bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peripheral blood miRNA expression in patients with essential hypertension in the Han Chinese population in Hefei, China
Authors: Cheng Bin , Yang Ronglu , Xu Hui , Wang Li , Jiang Nan , Song Tingting , Dong Changwu
Published: January 2024

Background. Primary hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, the pathogenesis of primary hypertension involves multiple biological processes, including the nervous system, circulatory system, endocrine system, and more. Despite extensive research, there is no clear understanding of the regulatory mechanism underlying its pathogenesis. In recent years, miRNAs have gained attention as a regulatory factor capable of modulating the expression of related molecules through gene silencing. Therefore, exploring differentially expressed miRNAs in patients with essential hypertension (EH) may offer a novel approach for future diagnosis and treatment of EH. Methodology. This study included a total of twenty Han Chinese population samples from Hefei, China. The samples consisted of 10 healthy individuals and 10 patients with essential hypertension (EH). Statistical analysis was conducted to analyze the general information of the two sample groups. High-throughput sequencing and base identification were performed to obtain the original sequencing sequences. These sequences were then annotated using various databases including Rfam, cDNA sequences, species repetitive sequences library, and miRBase database. The number of miRNA species contained in the samples was measured. Next, TPM values were calculated to determine the expression level of each miRNA. The bioinformatics of the differentiated miRNAs were analyzed using the OECloud tool, and RPM values were calculated. Furthermore, the reliability of the expression was analyzed by calculating the area under the Roc curve using the OECloud tools. Results. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the two samples in terms of age distribution, gender composition, smoking history, and alcohol consumption history (P > 0.05). However, there was a notable presence of family genetic history and high BMI in the EH population (P < 0.05). The sequencing results identified a total of 245 miRNAs, out of which 16 miRNAs exhibited differential expression. Among the highly expressed miRNAs were let-7d-5p, miR-101-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-122b-3p, miR-192-5p, and miR-6722-3p. On the other hand, the lowly expressed miRNAs included miR-103a-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-181a-2-3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-200b-3p, miR-200c-3p, miR-221-3p, miR-30d-5p, miR-342-5p, and miR-543. Conclusion. This study initially identified 16 miRNAs that are aberrantly expressed and function in various processes associated with the onset and progression of essential hypertension. These miRNAs have the potential to be targeted for future diagnosis and treatment of EH. However, further samples are required to provide additional support for this study.
Telomere Length Exhibits Inverse Association with Migraine Among Americans Aged 20-50 Years, without Implications Beyond Age 50: A Cross- Sectional Study
Authors: Geng Dandan , Liu Huanxian , Wang Haoyuan , Wang Hebo
Published: January 2024

Migraine, highly prevalent among individuals under 50 years, is associated with oxidative stress. Telomere length shortening, closely linked to oxidative stress and aging, has not been comprehensively studied in its association with migraine and potential age-related influence. This cross-sectional study included data from 6,169 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2002. This encompassed information on peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length, severe headache or migraine, and potential confounders. Stratifying by age (20–50 years, > 50 years), we employed multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic splines to investigate the relationship between telomere length and migraine. Further interaction test revealed age-influenced telomere length in relation to migraine. In participants aged 20–50 years, the odds ratio (OR) for migraine in the shortest telomere length group T1 (0.39–0.89) was 1.35 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.01, 1.79) compared to the longest group T3 (1.10–9.42), whereas in those aged > 50 years, the OR for the T1 group was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.60, 1.43). Additionally, telomere length and age interacted in the development of migraine (p for interaction: 0.010). Further analysis showed an L-shaped relationship between telomere length and migraine incidence in people aged 20–50 years, with an OR of 9.34 (95% CI: 1.56, 55.99) for migraine at telomere length < 1.02 T/S ratio. These findings revealed that age may influence the association between telomere length and migraine in U.S. adults. For Americans aged 20–50, telomere length demonstrated an L-shaped association with migraine, with an approximate inflection point at 1.02 T/S ratio.
Rapid expansion and international spread of M1UK in the post-pandemic upsurge of Streptococcus pyogenes infections in United Kingdom
Authors: Sriskan Shiranee , Vieira Ana , Wan Yu , Ryan Yan , Li Ho Kwong , Guy Rebecca L. , Papangeli Maria , Huse Kristin , Reeves Lucy C. , Soo Valerie WC , Daniel Roger , Harley Alessandra , Broughton Karen , Dhami Chenchal , Ganner Mark , Ganner Marjorie , Mumin Zaynab , Razaei Maryam , Rundberg Emma , Mammadox Rufat , Mills Ewurabena A. , Sgro Vincenzo , Mok Kai Yi , Didelot Xavier , Croucher Nicholas , Jauneikaite Elita , Lamagni Theresa , Brown Colin S , Coelho Juliana
Published: January 2024

The UK observed a marked increase in scarlet fever and invasive group A streptococcal infection in 2022 with severe outcomes in children and similar trends worldwide. Here we report lineage M1UK to be the dominant source of invasive infections in this upsurge and associated with pleural empyema. Compared with ancestral M1global strains, invasive M1UK strains exhibited reduced genomic diversity and fewer mutations in two-component regulator genes covRS. The emergence of M1UK was dated to 2008. Following a bottleneck coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, three emergent M1UK clades underwent rapid nationwide expansion, despite lack of detection in previous years. All M1UK isolates thus-far sequenced globally have a phylogenetic origin in the UK, with dispersal of the new clades in Europe. While waning immunity may promote streptococcal epidemics, the genetic features of M1UK point to a fitness advantage in pathogenicity, and a striking ability to persist through population bottlenecks.
Influence of non-tuberculous bacterial infection on prognosis of hemoptysis
Authors: FAN Wei , CHANG Yaowen , WANG Wenhui
Published: January 2024

Objective Non-tuberculous bacterial infection delayed the prognosis and discharge time of patients with hemoptysis. This paper mainly analyzed the bacterial infection of lung and its mechanism.
Methods Sixty-two patients with pulmonary hemoptysis accompanied by bacterial infection in the past 5 years were screened and divided into the experimental group and the control group according to whether leukocytes were elevated after bacterial infection. Multiple COX regression analysis was performed on gender, age, leukocytes, C-reactive protein, prothrombinase time and platelets of the two groups, and the correlation between PLT and PT and bacterial infection was analyzed by subject work characteristic curves.
Results The decrease of PLT and the prolongation of PT were positively correlated with the hemoptysis caused by leukocyte elevation.
Conclusion Patients with elevated white blood cells after bacterial infection can significantly prolong PT and decrease PLT. For patients with hemoptysis accompanied by bacterial infection, increasing PLT can play a dual role in hemostasis and control inflammation.
Childhood Obesity is Associated With a High Degree of Metabolic Disturbance in Children From Brazilian Semi-Arid Region
Authors: Ferreira Isabella B. B. , Gomes Alexvon N. , Almeida Isadora B. C. , Fernandes Mariana D. , Coutinho Ludmilla F. , Lago Renata , Menezes Camila A. , Vianna Nelzair A. , Oliveira Ricardo Riccio , Fukutani Eduardo R. , Menezes Rodrigo C. , Ladeia Ana Marice , Andrade Bruno B.
Published: January 2024

Projected to impact 310 million children by the next decade, childhood obesity is linked to serious health issues like metabolic disturbance and cardiovascular diseases. This study introduces a novel approach for the integrated assessment of inflammatory, glycemic and lipid disorders in obese children in resources-limited settings and also identifies key factors contributing to these changes. Conducting a cross-sectional analysis of 231 children aged 5–12 years from public schools in Brazil's semi-arid region, the research involved collecting medical history, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples to analyse glycemic and lipid profiles, along with C-reactive protein levels. We used an adapted the Molecular Degree of Perturbation model to analyse deviations in metabolic markers from a healthy control group. Statistical analyses included Mann-whitney and Fisher exact tests, backward logistic regression, and hierarchical cluster analysis. The study identified a direct and independent association between elevated Metabolic Disturbance Degree and both overweight and obesity in children, with significant differences in CRP, Triglycerides, and HDL levels noted between obese and healthy-weight groups. The findings highlight the critical need for early detection and comprehensive understanding of obesity-related changes to mitigate the severe health risks associated with childhood obesity.
Aurora Kinase A inhibition enhances DNA damage and tumor cell death with 131I-MIBG therapy in high-risk neuroblastoma
Authors: Kumar Prerna , Koach Jessica , Nekritz Erin , Mukherjee Sucheta , Braun Benjamin S. , DuBois Steven G. , Nasholm Nicole , Haas-Kogan Daphne , Matthay Katherine K. , Weiss William A. , Gustafson Clay , Seo Youngho
Published: January 2024

Background
Neuroblastoma is the most common extra-cranial pediatric solid tumor. 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is a targeted radiopharmaceutical highly specific for neuroblastoma tumors, providing potent radiotherapy to widely metastatic disease. Aurora kinase A (AURKA) plays a role in mitosis and stabilization of the MYCN protein in neuroblastoma. Here we explore whether AURKA inhibition potentiates a response to MIBG therapy.
Results
Using an in vivo model of high-risk neuroblastoma, we demonstrated a marked combinatorial effect of 131I-MIBG and alisertib on tumor growth. In MYCN amplified cell lines, the combination of radiation and an AURKA A inhibitor increased DNA damage and apoptosis and decreased MYCN protein levels.
Conclusion
The combination of AURKA inhibition with 131I-MIBG treatment is active in resistant neuroblastoma models and is a promising clinical approach in high-risk neuroblastoma.
Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses provide insights into anthocyanin biosynthesis for leaf colour formation in Quercus mongolica
Authors: Yuan Yangchen , Liu Jialin , Li Xinman , Zhao Zipeng , Pang Jiushuai , Zhou Miaomiao , Dong Junsheng , Chen Huimin , Huo Wei , Wang Qian , Su Beibei , Liu Hongshan , Zhang Jiang , Huang Dazhuang , Yang Minsheng
Published: January 2024

Quercus mongolica is a tall tree with a broad, rounded crown and lush leaves. In autumn, the leaves turn red and have great ornamental value. However, the molecular mechanisms that cause the change in leaf colour are unknown. In this study, we identified 12 differentially expressed genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis by analysing the transcriptome of Q. mongolica leaves in six developmental stages (S1 − S6). We further analysed the dynamics of anthocyanin content in Q. mongolica leaves in four developmental stages (S1, S2, S5, and S6) using differential gene expression patterns. We detected a total of 48 anthocyanins and categorised these into seven major anthocyanin ligands. The most abundant anthocyanins in the red leaves of Q. mongolica were cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside, and pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside. Correlation analysis of differentially expressed genes and anthocyanin content identified highly expressed QmANS as a key structural gene associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis in Q. mongolica. A transcription factor-structural gene correlation analysis showed that the 1bHLH, 3bZIP, 1MYB, 10NAC, and 2WRKY transcription factors played strong positive roles in regulating anthocyanin structural genes (|PCC| > 0.90), with the QmNAC transcription factor playing a major role in anthocyanin biosynthesis.
Contributions of countries without a carbon neutrality target to limit global warming
Authors: Li Wei , Zhou Jiaxin , Ciais Philippe , Gasser Thomas , Wang Jingmeng , Li Zhao , Zhu Lei , Han Mengjie , He Jiaying , Sun Minxuan , Liu Li , Huang Xiaomeng
Published: January 2024

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a key negative emission technology in future climate mitigation. Some countries have made no commitment to carbon neutrality, but they are viewed as potential candidates for BECCS. Here we analyze the contribution of these countries with respect to BECCS and ask the question of how much would be lost for global climate change mitigation if these countries decide not to adopt BECCS. The cooling effect due to carbon-dioxide removal (CDR) through switchgrass cultivation and carbon capture in these countries is largely counterbalanced by its biophysical warming, but the net effect is still an extra cooling. These countries play a more important role in the low-warming scenario than the overshoot scenario, despite the inequality of temperature change among countries. Our study highlights the importance of efforts from all countries in global climate mitigation.
Prediction and Optimization Method for Welding Quality of Components in Ship Construction
Authors: Liu Jinfeng , Cheng Yifa , Jing Xuwen , Liu Xiaojun , Chen Yu
Published: January 2024

Welding process, as one of the crucial industrial technologies in ship construction, accounts for approximately 70% of the workload and costs account for approximately 40% of the total cost. The existing welding quality prediction methods have hypothetical premises and subjective factors, which cannot meet the dynamic control requirements of intelligent welding for processing quality. Aiming at the low efficiency of quality prediction problems poor timeliness and unpredictability of quality control in ship assembly-welding process, a data and model driven welding quality prediction method is proposed. Firstly, the influence factors of welding quality are analyzed and the correlation mechanism between process parameters and quality is determined. According to the analysis results, a stable and reliable data collection architecture is established. And the welding process monitoring elements are determined based on the feature dimensionality reduction methods. To improve the accuracy of welding quality prediction, the prediction model is constructed by fusing the adaptive simulated annealing, the particle swarm optimization, and the back propagation neural network algorithms. Finally, the effectiveness of the prediction method is verified through 24 sets of plate welding experiments, the prediction accuracy reaches over 90%.
Re-appearance of Hydropuntia Eucheumatoides With Details on the Epifaunal Assemblages From the Coastal Waters of South Andaman
Authors: Raihana R. , Padmavati G
Published: January 2024

The present study was conducted at Corbyn’s Cove in November 2022 during low tide. The seaweed sample was collected & identified as Hydropuntia eucheumatoides. Morphometric measurements such as total length (72.9 ± 0.04mm), apex thickness (2.91 ± 0.02mm) and base thickness 2.51 ± 0.01mm were measured. Y-branch length was found to be 21.84mm while Y branch distance (15.02mm) and Y branch thickness was 1.88mm recorded. Wet weight of this seaweed was 17.619 ± 0.02g, dry weight was 2.827 ± 0.01g and the moisture content was found 14.79%. Associated macrofauna (gastropods) with H. eucheumatoides were identified as Euplica scripts, Pardalinops testudinaria, Cerithium echinatum and one Majoidea crab Menaethius sp. Among the meiofauna, Harpacticoida (68 no.) and Nematoda (62 no.) were dominant, followed by Polychaeta (17 no.), Amphipoda (7 no.) and Ostracoda (2no), whereas two other meiofaunal groups viz. Tanaidacea and Kinorhyncha (1 no. each) were found to be the least. Taxonomic studies on this seaweed species are unavailable from this area. This study provides first information on the biomass and morphometry of the macroalgae as well as the meiofauna and macrofauna association with H. eucheumatoides.
Visualisation of running form changes measured by wearable sensors for conditioning management, an application of the Functional Data Analysis
Authors: Doi Hirofumi , Matsui Hidetoshi , Nishioka Daisuke , Ito Yuri , Saura Ryuichi
Published: January 2024

Running is a widely-accepted activity among the general public, with runners aspiring to achieve optimal performance. However, established methods for the regular monitoring of running forms is lacking. To address this gap, we explore a versatile visualization method utilizing the widely-adopted Inertial Measurement Unit sensor. The running forms of 17-year-old male high school students were monitored during long-distance running training. Acceleration and angular velocity data were collected from a sensor attached to the lumbar region; data from the left foot contact to the next left foot contact were defined as the running cycle. Fatigue during running was assessed using the Borg Scale. The distribution of principal component scores obtained from functional principal component analysis of the running form data corresponded to changes in fatigue from one measurement session to another. However, no consistent trends or changes were observed across subjects. The running forms of participants who were measured twice exhibited a close distribution and similarity, yet unique features were also observed during each measurement. The findings suggest that changes and characteristics of runners' running forms can be readily visualized using a generic approach based on commonly-used sensors and functional data analysis.
Prediction Horizon-varying Model Predictive Control (MPC)for Autonomous Vehicle Control
Authors: Chen Zhenbin , Lai Jiaqin , Li Peixin , Awad Omar I. , Zhu Yubing
Published: January 2024

The prediction horizon is a key parameter in model predictive control (MPC), related to the effectiveness and stability of model predictive control. In vehicle control, the selection of prediction horizon is influenced by factors such as speed, path curvature, and target point density. To accommodate varying conditions such as road curvature and vehicle speed, we proposed a control strategy using the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm to adjust the prediction horizon, enabling MPC to achieve optimal performance, and called it PPO-MPC. In this paper, we constructed the vehicle dynamics model and designed a basic model prediction control. We have established a state space related to the path information and vehicle state, regarded the prediction horizon as actions, and designed a reward function to optimize the policy and value function. We conducted simulation verifications at various speeds and compared the MPC of the fixed Prediction Horizon. The simulation demonstrates that the PPO-MPC proposed in this article exhibits strong trajectory tracking capability.
Association between cytokine network and organ damage in crush syndrome
Authors: Matsumoto Hisatake , Imamura Yukio , Shimizu Kentaro , Ogura Hiroshi , Oda Jun
Published: January 2024

Crush syndrome, a fatal disease caused by prolonged compression of the extremities, produces lethal arrhythmias and acute renal failure. In crush syndrome, injury-related molecular patterns are released into the blood from the contused tissue, and cytokines are produced by activated immune cells. Excessive cytokine production triggers a systemic inflammatory response. In severe cases, inflammation becomes difficult to control, leading to multiple organ damage. This study evaluated the relationship between cytokine networks and organ damage in crush syndrome. In the established rat crush syndrome model, serum was collected 6 and 24 hours after crush injury, and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were evaluated by ELISA. At both time points, hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed on collected lung tissue, and lung injury was evaluated by Lung Injury Score (LIS). IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were elevated at 6 and 24 hours after crush injury. Hierarchical clustering and network analysis confirmed formation of this common cytokine network at each time point. The network including these common cytokines also correlated strongly with LIS at each time point. Collectively, we found a cytokine network including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 to be associated with organ damage in the acute phase after crush injury.
Humoral and cellular immune responses analysis using FTIR spectroscopy on newborns of mothers vaccinated against COVID-19 with mRNA or viral vector vaccine
Authors: Mata-Miranda Monica Maribel , Martinez-Cuazitl Adriana , Gutierrez-Cortes Hermes , Cordero-Hernandez Librado , Guerrero-Ruiz Melissa , Lopez-Reyes Alberto , Rodriguez-Baez Alvaro , Vazquez-Zapien Gustavo J.
Published: January 2024

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has provoked more than 6 million deaths worldwide. The scarcity of effective treatments and its virulence converted the vaccines into an essential tool to face it. The most used vaccines were the mRNA, adenovirus vector, and inactivated whole-virus. However, nowadays, infants aged < 6 months are not eligible for any vaccines against COVID-19, and their immunization relies on the passive immunity. In this research, we investigated the humoral and cellular immune response generated on newborns of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated mothers with mRNA or viral vector (VV) vaccine employing Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in saliva samples. For this purpose, saliva samples of newborns and their mothers were collected; the population was divided in two groups, VV and mRNA, which were subdivided into three subgroups: before pregnancy (BP), at the first (FTP) and second (STP) trimesters of pregnancy. The samples were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy, and the bands associated to the humoral and cellular immune responses, such as IgG, IgA, and IFN-γ were analyzed. To elucidate the quantity of those immunoglobins and the cytokine, the integrated areas were calculated and compared. Likewise, the correlation of the humoral and cellular immune response between the newborns and their mothers was also evaluated, as well as the correlation between cellular and humoral immune response. Compared with the mRNA vaccine, the VV vaccine produced a significant humoral and cellular immune response in newborns and their mothers when they received it at the STP. However, no correlation was observed between newborns and their mothers. The mRNA vaccine showed a more significant humoral immunity generation in newborns and their mothers when it was administrated BP. Nevertheless, compared with the VV vaccine, it only showed statistical significance in the mothers, highlighting that IgG showed a moderate positive correlation between the newborns and their mothers.
Characterization of spatial and temporal changes in water area in Kunming over the past 30 years
Authors: Lee John , Li Jianhua , peng Yilong , Wang Bo
Published: January 2024

Watershed area is an important indicator reflecting the status of water resources and changes in the water environment, and its changes have a significant impact on ecosystem function, hydrological cycle and climate change. This paper analyzes the characteristics and causes of the long time series changes of the watershed area in Kunming City by using PIE-engine remote sensing computing cloud service platform, based on Landsat TM/ETM+ remote sensing images, and adopting NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index) index. The results show that the water area of Kunming City has shown a W-shaped trend in the past 30 years, with a dynamic fluctuation of decreasing and then increasing, then decreasing and then increasing. The change of water area in Kunming is mainly influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Natural factors mainly include climate change, and anthropogenic factors mainly include urban expansion, development and utilization of urban water resources, land use changes, water conservancy project construction and environmental pollution. This paper provides an effective methodology and data support for the monitoring and protection of the watershed area in Kunming by analyzing the characteristics of the change of the watershed area in the past 30 years.
The improvement of aging time on adhesive performance of wheat starch paste for restoration of Chinese ancient books
Authors: Wang Changwei , Yao Yuqi , Zhang Yue , Yao Xiao
Published: January 2024

In the restoration of Chinese ancient books, wheat starch paste is used as a paper adhesive, and its performance directly affects the quality of the restoration work. Allowing the starch slurry to stand for several days until it becomes slightly acidic can enhance the adhesive performance of the paste. However, the entire process relies on the manual experience of craftsmen. The study reproduces the process of making wheat starch paste for the restoration of traditional ancient books and investigates the effects of aging time on the apparent viscosity, rheological properties, and adhesive performance of the paste. The results indicate that the aging process has minimal impact on the apparent viscosity and rheological properties of starch paste. However, it significantly enhances adhesive performance, with optimal results observed after aging for approximately three days. This is attributed to the reduction in residual protein content in starch and a significant improvement in starch gelatinization capability. Infrared spectroscopy and XRD test results reveal that there are no significant changes in the molecular and crystalline structures of starch during the aging process. The acidic environment produced by starch fermentation promotes protein hydrolysis, emerging as the primary reason for the improved adhesive performance of the paste.
Evaluating the anti-inflammatory potential of JN-KI3: the therapeutic role of PI3Kγ- selective inhibitors in asthma treatment
Authors: Jia Lei , Ma Mengyun , Xiong Wendian , Zhu Jingyu , Cai Yanfei , Chen Yun , Jin Jian , Gao Mingzhu
Published: January 2024

Introduction Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by the involvement of numerous inflammatory cells and factors. Therefore, targeting airway inflammation is one of the crucial strategies for developing novel drugs in the treatment of asthma. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) has been demonstrated to have a significant impact on inflammation and immune responses, thus emerging as a promising therapeutic target for airway inflammatory disease, including asthma. Objective and method There are few studies reporting on the therapeutic effects of PI3Kγ-selective inhibitors in asthma disease. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects of PI3Kγ-selective inhibitor JN-KI3 for treating asthma by utilizing both in vivo and in vitro approaches, thereby proving that PI3Kγ-selective inhibitors could be valuable in the treatment of asthma. Results In RAW264.7 macrophages, JN-KI3 effectively suppressed C5a-induced Akt phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner, with no discernible toxicity observed in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, JN-KI3 can inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, leading to the suppression of transcription and expression of the classical inflammatory cytokines in a concentration-dependent manner. Finally, an ovalbumin-induced murine asthma model was constructed to evaluate the initial therapeutic effect of JN-KI3 for treating asthma. Oral administration of JN-KI3 inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the expression of T-helper type 2 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which was associated with the suppression of the PI3K signaling pathway. Lung tissue and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that JN-KI3 inhibited the accumulation of inflammatory cells around the bronchus and blood vessels, as well as the secretion of mucus and excessive deposition of collagen around the airway. In addition, it reduced the infiltration of white blood cells into the lungs. Conclusion JN-KI3 shows promise as a candidate for the treatment of asthma. Our study also suggests that the inhibitory effects of PI3Kγ on inflammation could offer an additional therapeutic strategy for pulmonary inflammatory diseases.
Pentraxin-3 and atherosclerosis risk: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Shen Meirong , Hang Mingming , chen Tielong
Published: January 2024

Objective: To assess the potential causal relationship between pentraxin 3 (PTX3) levels and atherosclerosis (AS) using a Mendelian randomization study.
Methods: Data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were analyzed using the exposure factor PTX 3 and the outcome of atherosclerosis at different sites, including coronary atherosclerosis, peripheral atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, and atherosclerosis at other sites (except cerebral, coronary, and peripheral arteries). The IVW method, MR⁃Egger method, WM method, method, and method were used for MR analysis, and heterogeneity tests, sensitivity analyses, and pleiotropy tests were performed. No artificial intelligence (AI) methods, such as large language models (LLMs), chatbots, or image creator-related assistive technologies, were used in this writing process.
Results: Inverse variance weighting (IVW) analysis revealed no evidence of a causal association between PTX3 and the risk of coronary or peripheral atherosclerosis (OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.99-1.00, P=0.978; OR=1.01, 95% CI=0.92-1.11, P=0.723). No evidence of a causal association with the risk of cerebral atherosclerosis or other atherosclerosis was found (OR=1.18, 95% CI=0.7-2.01, P=0.524; OR=1.01, 95% CI=0.92-1.10, P=0.793).
Conclusions There were no causal associations between PTX3 and coronary atherosclerosis, peripheral atherosclerosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, or atherosclerosis at other sites (except cerebral, coronary, or peripheral arteries).
Lignite-based hard carbon high-performance potassium-ion batteries anode
Authors: Yang Hui , Lei Long , Zhao Yue , Lan Dawei , An Shengli , Liu Yunying , Cui Jinlong
Published: January 2024

Amorphous C has the advantages of low cost and adjustable interlayer spacing, which shows great potential in K+ storage. However, the sluggish diffusion kinetics of K+ in the C lattice and mediocre capacity limit the use of C materials as anodes in potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Herein, we develop an N-doped hierarchical porous C derived from lignite by a simple carbonization activation process. The resulting N-doped hierarchical porous C delivers reversible capacities of 314 mAh g− 1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g− 1 and 124.3 mAh g− 1 after 1500 cycles at 1.0 A g− 1 when utilized as anode materials for PIBs. The outstanding reversible capacity and excellent cyclic performance can attribute to the porous structure and N doping, which improves electronic conductivity and facilitates K+ insertion. This research aids in the development of high-performance anode materials for PIBs and provides some insights into the manufacturing of heteroatom-doped C materials.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae β-glucan auspiciously improves the response of trained macrophages to severe P. aeruginosa infections.
Authors: Ciszek-Lenda Marta , Nowak Bernadeta , Majka Grzegorz , Suski Maciej , Walczewska Maria , Angelika Fedor , Golińska Edyta , Sabina Górska , Andrzej Gamian , Olszanecki Rafał , Strus Magdalena , Marcinkiewicz Janusz
Published: January 2024

Objective P. aeruginosa
(PA), the major pathogen of lung cystic fibrosis (CF), polarizes macrophages into hyperinflammatory tissue damaging phenotype. The main aim of this study was to verify whether training of macrophages with β-glucan (BG) might improve their response to P. aeruginosa infections.
Methods
To perform this task C57BL/6 mice sensitive to infections with P. aeruginosa were used. Peritoneal macrophages were trained with Saccharomyces cerevisiae BG and exposed to PA57, the bacterial strain isolated from the patient with severe lung CF. The release of cytokines and the expression of phenotypic markers of naïve and trained macrophages was measured. A quantitative proteomic approach was used for the characterization of proteome-wide changes in macrophages. Most importantly, the effect of trained macrophages in the air pouch model of PA57 infection was investigated. In all experiments the effect of trained macrophages was compared with that of naïve macrophages.
Results
Trained macrophages acquired a specific phenotype with mixed pro-inflammatory and pro-resolution characteristics, however they retained anti-bacterial properties. Transfer of trained macrophages into infected air pouches markedly ameliorated the course of infection. Bacterial growth and formation of biofilm were significantly suppressed.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrated that training of murine macrophages with S. cerevisiae β-glucan enhanced macrophage defense properties along with inhibition of secretion of some detrimental inflammatory agents. We suggest that training of macrophages with such β-glucan might be a new therapeutic strategy in P. aeruginosa infections, including CF.
Vague Set Model for Mining Amino Acid Associations in Peptide Sequences of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex (MTBC).
Authors: Jain Amita , Solanki Priyanka , Pardasani Kamal Raj
Published: January 2024

Huge amount of molecular data generated through experiments all over the world is available in online databases. This provides new opportunities and challenges for structuring, management, and analysis of data. One of the major challenges for analysis is the presence of inherent uncertainty in molecular data. Some fuzzy set-based models for mining amino acid associations patterns in peptide sequences are reported in the literature to deal with the uncertainty arising due to degree of relationship among amino acids present in peptide sequences. The existing approaches for association rule mining are not capable of dealing with the uncertainty arising due to missing amino acids in available peptide sequences and due to partial peptide sequences. In the present paper a vague set approach is proposed for mining amino acid associations’ patterns in the peptide sequences of MTBC. The dataset of peptide sequences of MTBC has been taken from NCBI. This dataset consists of both partial and complete peptide sequences. Appropriate vague membership function has been constructed. The results have been computed by vague set and fuzzy set approaches. Based on the comparison of results obtained by fuzzy set and vague set approach it is observed that the vague set approach shows the significant changes in the results due to presence of partial sequences. The results have been used to obtain association rules, secondary structures, and the physiochemical properties. Such models will be of great use in developing signatures that will provide better insight into the structures, functions, and interactions of proteins.
Assessing yellow fever outbreak potential and implications for vaccine strategy
Authors: Fraser Keith , Hamlet Arran ,   Ké Jean, Ramos Daniel , Romano Alessandro , Horton Jennifer , Cibrelus Laurence , Ferguson Neil , Gaythorpe Katy
Published: January 2024

Background: Yellow fever (YF), a vector-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, is endemic in tropical regions of Africa and South America, with large vaccination programmes being used for control. However, significant outbreaks have occurred in recent years. Data on infection rates and seroprevalence is often sparse, requiring robust mathematical models to estimate the burden of yellow fever. In particular, modelling is required to estimate the risk of outbreaks and inform policy decisions regarding the targeting of vaccination.
Methods: We present a dynamic, stochastic model of YF transmission which uses environmental covariates to estimate the force of infection due to spillover from the sylvatic (non-human primate) reservoir and the basic reproduction number for human-to-human transmission. We examine the potential for targets identified by the World Health Organization EYE Strategy (50%, 60% or 80% vaccination coverage in 1-60 year olds) to achieve different threshold values for the effective reproduction number. Threshold values are chosen to reflect the potential for seasonal and/or climatic variation in YF transmission even in a scenario where vaccination lowers the median reproduction number below 1.
Results: Based on parameter estimates derived from epidemiological data, it is found that the 2022 EYE Strategy target coverage is sufficient to reduce the static averaged annual effective reproduction number R below 1 across most or all regions in Africa depending on the effectiveness of reported vaccinations, but insufficient to reduce it below 0.5 and thereby eliminate outbreaks in areas with high seasonal range. Coverage levels aligned with the 2026 targets are found to significantly decrease the proportion of regions where R is greater than 0.5.
Generalized measure Black-Scholes equation: Towards option self-similar pricing
Authors: Riane Nizar , David Claire
Published: January 2024

In this work, we give a generalized formulation of the Black-Scholes model. The novelty resides in considering the Black-Scholes model to holds on "average" while the pointwise option price dynamics depends on a measure representing investors' "uncertainty". We make use of the theory of non-symmetric Dirichlet forms and the abstract theory of partial dierential equations to establish well posedness of the problem. A detailed numerical analysis is given in the case of self-similar measures.
Breeding and exploitation of animals among the inhabitants of the East Central Zagros in the Late Chalcolithic Age: Fauna study of Kuy-e Keyvan Tepe
Authors: Sarbisheh Behzad Hoseyni , Khaledabadi Fatemeh Zeynali
Published: January 2024

Kuy-e Keyvan Tepe of Azna is located in the East Central Zagros of Iran. This archaeological site was excavated during an emergency project in 2019 by the first author. Azna plain is one of the most important intercultural plains in Iran. Due to its rich ecosystem, suitable climatic conditions, and strategic geographical location, Azna has been a desirable area for the settlement of different communities and could have been one of the important cultural centers of interaction between nomadic life and sedentary life. Kuy-e Keyvan Tepe, located in this plain, has favorable conditions for settlement and its findings obtained from archaeological excavations indicate the settlement of human communities at this site during prehistoric, historical, and Islamic periods. In addition, the study of bone remains at this site can provide very important results in terms of the subsistence system of its inhabitants. The animal remains studied in this article belong to the cultural layers of the Late Chalcolithic Age. In general, most of the animal bone collection at this site is divided into two groups: large mammals and small ruminants. According to the analysis of the frequency of identified animal species (Caprinae, Bos taurus, Equidae, Sus scrofa Carnivorae), it can be said that the exploitation of domestic animals is much more than wild species and animal husbandry has been one of the main ways to provide the subsistence for the inhabitants of this site in the second half of the fourth millennium BC.
Changing seroprevalence of Schistosomiasis japonica in China from 1982 to 2025
Authors: Zhou Yu , Zheng Mao , Gong Yanfeng , Huang Junhui , Wang Jiamin , Xu Ning , Tong Yixin , Chen Yue , Jiang Qingwu , Cai Yu , Zhou Yi-Biao
Published: January 2024

Background
Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease that seriously threatens human health. Achieving the goal of eliminating schistosomiasis in China by 2030 necessitates precise identification of endemic areas and high-risk populations. This study aimed to figure out the long-term trends of Schistosomiasis japonica seroprevalence in China from 1982 to 2020 and age and spatial variations. Additionally, to forecast the seroprevalence for 2021–2025.
Methods
Seroprevalence data were collected from literature databases and national schistosomiasis surveillance system. Meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence. Autoregressive integrated moving average model was used to forecast the seroprevalence from 2021 to 2025. Joinpoint model was used to identify changing trend and inflection point. Inverse distance weighted interpolation was used to determine the spatial distribution of seroprevalence in different periods.
Results
The seroprevalence decreased from 34.8% in 1982 to 2.4% in 2020 in China. ARIMA model predicted that the seroprevalence would stabilize at the level of around 2.0% for 2021–2025. Before 2006, the seroprevalence was higher in the middle age group, and a pattern of increasing with age was observed afterwards. The areas with high seroprevalence existed in Dongting Lake, Poyang Lake, Jianghan Plain, the Anhui branch of the Yangtze River and some localized mountainous regions in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.
Conclusions
There was a significant decline in the seroprevalence of Schistosomiasis japonica from 1982 to 2020 in China, and would remain at a low level in 2021–2025. Nevertheless, schistosomiasis has not been eradicated; thus, ongoing monitoring remains crucial, especially in endemic areas and with a particular focus on the elderly.
Analysis of Simulated Track and Field Starting Motion Based on Spectral Sensors and Motion Capture Algorithms
Authors: Ma Lei
Published: January 2024

In track and field movements, effective starting movements can improve an athlete's explosive power and acceleration, and enhance their competitive level. The existing methods are mainly based on manual visual inspection and two-dimensional image analysis. Therefore, this study proposes a new method based on spectral sensors and motion capture algorithms to better analyze starting movements. The study used spectral sensors and motion capture systems to collect data on starting movements. Spectral sensors measure the movement status of various parts of the athlete's body in real-time, accurately capturing the movement changes during the starting process. In order to analyze the key links and motion trajectories of the starting motion, the motion capture algorithm processes the data collected by sensors in real time, and obtains key parameters based on changes in body parts to analyze the details of the starting motion. By analyzing the collected data, a quantitative evaluation and feedback on the starting movement can be obtained. These evaluation results can help athletes and coaches better understand the advantages and improvement space of the starting movement, and provide them with targeted training suggestions.
Comprehensive Analysis of Cancer-related Genes: Challenging the Conventional Understanding of Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes
Authors: Zou Mingyuan , Huang Shiping , Qiu Li , Liu Hui , Liu Jun
Published: January 2024

The exploration of oncogenes and their involvement in cancer development and progression is a cornerstone of oncology research. Numerous studies have aimed to identify genes potentially linked to cancer by comparing gene expression levels between cancerous and normal tissues. It is widely acknowledged that upregulated genes in cancer tissues often function as oncogenes, and their expression levels correlate with cancer progression, and a poorer prognosis, while downregulated genes exhibit the opposite correlation. However, contrary to common belief, our analysis using the TCGA databases reveals a significant association between higher expressions of many upregulated genes in cancer and a better prognosis, as well as lower disease progression. In contrast, our findings indicate a statistical association between downregulated genes in cancer and a poorer prognosis. This paper critically examines this discrepancy and addresses the key question: What is the underlying relationship between gene expression differences in cancer, their correlation with cancer progression, and patient survival? This exploration is crucial as the potential limitations of these commonly held assumptions can significantly impact cancer research methodology.
Preparation and evaluation of curcumin nanoemulsion to inhibit TC-1 cell growth
Authors: Karimi Mehrnaz , Qomi Mahnaz , Jahromy Mahsa Hadipour , Parsania Masoud , Kazemi Negar Motakef
Published: January 2024

Curcumin (Cur), a substance originating from Curcuma longa, has been comprehensively examined for its anticancer properties. Nonetheless, its clinical application has been restricted by its inadequate solubility, bioavailability, and stability. TC-1 cells have been impressive in understanding HPV biology and developing therapeutic approaches for HPV infection and related cancers, like cervical cancer, offering a close mimicry of HPV-induced carcinogenesis. This study's primary goal is to formulate and optimize curcumin nanoemulsions (Cur-NE) to address these challenges and, secondarily, evaluate their impact on TC-1 cell growth. Characterization of the nanoemulsions was conducted using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealing an average particle size of 52.5 nm, a zeta potential of -13.1 mV, and a drug content of 94.6%. Through the dialysis diffusion technique, drug release profiles demonstrated a sustained, slower release of Cur from Cur-NE compared to free curcumin. According to an MTT assay, Cur-Ne with an IC50 35 µg/ml exhibited an increased inhibitory effect of Cur on TC-1 cancer cells, while showing no inhibitory effects on MC3T3 normal cells at concentrations up to 100 µg/ml. In summary, this study underscores the potential of nanoemulsions as efficient carriers for Cur, with demonstrated safety in both cancer and normal cells. Moreover, Cur-NE displayed substantial inhibitory activity against TC-1 cancer cells, suggesting its promise in treating HPV-associated cancers, particularly cervical cancer. Further research is warranted to evaluate the long-term safety of this nanoemulsion for clinical trials and its efficacy against other cancer cell lines.
Automated Detection of Plant Leaf Diseases using Image Processing Techniques
Authors: Singh Sanika , Mukherjee Saurabh
Published: January 2024

Plant diseases can cause significant crop losses and have a major impact on agriculture. Early detection and diagnosis of plant diseases are crucial for preventing the spread of infection and minimizing damage. In this research paper, we propose a deep learning-based approach for the automated detection of plant leaf diseases. We collected a dataset of leaf images of diseased and healthy plants and used it to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) model.
The model was trained on several architectures and the best performing model was selected based on its accuracy on the validation dataset. The final model was tested on a test dataset and achieved an accuracy of 98.5%. The proposed method is a fast and efficient way to detect plant leaf diseases and can be used as a tool for plant pathologists and farmers to identify and diagnose plant diseases quickly and accurately.