bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Record of a Rare New Species of Dracognomus (Nematoda: Draconematidae) from the Northwest Pacific Ocean
Authors: Han Seungyeop , Rho Hyun Soo
Published: December 2024

We report the discovery of a novel free-living marine nematode, Dracognomus elongatus sp. nov., from the genus Dracognomus Allen & Noffsinger, 1978 (Nematoda: Draconematidae), collected from geniculate coralline algal assemblages in the intertidal zone along the eastern coast of Korea in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Dracognomus elongatus sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by several key features: a relatively long body length (522 µm), densely developed minute spine-like ornamentation along the margins of body annules, small pore-shaped amphids (2 µm) with membranous tubes filled with corpus gelatum extending to the fifth body annule, twelve modified cephalic adhesion tubes located posterior to the rostrum, eight pairs of modified adhesion tubes in the mid-body region, an arrangement of both normal and modified subventral adhesion tubes (three pairs of each), disc-shaped tips on sublateral adhesion tubes, absence of copulatory thorns in males, and the presence of three pairs of short setae with no protuberances on the non-annulated tail end. Morphological details and illustrations were obtained using differential interference contrast microscopy. We also provide information on the geographic distribution and comparative characteristics of species within the genus Dracognomus, along with a schematic ventral view of a congener illustrating the arrangement of posterior adhesion tubes and copulatory thorns. Additionally, we present a species-level pictorial dichotomous key. Dracognomus elongatus sp. nov. is the eighth described species of this rare genus and marks the first record of Dracognomus in the Northwest Pacific Ocean.
The Role of Liver Stiffness Measurement and Spleen Stiffness Measurement in Predicting the Risk of Developing HCC
Authors: Gaspar Rui , Mota Joana , Almeida Maria João , Silva Marco , Macedo Guilherme
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cause of cancer worldwide. More than 90% of cases occur in cirrhotic patients, with the degree of fibrosis being the main risk factor for the development of HCC. Liver biopsy is the gold-standard for fibrosis assessment, but it is an invasive procedure. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) has shown high accuracy for diagnosing liver cirrhosis, as well as for predicting decompensation and HCC development. More recently, spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) has presented excellent results for ruling in/out high-risk varices and the presence of clinical significant portal hypertension. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between LSM and SSM and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: A prospective study on cirrhotic patients was performed in a tertiary center from January 2020 to May 2024. All patients were submitted to liver and spleen elastography (with a new probe of 100 Hz) by the same blinded operator and were treated in the same institution for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Results: We included 299 cirrhotic patients, 75.9% male, with a mean age of 61.8 years (±10.0). The median value of LSM was 25.7 kPa [4.5–75.0] and that of SSM was 44.6 kPa [7.9–100.0]. The median follow-up time was 505 days [114.0–1541.0]. During this period, 18 patients developed HCC, with a median time to HCC diagnosis after LSM and SSM of 321 days [63.0–1227.0]. LSM was the only factor associated with the development of HCC (p = 0.002) with an AUC of 0.715. On the other hand, SSM was not associated with the development of HCC. Conclusions: We found that the risk of developing HCC is associated with liver fibrosis but not with portal hypertension (assessed using SSM).
Parallel Bayesian Optimization of Thermophysical Properties of Low Thermal Conductivity Materials Using the Transient Plane Source Method in the Body-Fitted Coordinate
Authors: Su Huijuan , Kang Jianye , Li Yan , Lyu Mingxin , Lai Yanhua , Dong Zhen
Published: December 2024

The transient plane source (TPS) method heat transfer model was established. A body-fitted coordinate system is proposed to transform the unstructured grid structure to improve the speed of solving the heat transfer direct problem of the winding probe. A parallel Bayesian optimization algorithm based on a multi-objective hybrid strategy (MHS) is proposed based on an inverse problem. The efficiency of the thermophysical properties inversion was improved. The results show that the meshing method of 30° is the best. The transformation of body-fitted mesh is related to the orthogonality and density of the mesh. Compared with parameter inversion the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, the absolute values of the relative deviations of different materials are less than 0.03%. The calculation speeds of the body-fitted grid program are more than 36% and 91% higher than those of the CFD and self-developed unstructured mesh programs, respectively. The application of body-fitted coordinate system effectively improves the calculation speed of the TPS method. The MHS is more competitive than other algorithms in parallel mode, both in terms of accuracy and speed. The accuracy of the inversion is less affected by the number of initial samples, time range, and parallel points. The number of parallel points increased from 2 to 6, reducing the computation time by 66.6%. Adding parallel points effectively accelerates the convergence of algorithms.
Applying the Enhanced Snow Ablation Optimizer to Generate Data Flow-Based Test Data
Authors: Jiao Chongyang , Zhou Qinglei , Zhang Wenning , Zhang Chunyan
Published: December 2024

Software quality can be effectively ensured by software testing. The creation of test data is a key component of software testing automation. One unresolved issue is how to automatically create test data sets for the data flow coverage criterion. Search-based software testing (SBST) is a technique that employs meta-heuristic search algorithms to generate test data. In this paper, a method of automatic test data generation for data flow coverage criterion based on the enhanced snow ablation optimizer (ESAO) is proposed. First, the snow ablation optimizer (SAO) is enhanced to improve the efficiency of the algorithm through the Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) initialization strategy and warming strategy. Second, the construction of the fitness function is considered in terms of both definition node and use node. Third, the data flow-based test cases are automatically generated based on the ESAO. This method of generating test cases that cover all definition-use pairs (DUPs) improves the efficiency and coverage of test case generation, and thus improves the efficiency of software testing.
Enhanced Sagger Crack Detection Integrating Deep Learning and Machine Vision
Authors: Song Tao , Chen Ting , Gong Yuan , Wang Yulin , Ran Lu , Chen Jiale , Tang Hongyao , Zou Zheng
Published: December 2024

In recent years, target inspection has found extensive utilization within the industry, making it crucial to detect defects in industrial products to ensure quality. To address the challenges posed by large brightness differences, attached dirt, and complex backgrounds in saggers, we propose a sagger defect recognition method that integrates deep learning target detection and machine vision feature extraction. This method commences by employing the photometric stereo method to construct a curvature map of the sagger surface, reducing the interference from brightness differences and dirt. Next, an improved YOLOv5s target detection model uses the surface curvature map as an image source for crack detection. The model incorporates the Faster Block module in the backbone network and an efficient coordinate attention mechanism, embedding position information into channel attention to enhance the model’s understanding of crack defects. Finally, the method extracts crack geometry features from the target region, using feature scoring to confirm whether a crack defect is present. Compared with existing methods, this approach provides a new solution for detecting sagger cracks in complex backgrounds. Field applications and test results demonstrate that this method effectively improves the accuracy of sagger crack defect recognition.
Hybrid-DETR: A Differentiated Module-Based Model for Object Detection in Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Yang Mingji , Xu Rongyu , Yang Chunyu , Wu Haibin , Wang Aili
Published: December 2024

Currently, embedded unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems face significant challenges in balancing detection accuracy and computational efficiency when processing remote sensing images with complex backgrounds, small objects, and occlusions. This paper proposes the Hybrid-DETR model based on a real-time end-to-end Detection Transformer (RT-DETR), featuring a novel HybridNet backbone network that implements a differentiated hybrid structure through lightweight RepConv Cross-stage Partial Efficient Layer Aggregation Network (RCSPELAN) modules and the Heat-Transfer Cross-stage Fusion (HTCF) modules, effectively balancing feature extraction efficiency and global perception capabilities. Additionally, we introduce a Small-Object Detection Module (SODM) and an EIFI module to enhance the detection capability of small objects in complex scenarios, while employing the Focaler-Shape-IoU loss function to optimize bounding box regression. Experimental results on the VisDrone2019 dataset demonstrate that Hybrid-DETR achieves mAP50 and mAP50:95 scores of 52.2% and 33.3%, respectively, representing improvements of 5.2% and 4.3% compared to RT-DETR-R18, while reducing model parameters by 29.33%. The effectiveness and robustness of our improved method are further validated on multiple challenging datasets, including AI-TOD and HIT-UAV.
Multi-Modal Compliant Quadruped Robot Based on CPG Control Network
Authors: Wang Yumo , Ying Hong , Li Xiang , Yu Shuai , Xu Jiajun
Published: December 2024

Quadruped robots, with their biomimetic structure, are capable of stable locomotion in complex terrains and are vital in rescue, exploration, and military applications. However, developing multi-modal robots that feature simple motion control while adapting to diverse amphibious environments remains a significant challenge. These robots need to excel at obstacle-crossing, waterproofing, and maintaining stability across various locomotion modes. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a novel leg–fin integrated propulsion mechanism for a bionic quadruped robot, utilizing rapidly advancing soft materials and integrated molding technologies. The robot’s motion is modeled and decomposed using an improved central pattern generator (CPG) control network. By leveraging the control characteristics of the CPG model, global control of the single-degree-of-freedom drive mechanism is achieved, allowing smooth transitions between different motion modes. The design is verified through simulations conducted in the Webots environment. Finally, a physical prototype of the quadruped compliant robot is constructed, and experiments are carried out to test its walking, turning, and obstacle-crossing abilities in various environments. The experimental results demonstrate that the robot shows a significant speed advantage in regions where land and water meet, reaching a maximum speed of 1.03 body lengths per second (bl/s).
Energy-Saving Geospatial Data Storage—LiDAR Point Cloud Compression
Authors: Warchoł Artur , Pęzioł Karolina , Baścik Marek
Published: December 2024

In recent years, the growth of digital data has been unimaginable. This also applies to geospatial data. One of the largest data types is LiDAR point clouds. Their large volumes on disk, both at the acquisition and processing stages, and in the final versions translate into a high demand for disk space and therefore electricity. It is therefore obvious that in order to reduce energy consumption, lower the carbon footprint of the activity and sensitize sustainability in the digitization of the industry, lossless compression of the aforementioned datasets is a good solution. In this article, a new format for point clouds—3DL—is presented, the effectiveness of which is compared with 21 available formats that can contain LiDAR data. A total of 404 processes were carried out to validate the 3DL file format. The validation was based on four LiDAR point clouds stored in LAS files: two files derived from ALS (airborne laser scanning), one in the local coordinate system and the other in PL-2000; and two obtained by TLS (terrestrial laser scanning), also with the same georeferencing (local and national PL-2000). During research, each LAS file was saved 101 different ways in 22 different formats, and the results were then compared in several ways (according to the coordinate system, ALS and TLS data, both types of data within a single coordinate system and the time of processing). The validated solution (3DL) achieved CR (compression rate) results of around 32% for ALS data and around 42% for TLS data, while the best solutions reached 15% for ALS and 34% for TLS. On the other hand, the worst method compressed the file up to 424.92% (ALS_PL2000). This significant reduction in file size contributes to a significant reduction in energy consumption during the storage of LiDAR point clouds, their transmission over the internet and/or during copy/transfer. For all solutions, rankings were developed according to CR and CT (compression time) parameters.
Multi-Stage and Multi-Objective Optimization of Solar Air-Source Heat Pump Systems for High-Rise Residential Buildings in Hot-Summer and Cold-Winter Regions
Authors: Wang Zhen , Wang Jiaxuan , Lv Chenxi
Published: December 2024

The number of high-rise residential buildings in China has a large base and rapid growth, with huge energy-saving potential. Most of the existing research focuses on the use of renewable energy to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy systems. When optimizing the renewable energy system configuration of residential buildings for solar-air source heat pump systems, the optimization algorithm and the setting of parameter ranges will have an impact on the optimization results. Therefore, to make up for the shortcomings of a single optimization process, this study proposes a joint solution based on simulations and multi-stage multi-objective optimization to improve the energy efficiency of the system and maximize economic benefits. This method was applied to perform energy consumption and economic optimization analyses for typical high-rise residential buildings in four cities in China (Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing) characterized by hot summers and cold winters. First, DeST software is used to model and calculate the building load. Then, TRNSYS software is used to establish a system simulation model. Next, the GenOpt program and the Hooke–Jeeves algorithm are used to perform the first stage of optimization with the lowest annual cost value as the objective function. Finally, MATLAB software and the NSGA-II algorithm are used to perform the second stage of optimization with the lowest annual cost value and the highest system energy efficiency ratio as the objective function, respectively. Moreover, the TOPSIS method is used to evaluate and sort the Pareto optimal solution sets to obtain the optimal decision solution. Overall, the two-stage optimization of the solar-air source heat pump system brings multiple benefits and a more significant improvement in overall performance compared to a single-stage optimization. In terms of energy utilization efficiency, the tilt and azimuth adjustments in the first stage allow the collectors to be better oriented towards the sun and to absorb solar energy more fully. This helps to improve the energy utilization efficiency of the system. For the economy of the system, the increase in the collector area and the reduction in the heat production of the air source heat pump in the second stage, as well as the increase in the volume of the water tank, have combined to reduce the operating costs of the system and improve its economy. Results demonstrate that the proposed two-stage optimization significantly improves the overall performance of the solar-air source heat pump system across all four cities, providing a robust framework for sustainable urban residential energy systems. This is a positive aspect for sustainability and environmental friendliness. Taken together, the two-stage optimization improves the performance of the system in a more comprehensive manner compared to the single-stage optimization.
Continuity Quality of Power Supply in Detectors Powered by Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Stawowy Marek , Paś Jacek , Perlicki Krzysztof , Duer Stanisław , Siergiejczyk Mirosław , Harničárová Marta
Published: December 2024

One of the challenges associated with assessing critical systems is ensuring the appropriate quality of services. Supplying electricity is also one such service; however, the standards defining its assessment are not always consistent with the expectations of its consumers. This stems from the fact that the standards, which describe the quality of services associated with power supply, are based on a rather modest range of such parameters such as power supply continuity (interruption time), frequency, value, asymmetries, and time waveform shape (cf. EN 50160:2023). This article discusses the continuity quality of power supply (CQoPS), which takes into account numerous quality-related aspects, more than just the ones described in the standard. The method for determining CQoPS coefficients has been based on estimating uncertainty; therefore, it is devoid of such statistical evaluation disadvantages as the requirement for full knowledge of the system that is assessed. This paper also discusses an example calculation of one of the observations based on actual measurements of a renewable energy source (RES) power supply fed to metering systems and a result simulation depending on various observations.
A Novel Approach for Aircraft Engine Modeling Considering the Energy Accumulation Effect Based on a Variable Mass System Thermodynamics Method
Authors: Dong Huazhao , Lian Wenlei
Published: December 2024

The use of modeling and simulation methods for engines is considered an important part of the aircraft design process. However, the traditional approach is complicated and time-consuming. In this work, a facile, novel engine dynamic simulation method was proposed, combining the effects of mass and energy flow accumulation based on the thermodynamics of the variable mass system. The typical twin-spool axis flow turbojet engine was selected as the simulation model and the dynamic simulation of the three-stage aircraft flight process was further carried out. The simulation results confirm that the new approach can greatly enhance simulation speed and is about 28 times faster than the traditional method. Besides simulation speed, accuracy has also been improved compared with the current simulation approaches. For example, during a 9 s acceleration process in which the Mach number increases from 0.6 to 0.8, errors of up to 0.473 s in time delay and up to 0.66% in energy were eliminated. During a 6 s acceleration process, 0.624 s of the time delay error was eliminated. This work plays a positive role in the accurate and rapid simulation of aircraft engines and, more importantly, lays the foundation for the simulation of other systems involving mass and energy flow.
Analysis of the Composition and Properties of Municipal Solid Waste from Various Cities in Kazakhstan
Authors: Glazyrin Sergey A. , Aibuldinov Yelaman K. , Kopishev Eldar E. , Zhumagulov Mikhail G. , Bimurzina Zarina A.
Published: December 2024

According to the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, by the end of 2023, approximately 120 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) had been generated across over 3200 landfills in the country. About 4.5 million tons are generated annually, of which only about 15% are recycled. The accumulation of both unsorted and sorted waste poses significant environmental risks, primarily through the generation of methane, a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide in contributing to the planet’s greenhouse effect over a century and 84 times more effective over a 20-year timeframe. The objective of this research is to examine the physicochemical composition, as well as the physical and thermal-chemical properties, of municipal solid waste from six cities in Kazakhstan: Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Aktobe, Karaganda, and Ust-Kamenogorsk. Unlike existing studies, this study has a uniform waste sample, which includes the complete emptying of dozens of containers from different areas of the cities under consideration. Thus, the average composition of solid waste across the cities was maintained. Analysis of the physicochemical composition was conducted for both unsorted and sorted municipal solid waste from all cities, determining the total and analytical moisture content, ash content, and volatile matter, as well as the higher and lower calorific values. The calorific value of unsorted waste by city was as follows, in kJ/kg: Astana,8850.37; Almaty, 9244.57; Atobe, 9596.41; Shymkent, 9425.48; Karaganda, 8902.8; Ust-Kamenogorsk, 9669.07. The calorific value of sorted waste was as follows, in kJ/kg: Astana, 11,922.79; Almaty, 11,692.31; Atobe, 11,913.13; Shymkent, 12,494.38; Karaganda, 11,671.92; Ust-Kamenogorsk, 12,462.52. The efficiency of sorting was estimated as the first stage of MSW processing. The efficiency factor of the manual sorting process in practice was 0.4–0.8. The results obtained enable the evaluation of technologies for the effective management of municipal solid waste and facilitate experimental investigations into semi-industrial pyrolysis, combustion, plasma processing, and composting facilities.
Attractive Space Evaluation Method for HVDC Transmission Lines
Authors: Kálecz György , Kiss István , Németh Bálint
Published: December 2024

High-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines are increasing in number and overall length. This means their lightning protection must be of higher importance as well. Probability-modulated attractive space (PMAS) theory is a proven geometry-based method for lightning protection calculations. However, it cannot accurately assess the number and parameters of direct lightning strikes to the phase conductor of HVDC lines, because the effect of pole voltage on lightning attachment cannot be considered. This effect can be taken into account with leader progression models, which feature lightning physics models that can quantify the effect of the electric field around the phase conductor, which can be quite complex compared to geometric models in general. In this paper, a novel method, called the attractive space matrix, is presented to examine the effect of the DC electric field around the conductor on the attractive space. The algorithm is based on the physical background of the self-consistent leader inception and propagation model. The results could lead to improved lightning protection of HVDC lines and reduce the outages caused by direct lightning strikes.
Accounting for Land-Use Changes in Environmental Impact Assessments of Wood Products: A Review
Authors: Kanellos Charis Anaïs , Riviere Miguel , Brunelle Thierry , Shanafelt David W.
Published: December 2024

Environmental policy and the expansion of the bioeconomy sector has led to increased demand for wood and wood products, pressuring forests. In order to meet additional demand, foresters must either intensify forest management practices or alter forest area. One of the more observable shifts in forest management comes in the form of changes in land use or land cover. Yet despite the many short- and long-term consequences of land-use change, the environmental impacts of it are less explored in forestry than in agriculture. In this paper, we conduct a literature review over the period between 1993 and 2022 to better understand how the notions of land-use and land-cover change are included in environmental impact assessments related to the production of wood and wood products. Specifically, we identified five categories of impacts studied and found a surprising dichotomy in terminology between land-use/land-cover change and changes in forest management practices. We present general trends in the methods and indicators used and discuss potential methodological and conceptual challenges inherent to this literature. Our results are particularly important in light of the growing popularity of land-use and land-cover data in research, as we highlight how they have been integrated into existing environmental impact assessment methods and how we can improve them going into the future.
Neutral Genetic Diversity in Mixed Mating Systems
Authors: Uyenoyama Marcy K.
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Systems of reproduction differ with respect to the magnitude of neutral genetic diversity maintained in a population. In particular, the partitioning of reproductive organisms into mating types and regular inbreeding have long been recognized as key factors that influence effective population number. Here, a range of reproductive systems are compared with respect to the maintenance of neutral genetic diversity. This study addresses full gonochorism, full hermaphroditism, androdioecy (male and hermaphroditic reproductives), and gynodioecy (female and hermaphroditic reproductives). Methods: Coalescence theory is used to determine the level of diversity maintained under each mating system considered. Results: For each mating system, the nature of the dependence of the level of neutral diversity on inbreeding depression, sex-specific viability, and other factors is described. In particular, the models account for the effects of sex-specific viability on the evolutionarily stable sex ratio and the collective contribution of each mating type (sex) to the offspring generation. Conclusions: Within the context of conservation biology, population genetic and quantitative genetic theory has addressed the determination of the target minimum effective population size. In contrast, this study proposes and explores a summary statistic (a ratio of effective numbers) as a means of characterizing the context in which evolution occurs.
Thermal Energy Storage and Recovery in Fractured Granite Reservoirs: Numerical Modeling and Efficiency Analysis
Authors: Gholizadeh Doonechaly Nima , Halter Théo , Shakas Alexis , Hefny Mahmoud , Brehme Maren , Hertrich Marian , Giardini Domenico
Published: December 2024

Although Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) systems are widely researched, Fractured Thermal Energy Storage (FTES) systems are comparatively underexplored. This study presents a detailed numerical model of a fractured granitic reservoir at the Bedretto underground laboratory in Switzerland, developed using COMSOL Multiphysics. Energy efficiency was evaluated across different flow rates and well configurations, including single-well and doublet systems, as well as for two different temperatures, namely 60 °C and 120 °C. The doublet configuration at an injection temperature of 60 °C with a flow rate of 2 kg/s demonstrated the highest energy efficiency among the cases studied. Potential applications for the stored heat are discussed, with scenarios including district heating for the nearby village and greenhouse heating. The results show that although FTES is associated with unique challenges, it has significant potential as a reliable thermal energy storage method, particularly in regions without suitable aquifers. It can also be considered as a cost-effective and competitive approach for climate mitigation (assuming the system is solely powered by solar-PV). This study provides insights into the viability and optimization of FTES systems and highlights the role of fracture/fault properties in enhancing energy efficiency.
3D Representation of Rituals in HBIM: The Central Pillar and Fire Pit Space in the Tibetan-Yi Corridor
Authors: Li Xiang , Teppati Losè Lorenzo , Rinaudo Fulvio
Published: December 2024

In architectural heritage research, rituals and human activities are often overlooked but are crucial for maintaining authenticity and reflecting various cultural values. In the Tibetan-Yi Corridor, one of China’s most renowned heritage routes, rituals and behaviours around the central pillar or fire pit reflect the shared culture and history of Di-Qiang ethnic groups, serving as critical indicators in studying their origins. A scientific method linking physical spaces with intangible cultural information is essential to preserve these rituals or activities and understand their interactions with architectural spaces. This study introduces a method utilising HBIM technology to document and analyse the 3D structures of Di-Qiang ethnic architecture and the rituals. It deconstructs rituals into bodily movements represented within the BIM space to simulate the behaviours of various roles. This method visualises ritual types and critical information by encoding different rituals and movements through geometric shapes, sizes, and colours, effectively linking architectural spaces with intangible cultural elements. The study’s two main contributions are (i) the HBIM archival method for Di-Qiang ethnic architecture, standardising geometric modelling and semantic information recording to digitise Di-Qiang architectural heritage, and forming a foundational 3D model library and semantic database; and (ii) the 3D representation method for ritual movements, which offers a way to manage intangible cultural information and spatially assess cultural behaviours, and evaluates the authenticity and quality of architectural heritage by analysing bodily rituals in space. This approach introduces a novel method for documenting and researching intangible heritage in cultural studies. Additionally, the digital technology-based research method offers a convenient platform for integrating and connecting digital heritage with digital humanities in the future.
Nucleus Accumbens Associated Protein 1 in Cancers—The Real Value
Authors: Janiczek-Polewska Marlena , Kolenda Tomasz , Poter Paulina , Jagiełło Inga , Kozłowska-Masłoń Joanna , Regulska Katarzyna , Malicki Julian , Marszałek Andrzej
Published: December 2024

Malignant tumors are a leading cause of death worldwide, second only to cardiovascular disease. They occur in every population and have a high risk of mortality. The etiopathogenesis of malignant tumors is diverse and there are still many unknowns, leading to huge diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Therefore, the search for ideal diagnostic and therapeutic agents is ongoing. One of the promising factors affecting cancer is the nucleus accumbens associated protein 1 (NACC1). It is a transcriptional coregulator. Moreover, it plays a multifaceted role in promoting tumorigenesis. NACC1 expression analyses were performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data accessed from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer (UALCAN) database, and the expression data were interconnected with clinicopathological parameters. All statistical analyses were conducted using GraphPad Prism and Statistica. The results revealed that NACC1 was expressed in almost all of the analyzed cancers, and its expression level correlates with different clinicopathological parameters. This study demonstrates that NACC1 is potentially involved in the pathogenesis, invasion, and immune response associated with many cancers. However, NACC1 is not a suitable candidate as a diagnostic biomarker as it is not specific for any type of malignancy and there are discrepancies in its expression in relation to many clinicopathological parameters. The implementation of NACC1 as a therapeutic target may improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
The Evolving Role of Neutrophils and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in Obesity and Related Diseases: Recent Insights and Advances
Authors: Altamura Serena , Lombardi Francesca , Palumbo Paola , Cinque Benedetta , Ferri Claudio , Del Pinto Rita , Pietropaoli Davide
Published: December 2024

Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by persistent low-grade tissue and systemic inflammation. Fat accumulation in adipose tissue (AT) leads to stress and dysfunctional adipocytes, along with the infiltration of immune cells, which initiates and sustains inflammation. Neutrophils are the first immune cells to infiltrate AT during high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Emerging evidence suggests that the formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) play a significant role in the progression of obesity and related diseases. Additionally, obesity is associated with an imbalance in gut microbiota and increased intestinal barrier permeability, resulting in the translocation of live bacteria, bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and pro-inflammatory cytokines into the bloodstream and AT, thereby contributing to metabolic inflammation. Recent research has also shown that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), produced by gut microbiota, can influence various functions of neutrophils, including their activation, migration, and the generation of inflammatory mediators. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advancements in understanding the role of neutrophils and NET formation in the pathophysiology of obesity and related disorders while also focusing on updated potential therapeutic approaches targeting NETs based on studies conducted in humans and animal models.
Sucralose-Enhanced Adipogenesis on Preadipocyte Human Cell Line During Differentiation Process
Authors: Magaña-Gómez Javier A. , González-Ochoa Guadalupe , Rosas-Rodríguez Jesus A. , Stephens-Camacho N. Aurora , Flores-Mendoza Lilian K.
Published: December 2024

Sucralose, a commonly nonnutritive sweetener used in daily products of habitual diet, is related to impairing the gut microbiome by disrupting inflammatory response, promoting weight gain by increasing adipose tissue and promoting chronic inflammatory processes. Considering the impact of sucralose in the development of metabolic diseases, in this work, we focused on the impact of sucralose on the adipocyte differentiation process to determine if sucralose can promote adipogenesis and increase adipose tissue depots in PCS 210 010 human preadipocytes cell line. Sucralose at 25 (S25) and 100 ng/µL (S100) concentrations were tested against control with no edulcorant (NS) during the adipocyte differentiation process at 48 h and 96 h. The genetic expression of adipogenesis markers such as CEBP-α, PPARγ, EBF-2, UCP-1, and lipogenesis regulator ACC was determined by qPCR. A panel of human cytokines related to inflammatory response was measured by a flow cytometer using the kit Legend Plex Human Cytokine panel of BIOLUMINEX. Our results indicate that sucralose increased the expression of white adipocyte differentiation marker CEBP-α and lipogenesis regulator ACC at 96 h before complete differentiation. Also, sucralose triggers an inflammatory response by synthesizing adiponectin, resistin, IL-6, IL-8, and Il-1B. To summarize, sucralose stimulates the expression of genes related to adipogenesis and negatively affects the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and adipokines during preadipocyte differentiation.
Functional and Molecular Characterization of Plant Nitrate Transporters Belonging to NPF (NRT1/PTR) 6 Subfamily
Authors: Nedelyaeva Olga I. , Khramov Dmitry E. , Balnokin Yurii V. , Volkov Vadim S.
Published: December 2024

Plant nitrate transporters in the NPF (NRT1) family are characterized by multifunctionality and their involvement in a number of physiological processes. The proteins in this family have been identified in many monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species: a bioinformatic analysis predicts from 20 to 139 members in the plant genomes sequenced so far, including mosses. Plant NPFs are phylogenetically related to proton-coupled oligopeptide transporters, which are evolutionally conserved in all kingdoms of life apart from Archaea. The phylogenetic analysis of the plant NPF family is based on the amino acid sequences present in databases; an analysis identified a separate NPF6 clade (subfamily) with the first plant nitrate transporters studied at the molecular level. The available information proves that proteins of the NPF6 clade play key roles not only in the supply of nitrate and its allocation within different parts of plants but also in the transport of chloride, amino acids, ammonium, and plant hormones such as auxins and ABA. Moreover, members of the NPF6 family participate in the perception of nitrate and ammonium, signaling, plant responses to different abiotic stresses, and the development of tolerance to these stresses and contribute to the structure of the root–soil microbiome composition. The available information allows us to conclude that NPF6 genes are among the promising targets for engineering/editing to increase the productivity of crops and their tolerance to stresses. The present review summarizes the available published data and our own results on members of the NPF6 clade of nitrate transporters, especially under salinity; we outline their molecular, structural, and functional characteristics and suggest potential lines for future research.
Isolation and Characterization of Antibodies Against Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Reveals Putative Role for Ig-like Domains 2 and 3 in Cell-to-Cell Interaction
Authors: Perera Binura , Wu Yuao , Pickett Jessica R. , Panagides Nadya , Barretto Francisca M. , Fercher Christian , Sester David P. , Jones Martina L. , Ta Hang T. , Zacchi Lucia F.
Published: December 2024

The vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) plays an important role in inflammation, where it facilitates the recruitment of leukocytes to the inflamed area via leukocytes’ VLA-4 and endothelial cells’ VCAM-1 interaction. VCAM-1 expression is also upregulated in certain cancers. VCAM-1 has seven Ig-like domains, with domains 1 and 4 shown to be critical for VLA-4 binding. However, the specific functions of individual VCAM-1 Ig-like domains remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies targeting domains 2, 3, and 5 of VCAM-1, and investigated the ability of these antibodies to block VCAM-1-mediated cell adhesion to macrophages. We show that scFv antibodies against Ig-like domains 2 and 3 interfere with the ability of macrophages to bind endothelial cells, suggesting that these domains also play a role in facilitating this interaction. These results emphasize the need to more carefully study the role of each domain on VCAM-1 function and highlight the potential of targeting these VCAM-1 domains for more tailored therapeutic interventions in inflammatory diseases and cancer.
Expression Levels of MUC5AC and MUC5B in Airway Goblet Cells Are Associated with Traits of COPD and Progression of Chronic Airflow Limitation
Authors: Pincikova Terezia , Merikallio Heta , Kotortsi Ioanna , Karimi Reza , Li Chuan-Xing , Lappi-Blanco Elisa , Lindén Sara K. , Padra Médea , Wheelock Åsa M. , Nyrén Sven , Sköld Carl Magnus , Kaarteenaho Riitta L.
Published: December 2024

Mucins 5AC (MUC5AC) and 5B (MUC5B) are the major mucins providing the organizing framework for the airway’s mucus gel. We retrieved bronchial mucosal biopsies and bronchial wash (BW) samples through bronchoscopy from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 38), healthy never-smokers (n = 40), and smokers with normal lung function (n = 40). The expression of MUC5AC and MUC5B was assessed immunohistochemically. The mucin concentrations in BW were determined using the slot-blot technique. The immunohistochemical expression of MUC5AC and MUC5B was localized to goblet cells and submucosal glands. Smokers had higher MUC5AC and lower MUC5B goblet cell expression and higher concentrations of soluble MUC5AC in BW than never-smokers. The MUC5B expression in goblet cells correlated positively with expiratory air flows, diffusing capacity, and the dyspnoea score. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and the progression of chronic airflow limitation during a median follow-up time of 8.4 years were associated with higher MUC5AC and lower MUC5B expression in goblet cells. Sustainers, slow progressors, and rapid progressors of airflow obstruction differed in their MUC5B expression at baseline. Emphysema and bronchial wall thickening on CT at a follow-up visit were associated with lower MUC5B expression at baseline. Our findings strengthen the hypothesis that MUC5AC and MUC5B are yet another contributing factor to smoking-associated lung disease progression.
Rapid and Accurate Detection of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Using Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Combined with Lateral Flow Dipstick
Authors: Ye Chengxin , Tang Xuan , Yang Fengqin , Zhang Xiangyan , Shang Yanjie , Xia Yang , Wang Yuanxing , Guo Shaojiang , Zha Lagabaiyila , Guo Yadong , Wen Dan
Published: December 2024

Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) is critical in the field of forensic science, and necrophagous insects play a significant role in this process. Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a common necrophagous insect species, making its rapid and accurate identification essential. However, commonly used molecular biology methods, such as DNA barcode, still have some limitations in identifying necrophagous insects as they are often complex, time-consuming, and reliant on laboratory instruments. Therefore, in this study, we have developed an innovative detection system for the rapid and accurate identification of C. megacephala based on the Cytochrome b gene using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and lateral flow dipstick (LFD) in combination. The developed RPA-LFD detection system achieved complete amplification in just 15 min at 37 °C with good sensitivity and specificity. Only 7.8 × 10−4 ng or more of target DNA fragments were required, and a positive detection rate of 100% was achieved in 18 C. megacephala samples from actual cases. In addition, the ability of the developed RPA-LFD detection system in combination with rapid DNA extraction methods to enable on-site detection was preliminarily explored. The results suggested that when the RPA-LFD detection system was combined with the grinding ddH2O extraction method (a rapid DNA extraction method), the process from species acquisition to visualization of detection results could be completed in less than 20 min. In conclusion, this innovative RPA-LFD detection system outperforms commonly used molecular biology methods for C. megacephala identification in terms of speed, sensitivity and convenience, making it suitable for direct application at crime scenes, promising to provide important assistance in estimating PMI and expanding the impact of forensic entomological evidence.
Ant-Plant Mutualism in Mauritia flexuosa Palm Peat Swamp Forests: A Study of Host and Epiphyte Diversity in Ant Gardens
Authors: Quinteros-Gómez Yakov , Macedo-Bedoya Jehoshua , Salinas-Inga Abel , Anlas-Rosado Flavia , Santos-Linares Victor , Alarcon-Iman Geancarlo , Gómez-Ticerán Doris , Angeles-Alvarez Franco , Olórtegui-Chamolí Sergio , Solis-Sarmiento Julio , Jara-Peña Enoc , Monroy-Vilchis Octavio
Published: December 2024

Mutualisms characterized by reciprocal benefits between species are a fundamental relationship of tropical ecosystems. Ant Gardens (AGs) represent an interesting ant-plant mutualism, involving specialized interactions between vascular epiphytes and ants. While this relationship has been extensively studied in various tropical regions, the available information on Peruvian ecosystems is limited. The objective of this study was to identify the ant and epiphyte species that constitute AGs. From February 2023 to January 2024, a study was conducted on two 50 × 10 m transects within the Mauritia flexuosa peat swamp forest, located within the Water Association Aguajal Renacal del Alto Mayo (ADECARAM) Tingana in San Martín, Peru. A total of 69 ant gardens were documented, comprising 18 phorophyte species, 19 epiphyte species, and three ant species. The results demonstrated that neither the height nor the diameter at breast height (DBH) of phorophytes exhibited a statistically significant correlation with the number of AGs per host. However, a positive correlation was observed between the length and width of the AGs and the number of ants per AG. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of AG mutualism in Peruvian ecosystems.
Olfactory Receptors and Aortic Aneurysm: Review of Disease Pathways
Authors: Stougiannou Theodora M. , Christodoulou Konstantinos C. , Karangelis Dimos
Published: December 2024

Aortic aneurysm, the pathological dilatation of the aorta at distinct locations, can be attributed to many different genetic and environmental factors. The resulting pathobiological disturbances generate a complex interplay of processes affecting cells and extracellular molecules of the tunica interna, media and externa. In short, aortic aneurysm can affect processes involving the extracellular matrix, lipid trafficking/atherosclerosis, vascular smooth muscle cells, inflammation, platelets and intraluminal thrombus formation, as well as various endothelial functions. Many of these processes are interconnected, potentiating one another. Newer discoveries, including the involvement of odorant olfactory receptors in these processes, have further shed light on disease initiation and pathology. Olfactory receptors are a varied group of G protein coupled-receptors responsible for the recognition of chemosensory information. Although they comprise many different subgroups, some of which are not well-characterized or identified in humans, odorant olfactory receptors, in particular, are most commonly associated with recognition of olfactory information. They can also be ectopically localized and thus carry out additional functions relevant to the tissue in which they are identified. It is thus the purpose of this narrative review to summarize and present pathobiological processes relevant to the initiation and propagation of aortic aneurysm, while also incorporating evidence associating these ectopically functioning odorant olfactory receptors with the overall pathology.
Changes in Prolactin and Insulin Resistance in PCOS Patients Undergoing Metformin Treatment: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Goldstein Tal , Ott Johannes , Katzensteiner Paula , Krysiak Robert , Marculescu Rodrig , Boegl Magdalena , Hager Marlene
Published: December 2024

Background: Prolactin levels have been shown to influence metabolic outcomes, including insulin resistance. Metformin is known to be beneficial in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. PCOS women might react differently to metformin treatment depending on their baseline prolactin levels. Methods: In this retrospective study, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the LH:FSH ratio, and total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured in 75 obese/overweight women with PCOS and insulin resistance before initiation of metformin treatment and after 6–8 months. Results: At baseline, HOMA-IR was inversely correlated to SHBG (r = −0.408; p < 0.001) and prolactin (r = −0.402; p < 0.001). After 6–8 months of metformin treatment, the LH:FSH ratio and the HOMA-IR declined significantly (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation could be shown between basal prolactin and the difference in the HOMA-IR (r = 0.233; p = 0.044). Women with lower baseline prolactin (≤14.9 ng/mL) revealed a sharper decline in HOMA-IR (−0.8, IQR −1.0; −0.5 vs. −0.6, IQR −0.8; −0.3; p = 0.049) as well as an increase in prolactin at follow-up (1.6 ng/mL, IQR −0.2;3.8 vs. −1.3, IQR −4.6;3.2; p = 0.003) compared to patients with a baseline prolactin > 14.9 ng/mL. Conclusions: In overweight/obese, insulin-resistant PCOS women, lower baseline prolactin levels are associated with higher baseline HOMA-IR levels as well as with a better response to metformin treatment. More data are necessary to prove these observations in larger populations.