bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ribes nigrum leaf extract: antioxidant capacity and redox balance regulation mechanism in microglial cells
Authors: Minasyan Alvard , Pires Vivien , Gondcaille Catherine , Savary Stéphane , Cherkaoui-Malki Mustapha , Andreoletti Pierre , Sahakyan Naira
Published: June 2024

This study focuses on the investigation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of extracts from Ribes nigrum leaves on BV-2 microglial Wt and Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 deficient (Acox1−/−) cell line models, useful for the investigation of some neurodegenerative disorders. Investigations showed the presence of high quantity of phenolic compounds in this extract, among which flavan-3-ols, flavonols, furanocoumarins, hydroxycinnamates, quercetin, and quercetin derivatives were major components, which are known for their biological activity in various test systems. The MTT test revealed the 0.125 mg/mL concentration of R. nigrum extract as the highest non-toxic. The investigated extract showed high antioxidant activity in chemical-based tests. The antioxidant potential of the R. nigrum leaf extract was furtherly explored using the BV-2 microglial cell line models. Moreover, the extract was found to alter the activity of the main antioxidant enzyme, catalase and fatty acid oxidation enzyme, Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) as well as the expression of appropriate genes in Wt and Acox1−/− BV-2 microglial cells such as Cat, iNos, Il-1β, Tnf-α, and Abcd1. In Wt cells, the treatment with R. nigrum leaf extract ACOX1 activity was downregulated after 24 hours of treatment, meanwhile the catalase activity remains unchanged. The further treatment leaded to the downregulation of catalase and the upregulation of ACOX1 activity. However, in Acox1−/− cells, which represent a model of oxidative stress, an increase in catalase activity was observed only after 48 hours of treatment, indicating an alternative mode of action of the extract. It was also observed the reduced ROS and NO formation in cells, indicating the pronounced antioxidant capacity of R. nigrum extract in the investigated cell-models.
A sensing paradigm of analog-to-feature (A2F) based on the MEMS accelerometer-integrated reservoir computing
Authors: Zou Xudong , Yang Wuhao , Sun Jie , Guo Xiaowei , Xiong Xingyin , Wang Zheng , Li Zhitian , Bie Xiaorui
Published: June 2024

The current boom in Micro-electromechanical Systems combined with the advent of the physical reservoir computing make it possible to break through the bottleneck of traditional sensing paradigms based on physically separated sensors and processors. Here, we report a pioneering work on a novel sensing paradigm of analog-to-feature using a stiffness modulated micromechanical resonant accelerometer. Specifically, the amplitude-acceleration nonlinearity of the accelerometer and its transient nonlinearity serve as the nonlinear dynamics of our physical reservoir computing to categorize the accelerometer input. Furthermore, we perform ten times tenfold cross-validation tests and use the confusion matrix to test its classification performance on a data set of the different acceleration corresponding to the different motion postures generated by a six-axis IMU. The results show a classification accuracy of 97.33%, which proves that our MEMS accelerometer-integrated reservoir computing enables data processing ability locally at the sensing side for efficient distributed processing.
Perceived stress and mobile phone addiction among China Nursing Students: The chain-mediating role of anxiety and flow experience
Authors: Rong Shuiqing , Yang Zhaonan , Yang Lida , Li Yuanbo , Zhou Jiawei , Hu Xiaomeng , Ke Siyuan , Wang Qiongyi , Fan Qinghe , Duan Wei , Wang Yizhi , Liu Junling , Yang Yanjie , Yang Xiuxian
Published: June 2024

Background: The relationship between perceived stress and mobile phone addiction among nursing students requires elucidation, alongside the clarification of potential explanatory pathways for associated risks.
Methods: 4179 freshmen and sophomore students participated in this investigation. Several assessment tools were employed, including the Chinese Perceived Stress Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, Flow State Scale, and Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale. Data analysis encompassed descriptive statistics, independent sample T-tests, Pearson correlation analysis, and Hayes' PROCESS 3.5 for chain-mediated modeling.
Results: Pearson correlation analysis unveiled positive associations between perceived stress and anxiety (r=0.507, p<0.01), flow experience (r=0.657, p<0.01), and mobile phone addiction (r=0.578, p<0.01). Anxiety exhibited positive correlations with flow experience (r=0.490, p<0.01) and mobile phone addiction (r=0.564, p<0.01). Additionally, flow experience showed a positive relationship with mobile phone addiction (r=0.579, p<0.01). Chain mediation analysis revealed that anxiety [mediated effect: 26.62%, SE=0.014, 95% CI= (0.182,0.237)] and flow experience [mediated effect: 25.05%, SE=0.014, 95% CI= (0.169,0.225)] partially mediated the link between perceived stress and mobile phone addiction, respectively. Perceived stress exerted its influence on mobile phone addiction through the chain-mediated effects of anxiety and flow experience [mediating effect: 4.98%, SE=0.039, 95% CI= (0.031, 0.047)].
Conclusion: Perceived stress not only directly impacts the mobile phone addiction tendencies of nursing students but also exerts indirect effects via the independent mediation of anxiety and flow experience. Moreover, perceived stress affects mobile phone addiction through the chain-mediated pathway involving both anxiety and flow experience.
Probabilistic Approach to Assessing the Radiation Shielding Capabilities of Carbonated Hydroxyapatite Modified by Carbonate-to-Phosphate Ratio and Temperature
Authors: Khattari Z. Y. , Mahdy Ebrahim A.
Published: June 2024

This study utilizes the calculated mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) in conjunction with probability theory to evaluate the suitability of various energy regions for medical applications by analyzing the energy of transmitted radiation beams through samples. The findings reveal a strong correlation between the shielding properties of carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) compounds, the unit cell crystalline parameters, and preparation temperature. Notably, an introduction of a probabilistic methodology for transmission energy assessment, identifying the photoelectric process as the most probable scattering process with an average energy of equal 8.7 MeV. Specifically, the outcomes show that CHA compounds with a 4 mol% molar ratio exhibit the most promising characteristics for radiation shielding. An establishment of a connection between their shielding properties and atomic molar volume, preparation temperature, and structural configurations within bioactive networks, providing valuable insights for applications compared to standard glasses like RS-520.
Extracellular Vesicles Containing GAS6 Protect the Liver from Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Enhancing Macrophage Efferocytosis via MerTK-ERK-COX2 Signaling
Authors: Di Guohu , Miao Longyu , Yu Chaoqun , Guan Ge , Luan Xiaoyu , Jin Xiaoshuang , Pan Meiqi , Yang Yuzhen , Yan Jiaoyang , Chen Peng
Published: June 2024

Hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a significant issue during liver transplantation and surgery, contributing to the liver failure or even mortality. Although extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EVs) have shown substantial potentials in cell replacement therapy of various organ IRIs, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that systemic MSC-EVs administration is predominantly absorbed by macrophages, and verified that it could significantly reduce the liver injury and inflammatory response in mice suffered from HIRI. Furthermore, treatment with MSC-EVs induces macrophage polarization toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Mechanistically, proteomic profiling reveals an enrichment of growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6) in MSC-EVs, significantly promoting the activation of myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase/extracellular regulated protein kinases/cyclooxygenase 2 (MerTK/ERK/COX2) signaling pathway in macrophages and further enhancing their efferocytosis efficiency. Knockdown of GAS6 via lentiviral transfection or inhibition of MerTK using UNC2025 partially eliminates the protective effects of MSC-EVs on macrophage efferocytosis and liver injury. Overall, our findings support that MSC-EVs enriched GAS6 execute an anti-inflammation effect, highlighting that treatment bases on the modulation of macrophage function by MSC-EVs as a promising approach in IRI.
The Relationship between CXCR6+CD8+T cells and Clinicopathological Parameters in Patients with primary biliary cholangitis
Authors: Shi Huilian , Xu Xiangtao , Wang Shuangshuang , Chen Qinlei , Zhang Fan , Guo Haiyan , Lu Weiting , Qiao Fei
Published: June 2024

Background
CXCR6 + CD8 + T cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various liver and autoimmune diseases. However, their involvement in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) has not been eluciated.
Methods
We used immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry to quantify CXCR6 + CD8 + T cells in hepatic tissue and peripheral blood samples obtained from CXCR6 + CD8 + T cells obtained from PBC patients. Then, we performed comprehensive statistical analyses to access the correlation between the abundance of these cells and clinical as well as pathological data across different stages of PBC.
Results
Our research revealed that CXCR6 + cell frequencies in CD3 + CD8 + T cells from PBC patients significantly exceeded that of healthy controls (HCs) (2.24% vs. 0.61%, p < 0.01). A similar pattern emerged for hepatic CXCR6 + CD8 + T cell counts, which were notably higher in the PBC cohort compared to HCs. Our cohort consisted of 118 PBC patients, categorized into 62 early-stage (E-PBC) and 56 late-stage (L-PBC) cases. Notably, significant disparities existed between these groups in terms of liver enzyme and lipid profile levels (p < 0.05), with no notable differences observed in gender, age, blood counts, cholesterol levels, or autoantibodies (p > 0.05). Intriguingly, the quantity of hepatic CXCR6 + CD8 + T cells per high power field (HPF) was significantly elevated in both E-PBC and L-PBC patients as opposed to normal liver samples, indicating a substantial increase in these cells across all stages of PBC (p = 0.000). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis using showed a positive correlation between CXCR6 + CD8 + T cell counts and serum levels of Alkaline Phosphatase (AKP) and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), while revealing a negligible correlation with Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). Subsequent findings indicated significant variances in CXCR6 + cell numbers not only among different PBC stages but also across various degrees of inflammation and fibrosis (p ≤ 0.007). In a follow-up study post-Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA) treatment, stark differences were identified in biochemical and immunohistochemical profiles between responder (31 patients) and non-responder (33 patients) groups (p < 0.05). A Wilcoxon rank-sum test further demonstrated a significant difference in the level of hepatic CXCR6 + CD8 + T cells between these two response groups (p = 0.002).
Conclusion
CXCR6 + CD8 + T cells play a vital role in the pathogenesis of PBC, exhibiting correlations with the extent of inflammation, staging of liver fibrosis, and response to pharmacological interventions in PBC patients.
Electronic Upcycling of Corn Straw: Biobased Elastic Conductive Cross-linked Network Eco-friendly Hydrogels with multifunction for Flexible Wearable Sensors
Authors: Wang Junyao , Liu Huan , Wang Taipeng , Gao Guangze , Li Yaqun , Ren Dingyi , Quan Jingran , Xun Jianxin , Pan Hongxu , Huang Yuhan , Huang Yuyang
Published: June 2024

The conductive hydrogels based on biomaterials have garnered much attention. However, the utilization of corn straw, an agricultural waste, as a gel substrate can achieve the recycling of agro-waste and the development of advanced electronic materials, which has a dual benefit strategy seems to be overlooked. In this study, a corn straw pith (CSP) based multifunctional conductive hydrogel (CSP-MCG) was prepared by introducing CSP, which presents oxygen-rich groups, into the three-dimensional crosslinking network system of the hydrogel. The CSP-MCG has mechanical elasticity (maximum tensile rate of 340%) and responsiveness to external environmental factors (mechanical strain, temperature, humidity): Under different tensile strain conditions, the fatigue response is stable and the sensitivity is high (GF=2.8, R2=0.996, Tres=0.075s);In temperature range 20℃-50℃, it exhibits great performance (R2=0.993, TCR=1.34%/℃, Tres=0.5s); Within the humidity range RH29%-79%, the signal changes steadily and the response time is short (Tres=0.2s). In addition, CSP-MCG not only exhibits responsiveness to various external stimuli, but also demonstrates the ability to differentiate between these stimuli based on variation trend in its resistance and capacitance. Due to its exceptional multi-functional sensing capabilities and environmental attribute (recyclability and degradability), CSP-MCG can be as green flexible electronic material in practical applications such as electronic skin, human-computer interaction and flexible wearable sensors.
Determinants of multiple maize technology packages adoption in Ethiopia: Evidence from Sidama region
Authors: Guye Ashenafi , Tefera Tewodros , Sileshi Million , Edriss Abdi-Khalil
Published: June 2024

Adoption of improved agricultural technology packages is vital in Ethiopia, as the expansion of cultivable land appears nearly exhausted and population size has skyrocketed. However, the country has been shown low adoption rate. Thus, this study aimed to explore the factors that hinder or facilitate the adoption of multiple maize technology packages in the northern Sidama zone of Ethiopia. A multistage sampling procedure was applied to gather cross-sectional data from 424 farm households owning 545 maize plots. A multivariate probit model was applied to address the study objectives. Of total plots, improved maize seed, fertilizer, and row planting were adopted on about 54, 45, and 44 percent, respectively. The conditional probability results have also confirmed that maize technology packages have complementarity (positive relationship). This infers that agriculture-focused policies that influence the adoption of a single component of technology packages can have a reinforcing advantage over the adoption of other technologies. Furthermore, the results from model showed that farmers with higher family size, plot size, age, tropical livestock unit, ox (en), off-farm income, access to credit and extension services, membership in institutions, and the number of plots are more likely to adopt at least one of the improved maize technology packages. However, distance to maize plots affected adoption negatively. Therefore, it is crucial to reinforce and deliver quality extension services, provide credit access, motivate youth to be involved in farming activities, inspire membership and ease the system to access inputs and technologies for broader adoption of technology packages.
Clinical profile and outcomes of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia pneumonia in Philippine General Hospital
Authors: Reña Robert , Manzano Jerome , Salamat Maria Sonia
Published: June 2024

Objectives. To determine the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia pneumonia admitted to the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH)
Methodology. We reviewed the medical and laboratory records of patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophiliapneumonia who were admitted to the UP-PGH from January 2019 to December 2022.
Results. A total of 265 patients (50.6% males, median age of 59 years) with S. maltophilia pneumonia were included. Forty-five percent were admitted to the service ward, and 43% were admitted to the ICU. Most patients were ventilator-associated (67.2%). Only three cases were community-acquired. Sixty-four percent of S. maltophilia pneumonia cases were monomicrobial. K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii were the most common isolates in patients with polymicrobial pneumonia. Septic shock was present in 41.5% of the patients. In vitro susceptibility to levofloxacin (90.6%) and minocycline (85.7%) was greater than that to TMP-SMX (75.8%). Most patients received targeted therapy consisting of TMP-SMX monotherapy. In two-thirds of the patients, the duration of antibiotic therapy ranged from 7 to 14 days. The overall mortality rate was 45.3%, with 60.8% attributed to S. maltophilia infection.
Conclusion. S. maltophilia pneumonia was common among patients with comorbidities who were on prolonged hospitalization and on mechanical ventilation. It was associated with a high mortality rate.
Prediction of renal therapeutic efficacy of dapagliflozin in IgA nephropathy through renal pathology analysis using imaging software
Authors: MIMA AKIRA , NAKAMOTO TAKAHIRO , MATSUMOTO KEISHI , SAITO YUTA , MORIKAWA TAKAAKI , LEE SHINJI
Published: June 2024

Studies have examined the effect of dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, on chronic kidney disease (CKD), including immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). Dapagliflozin decreases albuminuria and slows the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). However, its renoprotective effects may not be observed in all patients with IgAN in real-world clinical practice. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential relationship between renal histopathology analyzed using imaging software and the renoprotective effects of dapagliflozin. The mesangial matrix fraction in patients with IgAN was analyzed using ImageJ, an imaging software. The relationships between eGFR decline, changes in urinary protein, and the degree of mesangial matrix fraction before and after dapagliflozin treatment were investigated. A significant negative correlation was evident between the degree of mesangial matrix fraction and eGFR in patients with IgAN. Specifically, when the mesangial matrix fraction exceeded 10% of the total glomerular surface area, eGFR decline was not observed after dapagliflozin administration. Mesangial matrix fraction analysis using imaging software can predict the renoprotective effect of dapagliflozin in IgAN.
Fuzzy stress and strength reliability based on the generalized mixture exponential distribution
Authors: Tian Weizhong , Li Sha , Zhang Yunchu
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we will discuss the stress and strength reliability and the fuzzy stress and strength reliability based on the generalized mixtures of exponential distribution. A fuzzy membership function is defined as a function of the difference between stress and strength values and is increasing whenever X > Y. Several estimation methods, such as Maximize likelihood estimation method, Weighted Least squared estimation method and Percentile estimation method, will be provided to estimate the corresponding measures. Simulation studies are constructed to compare the performances of the proposed estimators. The comparisons are based on the biases, mean squared errors (MSEs) and the efficiency of the estimators. One data analysis has been performed for illustrative purpose.
Morphological identification, seasonal prevalence, and predilection sites of hard tick species infesting cattle in four municipalities of the province of Tiaret, northwest Algeria
Authors: Achour Hamza , Kouidri Mokhtaria , Selles Sidi Mohammed Ammar , Bia Taha
Published: June 2024

Hard ticks are blood-sucking obligatory ectoparasites that infest all species of domestic ruminants worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the identity, seasonal prevalence, and predilection sites of hard tick species infesting cattle in four municipalities of the province of Tiaret, northwest Algeria, during the period May 2022 to May 2023. Out of the 317 cattle that were examined in total, 111 (35.02%) were found to be infested with hard ticks. The overall mean intensity and mean abundance were assessed at 15.78 ticks/infested cow and 5.53 ticks/cow, respectively. A total of 1752 adult ticks were collected; three genera and nine species were identified. As a result, H. excavatum (43.78%), H. marginatum (20.15%), H. lusitanicum (18.32%), H. scupence (8.73%), R. bursa (7.53%), H. impeltatum (0.74%), R. (Boophilus) annulatus (0.46%), R. sanguineus (0.23%), and D. marginatus (0.06%). For the majority of tick species found, higher numbers of male ticks were collected than female ticks. Seasonally, the summer season (38.01%) had the highest frequency (p-value < 0.001) of hard ticks’ infestation, followed by spring (23.34%), winter (21.35%), and autumn (17.29%). Ticks were widely distributed in four body zones on cattle, with the highest distribution on zone 5 (95.43%) (p-value < 0.001), which includes the sternum, abdomen, udder, scrotum, and inner sides of the hind legs, and the lowest distribution on zone 1 (0.06%), which includes the legs and hooves. The research indicates that economically significant ticks are prevalent in all studied municipalities, indicating a warning sign.
Oxygen-based autoregulation indices associated with clinical outcomes and spreading depolarization in aSAH
Authors: Carlson Andrew Phillip , Jones Thomas , Zhu Yiliang , Desai Masoom , Alsarah Ali , Shuttleworth C William
Published: June 2024

Background
Impairment in cerebral autoregulation has been proposed as a potentially targetable factor in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), however there are different continuous measures that can be used to calculate the state of autoregulation. In addition, it has previously been proposed that there may be an association of impaired autoregulation with the occurrence of spreading depolarization (SD) events.
Methods
Subjects with invasive multimodal monitoring and aSAH were enrolled in an observational study. Autoregulation indices were prospectively calculated from this database as a 10 second moving correlation coefficient between various cerebral blood flow (CBF) surrogates and mean arterial pressure (MAP). In subjects with subdural ECoG (electrocorticography) monitoring, SD was also scored. Associations between clinical outcomes using the mRS (modified Rankin Scale) and occurrence of either isolated or clustered SD was assessed.
Results
320 subjects were included, 47 of whom also had ECoG SD monitoring. As expected, baseline severity factors such as mFS and WFNS (World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies scale) were strongly associated with the clinical outcome. SD probability was related to blood pressure in a triphasic pattern with a linear increase in probability below MAP of ~ 100mmHg. Autoregulation indices were available for intracranial pressure (ICP) measurements (PRx), PbtO2 from Licox (ORx), perfusion from the Bowman perfusion probe (CBFRx), and cerebral oxygen saturation measured by near infrared spectroscopy (OSRx). Only worse ORx and OSRx were associated with worse clinical outcomes. ORx and OSRx also were found to both increase in the hour prior to SD for both sporadic and clustered SD.
Conclusions
Impairment in autoregulation in aSAH is associated with worse clinical outcomes and occurrence of SD when using ORx and OSRx. Impaired autoregulation precedes SD occurrence. Targeting the optimal MAP or cerebral perfusion pressure in patients with aSAH should use ORx and/or OSRx as the input function rather than intracranial pressure.
Causal association of immune cell phenotypes with osteosarcoma and the mediation role of blood metabolites: A two-steps, two-samples Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Niu Chicheng , Xu Qingyuan , Wang Weiwei , Li Hao , Ding Qiang , Guo Liang , Zeng Ping , Liu Jinfu
Published: June 2024

Background: Immunogenic nature of osteosarcoma is well-established, but the precise roles of immune cells and the potential influence of blood metabolites on its advancement remain unclear.
Methods: Two-step, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) strategy was employed to investigate causal relation between osteosarcoma risk and immune cell distribution, we sought to uncover and measure the potential mediating role of blood metabolites. Our analysis incorporated a diverse range of MR estimation techniques, encompassing inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger regression, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode. Additionally, we conducted sensitivity analyses to assess the reliability of our results.
Results: MR analysis revealed that three immune cell phenotypes exhibited positive relation with osteosarcoma risk (CX3CR1 on CD14- CD16-, CD25 on CD45RA- CD4 not Treg, and CD45 on HLA DR+ CD8br), while four immune cell phenotypes illustrated negative relation to osteosarcoma risk (BAFF-R on IgD+ CD38- unsw mem, CD20 on IgD- CD38-, Naive CD4+ %T cell, and CD28+ CD45RA+ CD8br %CD8br). Moreover, mediation MR analysis demonstrated causal effect of CX3CR1 on CD14- CD16- within monocyte panel on osteosarcoma (Total effect IVW: OR = 0.3330) was predominantly mediated by dimethyl sulfone (0.0288, constituting 8.70% of Total effect) and unidentified metabolite X-12680 (0.0524, constituting 15.74% of Total effect).
Conclusions: This investigation unveiled a causal link between immune cells and osteosarcoma, potentially mediated by blood metabolites.
The Inhibitory Effect of an HPV16E7-Specific Affibody Conjugated to Granzyme B (GrB) on Cervical Cancer Cells by Bifunctional Activity
Authors: Yang Jiani , Li Yanheng , Wan Kairong , Yu Lijun , Feng Fangfang , Wang Wenhuan , Zhang Lifang , Li Wenshu
Published: June 2024

Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) alone is responsible for over 50% of cervical cancer (CC) cases, and the HPV early oncogenic protein E7 participates in inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to malignant transformation. The lack of effective target drugs against CC has aroused considerable concern about targeted CC treatments based on the clearance of HPV-infected cells. A novel specific affibody targeting HPV16E7 (ZHPV16E7) was conjugated to GrB (an immune-mediated killing effector) to construct an immunoaffitoxin (ZHPV16E7-GrB), which was proven to have significant target affinity for and growth inhibitory effects against HPV16-positive CC cells both in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, the bifunctional inhibitory activities of ZHPV16E7-GrB, i.e., whether EMT is blocked or retarded after targeting of E7 by ZHPV16E7-GrB and whether the cytotoxicity induced by ZHPV16E7-GrB manifests as not only apoptosis but also pyroptosis, was further investigated. Our results showed that after targeting E7, ZHPV16E7-GrB significantly decreased cell viability and promoted LDH release in HPV16-positive SiHa and CaSki CC cells, and this inhibitory effect was achieved by blocking EMT, as characterized by the decreases in Vimentin and Snail expression and the increase in E-cadherin expression. On the other hand, ZHPV16E7-GrB induced obvious apoptosis and pyroptosis in cells by directly cleaving the pyroptotic executor protein GSDME through a caspase-3-independent pathway. In addition, ZHPV16E7-GrB did not cause acute toxic reactions in vivo. Our research demonstrated that ZHPV16E7-GrB has an improved cytotoxic advantage mediated by accurate delivery based on the ZHPV16E7 affibody.
Temporary CD19+ B Cell Inhibition Alleviates Ischemic Brain Damage in Mice
Authors: XU YU , Peng Jing , Yan Yizhong , Gao Min , Zang Hongjing , Cheng Lamei , Zhou Yu
Published: June 2024

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with limited treatment options available. Recent studies have shown that B cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke through their interaction with T cells in the meninges. In this study, we investigated whether temporary inhibition of B-cell activity through anti-CD19 antibody (aCD19 Ab) treatment could alleviate ischemic brain injury in a stroke mouse model by suppressing meningeal immunity.
Methods
Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) to induce focal ischemia. aCD19 Ab or Iso Ab was administered intraperitoneally 3 days prior to tMCAO. The mice were euthanized 24h after tMCAO for histological and immunological analyses. Other outcomes were assessed during the 7-day period.
Results
Compared to the MCAO/R group, treatment with Anti-CD19 Ab significantly reduced infarct size and brain edema, prolonged post-MCAO survival, and improved behavioral outcomes. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and head Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) results demonstrated that temporary B cell depletion led to improvements in microvascular endothelial edema, mitochondrial protection, reduced apoptosis, and enhanced post-MCAO cerebral vascular network reconstruction. Additionally, immune cells other than B cells decreased both in the brains (including brain parenchyma and meninges) and peripheral circulation of MCAO mice following B cell blockade, accompanied by decreased levels of cerebral parenchymal pro-inflammatory factors, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The immune response alterations observed in the MCAO/R group were consistent with the trends indicated by stroke patient data.
Conclusion
Temporary inhibition of B-cell activity via aCD19 antibody injection may mitigate ischemic brain injury in a mouse model of stroke by suppressing systemic immune reactions. Changes in immune cells within the meninges play a role, and further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms involved. These findings suggest that post-stroke local and systemic immune responses contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke, and temporary B cell depletion may represent a potential therapeutic target for stroke therapy.
Fallow season precipitation is a useful criterion to optimize nitrogen fertilizer for WUE and dryland winter wheat production
Authors: Qu Yimin , Yu Shaobo , Zhang Zhongdong , Gao Zhiqiang
Published: June 2024

Precipitation is the major cause of yield variation in rainfed agriculture production on the Loess Plateau. Overfertilization is economically and environmentally undesirable. Optimizing N inputs according to fallow season precipitation (PF) is vital for efficient crop water use. An 8 year field experiment was conducted using 7 N rates to explore the prediction of PF on optimal N input for higher yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Reference range to describe years as normal (220.7–346.2 mm), dry (< 220.7 mm), or wet (> 346.2 mm) based on 37-year precipitation. Optimum N rate varied with the PF and was 150, 150–180, and 210 kg ha−1 during dry, normal, and wet years. Maximum yield and WUE obtained by optimizing the N input was largely attributable to the increases in spike number per hectare. A non-linear regression showed that yield increased from 1.6-15 kg ha-1 with every mm increase in the PF and yield increased by 46 kg ha-1 with every 1% increase in the ratio of PF to total precipitation. Thus, dryland wheat yield may be improved by adjusting the nitrogen rate in accordance with PF in rainfed winter wheat farming systems.
Synthesis and characterization of UV-curable organic–inorganic hybrid materials based on multi-functional urethane acrylate resin (MUA) and TiO2 with high refractive index
Authors: Liu Kuan-Liang , Han Jin-Lin , Hsieh Kuo-Huang
Published: June 2024

The UV curable Multifunctional Urethane-Acrylate resin was prepared through a chemical reaction using Isophorone Diisocyanate and Pentaerythritol Triacrylate. The TiO2 was synthesized via a sol-gel reaction and then used 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate to surface treatment for increased compatibility with MUA resin and enhanced the materials of refractive index. Traditional composite materials have a combination of organic and inorganic structure. The interaction on the organic and inorganic interface mainly depends on physical forces like Hydrogen bonding or Van der Waals forces, which are relatively weak compared to covalent or ionic bonds. Consequently, the interface strength and contact area between organic and inorganic components affect the mechanical characteristics. In contrast, hybrid composite differs from composite materials in that they combine organic and inorganic substances at the nanometer scale, creating a molecular-level composite material. By utilizing van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and chemical bonding, hybrid materials overcome the macroscopic phase separation observed in traditional composite materials. This allows them to exhibit the characteristics of both organic and inorganic materials, meeting the requirements for high-performance materials. The highest refractive index of the organic–inorganic hybrid material can reach 1.71.
The association of fatty liver index and metabolic syndrome with cardiovascular outcomes, liver-related mortality, and all-cause mortality: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Park So Hee , Park Jiyun , Kim Hasung , Lee Jungkuk , Kwon So Yoon , Lee You-Bin , Kim Gyuri , Jin Sang-Man , Hur Kyu Yeon , Kim Jae Hyeon
Published: June 2024

We investigated the risk of cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and liver-related mortality according to the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and fatty liver index (FLI). In this retrospective longitudinal population-based cohort study, we used Korean National Health Insurance Service data from 2009 to 2012. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was defined as FLI ≥ 60. Risk of all-cause mortality, liver-related mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, heart failure (HF), and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality was assessed according to the presence of MetS and FLI among adults (aged 40 to 80 years) who underwent health examinations (n = 769,422). During a median 8.59 years of follow up, 44,356 (5.8%) cases of MACE, 24,429 (3.2%) cases of all-cause mortality, and 1,114 (0.1%) cases of liver-related mortality were detected in the entire cohort. When the FLI < 30 without MetS group was set as a reference, the FLI ≥ 60 with MetS group had the highest risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.98–2.13) and all-cause mortality (aHR 1.96, 95% CI 1.86–2.07). The risk of liver-related mortality (aHR 10.71, 95% CI 8.05–14.25) was highest in the FLI ≥ 60 without MetS group. The FLI ≥ 60 with MetS group had a higher risk of MACE (aHR 1.39, 95%CI 1.28–1.51), a lower risk of liver-related mortality (aHR 0.44, 95%CI 0.33–0.59), and no significant difference in all-cause mortality compared with the FLI ≥ 60 without MetS group. The FLI ≥ 60 with MetS group was associated with the highest risk of MACE and the FLI ≥ 60 without MetS group had the highest risk liver-related mortality, but there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between two groups.
Prostate MRI and Clinicopathologic Risk Calculator to Predict Laterality of Extraprostatic Extension at Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Li Eric , Kumar Sai , Aguiar Jonathan , Siddiqui Mohammad , Sun Zequn , Neill Clayton , Schaeffer Edward , Ross Ashley , Patel Hiten
Published: June 2024

Background
Traditional nomograms can inform the presence of extraprostatic extension (EPE) but not laterality, which remains important for surgical planning, and have not fully incorporated multiparametric MRI data. We evaluated predictors of side-specific EPE on surgical pathology including MRI characteristics and developed side-specific EPE risk calculators.
Methods
This was a retrospective cohort of patients evaluated with mpMRI prior to radical prostatectomy (RP) in our eleven hospital healthcare system from July 2018-November 2022. The dominant side was defined pre-operatively using a tiered system based on laterality of highest biopsy Gleason Grade Group (GG), highest PIRADS lesion, number of lesions, and cancer volume. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed for overall EPE, dominant side EPE, and non-dominant side EPE. Internal validation with leave one out and calibration curves were completed.
Results
EPE was identified in 53% (317/601) of patients at RP. Side-specific factors (PIRADS, GG, abutment) were only associated with EPE on their respective side. Final variables in the model associated with EPE on the dominant and non-dominant sides included age, log PSA density (PSAD), side-specific PIRADS 5, side-specific GG3-5, and percentage positivity of systematic cores. AUCs for dominant and non-dominant side EPE were 0.77 (95% CI 0.73-0.80) and 0.79 (95% CI 0.74-0.84), respectively. MRI-identified abutment and prostate health index (PHI) did not improve model discrimination. Risk calculators available online at https://rossnm1.shinyapps.io/PredictionOfEPELaterality/.
Conclusions
PSA, side-specific PIRADS, side-specific GG, and percentage positivity of systematic cores were associated with side-specific EPE at RP and incorporated into a risk calculator to assist in surgical planning and nerve-sparing decisions at time of RP.
Study on the influencing factors of depression among middle -aged and elderly individuals Based on CHARLS 2020
Authors: Deng Shuwen , Wang Qiyu
Published: June 2024

Background
The understanding of depression's prevalence in this demographic and the exploration of its influencing factors are crucial in devising effective prevention and intervention strategies. The current study aims to establish a theoretical basis for preventing and intervening in depressive tendencies among middle-aged and elderly individuals, ultimately aiming to reduce the incidence of depression and improve their overall quality of life.
Methods
The data for this study were obtained from the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), encompassing a total of 8025 participants aged 45 years and above. To assess depression tendency, the simplified version of the Epidemiological Depression Scale (CES-D-10), a validated screening tool, was employed. The collected data were then subjected to rigorous statistical analysis using SPSS 25.0 software. Binary logistic regression models were utilized to examine the potential influencing factors associated with depression tendency among the study participants.
Results
Of the 8025 participants in the study, 4499 individuals scored above 10 on CES-D-10, indicating a depression prevalence of 56.06% among the middle-aged and elderly population in China. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed several significant factors associated with depression in this demographic. Specifically, gender, place of residence, marital status, average sleep duration, habitual napping, exceeding average household expenditure, self-reported health status, and presence of bodily pain were identified as potential contributors to depression tendencies among middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Conclusion
Based on the thorough investigation and analysis of the CHARLS 2020 data, it is evident that depression among middle-aged and elderly individuals is influenced by a multifaceted array of factors. For this specific target population, particular emphasis should be placed on individuals who are female, reside in suburban or rural areas, are divorced or have never married, experience short sleep duration (< 6 hours), habitually nap during the day, report poor self-assessed health, and frequently experience physical pain. Targeted preventive measures focusing on these vulnerable subgroups are paramount. Furthermore, timely psychological intervention for middle-aged and elderly individuals experiencing depressive symptoms is crucial to enhance their overall quality of life. By addressing these risk factors and providing appropriate support, we can contribute significantly to improving the mental health and well-being of middle-aged and elderly individuals in China.
Unravelling DNA methylation dynamics during developmental stages in Quercus ilex subsp. ballota [Desf.] Samp
Authors: Mónica Labella-Ortega , Carmen Martín , Luis Valledor , Stefano Castiglione , María-Ángeles Castillejo , V. Jorrín-Novo Jesús , María-Dolores Rey
Published: June 2024

Background
DNA methylation is a critical factor influencing plant growth, adaptability, and phenotypic plasticity. While extensively studied in model and crop species, it remains relatively unexplored in holm oak and other non-domesticated forest trees. This study conducts a comprehensive in-silico mining of DNA methyltransferase and demethylase genes within the holm oak genome to enhance our understanding of this essential process in these understudied species. The findings contribute valuable insights into the regulatory mechanisms of DNA methylation in holm oak and offer potential avenues for further research on epigenetic regulation in forest trees. The expression levels of these genes in adult and seedling leaves, as well as embryos, were analysed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Global DNA methylation patterns were assessed through methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) techniques. Furthermore, specific methylated genomic sequences were identified via MSAP sequencing (MSAP-Seq).
Result
A total of 13 DNA methyltransferase and three demethylase genes were revealed in the holm oak genome. Expression levels of these genes varied significantly between organs and developmental stages. MSAP analyses revealed a predominance of epigenetic over genetic variation among organs and developmental stages, with significantly higher global DNA methylation levels observed in adult leaves. Embryos exhibited frequent demethylation events, while de novo methylation was prevalent in seedling leaves. Approximately 35% of the genomic sequences identified by MSAP-Seq were methylated, predominantly affecting nuclear genes and intergenic regions, as opposed to repetitive sequences and chloroplast genes. Methylation was found to be more pronounced in the exonic regions of nuclear genes compared to their promoter and intronic regions. The methylated genes were predominantly associated with crucial biological processes such as photosynthesis, ATP synthesis-coupled electron transport, and defence response.
Conclusion
This study not only sheds light on the enzymatic machinery governing DNA methylation patterns in holm oak but also identifies key target genes for future research into the epigenetic mechanisms modulating gene expression.
The deformation theoretical modeling analysis for the plate during the asynchronous rolling
Authors: Yang Ruo-Wen , Qiao Fu-Zhen , Jiang Lian-Yun , Liang Jia-Le , Chen Ya-Fei
Published: June 2024

Asynchronous rolling can increase the shear strain, reduce the rolling pressure and save the energy, and achieve the goal of improving the quality of the plate and reducing costs. As a key factor influencing the quality of the plate, the effective strain is often obtained by experiments and numerical calculation, which is complex and time-consuming. Therefore, a theoretical calculation model for the asynchronous rolling is established. The deformation zone is divided into the rigid-plastic-rigid zone, and the flow function of the boundary condition is obtained by the principle of equal metal flow. Then, the rolling power model is established by the linearization integration method, which is the key to the theoretical modeling. The length of the top and bottom deformation zones can be obtained as unknown parameters by optimizing the power model. Finally, the effective strain is calculated according to the optimization results, so as to complete the establishment of the effective strain model. Based on the established model, it is proved by experiments and finite element method. Compared to the experiment results, the results show that the minimum and maximum relative errors are 1.38% and 8.89%. which can be accepted for production. The research can propose reference for actual production and improve actual production efficiency.
Perceptions of Fair Treatment of Animals Moderate Attitudes toward Conservation Endorsement
Authors: Bruder Jennifer , Park Taeyong
Published: June 2024

This study aims to understand how, if at all, moral beliefs or stances predict endorsement of conservation for threatened species. Especially, this study focuses on fairness as the most relevant moral belief system and explores how stances on fairness interact with animal familiarity and animal liking to predict conservation endorsement. The study includes respondents from 6 cultural groups: the Arabian Gulf, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, South East Asia as well as so-called WEIRD (western, educated, industrialized, rich, democratic) participants. Overall, the study found unique cultural patterns for fairness. Furthermore, the results point to interactions between fairness and animal familiarity, and between fairness and animal liking. Across all animals surveyed, while controlling for culture, low liking or low familiarity for an animal predicted increased endorsement for conservation for that animal if participants felt animals were treated unfairly. The results of this study suggest that focusing on the unfair treatment of animals generally may be a useful messaging tactic to promote positive attitudes toward animal conservation.
Cultivation of phagotrophic algae with high intensity alkali pretreated waste activated sludge
Authors: Li Qi , Guo Fengxiao , Li Cong
Published: June 2024

Microalga Ochromonas danica is able to accumulate high quantities of lipids by ingesting microbial cells through phagotrophy as well as taking up dissolved organics through osmotrophy. In this study, waste activated sludge (WAS) was pretreated with high intensity alkali, and then fed to O. danica for growth. Results show that, with WAS pretreated at pH 12 for 24 h, about 56.4% of WAS organics were released out of floc particles either as microbial cells or dissolved organics. O. danica was able to consume 84.6% of the released microbial cells and 61.0% of the released dissolved organics. By growing O. danica with the alkali-pretreated WAS, 28.6% of WAS organics were converted into algal biomass. The produced algal biomass was rich in lipids, 42.3% of its dry matter. Furthermore, WAS organics reduction rate was significantly accelerated. Around 53.0% WAS organics were reduced with 1 day of alkali pretreatment and 5 days of O. danica’s growth. Whereas, only 37.1% of WAS organics were reduced in total time of 40 days through conventional anaerobic digestion.
Oral Leishmaniasis in HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Patients: A Comparative Analysis with Two New Case Reports
Authors: Rosa Ana Cláudia Garcia , de Senna André Machado , Passador-Santos Fabrício , Soares Andresa Borges , de Araújo Vera Cavalcanti
Published: June 2024

Purpose
This case report examines the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis with primary oral involvement in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients diagnosed in Brazil.
Methods
We discuss the clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies, highlighting the clinical and histopathologic diagnostic features and distinct progression patterns based on HIV status. Our findings are compared with patterns observed in other countries, emphasizing the differences between the New World and Old World.
Results
In the New World, particularly in Brazil, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis often presents with localized oral lesions, even in the presence of systemic immunosuppression, whereas in the Old World, oral involvement is typically associated with visceral leishmaniasis in immunocompromised patients. These differences were due to variations in the parasite species involved.
Conclusion
This comparison underscores the importance of regional and immunological factors in the diagnosis and management of this neglected infectious disease.