bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of liver transplantation in reducing lipid levels in Saudi children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Al-Ashwal Abdullah , Al-Mansour Salman , Al-Shagrani Mohammed , Al-Gofi Talal , Broering Dieter , Alhuthil Raghad
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The lipid profiles of patients aged <15 years who have been diagnosed with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (Riyadh) were examined.

Methods

The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of 17 patients were measured on initial presentation and compared with the levels measured after pharmacological treatment and then again after liver transplantation.

Results

At the end of the pharmacological treatment, the total cholesterol levels decreased by an average of 3.79 mmol/L (reduced by 15.40%) (P < 0.001), and LDL-C levels decreased on average by 2.73 mmol/L (reduced by 13.46%) (P = 0.014). However, in two patients, LDL-C levels increased by 5.42% and 9.03% after pharmacological treatment. Conversely, the lipid values measured after liver transplantation decreased significantly nearly to within normal and borderline limits. The post-transplant total cholesterol and LDL-C levels declined by a mean of 19.96 mmol/L (reduced by 81.04%) and 17.47 mmol/L (reduced by 84.27%), respectively (P < 0.001 for both).

Discussion

These findings suggest that liver transplantation provides a more effective means to reduce elevated total cholesterol and LDL-C levels in patients with HoFH. Although liver transplantation is considered a better treatment for FHoH, risks, complications, and donor organ shortage may present problems.
Single cell RNA-sequencing of feline peripheral immune cells with V(D)J repertoire and cross species analysis of T lymphocytes
Authors: Ramarapu Raneesh , Wulcan Judit M. , Chang Haiyang , Moore Peter F. , Vernau William , Keller Stefan M.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The domestic cat (Felis catus) is a valued companion animal and a model for virally induced cancers and immunodeficiencies. However, species-specific limitations such as a scarcity of immune cell markers constrain our ability to resolve immune cell subsets at sufficient detail. The goal of this study was to characterize circulating feline T cells and other leukocytes based on their transcriptomic landscape and T-cell receptor repertoire using single cell RNA-sequencing.

Methods

Peripheral blood from 4 healthy cats was enriched for T cells by flow cytometry cell sorting using a mouse anti-feline CD5 monoclonal antibody. Libraries for whole transcriptome, αβ T cell receptor transcripts and γδ T cell receptor transcripts were constructed using the 10x Genomics Chromium Next GEM Single Cell 5’ reagent kit and the Chromium Single Cell V(D)J Enrichment Kit with custom reverse primers for the feline orthologs.

Results

Unsupervised clustering of whole transcriptome data revealed 7 major cell populations - T cells, neutrophils, monocytic cells, B cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, mast cells and platelets. Sub cluster analysis of T cells resolved naive (CD4+ and CD8+), CD4+ effector T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and γδ T cells. Cross species analysis revealed a high conservation of T cell subsets along an effector gradient with equitable representation of veterinary species (horse, dog, pig) and humans with the cat. Our V(D)J repertoire analysis identified a subset of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells with skewed TRA and TRB gene usage, conserved TRA and TRB junctional motifs, restricted TRA/TRB pairing and reduced diversity in TRG junctional length. We also identified a public γδ T cell subset with invariant TRD and TRG chains and a CD4+ TEM-like phenotype. Among monocytic cells, we resolved three clusters of classical monocytes with polarization into pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes in addition to a cluster of conventional dendritic cells. Lastly, our neutrophil sub clustering revealed a larger mature neutrophil cluster and a smaller exhausted/activated cluster.

Discussion

Our study is the first to characterize subsets of circulating T cells utilizing an integrative approach of single cell RNA-sequencing, V(D)J repertoire analysis and cross species analysis. In addition, we characterize the transcriptome of several myeloid cell subsets and demonstrate immune cell relatedness across different species.
Ocean acidification thresholds for decapods are unresolved
Authors: McElhany Paul , Busch D. Shallin
Published: November 2024

A published analysis of ocean acidification thresholds for decapod crustaceans highlights data showing the negative effects of low pH on many species. However, the methods used in the paper have substantial flaws that call into question the proposed thresholds. The quantitative metrics calculated for the meta-analysis are uninformative with respect to pH sensitivity, which raises concerns about the validity of the thresholds developed by the expert opinion process. We recommend against using the published thresholds and for a reanalysis of the data to identify new thresholds.
Mechanisms of ROS-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in Phaeodactylum tricornutum under AgNPs exposure
Authors: Zhang Yunfei , Liu Caili , Li Bin , Chen Lizhu , Xiang Zhiwei , Tian Xiuhui , Sun Chunxiao , Gao Jiqing , Qiao Ruiguang , Hu Shunxin
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Nanomaterials such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained widespread application across various fields. However, the large-scale production and application of AgNPs have raised concerns about their distribution in the environment and potential pollution issues.

Methods

This study investigates the toxic effects of AgNPs on the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum by employing electron microscopy for cellular observation, quantifying apoptotic cell numbers, and measuring antioxidant indicators. The research examines how varying concentrations of AgNPs induce stress in P. tricornutum and the specific mechanisms of the toxic effect.

Results

The findings reveal that AgNPs induce apoptosis in P. tricornutum cells by triggering a mitochondria-mediated pathway, marked by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspase enzymes. Additionally, AgNP exposure results in an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the algal cells, leading to lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane and a consequent increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. This oxidative stress response induces the upregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities in an attempt to mitigate the excessive ROS.

Discussion

ROS is identified as the primary factor responsible for inducing mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. The research results will provide a theoretical basis for understanding the toxic effects and mechanisms of AgNPs on marine microalgae.
Modeling functional connectivity changes during an auditory language task using line graph neural networks
Authors: Acker Stein , Liang Jinqing , Sinaii Ninet , Wingert Kristen , Kurosu Atsuko , Rajan Sunder , Inati Sara , Theodore William H. , Biassou Nadia
Published: November 2024

Functional connectivity (FC) refers to the activation correlation between different brain regions. FC networks as typically represented as graphs with brain regions of interest (ROIs) as nodes and functional correlation as edges. Graph neural networks (GNNs) are machine learning architectures used to analyze FC graphs. However, traditional GNNs are limited in their ability to characterize FC edge attributes because they typically emphasize the importance of ROI node-based brain activation data. Line GNNs convert the edges of the original graph to nodes in the transformed graph, thereby emphasizing the FC between brain regions. We hypothesize that line GNNs will outperform traditional GNNs in FC applications. We investigated the performance of two common GNN architectures (GraphSAGE and GCN) trained on line and traditional graphs predicting task-associated FC changes across two datasets. The first dataset was from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) with 205 participants, the second was a dataset with 12 participants. The HCP dataset detailed FC changes in participants during a story-listening task, while the second dataset included the FC changes in a different auditory language task. Our findings from the HCP dataset indicated that line GNNs achieved lower mean squared error compared to traditional GNNs, with the line GraphSAGE model outperforming the traditional GraphSAGE by 18% (p < 0.0001). When applying the same models to the second dataset, both line GNNs also showed statistically significant improvements over their traditional counterparts with little to no overfitting. We believe this shows that line GNN models demonstrate promising utility in FC studies.
The role of stimuli of life events and sleep quality in the incidence of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: He Xi , Huang Chao , Jiang Fan , Lan Hongli , Huang Yu , Liu Maojie , Lai Dan
Published: November 2024

Introduction

It is difficult to detect acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) because of only low-frequency hearing loss and atypical early symptoms. The etiology of ALHL is still elusive, and psychosomatic factors influence deafness and tinnitus. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the correlation between psychosomatic factors and the incidence of ALHL to facilitate the prevention of ALHL.

Methods

Patients with stuffy ears and tinnitus who were admitted to the Outpatient Clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Southwestern Medical University (Luzhou, China) from July 2020 to May 2023 were identified in this retrospective study. The general data, hearing screening form, the Life Event Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale were employed to assess patients’ hearing levels and stimuli of psychosomatic symptoms. Finally, the correlation among the stimuli of life events, sleep quality, and ALHL was statistically analyzed.

Results

A total of 97 ALHL patients and 97 healthy participants were enrolled in the case group and control group, respectively. The two groups had no significant differences in general information (all p > 0.05). The amount of negative life event stimuli was significantly larger in ALHL patients than in the normal population (p = 0.000). Patients with ALHL had significantly poorer sleep quality than the healthy population (p = 0.000). There was a positive correlation between sleep quality and ALHL severity (250 Hz: r = 0.336, p = 0.001; 500 Hz: r = 0.299, p = 0.003), and a positive correlation between the stimuli of life events and sleep quality (r = 0.535, p = 0.000).

Discussion

Sleep quality was found to be closely associated with the degree of hearing loss in ALHL patients, and there was also a strong correlation between sleep quality and the stimuli of life events. Therefore, psychosomatic factors may play an important role in the occurrence of ALHL.
Angiographic features and progression risk factors in children with asymptomatic moyamoya disease
Authors: Wang Jiyuan , Zhang Qian , Di Fei , Zhang Dong
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study aims to explore the potential contribution of angiographic characteristics in the increased stroke risk among pediatric patients.

Methods

This study retrospectively enrolled pediatric patients with ischemic, hemorrhagic, and asymptomatic moyamoya disease. Their hemispheres were categorized into five groups for the analysis of angiographic characteristics, which included Suzuki’s stage, moyamoya vessels, lenticulostriate artery, thalamotuberal artery, thalamoperforating artery, anterior choroidal arteries, posterior choroidal arteries, and posterior cerebral artery involvement.

Results

Two hundred and nineteen pediatric patients with four hundred and thirty-eight hemispheres were enrolled. There was no significant difference in collateral dilatation between asymptomatic and hemorrhagic hemispheres. However, asymptomatic hemispheres had significantly lower incidence of posterior cerebral artery involvement and Suzuki’s stage compared to hemorrhagic (p = 0.008, p = 0.004) and ischemic hemispheres (p = 0.026, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that Suzuki’s stage (p = 0.002, 95% CI 1.261–2.867) is a risk factor for ischemia, while age (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.712–2.014) and posterior cerebral artery involvement (p = 0.037, 95% CI 0.087–13.377) are risk factors for hemorrhage.

Interpretation

Angiographic features in children with asymptomatic moyamoya disease resemble those observed in the hemorrhagic pediatric patients, indicating that greater attention should be focused on the risk of future hemorrhage in these patients, rather than on ischemia. Additionally, studies have demonstrated a correlation between posterior cerebral artery involvement and age with the incidence of hemorrhage. Monitoring angiographic characteristics may assist in tracking the transition from asymptomatic to symptomatic hemispheres.
Current approach to the diagnosis of sarcopenia in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Han Xu , Zhang Gao Sen , Li Qi Rui , Zhang Zhen
Published: November 2024

Muscle wasting syndrome, also known as sarcopenia, is an age-related geriatric condition characterized by a gradual loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. Sarcopenia can be classified into primary and secondary types. Primary sarcopenia is primarily associated with aging, while secondary sarcopenia is caused by systemic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, liver cirrhosis, musculoskeletal disorders, and disuse changes. In recent years, increasing evidence suggests that cardiovascular diseases can promote the occurrence of sarcopenia through various pathophysiological mechanisms. Additionally, sarcopenia increases the risk of adverse outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease such as rehospitalization and mortality. Therefore, screening and diagnosing sarcopenia are particularly important for patients with cardiovascular diseases. This article provides a brief overview of the research progress on diagnostic methods for sarcopenia in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Irregular meal pattern and later sleep midpoint are associated with increased BMI z-score and waist–height ratio during early adolescence
Authors: Lommi Sohvi , Engberg Elina , Lehtimäki Aku-Ville , Lehto Reetta , Viljakainen Heli
Published: November 2024

Background

Rapid gains in adiposity may have more adverse health implications in later life compared with having stable adiposity throughout childhood and adolescence. A knowledge gap concerns concomitant health behaviors contributing to adiposity gain among adolescents.

Objectives

We investigated the associations of health behaviors relating to dietary habits, sleep, physical activity (PA), and screen time with an increase in body mass index z-score (BMIz) and waist–height ratio (WHtR) during adolescence.

Methods

We included 4,785 adolescents (53% of girls) aged 11.1 (SD 0.8) years at baseline and followed them for 3 years. We clustered them into decreased, stable, and increased BMIz and WHtR categories using the K-means clustering method. Using Cox regression, we computed hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI for the associations of self-reported health behaviors (dietary habits, physical activity, sleep midpoint, and sedentary digital media use) with belonging to an increased BMIz or WHtR group. In a subsample (n = 3,840), we ran a sensitivity analysis considering puberty status as an additional covariate.

Results

Later sleep midpoint (having later midpoint of sleep between bedtime and waking time) and irregular meal pattern (not eating lunch and dinner every school day) predicted increased BMIz (HR 1.26 [95% CI 1.13–1.41] and 1.23 [1.08–1.39], respectively) and WHtR (1.23 [1.09–1.39] and 1.18 [1.02–1.36], respectively) over the follow-up period, after adjusting for other health behaviors. Associations remained after considering puberty status as a covariate.

Conclusions

Early bedtime with adequate sleep duration and regular meal pattern should be encouraged to prevent adiposity gain during early adolescence.
β-cryptoxanthin suppresses oxidative stress via activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Ke Jingjing , Zang Hualong , Liu Yang , Teng Qiuping , Hua Jiao , Peng Dan , Wang Ping
Published: November 2024

Objectives

This study aims to explore the role and investigate mechanisms of β-Cryptoxanthin (BCX) in high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte injury and renal dysfunction.

Methods

In this study, db/db mice were orally treated with BCX. Blood glucose, body weight, urinary albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) were recorded to evaluate the mice renal function. The H&E, PAS staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to examine the effect of BCX on the morphological changes of glomeruli in db/db mice. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) level, ATP level, and SA-β-gal staining were used to assess the podocyte oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and senescence. Furthermore, the effects of BCX on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were evaluated in vivo and in vitro through Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis.

Results

In vivo, BCX reversed glomerular mesangial matrix expansion and reduced proteinuria in db/db mice, as well as decreased glomerular oxidative stress and kidney aging. Similarly, in vitro study showed that BCX effectively alleviated the oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and senescence induced by HG in podocytes. Furthermore, we identified that the antioxidative effects of BCX are associated with the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, and that Nrf2 knockdown partially abrogated the protective effects of BCX in vitro.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated for the first time that BCX alleviates podocyte injury in DKD by promoting Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. BCX may be a potential candidate compound for preventing Diabetic kidney disease (DKD).
The effects of procrastination on physical activity among Chinese university students: the chain-mediated effects of time management disposition and exercise motivation
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Tian Maoshen , Yang Jian , Xi Yue , Li Zhihui , Wang Lin
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Grounded in self-determination theory (SDT), the procrastination-health model, and the mechanism model of exercise persistence, this study examined the effects of procrastination on physical activity and the mechanism of its action in Chinese college students.

Design

This study employed a cross-sectional design.

Methods

A total of 957 Chinese university students (Mage = 20.26, SD = 1.07) completed questionnaires. The Aitken Procrastination Questionnaire, the Adolescent Time Management Dispositions Scale (ATMDS), the Modified Physical Activity Motivation Measure-Revised (MPAM-R), and the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3) were used to measure procrastination, time management disposition, exercise motivation, and physical activity.

Results

Procrastination, time management disposition, exercise motivation, and physical activity were each significantly correlated, and procrastination was a significant negative predictor of physical activity. The mediating effect of time management disposition and exercise motivation in the effect of procrastination on physical activity was significant, and the mediating effect accounted for 44.65% of the total effect. Three paths were specifically included: first, the separate mediating effect of time management disposition, second, the separate mediating effect of exercise motivation, and third, the chain mediating effect of time management disposition and exercise motivation.

Conclusion

This study reveals the mechanism of action by which procrastination influences physical activities through time management disposition and exercise motivation in Chinese college students. The findings provide guiding recommendations for further promoting greater participation in physical activities among college students.
The relationship between life satisfaction and risk preferences of couch potatoes, recreational and elite athletes: the impact of mental dispositions and attitudes
Authors: Aguiar-Noury Alice , Frick Bernd , Risch Nikolaus
Published: November 2024

Introduction

This study examines the relationship between physical activity and mental wellbeing among students not playing any sport (“couch potatoes”), recreational athletes and “dual career students”, i.e., students who are at the same time elite athletes. It addresses three closely related, yet different questions: (i) Do couch potatoes, recreational and elite athletes differ in their level of affective well-being or happiness? (ii) Are there any differences in cognitive wellbeing or life satisfaction between these groups? and (iii) Are there any differences in risk preferences and attitudes?

Methods

In our empirical analysis, we use a large cross-section dataset with detailed information on nearly 4,700 students enrolled at 24 different universities and universities of applied sciences all over Germany to identify the relationship between the individuals' personalities and their life satisfaction and risk preferences using standard regression models.

Results

Our findings indicate that, first, elite athletes report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction than recreational athletes and couch potatoes. Second, both groups of athletes display higher levels of risk tolerance than couch potatoes. Third, and most important, we find significant personality differences between elite athletes and the other two groups of students that drive most, yet not all of our results.

Discussion

Since dual career students are often role models for other students, universities should consider investing in their sports facilities and offering sports classes on campus to increase the athletic involvement of the general student body.
Promoting integrated blue–green infrastructure for urban resilience—lessons learned from case studies
Authors: Jagadisan Sharmila
Published: November 2024

In recent years, the climate change crisis has become a serious concern and has heightened public perceptions of environmental awareness and the importance of ecological sustainability. Human-induced climate change poses a grave and dangerous threat to our entire ecosystem. Climate change profoundly impacts all life on Earth, driven by the overexploitation of resources and unsustainable choices. This threatens our health, security, and survival. Blue–green infrastructure presents significant opportunities to address complex multifaceted urban concerns, including global temperature rises and biodiversity loss. This research focuses on how blue–green spaces play a crucial role in minimizing the cascading risks through nature-based solutions as an efficient approach to managing natural resources sustainably. It also explores how the integrated blue–green infrastructure projects benefit human wellbeing and increase the livability quotient. This research utilizes a wide range of evidence to demonstrate how various global case studies involved in blue–green infrastructure (BGI) projects positively impact health and social cohesion. This study has important implications for policymakers and urban planning practitioners and can potentially help decision-makers prioritize more holistic and socially inclusive BGI projects.
Cleaning the Air With Microbes and Magnetic Fields
Authors: Aizpuru Aitor , López Bello Estheisy , Torres Luis , Ramírez Camila , Arriaga Sonia
Published: November 2024

Microbes are tiny organisms, but when it comes to eating, they have powerful appetites. They even have a taste for harmful stuff. While eating harmful substances, they can help us clean the environment. We can use these hungry microbes to get rid of man-made contaminants present in the air we breathe, such as the pollutants called volatile organic compounds released into the air by certain industries. We can give microbes a boost with a magnetic field, stimulating their appetite and their growth, and thus making them even greater cleaners. Such magnetic fields have lots of helpful applications in our daily lives.
The impact of InsurTech on advancing sustainable specialty agricultural product insurance in China
Authors: Hou Dainan , Wang Xin
Published: November 2024

The development of specialized agricultural product insurance is crucial for perfecting China’s agricultural insurance system and promoting rural revitalization. Currently, specialized agricultural product insurance in China faces numerous challenges in key areas such as rate determination, risk assessment, and loss adjustment, which have become bottlenecks restricting its sustainable development. This paper explores how insurance technology (InsurTech) can enhance the ecological system of specialized agricultural product insurance through technological innovation and overcome these industry pain points. It elaborates on how InsurTech can enhance farmers’ interactive experience and satisfaction, improve the management efficiency of insurance companies, strengthen government regulation, and promote the sustainable development of the insurance business. Moreover, this study deeply analyzes the practical barriers in implementing InsurTech and proposes corresponding strategies, including establishing innovative incentive mechanisms, improving relevant policies and regulations, building a multidimensional data platform to achieve data interoperability, and strengthening the construction of digital rural infrastructure to enhance farmers’ technological literacy, thereby advancing the sustainable development of InsurTech in specialized agricultural product insurance.
A review on lipid and polymeric nano-based 17-β-estradiol delivery systems: advances and challenges
Authors: de Assis Ramos Mayara Munhoz , Ricardo-da-Silva Fernanda Yamamoto , Macedo Luiza de Oliveira , Correia Cristiano Jesus , Moreira Luiz Felipe Pinho , Löbenberg Raimar , Breithaupt-Faloppa Ana Cristina , Bou-Chacra Nadia
Published: November 2024

17β-estradiol (E2) is an endogenous steroid hormone pivotal for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics and the maintenance of the female reproductive system. Its roles extend beyond these physiological functions, as E2 is employed in hormone replacement therapy to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause. Furthermore, E2 exhibits therapeutic potential in the management of osteoporosis, breast cancer, and various neurological and cardiovascular conditions, partly due to its anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of the MAPK/NFκB signaling pathway. Notwithstanding, the hydrophobic nature of E2 significantly hinders the formulation of efficacious delivery systems for its clinical deployment. Recent advances have highlighted nano-based delivery systems for E2 as a promising solution to this solubility challenge. This review critically examines contemporary nano-delivery strategies for E2, particularly emphasizing lipid and polymeric nanoparticle-based systems. These nanostructures are designed to enhance stability, biocompatibility, controlled release, and targeted delivery of E2, yet the selectivity of E2 delivery for therapeutic purposes remains an ongoing challenge. The novelty of this review lies in its focus on the advances in nano-based E2 delivery systems over the past decade, a topic not extensively covered in prior literature. We present a comprehensive analysis of the encapsulation of E2 within polymeric and lipid nanoparticles, underscoring the untapped potential of these strategies. This review identifies a significant research gap, advocating for intensified experimental investigations that could pave the way for the translation of nano-based E2 therapies from bench to bedside.
Dyskursy medialne oraz ich parametry. Wybrane zagadnienia mediolingwistyczne
Authors: Loewe Iwona
Published: November 2024

The article uses a descriptive-heuristic method. The author undertook a task of describing the nature of media linguistics as a subdiscipline of linguistics, as seen from her own perspective, as well as in the light of views of a number of other linguists. The discussion about the methodology of media linguistics presented in the paper comprises arguments in favour of distinguishing it from other subdisciplines on the basis of research methods, research objects, and objects of analysis. The author argues that the strongest evidence for the distinctness of media linguistics is media discourses and not the media themselves, as well as the multimodality of media texts.
Substandardowe realizacje fonetyczne oraz ich funkcje w komediach Stanisława Barei .
Authors: Bobrowski Jakub
Published: November 2024

The paper examines the substandard pronunciation of certain words in the comedies by a popular Polish filmmaker, Stanisław Bareja. The empirical material was obtained using the auditive method. The author claims that non-literary phonetic realisations that appear in the fi lm dialogues imitate: 1) colloquial mispronunciations; 2) dialectal pronunciation (especially typical of the urban dialect of Warsaw); 3) hypercorrect pronunciation; 4) speech defects and unfamiliarity with foreign words. Subsequently, he lists several important functions of the phonetic peculiarities. The filmmaker used them primarily to achieve humorous effects. However, the analysis has also revealed that they indicated: 1) the place of action; 2) the social affiliation of the characters; 3) the intellectual level of the characters; 4) the ethnicity of the characters; 5) the level of formality of the communicative situation.
Co mówią nazwy własne o „tutejszym Zachodzie” w polskim serialu Ranczo?
Authors: Domaciuk-Czarny Izabela
Published: November 2024

The paper offers a description of the names used in four seasons (1–4) of the Polish TV series “Rancho.” The analysis aims to show the mentality of the rural society that lives in Wilkowyje, its characteristics, and its views on political and social changes after Poland’s accession to the European Union. Europe is not the only symbol of the West entering this community. It is also, above all, America, embodied by the fi lm’s protagonist, a Polish woman born in New York. For the local inhabitants, the ongoing changes are puzzling and sometimes painful, which they express vocally in their assessments of the West. Due to the specifics of the fi lm language, proper names are studied in their contexts: in the dialogues between the characters and in the situations in which they find themselves. Occasionally, the interpretation of the onymes also requires a deeper look at the source (the film) from which they originated – as an audiovisual work (film editing, music, acting, visuals, colours, etc.).
Niedomówienie w tytułach internetowych artykułów prasowych
Authors: Sokolnicki Arkadiusz Cezary
Published: November 2024

Even a superficial scan of the titles of press articles published online supports the statement that they often include rhetorical devices. An example of such a device is understatement. In this paper, I attempt to briefly characterise understatement, to present similar devices, and to analyse selected examples of its use in the titles of Internet press articles in terms of their content and probable effects. The analysis leads to the observation that understatement is commonly and intentionally used in the titles of Internet press articles as a rhetorical means of influence to attract attention. Overall, the paper tentatively suggests the importance of sensitivity to rhetorical means of influence, such as understatement, to preserve autonomy in forming judgments and making decisions.
Ontological Airspace-Situation Awareness for Decision System Support
Authors: Insaurralde Carlos C. , Blasch Erik
Published: November 2024

Air Traffic Management (ATM) has become complicated mainly due to the increase and variety of input information from Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) systems as well as the proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) requiring Unmanned Aerial System Traffic Management (UTM). In response to the UTM challenge, a decision support system (DSS) has been developed to help ATM personnel and aircraft pilots cope with their heavy workloads and challenging airspace situations. The DSS provides airspace situational awareness (ASA) driven by knowledge representation and reasoning from an Avionics Analytics Ontology (AAO), which is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) database that augments humans’ mental processes by means of implementing AI cognition. Ontologies for avionics have also been of interest to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) project, but they have yet to be received by practitioners and industry. This paper presents a decision-making computer tool to support ATM personnel and aviators in deciding on airspace situations. It details the AAO and the analytical AI foundations that support such an ontology. An application example and experimental test results from a UAV AAO (U-AAO) framework prototype are also presented. The AAO-based DSS can provide ASA from outdoor park-testing trials based on downscaled application scenarios that replicate takeoffs where drones play the role of different aircraft, i.e., where a drone represents an airplane that takes off and other drones represent AUVs flying around during the airplane’s takeoff. The resulting ASA is the output of an AI cognitive process, the inputs of which are the aircraft localization based on Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) and the classification of airplanes and UAVs (both represented by drones), the proximity between aircraft, and the knowledge of potential hazards from airspace situations involving the aircraft. The ASA outcomes are shown to augment the human ability to make decisions.
Deciphering Membrane Proteins Through Deep Learning Models by Revealing Their Locale Within the Cell
Authors: Faiz Mehwish , Khan Saad Jawaid , Azim Fahad , Ejaz Nazia , Shamim Fahad
Published: November 2024

Membrane proteins constitute essential biomolecules attached to or integrated into cellular and organelle membranes, playing diverse roles in cellular processes. Their precise localization is crucial for understanding their functions. Existing protein subcellular localization predictors are predominantly trained on globular proteins; their performance diminishes for membrane proteins, explicitly via deep learning models. To address this challenge, the proposed study segregates membrane proteins into three distinct locations, including the plasma membrane, internal membrane, and membrane of the organelle, using deep learning algorithms including recurrent neural networks (RNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). A redundancy-curtailed dataset of 3000 proteins from the MemLoci approach is selected for the investigation, along with incorporating pseudo amino acid composition (PseAAC). PseAAC is an exemplary technique for extracting protein information hidden in the amino acid sequences. After extensive testing, the results show that the accuracy for LSTM and RNN is 83.4% and 80.5%, respectively. The results show that the LSTM model outperforms the RNN and is most commonly employed in proteomics.
New Pharmacological Insight into Etanercept and Pregabalin in Allodynia and Nociception: Behavioral Studies in a Murine Neuropathic Pain Model
Authors: Alothman Loulwah , Alhadlaq Emad , Alhussain Asma , Alabdulkarim Alwaleed , Sari Youssef , AlSharari Shakir D.
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Neuropathic pain is challenging to treat, often resistant to current therapies, and associated with significant side effects. Pregabalin, an anticonvulsant that modulates calcium channels, is effective but can impair mental and motor functions, especially in older patients. To improve patient outcomes, reducing the doses of pregabalin and combining it with other drugs targeting different neuropathic pain mechanisms may be beneficial. TNF-α blockers such as etanercept have shown potential in addressing neuropathic pain by affecting sodium channels, synaptic transmission, and neuroinflammation. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of combining low doses of etanercept and pregabalin in allodynia and nociceptive tests. Materials and Methods: Male C57/BL6 mice underwent chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve to induce neuropathic pain. They were divided into seven groups: sham control, CCI control, low and high doses of pregabalin, low and high doses of etanercept, and a combination of low doses of both drugs. Behavioral tests, including von Frey, hot-plate, and rotarod tests, were used to assess pain responses and motor activity. Results: The results indicated that a high dose of pregabalin significantly reduced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia but impaired motor function. Conversely, low doses of etanercept alone had no significant effect. However, the combination of low doses of etanercept (20 mg/kg) and pregabalin (5 mg/kg) effectively alleviated pain without compromising locomotor activity. Conclusions: These results suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for neuropathic pain, enhancing analgesic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.
High Expression of GABAA Receptor β Subunit Genes Is Associated with Longer Overall Survival in Medulloblastoma
Authors: Monteiro Jander M. , Dalmolin Matheus , Fernandes Marcelo A. C. , Ramos Jaqueline I. R. , Ribas Carmen A. P. M. , Tabushi Fernando I. , Roesler Rafael , Isolan Gustavo R.
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Most of the rapid inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain is mediated through activation of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A (GABAA) receptor, which is a ligand-gated ion channel. GABAA receptor activation via GABA binding allows for an intracellular influx of Cl− ions, thus inducing cellular hyperpolarization. Each GABAA receptor consists of a combination of five subunits, and several subunits have been proposed as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Here, we show the expression of genes encoding β subunits of the GABAA receptor, namely GABRB1, GABRB2, and GABRB3, across the four different molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma (MB), which is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. We also show the associations of GABAA receptor β subunits with MB patients’ overall survival (OS). Methods: The expression of genes encoding GABAA receptor β subunits was analyzed using a previously described dataset comprising 763 MB tumor samples. Patients were classified into high- and low-gene-expression groups, and the Kaplan–Meier estimate was used to examine the relationship between gene expression levels and patient OS. Results: High GABRB1 expression was associated with better OS within each of the four molecular subgroups. The GABRB2 gene showed higher transcript levels in Group 3 MB compared to all other subgroups, and high expression was associated with better prognosis in Group 3 tumors. GABRB3 expression was significantly higher in Group 3 and Group 4 MB, and high expression of GABRB3 genes was associated with longer OS in the sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup. The high expression of GABRB1, GABRB2, and GABRB3 is associated with longer patient OS in a subgroup-specific manner. Conclusions: These results indicate a role for GABAA receptors containing β subunits in influencing MB progression.
Social Reintegration Experiences of Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Authors: Yi Ji Seong , Lee Song Yi
Published: November 2024

This study uses the Q methodology to investigate the subjective perceptions of social reintegration among cancer survivors in their 20s and 30s. We organised a Q population through a pilot study and interviews and finalised 40 Q sample items. For P sample representativeness, we used purposive sampling and selected 12 individuals by age and cancer type. After a Q sorting process, we conducted a key factor analysis using Ken-Q Analysis Desktop Edition. We identified four types of P samples based on their perceptions and noted the main characteristics of each type. We characterised Type 1 as “recovery of presence through social reintegration seeking”, Type 2 as “confusion in social reintegration due to social prejudices”, Type 3 as “psychosocial support in the process of social reintegration”, and Type 4 as “blessing in disguise for post-traumatic growth”. The results suggest a need for practical and institutional support reflecting cancer survivors’ characteristics by type. This study provides basic data that researchers could use to develop coaching and counselling services to support the social reintegration of cancer survivors in their 20s and 30s.
Towards Sustainable Construction: Evaluating Thermal Conductivity in Advanced Foam Concrete Mixtures
Authors: Mohtadi Alireza , Ghomeishi Mohammad , Dehghanbanadaki Ali
Published: November 2024

Traditional concrete structures are frequently linked to poor energy efficiency and substantial heat loss, which pose significant environmental issues. To enhance thermal insulation and reduce heat loss, the use of precast insulated walls is suggested. This research introduces a new energy-efficient precast concrete panel (PCP). We explored various material combinations, including air bubbles, nano microsilica compound (NMC), nano microsilica powder (NMP), and latex, to determine the most effective formulation. A total of 99 tests were performed to assess the compressive strength of the samples, with 28 tests selected for thermal conductivity evaluations at temperatures of 300 °C and 400 °C based on satisfactory compressive strength results. The results indicated that the optimal mix of 4% air bubbles and 13% NMC achieved the lowest thermal conductivities of 1.31 W/m·K and 1.20 W/m·K at 300 °C and 400 °C, respectively, showing improvement ratios of 7% and 15.5% compared to the baseline tests. Additionally, the tests that included latex did not meet the thermal conductivity standards. The optimal combinations identified in this research can be effectively utilized in PCPs, resulting in significant energy savings. It is expected that stakeholders in the green building sector will recognize these proposed PCPs as a practical energy-efficient solution to advance sustainable and environmentally friendly construction practices.
Possible Role of Endothelial-Derived Cellular and Exosomal-miRNAs in Lipid-Mediated Diabetic Retinopathy: Microarray Studies
Authors: Elmasry Khaled , Habib Samar , Helwa Inas , Khaled Mariam Lotfy , Ibrahim Ahmed S. , Tawfik Amany , Al-Shabrawey Mohamed
Published: November 2024

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a salient cause of blindness worldwide. There is still an immense need to understand the pathophysiology of DR to discover better diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) were treated with 15-HETE or D-glucose, then miRNAs were isolated, and a microarray was performed. MirWALK 2 and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) were used to analyze the microarray results. Exosomal miRNAs from 15-HETE-treated HRECs were isolated, microarrayed, and then imported into IPA for further analysis. The microarray results showed that 15-HETE downregulated 343 miRNAs and upregulated 297 miRNAs in HRECs. High glucose treatment induced a differential expression of HREC-miRNAs where 185 miRNAs were downregulated and 244 were upregulated. Comparing the impact of 15-HETE versus DG or diabetic mouse retina elaborated commonly changing miRNAs. Pathway and target analysis for miRNAs changed in 15-HETE-treated HRECs revealed multiple targets and pathways that may be involved in 15-HETE-induced retinal endothelial dysfunction. The HREC-exosomal miRNAs were differentially expressed after 15-HETE treatment, with 34 miRNAs downregulated and 45 miRNAs upregulated, impacting different cellular pathways. Here, we show that 15-HETE induces various changes in the cellular and exosomal miRNA profile of HRECs, highlighting the importance of targeting the 12/15 lipoxygenase pathway in DR.
Developmental Origins of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases: Role of Fetal Undernutrition and Gut Dysbiosis in Infancy
Authors: Chandra Manju
Published: November 2024

There is an increasing prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) like obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, allergic asthma, and neuro-developmental/psychiatric problems in many parts of the world. A suboptimal lifestyle as an adult is often blamed for the occurrence of NCCDs. This review discusses the developmental origin of health and disease theory and how suboptimal nutrition in intrauterine life and the establishment of a suboptimal gut microbiome during infancy can influence the predisposition to NCCDs.
Preliminary Spectroscopic Observations of Marble-Hosted Rubies, Marginal Host Marbles, and Transition Zones Between Marbles and Rubies on Samples from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Pakistan
Authors: Fan Chen , Ding Yung-Chin , Lui Wing-Tak
Published: November 2024

This study focusses on the spectroscopic observation of marbles, rubies and the transition zone between ruby and its hosted marble that may distinguish the origin of ruby. Samples of ruby-bearing marble were obtained from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence was used to analyze the chemical compositions. Although the content of other elements in the marble varied with the origin, the Cl content was quite constant. A diagram of the trace elements Fe and Ga was used to determine the origins of the marble-hosted rubies. X-ray diffraction was used to verify the structure phases, where trioctahedral mica, plagioclase, quartz, and alkali feldspar were found in marbles. Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry was used for rubies, where a 659 nm fluoresce peak was found in the Myanmar ruby sample, which could make Myanmar ruby redder and more sought after. The bonding of elements and inclusions of the samples were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence. A FTIR peak at 630 cm−1 is found to be useful in judging the temperature of ruby formation. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to analyze the variation of the transition zone, which revealed that the boundary was a gradation zone. Concentrations of Al203 increased in this zone, but CaCO3 concentrations decreased.