bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Osteopontin neutralization increases vitamin D receptors on NKT cells and ameliorates liver fibrosis by promoting their activity
Authors: Amer Johnny , Salhab Ahmad , Hussini Enas , Shweiki Rasha , Zahran Iman , Far Mohammad 
Published: November 2024

Introduction and AimsVitamin D has an immunomodulatory property influencing the activity of NKT cells. We aimed to study the impact of osteopontin (OPN), a key driver of fibrosis, on NKT cells’ vitamin D receptor (VDR) and activity alterations.MethodsLiver fibrosis was induced in BALB/C mice with carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4) for 8 weeks with either vitamin D [100 ng/kg] or InVivoMAb anti-mouse OPN [100 μg/kg] 2X/week started at week-4 of CCl4. The liver injury profile of serum ALT, AST, and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated. Histopathological findings were assessed via H&amp;E staining and Sirius-Red staining. Fibrotic genes of αSMA, CREBP, and collagen III were assessed using RT-PCR. Fast blood sugar, insulin, liver cholesterol, and triglyceride were evaluated. Liver tissue-resident (tr)-NKT cells were obtained for VDR expressions, molecular pathways of p-STAT1 and P-STAT-5, and activation markers of CD107a and NKp46 using flow cytometry.ResultsFollowing vitamin D treatment, H&amp;E staining revealed reduced microvascular and macrovascular steatosis, while Sirius-Red staining showed less fibrosis accumulation in liver fibrosis mice than in untreated counterparts. Results were associated with a significant decrease in serum cytokines of IL-β/IL-6/IL-4/OPN/TNF-α and serum AST and ALT by 2-fold and 3-fold, respectively. Fibrotic markers showed an average 1.3-fold decrease in αSMA, CREB, and Col-III in liver fibrosis mice following vitamin D treatment. Quantitated liver cholesterol and triglycerides, serum insulin, and fasting blood sugar ameliorated their levels following vitamin D treatment in liver fibrosis mice. OPN-neutralizing antibody over-expressed VDR on trNKT cells and increased CD107a and NKp46 activities of 3.1 and 3.5 folds, respectively, associated with increasing in p-STAT1 and p-STAT5 phosphorylation. These results were accompanied with a decrease in hepatic-stellate-cell activation markers of αSMA, Col-III, and desmin.ConclusionVDR expressions affect trNKT cells activity and could modulate progressions of liver fibrosis. Using an OPN-neutralizing antibody exhibited an antifibrotic effect by alleviating the liver injury profile through NKT cells. It is also suggested as an immunomodulatory target of liver fibrosis.
Changes in employment psychology of Chinese university students during the two stages of COVID-19 control and their impacts on their employment intentions
Authors: Zheng Sining , Yan Yanfen 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionThe employment psychology and issues being faced by university students have garnered significant attention after the COVID-19 outbreak.MethodsFocusing on Chinese university students, this study compares the changes in their employment psychology between the initial and normalization stages of COVID-19 prevention and control in China and examines their employment choices during the normalization stage. This study also investigates how the transformed employment psychology of these students influences their employment intentions.Results(1) Chinese university students exhibit stronger feelings of employment confusion, anxiety, stability preference, uneasiness, and inferiority during the normalization stage compared with the initial stage, thus leading to a more negative employment psychology; (2) during the normalization stage, university students display a more pessimistic outlook on their employment situation and show their preference for direct employment, particularly in public institutions, state-owned enterprises, and government organizations. They also show a greater interest in working in first-tier cities than in their hometowns; (3) the employment psychology of these students in the post-pandemic period significantly influences their employment intentions, with employment stability preference psychology playing a crucial role; and (4) the employment stability preference psychology positively and significantly affects the employment intentions of junior college students. Conversely, this employment stability preference psychology has a negative effect on the employment intentions of academic master’s and doctoral students. This paper also proposes some strategies to enhance the employment psychology of university students and improve their quality of employment at various levels, including government, school, enterprise, family, and individual.
Pathways and enhanced evaluation system for green low-carbon development across diverse Chinese regions
Authors: Li Wenjie , Hu Dechao , Xu Zongqi , Guo Jie , Liu Jianan , Zhou Yuan 
Published: November 2024

BackgroundRapid economic growth in China has led to significant resource and environmental challenges, particularly in less economically developed regions. This study aims to identify effective strategies for achieving green, low-carbon development in these regions during the economic transition.MethodsWe employed the Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method to scrutinize the impact of economic, demographic, industrial, and technological factors on low-carbon development across a selection of Chinese provinces, including Qinghai, Hunan, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hainan, and Chongqing. This approach facilitates a nuanced exploration of the multifaceted determinants of low-carbon progress within the regional contexts of China.ResultsThe study identified three distinct paths to low-carbon development, each with unique prioritization characteristics. These paths are the traditional early low-carbon path, the semi-modernized mid-carbon path, and the post-modernized low-carbon path. Each path offers tailored strategies for less developed regions to enhance their environmental innovation capacity and global competitiveness.ConclusionThis research contributes a novel perspective for regional sustainable development in China by offering tailored low-carbon development strategies for less developed regions. The findings suggest that region-specific strategies, aligned with developmental stages and characteristics, are essential for ensuring balanced economic, social, and environmental development.
Hatha yoga, integrating the segmental stabilization exercise model, can improve trunk muscle endurance in healthy adults
Authors: Petrič Maja , Zaletel-Kragelj Lijana , Jakovljević Miroljub , Vauhnik Renata 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionLow back pain is a very common symptom worldwide and an increasingly important public health problem. Exercises to stabilize the lumbar spine and pelvis have been shown to be effective in preventing or reducing the risk of low back pain. Hatha yoga practice is now increasingly appearing in prevention research and has the potential to improve trunk muscle endurance. The prevention research on endurance training of trunk muscle lacks evidence. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a professional and scientifically based exercise program to improve and balance trunk muscle endurance in healthy adults.MethodsA non-randomized control study was conducted. Participants were healthy adults without low back pain or injury who had not performed exercises to improve trunk muscle endurance prior to participation in the study. An analysis of the proposed exercise program’s effectiveness was conducted. The participants were divided into two groups: the exercise group (EG) performed a three-month hatha yoga exercise program (60 min twice a week) that included the spinal and pelvic segmental stabilization exercise model, or the control group (CG), in which participants were asked to maintain their previous lifestyle during the study period. Trunk muscle endurance was measured at baseline (PRE) and after completion of the exercise program (POST) in both groups. The changes in the measured variables were analyzed (PRE-POST analysis, EG-CG comparison).ResultsSeventy-two subjects (nEG = 36, age 32.2 ± 6.8 years; nCG = 36, age 29.9 ± 7.8 years) participated in the study. After the exercise program, the EG participants had significantly better results in endurance in three of the four trunk muscle groups (p &lt; 0.05), but not in any of the endurance ratios.ConclusionHatha yoga when integrating the segmental stabilization exercise model can significantly improve the endurance of at least three of the four major trunk muscle groups. For clinical relevance, the long-term effects of the proposed exercise program should be investigated in individuals with low back pain.
Case Report: Diffuse cerebral lymphomatosis with superimposed multifocal primary CNS lymphoma
Authors: Li Elizabeth Huai-Feng , Davila Claire , Zuraski Connor , Chang Jennifer , Goodwill Vanessa , Farid Nikdokht 
Published: November 2024

DescriptionCerebral lymphomatosis (CL) is a rare subtype of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). In CL, atypical lymphoid cells diffusely infiltrate the cerebral parenchyma without forming a discrete mass as seen with PCNSL. We report a case of a 66-year-old woman with diffuse CL and superimposed areas of PCNSL. She presented with subacute cognitive decline and weakness. CSF studies showed lymphocytosis and IL-10 elevation. She became increasingly somnolent despite steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin trials, and she succumbed to the disease four months after symptom onset.Radiologic findingsHer initial non-contrast head CT showed ill-defined hypodensities in the periventricular and subcortical white matter, bilateral basal ganglia, and central pons, which corresponded to diffuse T2/FLAIR hyperintensities on brain MRI. No abnormal enhancement, diffusion restriction, or discrete mass was present initially. Subsequently, MR spectroscopy demonstrated abnormally elevated choline:creatine and decreased NAA peaks, suggesting a hypercellular process. One month later, MRI revealed increasingly confluent T2/FLAIR hyperintensities with new diffusion restriction in the right caudate and left hippocampus, as well as new hyperperfusion in the right caudate. Again, no mass or enhancement was identified in these areas. On autopsy, parenchymal pathology was mostly consistent with CL. However, there were two areas of frank PCNSL in the right caudate and left hippocampus, which corresponded to the new areas of abnormality on her last MRI despite lacking the typical radiologic features of PCNSL.Novel aspectsThis is a unique case of CL with concurrent areas of PCNSL. Although CL is thought to be a distinct subtype of PCNSL, our case demonstrates that PCNSL may develop on a background of diffuse CL. In patients with subacute neurologic decline and MRI findings of diffuse leukoencephalopathy, diffuse CL should be considered.
Effects of small-sided game training on lower limb explosive strength in handball players: a single-arm meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Ran , Li Quanzhi , Xue Weiqi 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveThis meta-analysis systematically evaluates the influence of small-sided game (SSG) on the counter-movement jump (CMJ) height and 20-meter sprint capabilities of handball players.MethodsSystematic searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) databases were performed up to February 2024.ResultsA total of 8 studies with 184 participants were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated significant improvements in CMJ (cm) in handball players (Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) = −1.06, 95% CI[−1.99, −0.12], Z = 2.22, P = 0.03). For the 20 m sprint capability, the results were WMD = −0.07, 95% CI[−0.14, 0.01], Z = 1.82, P = 0.07. Subgroup analysis by age: ≥19 years old WMD = −0.02, 95% CI[−0.08, 0.03], and &lt;19 years old WMD = −0.10, 95% CI[−0.21, 0.00], indicating no significant impact on the 20-m (s) performance improvement. Gender subgroup analysis showed male WMD = −0.01, 95% CI[−0.08,0.07] and female WMD = −0.11, 95%CI[−0.19, −0.03; P &lt; 0.05], suggesting better improvement in females.ConclusionThe present study reveals that SSG training has varying impacts on 20 m sprint performance among handball players of different ages and genders. Specifically, there is no significant improvement in the 20 m sprint performance between players aged &lt;19 and ≥19, while female players show greater improvement in the 20-m (s) compared to male players. These differences could be attributed to the physiological, psychological, and adaptive training differences between athletes of different ages and genders. Although SSG plays an essential role in training handball players, particularly in enhancing lower limb explosive strength and overall game performance, it is recommended to combine SSG with other targeted strength and explosive power training to maximize the enhancement of lower limb explosive power in handball players. Comprehensive training can effectively improve the lower limb explosive strength of athletes while also addressing the development of other key athletic qualities to achieve the best training outcomes. Therefore, coaches should fully consider the individual differences and training needs of athletes when designing training plans, and reasonably allocate the proportion and sequence of SSG with other training methods to maximize training effectiveness.
Characterizing Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus spp. and Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Cattle
Authors: Abdank Lisa , Loncaric Igor , Braun Sascha D. , Müller Elke , Monecke Stefan , Ehricht Ralf , Krametter-Frötscher Reinhild 
Published: November 2024

In the field of cattle medicine in Austria, to date, few studies have investigated the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Austria. For this reason, milk and nasal samples were examined for the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as well as fecal samples for extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli. The nasal and fecal swabs were collected during the veterinary treatment of calf pneumonia and calf diarrhea. For the milk samples, the first milk jets were milked into a pre-milking cup and then the teats were cleaned and disinfected before the samples were taken. The cows were selected during the veterinary visits to the farms when treatment was necessary due to mastitis. Depending on the severity of the mastitis (acute mastitis or subclinical mastitis), antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were given immediately (acute disease) or after completion of the antibiogram (subclinical disease). Isolates were characterized by a polyphasic approach including susceptibility pheno- and genotyping and microarray-based assays. No methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was found in the milk samples, but one nasal swab was positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Twenty-two Escherichia coli isolates were detected among the fecal samples. All the Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to ceftazidime. In all the Escherichia coli isolates, genes from the blaCTX family were detected with other bla genes or alone; the most frequently observed β-lactamase gene was blaCTX-M-1/15 (n = 20). In total, 63.6% (n = 14) of the isolates exhibited a multidrug-resistant phenotype and one E. coli isolate (4.5%) harbored the AmpC gene. Precisely because the presence of data regarding extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in calves and cows in Austria is rare, this study further expands our understanding of antimicrobial resistance in Austrian cattle, which is highly relevant for successful antibiotic therapy in sick cattle.
Bovine NMRAL2 Protein Blunts Nitric Oxide Production and Inflammatory Response in Mycobacterium bovis Infected Bovine Lung Epithelial Cells
Authors: Peng Yongchong , Zhou Shiying , Sun Qin , Zhou Xinjun , Wang Chao , Wang Zijian , Iftakhar Tahira , Zhu Yifan , Xie Shengsong , Chen Xi , Zhang Lei , Hu Changmin , Chen Yingyu , Guo Aizhen 
Published: November 2024

Tuberculosis (TB), primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) and Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent globally. Intracellular survival is crucial for their virulence; yet, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aimed to demonstrate the significance of a previously unannotated bovine gene ENSBTAG00000011305 in M. bovis intracellular survival. This gene was termed NMRAL2_Bovine due to its inclusion of the NmrA domain which has a relation to nitric oxide (NO) production. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out NMRAL2_Bovine in bovine lung epithelial cells and observed a significant decrease in M. bovis-induced cell death and the intracellular bacterial count, alongside increased NO levels. A transcriptome analysis revealed the upregulation of pathways linked to NO, IL-6, and TNF-α production, which was confirmed by the increased expression of iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α. Correspondingly, Western blotting indicated that key signaling pathways, including NF-κB and MAPK, were activated. In conclusion, our findings determined that NMRAL2_Bovine functions as a negative regulator of the inflammatory response induced by M. bovis infection at the cellular level and, thereby, provide a novel insight into TB pathogenesis and a potential target for developing novel host-directed therapies against TB.
Functional Role of Odorant-Binding Proteins in Response to Sex Pheromone Component Z8-14:Ac in Grapholita molesta (Busck)
Authors: Luo Yuqing , Chen Xiulin , Xu Shiyan , Li Boliao , Luo Kun , Li Guangwei 
Published: November 2024

The plum fruit moth (PFM), Grapholita funebrana, and the oriental fruit moth (OFM), G. molesta, are closely related fruit moth species that severely damage fruit trees in Rosaceae. Both species share common primary sex pheromone components Z8-12:Ac and E8-12:Ac. The secondary sex pheromone components of PFMs consist of Z8-12:OH, Z8-14:Ac, and Z10-14:Ac, while those of OFMs include Z8-12:OH and 12:OH. Previous researchers have proved that the inclusion of Z8-14:Ac and Z10-14:Ac did not augment PFM catches but inhibited OFM catches in orchards in Europe, thereby maintaining the species-specificity of the PFM sex attractant. However, which of these components, Z8-14:Ac or Z10-14:Ac, plays the major role in inhibiting OFM attraction remains unclear. In the current study, electroantennogram (EAG) assays indicated that both OFM and PFM males exhibited a moderate EAG response to Z8-14:Ac and Z10-14:Ac. Rubber septa loaded with varying ratios of Z8-14:Ac (1% to 30%) or Z10-14:Ac (5% to 110%) combined with a constant dose of Z8-12:Ac and E8-12:Ac produced diverse trapping effects. Sex attractants containing Z8-14:Ac did not significantly affect the trapping of PFM males but drastically reduced the capture of OFM males, with the reduction reaching up to 96.54%. Attractants containing more than 10% of Z10-14:Ac simultaneously reduced the number of OFM and PFM males captured. Z8-14:Ac was indispensable for maintaining the specificity of sex pheromones. Fluorescence competitive binding assays of recombinant GmolPBP2 showed the lowest Ki value (0.66 ± 0.02 μM) among the PBPs/GOBPs from OFMs, suggesting that it is the most likely target for Z8-14:Ac. Molecular dynamic simulation and site-directed mutagenesis assays confirmed that the Phe12 residue, which forms a π–alkyl interaction with Z8-14:Ac, was crucial for GmolPBP2 binding to Z8-14:Ac. In conclusion, Z8-14:Ac is vital to the specificity of PFM sex pheromones inhibiting OFM attractants when added to Z8-12:Ac and E8-12:Ac. This could be potentially used to develop species-specific sex attractants for the PFM.
Shore-Side Downfall Pressures Due to Waves Impacting a Vertical Seawall: An Experimental Study
Authors: Baines Annelie , Cunningham Lee S. , Rogers Benedict D. 
Published: November 2024

As part of an investigation into downfall impacts from violent overtopping waves, experimental data are presented for the impact pressures and forces generated by regular and focused waves breaking onto a vertical wall and impacting a landward horizontal deck at a scale of 1:38. Particular attention is given to the wave-by-wave uprush and impact downfall events. By selecting regular and focused wave conditions that produce impacts, new trends are identified for violent downfall phenomena that could easily be underestimated in current practice. The characteristics of the downfall impacts are investigated and three different types of downfall impact are identified and discussed. Using a Wavelet Filter to denoise the signal from pressure probes without losing the peak impact pressures or introducing a phase shift, the distinctive features and dynamic behaviours of the white-water impacts are considered, and it is shown that downfall pressure magnitudes of 30–40 ρgH are regularly achieved. Dynamic impulse times of the events are also presented with higher-impact events generally relating to shorter impulse times, highlighting the dynamic character of these impacts. The largest downfall pressures are found to occur further from the vertical wall than previously measured. Importantly, the spray travelling furthest from the point of the initial wave impact on the vertical wall causes some of the largest downfall pressures on the deck. The paper concludes that, while the dataset is small, there are strong indications that the effects of these types of impacts are structurally significant and present a risk to infrastructure located landward of seawalls.
Characterization and PCR Application of Family B DNA Polymerases from Thermococcus stetteri
Authors: Kuznetsova Aleksandra A. , Soloveva Marina A. , Mikushina Elena S. , Gavrilova Anastasia A. , Bakman Artemiy S. , Kuznetsov Nikita A. 
Published: November 2024

DNA polymerases from the hyperthermophilic Archaea have attracted considerable attention as PCR enzymes due to their high thermal stability and proofreading 3′ → 5′ exonuclease activity. This study is the first to report data concerning the purification and biochemical characteristics of the Tst DNA polymerase from Thermococcus stetteri. Both the wild type Tst(wt) DNA polymerase and its chimeric form containing the P36H substitution—which reduces the enzyme’s affinity for the U-containing template and dUTP—and the DNA-binding domain Sso7d from S. solfataricus were obtained and analyzed. It was shown that Tst(wt) could effectively amplify up to 6-kb DNA fragments, whereas TstP36H–Sso7d could amplify DNA fragments up to 15 kb. It was found that TstP36H–Sso7d has superior PCR efficiency compared to the commonly used DNA polymerase PfuV93Q–Sso7d. For the amplification of a 2-kb DNA fragment, TstP36H–Sso7d required less than 10 s of extension time, whereas for PfuV93Q–Sso7d, the extension time was no less than 30 s. Steady-state kinetic assays revealed that the dNTP-binding affinity KdNTPm was the same for TstP36H–Sso7d and PfuV93Q–Sso7d, whereas the maximum rate of dNTP incorporation, kcat, was two orders of magnitude higher for TstP36H–Sso7d. Moreover, the incorporation of incorrect dNTP was not observed for TstP36H–Sso7d up to 56 °C, whereas for PfuV93Q–Sso7d, the extension of primer with incorrect dNTP was observed at 37 °C, supporting higher fidelity of TstP36H–Sso7d. The obtained data suggest that TstP36H–Sso7d may be a good candidate for high-fidelity DNA amplification.