bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulating the regulators: long non-coding RNAs as autophagic controllers in chronic disease management
Authors: Kumar Aviral , Yap Kenneth Chun-Hong , BharathwajChetty Bandari , Lyu Juncheng , Hegde Mangala , Abbas Mohamed , Alqahtani Mohammed S. , Khadlikar Soham , Zarrabi Ali , Khosravi Arezoo , Kumar Alan Prem , Kunnumakkara Ajaikumar B.
Published: December 2024

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and their associated morbidities demands a deeper understanding of underlying mechanism and causative factors, with the hope of developing novel therapeutic strategies. Autophagy, a conserved biological process, involves the degradation of damaged organelles or protein aggregates to maintain cellular homeostasis. Disruption of this crucial process leads to increased genomic instability, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decreased mitochondrial functions, and suppression of ubiquitination, leading to overall decline in quality of intracellular components. Such deregulation has been implicated in a wide range of pathological conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and neurological disorders. This review explores the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as modulators of transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene expression, regulating diverse physiological process like proliferation, development, immunity, and metabolism. Moreover, lncRNAs are known to sequester autophagy related microRNAs by functioning as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), thereby regulating this vital process. In the present review, we delineate the multitiered regulation of lncRNAs in the autophagic dysfunction of various pathological diseases. Moreover, by highlighting recent findings on the modulation of lncRNAs in different stages of autophagy, and the emerging clinical landscape that recognizes lncRNAs in disease diagnosis and therapy, this review highlights the potential of lncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in clinical settings of different stages of autophagic process by regulating ATG and its target genes. This focus on lncRNAs could lead to breakthroughs in personalized medicine, offering new avenues for diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases.

Graphical Abstract
A novel engineered strain of Methylorubrum extorquens for methylotrophic production of glycolic acid
Authors: Dietz Katharina , Sagstetter Carina , Speck Melanie , Roth Arne , Klamt Steffen , Fabarius Jonathan Thomas
Published: December 2024

The conversion of CO2 into methanol depicts one of the most promising emerging renewable routes for the chemical and biotech industry. Under this regard, native methylotrophs have a large potential for converting methanol into value-added products but require targeted engineering approaches to enhance their performances and to widen their product spectrum. Here we use a systems-based approach to analyze and engineer M. extorquens TK 0001 for production of glycolic acid. Application of constraint-based metabolic modeling reveals the great potential of M. extorquens for that purpose, which is not yet described in literature. In particular, a superior theoretical product yield of 1.0 C-molGlycolic acid C-molMethanol−1 is predicted by our model, surpassing theoretical yields of sugar fermentation. Following this approach, we show here that strain engineering is viable and present 1st generation strains producing glycolic acid via a heterologous NADPH-dependent glyoxylate reductase. It was found that lactic acid is a surprising by-product of glycolic acid formation in M. extorquens, most likely due to a surplus of available NADH upon glycolic acid synthesis. Finally, the best performing strain was tested in a fed-batch fermentation producing a mixture of up to total 1.2 g L−1 glycolic acid and lactic acid. Several key performance indicators of our glycolic acid producer strain are superior to state-of-the-art synthetic methylotrophs. The presented results open the door for further strain engineering of the native methylotroph M. extorquens and pave the way to produce two promising biopolymer building blocks from green methanol, i.e., glycolic acid and lactic acid.
Unlocking the potential of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: an insight into green synthesis, optimizations, characterizations, and multifunctional applications
Authors: Ghareeb Ahmed , Fouda Amr , Kishk Rania M. , El Kazzaz Waleed M.
Published: December 2024

This comprehensive review explores the emergence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) as versatile nanomaterials, particularly exploring their biogenic synthesis methods through different biological entities such as plants, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and algae. These biological entities provide eco-friendly, cost-effective, biocompatible, and rapid methods for TiO2-NP synthesis to overcome the disadvantages of traditional approaches. TiO2-NPs have distinctive properties, including high surface area, stability, UV protection, and photocatalytic activity, which enable diverse applications. Through detailed analysis, this review demonstrates significant applications of green fabricated TiO2-NPs in biomedicine, explicitly highlighting their antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities, along with applications in targeted drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, and theragnostic cancer treatment. Additionally, the review underscores their pivotal significance in biosensors, bioimaging, and agricultural applications such as nanopesticides and nanofertilizers. Also, this review proves valuable incorporation of TiO2-NPs in the treatment of contaminated soil and water with various environmental contaminants such as dyes, heavy metals, radionuclides, agricultural effluents, and pathogens. These comprehensive findings establish the foundation for future innovations in nanotechnology, underscoring the importance of further investigating bio-based synthetic approaches and bioactivity mechanisms to enhance their efficacy and safety across healthcare, agricultural, and environmental applications.
H2-driven xylitol production in Cupriavidus necator H16
Authors: Jämsä Tytti , Claassens Nico J. , Salusjärvi Laura , Nyyssölä Antti
Published: December 2024

Background

Biocatalysis offers a potentially greener alternative to chemical processes. For biocatalytic systems requiring cofactor recycling, hydrogen emerges as an attractive reducing agent. Hydrogen is attractive because all the electrons can be fully transferred to the product, and it can be efficiently produced from water using renewable electricity. In this article, resting cells of Cupriavidus necator H16 harboring a NAD-dependent hydrogenase were employed for cofactor recycling to reduce d-xylose to xylitol, a commonly used sweetener. To enable this bioconversion, d-xylose reductase from Scheffersomyces stipitis was heterologously expressed in C. necator.

Results

d-xylose reductase was successfully expressed in C. necator, enabling almost complete bioconversion of 30 g/L of d-xylose into xylitol. It was found that over 90% of the energy and protons derived from hydrogen were spent for the bioconversion, demonstrating the efficiency of the system. The highest xylitol productivity reached was 0.7 g/L/h. Additionally, the same chassis efficiently produced l-arabitol and d-ribitol from l-arabinose and d-ribose, respectively.

Conclusions

This study highlights the efficient utilization of renewable hydrogen as a reducing agent to power cofactor recycling. Hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria, such as C. necator, can be promising hosts for performing hydrogen-driven biocatalysis.
Experimental and computational evaluation of knee implant wear and creep under in vivo and ISO boundary conditions
Authors: Dreyer Michael J. , Nasab Seyyed Hamed Hosseini , Favre Philippe , Amstad Fabian , Crockett Rowena , Taylor William R. , Weisse Bernhard
Published: December 2024

Background

Experimental knee implant wear testing according to ISO 14243 is a standard procedure, but it inherently possesses limitations for preclinical evaluations due to extended testing periods and costly infrastructure. In an effort to overcome these limitations, we hereby develop and experimentally validate a finite-element (FE)-based algorithm, including a novel cross-shear and contact pressure dependent wear and creep model, and apply it towards understanding the sensitivity of wear outcomes to the applied boundary conditions.

Methods

Specifically, we investigated the application of in vivo data for level walking from the publicly available “Stan” data set, which contains single representative tibiofemoral loads and kinematics derived from in vivo measurements of six subjects, and compared wear outcomes against those obtained using the ISO standard boundary conditions. To provide validation of the numerical models, this comparison was reproduced experimentally on a six-station knee wear simulator over 5 million cycles, testing the same implant Stan’s data was obtained from.

Results

Experimental implementation of Stan’s boundary conditions in displacement control resulted in approximately three times higher wear rates (4.4 vs. 1.6 mm3 per million cycles) and a more anterior wear pattern compared to the ISO standard in force control. While a force-controlled ISO FE model was unable to reproduce the bench test kinematics, and thus wear rate, due to a necessarily simplified representation of the simulator machine, similar but displacement-controlled FE models accurately predicted the laboratory wear tests for both ISO and Stan boundary conditions. The credibility of the in silico wear and creep model was further established per the ASME V&V-40 standard.

Conclusions

The FE wear model is suitable for supporting future patient-specific models and development of novel implant designs. Incorporating the Stan data set alongside ISO boundary conditions emphasized the value of using measured kinematics in displacement control for reliably replicating in vivo joint mechanics in wear simulation. Future work should focus on expanding the range of daily activities simulated and addressing model sensitivity to contact mechanics to further enhance predictive accuracy.
Assessing healthcare cost changes associated with transitioning away from cigarette smoking using healthcare claims data: an exploratory study among adult male patients with COPD
Authors: Zhang Mingda , Cheng Hui G. , Noggle Brendan , Janak Jud C. , Richards Megan , Smith David
Published: December 2024

Background

The assessment of potential health effects of switching from cigarette smoking to non-combustible tobacco products has important implications for public health and regulatory decisions. Robust epidemiological evidence requires long-term follow-up of a large number of individuals. Real-world evidence derived from health records has the potential to help fill the gap in the interim. To our knowledge, this is the first study using individual-level healthcare claims data to assess the potential impact of transitioning from cigarette smoking to smokeless tobacco on short-term direct healthcare costs.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult male patients with COPD who smoked cigarettes at baseline using the MarketScan® Databases. We compared changes in direct healthcare costs between the 12-month periods before (baseline) and after the index date (follow-up) across three cohorts: continued smoking (CS), quit all tobacco (QT), or switched to smokeless tobacco (SW), using a non-linear difference-in-differences model with average marginal effects.

Results

A total of 23,427 COPD patients were included (CS: 11,167; QT: 12,013; SW: 247). At baseline, the QT cohort had the highest total average healthcare costs ($43,771), followed by SW ($38,419), and CS ($27,149). The unadjusted difference-in-differences model revealed no statistically significant differences in total healthcare cost changes when comparing the QT or SW cohorts to the CS cohort (-$1,532 [95% CI: -$3,671, $608] for the QT cohort, and -$452 [95% CI: -$15,415, $14,511] for the SW cohort). After adjusting for Deyo-Charlson Comorbidity Index and COPD exacerbation, assuming patients had two comorbidities and exacerbations, the QT cohort had greater reduction in total healthcare costs compared to the CS cohort (-$2,910 dollars [95% CI: -$4,485, $-1,335]). The same trend was observed for the SW cohort, although the estimate was not statistically significant (-$5,312 [95%CI: -$11,067, $442], p = 0.08).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the feasibility of using administrative claims to conduct real-world evidence studies on the harm-reduction potential of non-combustible tobacco products and found evidence suggesting reductions in direct healthcare costs after quitting tobacco or switching to smokeless tobacco among patients with COPD. Based on the learnings and limitations identified during the study, we propose concrete recommendations to improve future observational studies by integrating additional real-world healthcare data from multiple data sources.
Technical evaluation of the InBios Strongy Detect IgG ELISA assay for the diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis infection
Authors: Roose Sara , Prato Marco , Kazienga Adama , Peelaers Iris , Arens Justien , Leta Gemechu Tadessa , Mazzi Cristina , Buonfrate Dora , Levecke Bruno , Tamarozzi Francesca
Published: December 2024

Background

Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the soil-transmitted helminth Strongyloides stercoralis, recently included in the 2030 targets of the World Health Organization for the control of STHs. Assessment of infection prevalence is fundamental for decision-making about the implementation of control programs, but diagnostic assays to be applied in such context require evaluation. Seroassays based on recombinant antigens, which could be produced in a standardized and scalable manner, are particularly appealing for use in control programs. In this study, we performed a technical evaluation of the InBios Strongy Detect IgG ELISA, based on recombinant antigens NIE and SsIR, which has shown promising for field use.

Methods

A total of 46 plasma samples from Ethiopian children were used for this technical evaluation. Repeatability was evaluated on duplicate samples per plate, on four plates per day for 3 days using Bland–Altman plots, analysis of residuals, and variance components analysis. Three samples were selected for evaluation of the uniformity of test results within a single plate (border effect) by two-sided t-test. Correlation between samples and internal ELISA positive controls was analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient applied on the results of 777 samples analyzed with the assay in a previous field-based study.

Results

Within and between plate residuals ranged from −0.05 to + 0.05 and −0.1 to + 0.1, respectively. Total variance was estimated at 0.327; 99.6% of variation could be attributed to the samples. There was no systematic border effect and a negligible correlation between positive internal control and samples results (R2 = 0.213; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The results obtained in this study, in highly controlled conditions, point toward the InBios Strongy Detect IgG ELISA assay being reproducible, with no systematic border effect. These results encourage further assay’s development and evaluation for use in practice, including determination of preset cutoff values for positivity, which is currently not provided.

Graphical Abstract
Mll4 in skeletal muscle fibers maintains muscle stem cells
Authors: Kim Yea-Eun , Hann Sang-Hyeon , Jo Young-Woo , Yoo Kyusang , Kim Ji-Hoon , Lee Jae W. , Kong Young-Yun
Published: December 2024

Background

Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) undergo numerous state transitions throughout life, which are critical for supporting normal muscle growth and regeneration. Epigenetic modifications in skeletal muscle play a significant role in influencing the niche and cellular states of MuSCs. Mixed-lineage leukemia 4 (Mll4) is a histone methyltransferase critical for activating the transcription of various target genes and is highly expressed in skeletal muscle. This raises the question of whether Mll4 has a regulatory function in modulating the state transitions of MuSCs, warranting further investigation.

Methods

To assess if myofiber-expressed Mll4, a histone methyltransferase, contributes to the maintenance of MuSCs, we crossed MCKCre/+ or HSAMerCreMer/+ mice to Mll4f/f mice to generate myofiber-specific Mll4-deleted mice. Investigations were conducted using 8-week-old and 4-week-old MCKCre/+;Mll4f/f mice, and adult HSAMerCreMer/+;Mll4f/f mice between the ages of 3 months and 6 months.

Results

During postnatal myogenesis, Mll4 deleted muscles were observed with increased number of cycling MuSCs that proceeded to a differentiation state, leading to MuSC deprivation. This phenomenon occurred independently of gender. When Mll4 was ablated in adult muscles using the inducible method, adult MuSCs lost their quiescence and differentiated into myoblasts, also causing the depletion of MuSCs. Such roles of Mll4 in myofibers coincided with decreased expression levels of distinct Notch ligands: Jag1 and Dll1 in pubertal and Jag2 and Dll4 in adult muscles.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that Mll4 is crucial for maintaining MuSCs in both pubertal and adult muscles, which may be accomplished through the modulation of distinct Notch ligand expressions in myofibers. These findings offer new insights into the role of myofiber-expressed Mll4 as a master regulator of MuSCs, highlighting its significance not only in developmental myogenesis but also in adult muscle, irrespective of sex.
Integrating modern and herbal medicines in controlling malaria: experiences of orthodox healthcare providers in Ghana
Authors: Ampomah Irene G. , Ampomah Genevieve A. , Emeto Theophilus I.
Published: December 2024

Background

In Ghana, the government has integrated herbal medicine into the formal healthcare system in response to widespread use of traditional remedies. However, empirical evidence supporting the contribution of integrated healthcare to malaria control remains limited. This study employed a phenomenological qualitative research design to explore the experiences of medical doctors and pharmacists from the coastal, forest and savannah regions of Ghana regarding the integration of modern and herbal medicine in the treatment and control of malaria. Donabedian’s framework for evaluating the quality of healthcare served as the foundational theoretical framework for this research.

Methods

Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews involving 26 participants and analysed using a framework analytical approach.

Results

The findings revealed that inadequate political commitment to the practice of integration has led to several challenges, including the high cost of herbal anti-malaria medications, limited promotional activities surrounding integration, a shortage of qualified medical herbalists, inconsistent supply chains for herbal anti-malaria treatments, and a lack of standardisation in herbal medicine practices. Participants had divergent views regarding the impact of integration on malaria control; while medical doctors believed that the intervention has not significantly contributed to reducing malaria prevalence in Ghana, pharmacists viewed the presence of herbal clinics within government hospitals as an effective and sustainable alternative for treating malaria.

Conclusion

Reflecting on these results, it is imperative for policymakers to explore strategies that could enhance the effectiveness of an integrated health system, thereby increasing the contribution of herbal medicine towards achieving a malaria free nation. Future research could benefit from including policymakers, heads of health directorates, and community members, regarding the role of public health interventions in addressing health inequities in Ghana.
Characterization and application of biochar derived from greenhouse crop by-products for soil improvement and crop productivity in South Korea
Authors: Lee Yu Na , Kim Sin Sil , Lee Dong Won , Shim Jae Hong , Jeon Sang Ho , Roh Ahn Sung , Kwon Soon Ik , Seo Dong-Cheol , Kim Seong Heon
Published: December 2024

The study examined the optimal production conditions and application rates of biochar derived from greenhouse crop by-products to enhance soil improvement and increase crop yield, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture in South Korea. The expansion of greenhouse cultivation has resulted in significant waste management challenges, and biochar production has emerged as a promising recycling solution for these by-products. Biochar was produced from red pepper stalks through pyrolysis at 200 to 600 °C, and its chemical properties, including pH, EC, T-C, and T-N, were analyzed. In this study, the chemical properties of biochar showed a significant increase in pH (from 5.8 to 10.3), EC (from 46.0 to 119.5 dS m⁻¹), and T-C (from 47.7 to 63.1%) with rising pyrolysis temperatures, while T-N decreased due to nitrogen volatilization above 300 °C. In the lettuce cultivation experiment, biochar application significantly improved fresh weight yield, with the biochar-treated group achieving a maximum of 83.3 g pot− 1 in the first cropping season, compared to 62.8 g pot− 1 in the NPK-only treatment group. However, excessive biochar application rates (≥ 800 kg ha⁻¹) led to yield reductions in the second cropping season, likely due to increased soil pH and EC. These results suggest the potential of recycling greenhouse crop residues into biochar to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity while indicating the need to manage application rates to minimize negative impacts from excessive use.
Inflammasomes in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Wang Qianchen , Yang Songwei , Zhang Xuan , Zhang Shanshan , Chen Liping , Wang Wanxue , Chen Naihong , Yan Jiaqing
Published: December 2024

Inflammasomes represent a crucial component of the innate immune system, which respond to threats by recognizing different molecules. These are known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or host-derived damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). In neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammation, the accumulation of misfolded proteins, such as beta-amyloid and alpha-synuclein, can lead to inflammasome activation, resulting in the release of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. This activation also induces pyroptosis, the release of inflammatory mediators, and exacerbates neuroinflammation. Increasing evidence suggests that inflammasomes play a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, elucidating and investigating the activation and regulation of inflammasomes in these diseases is of paramount importance. This review is primarily focused on evidence indicating that inflammasomes are activated through the canonical pathway in these diseases. Inflammasomes as potential targets for treating neurodegenerative diseases are also discussed.
Staging value creation processes in short food supply chains of Italy
Authors: De Rosa Marcello , Charatsari Chrysanthi , Lioutas Evagelos D. , Vecchio Yari , Masi Margherita
Published: December 2024

Farmers’ markets, as a short food supply chain system, are considered schemes that can contribute to local development, producing economic, environmental, and social value. These three facets of value can set the stage for building up the farmers' market value proposition. In the present study, we use the theoretical concept of the territorial staging system to identify farmers’ markets as sociotechnical contexts where producers and consumers interact to provide experiential resources and experiential engagement. This paper focused on the supply side of the proposed framework: by interviewing farmers markets’ directors and producers, an empirical analysis has been carried out with the purpose of identifying how these actors evaluate the three facets of value (economic, social, and environmental). The results show that, while directors emphasize economic value, farmers attribute higher importance to the environmental and, especially, social facet of value. These findings, which represent a primary research step that includes the consumers' contribution to the stage setting, highlight the diverging views of the actors involved. Results suggest that developing a stage that enhances consumer experience is a complex process and requires understanding different viewpoints.
Endurance of phytocompounds in classical preparation from the root of Rauvolfia serpentina: pharmaceutical dosage validation by HPTLC, HPLC–UV, and LC–MS/MS
Authors: Hazra Kalyan , Kumar Deepak , Dutta Sreya , Dighe Dattatray , Saha Subhadip , Mangal Anupam Kumar , Singh Ravindra , Meena Ajay Kumar , Babu Gajji
Published: December 2024

The phytocompounds found in medicinal plants attribute therapeutic values to the plants. However, when medicinal plants undergo different processes, such as crushing, grinding, boiling, and heating, the fate of phytocompounds is unclear. During these processes, phytocompounds may degrade, decompose, or even undergo molecular rearrangement, which results in a decrease or complete loss of therapeutic activity. As a result, the efficacy of a particular dosage may not be attained due to the change in the quantity of phytocompounds present in the final product or formulation. The present study aimed to determine the phytochemical changes that occur during the traditional process of preparation of Ghana from Rauvolfia serpentina roots. Ghana is a solidified preparation by decoction with water. Reserpine being the major bioactive marker in the R. serpentina, it was quantified by utilizing densitometric high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the qualitative presence of other secondary metabolites was studied by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The results showed that the percentage of reserpine quantified by HPTLC method (0.1742% and 0.1569% for roots and ghana, respectively) and HPLC method (0.1731% and 0.1578% for root and ghana, respectively) were almost same, and there were no statistically significant differences between the mean values of reserpine in the root and ghana. The LC–MS/MS study revealed that there were only a very few minor changes in the phytochemical array. The results indicate that the traditional method of preparation can preserve the quantity of reserpine at a prescribed dosage of 0.5 mg/day and can retain other secondary metabolites. Therefore, it may be concluded that the therapeutic efficacies of ghana caused by reserpine and other secondary metabolites are preserved.
Exploring socio-cultural influences on generative AI engagement in Nigerian higher education: an activity theory analysis
Authors: Essien Aniekan , Salami Adewale , Ajala Olubunmi , Adebisi Bamidele , Shodiya Adesina , Essien Grace
Published: December 2024

This study explores how socio-cultural dynamics influence student engagement with Generative AI technology in Nigerian higher education, using activity theory as theoretical underpinning. By examining the roles of community norms, technological accessibility, and educational objectives, the research identifies critical factors that impact the adoption and utilisation of GenAI. We employ quantitative analysis to analyse 899 survey responses from students across seventeen (17) Nigerian universities to derive interesting insights. Findings reveal that the ease of use of GenAI tools and their alignment with educational goals enhance student engagement. Conversely, regular need for technical support negatively affect engagement, suggesting underlying technological issues. These insights provide actionable recommendations for educators, administrators, and policymakers, emphasising the importance of user-friendly GenAI tools, comprehensive training programs, and robust support systems. This study contributes to the understanding of technology adoption in culturally diverse educational settings and offers strategies to improve educational practices and outcomes both in Nigerian higher education and also potentially in other African (developing countries), where similar socio-cultural dynamics might influence technology integration and educational advancements.
Optimization of automatic classification for women’s pants based on the swin transformer model
Authors: Pan Shaoqin , Wang Ping , Yang Chen
Published: December 2024

In the post-pandemic era, integrating e-commerce and deep learning technologies is critical for the fashion industry. Automatic classification of women’s pants presents challenges due to diverse styles and complex backgrounds. This study introduces an optimized Swin Transformer model enhanced by the Global Attention Mechanism (GAM) to improve classification accuracy and robustness. A novel dataset, FEMPANTS, was constructed, containing images of five main trouser styles. Data preprocessing and augmentation were applied to enhance the model's generalization. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved model achieves a classification accuracy of 99.12% and reduces classification loss by 34.6%. GAM enhances the model's ability to capture global and local features, ensuring superior performance in complex scenarios. The research results not only promote the automation process in the fashion industry but also provide references for other complex image classification problems. This study highlights advancements in fashion e-commerce, offering practical applications for inventory management, trend analysis, and personalized recommendations, while paving the way for future innovations in deep learning-based image recognition.
Dual-verification-based model fingerprints against ambiguity attacks
Authors: Zhao Boyao , Chen Haozhe , Zhang Jie , Zhang Weiming , Yu Nenghai
Published: December 2024

Efforts have been made to safeguard DNNs from intellectual property infringement. Among different techniques, model fingerprinting has gained popularity due to its ability to examine potential infringement without altering the model’s parameters. However, there is a concern regarding the vulnerability of previous model fingerprints to “ambiguity attacks,” where attackers may use fabricated fingerprints to bypass ownership verification, potentially leading to disputes. To address this issue, we propose a dual-verification-based fingerprint authentication system that incorporates the verification of fingerprint genuineness. Briefly, this system involves two authentication processes: conventional fingerprint methods for authenticating model copyrights and the incorporation of copyright information into the fingerprint feature map to confirm ownership of the model fingerprint. Extensive experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in resisting ambiguity attacks and managing attempts to remove the fingerprint.
Histogram analysis in diffusion-weighted imaging in differentiating breast masses
Authors: EL-Metwally Dina , Sultan Amina Ahmed Ahmed , Eltelbany Shohanda Abdelmonem Mahmoud
Published: December 2024

Background

Gray-scale histogram analysis has been submitted to evaluate the heterogeneity of the diffusion distribution among different sorts of tumors in the body. Measures obtained from apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histograms reflect the histopathological heterogeneity, distributions of cellular density, and tissue degeneration. This can supply a more credible base for recognition, categorization, and prognosis assessment of benign and malignant tumors. The aim of this work was to assess the role of ADC histogram analysis in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions.

Results

Among ADC histogram parameters, there was significant difference between benign and malignant lesions regarding to ADC mean being 1.59 ± 0.32 for benign tumors versus 0.871 ± 0.29 for malignant tumors (P value < 0.001), ADC minimum being 1.09 ± 0.44 for benign lesions versus 0.432 ± 0.327 malignant lesions (P value < 0.001), ADC maximum being 1.92 ± 0.387 for benign lesions versus 1.27 ± 0.390 for malignant lesions (P value < 0.001), and kurtosis being 3.71 ± 2.54 for benign lesions versus 6.23 ± 3.82 for malignant lesions (P value = 0.007). Among ADC histogram parameters, ADC mean had the highest diagnostic performance with AUC (0.959), specificity (95.7%), and accuracy (93.3%).

Conclusion

ADC histogram analysis is used as sensitive and specific technique in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions with ADC mean showing the highest diagnostic performance among ADC histogram parameters.
Phagocytosis: strategies for macrophages to hunt Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Liu Donghui , Wang Jiangmei , Xu Zhengzhong , Chen Xiang , Jiao Xin’an
Published: December 2024

Macrophages, as crucial innate immune cells, play a fundamental role in combating Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The most powerful strategy for macrophages to eliminate Mtb is phagocytosis. They identify extracellular pathogens through various receptors and then engulf them, eliminating pathogenic microorganisms through reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and a range of enzymes derived from phagosome-lysosome fusion. However, this process may also provide a potential ecological niche for Mtb. This is due to the fact that Mtb is capable of ensuring its survival within macrophages. Mtb infection results in obstructing the usual phagosome maturation and acidification. In addition, Mtb is capable of escaping from phagosomes and entering the cytoplasm of its host cell. This process of escaping phagosomes appears to promote necrosis in infected macrophages, and facilitate the expansion of intracellular bacterial populations. Therefore, enhancing the bactericidal capacity of macrophages or preventing Mtb invasion may prove to be a promising strategy for the adjuvant treatment of tuberculosis. This review highlights the processes and outcomes of macrophage recognition and phagocytosis of Mtb, and describes the mechanisms involved in Mtb resistance to phagocytosis. Moreover, recent advances in the modulation of macrophage phagocytosis to assist in the treatment of tuberculosis will be discussed.
Maternal immune activation does not affect maternal microchimeric cells
Authors: Borges Alexandria , Irie Naoki
Published: December 2024

We are naturally chimeras. Apart from our own cells originating from the fertilized egg, placental mammals receive small numbers of maternal cells called maternal microchimerism (MMc) that persist throughout one's whole life. Not only are varying frequencies of MMc cells reported in seemingly contradicting phenomena, including immune tolerance and possible contribution to autoimmune-like disease, but frequencies are observable even among healthy littermates showing varying MMc frequencies and cell type repertoire. These varying differences in MMc frequencies or cell types could be contributing to the diverse phenomena related to MMc. However, factors biasing these MMc differences remain largely unknown. Here, we tested whether immunological activation leads to differing MMc frequencies, based on our recent study that suggests that most maternal cells are immune-related. Unexpectedly, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis on the murine spleen, thymus, and liver following maternal immune activation by mid-gestational lipopolysaccharide intraperitoneal injections detected no significant difference in the number, or ratio of, immune-related maternal cells in the tested embryonic organs of healthy offspring. These findings suggest that MMc frequencies remain stable even under immune-activated conditions, implying a possible control system of MMc migration against changes in the immunological conditions.
Mechanical properties of snake skin vary longitudinally, following large prey ingestion and among species
Authors: Petersen Jarrod C. , Campbell Lucy C. , Jayne Bruce C. , Roberts Thomas J.
Published: December 2024

The ability for snakes to ingest large prey (macrostomy) is a widespread, derived trait that involves distending the skin during ingestion and metabolic upregulation during digestion. The material behavior of the skin must accommodate significant stretch associated with a large prey bolus, but data remain sparse for how the material properties of snake skin vary: longitudinally within an individual, after ingesting large prey and among species. To test whether these three factors affected the mechanical properties of snake skin, we quantified uniaxial stresses and strains in circumferential loops of skin from the neck, mid-body and tail of fasted and recently fed Boa constrictor. We also tested skin from several pre-cloacal longitudinal positions in fasted snakes that included two non-macrostomates (Afrotyphlops lineolatus, Anilius scytale) and a highly specialized macrostomate species that eats only bird eggs (Dasypeltis gansi). For B. constrictor, the anterior-most skin failed at higher strains for fed (mean±s.e.m. 2.17±0.10) compared with unfed individuals (1.80±0.04), and maximal stiffness (Young's modulus) had a significant increase posteriorly. The values of Young's modulus for the anterior-most skin of D. gansi (0.050±0.014 MPa) were by far the lowest observed both within that species and among all species. The material properties of skin of the two non-macrostomate species had little longitudinal variation. Hence, the extent of longitudinal variation in skin properties is both species dependent and affected by feeding. The more distensible skin in macrostomates relative to the non-macrostomate species tested suggests that more compliant anterior skin is a derived trait that facilitates macrostomy.
Μελέτη της επίδρασης χημικών παραγόντων στη γονιδιακή έκφραση με μικροσυστοιχίες
Authors: Κατσίκη Άννα
Published: December 2024

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή εστιάζει στη μελέτη της επίδρασης χημικών (αντικαρκινικών) παραγόντων στη γονιδιακή έκφραση καρκινικών κυτταρικών σειρών, χρησιμοποιώντας δεδομένα μικροσυστοιχιών DNA, με στόχο την ανάπτυξη μιας νέας υπολογιστικής μεθόδου για τον προσδιορισμό γονιδίων με διαφορική έκφραση. Σκοπός της μελέτης είναι η κατανόηση των μοριακών μηχανισμών που διέπουν την απόκριση των κυττάρων σε χημειοθεραπευτικά φάρμακα, καθώς και η αποκάλυψη πιθανών βιοδεικτών και θεραπευτικών στόχων. Για την υλοποίηση του έργου αναπτύχθηκε το υπολογιστικό εργαλείο DExplore (www.dexplore.gr), το οποίο ενσωματώνει προηγμένες μεθόδους ανάλυσης για τον εντοπισμό γονιδίων με διαφορική έκφραση από πρωτογενή δεδομένα μικροσυστοιχιών, καθώς και τη λειτουργική ανάλυση εμπλουτισμού μέσω του εργαλείου WebGestalt. Το εργαλείο εφαρμόστηκε σε δεδομένα από τη βάση δεδομένων γονιδιακής έκφρασης Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) του NCBI (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo), περιλαμβάνοντας 10 σύνολα δεδομένων που σχετίζονται με 11 αντικαρκινικές ουσίες, οι οποίες επιλέχθηκαν σύμφωνα με την κατάταξη της Αμερικανικής Εταιρείας για τον Καρκίνο (American Cancer Society, ACS, 2020). Η ανάλυση ανέδειξε συγκεκριμένα πρότυπα γονιδιακής έκφρασης και βιολογικά μονοπάτια που επηρεάζονται από τα φάρμακα, επιβεβαιώνοντας σε μεγάλο βαθμό γνωστούς μηχανισμούς δράσης, ενώ αποκάλυψε νέες πληροφορίες για τη ρύθμιση της γονιδιακής έκφρασης και τη διαδικασία επιδιόρθωσης του DNA. Η προσέγγιση αυτή, βασισμένη σε in silico ανάλυση, προσφέρει σημαντικά πλεονεκτήματα, όπως ταχύτητα, οικονομική αποδοτικότητα και τη δυνατότητα ανάλυσης μεγάλων συνόλων δεδομένων. Παρόλα αυτά, απαιτεί πειραματική επιβεβαίωση μέσω in vitro και in vivo μελετών για την ενίσχυση της αξιοπιστίας των ευρημάτων. Τα αποτελέσματα καταδεικνύουν τη συμβολή της υπολογιστικής βιολογίας στη βιοϊατρική έρευνα, παρέχοντας πληροφορίες για τους μηχανισμούς απόκρισης των καρκινικών κυττάρων σε χημειοθεραπευτικά φάρμακα. Το DExplore ενσωματώνει καινοτόμες μεθόδους ανάλυσης δεδομένων και θέτει τις βάσεις για τη βελτίωση της εξατομικευμένης ιατρικής μέσω της αναγνώρισης νέων θεραπευτικών στόχων. Η παρούσα εργασία καταδεικνύει τη σημασία της συνδυαστικής χρήσης υπολογιστικών και πειραματικών μεθόδων για τη διερεύνηση μοριακών μηχανισμών στον καρκίνο. Η περαιτέρω ανάπτυξη του DExplore, με δυνατότητες υποστήριξης δεδομένων RNA-seq και ανάλυσης εμπλουτισμού γονιδιακών συνόλων (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, GSEA), θα επιτρέψει τη μελέτη πιο σύνθετων μοριακών διεργασιών και θα επεκτείνει τις εφαρμογές του σε νέα δεδομένα και πλατφόρμες μικροσυστοιχιών. Η συμβολή της διατριβής έγκειται στην ανάπτυξη ενός εργαλείου υψηλής ευχρηστίας και αποτελεσματικότητας, που μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί ως βάση για μελλοντικές έρευνες στην κατανόηση των επιδράσεων των χημικών παραγόντων στη γονιδιακή έκφραση και στη βελτίωση της θεραπείας του καρκίνου.
Investigate the efficiency of primary care facilities in emergency situations by application of geographical and demographic standards using GIS
Authors: Jarghon Ali E. M. , Damayanti Nyoman Anita , Dhamanti Inge , Awad Anas M. M.
Published: December 2024

Background This study applied geographical standards (coverage distance) and demographic standards to investigate the capabilities of primary healthcare facilities to cover the largest area of the study area and the service area that can be accessed. This study was conducted to find out the sufficient number of primary healthcare (PHC) centers required to provide healthcare services to the entire community. Methods Data was obtained by applying geographic information system (GIS) techniques to analyze primary care facilities using the demographic and geographic standards for primary care facilities. Results PHC centers cover 79% of the study area according to the geographical standard. The study area needs 41 additional centers to cover the shortfall in service provision per the demographic and geographic standards. Conclusions A significant deficiency in the number of primary care centers found in the study area compared to the large population at the geographical and demographic standards level.
Effects of electroacupuncture on cognitive symptoms in major depressive disorder: a pilot study and randomized controlled trial
Authors: Boontra Yindee , Thanetnit Chommakorn , Phanasathit Muthita
Published: December 2024

Objectives To investigate the impact of electroacupuncture on cognitive function, quality of life (QoL), and depression severity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods This double-blinded randomized controlled trial included 60 participants aged 18-55 with cognitive symptoms related to MDD at Thammasat University Hospital. Participants were divided into two groups: the electroacupuncture group combined with standard antidepressant treatment (EG; n=30) and the control group receiving standard care with placebo acupuncture (CG; n=30). The study assessed 1) executive functions using the Trail making test- B and Stroop Color and Word Test, 2) delayed recall, and 3) subjective cognitive complaint and Quality of life (QoL) using WHODAS 2.0. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Thai version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Baseline and post-intervention assessments were conducted over 10 weeks. Mann-Whitney U test analyzed treatment effects by comparing median differences between groups. Results Both groups exhibited similar demographics and cognitive traits. Cognitive improvement was observed in both groups at the endpoint. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed significantly higher median scores for subjective cognitive complaints in the EG compared to the CG (EG: Median = 5.5, CG: Median = 0.0, p=0.049). No serious side effects were identified from either electroacupuncture or placebo acupuncture. Conclusions Electroacupuncture improved subjective complaints in MDD patients with cognitive symptoms, but did not show effects on specific cognitive functions, QoL, or depressive symptoms. This study provides initial evidence supporting the potential of electroacupuncture in MDD patients with cognitive symptoms, suggesting opportunities for further research. Trial registration NCT06239740, February 2, 2024, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Preoperative Carbohydrate Loading in Pediatric Surgery: A Scoping Review of Current Clinical Trials
Authors: Widyastuti Yunita , Sari Djayanti , Fadhila Farid Anisa , Rayhan Amar
Published: December 2024

Abstract Introduction Preoperative carbohydrate loading (PCL), part of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, involves giving carbohydrate-rich liquids before surgery instead of traditional fasting. It improves glucose control, reduces insulin resistance, and enhances patient comfort. Methods A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on studies from 2017 to 2024. Primary, English-language clinical trial involving pediatric patients were included without restrictions on surgical procedure, or outcomes. Data extraction was focused on sample sizes, PCL types, and perioperative outcomes. Results The scoping review examined 11 studies on PCL in pediatric surgery, covering various procedures with sample sizes ranging from 18 to 1200 participants. Most studies indicated metabolic benefits, with 7 out of 11 showing stabilized blood glucose and reduced hypoglycemia risk. Additionally, 5 studies associated PCL with reduced preoperative anxiety, agitation, and discomfort, including thirst and hunger. For stomach content, 5 studies showed PCL reduced gastric residual volume and improved pH. Postoperative findings were mixed: 4 studies found no significant difference in nausea and vomiting, while 2 suggested benefits. Length of hospital stay from 3 studies showed no clinical difference results. Conclusions PCL in pediatric surgery shows potential to stabilize blood glucose, reduce metabolic risks, and improve recovery. However, the evidence regarding outcomes such as length of hospital stay and postoperative complications remains inconsistent, indicating the need for further investigation.
NSAIDs in Sports Medicine: Balancing Quick Relief with Long-Term Health Impacts
Authors: Urbański Wojciech , Dolata Natalia , Balcer Bartosz , Kruczkowska Adrianna , Bulzacki Emil , Cebula Agnieszka , Weimann Maja , Stosiek Aleksandra , Pakuła Mateusz , Liszka Paweł
Published: December 2024

Introduction and PurposeNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are regularly used in sports medicine to manage pain and inflammation caused by acute and chronic injuries. Their mechanism involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, reducing the body’s natural inflammatory response. This review aims to analyze the effects of NSAID use in sports contexts, focusing on short- and long-term benefits and risks, specifically concerning tissue healing, athletic performance, and general health outcomes.Materials and MethodsWe reviewed studies from PubMed, Google Scholar and ResearchGate, focusing on key search terms including NSAIDs in sports injuries, NSAID mechanism, short-term and long-term effects of NSAIDs, athletic performance and NSAID, pain management in sports, NSAID side-effects and NSAID alternativesConclusionsShort-term NSAID use can provide effective pain relief and support functional recovery, benefiting professional and recreational athletes in their sports. However, prolonged use may decrease natural tissue healing abilities, increase susceptibility to various side effects, and potentially affect long-term performance. Alternative pain management strategies are recommended to complement NSAID use, providing athletes with safer, long-term options for recovery. This review highlights the need for a balanced approach to NSAID usage, recommending cautious decision making among sportspeople, coaches, and healthcare workers.