bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between accelerated biological aging and colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Sai , Wang Keyu , Wang Xiu
Published: February 2025

Background

Biological age (BA) is regarded as a more accurate marker of aging than chronological age and is commonly used to assess associations with age-related diseases. The relationship between BA measures and the colorectal cancer (CRC) has not yet been investigated.

Methods

This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. BA was quantified using the Klemera–Doubal method age (KDMAge) and phenotypic age (PhenoAge), based on 13 common clinical biomarkers. The prevalence of CRC across quartiles of BA indicators was compared using weighted Chi-square tests. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between BA indicators and CRC.

Results

A total of 36,684 participants were included. The weighted prevalence of CRC showed a significant and consistent upward trend across ascending quartiles of chronological age, KDMAge, and PhenoAge, even within gender and age subgroups (all P for trend < 0.05). In the total population and gender subgroups, higher quartiles of PhenoAge acceleration showed a higher weighted prevalence of CRC compared to lower quartiles (P for trend < 0.05). Accelerated PhenoAge was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of CRC (OR = 1.767, 95% CI: 1.236–2.524, P = 0.002). However, accelerated PhenoAge was associated with the increased prevalence of CRC only in individuals older than 65 years (OR = 1.655, 95% CI: 1.143–2.397, P = 0.008).

Conclusion

Biological aging are positively associated with the prevalence of CRC regardless of gender, particularly among the elderly.
Threats across boundaries: the spread of ESBL-positive Enterobacteriaceae bacteria and its challenge to the “one health” concept
Authors: Zhang Shaqiu , Yang Jing , Abbas Muhammad , Yang Qian , Li Qianlong , Liu Mafeng , Zhu Dekang , Wang Mingshu , Tian Bin , Cheng Anchun
Published: February 2025

β-lactam antibiotics are essential medications for treating human diseases. The spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) exists globally in multiple reservoirs and the natural environment and poses an immense threat to public health. Plasmid incompatibility groups, such as IncFIA, IncI1, IncY, IncFIB, IncN, IncFIC, IncX4, IncB/O/K/Z, IncHI1/2, and IncA/C, which exist in humans, animals, and the environment, carrying blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV genes. The ISEcp1 upstream and orf477 downstream of blaCTX-M genes, as well as other mobile genetic elements (MGEs) such as IS903 and IS26, are involved in capturing and mobilizing antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). The blaCTX-M-15 gene is the most common among all discussed reservoirs. The environmental reservoir and propagation mode of ESBL-PE are increasing and difficult to control. The reasons include but are not limited to bacterial adaptability and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mediated by MGEs and plasmids. Conjugation is a pathway of HGT that is almost uncontrollable. MGEs and plasmids such as Tn3, IS1380 families, IncI1, IncK, and IncN are facilitating HGT of blaCTX-M genes. This review highlights the need to monitor trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the natural environment. Therefore, policies such as antibiotic management plans, training for healthcare providers and/or patients, cautious use of antibiotics, the need for epidemiological networks, pre-travel consultations, World Health Organization (WHO) infection control and biosafety guidelines, and other intervention measures are considered desirable.
Walking control of humanoid robots based on improved footstep planner and whole-body coordination controller
Authors: Wang Xiangji , Guo Wei , Yin Siyu , Zhang Sen , Zha Fusheng , Li Mantian , Wang Pengfei , Li Xiaolin , Sun Lining
Published: February 2025

High-speed walking is fundamental for humanoid robots to quickly reach the work site in emergency scenarios. According to biological studies, the coordinated motion of the arms and waist can significantly enhance walking speed and stability in humans. However, existing humanoid robot walking control frameworks predominantly focus on leg control, often overlooking the utilization of upper body joints. In this paper, a novel walking control framework combining the improved footstep planner and the whole-body coordination controller is proposed, aiming to improve the humanoid robot's tracking accuracy of desired speeds and its dynamic walking capability. First, we analyze the issues in traditional footstep planners based on Linear Inverted Pendulum and Model Predictive Control (LIP-MPC). By reconstructing the footstep optimization problem during walking using the Center-of-Mass (CoM) position, we propose an improved footstep planner to enhance the control accuracy of the desired walking speed in humanoid robots. Next, based on biological research, we define a coordinated control strategy for the arms and waist during walking. Specifically, the waist increases the robot's step length, while the arms counteract disturbance momentum and maintain balance. Based on the aforementioned strategy, we design a whole-body coordination controller for the humanoid robot. This controller adopts a novel hierarchical design approach, in which the dynamics and motion controllers for the upper and lower body are modeled and managed separately. This helps avoid the issue of poor control performance caused by multi-task coupling in traditional whole-body controllers. Finally, we integrate these controllers into a novel walking control framework and validate it on the simulation prototype of the humanoid robot Dexbot. Simulation results show that the proposed framework significantly enhances the maximum walking capability of the humanoid robot, demonstrating its feasibility and effectiveness.
Stroke patient rehabilitation: an analysis of the effects of perturbation training combined with hip unloading gait strategies
Authors: Fan Senchao , Ma Yiran , Pan Yu
Published: February 2025

Background

Perturbation training has been proven effective in reducing the risk of falls in stroke patients. When combined with hip unloading walking training, it may further enhance the restoration of walking and balance functions. This study aims to explore the rehabilitation effects of this combined training strategy on walking disabilities in post-stroke patients, with the goal of providing new methodological guidance for clinical rehabilitation.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital with stroke patients aged 18–70 years. Thirty patients were included and randomly assigned to three groups: the hip unloading walking group, the hip unloading plus perturbation walking group, and the control group, with 10 patients in each. The effectiveness of the training was assessed before and after using the 10-meter walk test and the Berg Balance Scale, along with secondary indicators including the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity, Functional Ambulation Categories, three-dimensional gait analysis, and the timed up-and-go test.

Conclusion

Compared to other types of unloading perturbation training methods, hip unloading training exhibits unique superiority. Perturbation training significantly improved the balance and walking efficiency of stroke patients, especially those with severe balance issues, outperforming traditional rehabilitation methods. The unloading group also showed a positive trend, although it did not reach statistical significance. This demonstrates the potential value of perturbation training in stroke rehabilitation.
The dual role of circHIPK3 in cancer and its implications for multiple drugs resistance: a systematic review and computational approach
Authors: Campelo Marcelo Monteiro , Reis-das-Mercês Laís , Vidal Amanda Ferreira , da Silva Felipe Rodolfo Pereira , de Oliveira Ana Carolina Alves , Monteiro José Rogério de Souza , Cabral Caique Guimarães , Noronha Renata Coelho Rodrigues , Pereira Adenilson Leão
Published: February 2025

Background

circHIPK3 role in cancer as oncogene or tumor suppressor is still debated, therefore, this study aimed to understand the dual role of this circRNA in different cancers. Furthermore, all available evidence of circHIPK3 interactions with sponged-miRNA and RBPs in oncological diseases were systematically gathered to better understand the its functional role in cancer.

Methods

PubMed, BioMedCentral, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus databases were searched for articles published until October 2024, following the PRISMA guideline. In computational analysis, miRNAs’ sponged target genes and RBPs were used for gene enrichment in KEGG, REACTOME and Gene Ontology, and TISSUES expression. miRTargetLink 2.0 was used to search for target genes, and STRING v.12.0 for gene enrichment.

Results

circHIPK3 can regulate 33 miRNAs which regulate 399 target genes, and that were mainly enriched in major biological pathways important for cancer development and promoting. circHIPK3/miR-124-3p/miR-637/miR-338-3p are the most well documented interactions in cancers that may control MAPK, Jak/STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. circHIPK3 regulates miRNAs that modulate genes responsible for chemoresistance, such as ATP-binding cassette and solute carrier transporters genes, and DNA repair genes. circHIPK3 has binding sites for RBPs, which participate mainly of RNA processing and control, and gene expression regulation. Finally, we believe that it has an onco-circRNA role in most cancers, except in bladder cancer, where it has a TS-circRNA function likely due to the microenvironment permeated by high amounts of hydrogen peroxide.

Conclusion

circHIPK3 dysregulation is an important mechanism for cancer establishment, progression and chemoresistance making it an interesting molecule with a potential therapeutic target.
Adverse drug reactions to atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: an analysis of the food and drug administration adverse event reporting system database
Authors: He Wanming , Tong Lihua , Yuan Yanling , Yang Xia , Yang Wen , Pan Xingxi
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The objective of the study is to systematically identify and evaluate the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the combination therapy of systematically and bevacizumab in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients and methods

Data were extracted from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database. Disproportionality analysis was conducted using the reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR) and Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN) of information components (IC). Time-to-onset (TTO) profiles were analyzed using the Weibull shape parameter (WSP) test, while cumulative incidences were assessed using the Kaplan‒Meier method. Valuable preferred term (PT) signals were identified for designated medical event (DME) screening, comparing these signals with system organ class (SOC) analysis.

Results

A total of 2,831 adverse events (AEs) reports were identified in the FAERS database, of which 124 positive AEs were detected across multiple SOCs. The median TTO of AEs was 43 days, with the highest proportion occurring within 0–30 days of TTO (n = 450, 41.17%). The WSP test indicated that patients with abnormal hepatic function and hepatic failure exhibited early failure-type profiles. Ten PT signals consistent with those on the DME list were identified, involving six SOCs.

Conclusion

Our study provides valuable pharmacological insights for early clinical intervention in managing ADRs and offers significant clinical benefits for HCC patients undergoing combination therapy with atezolizumab and bevacizumab.
Antibody-drug conjugate combinations in cancer treatment: clinical efficacy and clinical study perspectives
Authors: Shi Xianglong , Tang Kai , Zhang Quanbin , Han Qingkun , Quan Lin , Li Yijing , Cui Jianqiao , Feng Nuan , Gong Jianbao , Shang Baoxin , Li Xuwen
Published: February 2025

Antibody-drug conjugates have emerged as a promising cancer treatment, combining targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents with the specificity of monoclonal antibodies. Despite their potential, ADCs face limitations such as resistance and off-target effects. To enhance their efficacy, ADCs are increasingly being combined with other therapeutic strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, small-molecule inhibitors, anti-angiogenic agents, and CAR-T cell therapies. These combination therapies aim to overcome resistance mechanisms, improve tumor targeting, and boost immune responses. Clinical studies have shown that such combinations can significantly improve response rates and progression-free survival across various cancers. This review explores the mechanisms, clinical efficacy, key studies, challenges, and future perspectives of Antibody-drug conjugates combinations in cancer therapy.
Sex-dependent alterations of colonic epithelial permeability: relevance to irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Larauche Muriel , Mahurkar-Joshi Swapna , Biraud Mandy , Ju Tiffany , Mayer Emeran A. , Chang Lin
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Increased intestinal permeability is a possible pathophysiological mechanism of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Increased colonic epithelial permeability is associated with visceral nociception in rodents and abdominal pain severity in IBS patients. Although IBS is more common in women, most studies on IBS-associated epithelial dysfunction have largely overlooked sex as a biologic variable.

Methods

Men and women with Rome III- and Rome IV-positive IBS and HCs rated GI symptoms including abdominal pain severity at baseline, 24 h prior and immediately post procedure. Epithelial function was assessed ex vivo in Ussing chambers using sigmoid colon biopsies, by monitoring short-circuit current (Isc), transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and mucosal permeability to FITC-dextran 4 kDa (FD4). Biopsies tight junction protein mRNA expression was assessed using RNA seq. Statistical analyses included a framework of General Linear Models and linear contrast analyses performed using R software.

Results

44 IBS patients (66% women, 30 years) and 19 HCs (53% women, 28 years) were enrolled. The proportion of women was not different between groups. As a group, IBS patients exhibited lower TEER compared to HCs (16.9 ± 5.5 vs. 21.5 ± 6.5 Ω/cm2, p = 0.01, FDR = 0.02), but no difference in FD4 serosal concentration or Isc (basal or stimulated). Within men, IBS had lower TEER vs. HCs, but there was no disease difference within women. Independent of diagnosis, women had 1.3-fold lower TEER concentration and 1.5-fold higher FD4 serosal concentration than men. These sex differences were also seen within HCs, although within IBS, FD4 permeability only showed a trend to be higher in women vs. men. Abdominal pain ratings and IBS severity scores were not associated with TEER or FD4 concentration.

Discussion

Our study confirms prior reports that IBS patients demonstrate altered sigmoid colonic epithelial function and shows for the first time that these are independent of sex. However, sex differences in sigmoid colonic epithelial function are observed independently of disease status. Further studies are needed to delineate if intestinal permeability interacts with other factors in the pathophysiology of IBS and if these interactions differ by sex.
Antecedents of perceived teacher work ability: a comprehensive model across work and non-work domains
Authors: Hlado Petr , Juhaňák Libor , Harvankova Klara
Published: February 2025

Introduction

This study investigates the antecedents of perceived teacher work ability, a critical construct for addressing challenges associated with extending working lives and maintaining sustained professional engagement in the teaching profession. Grounded in the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, this cross-sectional study investigates the relationships between job demands (quantitative, cognitive, and emotional), job resources (supervisor support, coworker support, and autonomy), burnout, and work-life conflict in shaping perceived teacher work ability.

Methods

Data were obtained from 841 Czech primary and lower secondary school teachers (86.1% female) with a mean age of 45.9 years (SD = 10.8). The full SEM model was developed and estimated based on the proposed hypotheses.

Results

The findings suggest that burnout is the most significant antecedent of perceived teacher work ability, with quantitative and emotional job demands indirectly influencing it through burnout. While supervisor and coworker support directly enhance perceived teacher work ability, autonomy primarily alleviates quantitative and emotional job demands, thereby indirectly mitigating burnout. Work-life conflict partially mediates the relationship between job demands and burnout but does not directly impact perceived teacher work ability.

Discussion

These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between job demands, job resources, and burnout in enhancing teachers' capacity to meet the multifaceted demands of their profession effectively.
Functional movement disorder is associated with abnormal interoceptive brain activity: a task-based functional MRI study
Authors: Spagnolo Primavera A. , Parker Jacob A. , Hallett Mark , Horovitz Silvina G.
Published: February 2025

Background

Aberrant interoceptive processing has been hypothesized to contribute to the pathophysiology of functional neurological disorder, although findings have been inconsistent. Here, we utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine neural correlates of interoceptive attention – the conscious focus and awareness of bodily sensations – in functional movement disorder (FMD).

Methods

We used voxelwise analyses to compare blood oxygenation level-dependent responses between 13 adults with hyperkinetic FMD and 13 healthy controls (HCs) during a task requiring attention to different bodily sensations and to an exteroceptive stimulus. Additionally, we examined between-group differences in self-reported measures of interoception and evaluated their relationship with neural activity.

Results

Interoceptive conditions (heartbeat, stomach and ‘body’, indicating sensations from the body part or limb affected in FMD participants) activated a network involving the precuneus, the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and caudate nucleus (CN) bilaterally, and the right anterior insula (aINS) (p <0.05, corrected). Group differences in brain activity were mainly driven by processing of disease-related interoceptive signals, which in the FMD group was associated with a broader neural activation than monitoring gastric interoception, while no group differences were detected during cardiac interoception. Differences based on interoceptive focus (body vs heartbeat and stomach) between FMD subjects and HCs were found in PCC, CN, angular gyrus, thalamus, and in the mid-insula (p <0.05, corrected).

Conclusions

This is, to our knowledge, the first study showing that FMD is associated with abnormal interoceptive processing in regions involved in monitoring body state, attentional focus, and homeostatic inference.
Progress in the study of oxidative stress damage in patients with schizophrenia: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Zhang Kaiguo , Zou Lijing , Cai Yi
Published: February 2025

Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder of multifactorial triggers, with a lifetime prevalence of about 1% in all countries of the world, with a slightly higher prevalence in males than in females, and with a peak incidence between the ages of 15-35 years old, and a poor prognosis for most of the patients, which imposes a heavy burden on the society and the family. Early intervention is important for the prognosis and regression of patients. More and more studies have found that the imbalance of oxidation and antioxidant, and the persistent damage to the brain by oxidative stress play an important role in the occurrence and development of schizophrenia. Antioxidants, as additive therapy, play an important role in improving symptoms as well as preventing relapse in patients with schizophrenia. This paper intends to address the pathogenesis of oxidative stress injury and schizophrenia, and the significance of oxidative stress in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Health risky behaviors among rural-to-urban migrant workers in China: prevalence, patterns, and association with distal and proximal factors
Authors: Wang Weikai , Wang Mengting , Pan Hong , Jian Wenqian , Chen Li , Zheng Yawen
Published: February 2025

Background

Health Risky Behaviors (HRBs) pose a significant public health challenge, particularly among migrant workers in China who face unfavorable living and working conditions. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of HRBs in rural-to-urban migrant workers, as well as explore factors associated with HRBs from both distal and proximal perspectives.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey involving 2,065 rural-to-urban migrant workers was conducted. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing HRBs, distal factors (school dropout, peer victimization, physical neglect/abuse, emotional neglect/abuse) and proximal factors (work burnout, parent-child conflict, adulthood poverty, divorce intention, core self-evaluation). Logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify predictors of HRBs, leading to the development and validation of a prediction model (nomograms) for HRBs among migrant workers. The model's performance was assessed using metrics such as the area under the curve (AUC), calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

Significant predictors of HRBs included gender, school dropout, peer victimization, abuse/neglect experiences, work burnout, parent-child conflict, adulthood poverty, divorce intention, and core self-evaluation. The developed nomogram showed promising predictive accuracy with an AUC of 0.77 for the training set and 0.76 for the validation set. The calibration curve demonstrated good alignment with the diagonal, and the DCA illustrated the model's utility across different threshold ranges.

Conclusion

This study highlighted a high prevalence of HRBs among migrant workers in China, and the predictive tool developed can be instrumental in informing targeted interventions and policies to address and manage HRBs effectively among this population.
Awareness of and the relationship between noise-induced hearing loss and the use of personal listening devices in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mokhatrish Mohammad M. , Dighriri Ramzi M. , Otaif Abdulrahman A. , Otaif Abdulelah A. , Jahlan Riyadh A. , Daghreeri Abdulrahman A. , Hakami Hussam T. , Mobarki Ameer M. , Daghriri Bandar F. , Hakami Fawaz M. , Dighriri Osama M.
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a significant global health issue, exacerbated by the increasing use of personal listening devices (PLDs). This study aims to assess the awareness of NIHL and its association with PLD use among residents in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi adults in Jazan. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data on demographics, health-related characteristics, PLD usage patterns, and awareness of NIHL.

Results

The study included 428 participants, with 53.3% males and 45.6% aged 18–25. Most participants used PLDs frequently, with 43.0% listening for an hour or less daily. Awareness of NIHL was moderate, with 81.1% recognizing the harmful effects of loud noise on hearing. However, misconceptions about early signs and prevention of hearing loss (HL) were prevalent. The mean HL score was 8.9 (SD: 2.8) out of 20; which reflects low level of HL among the study participants. Males were 1.6 folds more likely to have higher level of HL compared to females (p = 0.015). Participants who prefer high volume level (above 70 dB) were more than 2-folds likely to have higher level of HL compared to others (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The study highlights moderate level of awareness of NIHL and the risks of PLDs in Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. However, implementing preventive measures, especially among younger demographics, remains a challenge. The findings suggest the need for targeted public health interventions and technology to strengthen hearing conservation strategies.
To VR or not to VR: assessing cybersickness in navigational tasks at different levels of immersion
Authors: Eudave Luis , Martínez Martín
Published: February 2025

The advent of affordable, high-quality virtual reality (VR) devices has revolutionized experimental research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, offering more immersive and naturalistic environments for studying skills like spatial navigation. However, the increased incidence of cybersickness in VR may compromise its advantages, necessitating appropriate tools to assess this phenomenon and understand its impact on experimental outcomes. Despite the growing use of VR in research, there is a lack of consensus on the most effective methods for measuring cybersickness across different experimental modalities and over time. Here, we compared two cybersickness assessment tools: the widely-used Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and the more recent Cybersickness in VR Questionnaire (CSQ-VR). Using a maze navigation task, we examined how cybersickness is modulated by modality (Desktop vs. VR) and habituation (decrease in cybersickness between morning and afternoon sessions) in a gender-balanced, young Spanish sample (n = 26) with a within-subjects design. We also investigated potential predictors of cybersickness related to the task and individual differences. Our results demonstrate high internal consistency for both tools, performing particularly well in VR, and SSQ showing higher reliability in Desktop conditions. Robust mixed factorial analyses revealed small to moderate effects of modality (VR > Desktop) and habituation in both SSQ and CSQ-VR scores. Robust regression analyses indicated that SSQ scores were predicted by modality and habituation, while CSQ-VR scores were mainly predicted by modality and VR experience. These findings highlight that: 1) both SSQ and CSQ-VR are reliable tools for assessing cybersickness during navigation tasks, especially in VR; 2) VR-induced cybersickness decreases with task repetition without apparent impact on performance; and 3) other performance and individual differences do not predict cybersickness. Our study provides valuable insights for optimizing VR task design in experimental settings, contributing to the broader field of VR-based research methodology in cognitive science.
Boosting resource use efficiency, soil fertility, food security, ecosystem services, and climate resilience with legume intercropping: a review
Authors: Akchaya K. , Parasuraman P. , Pandian Kannan , Vijayakumar S. , Thirukumaran K. , Mustaffa Mohamed Roshan Abu Firnass , Rajpoot Sudhir Kumar , Choudhary Anil K.
Published: February 2025

Adopting sustainable agricultural practices that enhance productivity while preserving ecosystem services is essential to ensure food security for a growing global population and address environmental challenges. This review examines the impact of legume intercropping on nitrogen (N) fixation, soil physio-chemical properties, water retention, pest and disease control, and crop yield across diverse agro-climatic zones and cropping systems. The findings consistently demonstrate that integrating legumes into the cropping system improves soil health by reducing bulk density, breaking up hardpan layers, reducing erosion, increasing soil organic matter, and fixing atmospheric nitrogen (~125 kg N/ha/season) reducing the need for inorganic N fertilizers. It boosts crop yields by 30–35% (in terms of main crop equivalent yield) and land productivity per unit area and time, mitigates total crop loss, and promotes biodiversity. It also improves water use efficiency by 20–25% and enhances nutrient use efficiency by 25–30%. Additionally, legume intercropping reduces yield losses from pests and diseases by 20–25% compared to sole cropping systems. The practice bolsters crop resilience through ecological processes like bio-littering, bio-ploughing, bio-irrigation, and bio-pumping (the “4Bs”), which are valuable for adapting to climate variability. However, research gaps remain, particularly in the optimal selection of legume species for specific regions, suitable agronomic practice for each system, and addressing socio-economic barriers to widespread adoption.
Evaluation of estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activity of endocrine disruptors using breast cancer spheroids: a comparative study of T47D and MCF7 cell lines in 2D and 3D models
Authors: Barbaro Katia , Innocenzi Elisa , Monteleone Valentina , Marcoccia Daniele , Altigeri Annalisa , Zepparoni Alessia , Caciolo Daniela , Alimonti Cristian , Mollari Marta , Ghisellini Paola , Rando Cristina , Eggenhöffner Roberto , Scicluna Maria Teresa
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects of endocrine disruptors were examined in vitro using two-dimensional 2D and three-dimensional 3D estrogen receptor-positive T47D and MCF7 human breast cancer cells.

Methods

The in vitro model system was used to test the plasticizer Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor (EDs) with estrogen-like action, aga inst 17β-Estradiol (E2), the endogenous nuclear estrogen receptor (nERs) ligand, and the anti-estrogenic drug Fulvestrant (FUL). Spheroid formation and gene expression of estrogen-regulated markers (pS2 and TGFβ3) both in 2D and 3D cultures were used to establish the dose-dependent cellular effects of these substances, evaluated cell viability either by separately treating with the individual substances or in co-treatment.

Results

BPA exhibited a dose-dependent estrogenic activity in both 2D and 3D cultures, significantly influencing cell proliferation and gene expression of estrogen-regulated markers (pS2 and TGFβ3). In contrast, FUL displayed anti-estrogenic properties, effectively inhibiting the proliferative effects of E2, thereby highlighting the complex interactions between these compounds and the nERs pathways in human breast cancer cells.

Discussion

Our findings indicate that E2 and BPA significantly increase pS2 expression while decreasing TGFβ3, and that FUL co-treatment reverses these effects. Therefore, the in vitro model system could serve to observe the cell-mediated effects caused by the interaction of EDs with nERs. Through the use of these in vitro model systems - 2D and especially 3D, the latter of which allow better emulation of complex physiological and pathological processes occurring in vivo, the effects caused by EDs on nERs pathways can be detected and studied under various conditions. This approach performs as a preliminary screening tool to identify estrogenic substances, offering the potential to reduce reliance on in vivo experiments and contributing to improved environmental and health risk assessments.
Design and Experiment of an Internet of Things-Based Wireless System for Farmland Soil Information Monitoring
Authors: Ou Guanting , Chen Yu , Han Yunlei , Sun Yunuo , Zheng Shunan , Ma Ruijun
Published: February 2025

Soil environmental monitoring is crucial for ensuring the sustainability and productivity of agriculture. This study aims to develop a wireless soil monitoring system that utilizes Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), solar energy, and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies to address the issues of high labor demand, high costs, and delayed feedback in traditional soil monitoring methods. This system can collect soil temperature, humidity, and meteorological data in real time, transmit them to a cloud platform for analysis and visualization, and predict future soil data. It employs multiple learning algorithms to build models and uses the Tree-structured Parzen Estimator (TPE) algorithm for hyperparameter optimization. Field stability experiments were conducted on the system, and the performance of the soil moisture prediction model was evaluated. During the 84-day stability experiment, the system operated stably for 80 days, with a data collection success rate of 95.87%. In the performance evaluation of the soil moisture model, the GBDT model achieved a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9838 on the validation set and a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.0013, with an RMSE of 0.0013 on the test set as well. The experimental results demonstrate that the system is stable and reliable, featuring low power consumption, wide coverage, and high accuracy. It can effectively predict soil moisture, providing timely and accurate support for irrigation and farming decisions.
Genome-Wide Identification and Evolution-Profiling Analysis of the GDSL Gene Family in Apple (Malus × domestica)
Authors: Yuan Jiawei , Liang Zhejun , Wang Lu , Chang Fangjuan , Chen Mengni , Dong Peng , Zhang Jian , Li Yaoyao , Wang Hui , Zhang Zhanbei , Zhang Xiaoling , Li Yongshan , Miao Tong , Zhang Jiancheng
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: GDSL lipase is crucial for plant growth and the response to environmental stress. While GDSL gene families have been identified in some plants, a comprehensive genome-wide identification and analysis in M. domestica is lacking. Methods: In this study, we identified 131 MdGDSLs belonging to four subfamilies, distributed across 17 chromosomes in the M. domestica genome. Results: The molecular weights (MWs) of these MdGDSLs range from 14.44 to 83.26 kDa, with isoelectric points (PI) spanning from 4.32 to 10.09. Members within the same subgroup exhibit similar gene structures and conserved motifs. Furthermore, whole genome duplication (WGD) significantly contributes to the evolution of the MdGDSL gene family. The promoter regions of MdGDSL genes contain numerous cis-elements associated with abiotic stress and hormone responses. Additionally, RNA-seq data indicate that MdGDSL genes respond to high concentrations of CaCl2 and cold stress treatments. Conclusions: This study provides a theoretical foundation for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying growth, development, and lipid metabolism in response to stress in M. domestica.
The Effects of Light Duration and Intensity with Supplemental Light-Emitting Diode Lights on Grape Photosynthesis, Yield, and Fruit Quality
Authors: Yuan Yu , Liu Shuqing , Xie Yuming , Nie Jun , Yang Xin , Huang Rutao
Published: February 2025

‘Shine muscat’ grapevines must be cultivated in a protected facility to avoid insects and rain during the rainy season; however, this decreases the light intensity falling on the canopy of grapes. The use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), with their high efficiency in converting electricity to light, is a useful method to supplement light for plant growth. This study was designed to primarily investigate the effect of the light duration and intensity of supplemental LED lights on grape growth. The photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements of leaves were used to evaluate the performance of photosynthesis. Grape yield and fruit quality were also investigated. Seven different light treatments were utilized to determine the proper light duration and intensity of supplemental LED lights. The results show that the supplemental LED light intensity with the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 300 μmol/(m2·s) at 18:00–24:00 showed the highest grape yield, sugar–acid ratio, and economic benefit, with improvement values of 45.1%, 51.4%, and 23.6%, respectively, compared to unsupplemented control vines (CK). The difference between the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), the max net photosynthetic rate (Pmax), and the leaf photosynthetic efficiency (α) between the treatments was negligible. Meanwhile, prolonging the light duration at night was more effective in improving the grape yield and fruit quality than increasing the light intensity in the daytime using supplemental LED lights. The results prove that the supplemental LED lights significantly optimized the light environment and improved grape yield and fruit quality.
Enhancing Peach Tree Fertilization: Investigating Methylobacterium symbioticum SB23 as Game-Changing Agent
Authors: Tsoumanis Dimitrios , Katsenios Nikolaos , Monokrousos Nikolaos
Published: February 2025

This study aims to evaluate the potential of a nitrogen-fixing endophyte, Methylobacterium symbioticum SB23, as a sustainable biofertilizer in peach (Prunus persica) cultivation. We compared three treatments: a control with soil application of ammonium sulfate (250 kg ha−1) and two endophyte foliar applications at different doses: a single high-dose application (M.SYM500 at 500 kg ha−1) and a split half-dose application (M.SYM250 at 250 kg ha−1 applied twice). The first application was made at the fruit stage’s appearance, and the second when the fruits were fully developed. Key assessments included chlorophyll content and shoot growth, which were evaluated at 52 and 100 days after application (DAA), with continued growth benefits observed through 193 DAA. Evaluations were conducted of fruit characteristics, amino acid profiles, and plant tissues of leaves for nitrogen and phosphorus at 107 DAA (harvest). The M.SYM500 treatment notably enhanced fruit weight and increased specific amino acids, such as glutamic acid, methionine, and phenylalanine, contributing to improved fruit quality and resistance properties. No significant differences in °Brix (total soluble solid) levels were observed among treatments, indicating that photosynthetic gains were likely directed towards biomass and structural growth rather than sugar accumulation. This study demonstrates that nitrogen-fixing endophytes can be effective in reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers while sustaining or improving peach growth and fruit quality.
Productivity and Morphological Adaptation of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in Agrivoltaic Systems with Different Photovoltaic Technologies: A Case Study in Chachapoyas, Amazonas, Peru
Authors: Gosgot Angeles Wildor , Banda Martinez Duber , Barrena Gurbillón Miguel Ángel , Espinoza Canaza Fernando Isaac , Santillan Gomez Homar , Mori Servan Diana Carina , Yalta Chappa Merbelita , Huanes Mariños Milton Américo , Gamarra-Torres Oscar Andrés , Oliva-Cruz Manuel
Published: February 2025

The increasing demand for food and energy presents challenges for agricultural and energy sustainability, especially in regions with limited arable land. This study analyzed the productivity and morphological adaptations of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in agrivoltaic systems using monofacial, bifacial, and semi-transparent photovoltaic technologies under the high Andean climatic conditions of Chachapoyas, Amazonas, Peru. The evaluated varieties, Panamito and Chaucha, were cultivated with planting distances of 25 cm and 35 cm. The analyzed variables included plant height, number of trifoliate leaves, number of flowers, number and weight of pods, grain weight, and yield. The experiment was designed with plots under agrivoltaic systems and a conventional system as a control. Environmental parameters such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), irradiance, precipitation, leaf moisture, soil moisture, and ambient temperature were monitored. Results showed that the bifacial system with a planting density of 25 cm was the most efficient, recording a plant height of 139.38 cm, an average grain weight of 67.97 g, and a yield of 700.5 kg/ha, significantly surpassing the conventional system. These findings shows the potential of agrivoltaic systems to enhance agricultural production by efficiently utilizing solar radiation and land, providing an innovative solution for integrating agriculture and energy generation, as well as increasing productivity in scenarios with land-use competition and climatic challenges.
Biomechanical Evaluation of the Sheep Common Peroneal Nerve After Crush Injury
Authors: Alvites Rui , Lopes Bruna , Sousa Ana Catarina , Pinheiro Fábio , Silva Elisabete , Prada Justina , Varejão Artur , Maurício Ana Colette
Published: February 2025

Axonotmesis, a common peripheral nerve injury in humans and animals, leads to significant biomechanical and physiological consequences. The lack of a standardized crushing protocol for complex animal models limits research and therapeutic translations for humans and clinically relevant animal species. This study aimed to assess the impact of different crushing forces on the biomechanical behavior of the sheep common peroneal nerve and to establish a force for standardized in vivo protocols. Fourteen nerves of equal length were harvested and preserved and their initial diameter measured. They were subjected to crushing forces of 0 N, 80 N, and 180 N for one minute. Post crushing, the diameter, ultimate tensile strength, displacement at rupture, stress, strain, and stiffness were evaluated. Results showed that increasing crushing forces significantly affected nerve biomechanical parameters. Nerves crushed with 180N displayed lower tensile strength, displacement, and stiffness but higher stress and strain, indicating greater physical damage and structural degradation. These findings suggest that 180N induces substantial nerve fiber rupture and disruption of nerve trunk support elements, making it a candidate force for an axonotmesis protocol in the ovine model. Future in vivo studies should validate its effectiveness in creating complete crush injuries with functional and histological consequences, facilitating protocol standardization and translational research.
Osteoprotective Activity of Sambucus javanica Reinw Ex Blume subsp. javanica Leaf Extracts by Suppressing ROS Production
Authors: Sukkho Treethip , Khanongnuch Chartchai , Lumyong Saisamorn , Ruangsuriya Jetsada , Apichai Sutasinee , Surh Young-Joon , Pattananandecha Thanawat , Saenjum Chalermpong
Published: February 2025

Sambucus javanica subsp. javanica (SJ) has been used in traditional medicine in the northern region of Thailand for healing bone fractures; however, studies on how this plant stimulates bone formation are still scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the potential of crude extracts and fractions obtained from SJ leaves for osteoporotic protection. All samples were investigated in murine preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells for bone formation and resorption biomarkers, namely alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), and the OPG/RANKL ratio. Additionally, calcium deposits were determined using the alizarin red S staining technique. The results indicated that the crude water and the crude ethanol extracts contained gallic acid, rutin, and chlorogenic acid as major compounds. The extracts stimulated osteoblastic cell differentiation and enhanced osteoprotective activity, as measured by a significant increase in ALP activity, OC, OPG, the OPG/RANKL ratio, and the degree of calcification. Additionally, they exhibited a negative impact on bone resorption by significantly reducing RANKL and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Therefore, our findings add novel evidence indicating that the SJ crude extracts from water and ethanol extraction could be further utilized as a natural active pharmaceutical ingredient (NAPI) for the development of bone health products.
Efficient Top-k Spatial Dataset Search Processing
Authors: Sun Jie , Dai Hua , Zhang Mingyue , Zhou Hao , Li Pengyue , Yang Geng , Chen Lei
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we introduce two novel top-k spatial dataset search schemes, KSDS and KSDS+. The core innovation of these schemes lies in partitioning the spatial datasets into grids and assessing similarity based on the distribution of points within these grids. This approach provides a robust foundation for spatial dataset search. To optimize search performance, we have developed an optimized scheme that incorporates two key strategies: a GMBR-based optimization strategy and a pooling-based optimization strategy. These strategies are designed to filter datasets to significantly improve search efficiency. Our experimental results demonstrate that KSDS and KSDS+ can perform top-k spatial dataset searches with both high effectiveness and efficiency, outpacing existing methods in terms of search speed. In the future, our research will explore other similarity-calculation models to further accelerate processing times. Additionally, we aim to integrate privacy-preserving techniques to ensure secure dataset searches. These advancements are intended to enhance the practicality and efficiency of spatial dataset searches in real-world applications.
Module Partition of Mechatronic Products Based on Core Part Hierarchical Clustering and Non-Core Part Association Analysis
Authors: Wang Shuai , Song Yi-Fei , Zou Guang-Yu , Man Jia-Xiang
Published: February 2025

Production using modular architecture can not only shorten the product development cycle and improve the efficiency of product development, but also facilitate the upgrading of a product’s main functions and the recycling of materials. However, mechatronic products are plagued by various problems, such as greater difficulty in development and longer product development cycles due to their large numbers of parts with intricate internal relationships. However, the existing modular design method still faces problems when dealing with the modular design of mechatronic products. The structure of mechanical and electrical products is very complex, which is not conducive to the establishment of a model, and complex structural models lead to low efficiency and poor accuracy of module identification. Therefore, we propose an integrated module division method for mechatronic products based on core part hierarchical clustering and non-core part association analysis. Firstly, the core part screening method is used to simplify the structural model of mechatronic products and reduce the difficulty of modeling. Then, based on the core parts, the corresponding product design structural matrix (DSM) model is established. Secondly, the hierarchical clustering algorithm is used to obtain the module division scheme of different levels of mechatronic products, and the optimal modular scheme is obtained through an evaluation of modularity and a rationality analysis of module structure. Finally, based on the analysis of the association strength between the non-core parts and the existing modules, the non-core parts are classified into the corresponding product modules, and the final modularization scheme is obtained. A case study demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed method through the modular design of an electric bicycle.