bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antitumor Efficacy of Arylquin 1 through Dose-Dependent Cytotoxicity, Apoptosis Induction, and Synergy with Radiotherapy in Glioblastoma Models
Authors: Lieu Ann-Shung , Pan Yu-Chi , Lee Jia-Hau , Hsieh Yuan-Chin , Lin Chien-Ju , Hsu Ya-Ling , Chang Kung-Chao , Kuo Shih-Hsun , Tseng Tzu-Ting , Tsai Hung-Pei
Published: April 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer, is characterized by rapid growth and resistance to conventional therapies. Current treatments offer limited effectiveness, leading to poor survival rates and the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Arylquin 1 has emerged as a potential therapeutic candidate because of its unique mechanism of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells without affecting normal cells. This study investigated the efficacy of Arylquin 1 against GBM using the GBM8401 and A172 cells by assessing its dose-dependent cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, and synergy with radiotherapy. In vitro assays demonstrated a significant reduction in cell viability and increased apoptosis, particularly at high concentrations of Arylquin 1. Migration and invasion analyses revealed notable inhibition of cellular motility. In vivo experiments on NU/NU nude mice with intracranially implanted GBM cells revealed that Arylquin 1 substantially reduced tumor growth, an effect magnified by concurrent radiotherapy. These findings indicate that by promoting apoptosis and enhancing radiosensitivity, Arylquin 1 is a potent therapeutic option for GBM treatment.
The Effects of Volatile Anesthetics on Renal Sympathetic and Phrenic Nerve Activity during Acute Intermittent Hypoxia in Rats
Authors: Krnić Josip , Madirazza Katarina , Pecotić Renata , Benzon Benjamin , Carev Mladen , Đogaš Zoran
Published: April 2024

Coordinated activation of sympathetic and respiratory nervous systems is crucial in responses to noxious stimuli such as intermittent hypoxia. Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) is a valuable model for studying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) pathophysiology, and stimulation of breathing during AIH is known to elicit long-term changes in respiratory and sympathetic functions. The aim of this study was to record the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and phrenic nerve activity (PNA) during the AIH protocol in rats exposed to monoanesthesia with sevoflurane or isoflurane. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24; weight: 280–360 g) were selected and randomly divided into three groups: two experimental groups (sevoflurane group, n = 6; isoflurane group, n = 6) and a control group (urethane group, n = 12). The AIH protocol was identical in all studied groups and consisted in delivering five 3 min-long hypoxic episodes (fraction of inspired oxygen, FiO2 = 0.09), separated by 3 min recovery intervals at FiO2 = 0.5. Volatile anesthetics, isoflurane and sevoflurane, blunted the RSNA response to AIH in comparison to urethane anesthesia. Additionally, the PNA response to acute intermittent hypoxia was preserved, indicating that the respiratory system might be more robust than the sympathetic system response during exposure to acute intermittent hypoxia.
Role of Nutrients in Pediatric Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: From Pathogenesis to Correct Supplementation
Authors: Padoan Flavia , Guarnaroli Matteo , Brugnara Milena , Piacentini Giorgio , Pietrobelli Angelo , Pecoraro Luca
Published: April 2024

Nutrition management is fundamental for children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Fluid balance and low-protein and low-sodium diets are the more stressed fields from a nutritional point of view. At the same time, the role of micronutrients is often underestimated. Starting from the causes that could lead to potential micronutrient deficiencies in these patients, this review considers all micronutrients that could be administered in CKD to improve the prognosis of this disease.
Human Perception of Birds in Two Brazilian Cities
Authors: Graviola Gabriela Rosa , Ribeiro Milton Cezar , Pena João Carlos
Published: April 2024

Understanding how humans perceive animals is important for biodiversity conservation, however, only a few studies about this issue have been carried out in South America. We selected two Brazilian cities to assess people’s perceptions of birds: Bauru (São Paulo, Brazil) and Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brazil). From the available bird data for each city, we developed a questionnaire and applied it between September 2020 and June 2021. The data obtained were analyzed by simple counts, a Likert scale, and percentages. Also, human feelings related to birds were placed on the Free Word Cloud Generator website. Our study confirmed that most respondents were aware of the importance of birds to ecological balance and that respondents had a generally positive attitude towards most of the bird species. However, they disliked exotic species such as the Domestic Dove and the House Sparrow, which are associated with disease, dirt, and disgust. Respondents also underestimated the number of birds that can live in urban areas and the song of birds is still a sense less experienced and perceived by people. Understanding these human–biodiversity relationships can help guide public policies and environmental education activities.
Field Testing of an Acoustic Method for Locating Air Leakages in Building Envelopes
Authors: Schiricke Björn , Diel Markus , Kölsch Benedikt
Published: April 2024

Maintaining the airtightness of building envelopes is critical to the energy efficiency of buildings, yet leak detection remains a significant challenge, particularly during building refurbishment. This study addresses the effectiveness of the acoustic beamforming measurement method in identifying leaks in building envelopes. For this reason, an in-field study employing the acoustic beamforming measurement method was conducted. The study involved testing over 30 rooms across three different multi-story office buildings of varying ages and heterogeneous envelope structures. Numerous leaks were located in the façades, which were subsequently visually confirmed or even verified with smoke sticks. The data, captured using an acoustic camera (a microphone ring array), revealed distinct spectra that indicate the method’s potential for further research. The basic functionality and the significant potential of this methodology for localizing leakages in large buildings were proven.
CDK Inhibitors and FDA: Approved and Orphan
Authors: Cicenas Jonas , Simkus Jokubas
Published: April 2024

The protein kinases are a large family of enzymes which catalyze protein phosphorylation at certain amino acids [...]
Latest Insights and Therapeutic Advances in Myelodysplastic Neoplasms
Authors: Niscola Pasquale , Gianfelici Valentina , Giovannini Marco , Piccioni Daniela , Mazzone Carla , de Fabritiis Paolo
Published: April 2024

Myelodysplastic syndromes/neoplasms (MDSs) encompass a range of hematopoietic malignancies, commonly affecting elderly individuals. Molecular alterations in the hematopoietic stem cell compartment drive disease pathogenesis. Recent advancements in genomic profiling have provided valuable insights into the biological underpinnings of MDSs and have expanded therapeutic options, particularly for specific molecularly defined subgroups. This review highlights the diagnostic principles, classification updates, prognostic stratification systems, and novel treatments, which could inform future clinical trials and enhance the management of adult MDS patients, particularly for specific molecularly defined subgroups.
The Impact of Lateral Ventricular Opening in the Resection of Newly Diagnosed High-Grade Gliomas: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Cofano Fabio , Bianconi Andrea , De Marco Raffaele , Consoli Elena , Zeppa Pietro , Bruno Francesco , Pellerino Alessia , Panico Flavio , Salvati Luca Francesco , Rizzo Francesca , Morello Alberto , Rudà Roberta , Morana Giovanni , Melcarne Antonio , Garbossa Diego
Published: April 2024

Given the importance of maximizing resection for prognosis in patients with HGG and the potential risks associated with ventricle opening, this study aimed to assess the actual increase in post-surgical complications related to lateral ventricle opening and its influence on OS and PFS. A retrospective study was conducted on newly diagnosed HGG, dividing the patients into two groups according to whether the lateral ventricle was opened (69 patients) or not opened (311 patients). PFS, OS, subependymal dissemination, distant parenchymal recurrences, the development of hydrocephalus and CSF leak were considered outcome measures. A cohort of 380 patients (154 females (40.5%) and 226 males (59.5%)) was involved in the study (median age 61 years). The PFS averaged 10.9 months (±13.3 SD), and OS averaged 16.6 months (± 16.3 SD). Among complications, subependymal dissemination was registered in 15 cases (3.9%), multifocal and multicentric progression in 56 cases (14.7%), leptomeningeal dissemination in 12 (3.2%) and hydrocephalus in 8 (2.1%). These occurrences could not be clearly justified by ventricular opening. The act of opening the lateral ventricles itself does not carry an elevated risk of dissemination, hydrocephalus or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Therefore, if necessary, it should be pursued to achieve radical removal of the disease.
Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Influenza B Virus Employing Nanocomposite Spheres Based on Ag-Doped ZnIn2S4 Quantum Dots
Authors: Hu Jia-Xuan , Zhu Li-Bang , Wu Sheng-Tong , Ding Shou-Nian
Published: April 2024

Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) technology serves a significant role as a simple and rapid biosensor in the detection of influenza viruses. The focus of this study is the development of a rapid and convenient screening method for influenza B virus (IBV) proteins using a fluorescence lateral flow biosensor based on Ag-doped ZnIn2S4 quantum dots (Ag: ZIS QDs) as signal reporters. These Ag: ZIS QDs-emitting orange fluorescence are loaded onto dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs) and are further coated with a layer of silica shell to form a core–shell structured composite nanomaterial (SiO2 @ Ag: ZIS QDs @ DMSNs). The orange fluorescence effectively eliminates the interference of blue background fluorescence, significantly enhancing the detection sensitivity. This technology demonstrates outstanding performance in the immediate detection of IBV, with a minimum detection limit of 1 ng/mL, compared to the traditional colloidal gold strip with a detection limit of 6 ng/mL. Furthermore, both intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CV) are less than 9%. This method holds promise for wide application in early diagnosis, epidemiological investigation, and epidemic surveillance of IBV.
Youth Suicide Prevention Programming among the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians: Effects of the Lifelines Student Curriculum
Authors: Bartkowski John P. , Klee Katherine , Xu Xiaohe
Published: April 2024

Suicide continues to be a leading cause of mortality for young people. Given persistent intersecting forms of disadvantage, Native American adolescents are especially vulnerable to mental health adversities and other suicide risk factors. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) implemented the Choctaw Youth Resilience Initiative (CYRI), a five-year SAMHSA-funded project that began in 2019. This study uses Choctaw student pre-test/post-test survey data to examine the effectiveness of the Hazelden Lifelines Suicide Prevention Training curriculum for youth. A lagged post-test design was used, whereby post-surveys were administered at least one month after program completion. Several intriguing results were observed. First, the lagged post-test model was subject to some pre-to-post attrition, although such attrition was comparable to a standard pre/post design. Second, analyses of completed surveys using means indicated various beneficial effects associated with the Lifelines curriculum implementation. The greatest benefit of the program was a significant change in student perceptions concerning school readiness in response to a suicidal event. Some opportunities for program improvement were also observed. Our study sheds new light on suicide prevention training programs that can be adapted according to Native American youth culture. Program implementation and evaluation implications are discussed in light of these findings.
Alginate Improves the Chondrogenic Capacity of 3D PCL Scaffolds In Vitro: A Histological Approach
Authors: Milián Lara , Oliver-Ferrándiz María , Peregrín Ignacio , Sancho-Tello María , Martín-de-Llano José Javier , Martínez-Ramos Cristina , Carda Carmen , Mata Manuel
Published: April 2024

Polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds have demonstrated an effectiveness in articular cartilage regeneration due to their biomechanical properties. On the other hand, alginate hydrogels generate a 3D environment with great chondrogenic potential. Our aim is to generate a mixed PCL/alginate scaffold that combines the chondrogenic properties of the two biomaterials. Porous PCL scaffolds were manufactured using a modified salt-leaching method and embedded in a culture medium or alginate in the presence or absence of chondrocytes. The chondrogenic capacity was studied in vitro. Type II collagen and aggrecan were measured by immunofluorescence, cell morphology by F-actin fluorescence staining and gene expression of COL1A1, COL2A1, ACAN, COL10A1, VEGF, RUNX1 and SOX6 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was determined in vivo using athymic nude mice and assessed by histopathological and morphometric analysis. Alginate improved the chondrogenic potential of PCL in vitro by increasing the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan, as well as other markers related to chondrogenesis. All scaffolds showed good biocompatibility in the in vivo model. The presence of cells in the scaffolds induced an increase in vascularization of the PCL/alginate scaffolds. The results presented here reinforce the benefits of the combined use of PCL and alginate for the regeneration of articular cartilage.
Saturated Trajectory Tracking Controller in the Body-Frame for Quadrotors
Authors: Madeiras João , Cardeira Carlos , Oliveira Paulo , Batista Pedro , Silvestre Carlos
Published: April 2024

This paper introduces a quadrotor trajectory tracking controller comprising a steady-state optimal position controller with a normed input saturation and modular integrative action coupled with a backstepping attitude controller. First, the translational and rotational dynamical models are designed in the body-fixed frame to avoid external rotations and are partitioned into an underactuated position system and a quaternion-based attitude system. Secondly, a controller is designed separately for each subsystem, namely, (i) the position controller synthesis is derived from the Maximum Principle, Lyapunov, and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) theory, ensuring the global exponential stability and steady-state optimality of the controller within the linear region, and global asymptotic stability is guaranteed for the saturation region when coupled with any local exponential stable attitude controller, and (ii) the attitude system, with the quaternion angles and the angular velocity as the controlled variables, is designed in the error space through the backstepping technique, which renders the overall system, position, and attitude, with desirable closed-loop properties that are almost global. The overall stability of the system is achieved through the propagation of the position interconnection term to the attitude system. To enhance the robustness of the tracking system, integrative action is devised for both position and attitude, with emphasis on the modular approach for the integrative action on the position controller. The proposed method is experimentally validated on board an off-the-shelf quadrotor to assess the resulting performance.
SPH Simulation of Molten Metal Flow Modeling Lava Flow Phenomena with Solidification
Authors: Tomita Shingo , Yoshikawa Joe , Sugimoto Makoto , Komen Hisaya , Shigeta Masaya
Published: April 2024

Characteristic dynamics in lava flows, such as the formation processes of lava levees, toe-like tips, and overlapped structures, were reproduced successfully through numerical simulation using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. Since these specific phenomena have a great influence on the flow direction of lava flows, it is indispensable to elucidate them for accurate predictions of areas where lava strikes. At the first step of this study, lava was expressed using a molten metal with known physical properties. The computational results showed that levees and toe-like tips formed at the fringe of the molten metal flowing down on a slope, which appeared for actual lava flows as well. The dynamics of an overlapped structure formation were also simulated successfully; therein, molten metal flowed down, solidified, and changed the surface shape of the slope, and the second molten metal flowed over the changed surface shape. It was concluded that the computational model developed in this study using the SPH method is applicable for simulating and clarifying lava flow phenomena.
Evaluating the Gilbert–Varshamov Bound for Constrained Systems
Authors: Goyal Keshav , Kiah Han Mao
Published: April 2024

We revisit the well-known Gilbert–Varshamov (GV) bound for constrained systems. In 1991, Kolesnik and Krachkovsky showed that the GV bound can be determined via the solution of an optimization problem. Later, in 1992, Marcus and Roth modified the optimization problem and improved the GV bound in many instances. In this work, we provide explicit numerical procedures to solve these two optimization problems and, hence, compute the bounds. We then show that the procedures can be further simplified when we plot the respective curves. In the case where the graph presentation comprises a single state, we provide explicit formulas for both bounds.
A Time Series Forecasting Approach Based on Meta-Learning for Petroleum Production under Few-Shot Samples
Authors: Xu Zhichao , Yu Gaoming
Published: April 2024

Accurate prediction of crude petroleum production in oil fields plays a crucial role in analyzing reservoir dynamics, formulating measures to increase production, and selecting ways to improve recovery factors. Current prediction methods mainly include reservoir engineering methods, numerical simulation methods, and deep learning methods, and the required prerequisite is a large amount of historical data. However, when the data used to train the model are insufficient, the prediction effect will be reduced dramatically. In this paper, a time series-related meta-learning (TsrML) method is proposed that can be applied to the prediction of petroleum time series containing small samples and can address the limitations of traditional deep learning methods for the few-shot problem, thereby supporting the development of production measures. The approach involves an architecture divided into meta-learner and base-learner, which learns initialization parameters from 89 time series datasets. It can be quickly adapted to achieve excellent and accurate predictions with small samples in the oil field. Three case studies were performed using time series from two actual oil fields. For objective evaluation, the proposed method is compared with several traditional methods. Compared to traditional deep learning methods, RMSE is decreased by 0.1766 on average, and MAPE is decreased by 4.8013 on average. The empirical results show that the proposed method outperforms the traditional deep learning methods.
From Seek-and-Destroy to Split-and-Destroy: Connection Partitioning as an Effective Tool against Low-Rate DoS Attacks
Authors: Kampourakis Vyron , Makrakis Georgios Michail , Kolias Constantinos
Published: April 2024

Low-rate Denial of Service (LDoS) attacks are today considered one of the biggest threats against modern data centers and industrial infrastructures. Unlike traditional Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks that are mainly volumetric, LDoS attacks exhibit a very small network footprint, and therefore can easily elude standard detection and defense mechanisms. This work introduces a defense strategy that may prove particularly effective against attacks that are based on long-lived connections, an inherent trait of LDoS attacks. Our approach is based on iteratively partitioning the active connections of a victim server across a number of replica servers, and then re-evaluating the health status of each replica instance. At its core, this approach relies on live migration and containerization technologies. The main advantage of the proposed approach is that it can discover and isolate malicious connections with virtually no information about the type and characteristics of the performed attack. Additionally, while the defense takes place, there is little to no indication of the fact to the attacker. We assess various rudimentary schemes to quantify the scalability of our approach. The results from the simulations indicate that it is possible to save the vast majority of the benign connections (80%) in less than 5 min.
SRv6-Based Edge Service Continuity in 5G Mobile Networks
Authors: Lemmi Laura , Puliafito Carlo , Virdis Antonio , Mingozzi Enzo
Published: April 2024

Ensuring compliance with the stringent latency requirements of edge services requires close cooperation between the network and computing components. Within mobile 5G networks, the nomadic behavior of users may impact the performance of edge services, prompting the need for workload migration techniques. These techniques allow services to follow users by moving between edge nodes. This paper introduces an innovative approach for edge service continuity by integrating Segment Routing over IPv6 (SRv6) into the 5G core data plane alongside the ETSI multi-access edge computing (MEC) architecture. Our approach maintains compatibility with non-SRv6 5G network components. We use SRv6 for packet steering and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) for dynamic network configuration. Leveraging the SRv6 Network Programming paradigm, we achieve lossless workload migration by implementing a packet buffer as a virtual network function. Our buffer may be dynamically allocated and configured within the network. We test our proposed solution on a small-scale testbed consisting of an Open Network Operating System (ONOS) SDN controller and a core network made of P4 BMv2 switches, emulated using Mininet. A comparison with a non-SRv6 alternative that uses IPv6 routing shows the higher scalability and flexibility of our approach in terms of the number of rules to be installed and time required for configuration.
Numerical Simulation of Swept-Wing Laminar–Turbulent Flow in the Presence of Two-Dimensional Surface Reliefs
Authors: Boiko Andrey V. , Kirilovskiy Stanislav V. , Poplavskaya Tatiana V.
Published: April 2024

Stochastization of boundary-layer flow has a dramatic effect on the aerodynamic characteristics of wings, nacelles, and other objects frequently encountered in practice, resulting in higher skin-friction drag and worse aerodynamic quality. A swept-wing boundary layer encountering a transition to turbulence in the presence of two-dimensional surface reliefs is considered. The relief has the form of strips of a rectangular cross-section oriented parallel to the leading edge and located at different distances from it. The computations are performed for the angle of attack of −5° and an incoming flow velocity of 30 m/s using the ANSYS Fluent 18.0 software together with the author’s LOTRAN 3 package for predicting the laminar–turbulent transition on the basis of the eN-method. New data on distributions of N factors of swept-wing cross-flow instability affected by the surface relief are presented. The data are of practical importance for engineering modeling of the transition. Also, the effectiveness of using the reliefs as a passive method of weakening the cross-flow instability up to 30% to delay the flow stochastization is shown.
Study on the Effect of Different Concentrations of SO2 on the Volatile Aroma Components of ‘Beibinghong’ Ice Wine
Authors: Zhang Baoxiang , Cao Weiyu , Li Changyu , Liu Yingxue , Zhao Zihao , Qin Hongyan , Fan Shutian , Xu Peilei , Yang Yiming , Lu Wenpeng
Published: April 2024

SO2 plays an important role in wine fermentation, and its effects on wine aroma are complex and diverse. In order to investigate the effects of different SO2 additions on the fermentation process, quality, and flavor of ‘Beibinghong’ ice wine, we fermented ‘Beibinghong’ picked in 2019. We examined the fermentation rate, basic physicochemical properties, and volatile aroma compound concentrations of ‘Beibinghong’ ice wine under different SO2 additions and constructed a fingerprint of volatile compounds in ice wine. The results showed that 44 typical volatile compounds in ‘Beibinghong’ ice wine were identified and quantified. The OAV and VIP values were calculated using the threshold values of each volatile compound, and t the effect of SO2 on the volatile compounds of ‘Beibinghong’ ice wine might be related to five aroma compounds: ethyl butyrate, ethyl propionate, ethyl 3-methyl butyrate-M, ethyl 3-methyl butyrate-D, and 3-methyl butyraldehyde. Tasting of ‘Beibinghong’ ice wine at different SO2 additions revealed that the overall flavor of ‘Beibinghong’ ice wine was the highest at an SO2 addition level of 30 mg/L. An SO2 addition level of 30 mg/L was the optimal addition level. The results of this study are of great significance for understanding the effect of SO2 on the fermentation of ‘Beibinghong’ ice wine.
Comprehensive Elemental Profiling of Romanian Honey: Exploring Regional Variance, Honey Types, and Analyzed Metals for Sustainable Apicultural and Environmental Practices
Authors: Bora Florin Dumitru , Andrecan Andreea Flavia , Călugăr Anamaria , Bunea Claudiu Ioan , Popescu Maria , Petrescu-Mag Ioan Valentin , Bunea Andrea
Published: April 2024

We investigated the mineral concentrations of 61 honey samples from eight Romanian regions, employing advanced techniques to assess 30 chemical elements. Potassium emerged as the dominant element, showcasing significant variations across geographical locations. Essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and manganese maintained consistent levels, while zinc, copper, and chromium were present in smaller proportions. Critically, lead and cadmium levels exceeded established safety limits in some samples, suggesting potential environmental contamination. Additionally, elevated levels of lithium, strontium, nickel, and aluminum were detected, hinting at possible atmospheric pollution. These findings highlight the importance of regional analysis, as mineral content varied significantly between locations. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed interdependencies among elements, suggesting shared environmental influences. Advanced statistical techniques like hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis effectively captured the impact of geographical origin on honey composition. These insights contribute valuable information for future efforts in honey quality control, traceability systems, and regulatory measures. By providing valuable insights into environmental influences on honey composition, this study informs future research endeavors and paves the way for the development of robust regulatory measures to ensure honey safety for consumers.
A High-Quality Assembly and Comparative Analysis of the Mitogenome of Actinidia macrosperma
Authors: Gong Jiangmei , Yang Jun , Lai Yan , Pan Tengfei , She Wenqin
Published: April 2024

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Actinidia macrosperma, a traditional medicinal plant within the Actinidia genus, remains relatively understudied. This study aimed to sequence the mitogenome of A. macrosperma, determining its assembly, informational content, and developmental expression. The results revealed that the mitogenome of A. macrosperma is circular, spanning 752,501 bp with a GC content of 46.16%. It comprises 63 unique genes, including 39 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 23 tRNA genes, and three rRNA genes. Moreover, the mitogenome was found to contain 63 SSRs, predominantly mono-nucleotides, as well as 25 tandem repeats and 650 pairs of dispersed repeats, each with lengths equal to or greater than 60, mainly comprising forward repeats and palindromic repeats. Moreover, 53 homologous fragments were identified between the mitogenome and chloroplast genome (cp-genome), with the longest segment measuring 4296 bp. This study represents the initial report on the mitogenome of the A. macrosperma, providing crucial genetic materials for phylogenetic research within the Actinidia genus and promoting the exploitation of species genetic resources.
Identification of Crucial Modules and Genes Associated with Bt Gene Expression in Cotton
Authors: Zhao Guiyuan , Geng Zhao , Liu Jianguang , Tian Haiyan , Liu Xu , An Zetong , Zhao Ning , Zhang Hanshuang , Wu Liqiang , Wang Xingfen , Wang Yongqiang , Zhang Guiyin
Published: April 2024

The expression of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins in transgenic cotton confers resistance to insect pests. However, it has been demonstrated that its effectiveness varies among cotton cultivars and different tissues. In this study, we evaluated the expression of Bt protein in 28 cotton cultivars and selected 7 cultivars that differed in Bt protein expression for transcriptome analysis. Based on their Bt protein expression levels, the selected cultivars were categorized into three groups: H (high Bt protein expression), M (moderate expression), and L (low expression). In total, 342, 318, and 965 differentially expressed genes were detected in the H vs. L, M vs. L, and H vs. M comparison groups, respectively. And three modules significantly associated with Bt protein expression were identified by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Three hub genes were selected to verify their relationships with Bt protein expression using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS). Silencing GhM_D11G1176, encoding an MYC transcription factor, was confirmed to significantly decrease the expression of Bt protein. The present findings contribute to an improved understanding of the mechanisms that influence Bt protein expression in transgenic cotton.
Anesthetic Considerations for Patients with Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies: A Narrative Review
Authors: Laudanski Krzysztof , Elmadhoun Omar , Mathew Amal , Kahn-Pascual Yul , Kerfeld Mitchell J. , Chen James , Sisniega Daniella C. , Gomez Francisco
Published: April 2024

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant demyelinating neuropathy characterized by an increased susceptibility to peripheral nerve injury from trauma, compression, or shear forces. Patients with this condition are unique, necessitating distinct considerations for anesthesia and surgical teams. This review describes the etiology, prevalence, clinical presentation, and management of HNPP and presents contemporary evidence and recommendations for optimal care for HNPP patients in the perioperative period. While the incidence of HNPP is reported at 7–16:100,000, this figure may be an underestimation due to underdiagnosis, further complicating medicolegal issues. With the subtle nature of symptoms associated with HNPP, patients with this condition may remain unrecognized during the perioperative period, posing significant risks. Several aspects of caring for this population, including anesthetic choices, intraoperative positioning, and monitoring strategy, may deviate from standard practices. As such, a tailored approach to caring for this unique population, coupled with meticulous preoperative planning, is crucial and requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Environmental Risk Assessment in Community Care: A Scoping Review
Authors: Rouhi Maryam , Linden Tanya , Doherty Douglass , Prior Sarah J.
Published: April 2024

Community care encompasses inherent risks for both clients and healthcare providers. Maintaining a safe environment for the delivery of care services ensures that any risk of unintentional or intentional personal harm is minimised. The aim of this scoping review is to (a) provide an overview of existing knowledge by summarising the current literature and (b) identify gaps pertaining to understanding and managing environmental risk in community care settings. Guided by the Population/Concept/Context approach and PRISMA guidelines, this paper used two questions to answer how a score-based tool for assessing client suitability in community care is developed and how an environmental screening tool assists with reducing risk to community care workers. Literature searches of CINAHL, PubMed (Medline), Web of Science and PsychINFO databases were conducted between September 2023 and November 2023. We included full text articles published from 2018 to 2023. The following four broad areas were identified as key components in the structure of an environmental screening tool: environmental factors, health factors, socioeconomic factors and cultural factors. The results of this review provide valuable information which can be utilised by care organisations to develop and/or refine tools to ensure the safety and wellbeing of workers within the community care sector.
Eculizumab Treatment of Massive Hemolysis Occurring in a Rare Co-Existence of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria and Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Bicskó Ráhel Réka , Illés Árpád , Hevessy Zsuzsanna , Ivády Gergely , Kerekes György , Méhes Gábor , Csépány Tünde , Gergely Lajos
Published: April 2024

The co-occurrence of myasthenia gravis (MG) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is rare; only one case has been published so far. We report a 63-year-old Caucasian female patient who was diagnosed with MG at the age of 43. Thymoma was also detected, and so it was surgically resected, which resulted in reasonable disease control for nearly 20 years. Slight hemolysis began to emerge, and then myasthenia symptoms progressed, so immunosuppressive therapy was started. Due to progressive disease and respiratory failure, the patient underwent plasmapheresis, and ventilatory support was stopped. Marked hemolysis was present, and diagnostic tests confirmed PNH with type III PNH cells. Her myasthenia symptoms aggravated, mechanical ventilation had to be started again, and due to the respiratory acidosis, massive hemolysis occurred. After two plasmapheresis sessions, the patient received eculizumab at 600 mg, resulting in prompt hemolysis control. After the second dose of the treatment, the patient was extubated. Still, due to their inability to cough, she developed another respiratory failure and pneumonia–sepsis, resulting in the patient’s death. This case highlights the rare association between these two serious diseases and similar immune-mediated pathophysiology mechanisms involving the complement system.
Analysis of Transcriptome and Expression of C4H and FLS Genes on Four Flower Colors of Impatiens uliginosa
Authors: Zhang Xiaoli , Tan Yi , Li Xinyi , Liu Zengdong , Li Fan , Huang Haiquan , Huang Meijuan
Published: April 2024

Flower color is a major feature of ornamental plants, and the rich flower color of plants is an important factor in determining their ornamental and economic values, so flower color is an important research target for gardening and horticulture breeders at home and abroad. Our research group collected four colors of Impatiens uliginosa (white, pink, red, and deep red) during the collection of germplasm resources in the field. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptomes of the four flower colors of I. uliginosa by using RNA-Seq technology. The transcriptomes were screened to identify candidate genes related to flower color, and the coloring mechanisms of four flower colors were revealed at the molecular level. The main findings were as follows: (1) The number of the four different transcripts ranged from 64,723 to 93,522 and contained a total of 100,705 unigenes. (2) The analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed structural genes including C4H, FLS, PAL, and ANS and transcription factors including MYB, MYB-related, AP2-EREBP, and bHLH. (3) Among the four flower colors of I. uliginosa, the C4H1 gene had the highest expression in pink flowers, and the C4H2 gene had the highest expression in red flowers. This indicated that C4H genes positively regulated the red flower color of I. uliginosa. However, FLS expression was the highest in white flowers, and with deepening flower color, FLS gene expression gradually weakened, acting as a negative regulator. The results of this study could lay the theoretical foundation for investigating the mechanism of coloration and flower color variation in I. uliginosa.
Trend in the Prevalence of Overweight and Obese Adults in São Paulo, Brazil: Analysis between the Years 2006 and 2019
Authors: Lima Alisson Padilha de , Nunes Ana Paula de Oliveira Barbosa , Nicoletti Carolina Ferreira , Benatti Fabiana Braga
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the trend in the prevalence of overweight and obese adults in São Paulo, Brazil, between 2006 and 2019 across chronic diseases and the domains of physical activity. A descriptive retrospective study was carried out on the trend in the prevalence of 26.612 overweight and obese adults (10.150 men and 16.462 women). All data analyzed were based on information from the national system for monitoring risk factors called Protective and Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey—VIGITEL. The variables obese and overweight were analyzed in general and stratified by sex, age group, education level, each type of physical activity domain (yes or no), presence of hypertension and diabetes (yes or no), and smoking (yes or no). The prevalence of obesity significantly increased from 11.1% in 2006 to 19.8% in 2019, regardless of age, sex, physical activity practice, and presence of diabetes or hypertension, except for people aged 55–64 y, working people, and smokers. The total prevalence of overweight adults significantly increased overall (from 30.5% in 2006 to 33.4% in 2019) but it significantly increased only in females, in people aged 18–24 y, those who are non-white, those with an education level of 9–11 y, those who are not working, those who are non-smokers, those who did not have diabetes or hypertension, and those who were not physically active during leisure time but physically active at work and at home. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight adults and especially of obese adults living in the city of São Paulo (Brazil) between 2006 and 2019, the latter being observed in nearly every analyzed sub-category, regardless of age, sex, physical activity practice, and presence of diabetes or hypertension.
Validating Constructs of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 and Exploring Health Indicators to Predict the Psychological Outcomes of Students Enrolled in the Pacific Islands Cohort of College Students
Authors: Kim Rebecca H. , Paulino Yvette C. , Kawabata Yoshito
Published: April 2024

The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) has been used in various countries to assess the mental states of individuals. The objectives of this study were to validate the DASS-21 for use in Guam, an island that endures a high burden of mental health challenges, such as suicide, and examine the predictive impact of selected health indicators on DASS-21 variables. Three years of data (2017–2019) were pooled from the Pacific Islands Cohort of College Students (PICCS) study conducted annually at the University of Guam. In total, 726 students were included in the secondary data analysis. MPlus statistical software was used to perform a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for the validation and structural equation modeling (SEM) for the predictive modeling. The results from the CFA suggested an acceptable model fit (RMSEA: 0.073, CFI: 0.901, TLI: 0.889, RMR: 0.044), while SEM suggested that sleep quality and physical activity were significant predictors of DASS-21 variables. Therefore, the DASS-21 is a valid instrument for measuring depression, anxiety, and stress among emerging adults in Guam.
Narirutin-Rich Celluclast Extract from Mandarin (Citrus unshiu) Peel Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Promotes Energy Metabolism in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Im Seung Tae , Kang Heejoo , Kim Jusang , Kim Song-Rae , Kim Kil-Nam , Lee Seung-Hong
Published: April 2024

Mandarin peel, a main by-product from the processing of citrus juice, has been highlighted for its various bioactivities and functional ingredients. Our previous study proved the inhibitory effects of Celluclast extract from mandarin peel (MPCE) on lipid accumulation and differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of MPCE in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis exhibited that narirutin and hesperidin are the main active components of MPCE. Our current results showed that MPCE supplementation decreased adiposity by reducing body and organ weights in HFD-induced obese mice. MPCE also reduced triglyceride (TG), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and leptin contents in the serum of HFD-fed mice. Moreover, MPCE significantly inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating the expression levels of proteins associated with lipid metabolism, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Furthermore, MPCE administration significantly inhibited both adipogenesis and lipogenesis, with modulation of energy metabolism by activating 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and lipolytic enzymes such as hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the white adipose tissue (WAT). Altogether, our findings indicate that MPCE improves HFD-induced obesity and can be used as a curative agent in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals to alleviate obesity and related disorders.
MicroRNA-Mediated Suppression of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression Is Modulated by a Schizophrenia-Associated Non-Coding Polymorphism
Authors: Keszler Gergely , Vékony Bálint , Elek Zsuzsanna , Nemoda Zsófia , Angyal Nóra , Bánlaki Zsófia , Kovács-Nagy Réka , Rónai Zsolt , Réthelyi János M.
Published: April 2024

Plasma levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a pivotal regulator of differentiation and survival of dopaminergic neurons, are reportedly decreased in schizophrenia. To explore the involvement of GDNF in the pathogenesis of the disease, a case–control association analysis was performed between five non-coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) across the GDNF gene and schizophrenia. Of them, the ‘G’ allele of the rs11111 SNP located in the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the gene was found to associate with schizophrenia. In silico analysis revealed that the rs11111 ‘G’ allele might create binding sites for three microRNA (miRNA) species. To explore the significance of this polymorphism, transient co-transfection assays were performed in human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells with a luciferase reporter construct harboring either the ‘A’ or ‘G’ allele of the 3′-UTR of GDNF in combination with the hsa-miR-1185-1-3p pre-miRNA. It was demonstrated that in the presence of the rs11111 ‘G’ (but not the ‘A’) allele, hsa-miR-1185-2-3p repressed luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner. Deletion of the miRNA binding site or its substitution with the complementary sequence abrogated the modulatory effect. Our results imply that the rs11111 ‘G’ allele occurring more frequently in patients with schizophrenia might downregulate GDNF expression in a miRNA-dependent fashion.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Kiwifruit Leucine-Rich Repeat Receptor-Like Proteins Reveal Their Roles in Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses
Authors: Cao Yingying , Zhang Congxiao , Liu Fang , Li Dawei , Zhang Aidi , Li Li , Zhang Xiujun
Published: April 2024

Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like proteins (LRR-RLPs), a major group of receptor-like proteins in plants, have diverse functions in plant physiology, including growth, development, signal transduction, and stress responses. Despite their importance, the specific roles of kiwifruit LRR-RLPs in response to biotic and abiotic stresses remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed family identification, characterization, transcriptome data analysis, and differential gene expression analysis of kiwifruit LRR-RLPs. We identified totals of 101, 164, and 105 LRR-RLPs in Actinidia chinensis ‘Hongyang’, Actinidia eriantha ‘Huate’, and Actinidia chinensis ‘Red5’, respectively. Synteny analysis revealed that the expansion of kiwifruit LRR-RLPs was primarily attributed to segmental duplication events. Based on RNA-seq data from pathogen-infected kiwifruits, we identified specific LRR-RLP genes potentially involved in different stages of pathogen infection. Additionally, we observed the potential involvement of kiwifruit LRR-RLPs in abiotic stress responses, with upstream transcription factors possibly regulating their expression. Furthermore, protein interaction network analysis unveiled the participation of kiwifruit LRR-RLP in the regulatory network of abiotic stress responses. These findings highlight the crucial roles of LRR-RLPs in mediating both biotic and abiotic stress responses in kiwifruit, offering valuable insights for the breeding of stress-resistant kiwifruit varieties.
Revealing the Complete Bispecific Phosphatase Genes (DUSPs) across the Genome and Investigating the Expression Patterns of GH_A11G3500 Resistance against Verticillium wilt
Authors: Deng Yahui , Deng Xiaojuan , Zhao Jieyin , Ning Shuo , Gu Aixing , Chen Quanjia , Qu Yanying
Published: April 2024

DUSPs, a diverse group of protein phosphatases, play a pivotal role in orchestrating cellular growth and development through intricate signaling pathways. Notably, they actively participate in the MAPK pathway, which governs crucial aspects of plant physiology, including growth regulation, disease resistance, pest resistance, and stress response. DUSP is a key enzyme, and it is the enzyme that limits the rate of cell metabolism. At present, complete understanding of the DUSP gene family in cotton and its specific roles in resistance to Verticillium wilt (VW) remains elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a comprehensive identification and analysis of four key cotton species: Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium hirsutum, and Gossypium raimondii. The results revealed the identification of a total of 120 DUSP genes in the four cotton varieties, which were categorized into six subgroups and randomly distributed at both ends of 26 chromosomes, predominantly localized within the nucleus. Our analysis demonstrated that closely related DUSP genes exhibited similarities in terms of the conserved motif composition and gene structure. A promoter analysis performed on the GhDUSP gene promoter revealed the presence of several cis-acting elements, which are associated with abiotic and biotic stress responses, as well as hormone signaling. A tissue expression pattern analysis demonstrated significant variations in GhDUSP gene expression under different stress conditions, with roots exhibiting the highest levels, followed by stems and leaves. In terms of tissue-specific detection, petals, leaves, stems, stamens, and receptacles exhibited higher expression levels of the GhDUSP gene. The gene expression analysis results for GhDUSPs under stress suggest that DUSP genes may have a crucial role in the cotton response to stress in cotton. Through Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) experiments, the silencing of the target gene significantly reduced the resistance efficiency of disease-resistant varieties against Verticillium wilt (VW). Consequently, we conclude that GH_A11G3500-mediated bispecific phosphorylated genes may serve as key regulators in the resistance of G. hirsutum to Verticillium wilt (VW). This study presents a comprehensive structure designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the potential biological functions of cotton, providing a strong foundation for further research into molecular breeding and resistance to plant pathogens.