bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Absorption and Metabolism of Urolithin A and Ellagic Acid in Mice and Their Cytotoxicity in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Lin I-Chen , Wu Jin-Yi , Fang Chuan-Yin , Wang Shou-Chie , Liu Yi-Wen , Ho Shang-Tse
Published: September 2023

Background. Ellagic acid is a natural polyphenol compound found in pomegranates, walnuts, and many berries. It is not easily absorbed, but it could be metabolized to urolithins by the gut microbiota. Urolithin A, one of the ellagic acid metabolites, has been proved to prolong the lifespan of C. elegans and increases muscle function of mice. The purpose of this current study was to analyze the absorption and metabolites of urolithin A and ellagic acid in mice and the anticancer effects of urolithin A, urolithin B, and ellagic acid in colorectal cancer cells. Methods. Urolithin A and urolithin B were synthesized and analyzed by HPLC and NMR. A pharmacokinetic study of urolithin A was performed in mice by analyzing urolithin A and its metabolites in urines. Absorption and biotransformation of ellagic acid were also studied in mice by analyzing the plasma, liver, and feces. The cytotoxicity of urolithin A, urolithin B, and ellagic acid was assayed in SW480, SW620, HCT 116, and HT‐29 cells. Results. Urolithin A and urolithin B were synthesized and purified to reach 98.1% and 99% purity, respectively, and the structures were identified by NMR. In urolithin A intake analysis, urolithin A was only detectable at 3 h, not at 6–24 h; it suggested that urolithin A was rapidly metabolized to some unknown metabolites. Using UPLC‐MS/MS analysis, the metabolites might be urolithin A 3‐O‐glucuronide, urolithin A 3‐sulfate, and urolithin A‐sulfate glucuronide. After feeding mice with ellagic acid for consecutive 14 days, ellagic acid contents could be detected in the fecal samples, but not in plasma and liver, and urolithin A was not detected in all samples. It suggests that ellagic acid is not easily absorbed and that the biotransformation of ellagic acid to urolithin A by intestinal flora might be very low. From the cytotoxicity assay, it was found that there was anticancer effect in urolithin A and urolithin B but not in ellagic acid. In contrast, ellagic acid promoted the proliferation of SW480 and SW620 cells.
Impact of Land Use Types on Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks: A Study from the Lal Bakaiya Watershed in Central Nepal
Authors: Ghimire Pramod , Lamichhane Uchita , Bolakhe Sandesh , Jeb Lee Chun-Hung
Published: September 2023

Understanding the role of soil carbon (C) dynamics and quantitative changes as affected by various land use patterns is very critical given the significance of carbon sequestration. In this context, the current study was conducted in the Lal Bakaiya watershed in Makawanpur District, Nepal, to assess the variation of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) stocks in three different land use types, namely, natural forest, grassland, and cultivated land. Incremental soil depths method (i.e., 0–15 cm, 16–30 cm, and 31–45 cm) was applied to collect soil samples in bulk from each of the land use under the study to estimate SOC and N stocks in laboratory. A total of 90 soil samples were collected from three soil layers down the soil profile up to 45 cm for each land uses. The results show that both SOC and N contents decreased with soil depths; however, substantial amount of SOC and N stocks were reported in lower soil depths under land use with natural forest. Both SOC and N contents were found relatively higher at 0–15 cm depth in natural forest soil (1.40 ± 0.20% and 0.26 ± 0.04%) than those in grassland and cultivated land, respectively. The mean total SOC stock and N stock ranged from 46.3 ± 4.24 t ha−1 and 7.11 ± 1.86 t ha−1 in cultivated land to 62.05 ± 9.17 t ha−1 and 11.40 ± 1.92 t ha−1 in the land use with natural forest, respectively. Furthermore, the mean total carbon and nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) of the soil was found to be higher in cultivated land (7.07 ± 1.93) than that in natural forest (5.75 ± 1.47) and grassland (5.62 ± 1.49), respectively. Two-way analysis of variance results showed that both land use type and soil depth have significantly (p<0.05) affected the SOC and N stocks in the study. From the results, it is suggested that well-managed land use can contribute significantly in offsetting global carbon emission.
Biomarker-Driven Personalization of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Melanoma
Authors: Hoeijmakers Lotte L. , Reijers Irene L.M. , Blank Christian U.
Published: September 2023

The introduction of immunotherapy has ushered in a new era of anticancer therapy for many cancer types including melanoma. Given the increasing development of novel compounds and combinations and the investigation in earlier disease stages, the need grows for biomarker-based treatment personalization. Stage III melanoma is one of the front-runners in the neoadjuvant immunotherapy field, facilitating quick biomarker identification by its immunogenic capacity, homogeneous patient population, and reliable efficacy readout. In this review, we discuss potential biomarkers for response prediction to neoadjuvant immunotherapy, and how the neoadjuvant melanoma platform could pave the way for biomarker identification in other tumor types.

Significance:

In accordance with the increasing rate of therapy development, the need for biomarker-driven personalized treatments grows. The current landscape of neoadjuvant treatment and biomarker development in stage III melanoma can function as a poster child for these personalized treatments in other tumors, assisting in the development of new biomarker-based neoadjuvant trials. This will contribute to personalized benefit–risk predictions to identify the most beneficial treatment for each patient.
¿Por qué se están secando los mares?: una investigación hecha por niños y niñas
Authors:   Niños y niñas de sexto de educación básica de la Región Metropolitana y de la Región de O Higgins, Chile, Concha Cádiz Magdalena , Guzmán Martínez Emilia ,   Niños y niñas de sexto de educación básica de la Región Metropolitana y de la Región de O Higgins, Chile, Morales Poblete Dylan ,   Niños y niñas de sexto de educación básica de la Región Metropolitana y de la Región de O Higgins, Chile, Maldonado Ortega Agustín ,   Niños y niñas de sexto de educación básica de la Región Metropolitana y de la Región de O Higgins, Chile, Saracostti Mahia
Published: September 2023

Hola, somos un grupo de niños y niñas coinvestigadores de sexto básico, que participamos de un taller de escritura durante las vacaciones de invierno del año 2022, donde buscamos algún tema de nuestro interés para investigar. Somos Magdalena y Agustín de la comuna de Paine, Chile. Para quienes no les suene el lugar, vivimos cerca de la Laguna de Acúleo, conocida por secarse totalmente en el año 2019. También somos Dylan, vivo en la comuna de Malloa, cerca del Humedal La Capilla y la Granja La Viñita, donde hay muchos animales y donde te puedes ir a conectar con la naturaleza y su entorno. Finalmente somos Emilia, vivo en la comuna de Requínoa, conocida por sus distintas viñas que visita gente de diferentes regiones de Chile e incluso de otros países.
Aves no Campus da USP em Ribeirão Preto
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Diniz Henrique , Oliveira Nivaldo Donizetti de ,   in memoriam, Aquino Ana Carla Medeiros Morato de ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Cavallari‬ Daniel Caracanhas ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Cezila Beatriz Azevedo , Filipino Julio César Gonzalez
Published: September 2023

O livro que estão prestes a conhecer é exatamente sobre a possibilidade de ver, ouvir e principalmente reconhecer um conjunto expressivo de aves, de 203 espécies, pertencentes a 56 famílias, fotografadas no câmpus ou arredores, desde há aproximadamente 20 anos. Aves no Câmpus da USP em Ribeirão Preto é um guia fotográfico, de autoria de especialistas. As imagens de alta qualidade gráfica foram fornecidas pelos autores e por vários colaboradores, fotógrafos profissionais ou amadores e comprovam a exuberância da avifauna brasileira, uma entre as três mais diversas do mundo, presente mesmo em um município com poucas áreas de vegetação natural. Dados sobre a taxonomia, incluindo os nomes (popular e científico), os ambientes de ocorrência, o tipo de alimentação, e frequência de observação, entre outros, são acessíveis em linguagem clara e precisa. São fornecidos links e, com recursos da internet, é possível escutar o canto das aves catalogadas.
Association of Device-Measured Physical Activity With Cardiovascular Outcomes in Individuals With Hypertension
Authors: Xiang Boyang , Zhou Yujia , Wu Xiaoguang , Zhou Xiang
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:

There is insufficient evidence to show that the guidelines’ recommendations of physical activity (PA) are associated with long-term benefits in individuals with hypertension.

METHODS:

This prospective cohort study included UK Biobank participants with hypertension. Time spent on vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), moderate-intensity PA (MPA), and light-intensity PA (LPA) measured by wrist-worn accelerometer were extracted. The primary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (including cardiovascular death, stroke, and myocardial infarction) and all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke, respectively. The relationships of PA with outcomes were analyzed using Cox regression models.

RESULTS:

This study included 49 060 eligible participants with a median follow-up of 7.0 years. MPA was inversely associated with risks of major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Modest amounts of LPA or VPA were likely to be more beneficial than higher amounts of either in all-cause death or cardiovascular outcomes. Compared with the least active group, 150 to 300 min/wk of MPA or more was significantly associated with decreased risk of all-cause death (by 34%−54%) and major adverse cardiovascular events (by 23%−41%), but 75 to 150 min/wk of VPA or more was associated with few further benefits, even weakening the cardiovascular benefits.

CONCLUSIONS:

MPA had an inverse dose-response association with the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with hypertension. Modest amounts of LPA or VPA are also beneficial, but higher amounts may be not. MPA may be the optimal PA intensity for individuals with hypertension. Further researches are required to determine whether high levels of VPA should be recommended.
Climate Change and Urban Migration in Sub-Saharan African Cities: Impacts and Governance Challenges
Authors: Tietjen Bethany , Jacobsen Karen , Hollander Justin
Published: September 2023

Urban informal settlements are rapidly expanding in countries around the world. This is due partly to high birth rates, but also because of growing in-migration driven by climate change impacts affecting rural populations. Urban informal settlements struggle with degraded and sometimes nonexistent infrastructure (such as water, sewage, and drainage systems) and service provision (health, education), and these shortcomings are aggravated by urban climate-related hazards like flooding and heat spikes. As informal settlements expand, their already overburdened infrastructure can lead to urban disasters such as flooding and landfill collapse. These challenges increase the governance and financial problems already faced by cities and create significant problems for climate resilience planning processes. Policy responses at both the national and city levels promise much but deliver little. This article reviews what is known about the environmental problems of informal settlements, particularly those in African cities, and how city governments have responded to those problems. We focus on two inland cities: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Kampala, Uganda. We find that city climate adaptation plans do not incorporate the perspective of migrants, who are both particularly vulnerable to climate change and play a role in exacerbating environmental challenges in cities.
Cerebellar Atrophy and Language Processing in Chronic Left-Hemisphere Stroke
Authors: Newman-Norlund Roger D. , Gibson Makayla , Johnson Lisa , Teghipco Alex , Rorden Chris , Bonilha Leonardo , Fridriksson Julius
Published: September 2023

Chronic stroke results in significant downstream changes at connected cortical sites. However, less is known about the impact of cortical stroke on cerebellar structure. Here, we examined the relationship between chronic stroke, cerebellar volume, cerebellar symmetry, language impairment, and treatment trajectories in a large cohort (N = 249) of chronic left hemisphere (LH) stroke patients with aphasia, using a healthy aging cohort (N = 244) as control data. Cerebellar gray matter volume was significantly reduced in chronic LH stroke relative to healthy control brains. Within the chronic LH stroke group, we observed a robust relationship between cerebellar volume, lesion size, and days post-stroke. Notably, the extent of cerebellar atrophy in chronic LH patients, particularly in the contralesional (right) cerebellar gray matter, explained significant variability in post-stroke aphasia severity, as measured by the Western Aphasia Battery—Revised, above and beyond traditional considerations such as cortical lesion size, days post-stroke, and demographic measures (age, race, sex). In a subset of participants that took part in language treatment studies, greater cerebellar gray matter volume was associated with greater treatment gains. These data support the importance of considering both cerebellar volume and symmetry in models of post-stroke aphasia severity and recovery.
Past Life Meditation Decreases Existential Death Anxiety and Increases Meaning in Life among Individuals Who Believe in the Paranormal
Authors: White Claire , Farias Miguel
Published: September 2023

Despite their growing popularity, little is known about the psychological effects of participating in past-life meditation groups in contemporary western contexts. We conducted a study to re-create some of the conditions observed in the field by facilitating a group of adults interested in exploring past life meditation. Before the session, participants completed a survey about their afterlife beliefs and associated experiences. Participants also completed questionnaires measuring meaningfulness in life and fear of death before and after the session. In the sample (n = 125), just over half of the participants (52%) reported having a past life memory or vision during the session. Higher paranormal beliefs predicted reporting a past life memory or vision. We also found that having prior memories or visions of having lived before, but not the general belief in having a past life, predicted reporting having past life experiences during the session. Consistent with our predictions, participants who reported having a past life memory or vision also reported reduced existential death distress and increased meaningfulness in life following the session, compared to those who did not report these experiences.
Bound to Share or Not to Care. The Force of Fate, Gods, Luck, Chance and Choice across Cultures
Authors: Berniūnas Renatas , Beinorius Audrius , Dranseika Vilius , Silius Vytis , Rimkevičius Paulius
Published: September 2023

People across cultures consider everyday choices in the context of perceived various external life-determining forces: such as fate and gods (two teleological forces) and such notions as luck and chance (two non-teleological forces). There is little cross-cultural evidence (except for a belief in gods) showing how people relate these salient notions of life-determining forces to prosociality and a sense of well-being. The current paper provides preliminary cross-cultural data to address this gap. Results indicate that choice is the most important life-determining factor. Regression analyses indicate that choice and belief in gods and fate emerged as significant predictors of prosociality towards strangers. Moreover, luck was a significant predictor of decreased prosociality. A relation between life-determining forces and life satisfaction followed the same pattern: choice, gods, and fate emerged as significant predictors of greater life satisfaction, whereas luck was associated with decreased life satisfaction. The overall pattern of results indicates that participants across different cultures might sense being bounded to share or not to care depending on the perceived intentional agency and meaning in the external forces.
Can Confucian Ritual Improve Mediation?
Authors: Wang Chao , Lassi Nicholas
Published: September 2023

Mediation often fails because disputants scheme, lie, and become emotionally untethered. Productive mediation requires cooperation, self-possession, and a degree of sincerity among disputants. Improving the capacity of disputants to engage harmoniously to achieve resolution is essential, as discussed in the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (the Singapore Mediation Convention). Confucius believed that ritualized mediation most effectively settled public disputes. Confucian rituals transmit norms and expectations, manifest sincerity, promote self-control, and unite disputants for harmonious resolutions, which can significantly improve modern mediation. This has implications for settlement satisfaction, mediator precision, mediation integrity, social harmony, and savings in time, money, and effort that would otherwise be allocated to litigation. Candidate rituals include calming words and actions during mediation when parties become overly competitive or heated, traditional tea ceremonies, feng shui (風水) influenced mediation environments, and traditional music.
Compellence and batna for the Denuclearization of North Korea
Authors: Park Hwee-rhak
Published: September 2023

This article analyzes the denuclearization negotiations with North Korea and recommends options to compel North Korea to denuclearize, focusing on the best alternative to a negotiated agreement (batna) concept. President Trump’s recent denuclearization summit meetings with North Korea failed because he did not employ a batna in his negotiations. A few candidates for the batna are compared and evaluated using criteria of effectiveness and feasibility. This article concludes that military strikes or economic sanctions cannot be relevant as batna s because of North Korea’s success in developing its second-strike nuclear capabilities and probable Chinese support. While South Korea’s nuclear armament does not seem feasible in the short term, another nuclear-sharing arrangement in Northeast or East Asia could be a viable and practical batna. The United States and South Korea should implement this batna gradually, reflecting the degree of the nuclear threat from North Korea.
Jaulung Wismar Saragih
Authors: Sipayung Parulihan , Kaunda Chammah J.
Published: September 2023

This study explores the theological significance of Jaulung Wismar Saragih (1888-1968), the first-generation Christian, ordained pastor and theologian from the Simalungun ethnic group. He was also the first local person to translate the Bible into his local language in the Indonesian context. Saragih’s theological thinking foregrounded Indonesian postcolonial contextual theology regarding the identity and role of the church for social transformation in the context of religious pluralism and the struggle for gender justice, human freedom, and dignity. This study is an appreciative inquiry from a postcolonial theo-historical and biographical reconstruction of Saragih’s contextual theology and its public theological implications for contemporary Indonesia.
The Attitudes of Asian Anglicans towards Women Bishops and the Gender Beliefs that Influence Them
Authors: Teoh S. J. Ying , Low P.K.
Published: September 2023

Regarding the ordination of women to higher spiritual leadership positions in the Anglican Church, existing studies have tended to focus on attitudes and perceptions in non-Asian countries and regions, thereby affecting the generalisability of their results to Asian countries such as Singapore. Working to close this gap, a small exploratory study using semi-structured interviews was conducted in Singapore. Eight Anglican parishioners were interviewed, and the transcripts were treated with thematic analysis. Overall, the findings suggest a seeming disconnect between attitudes towards gender equality in secular and faith-based workplaces, implying a social contextual influence on the transferability of an individual’s gender-equal attitudes across secular and religious spheres. Some participants sought to manage this disconnect through the conditional support of female bishops, hinged upon them remaining subject to higher male leadership.
Weather Prognostication in Late Imperial China as Presented in Local Gazetteers (1644–1722)
Authors: Agøy Erling
Published: September 2023

This article examines Late Imperial Chinese prognostication practices in relation to weather and climate, as they appear in local gazetteers 方志 (fangzhi) – a sort of local history or reference book – from across the country. My focus is on the so-called “farmers’ prognostications 農占 (nongzhan).” Where and by whom were weather prognostications used? How great were the internal differences within China? What were the main methods used to predict the year’s harvest? The research’s scope is limited by the available sources: out of the many thousands of extant gazetteers, I strictly work only with those works published during the two first Qing 清 (1644–1912) reigns Shunzhi 順治 (1644–1661) and Kangxi 康熙 (1662–1722). The geographical area is determined by these sources but basically corresponds to the Han-majority provinces of “China proper.”
Medieval Divination by Unexpected Incidents: The Tabula prenostica Salomonis
Authors: Hertogh Tim , van Rhijn Carine , Schalekamp Bruno , Schmidl Petra G.
Published: September 2023

This article explores a little-known prognostic table, the so-called Tabula Salomonis, in its four oldest Latin manuscript witnesses from between ca. 1000 and 1300. Unusually for Latin prognostic texts, the table employs unexpected incidents such as animal sounds, sneezes, and bodily twitches combined with the signs of the zodiac as its starting point. Interestingly, the sources for the Tabula, a series of Late Antique texts from which the author “picked and mixed,” are not extant in Latin. Given a parallel tradition in Arabic, the authors argue that the Tabula’s direct precursor is not a Greek text (as is the case for many contemporary prognostic texts in Latin), but an Arabic work. This would make it the earliest attested prognostic text translated directly from Arabic into Latin.
Taxonomy of Bouteloua juncea and Bouteloua triaena, two species confused for more than a century
Authors: SANDOVAL-ORTEGA MANUEL HIGINIO
Published: September 2023

The genus Bouteloua is native to America and is one of the most important groups in North America grasslands. Bouteloua juncea is one of the only two species of this genus endemic to the Antilles. However, B. juncea has erroneously been reported for Mexico due to a confusion between this species and B. triaena. The objective of this work was to review the nomenclature of B. juncea and B. triaena to clarify the origin of the confusion between both taxa. The names Dinebra cristata, Triaena racemosa and Triathera gracilis are lectotypified, a morphological description and a distribution map of Bouteloua juncea are presented, and taxonomic comments are provided on Bouteloua juncea and B. triaena to clarify the origin of the confusion between these two taxa.
A hidden gem from Northeastern Brazil: A new species of Metaphotina Piza, 1964 (Mantodea, Acontistidae) ecologically linked to the Caatinga
Authors: FERRAZ BERNARDO R. , SOUZA-DIAS PEDRO G.B. , RIVERA JULIO
Published: September 2023

A new species of praying mantis, Metaphotina austri sp. n., is described from the Caatinga biome in Brazil. The species can be easily distinguished from its congeners by its small body size and diagnostic characters found on the head, wings, and male genitalia. Distributional data compiled from specimen labels, historical literature, and the citizen science platform iNaturalist showed that M. austri sp. n. is mainly associated with the northernmost and driest region of the Caatinga, known as the “Depressão Sertaneja Setentrional.” Ecological and geographical data about the new species, as well as comments on the diversity of Mantodea in the Caatinga, are provided, highlighting the importance of crowdsourced data for a more comprehensive understanding of praying mantis species’ distribution and their natural history.
2. Social Media and Democracy
Authors: Ziliotti Elena , Reyes Benavides Patricia D. , Gwagwa Arthur , Dennis Matthew J.
Published: September 2023

Has social media disrupted the concept of democracy? This complex question has become more pressing than ever as social media have become a ubiquitous part of democratic societies worldwide. This chapter discusses social media’s effects at three critical levels of democratic politics (personal relationships among democratic citizens, national politics, and international politics) and argues that social media pressures the conceptual limits of democracy. This new digital communication infrastructure challenges some of the fundamental elements of the concept of democracy. By giving citizens and non-citizens equal substantive access to online political debates that shape the political agenda, social media has drastically expanded and opened up the notion of demos and public sphere (the communicative space where citizens come together to form and exchange opinions and define collective problems), and misaligned the conceptual relationship of public sphere with the idea of demos. These conclusions have multiple implications. They indicate engineers’ and designers’ new political responsibility, novel normative challenges for research in political and moral philosophy, security and legal frameworks, and ultimately they shed light on how to do politics in digital democratic societies.
5. Ectogestative Technology and the Beginning of Life
Authors: Frank Lily Eva , Hermann Julia , Kavege Llona , Puzio Anna
Published: September 2023

How could ectogestative technology disrupt gender roles, parenting practices, and concepts such as “birth”, “body”, or “parent”? In this chapter, we situate this emerging technology in the context of the history of reproductive technologies, and analyse the potential social and conceptual disruptions to which it could contribute. An ectogestative device, better known as “artificial womb”, enables the extra-uterine gestation of a human being, or mammal more generally. It is currently developed with the main goal to improve the survival chances of extremely premature neonates. We argue that the intended use of the technology in neonatal intensive care units, as an alternative to current incubators (“partial- ectogestation”), challenges concepts such as “birth”, “fetus”, and “neonate”, and has several ethico-legal implications. We moreover address a more futuristic scenario where the entire embryological and fetal development could happen within an artificial womb (“full-ectogestation”). Such a scenario reveals the disruption of gender roles, parenting practices, and concepts such as “mother”, “father”, and “parent”. Both full- and partial-ectogestation would have implications for engineering and design, law-making, ethics, and philosophical anthropology.
Lateral vibration suppression of highway bridge by using frequency modulated particle damper in earthquake environment
Authors: Wei Luyao
Published: September 2023

In order to study the seismic control effect and mechanism of particle damper in the transverse structure of highway’s bridge, a 1:20 scale model of a typical highway bridge is designed and manufactured, and a frequency modulated particle damper is designed and manufactured, which
can be used in the test model. The seismic simulation vibration array test is carried out on the model bridge before and after the particle damper is set. By changing the filling rate, particle material, particle size and installation position of the particle damper, the power spectral density
at the middle or top of the beam steel column is measured, and the total energy response of the steel column structure is calculated. The influence and law of the particle damper on the vibration amplitude of the steel column are explored. The test results show that: the proposed frequency
modulated particle damper does not appear particle accumulation phenomenon in the test; it has better damping effect on the transverse seismic response of the main beam of the scale model bridge, and can reduce the peak displacement response of the main beam. The energy response value is 1.016
kg (m/s2)2/Hz.
Oral suspension of thaliporphine alter the functional dyspepsia in gastroduodenal lesions rats via gastrointestinal hormones and brain-gut peptides
Authors: Yang Hongbin , Liu Zhifang , Li Xiaopei
Published: September 2023

Functional dyspepsia (FD), also known as nonulcer dyspepsia, is distinguished by epigastric burning or pain, nausea, a feeling of being overly full, and bloating. Thaliporphine an alkaloid exhibited the protective effect against the inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress. Our aim to scrutinized the therapeutic potential of thaliporphine against FD in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomised into six groups at random, and the FD model was created using irregular tail clamp stimulation over 14 days (except from rats in the control group). The normal and model group rats got menstruum and thaliporphine oral administration for 14 days after the FD rat models were effectively established. The body weight, food and water intake were estimated. The level of plasma gastrin (GAS), motilin (MTL), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), somatostatin (SS), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), acetylcholine (AChE), antioxidant, cytokines and inflammatory parameters were estimated. Thaliporphine treated group rats exhibited the increased body weight and food intake, which was suppressed during the FD. Thaliporphine significantly increased the rate of intestinal propulsion and gastric emptying in addition to changing the levels of leptin, CGRP, MLT, SS, and VIP. Thaliporphine significantly (P<0.001) reduced the level of AChE in serum and boosted the level in stomach and hypothalamus. Thaliporphine significantly changed the cytokine and inflammatory parameter levels. Treatment with thaliporphine improves gut peptide levels, controls the peripheral and central nervous systems, and restores levels of gastrointestinal hormones, all of which point to the drug’s potential for protecting against FD.
Assessment of mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum neutral triterpenes mediating bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with high expression of miR-125b targeting Bak1 gene in leukemia cell proliferation and apoptosis
Authors: Shen Yang , Chen Junyi , Zhu Ye
Published: September 2023

This study focused on assessing mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) with high miR-125b level on leukemia cells. Cultured MSC cells were identified, transfected with miR-125b, and miR-125b level was tested by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).
After transfection, cells were divided into NC group, miR-125b mimics group, miR-125b inhibitor group, BMSC group and BMSCs group with high miR-125b expression. The miR-125b target gene was further explored by luciferase activity. Morphology of BMSC cell line P3 was stable, and CD90, CD71
and CD29 surface markers were positive, while CD45 was negative. miR-125b overexpression of BMSC in this study was successfully transfected, and the BMSCs with transfected miR-125b notably suppressed THP-1 cells proliferation, further enhancing cell apoptosis and levels of apoptosis-related
proteins. Moreover, the BMSCs with miR-125b notably inhibited colony formation ability, and induced G1 phase arrest. miR-125b showed targeted relationship to Bak1, while the BMSCs with miR-125b targeted Bak1 gene, leading to up-regulation of Bakl, p53 and Puma protein expressions and inhibition
of proliferation and apoptosis of leukemia THP-1 cells. miR-125b can therefore be used as a therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia.
Effects of sports rehabilitation plus platelet-rich plasma treatment on knee cartilage injuries and the expression of inflammatory factors in synovial fluid: A cartilage injury model
Authors: Wei Lei , Fan Jianjun
Published: September 2023

This research examined the efficacy of sports rehabilitation training plus platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for cartilage injuries of the knee (CIK) in athletes and its influence on the expression of inflammatory factors (IFs) in synovial fluid in a cartilage injury model. One hundred and
four athletes with CIK were selected as the study population, and the selection time was between October 2019 and October 2022. The research (n = 53) and control (n = 51) groups underwent sports and traditional rehabilitation training interventions, respectively. Concurrently,
PRP was injected into the affected knee joints of all patients in the research group. The curative effect, knee function (Hospital for Special Surgery [HSS] Knee Scoring System), and motor function (Tegner Activity Scale) in both groups were observed and compared. Furthermore, a rabbit CIK
model was established. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to identify pathological conditions and synovial fluid IFs (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α and interleukin [IL]-1β), respectively. The analysis revealed a remarkably
higher total effective rate of treatment and notably elevated post interventional HSS and Tegner scores in the research group than in the controls. After modeling, the model group exhibited significant pathological conditions of CIK with overexpressed IFs (IL-1β and TNF-α)
in synovial fluid. Conversely, pathologic conditions were obviously ameliorated and IFs were markedly suppressed after undergoing sports rehabilitation training, with better outcomes than traditional rehabilitation training. Therefore, sports rehabilitation training plus PRP can significantly
improve CIK in athletes and consequently, knee and motor functions, while considerably mitigating and inhibiting the pathological effects of IFs in synovial fluid in the cartilage injury model.
Curcumin promotes apoptosis of liver cancer cells by down-regulating WNT/β-catenin
Authors: Bian Lidan , Yan Hongxia , Zhu Bitao , Xin Peng , Liao Qiaoling
Published: September 2023

Curcumin (C21H20O6) is considered to exert anticancer potential. However, the relationship between curcumin andβ-catenin has not been fully clarified and its regulatory role in human liver cancer has not yet been confirmed. In this study, human liver cancer cells were exposed to curcumin and the proliferation of HepG2 cells was detected by MTT method along with analysis of cell cycle and apoptosis, as well as Wnt/β-catenin signaling proteins expression. Curcumin shows a time-dependent and dose-dependent effect on HepG2 cell proliferation. The IC50 at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h were 12.8±0.67)μmol/L, 8.8±0.43μmol/L and 4.6±0.42μmol/L, respectively. Curcumin could dose-dependently (5, 10 and 20μmol/L) arrest HepG2 cells in the G2/M phase (p< 0.05) and increase apoptosis (p< 0.05). In addition, curcumin down-regulated total, cytoplasmic and nuclearβ-catenin proteins in HepG2 cells, indicating inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Curcumin reduced the expression of Dvl-2, Dvl-3, GSK-3β(p-ser9), C-myc, and Survivin, and increased the expression of GSK-3 (p-tyr216) and Axin-2 without affecting total GSK-3βlevels. Curcumin is able to inhibit liver cancer cell activities possibly through inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Three as-synthesized silver nanowires (Ag NWs) with different size on renal cancer treatment
Authors: Yang Liuqing , Huang Zhongling
Published: September 2023

In this paper, three as synthesized silver nanowires (Ag NWs 1–3) have been successfully synthesized via the one-step polyol synthesis at 150 °C for 8 h, which use the NaCl, ZnCl2 and CuCl2 as the inorganic control agents to control the size and length
of the Ag NWs. Three Ag NWs sample have been characterized by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The novel Ag NWs application on anti-renal cancer was explored and the specific mechanism was determined simultaneously. The results suggested that Ag NWs
inhibited renal cancer by decreasing renal cancer cell proliferation and up-regulating SUCLG1 and PCK2 expression. The Ag NWs showed the potential to be developed as the anti-tumor drug.
Glycyrrhizin improves cardiac function in rheumatic heart disease by regulating Cx43 through miRNA-223
Authors: Li Ke , Ning Liang
Published: September 2023

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a typical and relapsing autoimmune disease that damages heart valve. In this study, glycyrrhizin was used to intervene RHD mouse model to explore the role of glycyrrhizin in RHD and underlying mechanism. The RHD mouse model was successfully established
and divided into 7 groups as follows: healthy group, RHD group, miR-223 antagonist group, miR-223 agonist group; glycyrrhizin group and glycyrrhizin+agonist group, and glycyrrhizin+miR-223 antagonist group. After treatment, cardiac function was evaluated by weighing the heart, echocardiography,
and observing cardiomyocytes with Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) staining. Real Time Quantitative (RT-qPCR) and Western blot determined miR-223 and Cx43 expressions and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide
(MTT) assessed proliferation rate after transfection. The cardiac function, as well as cardiomyocyte morphology of the glycyrrhizin group were significantly improved (P <0.05). Importantly, additional treatment with miR-223 antagonist further improved cardiac function, dramatically
decreasing left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and Left Ventricular End Systolic Diameter (LVESD). Besides, glycyrrhizin treatment decreased miR-223 expression while increasing Cx43 expression, compared with RHD group. Combination of miR-223 antagonist and glycyrrhizin obtained
the highest level of Cx43. Anti-miR-223+pcDNA-Cx43 group had the lowest proliferation rate and highest apoptosis rate of mouse RHD cells. Glycyrrhizin inhibited miR-223 and increased Cx43 expression to strengthen cardiac function and restrict progression of RHD mice, which is an intervention
target for RHD.
Impact of nanomaterials on microbial communities in the carbon sequestration processes of urban river ecosystems
Authors: Wang Xu , Cui Youwei
Published: September 2023

Herein, zero-valent iron nanoadsorbents were synthesized by hydrothermal and coprecipitation methods. The structure and morphology of the materials were characterized through X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy with EDS. The
adsorption performance of nanoscale Fe2O3 nanomaterials was evaluated. Additionally, adsorption experiments were conducted with varying amounts of nanomaterials and initial concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in water. The results showed that as the initial
concentration of the DOC in water increased, the efficiency of organic carbon removal gradually decreased. In particular, when the initial concentration of the DOC increased from 20 to 35 mg/L, the removal efficiency of the nanomaterials decreased from 85% to 55%. Furthermore, a considerable
decrease in the removal efficiency was observed between 30 to 60 min. After 60 min, the efficiency of organic carbon removal was almost constant. The increase in the initial concentration of DOC in water resulted in a gradual decrease in the efficiency of its removal. The decrease in the organic
carbon content in water lead to a scarcity of carbon sources for microbial reproduction, thereby reducing the microbial population considerably. This study provides a clear evidence of the pronounced carbon fixation effect of nanomaterials and their ability to control microbial population
in aquatic ecosystems.
Nanoparticle miR-362-5p targets CDK2 and inhibits tumorigenesis in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yang , Tang Jia , Yang Dandan
Published: September 2023

The malignant tumour known as renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is relatively prevalent. Finding new biomarkers is crucial for predicting RCC’s course and prognosis. MicroRNA (miRNA) production profiles in severe cancers have been the subject of numerous investigations. miR-362-5p activity
in pure cell kidney cancer and any putative RCC-related processes were the main goals of this investigation. This research evaluated 4 clusters of renal disease and close miRNA Chips for interpretation characterization using the Database. Six miRNAs were produced at low levels on four pairs
of expressed spectrum chips, with miR-362-5p exhibiting the biggest deregulation. Impacts of miR-362-5p seen using genuine optical quantified Cell cycle tests using stream imaging, Sequencing, Colorimetric research, and cell implantation trials. To validate the genetic variants of miR-362-5p,
both a Western blot analysis and a luciferase reporter test were performed. After data analysis, the target of the inquiry was miR-362-5p. Cellular development graphs and microscopy stream analyses revealed that miR-362-5p overexpression slowed the development of RCC cells and caused a cell
cycle arrest there at the G0 stage. Computational biology research suggests the miR-362-5p gene may target cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). Mechanistic investigations show that miR-362-5p significantly inhibits CDK2 synthesis inside ccRCC cell cultures. Finally, this research demonstrated
that miR-362-5p is significantly dysregulated in tissues with renal disease. miR-362-5p controls Prototype, preventing evident cell renal cell cancer from spreading. The cell phase is stopped at the G1/S phase due to CDK2 command to advance the cell phase and develop tumour cells.
State of the Climate in 2022
Authors: Blunden J. , Boyer T. , Bartow-Gillies E.
Published: September 2023

Editors note: For easy download the posted pdf of the State of the Climate in 2022 is a low-resolution file. A high-resolution copy of the report is available by clicking here. Please be patient as it may take a few minutes for the high-resolution file to download.
Vitamin B12 reference intervals on Beckman, Roche and Siemens analytical platforms
Authors: Jassam Nuthar , Bancroft Thomas , Luvai Ahai , Mbagaya Wycliffe , Barth Julian H.
Published: September 2023

Background

Vitamin B12 status is assessed primarily by measuring total serum B12 using competitive binding methods. The lack of availability of a standard material and high-level reference measurement procedure affect the trueness of B12 results; this results in variation between methods. This study aimed to determine the reference intervals for vitamin B12 on three routine analytical platforms.

Method

A prospective reference population of healthy individuals was recruited according to the IFCC CRIDL criteria. Vitamin B12 samples were measured on Roche, Beckman and Siemens analytical platforms.

Results

In total, 300 adult subjects were recruited; the central 95th centile values for B12 for Roche (190–678 ng/mL) and Siemens (181–562 ng/mL) analytical platforms were in a close agreement. Beckman DXi, however, showed a significantly lower reference limit (110–562 ng/mL). All reference intervals are in keeping with previously published data but some are not in agreement with manufacturer provided reference interval.

Conclusion

As the quality of the reference intervals plays a significant role in clinical outcome, it is of great importance that laboratories use a method-specific reference interval and if possible, locally derived reference intervals until further method standardization occurs.
A Dual-Path Model of Ethical Leadership’s Influence on Civil Servants’ Discretionary Work Behavior: Probing the Social Learning and Social Exchange Processes
Authors: Tan Beijing , Wang Zijing , Zhao Shusong , Liao Jianqiao
Published: September 2023

The study of ethical leadership has emerged as an important topic for understanding the effects of leadership in the public sector. Existing literature finds that ethical leadership can significantly affect the desirable outcomes of subordinates, but most scholars only research from a single theoretical perspective of social learning or social exchange. In addition, the boundary conditions of the downward effects of ethical leadership have not been fully studied, and there is still a lack of clear theoretical explanations for why ethical leadership cannot effectively affect employee behaviors. This research examines the mechanisms and boundary conditions of ethical leadership influencing civil servants’ discretionary work behaviors. A total of 256 civil servants have participated in this study. Results revealed that ethical leadership can indirectly affect civil servants’ helping behavior and extra effort behavior through moral efficacy, and can also indirectly affect civil servants’ extra effort behavior through felt obligation. Social distance weakened the relationship between ethical leadership and moral efficacy, while power distance strengthened the relationship between ethical leadership and felt obligation. These findings broaden ethical leadership research in the public sector by differentiating the processes through which it affects civil servants’ discretionary work behaviors.
How Do Women and Men Perceive the Sacrifice of Leaving Work for Their Families? A Cost–Benefit Analysis
Authors: Villanueva-Moya Laura , Expósito Francisca
Published: September 2023

We aimed to analyze perceptions of the costs and benefits of family and work sacrifices. In Study 1, participants ( n = 222) rated the associated benefits and costs of a sacrifice (work vs. family). In Study 2, participants ( n = 213) rated the associated benefits and costs of a work sacrifice, their willingness to sacrifice, and their sense of authenticity. In Study 3, participants ( n = 186) reported on commitment and relationship satisfaction, rated the associated benefits and costs of a work sacrifice, and their life satisfaction. Participants perceived that work sacrifices were costlier for men and more beneficial for women and that women felt more authentic for making them. For women, higher commitment or relationship satisfaction was associated with greater perception of benefits, which was associated with greater life satisfaction. These findings highlight the relevance of gender differences in work sacrifices and hence in women’s professional advancement.
Creativity, agency, and stability: Perceptions of Canadian musicians working across the cultural domains
Authors: Brook Julia , Renihan Colleen , Schnitzer Ben
Published: September 2023

This research study aims to illuminate Canadian musicians’ portfolio careers across the cultural domains. Previous research has highlighted the career paths of music graduates directly after graduation, and other research has highlighted the experiences of well-known performers or pedagogues. However, little is known about music graduates who persist and establish careers in music. We interviewed twelve musicians working in a variety of Canadian cultural domains to understand their work and career paths. Their stories elucidate how artists balance income stability, artistic agency, creativity, and professional challenges to create impressive and fulfilling portfolios that enable them to use their music-based knowledge and skills in various ways. Findings from this study provide a more nuanced understanding of the scope and nature of music-related work in Canada and how artists integrate artistic and creative abilities with community needs and economic stability. These findings offer insights for emerging musicians and music graduates and have implications for educating and supporting artists who wish (or indeed need) to work across cultural domains.