bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery: A Novel Approach for Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Authors: Parveen Rubi , Ali Faraat , Singh Shiv Dev
Published: November 2024

Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a chronic wound, and a person with diabetes has an increased
lifetime risk of foot ulcers (19%-34%) and high morbidity (65% recurrence in 3-5 years,
20% lifetime amputation). Recent data have shown rising amputation rates, especially in the younger
and minority populations. This abstract discusses innovative approaches for addressing this issue.
This highlights the use of nanotechnology-based drug nanocomposite systems for natural wound
healing therapies, with a focus on nanoparticles, nano-emulsions, and nanogels. This review also
emphasizes the potential of hydrogels for drug delivery, highlighting their versatility in various medical
applications. Furthermore, it delves into the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNP’s) for treating
diabetic wounds while acknowledging the need to address potential toxicity concerns. Finally, the
abstract discusses the utilization of traditional herbal medicine and the integration of modern science
to advance wound care, particularly focusing on wound microbiome, immune response, and controlled
herbal medicine delivery. This study also highlights clinical trials conducted on DFU. Overall,
these abstracts highlight the importance of exploring diverse and innovative solutions to chronic
wound management.
Computer-aided Drug Discovery of Epigenetic Modulators in Dual-target Therapy of Multifactorial Diseases
Authors: Oljacic Slavica , Popovic Nikolic Marija , Filipic Brankica , Gagic Zarko , Nikolic Katarina
Published: November 2024

Numerous studies suggest that common genetic and epigenetic factors such as p53, histone
deacetylase (HDAC), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the (Ataxia Telangiectasia
mutated) ATM gene, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) and
altered expression of microRNA (miRNA) play a crucial role in cancer and neurodegeneration. As
there is growing evidence that epigenetic aberrations in cancer and neurological diseases lead to
complex pathophysiological changes, the simultaneous targeting of epigenetic and other related
pathways by dual-target inhibitors may contribute to the discovery of more effective and personalized
therapeutic options. Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) provides comprehensive bioinformatic,
chemoinformatic, and chemometric approaches for the design of novel chemotypes of
epigenetic dual-target inhibitors, enabling efficient discovery of new drug candidates for innovative
treatments of these multifactorial diseases. The detailed anticancer mechanisms by which the epigenetic
dual-target inhibitors alter metastatic and tumorigenic properties, influence the tumor microenvironment,
or regulate the immune response are also presented and discussed in the review.
To improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of cancer and neurodegeneration, this review
discusses novel therapeutic agents targeting different molecular mechanisms involved in these
multifactorial diseases.
GRIN2A and Schizophrenia: Scientific Evidence and Biological Mechanisms
Authors: Sheng Xiao-Ming , Guan Wei
Published: November 2024

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder and a complex polygenic inherited disease
that affects nearly 1% of the global population. Although considerable progress has been made over
the past 10 years in the treatment of schizophrenia, antipsychotics are not universally effective and
may have serious side effects. The hypofunction of glutamate NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in GABAergic
interneurons has long been postulated to be the principal pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
A recent study has shown that GRIN2A pathogenic variants are closely related to the aetiology of the
disorder. GRIN2A encodes the GluN2A protein, which is a subunit of NMDAR. Most GRIN2A variants
have been predicted to cause protein truncation, which results in reduced gene expression. Preclinical
studies have indicated that GRIN2A mutations lead to NMDAR loss of function and substantially
increase the risk of schizophrenia; however, their role in schizophrenia is not well understood.
We hypothesise that the heterozygous loss of GRIN2A induces NMDAR hypofunction sufficient to
confer a substantial risk of schizophrenia. Therefore, this review focuses on GRIN2A as a target for
novel antipsychotics and discusses the mechanisms by which GRIN2A modulates antischizophrenic
activities. Moreover, our review contributes to the understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia
to facilitate finding treatments for the cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Investigating Biomarkers and Molecular Mechanisms in COPD: Perspectives from In-vivo Models
Authors: Singh Aarti , Arora Swamita , Singh Vivek , Alam Sanjar , Akram Wasim , Dhillon Anjali , Kumar Shivendra , Kumar Arun , Saha Sunam
Published: November 2024

Purpose:

This review examines COPD pathogenesis, biomarkers, and treatment.
COPD, a progressive respiratory illness that blocks airflow, causes high morbidity and death. The
complicated pathophysiology of COPD involves genetic predisposition, environmental variables
(particularly tobacco smoke), and inflammatory pathways. COPD diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring
depend on biomarkers in clinical and preclinical investigations. COPD care should include
pharmaceutical and non-pharmacological therapies to improve symptoms, lung function, and outcomes.

Materials and Method:

This review examines COPD pathogenesis, cytokines, and risk factors.
This review article discusses how immune system signalling molecules called cytokines contribute
to COPD's persistent inflammation. Smoking and environmental contaminants are also examined
as COPD risk factors. The analysis also covers biomarkers needed to diagnose and track
the condition.

Results:

The review paper on COPD highlights the critical role of cytokines in the disease's pathophysiology,
emphasizing their contribution to chronic inflammation. Various cytokines, particularly
interleukins, are implicated in driving the inflammatory processes within the airways and lungs,
resulting in tissue damage and airflow limitation, which are hallmark features of COPD. The paper
also identifies smoking and exposure to environmental pollutants as major risk factors for the
development of COPD.

Conclusion:

This review illuminates COPD's complex pathogenesis, highlighting cytokines' involvement
in chronic inflammation. To create targeted therapeutics, cytokine-mediated pathways
must be understood. The review emphasizes biomarkers' use in preclinical and clinical investigations
to diagnose and monitor COPD and provide disease progression insights.
Exploring the Multifaceted Potential of Kigelia africana: Journey from Ethnomedicine to Cosmeceutical
Authors: Patel Khushbu , Pal Rashmi Saxena , Pal Yogendra , Chaitanya MVNL , Katiyar Deepti , Srivastava Preeti
Published: November 2024

Since ancient times, Indian Balam Kheera or Kigelia africana sausage trees have been
utilized to heal a variety of human afflictions. Ethnobotanists have documented the traditional uses
of K. africana, which include the management of skin conditions, cancer, and gynaecological
problems. Scientists have been interested in assessing the bioactivity of plant components of K.
africana. Numerous researchers have been most interested in its fruit and leaves due to their diverse
pharmacological properties. K. africana has been used to develop items that are sold commercially,
yet many of them lack complete standardization. It is necessary to carry out additional
research, extract novel bioactive phytochemicals, standardize K. africana products, and scientifically
confirm other traditional applications of K. africana; despite numerous efforts by researchers
to do so, many of these claims remain unsupported. The purpose of this review was to draw attention
to Kigelia africana's undiscovered cosmetic potential.
Decoding the Genetic Code: Scientific Exploration of the Telomere-totelomere (T2T) Genome
Authors: Wang Linjuan , Li Yujia , Zhang Zhepei , Song Fengcheng , Zan Yufei , Zheng Ranxi , Yuan Zhengrong
Published: November 2024

With the development of third-generation sequencing technology, genome assembly has
entered a new era. The combination of multiple sequencing methods can combine the strengths of
each, resulting in higher-quality assembly results. Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) genome refers to a
zero gap genome that is assembled at the T2T level of one or more chromosomes through the combination
of multiple sequencing technologies, such as Pacific Biosciences High-Fidelity (PacBio
HiFi), Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) Ultra-long, High-throughput Chromosome Conformation
Capture (Hi-C), and others. High-quality reference genomes are the basis for genomics research,
and the T2T genome has enabled the exploration of unknown areas of the genome, such as
telomeres and centromeres, which has provided a more in-depth direction for research. This review
provides a comprehensive overview of the T2T genome, reviewing the development of sequencing
technologies and then outlining sequencing strategies, assembly methods, quality assessment processes,
and analysis software for the T2T genome with practical examples. Representative T2T genomic
species of plants, animals, and microorganisms (e.g., human, Arabidopsis, brewer's yeast, and
so on) are presented separately. A summary of the potential and challenges of current T2T genomic
applications is provided, along with an outlook for future developments.
Identification and Analysis of Plant miRNAs: Evolution of In-silico Resources and Future Challenges
Authors: Kushwaha Abhishek , Singh Hausila Prasad , Singh Noopur
Published: November 2024

Endogenous small RNAs (miRNA) are the key regulators of numerous eukaryotic lineages
playing an important role in a broad range of plant development. Computational analysis of
miRNAs facilitates the understanding of miRNA-based regulations in plants. The discovery of small
non-coding RNAs has led to a greater understanding of gene regulation, and the development of bioinformatic
tools has enabled the identification of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targets. The need
for comprehensive miRNA analysis is being accomplished by the development of advanced computational
tools/algorithms and databases. Each resource has its own specificity and limitations for the
analysis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various algorithms used by computational
tools, software, and databases for plant miRNA analysis. However, over a period of about two
decades, a lot of knowledge has been added to our understanding of the biogenesis and functioning
of miRNAs in other plants. Several parameters were already integrated and others need to be incorporated
in order to give more accurate and efficient results. The reassessment of computational recourses
(based on old algorithms) is required on the basis of new miRNA research and development.
Generally, computational methods, including ab-initio and homology search-based methods, are
used for miRNA identification and target prediction. This review presents the new challenges faced
by the existing computational methods and the need to develop new tools and advanced algorithms
and highlight the limitations of existing computational tools and methods, and emphasizing the need
for a comprehensive platform for miRNA gene exploration.
Antidepressant Potential of Hispidulin Present in S. barbata D. Don: Mechanistic Insights through Neurochemical and Behavioral Assessments
Authors: Pannu Arzoo , Goyal Ramesh K. , Goswami Shikha
Published: November 2024

Background and Aim:

This study aims to investigate the antidepressant properties of
Hispidulin, a flavonoid present in Scutellaria barbata D. Don. The selection of Hispidulin
stems from its notable inhibitory activity against Xanthine Oxidase (XO), a parameter in the
pathophysiology of depression.

Material and Methods:

Mice were subjected to a rigorous evaluation using a murine model of
Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) to induce depression for 21 days and antidepressant
properties were rigorously assessed using the Tail Suspension Test (TST), Forced Swim
Test (FST), and Open Field Test (OFT). Imipramine and fluoxetine were used as standard
drugs. Additionally, neurochemical analyses were conducted to quantify serotonin (5-HT),
norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) levels in the cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus.
Further mechanistic insights were sought through the estimation of monoamine oxidase (MAO)
activity and assessment of antioxidant enzyme levels in the brain. Plasma nitrite and corticosterone
levels were also measured to delineate the underlying mechanism of action.

Results:

Hispidulin demonstrated significant antidepressant effects, as evidenced by reduced
immobility time in TST and FST and increased exploratory behavior in OFT. Neurochemical
analysis revealed restoration of 5-HT, NE, and DA levels in key brain regions. Furthermore,
Hispidulin modulated MAO activity and enhanced antioxidant enzyme levels in the brain.
Plasma nitrite levels were elevated, indicating enhanced nitric oxide synthesis, while corticosterone
levels were reduced.

Conclusion:

Our findings indicate that Hispidulin exerts potent antidepressant effects, potentially
mediated through its influence on monoaminergic neurotransmitters, MAO activity, and
antioxidant defenses. These results provide valuable mechanistic insights into the antidepressant
action of Hispidulin, supporting its potential therapeutic application in depressive disorders.

result:

Hispidulin demonstrated significant antidepressant effects, as evidenced by reduced immobility time in TST and FST, and increased exploratory behavior in OFT. Neurochemical analysis revealed restoration of 5-HT, NE, and DA levels in key brain regions. Furthermore, Hispidulin modulated MAO activity and enhanced antioxidant enzyme levels in the brain. Plasma nitrite levels were elevated, indicating enhanced nitric oxide synthesis, while corticosterone levels were reduced.
Green Synthesis, Structural Insights, and Antimicrobial Potential of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized via Sustainable Method
Authors: Kumar Vishnu K. , Francis Shebin , P. R Shehsadi , M. V Manjusha , Varghese Princy
Published: November 2024

Background:

Green synthesized nanoparticles have gained wide interest in
today’s world due to their inherent features like rapidity, eco-friendliness, and costeffectiveness
[4].In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized using an
aqueous extract of Ixora coccinea leaves. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission
Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies were used to analyze the structural and morphological
properties of prepared Zinc Oxide nanoparticles.

Methods:

The sol-gel method of synthesis via the green route was introduced to synthesize
pure Zinc oxide nanoparticles. Silver-doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles were also prepared
using the same method

Result:

The XRD studies showed the crystalline nature and revealed the purity of Zinc
Oxide nanoparticles. The specific functional groups responsible for reduction, stabilization,
and capping agents present in the nanoparticles were examined using Fourier Transform
Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy. The bacterial destruction was better for
ZnO nanoparticles than reported for plant extracts and standard drugs.

Conclusion:

This study proves that Zinc Oxide nanoparticles contain natural antimicrobial
agents through green synthesis, which may serve to produce drugs for antimicrobial
therapeutics.
Biological Evaluation of Cucumis trigonus (Roxb.) for Memory Enhancing Activity in Scopolamine-induced Amnesia in Mice
Authors: Bharti Abhishek , Bora Kundan Singh
Published: November 2024

Introduction:

Plants have been employed for centuries to enhance human health due to
their cost-effectiveness and minimal adverse effects. Numerous plants exhibit a wide spectrum of
pharmacological activities, and various herbal medicines are currently being investigated for their
memory-enhancing properties.

Method:

Cucumis trigonus (Roxb.), commonly known as Kachari or Bitter gourd, is one such plant
with diverse pharmacological attributes. Historically, the fruits of C. trigonus have been utilized for
addressing various conditions like leprosy, pyrexia, icterus, hyperglycemia, chronic cough, bronchitis,
abdominal fluid accumulation, anemia, obstipation, diverse gastrointestinal disease, and cognitive
impairment. The current investigation aims to explore the memory enhancement properties of C.
trigonus, rooted in its traditional applications, particularly against scopolamine-induced amnesia in
mice. Morris water maze and elevated plus maze paradigms were employed to evaluate cognitive
performance. Furthermore, the research examined acetylcholine neurotransmission, oxidative stress
markers, and cerebral histopathology.

Result:

The results showed that C. trigonus ethanol extract (dose- 150 or 300 mg/kg., p.o.), markedly
(p<0.05) improved memory in scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice and significantly (p<0.05)
elevated hippocampus acetylcholine concentration. These findings revealed that the ethanol extract
of C. trigonus fruits mitigates memory deficits and demonstrates neuroprotective efficacy analogous
to the reference drug Piracetam. Additionally, the extract showed notable in vivo antioxidant activity.
The occurrence of flavonoids and phenols is likely to be responsible for its memory-enhancing effects
due to their antioxidant properties, which help to prevent the loss of neurons.

Conclusion:

These results support the efficacy and potential of C. trigonus ethanol extract as an
affordable alternative form of herbal medicine for the treatment of Amnesia.
Soluplus-Stabilized Nimodipine-Entrapped Spanlastic Formulations
Prepared with Edge Activator (Tween20): Comparative Physicochemical
Evaluation
Authors: Alkufi Hussein K. , Kassab Hanan J.
Published: November 2024

Background:

Nimodipine (ND) is a vasodilator drug that is used for acute subarachnoid
hemorrhage. It has a predominant hydrophobic property, causing low solubility and low bioavailability.
Spanlastics are elastic nanovesicular systems based on non-ionic surfactants and edge activators
as major components. The goal of this work is to formulate ND as spanlastic nanovesicles to
improve the drug's bioavailability.

Methods:

Spanlastic formulations containing ND were prepared by using the ethanol injection
method. The composition of the ND formulation includes Span60 as a nonionic surfactant and
Tween 20 as edge activators in different ratios. Stabilizers like Soluplus (SP) are used in some formulations
and then compared with other formulations without that stabilizer. The evaluation study
involved Vesicle Size (VS), PolyDispersity Index (PDI), and Entrapment Efficiency (%EE). Then,
the optimized formula was subjected to an in vitro release study and zeta potential, additionally
comparing the optimized formula with the formula without soluplus in the same concentration in
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), solubility study, Deformability Index (DI), and stability
study.

Results:

The results indicated a significant shift in some evaluation criteria and a non-significant
change in other characterizations, including the difference in polymer ratio, sonication time (ST),
and the existence of a stabilizer. The best formula, F27, was found to have VS, PDI, %EE, and zeta
potential of 125.7±0.29 nm, 0.4744±0.002, and 85.43±0.17% and -20.01 ± 0.89 mV, respectively.
The photomicrographs of the prepared spanlastic revealed a more uniform and spherical spanlastic,
indicating a greater capacity for continuous release. With the addition of Soluplus, the formula became
more stable in one month and had a higher deformability index.

Discussion:

A significant shift was observed in both VS and PDI. As the stabilizer concentration
increases, VS and PDI will decrease. The non-significant shift was noted in the %EE with the presence
of a stabilizer. Soluplus has the ability to spontaneously self-assemble into spherical particles.
Additionally, PEG 6000, as a component of Soluplus's structure, has a tendency to form strong or
tightly bound bilayers and prevent aggregation and formulation of large vesicles.

Conclusion:

This study explains the accessibility of the formulation of ND as spanlastic nanovesicles
by using the ethanol injection method. This spanlastic formulation contains non-ionic surfactants
and edge activators (Span 40 and Tween 20) in varying ratios. To get a stable formula, Soluplus
is added to prevent the development of crystals and agglomeration.
Chemical Profiling, In-Silico Investigation and In Vivo Toxicity Assessment of Lacatomtom (A Psychoactive Mixture) on Selected Indices in Albino Wistar Rats
Authors: Titus Emmanuel Friday , Gyebi Gideon Ampma , Samuel Akor Eneojo , Isaac Emeje Paul , Gideon Ayeni , Micheal Pepple Nne , Junaidu Yahaya , Samson Oka , Akogwu Omada Adams , Obaje Gideon
Published: November 2024

Introduction/Objective:

The use of lacatomtom (LTT), a psychoactive mixture of
tomtom (TT) candies with lacasera (LC) beverage, has recently increased among young Nigerians
and Africans. There isn't much scientific study on the constituent and effects of this psychoactive
substance.

Methods:

Herein, LTT was chemically-profiled using GCMS analysis, and the toxicological effects
were examined in albino rats. In vivo experiment consists of five groups of six rats each (group 2 -
LTT ad libitum; groups 1, 3, & 4 - TTT, TT, LC (1 mL) mg/mL kg/body weight once/day respectively,
group 5 - distilled water ad libitum). Identified constituents were examined against human monoamine
oxidase (hMOA) and human catechol O-methyltransferase (hCOMT) using in silico methods.

Results:

Forty-seven chemical compounds were identified. Ad libitum intake of LTT elevated plasma
alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, total cholesterol,
and LDL-cholesterol levels. The docked poses, binding scores, and interactions with amino
acids informed the selection of (4-Methoxymethoxy-hex-5-ynylidene)-cyclohexane (MM) (-9.4
kcal/mol) and 3-(hydroxyphenylmethyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-phenylpentan-2-one (HP) for hCOMT (-
9.4 kcal/mol), while propionylcodeine (-10.1 kcal/mol) and HP (-8.9 kcal/mol) for hMOA. Topdocked
compounds (TDC) demonstrated the potential to permeate the blood-brain barrier. TDC was
predicted to be a positive substrate of the P-glycoprotein and presents inhibitory potential for cytochrome
P450 descriptors. HP was mutagenic and could induce human hepatotoxicity and druginduced
liver injury, while propionylcodeine had a human hepatotoxic prediction.

Conclusion:

The present study, for the first time, confirmed the potential toxicity of lacatomtom to
the liver, kidney, heart, and central nervous system supported by the identified top-docked compounds
regarded as potential psychoactive constituents of hMOA and hCOMT.
Functionality of Semolina Pasta Supplemented with Grapefruit Flavedo Byproduct: Effect on Phytochemical, Functional, Textural, Cooking, and Sensorial Quality
Authors: Chaudhary Sahil , Singh Barinderjit , Chahal Tanjeet Singh , Srivastava Yashi
Published: November 2024

Background:

Pasta is consumed worldwide and can be an excellent food matrix for supplementation. Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) flavedo byproduct is reported to contain considerable amounts of bioactive compounds, which represent a valuable and sustainable source of phenolics. So far, there is limited information available about the utilization of grapefruit flavedo byproducts for supplementation of pasta.

Methods:

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of freeze-dried grapefruit flavedo powder (GFP) incorporation at various concentrations (3, 6, 9, and 12%) on the phytochem-ical, functional, textural, microstructural, and sensory quality of the developed pasta.

Results:

Fortification with GFP significantly (P<0.05) enhanced antioxidant activities rela-tive to DPPH and FRAP and increased the total phenolic and flavonoid content from 73.20–96.83 mg GAE/100g and 132.41–211.63 mg GAE/100g, respectively. Supplementation with GFP significantly (P<0.05) reduced the optimum cooking time of pasta, while cooking loss increased up to 6.32% with 12% GFP incorporation, which was still under the acceptable limits (<8%). The addition of GFP decreased the L* value, while the a* and b* values in-creased for the pasta. SEM analysis presented that GFP incorporation in pasta affected the structural integrity attributable to the enhanced fiber levels, inducing a weaker matrix, as ascertained by textural profile analysis (TPA) with a decline in hardness attribute with in-creasing GFP concentration. Sensory analysis divulged overall acceptability scores of 8.4 for the pasta with 6% GFP, while further increments in GFP levels led to decreased sensory scores.

Conclusion:

Grapefruit peels are typically discarded as waste, the outer layer of which, i.e., flavedo, could be used to enrich pasta. The present research divulged that pasta supplemen-tation with freeze-dried flavedo powder could provide total phenolic content, flavonoid con-tent, and antioxidant potential without compromising on the technological and sensory qual-ity of pasta. Utilization of this citrus waste as a bioactive food ingredient with promising effects represents a valuable byproduct valorization strategy.
Corrigendum to: An Essential Role of c-Fos in Notch1-mediated Promotion of Proliferation of KSHV-Infected SH-SY5Y Cells
Authors: Xu Huiling , Huang Jinghong , Yao Lixia , Gu Wenyi , Ruzi Aynisahan , Ding Yufei , Li Ying , Liang Weihua , Jiang Jinfang , Pan Zemin , Cao Dongdong , Zhou Naiming , Li Dongmei , Zhang Jinli
Published: November 2024

In the online version of the article, a change was made in
the author's position. The affiliation of Dongmei Li and Jinli
Zhang in the online version of the article titled “An Essential
Role of c-Fos in Notch1-mediated Promotion of Proliferation
of KSHV-Infected SH-SY5Y Cells” has been updated in
“Current Molecular Pharmacology,” 2024; 17:
e18761429264583 [1].

The original article can be found online at:
https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/137219

Original:

Huiling Xu1,2,#, Jinghong Huang1,#, Lixia Yao1,#, Wenyi
Gu3, Aynisahan Ruzi4, Yufei Ding5, Ying Li6, Weihua
Liang1, Jinfang Jiang1, Zemin Pan1, Dongdong Cao1,
Naiming Zhou6,7,*, Dongmei Li1,# and Jinli Zhang1,#

* Address correspondence to this author at the Institute of
Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus,
Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Tel:
86-13588743854; E-mail: zhounaiming@zju.edu.cn

#This author has contributed equally to this work

Corrected:

Huiling Xu1,2,#, Jinghong Huang1,#, Lixia Yao1,#, Wenyi
Gu3, Aynisahan Ruzi4, Yufei Ding5, Ying Li6, Weihua
Liang1, Jinfang Jiang1, Zemin Pan1, Dongdong Cao1,
Naiming Zhou6,7,*, Dongmei Li1,#,* and Jinli Zhang1,#,*

* Address correspondence to these authors at the Institute
of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus,
Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Key
Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi
University School of Medicine 59 North 2nd Road, Shihezi,
Xinjiang, 832002 China. Department of Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology/Key Laboratory of Xinjiang Endemic and
Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine 59
North 2nd Road, Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832002 China.

Tel: +86-13588743854; E-mail: zhounaiming@zju.edu.cn

Tel: +86-993-2057882; E-mail: lidong_abc@126.com,
lidongmei@shzu.edu.cn

Tel: +86-993-2057882; E-mail: jinli1998@126.com

#These authors have contributed equally to this work
Who Are The Beasts?
Authors: Martín Fátima
Published: November 2024

Critical review of The Beasts, by Rodrigo Sorogoyen.
Gender-based Violence in Ghanaian Parliamentary Discourse: A Corpus-assisted Discourse Analysis
Authors: Sarfo-Kantankah Kwabena Sarfo
Published: November 2024

Studying gender-based violence (GBV) in country-specific parliamentary discourses can provide legislative perspectives and global understanding of the experience of GBV and the fight against it. In Ghana, for instance, men are mostly seen as the default perpetrators of GBV, even though research shows that men also suffer from GBV. Thus, using a corpusassisted discourse studies (CADS) approach, this study investigates the discursive construction of GBV in parliamentary debates in Ghana, a leading democracy in West Africa. The study uses parliamentary debates as primary data and legislation on domestic violence and other related instruments as secondary data. Through concordances and collocation, we identify and examine how GBV is constructed in the parliamentary debates and how such GBV constructions relate to the expression of domestic violence in legislation. The study shows that the discourse around GBV centres on three main issues, namely: the forms of GBV, victims and perpetrators of GBV, and the fight against it. The analysis indicates that when MPs talk about GBV, they refer predominantly to violence against women and children, including domestic violence, wife beating, sexual violence, defilement, rape, physical assault, teenage pregnancy, child prostitution, child marriage and violence against women in politics; they are silent on violence against men. The MPs think that collective activism, education, achieving gender parity and a strong legal regime that severely punishes offenders are critical antidotes to GBV.
Using Worthiness, Unity, Numbers and Commitment to Analyse Reported Speech in the Pro- and Anti-Brexit Press
Authors: Kennedy Charlotte-Rose
Published: November 2024

Following the Brexit referendum’s marginal leave result, the People’s Vote March (PVM) protests rallied for a public vote and second referendum that would include the option to remain. Both the pro- and anti-Brexit press reported on PVM protests more than any other Brexit-related demonstration. In doing so, they included politicians’ quotations – powerful ideological tools often used by the press to manipulate readers’ perception and interpretation of events. Although historically, the press is known to construct protests unfavourably, Tilly (2004) argues that politicians are responsive to protests when they display worthiness, unity, numbers, and commitment (WUNC). In a dataset of all 572 national UK newspaper articles that reported on PVM protests, this article seeks to show how linguistic features can contribute to WUNC as a methodological framework. It then demonstrates how WUNC can be applied as an additional critical lens in the analysis of concordance lines to interpret how politicians’ quotations, and the context in which they are embedded, can contribute to the pro- and anti-Brexit press’ respective PVM-opposing and PVM-backing ideologies.
Fear Appeals, Migration and Sinophobia in COVID-19 News and Twitter Discourse: A Corpus-based Critical Analysis
Authors: Russo Katherine Elizabeth
Published: November 2024

During the pandemic period, xenophobic and racist hate speech against migrant communities seeped in everyday online and offline conversations, yet its connection to the wider communicative context of crisis communication has been scarcely investigated so far. Hence, while the morbidity and mortality rates of the COVID-19 virus seem to have subsided, the ways in which COVID-19 risks and measures were communicated and appraised still call for our attention as they illuminate how alternative discursive paths contributed to social division and/or solidarity (see e.g., Muñoz Martínez, 2021; Nguyet Erni & Striphas, 2022; Wodak, 2022). Keeping in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic was and remains so overwhelming because it refers to a series of superimposed social, cultural, political crises, the article attempts to investigate whether it is possible to conceptualize hate speech as a predictable maladaptive reaction to linguistic and discursive discrimination and inequality in the communication of risk (Russo, 2020; Russo & Grasso, 2022). It provides findings on the appraisal of COVID-19 news-based risk communication discourse by Twitter users based in the United Kingdom during the period 1 March 2020-15 March 2020. More specifically, it focuses on maladaptive responses such as hate speech towards migrant communities and individuals with some specific findings on sinophobia. In order to investigate the affect and discrimination nexus which lies at the basis of racist and xenophobic hate speech, it adopts a combined Corpusbased Critical Discourse Studies and Appraisal Linguistics Approach to Social Media (Baker, 2006; KhosraviNik, 2014, 2017; Martin & White, 2005; Partington, 1998; Thomson & White, 2008; Zappavigna, 2012, 2018). The analysis is therefore narrowed from bulk data retrieval to identify the lexical and grammatical resources used to express attitude oriented to affect and associates the findings on affect with the analysis of the representation of social actors from a Critical Discourse point of view (Reisigl & Wodak, 2001; van Leeuwen, 1996; Wodak et al., 1999).
Examining Social Stereotypes of Saudi Women in British and Saudi Media: A Comparative Analysis of Newly Obtained Women's Rights in Driving and Traveling
Authors: Ayed Althobiti Mashael
Published: November 2024

This study examines the portrayal of Saudi women in British and Saudi newspapers, focusing on their right to drive and travel freely. A comprehensive analysis of 25 articles from Al Riyadh, The Guardian, and The Times was conducted using van Leeuwen's social actor approach. The findings reveal that The Guardian and The Times diverge from traditional social stereotypes and emphasise progress, empowerment, and positive changes in the lives of Saudi women. However, some instances of socially stereotypical representations were found. Similarly, the Saudi newspapers depict Saudi women as powerful and intelligent individuals, countering the prevalent notion of passivity and oppression. This study contributes to understanding how media narratives can challenge or perpetuate social stereotypes, emphasising the importance of balanced and accurate portrayals that reflect the progress and agency of Saudi women, fostering inclusive and equitable societies.
‘Where Others are not Able to Safeguard the Rights of Children’: Legitimizing Transformation of Social Identity and Practice in Save the Children Sweden
Authors: Vogel Anna
Published: November 2024

The aim of my study is to describe how a change within Save the Children Sweden (SCS), formerly working only with advocacy, but lately working also with welfare services, was legitimized. Secondly, I investigate how van Leeuwen’s (2008) framework for recontextualization may be used to highlight legitimation of social identity. I collected a one-million-word text corpus complemented by ethnographic field notes (240,000 words) and performed a legitimation analysis to investigate how social identity and practice were justified. For this purpose, intertextual and interdiscursive elements in the legitimation criteria were included. Results show that van Leeuwen’s framework may indeed be used for legitimation of social identity if intertextual and interdiscursive elements are added. In the corpus for this study, only the strategies of authorization and rationalization were used to legitimize identity. I attribute this finding to the close links between authority (tradition, habit etc.) and identity, and to the fact that the new identity of SCS seems rational in terms of attracting more funds and of finding new solutions to old problems.
Disciplinary Normalisation and the Biopolitics of COVID-19 Pandemic Discourse in Ghana
Authors: Puorideme Dennis , Lewil Diedong Africanus
Published: November 2024

Constructing normalised sociopolitical order during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared a common feature of countries across the globe, constituting identities and engendering political struggles. This study analyses the concrete discursive practices of the President of the Republic of Ghana during the pandemic. Foucault’s notions of discourse and power provide the framework for analysing the performances and realisations of disciplinary (power) normalisation and biopolitical practices during the pandemic. How do the discursive practices of the President of the republic of Ghana construct new normalcy, a normalised sociopolitical order, and managed the virus spread during the COVID-19 pandemic? The study revealed the deployment of disciplinary normalisation and the biopolitical constitution of subjects. It found out that there is a discursive link between the discursive practices of the President of Ghana and the pandemic discourse of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and funding support from the World Bank. The President’s discursive shift from disciplinary normalisation to self-discipline increased the chances of the ruling party towards winning the December 7, 2020, general election in Ghana. Also, this study provides a better understanding of the reconfiguration of the political and the similarities between Ghana’s pandemic discourse and some Global North countries.
‘Because of People Like You…’: Banal Politics in the Making of the Pandemic Governmentality in Italy
Authors: Costabile Nicoletta Gerardo
Published: November 2024

At first sight, social media comments seem to be the place where anti-vaxxer discourse and mocking regularly occurred during the global pandemic. Based on an exploratory analysis of comments that were published on the social media account of the Italian Department of Civil Protection from February 2020 to December 2021, this paper argues that social media comments can also help to detect the subjectivity augured by discourses of COVID19 crisis management: the responsible subject. Drawing on governmentality studies and a social semiotic understanding of social media comments as ‘banal politics’, this paper discusses the reconfiguration of the political during and beyond the global pandemic. It looks at the reconstitution of a new political subject that emerged throughout the COVID19 crisis: the responsible, a subject who does not limit herself to following the governmental rules but also reproduces and enforces them on a molecular communication scale.
Factors influencing the liquidity in Vietnamese listed companies
Authors:   School of Accounting and Auditing, National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam, Doan Duong Thuy , Vu Thu Thi Minh ,   School of Accounting and Auditing, National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam, Nguyen Linh Thuy ,   Faculty of Finance and Banking, Thuongmai University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Published: November 2024

This study examines the factors that affect liquidity in companies listed on the Vietnam Stock Exchange. The factors are divided into two main groups: those related to corporate governance and other additional factors. To measure a company's liquidity, we use different indicators such as the cash ratio, quick ratio, and cash conversion cycle (CCC). To test the hypotheses and explain how these factors relate to liquidity measures, we develop three econometric models. Our dataset covers the period from 2017 to 2022 and includes companies listed on the HoChiMinh City Stock Exchange. The final sample consists of 359 companies, with 1,638 observations. The results show that in Vietnamese listed companies, both the cash ratio and quick ratio have positive relationships with board size, board independence, and company performance. On the other hand, the net operating cycle is negatively related to board size, company size, board independence, and profitability. This suggests that larger companies with bigger boards and more independent members are better at managing their capital efficiently. However, there is no clear evidence of a relationship between company age and liquidity or between CCC and profitability. These findings provide useful insights into the factors influencing liquidity in Vietnamese listed companies, with important implications for financial management strategies.
Effectiveness of Gamification Interventions to Improve Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Min , Xu Jisheng , Zhou Xulin , Li Xingchen , Zheng Yu
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is closely related to the health of children and adolescents. Gamification interventions are highly potential measures to promote PA. However, the effects of gamification interventions on PA and sedentary behavior (SB) in children and adolescents remain a controversial topic. This review aims to resolve this controversy.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of gamification interventions in improving PA and reducing SB in children and adolescents and to summarize potential moderators of gamification interventions to promote PA participation.

METHODS

RCTs of the effects of gamification interventions on PA participation in children and adolescents were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library electronic databases. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 18 software. Studies of the effects of gamification interventions on PA and SB in children and adolescents were included in the analysis, and due to high heterogeneity, meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (Cochrane RBAT). Egger tests and sensitivity analyses were used to ensure the robustness of the results, and subgroup analyses were used to explore the possible effects of different factors on the results.

RESULTS

We included 16 RCTs with a total of 7,472 children and adolescents were ultimately included. A meta-analysis of the results showed that the gamification intervention had a positive effect on MVPA（SMD=0.15,95% CI:0.01 to 0.29; P=.04) and BMI (SMD 0.11,95% CI 0.05 to 0.18; P=.0004). However, there was no significant improvement in SB (SMD 0.07, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.22; P=.33), VPA (SMD 0.12, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.55; P=.56), MPA (SMD 0.16, 95% CI -0.2 to 0.53; P=.38), LPASMD (SMD -0.00, 95% CI -0.49 to 0.48; P=.99), and Daily Step (SMD 0.22, 95% CI -0.51 to 0.94; P=.55). Results of subgroup analyses indicated that theoretical paradigm, game elements, intervention duration, and study setting had a significant moderating effect on MVPA in children and adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Meta-analyses indicated that gamification interventions effectively increased MVPA in children and adolescents, and this effect persisted beyond the follow-up period. Theoretical paradigms, game elements, and intervention duration may be associated with the efficacy of gamification interventions, and further exploration of the optimal implementation of game elements and theoretical features is needed to maximize PA engagement.

CLINICALTRIAL

CRD42023426532
Enhancing BERT with Frame Semantics to Extract Clinically Relevant Information from German Mammography Reports: Algorithm Development and Validation (Preprint)
Authors: Reichenpfader Daniel , Knupp Jonas , von Däniken Sandro , Gaio Roberto , Dennstädt Fabio , Cereghetti Grazia Maria , Sander André , Hiltbrunner Hans , Nairz Knud , Denecke Kerstin
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Structured reporting is essential for improving the clarity and accuracy of radiological information. Despite its benefits, the European Society of Radiology (ESR) notes that it is not widely adopted. This raises the need for automatic methods to extract relevant information from unstructured radiology reports and thereby create structured reports automatically.

OBJECTIVE

This study explores to combine a Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) architecture with the linguistic concept of frame semantics to extract and normalize information from free-text mammography reports.

METHODS

After creating an annotated corpus of 210 German reports for fine-tuning, we generate several BERT-model variants by applying three pre-training strategies on hospital data. Afterwards, a fact extraction pipeline is built, comprising an extractive question answering model and a sequence labelling model. We evaluate all model variants quantitatively using common evaluation metrics (model perplexity, squad_v2, seqeval) and perform qualitative evaluation of the whole pipeline by clinicians on a manually created synthetic dataset of 21 reports.

RESULTS

Our system is capable of extracting 14 fact types and 40 entities from the clinical findings section of mammography reports. Further pre-training on hospital data reduced model perplexity, although not having significant impact on the two downstream-tasks. We achieved averaged F1 scores of >90 % and >80 % for question answering and sequence labelling, respectively. Qualitative evaluation of the pipeline based on synthetic data shows overall precision of 96.1 % and 99.6 % for facts and entities, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed BERT-based framework incorporating frame semantics effectively extracts structured information from unstructured radiology reports. This system shows promise for advancing automated structured reporting in radiology, supporting improved clarity and usability of radiological data.
Law, Culture and Language: Challenges in Legal Term Translation from the Perspective of Comparative Legal Culture
Authors: Luo Man
Published: November 2024

As a cross-cultural communication activity, legal translation inevitably involves law, culture and language. The accurate translation of legal terms plays a crucial role in facilitating the exchange between different legal cultures. Cultural factors, including language, legal systems, legal institutional structures and legal mindsets, have a major impact on legal translation. Failure to capture the discrepancies between different legal cultures causes errors in the translation of legal terms. To achieve optimal translation effects, translators not only need to possess a high level of language proficiency but also have a deep understanding of different legal systems and cultures. From the perspective of comparative legal culture, this paper analyzes how cultural factors influence the translation of legal terminology between Chinese and English and proposes corresponding translation strategies. When there are equivalent concepts in both the source and target legal systems, translators should employ corresponding legal equivalents in the translation. In cases where such equivalents are absent, translators may employ paraphrasing techniques or coin new terms to convey the intended meaning.
Study on Case-based Bilingual Teaching Model of International Engineering Contracting Course—Take Qingdao City University as an Example
Authors: Zhang Kefei , Miao Qixiang , Wang Chunxiao , Zhang Qiaohui
Published: November 2024

Under the background of the “Belt and Road” initiative, China’s international status in the field of international engineering is also increasing, and the industry’s demand for international engineering professionals and their professional requirements are gradually increasing. As a key professional course related to international engineering, international project contracting should keep pace with The Times in teaching content and teaching methods under such a background. Taking Qingdao City University as an example, based on the analysis of the problems existing in the traditional international engineering contract teaching, this paper proposes a new model of case-based bilingual teaching for international engineering contract teaching through the investigation of students’ professional foundation and English level, combined with the current development needs of the industry. This course is reformed from three aspects: the setting of case base, the optimization of bilingual teaching mode and the flexible assessment method. Finally, through the investigation of the students, the practical effect of the reform plan is tested.