obtained spectra of three carbon stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Two of the spectra differ significantly from spectra obtained ∼16–19 years earlier with the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope. The one semi-regular variable among the three has changed little. The long-period Mira variable in the sample shows changes consistent with its pulsation cycle. The short-period Mira shows dramatic changes in the strength of its molecular absorption bands, with some bands growing weaker and some stronger. Whether these variations result from its pulsation cycle or its evolution is not clear.
PERM1—An Emerging Transcriptional Regulator of Mitochondrial Biogenesis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Soares Menezes Eveline , Wu Zeyu , Renwick John R. M. , Moran-MacDonald Andres , Gurd Brendon J.
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: This systematic review aims to explore the role of PERM1 across different organisms, tissues, and cellular functions, with a particular focus on its involvement in regulating skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis. Methods: This systematic review follows The PRISMA 2020 Statement. We used the Covidence systematic review software for abstract/title screening, full-text review, and data extraction. The review included studies that examined PERM1 expression or activity in skeletal muscle, heart, and adipose tissue and/or cells, from mice, rats, and humans, and involved exercise or disease models. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and the data were extracted and synthesized qualitatively, with bioinformatic analyses performed using the MetaMEx database. Results: Twenty-one studies were included in our data extraction process, where 10 studies involved humans, 21 involved mice, four involved rats, and 11 involved cells. Conclusions: PERM1 in skeletal muscle increases with endurance exercise, affecting muscle function and oxidative metabolism, but its role in humans is not well understood. In cardiac tissue, PERM1 is vital for function and mitochondrial biogenesis purposes, but decreases with disease and pressure overload. Our review synthesizes the current understanding of PERM1’s function, raises awareness of its role in mitochondrial regulation, and identifies key areas for future research in the field.
Advancements in the Development of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutics
Authors: Huang Junjie , Ma Qianqian , Su Zhengding , Cheng Xiyao
Published: October 2024

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus that causes COVID-19, and so far, it has occurred five noteworthy variants of concern (VOC). SARS-CoV-2 invades cells by contacting its Spike (S) protein to its receptor on the host cell, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). However, the high frequency of mutations in the S protein has limited the effectiveness of existing drugs against SARS-CoV-2 variants, particularly the Omicron variant. Therefore, it is critical to develop drugs that have highly effective antiviral activity against both SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in the future. This review provides an overview of the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the current progress on anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
Full-Length Transcriptome Profile of Apis cerana Revealed by Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Hu Xiao-Fen , Jin Meng-Jie , Gong Zhi-Xian , Lin Zong-Liang , Zhang Li-Zhen , Zeng Zhi-Jiang , Wang Zi-Long
Published: October 2024

The Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) plays a crucial role in providing abundant bee products and in maintaining ecological balance. Despite the availability of the genomic sequence of the Asian honey bee, its transcriptomic information remains largely incomplete. To address this issue, here we constructed three pooled RNA samples from the queen, drone, and worker bees of A. cerana and performed full-length RNA sequencing using Nanopore single-molecule sequencing technology. Ultimately, we obtained 160,811 full-length transcript sequences from 19,859 genes, with 141,189 being novel transcripts, of which 130,367 were functionally annotated. We detected 520, 324, and 1823 specifically expressed transcripts in the queen, worker, and drone bees, respectively. Furthermore, we identified 38,799 alternative splicing (AS) events from 5710 genes, 44,243 alternative polyadenylation (APA) sites from 1649 gene loci, 88,187 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and 17,387 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Leveraging these transcripts as references, we identified 6672, 7795, and 6804 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) in comparisons of queen ovaries vs drone testes, worker ovaries vs drone testes, and worker ovaries vs queen ovaries, respectively. Our research results provide a comprehensive set of reference transcript datasets for Apis cerana, offering important sequence information for further exploration of its gene functions.
PLP1-Targeting Antisense Oligonucleotides Improve FOXG1 Syndrome Mice
Authors: Tan Daniel C. S. , Jung Seonghee , Deng Yuanyuan , Morey Nicolle , Chan Gabriella , Bongers Andre , Ke Yazi D. , Ittner Lars M. , Delerue Fabien
Published: October 2024

FOXG1 syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder of the telencephalon, for which there is no cure. Underlying heterozygous pathogenic variants in the Forkhead Box G1 (FOXG1) gene with resulting impaired or loss of FOXG1 function lead to severe neurological impairments. Here, we report a patient with a de novo pathogenic single nucleotide deletion c.946del (p.Leu316Cysfs*10) of the FOXG1 gene that causes a premature protein truncation. To study this variant in vivo, we generated and characterized Foxg1 c946del mice that recapitulate hallmarks of the human disorder. Accordingly, heterozygous Foxg1 c946del mice display neurological symptoms with aberrant neuronal networks and increased seizure susceptibility. Gene expression profiling identified increased oligodendrocyte- and myelination-related gene clusters. Specifically, we showed that expression of the c946del mutant and of other pathogenic FOXG1 variants correlated with overexpression of proteolipid protein 1 (Plp1), a gene linked to white matter disorders. Postnatal administration of Plp1-targeting antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in Foxg1 c946del mice improved neurological deficits. Our data suggest Plp1 as a new target for therapeutic strategies mitigating disease phenotypes in FOXG1 syndrome patients.
Dengue Envelope Protein as a Cytotoxic Factor Inducing Hemorrhage and Endothelial Cell Death in Mice
Authors: Lien Te-Sheng , Sun Der-Shan , Wu Wen-Sheng , Chang Hsin-Hou
Published: October 2024

Dengue virus (DENV) infection, prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), which increases mortality during secondary infections. DHF is characterized by endothelial damage and vascular leakage. Despite its severity, no specific antiviral treatments exist, and the viral factors responsible for endothelial damage remain unclear. This study examines the role of the DENV envelope protein domain III (EIII) in inducing endothelial apoptosis using a mouse model. Additionally, we aim to explore whether cell death-inducing pathways could serve as drug targets to ameliorate EIII-induced endothelial injury and hemorrhage. In vitro experiments using human endothelial HMEC-1 cells demonstrated that both recombinant EIII (rEIII) and DENV markedly induced caspase-3-mediated endothelial cell death, an effect that was attenuated by co-treatment with chondroitin sulfate B (CSB), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and the caspase-3 inhibitor z-DEVD-FMK. In vivo, sequential injections of rEIII and anti-platelet immunoglobulin in mice, designed to mimic the clinical phase of DHF with peak viremia followed by an increase in DENV-induced Ig, including autoantibodies, revealed that these dual treatments markedly triggered caspase-3-dependent apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells at hemorrhage sites. Treatments with z-DEVD-FMK effectively reduced DHF-like symptoms such as thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, inflammation, hypercoagulation, and endothelial damage. Additionally, CSB and NAC alleviated hemorrhagic symptoms in the mice. These results suggest that targeting EIII, reactive oxygen species, and caspase-3-mediated apoptosis could offer potential therapeutic strategies for addressing EIII-induced hemorrhagic pathogenesis.
Cleavage of DNA Substrate Containing Nucleotide Mismatch in the Complementary Region to sgRNA by Cas9 Endonuclease: Thermodynamic and Structural Features
Authors: Baranova Svetlana V. , Zhdanova Polina V. , Koveshnikova Anastasia D. , Pestryakov Pavel E. , Vokhtantsev Ivan P. , Chernonosov Alexander A. , Koval Vladimir V.
Published: October 2024

The non-ideal accuracy and insufficient selectivity of CRISPR/Cas9 systems is a serious problem for their use as a genome editing tool. It is important to select the target sequence correctly so that the CRISPR/Cas9 system does not cut similar sequences. This requires an understanding of how and why mismatches in the target sequence can affect the efficiency of the Cas9/sgRNA complex. In this work, we studied the catalytic activity of the Cas9 enzyme to cleave DNA substrates containing nucleotide mismatch at different positions relative to the PAM in the “seed” sequence. We show that mismatches in the complementarity of the sgRNA/DNA duplex at different positions relative to the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence tend to decrease the cleavage efficiency and increase the half-maximal reaction time. However, for two mismatches at positions 11 and 20 relative to the PAM, an increase in cleavage efficiency was observed, both with and without an increase in half-reaction time. Thermodynamic parameters were obtained from molecular dynamics results, which showed that mismatches at positions 8, 11, and 20 relative to the PAM thermodynamically stabilize the formed complex, and a mismatch at position 2 of the PAM fragment exerts the greatest stabilization compared to the original DNA sequence. The weak correlation of the thermodynamic binding parameters of the components of the Cas9/sgRNA:dsDNA complex with the cleavage data of DNA substrates containing mismatches indicates that the efficiency of Cas9 operation is mainly affected by the conformational changes in Cas9 and the mutual arrangement of sgRNA and substrates.
High-Throughput Transcriptomics Identifies Chemoresistance-Associated Gene Expression Signatures in Human Angiosarcoma
Authors: Khor Glenys Mai Shia , Haghani Sara , Tan Tiffany Rui En , Lee Elizabeth Chun Yong , Kannan Bavani , Lim Boon Yee , Lee Jing Yi , Guo Zexi , Ko Tun Kiat , Chan Jason Yongsheng
Published: October 2024

Angiosarcomas, clinically aggressive cancers of endothelial origin, are a rare subtype of soft-tissue sarcomas characterized by resistance to chemotherapy and dismal prognosis. In this study, we aim to identify the transcriptomic biomarkers of chemoresistance in angiosarcoma. We examined 72 cases of Asian angiosarcomas, including 35 cases treated with palliative chemotherapy, integrating information from NanoString gene expression profiling, whole transcriptome profiling (RNA-seq), immunohistochemistry, cell line assays, and clinicopathological data. In the chemoresistant cohort (defined as stable disease or progression), we observed the significant overexpression of genes, including SPP1 (log2foldchange 3.49, adj. p = 0.0112), CXCL13, CD48, and CLEC5A, accompanied by the significant enrichment of myeloid compartment and cytokine and chemokine signaling pathways, as well as neutrophils and macrophages. RNA-seq data revealed higher SPP1 expression (p = 0.0008) in tumor tissues over adjacent normal compartments. Immunohistochemistry showed a significant moderate positive correlation between SPP1 protein and gene expression (r = 0.7016; p < 0.00110), while higher SPP1 protein expression correlated with lower chemotherapeutic sensitivity in patient-derived angiosarcoma cell lines MOLAS and ISOHAS. In addition, SPP1 mRNA overexpression positively correlated with epithelioid histology (p = 0.007), higher tumor grade (p = 0.0023), non-head and neck location (p = 0.0576), and poorer overall survival outcomes (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.07–3.18, p = 0.0288). There was no association with tumor mutational burden, tumor inflammation signature, the presence of human herpesvirus-7, ultraviolet exposure signature, and metastatic state at diagnosis. In conclusion, SPP1 overexpression may be a biomarker of chemoresistance and poor prognosis in angiosarcoma. Further investigation is needed to uncover the precise roles and underlying mechanisms of SPP1.
L-Arginine and Taurisolo® Effects on Brain Hypoperfusion–Reperfusion Damage in Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Lapi Dominga , Tenore Gian Carlo , Federighi Giuseppe , Chiurazzi Martina , Nunziato Santo , Lonardo Maria S. , Stornaiuolo Mariano , Colantuoni Antonio , Novellino Ettore , Scuri Rossana
Published: October 2024

Acute and chronic hypertension causes cerebral vasculopathy, increasing the risk of ischemia and stroke. Our study aimed to compare the effects of arterial pressure reduction on the pial microvascular responses induced by hypoperfusion and reperfusion in spontaneously hypertensive Wistar rats, desamethasone-induced hypertensive Wistar rats and age-matched normotensive Wistar rats fed for 3 months with a normal diet or normal diet supplemented with L-arginine or Taurisolo® or L-arginine plus Taurisolo®. At the end of treatments, the rats were submitted to bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries for 30 min and reperfusion. The microvascular parameters investigated in vivo through a cranial window were: arteriolar diameter changes, permeability increase, leukocyte adhesion to venular walls and percentage of capillaries perfused. Hypoperfusion–reperfusion caused in all rats marked microvascular changes. L-arginine treatment was effective in reducing arterial blood pressure causing vasodilation but did not significantly reduce the damage induced by hypoperfusion–reperfusion. Taurisolo® treatment was less effective in reducing blood pressure but prevented microvascular damage from hypoperfusion–reperfusion. L-arginine plus Taurisolo® maintained blood pressure levels within the physiological range and protected the pial microcirculation from hypoperfusion–reperfusion-induced microvascular injuries. Therefore, the blood pressure reduction is not the only fundamental aspect to protect the cerebral circulation from hypoperfusion–reperfusion damage.
Smart Supervision of Public Expenditure: A Review on Data Capture, Storage, Processing, and Interoperability with a Case Study from Colombia
Authors: Restrepo-Carmona Jaime A. , Zuluaga Juan C. , Velásquez Manuela , Zuluaga Carolina , Villamil Rosse M. , Morales Olguer , Hurtado Ángela M. , Escobar Carlos A. , Sierra-Pérez Julián , Vásquez Rafael E.
Published: October 2024

Effective fiscal control and monitoring of public management are critical for preventing and mitigating corruption, which in turn, enhances government performance and benefits citizens. Given the vast amounts of data involved in government operations, applying advanced data analysis methods is essential for strengthening fiscal oversight. This paper explores data management strategies aimed at enhancing fiscal control, beginning with a bibliometric study to underscore the relevance of this research. The study reviews existing data capture techniques that facilitate fiscal oversight, addresses the challenges of data storage in terms of its nature and the potential for contributing to this goal, and discusses data processing methods that yield actionable insights for analysis and decision-making. Additionally, the paper deals with data interoperability, emphasizing the importance of these practices in ensuring accurate and reliable analysis, especially given the diversity and volume of data within government operations. Data visualization is highlighted as a crucial component, enabling the detection of anomalies and promoting informed decision-making through clear and effective visual representations. The research concludes with a case study on the modernization of fiscal control in Colombia, focusing on the identification of user requirements for various data-related processes. This study provides valuable insights for modern audit and fiscal control entities, emphasizing that data capture, storage, processing, interoperability, and visualization are integral to the effective supervision of public expenditure. By ensuring that public funds are managed with transparency, accountability, and efficiency, the research advances the literature by addressing both the technological aspects of data management and the essential process improvements and human factors required for successful implementation.
Wētā Aotearoa—Polyphyly of the New Zealand Anostostomatidae (Insecta: Orthoptera)
Authors: Trewick Steven A. , Taylor-Smith Briar L. , Morgan-Richards Mary
Published: October 2024

The Anostostomatidae of Aotearoa New Zealand are well-characterized at the genus and species level, but the higher-level systematics of the family as a whole remain poorly resolved. We tested the hypothesis that the New Zealand anaostostomatid fauna consists of a single monophyletic group consistent with a single common ancestor. For phylogenetic analysis, we sampled the genera in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as representatives of the family from Australia and New Caledonia. Maximum likelihood analyses including topological comparison statistics with a DNA alignment of thirteen mitochondrial and four nuclear protein coding genes rejected the monophyly of lineages in New Zealand. We found phylogenetic support for four separate New Zealand lineages; three with their closest relatives in Australia and one in New Caledonia. The New Zealand genus Hemiandrus is paraphyletic and the establishment of a morphologically distinct genus is justified. We determined that six of the valid species previously placed in Hemiandrus form a distinct clade that we designated here as Anderus gen. nov. The putative Hemiandrus that we sampled from Australia was sister to neither of the New Zealand lineages.
Redefinition for Fundamental Characteristics of Waterway Traffic Stream Considering Vessel Displacement
Authors: Zhuang Siqing , Shen Yong , Xie Zhexue , Xu Zhiyuan , Liu Yihua
Published: October 2024

As the basis for characterizing traffic conditions in waterways, fundamental characteristics of waterway traffic streams are of great practical significance in ensuring traffic safety and improving navigation efficiency. In the study of the fundamental characteristics of waterway traffic flow, although some scholars consider the length or area of the vessel, few scholars take the displacement of the vessel into account and make light of the influence of the three-dimensional size of the vessel. This paper proposes a method for defining the fundamental characteristics of a waterway traffic stream considering vessel size. This method defines fundamental characteristics in terms of vessel displacement and quantifies flow, density, and speed based on vessel trajectories in time–space regions. This study selects a unidirectional channel in the south trough waters of Shanghai Harbor for a case study and draws the fundamental diagram of the waterway traffic stream while considering vessel number and displacement. The comparison result shows that the definition considering vessel displacement can more accurately reflect the actual traffic condition of the selected channel. Finally, based on the flow–density subgraph of the waterway traffic stream (measured by vessel displacement), this paper constructs a traffic stream model and derives critical parameters. The definition proposed in this study effectively characterizes how vessels occupy the time–space resources of waterways, revealing the inherent mechanisms governing waterway traffic stream and, thus, enhancing accuracy in describing fundamental relationships among waterway stream characteristics. The outcome of this research underlies how the waterway traffic stream is measured, operated, and managed to ensure safety and productivity.
A Model-Free Adaptive Positioning Control Method for Underactuated Unmanned Surface Vessels in Unknown Ocean Currents
Authors: Qin Zihe , Zhang Feng , Xu Wenlin , Chen Yu , Lei Jinyu
Published: October 2024

Aiming to address the problem of underactuated unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) performing fixed-point operations at sea without dynamic positioning control systems, this paper introduces an original approach to positioning control: the virtual anchor control method. This method is applicable in environments with currents that change slowly and does not require prior knowledge of current information or vessel motion model parameters, thus offering convenient usability. This method comprises four steps. First, a concise linear motion model with unknown disturbances is proposed. Then, a motion planning law is designed by imitating underlying principles of ship anchoring. Next, an adaptive disturbance observer is proposed to estimate uncertainties in the motion model. In the last step, based on the observer, a sliding-mode method is used to design a heading control law, and a thrust control law is also designed by applying the Lyapunov method. Numerical simulation experiments with significant disturbances and tidal current variations are conducted, which demonstrate that the proposed method has a good control effect and is robust.
Exploration of the Technologies Application Experience of Landscape-Scale Green Infrastructure by the Conservation Fund
Authors: Yang Xiaoqi , Wang Qian , Chen Yifan , Kinoshita Takeshi
Published: October 2024

As the earliest discussed concept of Green Infrastructure (GI), Landscape-scale GI, in the form of an ecological network capable of balancing development and conservation, has received widespread attention. Its multifunctionality is one of the important features. However, the lack of information and funding, weakness of management authority and technical support make the practice of Landscape-scale GI challenging. Compared to GI adapted in stormwater management, which has comprehensive guidance from theory to practical technologies by officials during its introduction and promotion in other countries, Landscape-scale GI, despite a rich theoretical research foundation, is often overlooked due to insufficient summary research on practical techniques. To address this gap, this study uses mixed methods research to comprehensively analyze 27 Landscape-scale GI practical projects led by the Conservation Fund over the past 20 years to explore patterns in their technical applications. Through qualitative analysis, we standardized and classified descriptive information for these 27 projects and, combined with statistical analysis, clarified the practice development trends committed to balancing development and conservation. The quantitative analysis concentrated on the corresponding relationships between technical applications and project objectives, and GI functions. Based on this, the study categorized the technologies used, summarizing core technologies applicable to most Landscape-scale GI practices, providing some support for the promotion of Landscape-scale GI.
Integrating Flow Field Dynamics and Chemical Atmosphere Predictions for Enhanced Sulfur Corrosion Risk Assessment in Power Boilers
Authors: Kardaś Dariusz , Polesek-Karczewska Sylwia , Wardach-Świȩcicka Izabela
Published: October 2024

In this work, we attempt to explain the phenomenon of sulfur corrosion of power boiler water walls under the conditions of large fluctuations in carbon monoxide concentrations. To assess the conditions required for corrosion formation, a criterion based on the chemical and flow field parameters of the flue gas is proposed. The formulated sulfur corrosion criterion is based on the mixture fraction variance and the turbulence time scale. Numerical modeling of coal combustion in a 250 MW power boiler is performed using ANSYS. Two cases of combustion in a boiler are analyzed, with the first simulating the boiler operated using classic high-swirl burners and the second one accounting for boiler operation with modified low-swirl burners. Calculations of pulverized coal combustion are performed using the standard k-ε turbulence model and the combustion described by the mixture fraction. The simulation results reveal that the low-swirl burner is characterized by higher values of the mixture fraction variance and a higher frequency of fluctuation of the velocity field, which is strongly related to an increased corrosion rate. The study outcomes show the validity of using the criterion of the mixture fraction variance and velocity field fluctuations to determine the areas at risk of sulfur corrosion.