bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Enhanced Particle Swarm Optimization-Based Node Deployment and Coverage in Sensor Networks
Authors: Bhargavi Kondisetty Venkata Naga Aruna , Varma Gottumukkala Partha Saradhi , Hemalatha Indukuri , Dilli Ravilla
Published: September 2024

Positioning, coverage, and connectivity play important roles in next-generation wireless network applications. The coverage in a wireless sensor network (WSN) is a measure of how effectively a region of interest (ROI) is monitored and targets are detected by the sensor nodes. The random deployment of sensor nodes results in poor coverage in WSNs. Additionally, battery depletion at the sensor nodes creates coverage holes in the ROI and affects network coverage. To enhance the coverage, determining the optimal position of the sensor nodes in the ROI is essential. The objective of this study is to define the optimal locations of sensor nodes prior to their deployment in the given network terrain and to increase the coverage area using the proposed version of an enhanced particle swarm optimization (EPSO) algorithm for different frequency bands. The EPSO algorithm avoids the deployment of sensor nodes in close proximity to each other and ensures that every target is covered by at least one sensor node. It applies a probabilistic coverage model based on the Euclidean distances to detect the coverage holes in the initial deployment of sensor nodes and guarantees a higher coverage probability. Delaunay triangulation (DT) helps to enhance the coverage of a given network terrain in the presence of targets. The combination of EPSO and DT is applied to cover the holes and optimize the position of the remaining sensor nodes in the WSN. The fitness function of the EPSO algorithm yielded converged results with the average number of iterations of 78, 82, and 80 at 3.6 GHz, 26 GHz, and 38 GHz frequency bands, respectively. The results of the sensor deployment and coverage showed that the required coverage conditions were met with a communication radius of 4 m compared with 6–120 m with the existing works.
Whither Feminist Solidarity? Critical Thinking, Racism, Islamophobia, Gender, Authoritarianism, and Sexism in a U.S. National Sample
Authors: Killian Kyle
Published: September 2024

Feminist solidarities form when people from a variety of social locations and accompanying power and privilege actively forge alliances across difference(s) to support gender equity and justice and to resist systemic gender bias. While nations from the Global North depict themselves as bastions of gender equity in comparison to nations of the Global South, countries such as the US, making dubious claims to “post-sexist” and “post-racial” societies, protest too much. Using a representative, national sample in the US, most participants did not disagree with sexist and racist attitudes and beliefs, and six variables accounted for 60.1% of the variance in sexism in a multiple regression model (F = 89.62, p < 0.001): racism, critical thinking dispositions, Islamophobia, conspiracy mentality, gender, and authoritarianism. Implications for educators and social science researchers are discussed.
Stationarity and Types of Internal Migration of Selected Foreign Groups: Insights from Italy
Authors: Benassi Federico , Buonomo Alessio , Ferrara Raffaele , Strozza Salvatore
Published: September 2024

The geographical (im)mobility of immigrants in host countries is a significant issue due to its strong links with the integration process. This is particularly evident in Italy, a country with a long history of emigration, where the foreign resident population has now become a structural element of society. Using original data sources and adopting a (pseudo) longitudinal and multiscale approach, this paper provides new insights into the stability and types of internal migration among the main 20 foreign communities residing in Italy in 2011 and in 2018. Significant heterogeneity emerges not only among the different foreign groups but also between metropolitan contexts in the north and centre-south of the country.
Novel Dural Opening Technique in Intradural Extramedullary Tumors at the Craniovertebral Junction: Three-Year Single-Center Experience
Authors: Nicoletti Giovanni Federico , Graziano Francesca , Paolini Federica , Costanzo Roberta , Poullay Silven Manikon , Furnari Massimo , Iacopino Domenico Gerardo , Maugeri Rosario , Chaurasia Bipin , Ferini Gianluca , Umana Giuseppe Emmanuele , Scalia Gianluca
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) poses unique challenges in the surgical management of intradural extramedullary (IDEM) tumors due to its complex anatomy and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. This study presents a comprehensive review of a single center’s experience over three years in managing IDEM tumors at the CVJ, emphasizing a novel approach to dural opening aimed at improving surgical access and patient outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with confirmed IDEM tumors involving the CVJ who underwent surgical intervention between January 2019 and December 2021 at the “ARNAS Garibaldi” Neurosurgical Department. The surgical technique involved a posterior midline approach with a modified dural opening technique, facilitating lateral dural incisions based on tumor location and size. Clinical, radiological, and surgical data were collected and analyzed, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical details, complications, and postoperative outcomes. Results: Eight patients (mean age: 53.87 ± 8.9 years) with diverse IDEM tumors (meningiomas, schwannomas, neurofibromas) at various locations, from the foramen magnum to the C2 vertebra, were included. Common symptoms included paresthesia (62.5%) and neck/head pain (62.5%). The modified dural opening technique enabled complete tumor resection in all cases, demonstrating favorable postoperative outcomes with no significant postoperative complications except for one case with CSF leak. Conclusions: This study highlights the complexity of managing IDEM tumors at the CVJ and introduces a novel modified dural opening technique aimed at optimizing surgical access while minimizing spinal cord retraction. Early outcomes suggest improved postoperative neurological status and reduced surgical complications. However, careful patient selection and meticulous technique are crucial. Further studies are warranted to validate the safety and efficacy of this approach, fostering advancements in the surgical management of IDEM tumors at the CVJ.
TriGCN: Graph Convolution Network Based on Tripartite Graph for Personalized Medicine Recommendation System
Authors: Zhou Huan , Liao Sisi , Guo Fanying
Published: September 2024

Intelligent medical systems have great potential to play an important role in people’s daily lives, as they can provide disease and medicine information immediately for both doctors and patients. Graph-structured data are attracting more and more attention in the artificial intelligence sector. Combining graph-structured data with a medical data set, a tripartite graph convolutional network named TriGCN is proposed. This model is able connect to disease and medicine or patient, disease, and medicine nodes, propagate information from layer to layer, and update node features at the same time. After this, calibrated label ranking is used to give personalized medicine recommendation lists to patients. The TriGCN approach has a great performance, outperforming other machine learning methods. Thus, this model has the potential to be applied in reality and will provide contributions to public health in the future.
A Tutorial on the Use of Physics-Informed Neural Networks to Compute the Spectrum of Quantum Systems
Authors: Brevi Lorenzo , Mandarino Antonio , Prati Enrico
Published: September 2024

Quantum many-body systems are of great interest for many research areas, including physics, biology, and chemistry. However, their simulation is extremely challenging, due to the exponential growth of the Hilbert space with system size, making it exceedingly difficult to parameterize the wave functions of large systems by using exact methods. Neural networks and machine learning, in general, are a way to face this challenge. For instance, methods like tensor networks and neural quantum states are being investigated as promising tools to obtain the wave function of a quantum mechanical system. In this tutorial, we focus on a particularly promising class of deep learning algorithms. We explain how to construct a Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) able to solve the Schrödinger equation for a given potential, by finding its eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. This technique is unsupervised, and utilizes a novel computational method in a manner that is barely explored. PINNs are a deep learning method that exploit automatic differentiation to solve integro-differential equations in a mesh-free way. We show how to find both the ground and the excited states. The method discovers the states progressively by starting from the ground state. We explain how to introduce inductive biases in the loss to exploit further knowledge of the physical system. Such additional constraints allow for a faster and more accurate convergence. This technique can then be enhanced by a smart choice of collocation points in order to take advantage of the mesh-free nature of the PINN. The methods are made explicit by applying them to the infinite potential well and the particle in a ring, a challenging problem to be learned by an artificial intelligence agent due to the presence of complex-valued eigenfunctions and degenerate states
Fertilizers and Human Health—A Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Evidence
Authors: Tagkas Christos F. , Rizos Evangelos C. , Markozannes Georgios , Karalexi Maria A. , Wairegi Lydia , Ntzani Evangelia E.
Published: September 2024

Background: Fertilizers are widely used to supply nutrients to crops, thereby increasing yields and soil fertility. However, the effects of their production and application on human health through occupational, residential, and environmental exposure remain unclear. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of epidemiological studies on the association between exposure to fertilizers and health-related outcomes. Methods: We searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and ecological studies (up to May 2024) related to exposure to fertilizers and any reported human health endpoints across all age groups, without language or geographical limitations. Data were extracted for population and study characteristics, type of fertilizer used, exposure assessment, sample size, outcome and its definition, effect estimate, and quality characteristics from the eligible studies, and they were descriptively synthesized. Results: We found 65 eligible publications, with 407 postulated associations. Forty-six publications (321 associations) assessed exposure to inorganic fertilizers, and nineteen studies (93 associations) assessed organic fertilizers. Exposure assessed was related to occupation, residence, and/or proximity. The assessed outcomes were diverse, with considerable harmonization challenges. Inorganic fertilizers have been associated with an increased risk of cancerous outcomes in a small number of studies with methodological limitations and low replication validity, while organic fertilizers have been associated with infections and diarrhea. Conclusions: The epidemiological evidence suggests possible associations between inorganic fertilizers with solid organ tumors and hematological malignancies and organic fertilizers with infections and diarrhea. However, the available evidence is limited, and heterogeneity prevails. Further research is needed to enlarge the evidence base and increase the replication validity and robustness of the results.
Effects of Microplastics and Organic Fertilizer Regulation on Soil Dissolved Organic Matter Evolution
Authors: Li Cheng , Wang Chunhai , Liu Le
Published: September 2024

Microplastics are pollutants of global concern nowadays. However, the effects of microplastics addition to soil as a carbon source and the combined effects of microplastics and organic fertilizer on soil-dissolved organic matter (DOM) evolution are still unclear. This study focused on the evolution of DOM in soil with the addition of microplastics and investigated the variations in the content and composition of DOM in unfertilized and fertilized soil with different particle sizes of microplastics. It was observed that the TOC concentration of the soil DOM in the treatment with organic fertilizer and microplastics increased more (129.97–161.43 mg kg−1) than that in the treatment with microplastics alone (117.17–131.87 mg kg−1) and was higher than that in the original soil (95.65 mg kg−1). According to the humic acid relative abundance in DOM after 40 days of incubation, the humic acid relative abundance in DOM of the soil samples with microplastics and organic fertilizers addition was found to be higher than that in those with microplastic addition alone, reaching more than 80% in a short time. In conclusion, the TOC concentration of the soil DOM increased with the addition of microplastics, and the increase was more pronounced when organic fertilizers and microplastics were added together. Moreover, the soil humification increased to a higher level in the short term with the combined addition of microplastics and organic fertilizers, which was maintained during the long-term incubation process.
Prediction of Biochar Adsorption of Uranium in Wastewater and Inversion of Key Influencing Parameters Based on Ensemble Learning
Authors: Qu Zening , Wang Wei , He Yan
Published: September 2024

With the rapid development of industrialization, the problem of heavy metal wastewater treatment has become increasingly serious, posing a serious threat to the environment and human health. Biochar shows great potential for application in the field of wastewater treatment; however, biochars prepared from different biomass sources and experimental conditions have different physicochemical properties, resulting in differences in their adsorption capacity for uranium, which limits their wide application in wastewater treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to deeply explore and optimize the key parameter settings of biochar to significantly improve its adsorption capacity. This paper combines the nonlinear mapping capability of SCN and the ensemble learning advantage of the Adaboost algorithm based on existing experimental data on wastewater treatment. The accuracy of the model is evaluated by metrics such as coefficient of determination (R2) and error rate. It was found that the Adaboost–SCN model showed significant advantages in terms of prediction accuracy, precision, model stability and generalization ability compared to the SCN model alone. In order to further improve the performance of the model, this paper combined Adaboost–SCN with maximum information coefficient (MIC), random forest (RF) and energy valley optimizer (EVO) feature selection methods to construct three models, namely, MIC-Adaboost–SCN, RF-Adaboost–SCN and EVO-Adaboost–SCN. The results show that the prediction model with added feature selection is significantly better than the Adaboost–SCN model without feature selection in each evaluation index, and EVO has the most significant effect on feature selection. Finally, the correlation between biochar adsorption properties and production parameters was discussed through the inversion study of key parameters, and optimal parameter intervals were proposed to improve the adsorption properties. Providing strong support for the wide application of biochar in the field of wastewater treatment helps to solve the urgent environmental problem of heavy metal wastewater treatment.
Bladder Cancer Basic Study and Current Clinical Trials
Authors: Godlewski Dominik , Czech Sara , Bartusik-Aebisher Dorota , Aebisher David
Published: September 2024

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the fourth most common cancer in men and one of the most common urinary tract cancers, especially in developed countries. The aim of this paper is to comprehensively analyze the biology of bladder cancer, including its epidemiology, etiology, histological types, risk factors, clinical symptoms, and diagnostic methods. The paper presents the dominant histological types of bladder cancer, such as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), which accounts for 90–95% of cases, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and adenocarcinoma, which is much rarer. Risk factors, such as smoking, occupational exposure to chemicals, schistosomiasis, and genetic factors, which significantly affect the pathogenesis of bladder cancer, are also discussed. The paper focuses on modern diagnostic methods, including blue light cystoscopy (BLC) and computed tomography urography (CTU), which show increased sensitivity and specificity in detecting early neoplastic changes. The importance of TNM classification and the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in improving patient prognosis are also discussed. Based on a review of the scientific literature, the paper emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and an individualized therapeutic approach, which may contribute to improving the survival and quality of life of patients with bladder cancer. The potential for prevention, including quitting smoking and limiting exposure to harmful chemicals, has also been demonstrated to significantly reduce the risk of disease. Patient education and monitoring high-risk groups are key to reducing the incidence of bladder cancer.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Exposure: The Effect of Online Authority vs. Non-Authority Sources on Beliefs, Emotions and Information Engagement Behaviors
Authors: Xu Xiaowen , Lin Carolyn A.
Published: September 2024

Background/Objectives: Limited research has examined the theoretical linkages between exposure to COVID-19 vaccine information sources, vaccination-related beliefs, vaccination-induced emotions, and vaccine information engagement. Methods: An online survey was conducted with a national sample of adults (N = 630) residing in the U.S. to test these relationships, guided by the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S-O-R) framework and the Health Belief Model. Results: Study findings showed that exposure to online authority vaccine information sources was positively related to vaccination-benefit beliefs and negatively related to vaccination-barrier beliefs, in addition to hopeful feelings connected to vaccination. Exposure to non-authority sources was positively associated with vaccination-barrier beliefs, hopeful and fearful feelings connected to vaccination, and vaccine information engagement. While vaccination-benefit beliefs and vaccination-barrier beliefs were negatively and positively linked to vaccine information engagement, respectively, these beliefs were each positively connected to hopeful feelings and fearful feelings toward vaccination in that order. Both hopeful and fearful feelings toward vaccination also emerged as positive correlates of vaccine information engagement. Conclusions: This study contributes to our understanding of how cognitive appraisals of and affective responses to risk information disseminated by different types of sources may be related to risk information engagement behavior in a public health crisis. Results bring evidence-based insights to both researchers and health professionals to better equip them to counter vaccine misinformation and reduce vaccination barriers.
Immunity and Protective Efficacy of a Plant-Based Tobacco Mosaic Virus-like Nanoparticle Vaccine against Influenza a Virus in Mice
Authors: Madapong Adthakorn , Petro-Turnquist Erika M. , Webby Richard J. , McCormick Alison A. , Weaver Eric A.
Published: September 2024

Background: The rapid production of influenza vaccines is crucial to meet increasing pandemic response demands. Here, we developed plant-made vaccines comprising centralized consensus influenza hemagglutinin (HA-con) proteins (H1 and H3 subtypes) conjugated to a modified plant virus, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) nanoparticle (TMV-HA-con). Methods: We compared immune responses and protective efficacy against historical H1 or H3 influenza A virus infections among TMV-HA-con, HA-con protein combined with AddaVax™ adjuvant, and whole-inactivated virus vaccine (Fluzone®). Results: Immunogenicity studies demonstrated robust IgG, IgM, and IgA responses in the TMV-HA-con and HA-con protein vaccinated groups, with relatively low induction of interferon (IFN)-γ+ T-cell responses across all vaccinated groups. The TMV-HA-con and HA-con protein groups displayed partial protection (100% and 80% survival) with minimal weight loss following challenge with two H1N1 strains. The HA-con protein group exhibited 80% and 100% survival against two H3 strains, whereas the TMV-HA-con groups showed reduced protection (20% survival). The Fluzone® group conferred 20–100% survival against two H1N1 strains and one H3N1 strain, but did not protect against H3N2 infection. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that TMV-HA and HA-con protein vaccines with adjuvant induce protective immune responses against influenza A virus infections. Furthermore, our results underscore the potential of plant-based production using TMV-like nanoparticles for developing influenza A virus candidate vaccines.
How Can the Government Effectively Promote Consumers’ Green Purchasing Behavior?—Based on the Diffusion Study of New Energy Vehicles in China
Authors: Li Zhihui , Cui Ruyi , Shen Zhifeng
Published: September 2024

This article aims to reveal the internal mechanism of the government’s leading role in influencing consumers’ green purchasing behavior. This study is based on the Stimulus Organism Response theory and innovation diffusion theory, uniquely combining individual and social levels to deeply explore the mechanism and internal mechanisms of government-led actions, providing a more comprehensive theoretical contribution to this field. This study adopts a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, introducing perceived costs and perceived risks as individual level factors influencing consumers’ purchasing intentions through qualitative research, and introducing social confidence as a factor influencing consumers’ purchasing intentions through social level government subsidies. This study adds a new dimension to how government subsidies affect consumers’ green purchasing behavior. In addition, statistical analysis was used to explore the mediating effects of perceived cost, perceived risk, and social confidence, as well as the moderating effect of the level of supporting facilities. Survey data collected from consumers shows that government subsidies further affect consumers’ willingness to purchase new energy vehicles by influencing their perceived costs, perceived risks, and social confidence, with a particularly strong mediating effect of social confidence. The research results reveal the positive role of government leadership in sustainable development, which contributes to the diffusion of emerging green products and the achievement of sustainable development by the country.
Influence of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem and Anxiety during Pregnancy: A Longitudinal Prospective Study
Authors: Santos Paula Clara , Bernardo Diana , Abdalla Pedro Pugliesi , Leirós-Rodríguez Raquel , da Silva Leonardo Santos Lopes , Mesquita Cristina , Mota Jorge , Machado Dalmo
Published: September 2024

Women’s pregnancy increases the odds of developing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Physical activity can reduce the severity of maternal mental disorders and postpartum symptoms. The aim was to evaluate self-esteem, anxiety, and physical activity patterns among healthy pregnant women during three gestational trimesters (GTs). A longitudinal prospective study involving 248 Portuguese pregnant women, monitored for a year during all GTs, was conducted. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect personal and obstetric data, and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Zung Anxiety Scale, and a Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire were applied. A total of 152 women presented valid follow-up data considered for analysis. All test scores do not present normality (p < 0.001). Over the gestational trimesters, the Zung anxiety scores did not show a significant change between GTs. However, the self-esteem values reduced significantly from 1st to 2nd GT: (1st GT = 43.94 (±9.94) [95%CI: 42.37 to 45.53]; 2nd GT = 27.27 (±9.64) [95%CI: 25.74 to 28.81]; 3rd GT = 25.71 (±10.52) [95%CI: 24.04 to 27.39]; p < 0.001), remaining stable in the last GT. Moderate to vigorous (2nd GT = 73.43 (±88.69) [95%CI: 59.34 to 87.54]; 3rd GT = 65.05 (±82.65) [95%CI: 51.92 to 78.19]; p = 0.008), vigorous (1st GT = 0.45 (±3.95) [95%CI: 0.83 to 2.08]; 2nd GT = 1.63 (±3.52) [95%CI: 1.07 to 2.19]; 3rd GT = 0.81 (±2.16) [95%CI: 0.46 to 1.15]; p = 0.0475), and light (2nd GT = 101.68 (±48.77) [95%CI: 93.93 to 109.44]; 3rd GT = 98.42 (±49.05) [95%CI: 90.62 to 106.22]; p < 0.001) physical activity levels were significantly reduced throughout the GTs, but the time spent in sedentary activities did not change. In this follow-up study, it was possible to identify a critical point in the 2nd GT, when the drastic reduction in physical activity levels coincided with periods of lower self-esteem scores. However, anxiety levels do not seem to change over GTs.
Assessing Police Technical Efficiency and the COVID-19 Technological Change from the Pact for Life Perspective
Authors: Barros Isloana Karla de França , Nepomuceno Thyago Celso Cavalcante , Taques Fernando Henrique
Published: September 2024

The Pact for Life program was one of Brazil’s most successful initiatives in coping with an elevated incidence of deliberate lethal violent crimes (CVLI) within the jurisdiction of Pernambuco. It delineated the state into 26 Integrated Security Areas (AIS) and applied strategies to combine investigative and ostensive policing. Nevertheless, the pandemic shifted the production possibility of public security in directions that justify empirical investigations, not sufficiently covered in the current literature. This study employs variable returns to scale data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Malmquist productivity index (MPI) models to measure police efficiency and technology changes from 2019 to 2020. The proposed framework can be particularly suitable to capture changes in the production frontier resulting from technological advancements or regressions, which might otherwise be overlooked. Through a quantitative analysis, this research offers a comprehensive assessment of AISs and the operational performance of the Civil Police, emphasizing efficiency metrics and avenues for enhancement within a production-oriented context.
أثر هيكل مجلس الإدارة على مستوى الإفصاح الاختياري في شركات الإسمنت المدرجة في سوق المال السعودية
Authors: باجاحر محمد صالح , الحجيلي عبير هادي
Published: September 2024

هدفت هذه الدراسة الى تحليل أثر هيكل مجلس الإدارة على مستوى الإفصاح الاختياري في شركات الإسمنت المدرجة في سوق المال السعودي، وذلك للفترة من 2014-2012، والبالغ عددها 13 شركة، وذلك من خلال أربعة متغيرات مرتبطة بهيكل مجلس الإدارة هي: استقلال مجلس الإدارة، وحجم مجلس الإدارة، وعدد اجتماعات مجلس الإدارة، وملكية الإدارة، بالإضافة إلى أربعة متغيرات رقابية تمثلت في حجم الشركة، وأداء الشركة، وعمر الشركة، ونوع المراجع. ولتحقيق هدف الدراسة تم بناء مؤشر للإفصاح الاختياري غير مرجح لقياس مستوى الإفصاح الاختياري في التقارير السنوية للشركات محل الدراسة، ولاختبار فرضيات الدراسة تم استخدام عدد من الأساليب الإحصائية، وتوصلت الدراسة إلى أنه يوجد تباين في مستوى الإفصاح الاختياري بين شركات الإسمنت السعودية محل الدراسة، كما أن مستوى الإفصاح الاختياري في شركات الإسمنت المدرجة في سوق المال السعودية كان (%66.67) وهذا يعد ضعيفاً نسبيًّا، مقارنة بالدول المتقدمة. كما توصلت الدراسة إلى وجود علاقة إيجابية بين مستوى الإفصاح الاختياري وحجم الشركة، في حين توصلت الدراسة إلى عدم وجود علاقة بين الإفصاح الاختياري وكلٍّ من: استقلال مجلس الإدارة، حجم مجلس الإدارة، عدد اجتماعات مجلس الإدارة، وملكية الإدارة، وأداء الشركة، وعمر الشركة، ونوع مكتب المراجعة.
Selective Elimination of Genetic Variants of Human Embryonic Stem Cells from High Vulnerability to Ferroptosis
Authors: Kim Yun-Jeong , Kim Seon Min , Go Young-Hyun , Kim Han Sun , Park Sunghyouk , Kang Yun Pyo , Cha Hyuk-Jin
Published: September 2024

Despite the great promise of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based cell therapy, safety concerns arise from genetic aberrations during in vitro culture, due to their uncertain consequences. Notably, these genetic aberrations confer a survival trait known as “culture-adaptation”, allowing aberrant hPSCs to evade apoptosis and outcompete normal cells. Thus, it is crucial to develop strategies for selectively eliminating aberrant hPSCs to ensure the safety of therapeutic applications. Herein, we discovered that hPSCs with genetic variations exhibited increased glycolysis and active fatty acid biosynthesis. Surprisingly, these variants, showing resistance to stress-induced apoptosis, were paradoxically susceptible to ferroptosis by the treatment of RAS-selective lethal 3 (RSL3), a glutathione peroxide 4 inhibitor. The selective sensitivity to RSL3 resulted from elevated levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids containing phospholipids, driven by the up-regulation of acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4 through Yes1-associated protein 1 activity. Importantly, the distinct sensitivity of normal hPSCs and metabolic variants to ferroptosis enabled the targeted removal of genetically aberrant hPSCs through RSL3 treatment, while normal hPSCs transiently exposed to RSL3 maintained their pluripotency and normal differentiation capacity. These findings hold important promise for the maintenance of genetically normal hPSCs during extended in vitro culture, thereby ensuring the safety and efficacy of hPSC-based cell therapies.
Copper-Based Nanomedicines for Cuproptosis-Mediated Effective Cancer Treatment
Authors: Noh Dahye , Lee Hokyung , Lee Sangmin , Sun In-Cheol , Yoon Hong Yeol
Published: September 2024

The recent discovery of cuproptosis, a novel copper-ion-induced cell death pathway, has suggested the novel therapeutic potential for treating heterogeneous and drug-resistant cancers. Currently, copper ionophore-based therapeutics have been designed to treat cancers, utilizing copper ions as a strategic tool to impede tumor proliferation and promote cellular demise. However, limitations of copper ionophore-based therapies include nontargeted delivery of copper ions, low tumor accumulation, and short half-life. Strategies to enhance specificity involve targeting intracellular cuproptosis mechanisms using nanotechnology-based drugs. Additionally, the importance of exploring combination therapies cannot be overstated, as they are a key strategy in improving the efficacy of cancer treatments. Recent studies have reported the anticancer effects of nanomedicines that can induce cuproptosis of cancer both in vitro and in vivo. These cuproptosis-targeted nanomedicines could improve delivery efficiency with the pharmacokinetic properties of copper ion, resulting in increasing cuproptosis-based anticancer effects. This review will summarize the intricate nexus between copper ion and carcinogenesis, examining the pivotal roles of copper homeostasis and its dysregulation in cancer progression and fatality. Furthermore, we will introduce the latest advances in cuproptosis-targeted nanomedicines for cancer treatment. Finally, the challenges in cuproptosis-based nanomedicines will be discussed for future development directions.
Targeting miR-21 to Overcome P-glycoprotein Drug Efflux in Doxorubicin-Resistant 4T1 Breast Cancer
Authors: Kim Eun Hye , Ryu Youngri , Choi Jiwoong , Park Daeho , Lee Jong Won , Chi Sung-Gil , Kim Sun Hwa , Yang Yoosoo
Published: September 2024

Acquired resistance to chemotherapy is a major challenge in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Despite accumulated evidence showing microRNA-21 (miR-21) as a vital regulator of tumor progression, the role of miR-21 in modulating the multidrug resistance of TNBC remains obscure. In this study, we demonstrate that miR-21 affects chemoresistance in 4T1 TNBC cells in response to doxorubicin (DOX) by regulating the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) drug efflux pump. Overexpression of miR-21 in the 4T1 cells markedly reduced their sensitivity to DOX, impeding DOX-promoted cell death. We employed anti-miR-21 oligonucleotide conjugated with a PD-L1-binding peptide (P21) for targeted delivery to 4T1 tumor cells. The selective down-regulation of miR-21 in 4T1 TNBC led to the reversal of P-gp-mediated DOX resistance by up-regulating phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Our study highlights that miR-21 is a key regulator of drug efflux pumps in TNBC, and targeting miR-21 could enhance DOX sensitivity, offering a potential therapeutic option for patients with DOX-resistant TNBC.
Stabilizing Layered Cathodes by High-Entropy Doping
Authors: Ma Yuan , Zhou Zihao , Brezesinski Torsten , Ma Yanjiao , Wu Yuping
Published: September 2024

Layered Ni-rich oxide cathodes in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) often struggle with poor thermal safety and capacity fade. Xin and colleagues’ studies in
Nature
and
Nature Energy
demonstrate a novel high-entropy (compositionally complex) doping strategy, introducing “cocktail effects” from multiple constituents. This approach substantially improves cycling performance and stability, reduces material cost, and may pave the way toward the development of advanced electrodes for next-generation LIBs.
Prevalence of Trichomoniasis in Women Attending Health Centers in Asadabad City, West of Iran, During 2021-2022
Authors: Azimi Kohn Ali , Foroughi-Parvar Faeze , Matini Sepehr , Matini Mohammad
Published: September 2024

Background: Trichomonal vaginitis or trichomoniasis is one of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the world, which has significant health consequences. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of this infection in women of Asadabad city and to investigate its epidemiological factors. Methods: In this study, 291 women referred to health centers in Asadabad were examined for Trichomonas vaginalis infection by parasitological methods. The data were analyzed by chi-square test. Results: Out of 291 women, 7 (2.4%, with 95% confidence interval: 0.7-4.1%) were infected with T. vaginalis. Seven people were diagnosed by culture method and 4 people were diagnosed by direct smear method. The age of participants ranged from 19 to 65 years with an average of 38.2 years. The age group of 29-38 years old was the most infected group with 4 cases of infection. Their education level ranged from illiterate to university education. Considering marriage and occupation, 97.5% were married and 91.1% were housewives. The most common clinical signs and symptoms observed in people infected with T. vaginalis were vaginal discharge and pain in the lower abdomen. There was no statistically significant relationship between trichomoniasis and any of the studied variables (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study show a relatively low prevalence of trichomonal vaginitis in this region. However considering the health importance of the infection in the community, it is expected that effective measures will be taken to improve people’s awareness and public health.
Alterations in the Gut Microbiota Composition and Structure of Children Under 5 Years With Sepsis: A Case Report From a Federal Medical Center in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Egwuatu Tenny Obiageli Gladys , Okeke Uzoma Nonyelum , Bello Sakinat , Oluwaseun Awosipe Ayobola , Ajayi Abraham , Essiet Utibeima Udo , David Agatha , Kalu Nnenna , Lesi Afolabi , Smith Stella Ifeanyi
Published: September 2024

Background: Sepsis is a major cause of death among children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although studies have suggested that the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with sepsis, there are limited data on the microbiota profile of children with sepsis in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Methods: To address this gap, this study was conducted to examine the gut microbiota of four children (S2, S4, S6, and S8) with sepsis and two apparently healthy controls (C2 and C4). DNA was extracted from stool samples, and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to determine the microbial composition of the microbiota. Results: A significant reduction in the abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes was observed in sepsis cases, while the family Enterobacteriaceae was dominant, with a relative abundance of 29.7%, 36.9%, 47.4%, and 34.6% in S2, S4, S6, and S8, respectively. Pathogenic bacterial species such as Megasphaera spp., Sutterella spp., and Clostridium difficile were dominant among some of the sepsis samples. The bacterial communities of the microbiota of participants with sepsis largely diverged from those of the controls, with a remarkable decrease in diversity. Conclusion: This study highlights an alteration in the gut microbiota of children presenting with sepsis. Notably, there was a reduction in beneficial commensals and an increase in potential pathogenic bacterial species. Since sepsis remains a major public health challenge, there is an urgent need to explore the gut microbiota for possible intervention.
Sero-prevalence of Rickettsial Infection in the Coastal Area of Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Md. Jahangir , Amin Al , Tomal Neamul Hasan , Rakib Tareq Mahmud , Ali Md. Abbas , Shanta Ireen Sultana , Islam Ziaul , Islam Munirul
Published: September 2024

Background: Rickettsial infection is one of the most frequently occurring neglected diseases, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. Hence, it is important to know the burden of the disease for taking appropriate preventive and control measures. This paper focused on the seroprevalence of rickettsial infection among hospitalized patients residing in the coastal area of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the hospital records of Weil-Felix test-positive patients from January to December 2022 at Respiratory Disease Hospital, Teknaf. A rapid slide agglutination assay, colorimetric method, KOVA cell counting, flow cytometry method, and SPSS were used for data analysis. The necessary ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Reviewer Board for using the hospital records. Results: A total of 91 (16.9%) Rickettsia-positive cases were found out of 538 suspected cases, of which half were male (49.5%). The most predominant age group was 5 to under 18 years of age (41.7%), followed by 18‒30 years of age (23.1%). Fever was the most prominent clinical symptom (97.7%), followed by cough (42.9%), muscle aches (29.7%), and headaches (27.5%). The blood count of the patients showed leukocytosis (53.2%), followed by neutrophilia (23.4%) and thrombocytosis (15.6%). Serum creatinine and C-reactive protein were elevated in 13% and 40% of cases, respectively. Urine analysis detected the presence of high pus cells (83.9%), followed by proteinuria (45.2%) and ketonuria (13.0%). Conclusion: In-depth confirmatory exploration and preventive measures are necessary to manage and mitigate the spread of infections at Teknaf.
A Comparison of the Effect of Zirconia Crown on Periodontal Tissues: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Taghi Zade Mehdi , Tehranchi Maryam , Bafandeh Mohammad Amin , Hakimaneh Seyed Mohammad Reza , Sherafatmand Yasaman , Shayegh Sayed Shojaedin
Published: September 2024

Background: Dental crowns are effective on the gingival tissue around the teeth. However, using zirconia as crowns due to the method and type of material can effectively improve this effect. Methods: This is a pre-post clinical trial conducted on 35 teeth with metal-ceramic crowns and 35 teeth with zirconia crowns. Teeth were prepared for fabricating metal-ceramic and zirconia crowns. Plaque index (PI), modified gingival index (MGI), pocket probing depth (PPD), papilla bleeding index (PBI), and gingival level (GL) were measured before and six months after getting the dental crown. The data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney test. Results: In both groups, the GL remained the same after six months of crown placement (P>0.05). In the metal-ceramic group, the PI decreased significantly (P=0.000), but MGI and PBI significantly increased (P=0.000 and P=0.000, respectively) six months after crown placement. Based on the results, PPD increased significantly only on the midlingual surface (P=0.02). The PI significantly decreased in the zirconia group (P=0.000). Nevertheless, PPD represented no change (P>0.050). The comparison between the two groups six months after crown placement indicated that the PI, MGI, and PBI were significantly higher in the metal-ceramic group (P=0.010, P=0.011, and P=0.044, respectively). The metal-ceramic group showed a significantly greater increase in PPD on the midlingual surface (P=0.043). Conclusion: Both crown types on teeth could significantly increase the incidence of gingivitis, and compared with zirconia crowns, metal-ceramic crowns demonstrated significantly more inflammation.
Clinicopathologic Evaluation and Management of Twenty Cases of Oral Mucoceles
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Kumari Richa
Published: September 2024

Background: Oral mucoceles are benign minor salivary gland lesions characterized by a single or multiple, soft, fluctuant nodule, ranging from normal oral mucosal color to deep blue depending upon the extent of the swelling in deeper layers. This study evaluated clinicopathological features, including the etiology and management of oral mucoceles. Methods: Twenty cases of oral mucoceles were diagnosed, and parameters such as age, gender, etiology, site, clinical presentation, including size, any symptoms, and treatment mode underwent evaluation. Results: In 20 cases, the lesions were found to be more common in males compared to females (16:4). The most common site was the lower lip, and the etiology of mucocele was lip biting, with 80% of cases normal in color and size ranging between 5 mm and 10 mm. The most common type based on histopathology evaluation was the extravasation type in almost all cases. Conclusion: The non-neoplastic benign lesions of minor or major salivary glands pose a diagnostic challenge because of their close resemblance to other pathologies and iatrogenic responses. Thus, the clinical knowledge and pathogenesis of these lesions are necessary for the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Effects of Final Root Canal Irrigants in Conventional and Regenerative Endodontic Treatments: A Systematic Review
Authors: Karkehabadi Hamed , Khoshbin Elham , Abbasi Roshanak , Esmailnasab Sogand , Doosti Irani Amin
Published: September 2024

Background: The effectiveness of final root canal irrigants is crucial for successful conventional and regenerative endodontic treatments. This study aimed to systematically review the impact of final irrigants on dentin, disinfection, and regenerative potential in endodontic therapies. Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were electronically searched for articles on final irrigants in conventional and regenerative endodontics, evaluating effects on dentin, smear layer, fracture resistance, stem cells, growth factors, and antimicrobial properties. The risk of bias was assessed using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation risk of bias tool. Results: Overall, 25 eligible studies were included in this review after screening 2842 articles. Commonly assessed irrigants included ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (21 studies), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl; 12 studies), and citric acid (6 studies). EDTA could enhance growth factors but could weaken dentin. NaOCl affected dentin despite its antimicrobial benefits. Nanoparticles, chitosan, peracetic acid (PAA), and citric acid showed potential benefits. A meta-analysis was not performed due to methodological heterogeneity. Conclusion: In general, optimized irrigation strategies balancing disinfection, biocompatibility, and regenerative potential are necessary. More research is required to develop improved irrigation protocols. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023420406.
Attractiveness of Modified Photographs of Class II, Division I Patients as Judged by Laypeople and Orthodontists
Authors: Jalili Khradmand Hanieh , Salehzadeh Maryam , Mollabashi Vahid , Farhadifard Homa , Farhadian Maryam
Published: September 2024

Background: There are two treatment alternatives that are commonly proposed to class II, division I patients, including camouflage and orthognathic surgeries. Methods: The original profile photos of two male and two female patients were altered with Photoshop in order to simulate camouflage and surgical treatment. This was performed by increasing the nasolabial angle by 4 mm, 8 mm, and 12 mm and extending the chin-neck length by 3 mm, 6 mm, and 9 mm. The initial and actual final photos of the patient, along with the six modified pictures, were presented to the participants. They reordered the pictures from the most aesthetic to the least aesthetic. Results: Overall, 30 orthodontists and 140 laypeople completed the task. Orthodontists perceived surgical treatment as more attractive compared to laypeople. The highest rank was assigned to post-treatment photographs of the patients, while the lowest rank was given to pre-treatment photographs. Conclusion: Class II treatment adds to profile attractiveness as judged by laypeople and orthodontists. There are some differences in opinions between these groups.
Evaluating the Effects of Diode Laser 940 nm Adjunctive to Conventional Scaling and Root Planning for Gingival Sulcus Disinfection in Chronic Periodontitis Patients
Authors: Poormoradi Banafsheh , Rabinezhad Nazli , Mohamadpour Leila , Kazemi Maryam , Farhadian Maryam
Published: September 2024

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) can lead to the loss of tooth-supporting structures. Scaling and root planning (SRP) is the standard treatment, but lasers may provide additional benefits. This study evaluated a 940 nm diode laser as an adjunct to SRP for CP treatment. Methods: In this split-mouth, randomized clinical trial, 32 CP patients with at least two teeth with a pocket depth of more than 4 mm were treated with regular treatment of SRP plus health education with or without the intervention group. Further, a 940 nm diode laser was applied for the decontamination of the gingival groove. Probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI) were evaluated at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after scaling. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 21), where descriptive methods and statistical tests such as the analysis of variance test were used with repeated measurements, and P<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: All parameters improved significantly in both groups (P<0.05), except for GI, which decreased significantly more with a laser versus SRP alone (P<0.05). The results revealed no other statistically significant between-group differences. Conclusion: The adjunctive diode laser provided limited additional improvements compared to SRP alone over 8 weeks. The significant GI reduction indicated that a diode laser may provide some benefits for enhancing non-surgical periodontal treatment. Larger trials are needed to determine if this extra improvement is clinically meaningful in the long term. Clinical Relevance: Diode laser adjuncts to SRP demonstrated minimal short-term benefits over SRP alone in CP patients. The role of lasers in periodontal therapy requires further study. Trial Registration: IRCT20120215009014N234 (retrospectively registered).