bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educação Financeira: A Percepção dos Alunos do 9º Ano do Ensino Fundamental das Escolas Públicas de Rondon do Pará
Authors: De Nazaré Gemaque Cardoso Victória , Arruda de Araújo Maurílio
Published: August 2024

A educação financeira no ensino fundamental, vem ganhando espaço e notoriedade nas escolas, sendo inserida de modo interdisciplinar na educação básica, em conformidade com a Base Nacional Comum Curricular do ensino fundamental de 2017, e o decreto nº 7.397 de 2010, que fora reestruturado pelo decreto nº 10.393 de 2020, que instituiu a Estratégia Nacional daEducação Financeira e criação do Fórum Brasileiro de Educação Financeira. Diante disso, o presente trabalho tem por objetivo verificar a percepção dos alunos de 9º ano das escolas públicas do município de Rondon do Pará, a respeito da educação financeira. A metodologia utilizada foi de natureza qualitativa, do tipo exploratória, em seguida para coleta de dados foi aplicado questionário com dezessete afirmativas fechadas, em uma amostra final de 66 alunos. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, 75,7% aprendem finanças no ambiente familiar, e 53,1% afirmam ter alcançado conhecimento de educação financeira na escola, percebe-se cada vez mais que aeducação financeira está presente no cotidiano dos alunos, seja na escola ou na família. Contudo, apenas 54,6% dos respondentes perceberam no ambiente escolar que os professores utilizam conhecimentos de educação financeira com exemplos, atividades, situações do cotidiano e outros. Desta maneira, é possível destacar que a preponderância da influência é no núcleo familiar, assimsendo, este estudo fornece informações acerca da realidade da educação financeira sob a ótica dos alunos do 9º ano, identificando a necessidade de maior interferência do ambiente escolar, para contribuir de forma eficiente na formação do discente e colaborar para uma vida financeira futura mais equilibrada, dirimindo índices de endividamento e fortalecendo o uso consciente dos recursos.
Ciências na Educação Infantil e o Livro Didático: Um Panorama de Teses e Dissertações Brasileiras
Authors: Avrella Elisa Regina , Do Espírito Santo Hermel Erica
Published: August 2024

Ciências na Educação Infantil (EI) tem mostrado novas possibilidades de um trabalho que valoriza e respeita as crianças e suas singularidades. O olhar atento a elas e ao contexto em que convivem diariamente na escola, leva-nos a perceber quão ricas são as oportunidades e possibilidades de trabalhar Ciências, atendendo às suas necessidades de desenvolvimento e aprendizagem. O Livro Didático (LD) é uma das ferramentas utilizadas nas escolas tanto pelos alunos quanto pelos professores, tornando-se imprescindível conhecer o que as pesquisas recentes apontam sobre o no Ensino de Ciências (EC) na EI utilizando o LD. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa,de caráter bibliográfico-documental, teve por objetivo compreender quais as concepções de currículo (Tradicional, Crítica e Pós-crítica) e a presença de LD (Mediador, Organizador de Currículo, Material de Apoio) no EC da EI em oito dissertações e duas teses. Sobre as concepções de currículo, houve predominância do currículo Tradicional, seguido da concepção Crítica e, em menor frequência, da concepção Pós-crítica. Com relação à presença do LD, foi possível identificar que os trabalhos têm maior predominância como Mediador e Organizador de Currículo, menor frequência como Material de Apoio, e, em sua grande maioria, não apresentaramo uso do LD, sendo seu uso mais atual. A pesquisa apontou, também, para a carência de discussões em Programas de Pós-Graduação sobre o EC na EI e o LD.
Improving regioselectivity of phenylalanine aminomutase from Taxus chinensis by semi-rational mutagenesis for the biocatalytic amination of cinnamates
Authors: Tang Tao , Wang Miao , Zhang Yunyun , Chen Yijun
Published: August 2024

The occupancy of the binding pocket by the substrate ultimately determines the outcome of enzyme catalysis. Previous engineering and substrate scope of phenylalanine aminomutase from Taxus chinensis (TcPAM) has generated valuable knowledge about the regioselectivity with biocatalytic potentials for the preparation of α- and β-phenylalanine and their derivatives. However, the significantly different regioselectivity during the amination of cinnamates by TcPAM is not fully understood. In this study, we take a reconstruction approach to change the whole binding pocket of TcPAM for probing the factors affecting the regioselectivity, resulting in variant C107S/Q319M/I431V reaching a 25.5-fold enhancement of the β/α product ratio toward trans-cinnamate acid. Furthermore, when substituted cinnamates were used as substrates, the regioselectivity was strongly correlated with various changes in the binding pocket, and value-added 2-Cl-α-Phe (100% α-selectivity) and 4-CH3-β-Phe (98% β-selectivity) were individually verified by the mutants L104A and Q319M at a preparative scale, exemplifying the application feasibility of our engineering strategy. The present study uncovered the cooperative connection between aromatic binding and carboxylate binding to affect the regioselectivity, which provides new insights into the determinants of the regioselectivity possessed by TcPAM and paves the way for its biocatalytic applications on phenylalanine derivatives.
Selective root canal retreatment of a maxillary first molar: a case report with a 9-year follow up
Authors: Guerreiro Viegas Olavo , Santos João Miguel Marques
Published: August 2024

Traditional endodontic retreatments usually target the entire root canal system. In contrast, selective root canal retreatment presents a new, targeted alternative that offers a less invasive solution. However, its promising approach faces potential obstacles due to a lack of long-term data, which might affect its widespread acceptance. This case report adds to the existing body of literature by offering an in-depth analysis of a long-term outcome following selective non-surgical retreatment, thereby bridging an important gap in knowledge. A 59-year-old male presented with post-treatment apical periodontitis (PTAP) in a maxillary first molar. Initial clinical examination revealed the patient was symptomatic, and the tooth responded negative to thermal tests and positive to vertical percussion. Radiographic assessment identified a radiolucency confined to the mesiobuccal root. No radiolucencies or signs of inflammation were observed in the distobuccal and palatal roots. These findings led to the decision to selectively retreat the mesiobuccal root non-surgically. This targeted approach aimed at addressing the inflammation while preserving the integrity of unaffected areas. The patient received selective non-surgical retreatment on the mesiobuccal root. During a nine-year follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic, as confirmed by clinical observation. Periapical radiograph and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scan demonstrated complete healing of the treated root. Importantly, the untreated roots showed no signs or symptoms of apical periodontitis. This underscores the efficacy of the targeted treatment and its successful resolution of the inflammation. This case report aimed to show the long-term effectiveness and minimally invasive nature of selective root canal retreatment to address PTAP. It focused on the method's capacity to preserve tooth structure with minimum intervention. The positive outcomes highlight the urgent need for more controlled studies. Such research would confirm the advantages of selective retreatment, with the goal of improving endodontic protocols and patient care.
How can multiculturalism be celebrated through teacher training in Israel?
Authors: Shapira Noa , Amzalag Meital
Published: August 2024

Can we celebrate multiculturalism through teachers’ training in a heterogeneous and diverse setting such as Israeli society? The current study examines teachers’ processes through an online teachers’ professional development program and an interactive activity, where 68 Israeli teachers shared their cultural stories with teachers from other cultures. Findings indicate that the teachers who met with teachers from other cultures, whom they usually do not meet, wanted to learn about each other’s culture, including their religious values, practices, and traditions while looking for commonalities. Furthermore, such intercultural meetings can occur online if the activities are designed to foster meaningful meetings and discussions between different cultures despite the social rifts and the separation within the education system.
Single-domain antibodies and aptamers drive new opportunities for neurodegenerative disease research
Authors: Shoemaker Rachel L. , Larsen Roxanne J. , Larsen Peter A.
Published: August 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) in mammals, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are characterized by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the central nervous system (CNS). Despite the presence of these pathogenic proteins, the immune response in affected individuals remains notably muted. Traditional immunological strategies, particularly those reliant on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), face challenges related to tissue penetration, blood-brain barrier (BBB) crossing, and maintaining protein stability. This has led to a burgeoning interest in alternative immunotherapeutic avenues. Notably, single-domain antibodies (or nanobodies) and aptamers have emerged as promising candidates, as their reduced size facilitates high affinity antigen binding and they exhibit superior biophysical stability compared to mAbs. Aptamers, synthetic molecules generated from DNA or RNA ligands, present both rapid production times and cost-effective solutions. Both nanobodies and aptamers exhibit inherent qualities suitable for ND research and therapeutic development. Cross-seeding events must be considered in both traditional and small-molecule-based immunodiagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as well as subsequent neurotoxic impacts and complications beyond protein aggregates. This review delineates the challenges traditional immunological methods pose in ND research and underscores the potential of nanobodies and aptamers in advancing next-generation ND diagnostics and therapeutics.
Applications of CT-based radiomics for the prediction of immune checkpoint markers and immunotherapeutic outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zheng Jie , Xu Shuang , Wang Guoyu , Shi Yiming
Published: August 2024

In recent years, there has been significant research interest in the field of immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) within the academic community. Given the observed variations in individual responses, despite similarities in histopathologic type, immunohistochemical index, TNM stage, or mutation status, the identification of a reliable biomarker for early prediction of therapeutic responses is of utmost importance. Conventional medical imaging techniques primarily focus on macroscopic tumor monitoring, which may no longer adequately fulfill the requirements of clinical diagnosis and treatment. CT (computerized tomography) or PEF/CT-based radiomics has the potential to investigate the molecular-level biological attributes of tumors, such as PD-1/PD-L1 expression and tumor mutation burden, which offers a novel approach to assess the effectiveness of immunotherapy and forecast patient prognosis. The utilization of cutting-edge radiological imaging techniques, including radiomics, PET/CT, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, demonstrates significant potential in predicting diagnosis, treatment response, immunosuppressive characteristics, and immune-related adverse events. The current review highlights that CT scan-based radiomics is a reliable and feasible way to predict the benefits of immunotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Aquaporin 1 is renoprotective in septic acute kidney injury by attenuating inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis through inhibition of P53 expression
Authors: Lv Wuyang , Liao Jia , Li Cuicui , Liu Dongyang , Luo Xiaoxiao , Diao RuXue , Wang YuChen , Jin Yingyu
Published: August 2024

Sepsis associated Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical syndrome characterized by suddenly decreased in renal function and urinary volume. This study was designed to investigate the role of Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and P53 in the development of sepsis-induced AKI and their potential regulatory mechanisms. Firstly, transcriptome sequencing analysis of mice kidney showed AQP1 expression was reduced and P53 expression was elevated in Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced AKI compared with controls. Bioinformatics confirmed that AQP1 expression was remarkably decreased and P53 expression was obviously elevated in renal tissues or peripheral blood of septic AKI patients. Moreover, we found in vivo experiments that AQP1 mRNA levels were dramatically decreased and P53 mRNA significantly increased following the increased expression of inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, NGAL and KIM-1 at various periods in septic AKI. Meanwhile, AQP1 and P53 protein levels increased significantly first and then decreased gradually in kidney tissue and serum of rats in different stages of septic AKI. Most importantly, in vivo and vitro experiments demonstrated that silencing of AQP1 greatly exacerbates renal or cellular injury by up-regulating P53 expression promoting inflammatory response, apoptosis and fibrosis. Overexpression of AQP1 prevented the elevation of inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis by down-regulating P53 expression in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AKI or HK-2 cells. Therefore, our results suggested that AQP1 plays a protective role in modulating AKI and can attenuate inflammatory response, apoptosis and fibrosis via downregulating P53 in septic AKI or LPS-induced HK-2cells. The pharmacological targeting of AQP1 mediated P53 expression might be identified as potential targets for the early treatment of septic AKI.
Post-translational modifications in sepsis-induced organ dysfunction: mechanisms and implications
Authors: Song Lin , Jiang Wei , Lin Hua , Yu Jiangquan , Liu Ke , Zheng Ruiqiang
Published: August 2024

As a grave and highly lethal clinical challenge, sepsis, along with its consequent multiorgan dysfunction, affects millions of people worldwide. Sepsis is a complex syndrome caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, leading to fatal organ dysfunction. An increasing body of evidence suggests that the pathogenesis of sepsis is both intricate and rapid and involves various cellular responses and signal transductions mediated by post-translational modifications (PTMs). Hence, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and functions of PTMs within regulatory networks is imperative for understanding the pathological processes, diagnosis, progression, and treatment of sepsis. In this review, we provide an exhaustive and comprehensive summary of the relationship between PTMs and sepsis-induced organ dysfunction. Furthermore, we explored the potential applications of PTMs in the treatment of sepsis, offering a forward-looking perspective on the understanding of infectious diseases.
Research on the effect of sizing agent on the interface and compression performance of carbon fiber composites
Authors: Ouyang Xinfeng , Ge Guojie , Geng Yizhi , Zong Yangyang , Pan Tong , Wang Xiao , Zhu Weiwei , Bai Yuefeng , Liu Yunpeng , Duan Shuo , Niu Kangmin
Published: August 2024

The present study involves the preparation of continuous carbon fiber samples treated with epoxy-based sizing agent (EP) and vinyl ester resin-based sizing agent (VE), alongside untreated fibers, aiming to explore the influence pattern of interfacial differences caused by these sizing agents on the compressive properties of carbon fiber composites. Surface analysis, including Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), followed by testing the mechanical properties of carbon fibers and the composite materials. Results indicate that, compared to unsized carbon fibers, EP and VE increase the O atom content on the carbon fiber surface by 13.0% and 18.1%, respectively, and enhance the proportion of active C atoms by 11.3% and 20.3%, respectively. The interlaminar shear strength (GB/T) of carbon fibers is improved by 9.3% and 20.0%, respectively. Given the compatibility between the sizing agent and the matrix resin, VE improves the open-hole compressive strength of composites by 6.7% compared to EP. This improvement in interface bonding performance positively impacts the open-hole compressive properties of the composites, though it has limited effect on the 0° compressive and post-impact compressive strengths. Following EP and VE sizing, the 0° compressive strength increases by 11.8% and 13.6%, respectively, with VE only resulting in a marginal 1.6% improvement over EP. The enhancements in both interlaminar shear strength and open-hole compressive strength are attributed to the increased number of active functional groups at the fiber-resin interface, facilitated by sizing agents, which promote stronger chemical bonding and thus improved load transfer between the fibers and the matrix. VE demonstrates superior performance over EP in regulating the interface state of carbon fibers.The presence or absence of a sizing agent has a more significant impact on the compressive properties of carbon fiber composites than the type of sizing agent used. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing the preparation and enhancing the compressive performance of carbon fiber composite materials.
Relationship between right-to-left shunt and white matter lesions in patients with migraine: a single-center study
Authors: Liu Zhihong , Jiang Mingzhu , He Jing , Lin Yuchan , He Lou , Li Yan , Pan Qi , Wu Shan
Published: August 2024

Background

Migraine patients have an increased long-term risk of cardio and cerebrovascular events. However, whether these patients are more susceptible to white matter lesions (WMLs) remains debated. To explore this question, our study assessed the proportion of RLS in migraine patients and explored the association between right-to-left shunt (RLS) and WMLs.

Methods

In this study, we included 998 migraine patients. Contrast transcranial doppler (c-TCD) was used to diagnose RLS and assess the extent of the shunt in RLS patients. Of the 998 patients, 505 underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessments. WMLs were classified into periventricular white matter lesions (pvWMLs) and deep white matter lesions (dWMLs).

Results

Among the 998 migraine patients, 946 had migraine without aura (MO; mean age 36.68 ± 10.46 years; 80.5% female), and 52 had migraine with aura (MA; mean age 29.85 ± 8.59 years; 71.2% female). Compared with MO patients, MA patients had an earlier onset age (23.1 ± 7.97 vs. 28.44 ± 10.38 years, p < 0. 001) and a shorter disease duration (6.76 vs. 8.34 years, p = 0.024). The overall proportion of RLS patients was 41.9%, with a greater proportion of RLS patients in the MA group than in the MO group (55.8% vs. 41. 1%, p = 0.037). The percentage of RLS-positive patients with no/small shunt was greater in the MO group than in the MA group (81.5% vs. 65.4%, p = 0.004), whereas the percentage of RLS-positive patients with moderate/large shunt was greater in the MA group (34.6% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.024). The proportion of RLS patients was lower in the WML-positive group (n = 173) than in the WML-negative group (n = 332), but the difference was not significant (40.5% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.253).

Conclusion

This study revealed that 41.9% of migraine patients had RLS, and the proportion of RLS patients was 41. 1% in the MO group and 55.8% in the MA group. The rate of RLS positivity in migraine patients may not be related to the incidence of WMLs.
Group-member selection for RSVP-based collaborative brain-computer interfaces
Authors: Si Yuan , Wang Zhenyu , Xu Guiying , Wang Zikai , Xu Tianheng , Zhou Ting , Hu Honglin
Published: August 2024

Objective

The brain-computer interface (BCI) systems based on rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) have been widely utilized for the detection of target and non-target images. Collaborative brain-computer interface (cBCI) effectively fuses electroencephalogram (EEG) data from multiple users to overcome the limitations of low single-user performance in single-trial event-related potential (ERP) detection in RSVP-based BCI systems. In a multi-user cBCI system, a superior group mode may lead to better collaborative performance and lower system cost. However, the key factors that enhance the collaboration capabilities of multiple users and how to further use these factors to optimize group mode remain unclear.

Approach

This study proposed a group-member selection strategy to optimize the group mode and improve the system performance for RSVP-based cBCI. In contrast to the conventional grouping of collaborators at random, the group-member selection strategy enabled pairing each user with a better collaborator and allowed tasks to be done with fewer collaborators. Initially, we introduced the maximum individual capability and maximum collaborative capability (MIMC) to select optimal pairs, improving the system classification performance. The sequential forward floating selection (SFFS) combined with MIMC then selected a sub-group, aiming to reduce the hardware and labor expenses in the cBCI system. Moreover, the hierarchical discriminant component analysis (HDCA) was used as a classifier for within-session conditions, and the Euclidean space data alignment (EA) was used to overcome the problem of inter-trial variability for cross-session analysis.

Main results

In this paper, we verified the effectiveness of the proposed group-member selection strategy on a public RSVP-based cBCI dataset. For the two-user matching task, the proposed MIMC had a significantly higher AUC and TPR and lower FPR than the common random grouping mode and the potential group-member selection method. Moreover, the SFFS with MIMC enabled a trade-off between maintaining performance and reducing the number of system users.

Significance

The results showed that our proposed MIMC effectively optimized the group mode, enhanced the classification performance in the two-user matching task, and could reduce the redundant information by selecting the sub-group in the RSVP-based multi-user cBCI systems.
Neuroglycome alterations of hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of juvenile rats chronically exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide
Authors: Solomon Joy , Gutierrez-Reyes Cristian D. , Chávez-Reyes Jesús , Onigbinde Sherifdeen , Marichal-Cancino Bruno A. , López-Lariz Carlos H. , Beck Mia , Mechref Yehia
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) have been shown to have significant neurotoxic effects, affecting both the structure and function of the brain, and potentially contributing to the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Despite the known importance of glycosylation in disease progression, the glycome profile of systems exposed to GBH has not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive glycomic profiling using LC-MS/MS, on the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of juvenile rats exposed to GBH orally, aiming to identify glyco-signature aberrations after herbicide exposure.

Results

We observed changes in the glycome profile, particularly in fucosylated, high mannose, and sialofucosylated N-glycans, which may be triggered by GBH exposure. Moreover, we found major significant differences in the N-glycan profiles between the GBH-exposed group and the control group when analyzing each gender independently, in contrast to the analysis that included both genders. Notably, gender differences in the behavioral test of object recognition showed a decreased performance in female animals exposed to GBH compared to controls (p < 0.05), while normal behavior was recorded in GBH-exposed male rats (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that glycans may play a role in the neurotoxic effect caused by GBH. The result suggests that gender variation may influence the response to GBH exposure, with potential implications for disease progression and specifically the neurotoxic effects of GBHs. Understanding these gender-specific responses could enhance knowledge of the mechanisms underlying GBH-induced toxicity and its impact on brain health. Overall, our study represents the first detailed analysis of N-glycome profiles in the hippocampus and PFC of rats chronically exposed to GBH. The observed alterations in the expression of N-glycan structures suggest a potential neurotoxic effect associated with chronic GBH exposure, highlighting the importance of further research in this area.
Clinicopathologic features and surgical treatment prognosis of esophageal carcinosarcoma
Authors: Shen Jiangfeng , Lu Kaijin , Liu Fuxing , Chen Xia , Chen Quan , Wu Bingbing , Wang Hailan , Ge Pengfei , Han Guang , Wang Fei , Zhang Peng , Yin Pei , Jia Weiguang , Zheng Yiming , Wang Pengcheng , Sun Fei
Published: August 2024

Background

Carcinosarcoma is a rare esophageal tumor, accounting for approximately 0.27-2.8% of malignant esophageal tumors. This study aims to investigate the clinical pathological characteristics, surgical treatment outcomes, and analysis of prognostic factors in esophageal carcinosarcoma (ECS).

Methods

Clinical data from sixteen patients diagnosed with esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma who underwent surgical interventions were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and pathological features, treatment modalities, and postoperative outcomes were systematically examined.

Results

Out of the 1261 patients who underwent surgical treatment for esophageal cancer, 16 cases were pathologically confirmed as carcinosarcoma. Among them, two underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, six received postoperative chemotherapy. Carcinosarcomas predominantly occurred in the middle (43.75%) and lower (50%) segments of the esophagus. Among the 16 cases, 10 presented as polypoid, 4 as ulcerative, and 2 as medullary types. Microscopic examination revealed coexistence and transitional transitions between sarcomatous and carcinoma components. Pathological staging showed 5 cases in stage T1, 2 in stage T2, and 9 in stage T3, with lymph node metastasis observed in 8 cases (50%). TNM staging revealed 2 cases in stage I, 9 in stage II, and 5 in stage III. The overall 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were 86.67%, 62.5%, and 57.14%, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that pathological N staging influenced survival rates, while multivariate analysis demonstrated that pathological N staging was an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusions

Carcinosarcoma is a rare esophageal tumor, accounting for approximately 0.27-2.8% of malignant esophageal tumors. Histologically, the biphasic pattern is a crucial diagnostic feature, although the carcinomatous component may not always be evident, especially in limited biopsies, leading to potential misclassification as pure sarcoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Despite its large volume and cellular atypia, carcinosarcoma carries a favorable prognosis. Complete surgical resection of the tumor and regional lymph node dissection is the preferred treatment approach for esophageal carcinosarcoma.
The novel family of Warbicin® compounds inhibits glucose uptake both in yeast and human cells and restrains cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Vanthienen Ward , Fernández-García Juan , Baietti Maria Francesca , Claeys Elisa , Van Leemputte Frederik , Nguyen Long , Goossens Vera , Deparis Quinten , Broekaert Dorien , Vlayen Sophie , Audenaert Dominique , Delforge Michel , D’Amuri Alessandro , Van Zeebroeck Griet , Leucci Eleonora , Fendt Sarah-Maria , Thevelein Johan M.
Published: August 2024

Many cancer cells share with yeast a preference for fermentation over respiration, which is associated with overactive glucose uptake and breakdown, a phenomenon called the Warburg effect in cancer cells. The yeast tps1Δ mutant shows even more pronounced hyperactive glucose uptake and phosphorylation causing glycolysis to stall at GAPDH, initiation of apoptosis through overactivation of Ras and absence of growth on glucose. The goal of the present work was to use the yeast tps1Δ strain to screen for novel compounds that would preferentially inhibit overactive glucose influx into glycolysis, while maintaining basal glucose catabolism. This is based on the assumption that the overactive glucose catabolism of the tps1Δ strain might have a similar molecular cause as the Warburg effect in cancer cells. We have isolated Warbicin® A as a compound restoring growth on glucose of the yeast tps1Δ mutant, showed that it inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells and isolated structural analogs by screening directly for cancer cell inhibition. The Warbicin® compounds are the first drugs that inhibit glucose uptake by both yeast Hxt and mammalian GLUT carriers. Specific concentrations did not evoke any major toxicity in mice but increase the amount of adipose tissue likely due to reduced systemic glucose uptake. Surprisingly, Warbicin® A inhibition of yeast sugar uptake depends on sugar phosphorylation, suggesting transport-associated phosphorylation as a target. In vivo and in vitro evidence confirms physical interaction between yeast Hxt7 and hexokinase. We suggest that reversible transport-associated phosphorylation by hexokinase controls the rate of glucose uptake through hydrolysis of the inhibitory ATP molecule in the cytosolic domain of glucose carriers and that in yeast tps1Δ cells and cancer cells reversibility is compromised, causing constitutively hyperactive glucose uptake and phosphorylation. Based on their chemical structure and properties, we suggest that Warbicin® compounds replace the inhibitory ATP molecule in the cytosolic domain of the glucose carriers, preventing hexokinase to cause hyperactive glucose uptake and catabolism.
Outcomes of liver transplantation for hepatocelluler carcinoma from living donor versus deceased donor within University of Southern California San Francisco criteria: a report from Turkey
Authors: Batı Imam Bakır , Tüysüz Umut
Published: August 2024

Background

Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer with increasing incidence. Liver transplantation (LT) has been accepted as main curative liver cancer treatment. The effectiveness of LDLT as opposed to Deceased Donor Liver Transplant (DDLT) for patients with HCC is still controversial. There is limited data comparing the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing LDLT or DDLT for HCCs that do not meet the Milan criteria.

Methods

We aimed to compare the perioperative and survival outcomes of LDLT with DDLT in HCC patients.Patients underwent LT between January 2012 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 137 patients who met the UCSF criteria. Of these, 75 patients received LDLT and 62 patients DDLT.The primary end points in the present study were oncologic outcomes such as the recurrence rate, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of LDLT and DDLT in patients with HCC.

Results

PET-CT SUVmax value, the amount of erythrocyte solution (ES) as blood transfusion of red cells given and the tumor recurrence rate were significantly higher among the deceased patients recurrence, ES, PET-CT SUVmax value and tumor differentiation had significant effects on survival. In the multivariate reduced model, cox regression analysis showed significant effects of recurrence, ES, locoregional treatment response and PET-CT on survival.Albeit not significant, the one-year recurrence rate in the LDLT was similar to that in the DDLT, three- and five-year recurrence rates were higher in DDLT compared to LDLT

Conclusion

There is less chance of cold ischemia time and better-quality grafts with minimal fatty changes, lower recurrence rates and similar survival rates can be achieved in LDLT compared to DDLT
Theoretical study on the design of allosteric inhibitors of diabetes associated protein PTP1B
Authors: Zhan Jiuyu , Liu Zhenyang , Gao Hongwei
Published: August 2024

The protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a critical therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Many PTP1B inhibitors have been reported, however, most of them lack high specificity and have adverse effects. Designing effective PTP1B inhibitors requires understanding the molecular mechanism of action between inhibitors and PTP1B. To this end, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and molecular mechanics Poisson Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PB/SA) methods were used to observe the binding patterns of compounds with similar pentacyclic triterpene parent ring structures but different inhibition abilities. Through structure and energy analysis, we found that the positions of cavities and substituents significantly affect combining capacity. Besides, we constructed a series of potential inhibitor molecules using LUDI and rational drug design methods. The ADMET module of Discovery Studio 2020 was used to predict the properties of these inhibitor molecules. Lastly, we obtained compounds with low toxicity and significant inhibitory activity. The study will contribute to the treatment of T2DM.
Transcriptome analysis of the aged SAMP8 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease reveals novel molecular targets of formononetin protection
Authors: Liu Bo , Cui Di , Liu Jie , Shi Jing-Shan
Published: August 2024

Background

Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) and age-matched SAMR1 mice are used to study the pathogenesis and therapeutics of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the effects of the 5-month administration of formononetin in SAMP8 mice and used RNA-seq to explore the molecular targets.

Methods

SAMP8 mice were orally administered formononetin (0, 8, and 16 mg/kg) from 4 months of age, and age-matched SAMR1 mice were used as controls. Behavioral tests were performed in 9-month-old mice, followed by histopathologic analysis. Total RNA from the hippocampus was isolated and subjected to RNA-seq, RT-qPCR, and bioinformatics analysis.

Results

The 9-month-old SAMP8 mice exhibited cognition deficits, evidenced by novel object recognition, open-field test, elevated plus maze, and passive avoidance. Nissl bodies in the cortex and hippocampus were decreased. Formononetin treatments ameliorated behavioral deficits and improved morphological changes, which were evidenced by Nissl and H&E staining. RNA-seq revealed distinct gene expression patterns between SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice. Differentially expressed genes in SAMP8 mice were attenuated or normalized by formononetin. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) of canonical pathway and upstream regulators revealed increases in proinflammatory factors and immune dysfunction and decreases in NRF2 and SIRT-1 signaling pathways, leading to neuroinflammation. Formononetin treatment attenuated or reversed these molecular changes. The transcriptome of SAMP8 mice was correlated with transcriptomic profiles of other AD mouse models in the GEO database.

Conclusion

Neuroinflammation and decreased antioxidant and SIRT-1 signaling contributed to cognitive deficits in aged SAMP8 mice, which are potential therapeutic targets of formononetin in combination with other therapies.
A needs-assessment survey of the high school LGBTQ+ environment by a health science center interprofessional team
Authors: Velasquez Rafael , Moore Mary E. , Sheets Gabrielle , Nieves-Rivera Christian , Van Nuland Sonya , Cuccia Martha , Tsien Fern , Hollenbach Andrew D.
Published: August 2024

Despite improvements in the awareness and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender diverse (LGBTQ+) individuals, the LGBTQ+ community continues to experience discrimination, which can result in adverse health outcomes. In particular, LGBTQ+ youth have an increased risk of experiencing depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Societal stigma and rejection, bullying, and familial disapproval all contribute to these health disparities. In recognition of these inequities, an interprofessional team of biomedical faculty members, staff, and trainees from the Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC) in New Orleans developed the needs-assessment evaluation, the Gender and Sexual Minority Youth Outreach Survey (GSMYO) for high school students. Health science centers have access to resources and experienced personnel who can provide support and education to high school students, teachers, and administrative staff. However, it is important to first determine the high schools’ specific needs, attitudes towards LGBTQ+ acceptance, and their current resources. Faculty, staff, and trainees from the LSUHSC Science Youth Initiative (SYI) and the LSUHSC LGBTQ+ Organization, Tiger Pride, administered the short, anonymous survey to adolescents attending Southeast Louisiana high schools. English Language Learner (ELL) students received the survey in Spanish. Results from the GSMYO needs-assessment survey are presented. Other health science centers may adapt the presented survey to develop needs-based LGBTQ+ high school programs to address the educational and health inequities in their own communities, regardless of location or demographic region.
Social capital, education, and subjective well-being in Ecuador
Authors: Núñez-Naranjo Aracelly , Morales-Urrutia Ximena , Simbaña-Taipe Luis
Published: August 2024

The study examines the interaction between social capital, education, and subjective well-being in Ecuador, highlighting its impact on economic development. The study aims to understand the situation of social capital and subjective well-being and how the identified factors explain the impact on subjective well-being in the Ecuadorian population, using a descriptive and analytical approach with information from the World Value Survey database of waves 6 and 7. The main results show a significant relationship between social capital and subjective well-being, with positive influences such as justice and union membership, and negative effects of public administration and media. In conclusion, the importance of strengthening social capital and improving public services and communication to promote the well-being of the Ecuadorian population is emphasized.
A comparison of individual force decline profiles during a fatiguing eccentric trunk flexion and extension protocol: a pilot study
Authors: Paksoy Yasemin , Kpobi David , Henschke Jakob , Risch Lucie , Engel Tilman
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Muscle fatigue, characterized by diminished force production and contraction sustainability, can impair muscle coordination and increase joint instability. Differing force profiles used in fatiguing tasks, such as prolonged eccentric trunk protocols, might provide insights into individualized strategies and resulting spinal stability. Thus, this study assessed individual differences in fatigue characteristics during an eccentric trunk flexion-extension protocol in a population of asymptomatic individuals.

Methods

Twelve participants (2 f/10 m, 29 ± 4 years, 78.4 ± 16.9 kg, 1.76 ± 0.10 m) performed an eccentric trunk flexion and extension protocol on an isokinetic dynamometer (45° flexion to 10° extension; 60°/s), with final analysis on 8 participants for trunk flexion and 11 for trunk extension due to data exclusions. Participants engaged in a maximal all-out (AO) task for 2 min. Each participant's torque output (Nm) was assessed on a repetition-by-repetition basis, and smoothened by a moving average of 5 repetitions. Individual time profiles for reaching fatigue thresholds (10%, 15%, 20% and 30% reduction of initial torque output), and inter subject variability (by coefficient of variation, CV in %) were assessed throughout the AO task. Further, percentage torque reduction and variability were assessed at mid (1-minute) and end (2-minute) of task.

Results

On average, for flexor and extensor muscles combined, participants reached a force reduction of 10% within 23.2 ± 19.1 s, of 15% within 44.9 ± 19.6 s, of 20% in 62.4 ± 26.3 s, and of 30% within 79.2 ± 21.8 s. The variability between individuals for the timepoint of reaching the defined torque thresholds was assessed by CV ranged between 23.4% and 103.8% for trunk flexor muscles, and between 28.4% and 56.5% for trunk extensor muscles.

Discussion

A reduction of up to 20% was seen on average for all participants within 1-minute of eccentric trunk flexion and extension. Different inter-individual force output profiles were seen throughout the AO protocol, potentially related to physiological, skill-based, technical, adaptational, and/or motivational factors. The increase in fatigue resulted in a reduction in variability among individuals. A 2-minute protocol effectively induced pronounced fatigue, offering insights into individual force profiles and strategies.
Analyzing the complexity of animal products’ processing and its impact on sustainability
Authors: Germond Arno , Fardet Anthony , Álvarez García Carlos , Boland Mike , Ming Hoang Hong , Mullen Anne-Maria , Kaur Lovedeep
Published: August 2024

Processing is an inevitable step in the manufacturing of animal-based foods (ABF) and animal by-products (ABP). However, our society has reached a point where our food systems have reached unsustainable levels. The impact of ABF/ABP processing on sustainability has been arguably overlooked in comparison with production. This perspective paper aims to discuss and identify research gaps regarding the assessments of the sustainability of ABF/ABF processing. First, we describe why processing techniques can have various levels of complexity, with uses that are more or less impactful on the environment depending on the products and possible synergies. In the second part, we review how impacts on sustainability have been evaluated at global and local scales using life cycle assessments (LCA). To contribute to such an approach, we suggest novel or recently introduced types of indicators that would improve future LCA studies by capturing relevant information. In the third part, we encourage a systemic view of sustainability by considering the complexity of the whole supply chains of ABF and ABP. We highlight the current gaps or challenges in evaluating sustainability across supply chains and point the readers toward recent studies that address these limitations. We hope this perspective will help improve the design of academic and industrial studies or evaluation of ABF and ABP sustainability.
Case report: Complete clinical remission of feline progressive histiocytosis after multimodal treatment including electrochemotherapy
Authors: Sena Bruna Voltolin de , Turquete Paula Baêta da Silva Rios , Pimentel Pedro Antônio Bronhara , Almeida Isabella Oliveira , Lavalle Gleidice Eunice , Nakagaki Karen Yumi Ribeiro , Giuliano Antonio , Paes Paulo Ricardo de Oliveira , Horta Rodrigo dos Santos
Published: August 2024

Feline histiocytic diseases are uncommon and rarely reported. Feline progressive histiocytosis (FPH) is the most common histiocytic disease in cats, predominantly affecting middle-aged animals. The most common presentation is the cutaneous form with solitary or multiple cutaneous nodules. A female, mixed-breed 6-year-old cat was presented with a 9-month history of a nodule in the nasal planum and was diagnosed by histopathology with histiocytic proliferation. At the time of diagnosis, new nodules were discovered on the lower lip, digit, and two lesions in the tail region, with the largest measuring 1.5 cm. Supplementary immunohistochemistry, showed immunolabeling for Iba-1 that in combination with the clinical course of the disease, confirmed the diagnosis of FPH. No response to chemotherapy treatment with lomustine alternated with doxorubicin was achieved. Toceranib phosphate resulted in a transient response and, stable disease for a short period (6 weeks). Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin was initiated and resulted in partial remission. Later on, chlorambucil was also started. Ultimately, the combination of all three treatments led to a complete response and disappearance of all the lesions. FPH is considered a disease resistant to various treatments, and effective treatments have not been reported. In this case report, we describe a successful multimodal therapeutic approach that resulted in complete resolution of the FPH and long-term survival (460 days without external lesions at the time of death). Further studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of this therapeutic approach.
Consideration of treatment goals and termination algorithm for adolescent atopic dermatitis using upadacitinib
Authors: Koga Takeshi , Okada Keisuke , Shimizu Takahiro , Morita Eiji , Itazawa Toshiko
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Standardized criteria for disease activity and end of treatment of systemic treatment of atopic dermatitis have not been established. The objective of this study is to explore the experience using upadacitinib retrospectively, to find clues to weaning from systemic treatment, and to determine the algorithm for setting treatment goals and terminating systemic treatment.

Methods

Fourteen patients treated with upadacitinib between 1 November 2021 and 31 December 2023 were enrolled in the study. Topical anti-inflammatory treatments were combined. Treatment outcomes were established according to the European Task Force of Atopic Dermatitis guidelines. To evaluate disease status and control, we adopted the Treat to target strategy. Changes in serum biomarkers (TARC and IgE) were also observed.

Results

All patients achieved EASI 50 after 52 weeks. At 76 weeks, 80% and 30% of patients achieved EASI 75 and EASI 90, respectively. Four patients completed upadacitinib, five patients discontinued treatment, and five patients remained on treatment. Two patients achieved complete remission without topical anti-inflammatory treatment. Two patients discontinued due to adverse events. Patients with better treatment adherence, mainly topical treatment, tended to be able to withdraw from UPA. IgE increased from baseline in 11 patients (78.6%) and TARC increased in 14 patients (100%). These biomarkers decreased from the peak 24–48 weeks after initiating treatment, after the improvement of eczema.

Conclusion

Combining systemic and topical treatments effectively induces remission in AD patients. Transitioning off systemic treatment begins by achieving remission maintained solely with topical therapy, emphasizing the importance of adherence.
Algorithms for Various Trigonometric Power Sums
Authors: Kowalenko Victor
Published: August 2024

In this paper, algorithms for different types of trigonometric power sums are developed and presented. Although interesting in their own right, these trigonometric power sums arise during the creation of an algorithm for the four types of twisted trigonometric power sums defined in the introduction. The primary aim in evaluating these sums is to obtain exact results in a rational form, as opposed to standard or direct evaluation, which often results in machine-dependent decimal values that can be affected by round-off errors. Moreover, since the variable, m, appearing in the denominators of the arguments of the trigonometric functions in these sums, can remain algebraic in the algorithms/codes, one can also obtain polynomial solutions in powers of m and the variable r that appears in the cosine factor accompanying the trigonometric power. The degrees of these polynomials are found to be dependent upon v, the value of the trigonometric power in the sum, which must always be specified.
Correction: Gravina et al. ATX-101, a Peptide Targeting PCNA, Has Antitumor Efficacy Alone or in Combination with Radiotherapy in Murine Models of Human Glioblastoma. Cancers 2022, 14, 289
Authors: Gravina Giovanni Luca , Colapietro Alessandro , Mancini Andrea , Rossetti Alessandra , Martellucci Stefano , Ventura Luca , Di Franco Martina , Marampon Francesco , Mattei Vincenzo , Biordi Leda Assunta , Otterlei Marit , Festuccia Claudio
Published: August 2024

In the original publication [...]