bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ontological reality of communication: beyond field identity
Authors: Martín Algarra Manuel
Published: November 2024

The ongoing debate over communication’s identity may appear excessive, yet it plays a crucial role by enabling exploration beyond the field, including its core object of study. In communication research, this debate serves as self-reflection, and this article argues that perceived incoherence arises less from a lack of common ground and more from an incomplete grasp of communication’s ontological reality. Drawing on Craig’s constitutive metamodel, Einstein’s reflections on scientific fundamentals, and Cooren’s concepts of materiality and sociality, this article explores the necessity for communication to address its essential nature, similar to other sciences. It concludes that an ontological turn in communication theory is essential to advance beyond current definitional debates and better comprehend how communication constitutes the social world.
Harnessing machine learning for early detection and prognosis of Parkinson's Disease: a data-driven revolution in neurodegenerative care
Authors: Patpatia Samrath Singh
Published: November 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder impacting millions globally, with current diagnostic methods often detecting the disease only after significant neuronal damage. This paper explores the transformative role of machine learning (ML) in addressing the pressing challenges of early diagnosis, progression prediction, and personalized treatment of PD. By leveraging multimodal data—ranging from neuroimaging and genetic markers to digital biomarkers captured through wearables—ML algorithms uncover subtle disease signatures and provide unprecedented accuracy in identifying PD at prodromal stages. Key advancements discussed include convolutional neural networks for neuroimaging analysis, random forests for digital biomarker interpretation, and long short-term memory networks for forecasting disease trajectories. Additionally, the integration of federated learning and explainable AI techniques offers promising avenues for enhancing privacy, transparency, and trust in clinical applications. Despite challenges such as model interpretability and biases in training datasets, this paper underscores the potential of ML to revolutionize PD care, enabling data-driven, patient-specific interventions that significantly improve quality of life and disease management.
Screening, optimization, and ADMET evaluation of HCJ007 for pancreatic cancer treatment through active learning and dynamics simulation
Authors: Xu YunYun , Wang Qiang , Xu GaoQiang , Xu YouJian , Mou YiPing
Published: November 2024

In this study, we leveraged a sophisticated active learning model to enhance virtual screening for SQLE inhibitors. The model’s improved predictive accuracy identified compounds with significant advantages in binding affinity and thermodynamic stability. Detailed analyses, including molecular dynamics simulations and ADMET profiling, were conducted, particularly focusing on compounds CMNPD11566 and its derivative HCJ007. CMNPD11566 showed stable interactions with SQLE, while HCJ007 exhibited improved binding stability and more frequent interactions with key residues, indicating enhanced dynamic adaptability and overall binding effectiveness. ADMET data comparison highlighted HCJ007s superior profile in terms of lower toxicity and better drug-likeness. Our findings suggest HCJ007 as a promising candidate for SQLE inhibition, with significant improvements over CMNPD11566 in various pharmacokinetic and safety parameters. The study underscores the efficacy of computational models in drug discovery and the importance of comprehensive preclinical evaluations.
Propionimicrobium lymphophilum in urine of children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis
Authors: Nishizaki Naoto , Oshiro Satoshi , Tohya Mari , Watanabe Shin , Okazaki Tadaharu , Takahashi Ken , Kirikae Teruo , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: November 2024

Background

Despite a unique microbiome in urine, the relationship between nocturnal enuresis and the urobiome remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the presence of specific bacterial species in the urine of children with and without nocturnal enuresis.

Methods

We used 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing to analyze the urobiome in urine samples obtained from the two groups of children. The presence of Propionimicrobium lymphophilum was examined using real-time PCR in the urine of 25 children diagnosed with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE), and 17 children without this condition.

Results

Children with MNE exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of P. lymphophilum: 16 out of 25 (64.0%) compared to 4 out of 17 (23.5%) in the control group. Among children with frequent bedwetting, there was a significantly higher prevalence of P. lymphophilum;15 out of 16 (93.8%) compared to 2 out of 9 (22.2%) in those with infrequent bedwetting. Bacterial culture tests confirmed the anaerobic growth of P. lymphophilum isolates from urine samples of two PCR-positive patients with MNE. These isolates were found to be susceptible to ampicillin.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that P. lymphophilum may be associated with chronic urinary tract infections and potentially contribute to the development of MNE in children.
The antipsychotic drug lurasidone inhibits coronaviruses by affecting multiple targets
Authors: Baroni Sara , Carletti Tea , Donalisio Manuela , Arduino Irene , Cazzaniga Irene , Giorgino Toni , Esposito Francesca , Porta Alessia , Diomede Luisa , De Luigi Ada , Gobbi Marco , Lembo David , Marcello Alessandro , Tramontano Enzo , Milani Mario , Mastrangelo Eloise
Published: November 2024

Coronaviruses (CoVs) share key genomic elements critical for viral replication, suggesting the feasibility of developing therapeutics with efficacy across different viruses. In a previous work, we demonstrated the antiviral activity of the antipsychotic drug lurasidone against both SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43. In this study, our investigations on the mechanism of action of lurasidone suggested that the drug exhibits antiviral activity by targeting the papain-like protease (PL-Pro) of both viruses, and the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, thereby hampering both the entry and the viral replication. In vitro assays demonstrate that lurasidone significantly reduces viral load in infected cells, showing that the drug is a promising candidate for further development as a dual-action antiviral, offering a potential new strategy in the fight against COVID-19 and other coronavirus-related diseases.
Evaluation value of ultrasound on gastrointestinal function in patients with acute heart failure
Authors: Hao Ruyi , Zheng Ye , Zhao Qing , Chen Jie , Fan Ruiqi , Chen Peng , Yin Na , Qin Huai
Published: November 2024

Objective

To study the changes in gastrointestinal wall thickness, blood flow, motility, and symptoms in patients with acute heart failure, and to assess gastrointestinal function by ultrasound.

Methods

In this study, patients diagnosed with acute heart failure were selected as the study group, and healthy individuals were selected as the control group. Both groups collected general data and completed the Chinese version of the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale. Ultrasonography was used to measure several abdominal vascular and gastrointestinal-related indicators. Statistical analysis used grouped comparison and correlation analysis.

Results

The study group scored higher than the control group in total score, lower abdominal symptom score, constipation score, and difficult defecation score (Z = −2.828, −2.022, −2.015, −2.015, all P < 0.05). The hepatic vein diameter, superior mesenteric vein inner diameter and wall thickness of the ascending colon in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (t = 9.543, P < 0.001; t = 2.277, P = 0.025; Z = −2.062, P = 0.039). Antral contraction amplitude, antral contraction frequency, motility index, jejunal peristalsis frequency, and ascending colon peristalsis frequency were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group (Z = −2.571, −4.196, −3.681, −5.451, −4.061, all P < 0.001). The wall thickness of the antrum, jejunum, and ascending colon were positively correlated with the diameter of the hepatic vein (r = 0.394, P = 0.011; r = 0.352, P = 0.024; r = 0.450, P = 0.003). Motility index and ascending colon peristalsis frequency were positively correlated with the peak velocity of superior mesenteric vein (r = 0.456, P = 0.029; r = 0.507, P = 0.007). The wall thickness of the jejunum was positively correlated with the peak velocity of superior mesenteric artery (r = 0.330, P = 0.035). Peak velocity of superior mesenteric artery, antral contraction frequency, and jejunal peristalsis frequency were negatively correlated with the reflux score (r = −0.409, P = 0.038; r = −0.423, P = 0.032; r = −0.409, P = 0.038). The wall thickness of the ascending colon was positively correlated with the reflux score (r = 0.414, P = 0.035).

Conclusion

This study found that patients with acute heart failure exhibited thickening of the gastrointestinal wall and generally reduced gastrointestinal motility, with predominantly lower abdominal symptoms. These findings indicate that ultrasound can effectively monitor the gastrointestinal structure and function of patients with acute heart failure, which is expected to provide help for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Improving automated scoring of prosody in oral reading fluency using deep learning algorithm
Authors: Wang Kuo , Qiao Xin , Sammit George , Larson Eric C. , Nese Joseph , Kamata Akihito
Published: November 2024

Automated assessing prosody of oral reading fluency presents challenges due to the inherent difficulty of quantifying prosody. This study proposed and evaluated an approach focusing on specific prosodic features using a deep-learning neural network. The current work focuses on cross-domain performance, researching how generalizable the prosody scoring is across students and text passages. The results demonstrated that the model with selected prosodic features had better cross-domain performance with an accuracy of 62.5% compared to 57% from the previous research. Our findings also indicate that students’ reading patterns influence cross-domain performance more than specific text passage patterns. In other words, letting the student read at least one passage is more important than having others read all passage texts. The specific prosodic features had a high generalization to capture the typical prosody characteristics for achieving a satisfactorily high accuracy and classification agreement rate. This result provides valuable information for developing future automated scoring algorithms of prosody. This study is an essential demonstration of estimating the prosody score using fewer selected features, which would be more efficient and interpretable.
Development and validation of a self-perception instrument for critical media literacy in Chilean pre-service teachers
Authors: Neira Angie , Fuentes-Riffo Karina , Vine Ana , García Fabián , Naranjo Gisella
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The influence of mass media and social media has profoundly impacted the way individuals access, interpret, and engage with information. It is becoming increasingly important to gain an understanding of media literacy practices, particularly among those who influence children and young people. In Spanish, there is little knowledge about critical literacy practices related to media content. This study aims to develop and validate a self-perception instrument designed to measure critical media literacy practices among Chilean pre-service teachers.

Method

A structured written questionnaire with closed-ended questions was designed and validated. The instrument encompasses three dimensions: situating discourse within sociocultural contexts, recognizing and participating in discursive practices, and assessing the impact of media on the community and the individual. It comprises 28 first-person statements, rated on a five-point Likert scale.

Results

The content was validated by a panel of experts in education, linguistics, and journalism in two phases, resulting in a high inter-rater agreement (κ = 0.78) and a content validity coefficient (CVC) of 0.97. A pilot study was conducted with 92 undergraduate students enrolled in teacher education programs. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a three-factor structure that aligns with the proposed dimensions, explaining 51% of the total variance. Internal consistency analyses showed strong reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84 and McDonald’s omega of 0.85.

Discussion

The results indicate that the instrument is valid and reliable for assessing self-perceived critical media literacy practices. The findings underscore the need for educational interventions to enhance students’ ability to critically engage with media content.
Before reaching the finish line: incompletion of the tenth grade of schooling in Nepal
Authors: Thapa Shyam , Paul Pintu
Published: November 2024

Objective

Incompletion of the basic levels of education is known to adversely affect the social and economic well-being of individuals, as well as a nation’s prosperity. This paper analyzes the correlates of selected characteristics associated with the incompletion of 10th grade among students in Nepal.

Data and methods

Data on 2,812 youth in ages 18–24, extracted from the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, are used to analyze the proportion of youth who did not complete the 10th grade. The variations by contextual, household, and individual characteristics are analyzed through descriptive and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Among the age group of 18–24, the majority – 64% of males and 69% of females – did not complete secondary school. Household wealth showed a consistent and strong effect on incompletion. Overall, the household wealth variable accounted for much of the variation in the incompletion of the 10th grade across the country’s provinces. Additionally, being married is associated with a higher likelihood of incompletion of secondary school, net of the influence of other factors.

Conclusion

In Nepal, a significant number of students do not complete the 10th grade of schooling. Sustained efforts, through targeted policies and interventions, are needed to ensure that students who begin secondary school do not leave before completing their education.
Embracing diversity through differentiated instruction in music education
Authors: Economidou Stavrou Natassa
Published: November 2024

The article discusses the importance of differentiated instruction in music teaching and learning, emphasizing its role in fostering inclusivity and meeting the diverse needs of students. Drawing from personal teaching experiences, the author highlights how traditional, uniform teaching methods often neglect students’ varied readiness levels, learning profiles, and interests. Differentiated instruction, as conceptualized by Tomlinson, is presented as a proactive and flexible approach that tailors content, processes, products, and learning environments to cater to individual student needs. The article demystifies several myths about differentiation and discusses practical music classroom scenarios, illustrating how differentiation can address real-world challenges faced by music teachers. The conclusion advocates for the implementation of differentiated instruction as a non-negotiable, essential practice in music education, urging teacher educators to prepare future music teachers to engage every student meaningfully. The approach ensures a democratic and supportive music classroom where each student’s potential is recognized, nurtured, and celebrated.
Correlation between gestational diabetes mellitus and postpartum cardiovascular metabolic indicators and inflammatory factors: a cohort study of Chinese population
Authors: Zhao Xin , Zhao Dan , Sun Jianbin , Yuan Ning , Zhang Xiaomei
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the correlation between gestational diabetes mellitus and postpartum metabolic indicators and inflammatory factors, and explore the role of inflammatory factors, so as to provide evidence for the early prevention of postpartum CVD risk in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods

This prospective study was based on the pregnant women cohort study established in Peking University International Hospital from December 2017 to March 2019. A total of 120 women were enrolled sequentially, including 60 cases of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM group) and 60 cases of non-gestational diabetes mellitus (non-GDM group) after 4-7 years. The general information, inflammatory factors and metabolic indicators of the women were collected and analyzed.

Results

(1)The TyG and siMS levels in the GDM group were higher than those in the non-GDM group (p<0.05, respectively). The interleukin-6(IL-6) levels in the GDM group were higher than those in the non-GDM group and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). (2) The results of linear regression analysis showed that GDM was associated with postpartum GLU0min (β=0.94, 95%CI: 0.27-1.60, p<0.05), GLU120min (β=2.76, 95%CI: 1.57-3.94, p<0.05) and HbA1c (β=0.49, 95%CI: 0.27-1.60, p<0.05). At the same time, GDM was significantly correlated with postpartum metabolic indicators triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index (β=0.31, 95%CI: 0.01-0.61, p<0.05) and siMS score (β=0.45, 95%CI: 0.03-0.88, p<0.05).The results of linear regression analysis showed that GDM was significantly correlated with IL-6 (β=0.91, 95%CI: 0.02-1.79, p<0.05). (3) Logistic regression analysis showed that GDM was an independent risk factor for postpartum abnormal metabolism (OR=10.62, 95%CI: 1.66-68.17, p<0.05), and an independent risk factor for postpartum high low-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia (OR=3.38, 95%CI: 1.01-11.56, p<0.05). (4) The IL-6 had a mediating effect in the association between GDM and postpartum TyG and siMS, with the mediating effect sizes being 20.59% and 30.77%, respectively.

Conclusion

This study revealed that GDM history can lead to abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism indexes in postpartum women, affect the levels of postpartum CVD-related metabolic indicators. Meanwhile, IL-6 shows a mediating role, providing important clinical evidence for the prevention and control of CVD in such high-risk populations and the improvement of cardiovascular health.
Does the new government-business relations improve corporate environmental performance? A perspective based on environmental regulatory capture
Authors: Guo Bingnan , Zhan Baoliang , Hu Peiji , Liu Tangfa
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Government-business relations are a concentrated manifestation of the interaction process and outcomes between the government and enterprises, directly influencing the social capital and institutional environment upon which businesses rely. Sound government-business relations are crucial for addressing environmental issues and promoting high-quality development in China.

Methods

This study extensively examines how New Government-business Relations (NGR) impact Corporate Environmental Performance (CEP) by analyzing A-share listed companies from 2017 to 2021 and applying the regulatory capture theory.

Results

The empirical findings show that NGR can prevent environmental regulatory capture, thereby improving CEP. After conducting several robustness tests, such as substituting the dependent variable, using instrumental variables, and performing dynamic panel analysis, the results remain consistent. Additionally, the mechanism analysis reveals that NGR can effectively thwart environmental regulatory capture resulting from rent-seeking behavior and political connections, leading to enhanced CEP. Moreover, additional research indicates that the beneficial impact of the NGR on the environmental performance of non-high-pollution industry enterprises, mature enterprises, and businesses operating in regions with stringent environmental regulations is more significant.

Discussion

Building on prior literature, this paper augments the body of relevant research on environmental regulatory capture within the Chinese context, offering fresh insights and empirical evidence to comprehend the evolving government-business relations in contemporary times and their significance in environmental conservation.
CAMDA 2023: Finding patterns in urban microbiomes
Authors: Contreras-Peruyero Haydeé , Nuñez Imanol , Vazquez-Rosas-Landa Mirna , Santana-Quinteros Daniel , Pashkov Antón , Carranza-Barragán Mario E. , Perez-Estrada Rafael , Guerrero-Flores Shaday , Balanzario Eugenio , Muñiz Sánchez Víctor , Nakamura Miguel , Ramírez-Ramírez L. Leticia , Sélem-Mojica Nelly
Published: November 2024

The Critical Assessment of Massive Data Analysis (CAMDA) addresses the complexities of harnessing Big Data in life sciences by hosting annual competitions that inspire research groups to develop innovative solutions. In 2023, the Forensic Challenge focused on identifying the city of origin for 365 metagenomic samples collected from public transportation systems and identifying associations between bacterial distribution and other covariates. For microbiome classification, we incorporated both taxonomic and functional annotations as features. To identify the most informative Operational Taxonomic Units, we selected features by fitting negative binomial models. We then implemented supervised models conducting 5-fold cross-validation (CV) with a 4:1 training-to-validation ratio. After variable selection, which reduced the dataset to fewer than 300 OTUs, the Support Vector Classifier achieved the highest F1 score (0.96). When using functional features from MIFASER, the Neural Network model outperformed other models. When considering climatic and demographic variables of the cities, Dirichlet regression over Escherichia, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella bacteria abundances suggests that population increase is indeed associated with a rise in the mean of Escherichia while decreasing temperature is linked to higher proportions of Klebsiella. This study validates microbiome classification using taxonomic features and, to a lesser extent, functional features. It shows that demographic and climatic factors influence urban microbial distribution. A Docker container and a Conda environment are available at the repository: GitHub facilitating broader adoption and validation of these methods by the scientific community.
Causal relationship between diabetes mellitus and lung cancer: a two-sample Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis
Authors: Yu Xiaolin , Fu Binfan , Sun Taizhen , Sun Xu
Published: November 2024

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the common comorbidity with lung cancer (LC), and metabolic disorders have been identified as significant contributors to the pathogenesis of both DM and LC. The causality between diabetes mellitus and lung cancer is still controversial. Hence, the causal effects of DM on the risk of LC was systemically investigated, and the mediating role of blood metabolites in this relationship was further explored.

Methods

This study utilized a comprehensive Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the association between diabetes mellitus and lung cancer. The inverse variance weighted method was employed as the principle approach. MR Egger and weighted median were complementary calculations for MR assessment. A two-step MR analysis was performed to evaluate the mediating effects of blood metabolites as potential intermediate factors. Simultaneously, sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the lack of horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity.

Results

The two-sample MR analysis illustrated the overall effect of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) on lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) (OR: 1.040, 95% CI: 1.010–1.072, p = 0.009). No causal connection was found between T2DM and the subtypes of lung cancer. Two-step MR identified two candidate mediators partially mediating the total effect of T1DM on LUSC, including glutamine conjugate of C6H10O2 levels (17.22%) and 2-hydroxyoctanoate levels (5.85%).

Conclusion

Our findings supported a potentially causal effect of T1DM against LUSC, and shed light on the importance of metabolites as risk factors in understanding this relationship.
Genetic evidence points to distinct paternal settlers of the Faroe Islands and Iceland
Authors: Mann Allison E. , Magnussen Eyðfinn , Tillquist Christopher R.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The Faroe Islands are a small archipelago located in the North Atlantic likely colonized by a small group of founders sometime between 50 and 300 CE. Post colonization, the Faroese people have been largely isolated from admixture with mainland and other island populations in the region. As such, the initial founder effect and subsequent genetic drift are likely major contributors to the modern genetic diversity found among the Faroese.

Methods

In this study, we assess the utility of Y-chromosomal microsatellites to detect founder effect in the Faroe Islands through the construction of haplotype networks and a novel empirical method, mutational distance from modal haplotype histograms (MDM), for the visualization and evaluation of population bottlenecks.

Results

We compared samples from the Faroe Islands and Iceland to possible regional source populations and documented a loss of diversity associated with founder events. Additionally, within-haplogroup diversity statistics reveal lower haplotype diversity and richness within both the Faroe Islands and Iceland, consistent with a small founder population colonizing both regions. However, in the within haplogroup networks, the Faroe Islands are found within the larger set of potential source populations while Iceland is consistently found on isolated branches. Moreover, comparisons of within-haplogroup MDM histograms document a clear founder signal in the Faroes and Iceland, but the strength of this signal is haplogroup-dependent which may be indicative of more recent admixture or other demographic processes.

Discussion

The results of the current study and lack of conformity between Icelandic and Faroese haplotypes implies that the two populations were founded by different paternal gene pools and there is no detectable post-founder admixture between the two groups.
Diagnostic value of 5 miRNAs combined detection for breast cancer
Authors: Jing Yubo , Huang Xinzhu , Wang Yiyang , Wang Junyi , Li Yongxiang , Yelihamu Dlraba , Guo Chenming
Published: November 2024

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is the prevailing malignant tumor, with its prevalence and death rate steadily rising over time. BC often does not show obvious symptoms in its early stages and is difficult to distinguish from benign breast disease. We aimed to find a distinct group of miRNAs utilizing serum as a non-invasive biomarker for early BC diagnosis.

Methods

Herein, we mainly include the screening stage, testing stage, and verification stage. In the screening stage, 8 miRNAs associated with BC were selected and analyzed via literature reading, and the expression of the above miRNAs in BC was further verified by bioinformatics and included in the research analysis. In the testing phase, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was deployed to select the five miRNAs with the most significant expression differences in 15 BC patients and 15 benign breast controls to proceed to the next stage. In a subsequent validation phase, the five miRNAs obtained from serum samples from an additional 75 BC patients and 50 benign control patients were evaluated using RT-qPCR. The diagnostic capacity, specificity, and sensitivity of candidate miRNAs were estimated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC). Finally, the optimal diagnostic combination model with high sensitivity and strong specificity was constructed by using the above 5 miRNAs.

Results

The BC patients reported a significant decline in mir-10b-5p, mir-133a-3p, mir-195-5p, and mir-155-3p levels in serum levels contrasted with those in benign controls. Additionally, BC patients experienced elevated mir-195-3p levels than in benign controls. We implemented ROC analysis to evaluate its diagnostic capacity for BC. We demonstrated that all five miRNAs had robust diagnostic capability, with an AUC above 0.8. We developed a conclusive diagnostic combination model consisting of these 5 miRNAs in order to enhance the diagnosis accuracy. This model demonstrated a high diagnostic value, as shown by an AUC of 0.948.

Conclusion

The serum biomarker panels composed of five miRNAs identified in this study (mir-10b-5p, mir-133a-3p, mir-195-5p, mir-195-3p, and mir-155-3p) provide hope for early, non-invasive, and accurate diagnosis of BC.
Acute severe ulcerative colitis: using JAK-STAT inhibitors for improved clinical outcomes
Authors: Karthikeyan Shruthi , Ambastha Chetan , Keyashian Kian
Published: November 2024

Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis (ASUC) is a well-known and potentially fatal disease state, characterized by symptoms of systemic toxicity including fever, severe anemia, elevated inflammatory markers, and autonomic instability. The life-threatening nature of this condition requires clinicians to make prompt diagnoses and take rapid action, either directing patients towards surgical interventions or medical management. Failure to treat ASUC may lead to toxic dilation of the colon, hemorrhage, or sepsis. Current algorithms suggest the use of intravenous (IV) corticosteroids upon diagnosis, with transition to oral corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors upon reduction of severe symptoms for candidates deemed to be amenable to medical management. Within these classes, TNF inhibitors such as Infliximab (IFX) have proven to be the most safe, efficacious, and tolerable for patients. While IFX has much data supporting its benefits in achieving short term remission, there are still high rates of long-term need for colectomy and failure to maintain remission. This is due to interactions between the inflamed gastrointestinal tract, the increased metabolic activity seen in ASUC, and intrinsic pharmacodynamic properties of IFX. Certain novel studies suggest that Janus Kinase (JAK-STAT) inhibitors such as Tofacitinib and Upadacitinib are potent agents to salvage clinical remission achieved by IFX, upon its failure. Here we discuss methods to optimize the dosing of IFX to maximize its efficacy, while exploring recent work done on the safety and efficacy of JAK-STAT inhibitors as a salvage therapy, therefore suggesting a novel treatment algorithm to improve clinical outcomes in medically managed ASUC patients.
Emerging prospects of mRNA cancer vaccines: mechanisms, formulations, and challenges in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Laila Umm E. , An Wang , Xu Zhi-Xiang
Published: November 2024

Cancer continues to pose an alarming threat to global health, necessitating the need for the development of efficient therapeutic solutions despite massive advances in the treatment. mRNA cancer vaccines have emerged as a hopeful avenue, propelled by the victory of mRNA technology in COVID-19 vaccines. The article delves into the intricate mechanisms and formulations of cancer vaccines, highlighting the ongoing efforts to strengthen mRNA stability and ensure successful translation inside target cells. Moreover, it discusses the design and mechanism of action of mRNA, showcasing its potential as a useful benchmark for developing efficacious cancer vaccines. The significance of mRNA therapy and selecting appropriate tumor antigens for the personalized development of mRNA vaccines are emphasized, providing insights into the immune mechanism. Additionally, the review explores the integration of mRNA vaccines with other immunotherapies and the utilization of progressive delivery platforms, such as lipid nanoparticles, to improve immune responses and address challenges related to immune evasion and tumor heterogeneity. While underscoring the advantages of mRNA vaccines, the review also addresses the challenges associated with the susceptibility of RNA to degradation and the difficulty in identifying optimum tumor-specific antigens, along with the potential solutions. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing research efforts aimed at addressing these hurdles and enhancing the effectiveness of mRNA-based cancer vaccines. Overall, this review is a focused and inclusive impression of the present state of mRNA cancer vaccines, outlining their possibilities, challenges, and future predictions in the fight against cancer, ultimately aiding in the development of more targeted therapies against cancer.
From metabolic byproduct to immune modulator: the role of lactate in tumor immune escape
Authors: Jiang Mengqian , Wang Yuanchun , Zhao Xiaoyong , Yu Jinming
Published: November 2024

Lactic acid, a key metabolic byproduct within the tumor microenvironment, has garnered significant attention for its role in immune evasion mechanisms. Tumor cells produce and release large amounts of lactic acid into the tumor microenvironment through aberrant glycolysis via the Warburg effect, leading to a drop in pH. Elevated lactic acid levels profoundly suppress proliferation capacity, cytotoxic functions, and migratory abilities of immune effector cells such as macrophages and natural killer cells at the tumor site. Moreover, lactic acid can modulate the expression of surface molecules on immune cells, interfering with their recognition and attack of tumor cells, and it regulates signaling pathways that promote the expansion and enhanced function of immunosuppressive cells like regulatory T cells, thereby fostering immune tolerance within the tumor microenvironment. Current research is actively exploring strategies targeting lactic acid metabolism to ameliorate tumor immune evasion. Key approaches under investigation include inhibiting the activity of critical enzymes in lactic acid production to reduce its synthesis or blocking lactate transporters to alter intracellular and extracellular lactate distribution. These methods hold promise when combined with existing immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies to enhance the immune system’s ability to eliminate tumor cells. This could pave the way for novel combinatorial treatment strategies in clinical cancer therapy, effectively overcoming tumor immune evasion phenomena, and ultimately improving overall treatment efficacy.
Special immune-related adverse events and subsequent photodynamic therapy in tislelizumab treatment for esophageal cancer: a case report
Authors: Li Longzhao , Bian Lingjie , Kou Na , Yuan Yue , Zou Heng
Published: November 2024

This case report highlights the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that occurred during the treatment of esophageal cancer with Tislelizumab and discusses management strategies, indicating that photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be an optimal adjunctive treatment option. Following Tislelizumab therapy, the patient demonstrated significant tumor reduction; however, subsequent irAEs related to immunotherapy emerged, including eyelid muscle weakness and myocardial and skeletal muscle injury. Methylprednisolone successfully alleviated these symptoms, with early intervention being crucial for controlling irAEs. The patient then underwent PDT, which not only further helped manage irAEs but also inhibited tumor progression. This case underscores the specific adverse reactions, such as eyelid ptosis, skeletal muscle, and myocardial damage associated with Tislelizumab, and the importance of early corticosteroid intervention. It also emphasizes the significance of PDT as an adjunctive treatment for controlling tumors and alleviating immune-related adverse reactions.
Significant wave height prediction in monsoon regions based on the VMD-CNN-BiLSTM model
Authors: Shen Wengeng , Ying Zongquan , Zhao Yiming , Wang Xuegang
Published: November 2024

A novel significant wave height prediction method for monsoon regions is proposed, utilizing the VMD-CNN-BiLSTM model to enhance prediction accuracy under complex meteorological conditions. Traditional numerical models exhibit limitations in managing extreme marine conditions and fail to fully integrate wind field information. Meanwhile, existing machine learning models demonstrate insufficient generalization and robustness for long-term predictions. To address these shortcomings, the predictive approach combines Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) with a hybrid deep learning model (CNN-BiLSTM). VMD is employed to decompose the original wave height sequence and extract key features, while CNN captures the spatial features of wind field and wave height data. BiLSTM, in turn, models the temporal dependencies. Experimental results reveal that the VMD-CNN-BiLSTM model provides substantial advantages in prediction performance across all seasons, including the entire year. Compared to traditional models, the proposed method demonstrates significantly reduced Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), alongside an improved coefficient of determination (R²). These findings confirm the effectiveness and reliability of the method under complex meteorological conditions such as monsoons and typhoons.
A hydraulic control system integrating adaptive and PWM algorithms for hydro-mechanical continuously variable transmission
Authors: Cui Jingjun
Published: November 2024

Introduction

With the development of technology, the hydraulic control system for hydro-mechanical continuously variable transmission has also made rapid progress. However, the traditional control system for hydro-mechanical continuously variable transmission has drawbacks such as efficiency loss and slow response speed. The study fused the adaptive and pulse width modulation algorithms to solve these problems effectively, and they were applied to the hydraulic mechanical continuously variable drive control system.

Method

First, the study analyzed the continuously variable transmission control of hydraulic machinery and designed the control scheme on the basis of the analysis. Then, a new scheme fusing adaptive and pulse-width modulation algorithms was proposed on the basis of the control scheme. Finally, simulation experiments and practical tests were carried out to verify the performance of the control scheme.

Results

The results showed that the time to reach the maximum pressure was 2.15 s when the volume of the pilot valve cavity was 5 × 109/L. When the oil flow rate was 70 L/min, the corresponding maximum and minimum values of the main oil circuit pressure were 1.63 MPa and 0.37 MPa, respectively. The time to reach the maximum value of the pressure was 2.05 s, respectively. These values were in line with the design requirements and were better than the comparison values.

Discussion

These results confirm that the system has important theoretical and practical significance, which has a positive promoting effect on the development of the hydraulic machinery industry. This article aims to provide a new approach for research and application in related fields.
Exploring the additive compatibility and tribological behavior of regular and high oleic soybean oil
Authors: Bhowmik Piash , Sharma Brajendra K. , Sarker Majher I. , Mainali Kalidas , Wang Yachao , Tang Clement , Roy Sougata
Published: November 2024

As the demand for biobased lubricating oils continues to rise, there is a growing focus on exploring diverse oil types. Particularly noteworthy is the surge in demand for high oleic oils, which offer enhanced stability, and a richer oleic acid content compared to their regular oil counterparts. However, the performance of high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) with additives compared to regular soybean oil (RSO), remains unclear. This study is focused on revealing the compatibility of both regular soybean oil (RSO) and high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) with select antiwear and antioxidant additives, specifically zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP), and zinc dialkyl dithiocarbamate (ZDDC) combined with antimony dialkyldithiocarbamate (ADDC), along with a comparative performance analysis of these additives. Reciprocating friction, wear, and electrical contact resistance-based analyses were conducted to evaluate additive compatibility and wear mechanisms at room temperature lubrication conditions. Interestingly, it was observed that for the select additives, the compatibility with regular soybean oil (RSO) was better than that of high oleic soybean oil (HOSO). RSO with additives showed around 28% reduction of wear volume whereas, it was only 8% for HOSO with additives. Additional physiochemical property analyses were conducted on the lubricants to correlate the observed tribological behavior. The worn-out surfaces of the test samples were characterized thoroughly to reveal the dominant wear mechanisms.
Spleen stiffness measurements during recompensation in patients with acutely decompensated liver cirrhosis: preliminary findings of a pilot study
Authors: Gülcicegi Dilan Elcin , Hannemann Jonathan , Bürger Martin , Allo Gabriel , Dittmann Eva , Martin Anna , Jaspers Natalie , Holzapfel Bianca , Chon Seung-Hun , Lang Sonja , Goeser Tobias , Steffen Hans-Michael , Kasper Philipp
Published: November 2024

Background

Acute decompensation (AD) in patients with liver cirrhosis is associated with a dramatic deterioration in prognosis. Immediate initiation of appropriate recompensation measures is essential to improve patient’s outcome, although objective parameters for evaluating the success of recompensation are still lacking. Spleen stiffness measurements (SSM) have emerged as promising non-invasive tool to assess clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH), which is the main driver of acute decompensation. However, while SSM accurately predicts CSPH and its complication, currently no data are available on its diagnostic performance during recompensation. This pilot-study aimed at evaluating changes in spleen stiffness following the initiation of recompensation measures in cirrhotic patients hospitalized due to AD.

Methods

In this prospective pilot-study, 60 patients with cirrhosis showing AD were included. Liver stiffness measurements (LSM) and SSM were performed on admission and repetitive SSM on day 3 and 5, respectivele, during recompensation measures. A cohort of patients (n = 10) with compensated cirrhosis served as control.

Results

A total of 36 data sets from the originally enrolled 60 patients were eligible for final analysis. On admission, patients with AD revealed a significantly increased spleen stiffness compared to the control group (70.51 vs. 29.06 kPa, p < 0.0001). Following the initiation of recompensation measures SSM revealed a significant reduction in spleen stiffness compared to the baseline assessment on day 3 (−18.5 kPa, −21.53%; p = 0.0002) with no further decrease on day 5 (−17.63 kPa, −21.23%; p = 0.0326).

Conclusion

Repetitive SSM seems to be a useful non-invasive clinical marker to assess the effectiveness of recompensation measures in cirrhotic patients with AD.
Screening of the highly pathogenic Beauveria bassiana BEdy1 against Sogatella furcifera and exploration of its infection mode
Authors: Xiang Xing , Yu Siyuan , Ofori Andrews Danso , Liu Shuhua , Yang Qunfang , Shang Jing
Published: November 2024

The white-backed planthopper (WBPH, Sogatella furcifera) is a notorious pest affecting rice production in many Asian countries. Beauveria bassiana, as the most extensively studied and applied insect pathogenic fungus, is a type of green and safe biological control fungus compared to chemical insecticides, and it does not pose the “3R” problem. In this study, the strain BEdy1, which had better pathogenicity to WBPH, was screened out from eight strains of B. bassiana. The daily growth rate, sporulation, and germination rate of BEdy1 strain were 3.74 mm/d, 1.37 × 108 spores/cm2, and 96.00%, respectively, which were significantly better than those of other strains. At a concentration of 1 × 108 spores/mL, the BEdy1 strain exhibited the smallest LT50 value (5.12 d) against the WBPH, and it caused the highest cumulative mortality and muscardine cadaver rates of the pest, which were 77.67 and 57.78%, respectively. Additionally, BEdy1 exhibited a significant time-dose effect on WBPH. This study further investigated the pathogenic process of BEdy1. The results showed that BEdy1 invaded by penetrating the body wall of the WBPH, with its spores mostly distributed in the insect’s abdominal gland pores, compound eyes on the head, and other locations. At 36 h, the germinated hyphae penetrated the insect’s body wall and entered the body cavity. At 84 h, the hyphae emerged from the body wall and accumulated in the insect’s abdomen, leading to a significant number of insect deaths at this stage. At 120 h, the hyphae entangled the insect’s compound eyes and produced new conidia on the insect’s body wall, entering a new cycle of infection. These findings indicate that BEdy1 has a strong infection ability against WBPH. In summary, this study provides a new highly pathogenic strain of B. bassiana, BEdy1, for the biological control of WBPH, which is of great significance for the green prevention and control of rice pests.
Optimizing microbiome reference databases with PacBio full-length 16S rRNA sequencing for enhanced taxonomic classification and biomarker discovery
Authors: Han Hyejung , Choi Yoon Hee , Kim Si Yeong , Park Jung Hwa , Chung Jin , Na Hee Sam
Published: November 2024

Background

The study of the human microbiome is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms, identifying biomarkers, and guiding preventive measures. Advances in sequencing platforms, particularly 16S rRNA sequencing, have revolutionized microbiome research. Despite the benefits, large microbiome reference databases (DBs) pose challenges, including computational demands and potential inaccuracies. This study aimed to determine if full-length 16S rRNA sequencing data produced by PacBio could be used to optimize reference DBs and be applied to Illumina V3-V4 targeted sequencing data for microbial study.

Methods

Oral and gut microbiome data (PRJNA1049979) were retrieved from NCBI. DADA2 was applied to full-length 16S rRNA PacBio data to obtain amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs). The RDP reference DB was used to assign the ASVs, which were then used as a reference DB to train the classifier. QIIME2 was used for V3-V4 targeted Illumina data analysis. BLAST was used to analyze alignment statistics. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) was employed for discriminant analysis.

Results

ASVs produced by PacBio showed coverage of the oral microbiome similar to the Human Oral Microbiome Database. A phylogenetic tree was trimmed at various thresholds to obtain an optimized reference DB. This established method was then applied to gut microbiome data, and the optimized gut microbiome reference DB provided improved taxa classification and biomarker discovery efficiency.

Conclusion

Full-length 16S rRNA sequencing data produced by PacBio can be used to construct a microbiome reference DB. Utilizing an optimized reference DB can increase the accuracy of microbiome classification and enhance biomarker discovery.