bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Interstitial Lung Abnormalities in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Yuan Bo , Jia Yu , Zhu Min , Zhou Yiheng , Yi Shanye , Xu Yanlin , Shama Aga , Yang Menglei , Li Xi , Song Xiaohua , Zhang Yuchen , Liao Xiaoyang , Luo Fengming
Published: June 2024

Background: Cirrhosis is the end-stage liver fibrosis and leads to massive death worldwide. Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) have received widespread attention because of their progression to pulmonary fibrosis and mortality. This study aimed to investigate whether the presence of ILAs is associated with elevated mortality in patients with cirrhosis.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with cirrhosis between August 2011 and November 2023 were retrospectively included. Clinical data were collected from electronic records. ILAs were recorded by chest computed tomography. The proportion of ILAs and the associations between ILAs and all-cause mortality in cirrhosis were analyzed.
Results: A total of 4,022 patients with cirrhosis were included, and 749 (18.6%) subjects were diagnosed with ILAs. During the median 2.1 (1.0-5.1) years of follow-up, patients with ILAs had higher mortality than those without (48.6% vs. 38.1%; P<0.001), ILAs significantly increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 1.355; 95% confidence interval: 1.202-1.527; P<0.001). These associations remain significant in patients with viral, alcoholic, and primary biliary cirrhosis. Moreover, all the imaging features of the ILAs were positively related to mortality (P<0.05). According to the subgroup analysis, these associations were consistent across age and sex but were stronger in compensated cirrhosis than decompensation (P for interaction: 0.047).
Conclusion: ILAs is high occurrence in patients with cirrhosis, is independently related to all-cause mortality in patients with cirrhosis, and strategies for risk stratification and prognosis assessment targeting ILA may yield clinical benefits.
Characterization of exo-inulinase from endophytic Rossellomorea aquimaris3.13 for inulin digestion of Jerusalem artichoke tubers
Authors: Chansoda Kanokwan , Mongkolthanaruk Wiyada
Published: June 2024

Inulinase is widely used in the food industry as it can digest inulin derived from various sources and is effective in producing high yield fructose. Inulin from Jerusalem artichoke is the choice of substrates for food industries using inulinase. Inulinase was purified and characterized from an endophytic Rossellomorea aquimaris 3.13 isolated from Jerusalem artichoke. The purified inulinase had molecular mass of 58 kDa as assessed by SDS-PAGE. The optimum temperature and pH were 60°C and pH 5.0, respectively. Enzyme was stable at 60°C and retained 60% residual activity after 90 min. It was also stable in a pH range of 5–7 for 12 h. This inulinase showed greatest substrate specificity, to levan, inulin and raffinose in this order. Thin layer chromatography analysis of the end product revealed that inulinase hydrolyzed inulin extracted from chicory and Jerusalem artichoke, giving only fructose; therefore, the purified enzyme was verified as an exo-inulinase. This study indicated that inulinase from R. aquimaris 3.13 can be used in fructose production from inulin and levan substrates in food technology.
Preparation of D-NCCDs and its application in fluorescent/colorimetric dual-mode discrimination of glutamine enantiomers
Authors: Liao Xuan , Lu Cancan , Duan Yaning , Ren Cuiling , Chen Hongli
Published: June 2024

The chiral recognition of glutamine (Gln) enantiomers is of great importance in medicine, disease diagnosis, drug analysis, and food analysis. Up to now, there are few reports on the detection of Gln enantiomers based on fluorescent and colorimetric dual mode. Therefore, the design of a dual-mode probe combining fluorescence and colorimetry for the detection of Gln enantiomers needs further exploration and research. In this work, a new type of CDs (D-NCCDs) was designed and synthesized. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the fluorescence of D-NCCDs gradually decreased as the concentration of D-glutamine increased, the ratio of fluorescence intensity (F/F0) shows a good linear relationship with the concentration of D-glutamine within the range of 0.5–10 mM, with a detection limit of 0.11 mM. Additionally, the color of the solution gradually changed from light yellow to yellow-brown. But the fluorescence and absorbance of D-NCCDs did not change significantly after different concentrations of L-glutamine were added. Thus dual-mode discrimination of glutamine enantiomers through fluorescence and colorimetry was achieved.
Biodiesel production from waste oil through efficient enzymatic synthesis using Yarrowia lipolytica lipase 2 in the presence of Glucose, β-cyclodextrin or G50
Authors: Xiao Dunchi , Li Xun , Zhang Yu , Wang Fei
Published: June 2024

In this study, the liquid lipase Yarrowia lipolytica lipase 2 (YLLip2) expressed by Pichia pastoris GS115 was used to produce biodiesel from waste oil. Four signal peptides were compared to express YLLip2 in P. pastoris, among which SP23 exhibited greater secretion performance. In a 1.3-L bioreactor with FM22 medium for 7 d incubation, the maximum YLLip2 activity and 30 total protein content reached 895.44 ± 27.31 U/mL and 3.83 ± 0.31 g/L, respectively. Under the optimal reaction conditions of 30 ℃, 20% moisture content, 50 U/g oil of enzyme dosage, and distributed methanol addition, the reaction yield reached 80.99% after 12 h. In the presence of additives such as glucose or β-cyclodextrin, the yield was slightly improved. To further improve the biodiesel yield, lipase GS “Amano” 50 (G50) was used to synergize with YLLip2. The results showed that adding G50 (approximately 1/20 of YLLip2) increased the yield by approximately 90% after 6 h cultivation without changing the enzyme dosage. Compared with previous studies, the reaction time for biodiesel production from waste oil in this study was significantly shortened. This study provides a workable method for converting low-quality feedstocks containing high-free fatty acids into biodiesel using a liquid lipase as the catalyst.
Hepatic Vein Saturation in Fontan Surveillance Cardiac Catheterizations
Authors: deBettencourt Joseph B , Alnoor Mohammad , Patel Sheetal , Zdanowicz Zofia , Tannous Paul , Pelech Andrew N , O'Halloran Conor P.
Published: June 2024

Staged palliation of single ventricle congenital heart disease culminating in complete cavo-pulmonary anastomosis (“Fontan”) is life preserving but is associated with long term morbidity frequently including Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD). Markers of early FALD are lacking. We sought to measure hepatic venous oxygen saturation (ShVO2) obtained during surveillance cardiac catheterization of Fontan patients, as a potential early marker of early FALD. Fontan patients with ShVO2 measurements during catheterization between 2018 and 2023 at two institutions were included. In addition to catheterization data, exercise stress test, liver biopsy, liver elastography, and laboratory data were collected. 58 patients were included in the study. Catheterization with ShVO2 measurement occurred on average 13.6 years (range 7.3 − 25.1 years) after Fontan completion. The median ShVO2 was 59% (range 13–88%) and was on average 13% lower than the SVC saturation (ranging from 14% higher to 44% lower). ShVO2 was positively associated with SVC saturation (r = 0.267, p = 0.046) and time since Fontan completion (r = 0.303, p = 0.021). ShVO2 was not associated with fibrosis grade, liver function test, liver elastography, VO2 max, cardiac index by catheterization, or Fontan pressure. In conclusion, ShVO2 is not associated with current markers of liver dysfunction. Longitudinal study is needed to determine if decreased ShVO2 precedes the development FALD.
Medical Students as Teachers: Impact of Peer-Led Teaching Sessions on NBME Exam Performance
Authors: Aharonian Karl , Winter Victoria , Schlesinger Tal , Simanton Edward
Published: June 2024

Introduction/Background:
Peer-led teaching sessions (PLTS) supplement conventional medical education, allowing students to share knowledge effectively. PLTS have shown significant academic benefits for student instructors. However, the impact on attendees, especially concerning NBME-style examinations, remains underexplored.
Methods:
This study analyzed de-identified data from 67 first-year medical students at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, divided into PLTS attendees (study group) and non-attendees (control group) based on session participation. Data were collected before two NBME examinations, with attendees defined as those attending at least five Peer-led teaching sessions. Academic performance was measured using NBME Customized Assessment Services (CAS) exam scores. Statistical analyses, including p-tests, chi-square, and t-tests, assessed differences in performance and potential biases based on MCAT scores, first-generation status, and socioeconomic background.
Results:
The study group initially had 26 students, and the control group had 31 students. Post-first examination, the study group adjusted to 22 students, and the control group to 35 students. MCAT scores and demographics showed no significant differences between groups. The first examination revealed a significant improvement in PLTS attendees' scores (4.28% increase, p = 0.036), indicating a positive impact of PLTS on basic science knowledge. The second examination on organ systems physiology showed no significant difference (p = 0.722).
Discussion:
PLTS effectively enhance foundational science understanding but may be less impactful for advanced topics. The diminishing effect may result from increased use of diverse study resources and adaptation to medical school. Future research should explore long-term benefits, optimal implementation strategies, and the impact of instructor quality and engagement.
Therefore, the overall conclusion is that PLTS positively influence NBME-style exam performance in early medical education, but benefits decrease over time.
Diagnostic efficacy of GDF-15 in assessing myocardial dysfunction among pan-cancer patients
Authors: Hao Xiaohe , Zhang Zhenyu , Kong Jing , Ma Rufei , Mao Cuiping , Peng Xun , Ru Kun , Liu Lisheng , Zhao Chuanxi , Mo Xinkai , Cai Meijuan , Yu Xiangguo , Lin Qinghai
Published: June 2024

Background Cardiotoxicity represents a significant adverse consequence of cancer therapies, yet there remains a paucity of effective biomarkers for its timely monitoring and diagnosis. This study aims to elucidate the role of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) in the context of cancer diagnosis and its specific association with myocardial dysfunction in cancer patients, thereby testing its potential as a predictive marker for cardiotoxicity risk.
Methods Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including GDF15, was performed by utilizing data from the public repositories of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Examination of GDF15 expression was conducted in various normal and cancerous tissues or sera, using available database and serum samples. The study further explored the correlation between GDF15 expression and the combined detection of cardiac troponin-T (c-TnT) and pro B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP), assessing the combined diagnostic utility of these markers in predicting myocardial diseases in cancer patients through longitudinal electrocardiograms (ECG).
Results GDF15 emerged as a significant DEG in both cancer and cardiomyopathy disease models, demonstrating good diagnostic efficacy across multiple cancer types compared to healthy controls. GDF15 levels in cancer patients correlated with the established cardiac biomarkers c-TnT and pro-BNP. Moreover, ECG outcomes indicated that the integrative analysis of these biomarkers significantly enhanced the diagnostic accuracy for myocardial dysfunction in the cancer cohort.
Conclusion GDF15 demonstrated promising diagnostic potential in cancer identification, and offers a novel biomarker for the monitoring and diagnosis of cardiotoxicity.
Hypoxia alleviates hepatic lipid accumulation through the interaction of PP4C and AUF1
Authors: Liu Zhe , Hou Jing , Tian Meiyuan , Zhang Yaogang , Huang Dengliang , Zhao Na , Ma Yanyan , Cui Sen
Published: June 2024

Protein phosphatase 4C (PP4C) exacerbated hepatic lipid accumulation under normoxia. However, hypoxia might alleviate hepatic lipid accumulation by lowering PP4C. This study hypothesized that PP4C could provide an innovative method for treating hepatic lipid accumulation. Alpha mouse liver 12 cells (AML-12) were cultured in 5% CO2 equipment with Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium including 10% fetal bovine serum, under normoxia or hypoxia at 37 ℃. AML-12 were treated with 60 µg/ml oleic acid (OA) for 72 h. A total of 60 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: 2200 m normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HFD), 4500 m ND, and 4500 m HFD. Under normoxia, lipid accumulation led to an upregulation of PP4C, while PP4C was decreased under hypoxia. Hypoxia inducible factor 2α (HIF2α) increased and PP4C decreased after AML-12 were treated with OA under hypoxia. Further investigations revealed PP4C was involved in hepatic lipid metabolism by influencing the phosphorylation of AU-rich element RNA-binding factor 1 (AUF1) through its interaction with AUF1. Hypoxia might decrease PP4C via HIF2α in AML-12 treated with OA. PP4C was involved in hepatic lipid metabolism by regulating AUF1 phosphorylation under different oxygen concentrations. PP4C might be a promising target to treat hepatic lipid accumulation.
A Randomized Phase III Trial of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Patients with Up to 10 Oligometastases and a Synchronous Primary Tumor (SABR-SYNC): Study Protocol
Authors: Palma David A. , Giuliani Meredith E. , Correa Rohann J. M. , Schneiders Famke L. , Harrow Stephen , Guckenberger Matthias , Zhang Tina , Bahig Houda , Senthi Sashendra , Chung Peter , Olson Robert , Lock Michael , Raman Srinivas , Bauman Glenn S. , Lok Benjamin H. , Laba Joanna M. , Glicksman Rachel M. , Nguyen Timothy K. , Lang Pencilla , Helou Joelle , Goodman Christopher D. , Mendez Lucas C. , Rossum Peter S. N. van , Warner Andrew , Gaede Stewart , Allan Alison L.
Published: June 2024

Background
Emerging randomized data, mostly from phase II trials, have suggested that patients with oligometastatic cancers may benefit from ablative treatments such as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). However, phase III data testing this paradigm are lacking, and many studies have examined SABR in the setting of metachronous oligometastatic disease. The goal of the SABR-SYNC trial is to assess the effect of SABR in patients with oligometastatic cancers and a synchronous primary tumor.
Methods
One hundred and eighty patients will be randomized in a 1:2 ratio between standard of care (SOC) palliative-intent treatments vs. SOC + ablative therapy (SABR preferred) to all sites of known disease. Randomization will be stratified based on histology and number of metastases at enrollment. SABR may be delivered in 1-, 3- and 5-fraction regimens, with recommended doses of 20 Gy, 30 Gy, and 35 Gy, respectively. Non-SABR local modalities (e.g. surgery, thermal ablation, conventional radiation) may be used for treatment of the primary or metastases at the discretion of the treating physicians, if those modalities are clinically preferred. The primary endpoint is overall survival, and secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, time to development of new metastatic lesions, time to initiation of next systemic therapy, quality of life, and toxicity. Translational endpoints include assessment of circulating tumor DNA and immunological predictors of outcomes.
Discussion
SABR-SYNC will provide phase III data to assess the impact of SABR on overall survival in a population of patients with synchronous oligometastases. The translational component will attempt to identify novel prognostic and predictive biomarkers to aid in clinical decision making.
Trial Registration:
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05717166 (registration date: Feb. 8, 2023)
Accuracy and reliability of accelerometer-based pedometers in step counts during walking, running, and climbing stairs in different wearing positions
Authors: Pan Jiahao , Wei Shutao
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to investigate the accuracy and reliability of accelerometer-based pedometers placed on the wrist, waist, and shoe's midsole during walking, running, and up & down stairs. Twenty healthy adults were recruited. Steps were recorded by the pedometers and visually assessed from simultaneously recorded video to evaluate the accuracy of each pedometer in different wearing positions. One week later, steps were recorded again by the pedometers only to evaluate the reliability of each pedometer in different wearing positions. The wrist-worn pedometer presented significantly greater error scores compared to the midsole-worn pedometer during walking (p < .001), running (p = .006), and up & down stairs (p = .003). Additionally, Bland-Altman plots indicated that the accuracy is the midsole-worn > waist-worn > wrist-worn pedometers during running and up & down stairs. Furthermore, the midsole-worn and waist-worn pedometers showed strong reliability during walking and running, but only the midsole-worn pedometer presented acceptable reliability during ascending and descending stairs. The pedometer’s position impacts the accuracy and reliability of step counts, especially for walking and up & down stairs. Embedding the pedometer into the midsole seems an effective approach to improve the accuracy and reliability of step counts.
Enhanced Photo-Induced Optical Activity of Crisscrossed Self-Organized Gratings in Photosensitive Nanolayers by Introducing Bi-Periodicity
Authors: Nahal Arashmid , Kiasatfar Ozra
Published: June 2024

In the present work, the enhancement of photoinduced optical activity in a photosensitive nanolayer of AgCl doped by Ag nanoparticles, using bi-periodic crisscrossed self-organized periodic nanostructures (C-SPNs) is achieved. We found that the formation of two non-identical SPNs (i.e., with different periods), which crisscrossed each other, enhances the rotation of the polarization plane of the linear polarized probe beam, compared to the case when the two nanostructures are identical (i.e., having the same period). The difference in periods of the two C-SPNs increases the anisotropy of the medium, which in turn boosts the optical chirality produced by the formation of complex crisscrossed gratings made of Ag nanoparticles. The angle between the two gratings can be a control parameter for the amount and sign of rotation of the polarization plane of the probe beam. The enhanced optical activity of the bi-periodic C-SPNs, compared to the identical C-SPNs, can be attributed to the formation of more intricate chiral building blocks at the intersections of the two gratings.
Tripartite Game Theory-Based Edge Resource Pricing Approach for Edge Federation
Authors: Ye Hengzhou , Feng Bochao , Lu Qiu
Published: June 2024

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) deploys edge servers close to end-users to address their computing requirements, with an emphasis on minimizing latency and enhancing security. However, the significant deployment costs associated with edge servers and the potential for resource wastage due to redundant deployment by various Edge Infrastructure Providers (EIPs) highlight the importance of adopting edge federation architecture. This architectural approach aims to deliver superior computing services tailored for MEC scenarios. Nevertheless, effective resource allocation and pricing strategies are crucial to ensure optimal resource sharing within the edge federation. This paper presents a game-theoretic model involving three primary stakeholders: terminal users, resource demanders within the federation, and resource providers within the federation. The game among these stakeholders is structured into two levels, with negotiation rounds playing a pivotal role. At the first level, the game outlines the initial resource demands of terminal users and the initial pricing by EIPs, while also considering the influence of historical pricing trends on resource demands. The second level focuses on defining the psychological expectations of resource demanders within the federation and the initial pricing by resource providers. To solve this game model, this paper introduces the Tripartite Game Pricing Approach (TGPA). Simulation results corroborate that TGPA outperforms existing pricing approaches, yielding higher total revenue for the edge federation and ensuring a certain utilization of computational resources within acceptable time constraints.
Construction and validation of a prognostic model based on metabolic characteristics of Candida albicans in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang HaoLing , Zhang Haolong , Chen Weifang , Wang Yong , Sapudin Siti Nurfatimah Mohd , Sandai Doblin , Harun Mohammad Syamsul Reza , Zhang Zhongwen , Wang Wei , Song ZhiJing , Fang Zhongxian
Published: June 2024

There is evidence supporting the notion that Candida albicans (C. albicans) indeed contributes to human cancers. Interestingly, the efficacy of C. albicans in improving Colorectal cancer (CRC) has been confirmed. This study primarily explores the paradox of whether C. albicans promotes or inhibits the development of CRC, focusing on its metabolites mixture for relevant arguments. This study identified a total of 214 differentially expressed genes. A prognostic model containing 5 specific mRNA markers, namely EHD4, LIME1, GADD45B, TIMP1, and FDFT1, was constructed. C. albicans metabolites mixture reduced CRC cell activity. qRT-PCR results showed that compared to normal colonic epithelial cells, LIME and EHD4 were downregulated in CRC cells, while FDFT1 expression was significantly upregulated. Notably, the TIMP1 gene was significantly upregulated in HT29 cells, while it was significantly downregulated in HCT116 cells. Furthermore, post-intervention analysis showed a significant decrease in gene expression levels in HT29 cells, while the expression of TIMP1, EHD4, and GADD45B increased in HCT116 cells, with LIME and other CRC cells showing a corresponding decrease in expression. In NCM460 normal colonic epithelial cells, the expression levels of GADD45B, TIMP1, and FDFT1 genes were significantly upregulated, while the expression levels of LIME and EHD4 showed a significant downward trend. After metabolite intervention, the invasion and migration capabilities of NCM460 cells, HT29 cells, and HCT116 cells decreased. Additionally, quantitative measurement of eATP levels after intervention showed a significant increase (P < 0.01). This study's prognostic model opens up a new paradigm for prognostic assessment in CRC. The metabolites mixture of C. albicans play a protective role in the onset and progression of CRC, exhibiting dynamic interactions with cellular energetics.
Relaxation processes in the oriented polyvinylidene fluoride films with various crystalline phase composition
Authors: Gerasimov Dmitrii , Nikonorova Natalia , Kuryndin Ivan , Lavrentyev Viktor , Bronnikov Sergei
Published: June 2024

Oriented polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films were obtained in multistage process based on melt extrusion of polymer. We investigated the results of the polymorphic α→β crystalline phase transformation in the PVDF films subjected to uniaxial stretching. During uniaxial extension both appearance of a polar piezo active crystalline structure and significant changes in the samples morphology were observed. Variations in the PVDF films morphology, polymorphic composition, and supramolecular structure upon transformation were detected with wide-angle X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy was used to ascertain a change in molecular mobility of the polymer chains during α→β phase transformation. The relaxation processes, γ-, αа-, αс-, and interfacial polarization, in both α- and β-phases of PVDF were identified in the dielectric loss spectra and described with either Arrhenius or Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equations. The analysis of the equations parameters allowed concluding that that initiation of a polymorphic α→β transition through uniaxial extension results in hindering of the relaxators mobility in the β-phase of PVDF samples, except γ-relaxators. This finding confirms a proposal that γ-relaxators are located in the amorphous part of PVDF. Uniaxial extension resulted in a substantial increase in the interfacial polarization, which can be attributed to the emergence of new interface boundaries.
Magnetic poly(phages) encoded probes based dual-mode assay for rapid determination of live Escherichia coli and Hafnia paralvei based on microfluidic chip and ATP bioluminence meter
Authors: Wang Ye , Wang Ming , You Hang , Chen Chao , Zhang Jing , Li Tianhua , Gan Ning
Published: June 2024

The detection of multiplex live pathogens in spoilage aquatic products is critically important. In this study, a dual-mode assay for screening and detecting live Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Hafnia paralvei (H. paralvei) (as two typical pathogens in aquatic products) based on magnetic poly (phages) encoded probes (MPEP) was developed. The probes were prepared by grafting a large number of phages targeted different target bacteria on a long-chain DNA structure, respectively. They could specifically capture and enrich E. coli and H. paralvei by magnetic separation. Then, different DNA signal tags with different lengths would conjugate with the corresponding MPEP-bacteria complex and form two kinds of sandwich structures, respectively. After that, the captured E. coli and H. paralvei were lysed to release both adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and DNA signal tags. The measurement includes two steps. Firstly, a portable ATP bioluminescence meter was employed to rapidly screen the positive samples that contain either of the two target bacteria. Secondly, only positive samples were injected into the microfluidic chip which could detect various DNA signal tags for accurate quantification of the target bacteria. The assay demonstrated high sensitivity (3 CFU/mL for E.coli and 5 CFU/mL for H. paralvei), high specificity (strain identification), signal amplification (20 folds) and short time(≤ 35min). It can be applied to detect other pathogens only by changing the relative phage in MPEP. Furthermore, the proposed dual-mode assay provides a wide prospect for rapid screening and accurate determination of live foodborne pathogens.
Jagged-1+ Skin Tregs Modulate the Innate Immune Response to Wound Healing
Authors: Lui Prudence PokWai , Xu Jessie Z. , Aziz Hafsah , Sen Monica , Ali Niwa
Published: June 2024

Skin-resident regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an irreplaceable role in orchestrating cutaneous immune homeostasis and repair, including the promotion of hair regeneration via the Notch signaling ligand Jagged-1 (Jag1). While skin Tregs are indispensable for facilitating tissue repair post-wounding, it remains unknown if Jag1-expressing skin Tregs impact wound healing. Using a tamoxifen inducible Foxp3creERT2Jag1fl/fl model, we show that loss of functional Jag1 in Tregs significantly delays the rate of full-thickness wound closure. Unlike in hair regeneration, skin Tregs do not utilize Jag1 to impact epithelial stem cells during wound healing. Instead, mice with Treg-specific Jag1 ablation exhibit a significant reduction in Ly6G+ neutrophil accumulation at the wound site. However, during both homeostasis and wound healing, the loss of Jag1 in Tregs does not impact the overall abundance or activation profile of immune cell targets in the skin, such as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, or pro-inflammatory macrophages. This collectively suggests that skin Tregs may utilize Jag1-Notch signalling to co-ordinate innate cell recruitment under conditions of injury but not homeostasis. Overall, our study demonstrates the importance of Jag1 expression in Tregs to facilitate adequate wound repair in the skin.
Numerical Assessment of the RBS Connection Reinforced with Stiffeners
Authors: Naseri Ramin
Published: June 2024

A prevalent form of moment connection in steel frames is Reduced Beam Section (RBS) connection. Nevertheless, the utilization of this connection in deep beams is constrained by issues such as beam buckling at large displacements, leading to a decline in connection strength at high rotation. Web stiffeners can be employed as an effective method to address this problem. Five RBS connection specimens with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal stiffeners were numerically studied under cyclic loading and using the finite element method. The findings indicated that among the five techniques of reinforcement, four strategies effectively improved both the maximum and ultimate strength of the connection, while preserving the plasticity and sustaining the original position of the plastic hinge in the initial design. Out of the several ways used to strengthen the structure, the model with diagonal stiffener (Stiff-D2) had a notable impact on enhancing the performance of the RBS connection. In other words, the maximum resistant moment of the connection in this model exceeds that of the RBS connection by 4.9%.
Oversampling and imputation for imbalanced missing data
Authors: Le Hoang Huy , Nguyen Thu , Chawla Nitesh , Riegler Michael A. , Halvorsen Pål , Nguyen Binh T.
Published: June 2024

Oversampling and imputation for imbalanced missing data Imbalanced data is a widespread issue that is naturally occurring. For instance, fraudulent banking transactions are less frequent than normal transactions, and the number of cancer cases is lower than that of patients. Furthermore, it is common for data to contain missing values. Dealing with imbalanced and missing data can present several challenges during analysis, potentially leading to biased models or skewed performance evaluation. Therefore, it is important to recognize these issues and address them in the data analysis process as needed. However, imbalance and missingness are usually handled separately, which can be inefficient and increase computational costs.
We have developed a new imputation-based sampling method called OsImp, designed specifically for imbalanced datasets with high rates of missing data. This method, suitable for small and large multi-class datasets, can handle categorical, continuous, or mixed data as long as an appropriate imputation algorithm is used. It’s also worth noting that OsImp can be applied to datasets without missing data and still perform competitively compared to state-of-the-art methods for imbalanced data. Our initial experiments have shown that this method outperforms many current approaches across a variety of datasets.
Bushmeat trade in a southeast Cameroon village: Is it for “subsistence” or “commercial purposes”?
Authors: Toda Mikako , Yasuoka Hirokazu
Published: June 2024

This study examines the complex issue of bushmeat consumption in the Cameroon rainforests and analyzes the role of non-timber forest product income and the challenge of securing protein sources. Although cacao production is the primary source of a region's cash income, this study also considers households that do not engage in cacao farming and cannot participate in hunting. The findings revealed a significant disparity in income, particularly between working-age male-headed households and female-headed or older adult households, depending on cacao production. Bushmeat plays a vital role in these households in terms of both cash income and expenses. Although Cameroonian laws impose stringent conditions on the bushmeat trade and hunting, this study emphasizes that bushmeat distribution within a village is essential for older adult- and female-headed households to obtain animal protein, highlighting its importance in community food security. Finally, we reconsider sustainable use by examining bushmeat consumption. Bushmeat consumption in the community under the current circumstances are considered appropriate. However, based on the density estimates of the most common hunting species in the area, for hunting to be sustainable, it would have to take place within the national park, which creates a paradox, as the national park does not provide a sustainable hunting range. Considering these findings, this study argues that it is essential to redefine the areas of activity required by local populations and that conservation authorities must prioritize sustainable land use.
Reinforcement Learning for Thermal and Reliability Management in Manycore Systems
Authors: Weber Iaçanã , Zanini Vitor , Moraes Fernando
Published: June 2024

The advent of manycore systems has led to the need for efficient dynamic thermal and reliability management techniques to increase system reliability. Increasing power density and thermal hotspots in manycore systems pose significant challenges to reliability and performance. Existing techniques often fail to scale effectively or consider long-term reliability impacts. This work aims to develop a lightweight and scalable management strategy for manycore systems that integrates dynamic thermal management (DTM) and dynamic reliability management (DRM) using application mapping and task migration. The primary contribution is the introduction of the FIT-aware Learning Heuristic for Application Allocation (FLEA), which leverages Q-learning to optimize task allocation and migration based on Failure In Time (FIT) monitoring. FLEA operates in two phases: a design phase that uses Q-learning to train a policy table (Q-table) and a runtime phase that utilizes this Q-table to make decisions on task allocation and migration. The Q-table is populated with values representing the best task deployment patterns, minimizing thermal hotspots and maximizing system reliability. The evaluation of FLEA demonstrates improvements over state-of-the-art techniques. FLEA effectively reduces the thermal amplitude, peak temperature, and spatial thermal distribution, resulting in enhanced Mean Time To Failure (MTTF) for the system.
Acute Postnatal Inflammation Alters Adult Microglial Responses to LPS that Are Sex-, Region- and Timing of Postnatal Inflammation-Dependent
Authors: Nikodemova Maria , Oberto Jose R , Berschel Mackenzie R , Michaelson Alysha L , Watters Jyoti J , Mitchell Gordon S
Published: June 2024

Background.
Adverse events in early life can have impact lasting into adulthood. We investigated the long-term effects of systemic inflammation during postnatal development on adult microglial responses to LPS in two CNS regions (cortex, cervical spinal cord) in male and female rats.
Methods.
Inflammation was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally during postnatal development at P7, P12 or P18. As adults (12 weeks of age), the rats received a second LPS dose (1 mg/kg). Control rats received saline. Microglia were isolated 3 hours post-LPS from the cortex and cervical spinal cord. Gene expression was assessed via qRT-PCR for pro-inflammatory (IL-6, iNOS, Ptgs2, C/EBPb, CD14, CXCL10), anti-inflammatory (CD68, Arg-1), and homeostatic genes (P2Y12, Tmemm119). CSF-1 and CX3CL1 mRNA was analyzed in microglia-free homogenates.
Results.
Basal gene expression in adult microglia was largely unaffected by early life LPS. Changes in adult microglial pro-inflammatory genes in response to LPS were either unchanged or attenuated in rats exposed to LPS during postnatal development. Ptgs2, C/EBPb, CXCL10 and Arg-1 were the genes most affected, with expression levels significantly downregulated vs control rats without postnatal LPS exposure. Cortical microglia were affected more by postnatal inflammation than spinal microglia, and males were more impacted than females. Overall, inflammatory challenge at P18 had the greatest effect on adult microglial gene expression, whereas challenge at P7 had less impact. Microglial homeostatic genes were unaffected by postnatal LPS.
Conclusions.
Long-lasting effects of postnatal inflammation on adult microglia depend on the timing of postnatal inflammation, CNS region and sex.
BHB promotes the proliferation of neural stem cells by activating the Erk1/2- MAPK pathway and changing histone modification patterns
Authors: Wang Leilei , Zhao Tingting , Shang Sen , Lu Xiaoyun
Published: June 2024

Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the ability to proliferate and differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and some other types of cells, which were used in therapies for multiple neural system disorders. However, the efficacy of NSCs is limited by their short lifespan. Therefore, promoting the proliferation of NSCs is one of the key bottlenecks in their use for transplantation and treatment. According to our research, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) promoted cell cycle progression, thereby enhancing the proliferation of both primary NSCs and neural progenitor cell line C17.2. The BHB receptors GPR41 and GPR109A were found to mediate this effect by activating the Erk1/2 pathway. Furthermore, the key transcription factors regulating NSC proliferation, Pax6 and Sox2, were also upregulated by BHB via increased histone trimethylation and acetylation levels in their promoters. In conclusion, BHB enhanced the proliferation of NSCs through a receptor-dependent pathway. At same time, epigenetic modification also plays a role in this process.
Inflammatory Markers Related to Medical Nutritional Therapy in Critically Ill Patients in Intensive Care Unit: Study on CRP and Procalcitonin
Authors: Syauki Andi Yasmin , Majid Nurhidayah , Bukhari Agussalim , Taslim Nurpudji A. , As'ad Suryani , Aminuddin  , Syam Nurbaya , Ashari Nur
Published: June 2024

Background and objectives: Malnutrition is the most frequent complication in patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). CRP and Procalcitonin are used as acute phase inflammatory markers, adversely affecting patient outcomes. This study aims to determine the effect of medical nutritional therapy on the level of CRP and procalcitonin in critically ill patients.
Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort design on critically ill patients at Wahidin Sudirohusodo Teaching Hospital from 2020-2021, 250 subjects met the inclusion criteria by screening for malnutrition using the m-Nutric score, CRP assessment using Flouroscene immune assay, procalcitonin using chemiluminescent microparticle immune assay, nutrition intake by 24-hours food recall, all patients received medical nutrition therapy.
Results: This study showed patients with low grade m-Nutric score significantly decreased of CRP level (energy intake ≥ 600 kcal p=0.009) not for procalcitonin level (p=0.841), while procalcitonin tend to be significantly decreased (energy intake < 600 kcal p=0.054) not with CRP level (p=0.655). Patient with high-risk m-Nutric score showed significancy decreased procalcitonin level (energy intake ≥ 600 kcal p=0.011) while not for CRP (p=0.109) and procalciton (energy intake < 600 kcal p=0.138).
Conclusion: Medical nutritional therapy with energy intake ≥ 600 kcal incritical ill decreased CRP level in a low risk m-Nutric score, and decreased procalcitonin level in a high risk m-Nutric score.
Construction of Acenaphthylenes via C−H Activation-Based Tandem Penta- and Hexaannulation Reactions
Authors: You Jingsong , Li Jian , Liu Tao , Liu Junjie , Zhang Cheng , Yang Yudong , Tan Guangying
Published: June 2024

Acenaphthylene-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (AN-PAHs) are noteworthy structural motifs for organic functional materials due to their non-alternant electronic structure, which increases electron affinity. However, the synthesis of AN-PAHs has traditionally required multiple sequential synthetic steps, limiting structural diversity. Herein, we present a novel tandem C−H penta- and hexaannulation reaction of aryl alkyl ketone with acetylenedicarboxylate. This integrated approach enhances overall efficiency and selectivity, marking a significant advancement in AN-PAH synthesis. Mechanistic studies unveil an orchestrated extension of five- and six-membered rings through C−H activation-annulation and Diels–Alder reaction. Additionally, the tandem annulation reaction can be performed stepwise, further validating the proposed mechanism and increasing the structural diversity of AN-PAHs.
Measuring Attentional Bias Using the Dot-Probe Task in Young Women: Psychometric Properties and Feasibility of Response-Based Computations, Dwell Time, and the N2pc Component
Authors: Klonteig Sandra , Roalsø Elise Solbu , Jonassen Rune , Hilland Eva , Moberget Torgeir , Mirtaheri Peyman , Kraft Brage
Published: June 2024

Background Attentional bias (AB) is characterized by preferential cognitive and emotional processing of mood-congruent stimuli and considered a central mechanism in mood disorders. Considerable research has focused on improving AB measures to enhance mechanistic understanding and clinical utility. The present study examines psychometric properties of a range of AB measures with a multimodal setup.
Methods A nonclinical sample of 62 women aged 20–30 years completed the facial dot-probe task while behavioral responses (reaction time), eye-gaze patterns (eye tracking), and electrical brain potentials (electroencephalography) were recorded. AB metrics from four types of AB measures – traditional, response-based, dwell time, and the N2pc component– were examined with internal consistency and short-term test-retest calculations. AB metrics with an internal consistency score over .4 were considered reliable, and their validity was explored by examining relations to depression and anxiety symptoms. In addition, the consistency between reliable metrics across trials were examined.
Results Findings show that traditional AB metrics exhibited no degree of reliability, whereas response-based and dwell time metrics overall demonstrated better internal consistencies and higher test-retest reliability. The previously reported reliability of the N2pc component was not observed. As for validity, no linear associations were found between the reliable measures, depression, and anxiety. There were no relations between metrics across trials.
Conclusions This study provides insights for future AB research, emphasizing the potential of novel metrics over traditional ones and the use of multimodal setups to develop reliable and potentially hybrid measurements for clinical assessment.
Las medidas cautelares versus el D.U. N° 020-2020
Authors: Juárez Fernández Daniel Alberto
Published: June 2024

Existe un primer problema sobre las medidas cautelares otorgadas por árbitros de emergencia, lo cual no se encuentran con cobertura en los contratos celebrados en el marco del TUO de la Ley 30225; un segundo problema es la administración de arbitrajes por centros de arbitrales diferentes a los establecidos en la cláusula de solución de controversia y un tercer problema es el uso indebido del control difuso para no aplicar el D. U. N° 020-2020, a efectos de no presentar la fianza bancaria y/o patrimonial en los casos en que el Estado sea la parte afectada con la medida cautelar, trasgrediendo la citada norma con rango de Ley, así como los criterios de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de la República, como del Tribunal Constitucional.
Cláusulas y prácticas abusivas en la ley del contrato de seguro del Perú. A doce años de su promulgación
Authors: Torres Gamero Rolando J.
Published: June 2024

El presente trabajo tiene por finalidad analizar las figuras de las cláusulas y prácticas abusivas de seguros tanto en la doctrina como en la legislación nacional, considerando además que ya han transcurrido doce años de vigencia de la Ley N° 29946, Ley de Contrato de Seguros en el Perú que las regula en sus artículos 39° y 40°, apreciando que se ha hecho a la fecha para contrarrestarlas.
GEOFFREY N. LEECH’İN KİBARLIK KURAMI: CEVDET BEY VE OĞULLARI ROMANI ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: Uçar Cansu
Published: June 2024

Dilin rolü, bireyler arasında anlam ve anlayışın oluşturulması ve aktarılmasında önemlidir. Bu rolü üstlenen nezaket; dilin ince, saygılı ve düşünceli davranışlarıyla kişiler arası etkileşimi güçlendirerek anlamın daha iyi iletilmesini sağlar. Nezaket araştırmaları, bağlam ve anlamın yorumlanmasını inceleyen edim biliminin alt dallarından biridir. Nezaket ilk kez Robin Lakoff (1973) tarafından araştırılmıştır. Nezaket çalışmalarını geliştiren ve “yüz” olgusunu araştıran Brown ve Levinson’dur (1987). Grice (1975), “Konuşma Sezdirimleri” adlı nezaket yaklaşımında; konuşmacıların iletişimde sıklıkla iş birliği yaptığını vurgulamıştır. İş birliği ilkelerini açıklayan ve kendi kibarlık ilkelerini kapsamlı şekilde araştıran Geoffrey N. Leech (1983), “nezaket prensibi” ve bu prensibin “incelik, tevazu, takdir etme, cömertlik, uzlaşma, sempati” ilkelerini incelemiştir. Bu makalede Leech’in kibarlık kuramının altı ilkeleri temel alınmış ve bunun örnekleri belirlenen Cevdet Bey ve Oğulları romanında tespit edilmiştir. Araştırmanın nesnesi olarak seçilen roman, Nobel ödüllü yazar Türkiye’nin tarihî ve kültürel gelişimini incelemesi nedeniyle modern Türk edebiyatında önemli bir eser olarak kabul edilmektedir.
Structure-Based Virtual Screening: Successes and Pitfalls
Authors: Lima Adenilson , Penteado André , de Jesus Jullyane , de Paula Vanessa , Ferraz Witor , Trossini Gustavo
Published: June 2024

Structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) is an important approach that makes the first stages of drug development and repurposing processes faster and more efficient. Advances in experimental techniques and in silico computational modeling have contributed significantly to the characterization of diverse biological targets. Combined with the rapidly growing number of chemical compounds available in virtual databases, these advances enable the effective application of SBVS for prioritization of putative bioactive compounds to treat a wide range of pathologies. Techniques such as molecular docking, along with the utilization of pharmacophore models, are commonly employed for screening large databases of compounds, providing a solid foundation for employing SBVS in drug development pipelines. This review comprehensively analyzes recent advancements and strategies employed in the field of SBVS and explores methodologies for validation, limitations, and challenges associated with this approach. Through a series of case studies across different therapeutic targets, we demonstrate SBVS’s versatility and efficacy in identifying potential therapeutic agents. However, challenges remain, and understanding these is crucial for maximizing SBVS’s potential. We address these challenges, offering insights into the current limitations and future prospects of SBVS in drug development.