bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of surface grafting on the oil-water mixture passing through a nanoslit: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Tian Wende , Wang Yanwei , Toktarbay Zhexenbek 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Graphene oxide-based membranes hold great promise in composite materials for applications such as wastewater treatment and oil-water separation. In this study, we employed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the separation of water from an oil-water mixture using a two-layer graphene oxide membrane. We explored the effects of random and stripe-like grafting patterns on penetration efficiency, focusing on varying grafting densities. Our results show that increasing grafting density reduces flux and permeability of both oil and water molecules, highlighting the critical role of surface functionalization in membrane design. Notably, the stripe grafting pattern significantly enhances penetration efficiency by optimizing steric interactions around the nanoslit. These findings contribute to the development of nanocomposite materials and surface modification techniques, offering insights into the design of high-performance membranes for oil-water separation. Understanding the relationship between grafting density, surface patterning, and membrane performance is crucial for advancing hybrid materials that address industrial challenges such as wastewater treatment and oil spill remediation. The insights gained from this study can be further refined by exploring different functional groups and surface modifications, broadening the applications of these membranes in industrial separation processes.
Identification of common core genes and pathways of sepsis and cancer by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: He Yi-Ran , Ding Ni , Han Ming-Chen , He Hong-Yu , Xuan Li-Zhen , Gu Zhun-Yong , Zhong Ming , Ju Min-Jie 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Both sepsis and cancer are leading causes of death worldwide, and they share a number of pathophysiological features. Some studies have suggested a possible association between sepsis and cancer, but few have studied core genes in both diseases.
Methods
Common core genes were identified from sepsis datasets (GEO: GSE26378, GSE4607, GSE8121 and GSE13904) and cancer databases (TCGA: BRCA, COADREAD, ESCA, KIRC, LIHC, LUAD, STAD). Then, GO and Reactome enrichment analyses and PPI network analysis were performed. Pharmacophore screening was used to predict the targetsof oxymatrine and ulinastatin,and potential target genes in both cancer and sepsis were obtained. Survival analysis was performed. The association between the target genes and tumor size and number of positive lymph nodes was investigated by Pearson correlation analysis. The association between the target genes and tumor stage was investigated by Fisher’s exact test. Molecular docking analysis was performed to evaluate the affinity of the candidate drugs for their targets.
Results
In total, 641 common genes were identified. GO enrichment analysis showed that common genes were enriched in neutrophil degranulation, inflammatory response and innate immune response. Reactome enrichment analysis showed that common genes were enriched in neutrophil degranulation, interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling, transcriptional regulation of granulopoiesis and interleukin-10 signaling. The PPI network showed that the top 10 core genes were TLR4, IL1B, IL10, ITGAM, TLR2, PTPRC, CDK1, FOS, MMP9 and ITGB2. The survival analysis showed that the high expression of BCAT1, CSAD, G6PD, GM2A, MMP9, PYGL and TOP2A was associated with poorer prognosis in several cancers. Molecular docking showed that oxymatrine and ulinastatin can bind to protein targets with highly stable binding.
Conclusions
We identified genes with common effects on both sepsis and cancer, which provides new insights into the association between sepsis and cancer. In addition, two drugs with potential clinical application value were identified. Further studies are required to validate the role of these common core genes in sepsis and cancer and to evaluate the potential utility of these drugs.
The 5-factor Modified Frailty Index as a Prognostic Factor for Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Meningioma Management
Authors: Herr Sanjeev , Kite Trent , Vyas Praveer , Karlovits Stephen , Yu Alexander , Wegner Rodney , Shepard Matthew 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Meningiomas are the most frequent primary intracranial malignancy. While surgical resection can confer long term tumor control, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is often used for small, asymptomatic tumors in the adjuvant setting. Frailty has been associated with increased rates of peri-operative morbidity but has yet to be defined in the setting of SRS for meningiomas. We therefore sought to examine the relationship between frailty and clinical/radiographic outcomes of patients with meningiomas who have undergone SRS.
Methods
A single-center, retrospective cohort study classified patients by their 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) score into pre-frail (0–1) and frail (2–5) at the time of SRS treatment. Evaluations of overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to further define factors associated with OS/PFS.
Results
94 patients met inclusion criteria and underwent SRS for meningioma treatment from 2019–2023. Analyses compared prefrail (0–1) and frail (2–5) individuals. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated an association between frailty and OS (24-month survival: 73.8%) in the frail group versus the pre-frail group (24-month survival: 90.6%, p = 0.053 HR = 3.68). There was a significant relationship between frailty and PFS (12-month PFS: 68.8%) in the frail group versus the pre-frail group (12-month PFS: 92.9%, p < 0.05 HR = 2.95). Univariable regression analysis demonstrated that frailty, prior surgical excision, and cumulative tumor volume predicted PFS.
Conclusion
Frailty, as assessed by the mFI-5, did not independently predict OS but did predict PFS in individuals with meningioma undergoing SRS.
Evaluation of Sunspot Areas Derived by Automated Sunspot-Detection Methods
Authors: Hanaoka Yoichiro 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Sunspot-area measurements using digital images captured by two telescopes at the Mitaka campus of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan are conducted using automated sunspot detection. A comparison between sunspot areas derived from Mitaka and those from the reference data by Mandal et al. (Astron. Astrophys. 640, A78, 2020), who compiled a cross-calibrated daily sunspot-area catalog, revealed that the correlation coefficients between them are high (0.96--0.97), whereas the areas in the Mitaka data are 70 \%--83 \% of those of Mandal et al. The correlation is limited by the differences in observation times and detection capabilities of spots near the limb, with discrepancies in areas arising from different definitions of spot outlines. Given the high correlation and the ease of calibrating area discrepancies with a correction factor, automated sunspot detection appears promising for future sunspot-area measurements. Furthermore, we addressed the measurements of brightness deficit caused by sunspots.
Enhanced magnetic activity in rapidly rotating binary stars
Authors: Yu Jie , Gehan Charlotte , Hekker Saskia , Bazot Michäel , Cameron Robert , Gaulme Patrick , Bedding Timothy , Murphy Simon , Han Zhanwen , Ting Yuan-Sen , Tayar Jamie , Chen Yajie , Gizon Laurent , Nordhaus Jason , Bi Shaolan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The interaction between convective motions and rotation in cool stars results in a dynamo process that drives magnetic surface activity1, 2. In single stars, activity increases with rotation rate until it saturates for stars with rotation periods Prot < 3–10 d3, 4, 5. The mechanism responsible for saturation, however, remains unclear. Observations indicate that red giants in binary systems that are in spin-orbit resonance exhibit stronger chromospheric activity than single stars with similar rotation rates6, 7, 8, suggesting that tidal flows can influence surface activity. Here, we investigate the chromospheric activity of main-sequence binary stars to understand the impact of tidal forces on saturation phenomena. For binaries with 0.5 < Prot/d < 1, mainly contact binaries sharing a common thermal envelope, we find enhanced activity rather than saturation. This result supports theoretical predictions that a large-scale α − ω dynamo during common envelope evolution can generate strong magnetic fields9, 10, 11, 12. We also observe supersaturation in chromospheric activity, a phenomenon tentatively noted previously in coronal activity13, 4, where activity levels fall below saturation and decrease with shorter rotation periods. Our findings emphasise the importance of studying stellar activity in stars with extreme properties compared to the Sun’s.
VMUnet-MSADI： Visual Mamba UNet Fusion Multi-Scale Attention and Detail Infusion for Unsound Corn Kernels Segmentation
Authors: Zhao Kuibin , Zhang Qinghui , Wan Chenxia , Pan Quan , Qin Yao 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Corn seed breeding is a global issue, and has attracted great attention in recent years. Deploying autonomous robots for corn kernel recognition and classification has great potential in terms of constructing environment friendly agriculture, and saving manpower. Existing segmentation methods that utilize U-shaped architectures typically operate by processing images in discrete pixel-based segments. This approach often overlooks the finer pixel-level structural details within these segments, leading to models that struggle to preserve the continuity of target edges effectively. In this paper, we propose a new framework for corn seed image segmentation, called VMUnet-MSADI, which aims to integrate MSADI module into the encoder and decoder of the VMUnet architecture. Our VMUnet-MSADI model benefits from self-attention computation in VMUnet and multiscale coding to efficiently model non-local dependencies and multiscale contexts to improve the segmentation quality of different images. Unlike previous Unet-based improvement schemes, the proposed VMUnet-MSADI adopts a multiscale convolutional attention module coding mechanism at the depth level and an efficient multiscale deep convolutional decoder at the spatial level to extract coarse-grained features and fine-grained features at different semantic scales and effectively avoid the loss of information at the target boundary to improve the quality and accuracy of target segmentation. In addition, we introduce a Visual State Space (VSS) block to capture a wide range of contextual information and a Detail Infusion Block (DIB) to enhance the fusion of low-level and high-level features, which further fills in the remote contextual information during the up-sampling process. Comprehensive experiments were conducted on open-source datasets and the results demonstrate that the VMUnet-MSADI model excels in the task of corn kernel segmentation. The model achieved a segmentation accuracy of 95.96%, surpassing the leading method by 0.9%. Compared to other segmentation models, our method exhibits superior performance in both accuracy and loss metrics. Extensive comparative experiments conducted on various benchmark datasets further substantiate that our approach outperforms the state-of-the-art models. Code, pre-trained models and data processing protocols are available at https://github.com/corbining/VMUnet-MSADI
27 Years of Retention Outcomes for a Nine-University Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Program in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Ormiston Alice , Semblat Guillaume , Gorham Robyn , Carroll Sandra , El-Masri Maher , Jacob Jean Daniel , Jones-Bonofiglio Kristen , Boyles Christina McMillan , Sheppard-LeMoine Debbie , Mallette Claire , Smye Victoria , Snelgrove-Clarke Erna 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background:This article looks at 27 years of graduate retention outcomes for a nine-university consortium education program for Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in Ontario, Canada. It assesses graduate retention in terms of whether graduates are still practicing: 1) as an NP in Ontario; and 2) as an NP in the geographic region of Ontario where they graduated.
Methods: The study maps the geographic distribution of practicing NP graduates across urban, rural, and remote areas in Ontario through a Google Map interface. It also identifies the percentage of NP graduates working in rural or remote areas.
Results: The study highlights the consortium’s distributed education model as an important factor in successful NP recruitment and retention across the province. It emphasizes other factors, such as the availability of NP employment positions across geographic regions and working conditions, as key elements of a health human resource strategy to meet population health care needs.
Conclusions:The findings suggest that the consortium’s education model effectively supports NP recruitment and retention. The availability of employment positions and working conditions are also critical for addressing the health human resource needs across Ontario.
Trial Registration: Not applicable.
Uncovering the pharmacological mechanisms of GuBenZhiKe decoction in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by an integrative pharmacology strategy
Authors: Wang Mingzhe , Liu Ying , Xiao Yao , Cheng Miao , Pan Lin , Wang Yueqi , Liu Mengchao , Cai Zhe , Zhang Hongchun 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

We aimed to study the mechanisms of GuBenZhiKe decoction (GBZKD) in treating Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Components of GBZKD were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. ICR mice were exposed to cigarette smoke and administered lipopolysaccharide to establish a COPD model, followed by treatment with GBZKD. Lung function test, hematoxylin and eosin staining, electron microscopic observation, and immunohistochemistry assays were performed. The expressions of genes were examined using an antibody array, qRT-PCR and western blot. GBZKD reduced structural failure and inflammatory response in airways, terminal bronchioles, and alveoli of COPD mice. GBZKD suppressed the levels of α-SMA, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in COPD mice. GBZKD suppressed the mRNA levels of JAK1 and STAT3, and elevated SOCS3 mRNA expression. GBZKD treatment significantly suppressed the protein levels of p-JAK1 and p-STAT3, and significantly elevated the SOCS3 protein expression. GBZKD alleviated respiratory tract injury by regulating the JAK-STAT pathway.
Assessment of knowledge and attitudes of the general population towards the monkeypox epidemic in Cameroon
Authors: NOULA Aime Gilbert MBONDA , EWANE Cyrille , WAFEU Guy SADEU , LEMONGE Norbert , NDEH-FOFANG NSOH , Fai Karl Njuwa 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background Monkeypox has spread beyond endemic regions, leading the WHO to declarea public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in July 2022 following a rapid increase in cases. This study aimed to describe people's knowledge of and attitudes towards this disease.Method We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in February 2023, including consenting adults in three regions of Cameroon using a multi-stage random- sampling method. Socio-demographic data and an assessment of knowledge and attitudes towards the disease were collected and entered directly into a pre-designed collection sheet. Factors associated with knowledge and attitudes were identified using a logistic regression model including factors significantly associated with bivariate analysis.Results We included 2,807 individuals, with a female predominance (60%) andthe majority of participants aged 30–40 years. More than 80% of participants were unaware of the details of the disease, andfewer than 20% knew its routes of transmission and symptoms. Secondary or higher education significantly increased knowledge of monkeypox, with ORs of 2.92 and 6.17 respectively, while access to information, especially via radio and meetings, was a key factor in improving knowledge.Conclusion Knowledge and attitudes towards monkeypox are limited in the general population. Education and access to information via channels such as radio and social networks arecrucial for improving knowledge and preventing the spread of the disease.
Greater adherence to treatment after bariatric surgery by the implementation of a standardized protocol for delivering care
Authors: Blume Carina , Viana Luciana , Maraschin Clara , Friedman Rogerio , Nascimento Cigléa do , Bahia Luciana , Telo Gabriela , Trindade Manoel , Schaan Beatriz 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Bariatric surgery reference centers adopt different postoperative care protocols.
Objectives
To assess the impact of implementing a standardized postoperative care protocol on patients’ adherence to vitamin and mineral supplementation and to a multidisciplinary team, and on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) during the first year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).
Setting:
University Hospital, Brazil; Public Practice.
Methods
This study compared a retrospective cohort [n = 70; usual care (UC)] with a prospective cohort [n = 70; standardized postoperative protocol (SP)], both undergone RYGB. The protocol included pre-scheduled appointments with a multidisciplinary care team, a systematic follow-up through phone calls, and a a standardized free of charge supplementation over one year.
Results
Mean age was 42.3 ± 10.1 years and preoperative body mass index was 48.8 ± 8.3 kg/m². Adherence to the multidisciplinary team follow-up was 81.7% in the UC and 96.9% in the SP (p = .003). The SP group showed higher vitamin D serum levels at 3, 6, and 12 months (p < .001). Overall, the percentage of multivitamin, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 use was remarkably lower in the UC group compared to the SP group, from 30 days to one year postoperative (p < .005). At 12 months, the SP group also showed higher scores of general health (p < .001) and social functioning (p = .004) in HRQoL.
Conclusions
The standardized, pragmatic postoperative care protocol improved adherence to the postoperative bariatric surgery care, reducing the incidence of hypovitaminosis D and increasing HRQoL one year following bariatric surgery, and could be used as a reference for clinical protocols and therapeutic guidelines in public health systems.
Irf7 aggravates prostatitis by promoting Hif-1α-mediated glycolysis to facilitate M1 polarization
Authors: Meng Tong , Zhang Yi , Wang Huihui , Wu Weikang , Peng Wei , Yue Jiabin , Huang Cong , Liu Wanqing , Liang Chaozhao , Yang Cheng , Chen Jing 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common disorder associated with voiding symptoms and pain in the pelvic or perineal area. Macrophages, particularly the pro-inflammatory M1 subtype, are crucial in the initiation of CP/CPPS. Interferon regulatory factor 7 (Irf7) has been implicated in promoting M1 polarization, which contributes to the onset and progression of autoimmunity. However, the role of Irf7 in the etiology and progression of CP/CPPS remains unclear.
Method: We established the experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) mouse model by subcutaneous injection of prostate antigen combined with complete Freund's adjuvant. We analyzed prostate, spleen, and blood samples to evaluate prostate inflammation, Irf7 expression levels, glycolysis, and M1 polarization. Our findings suggest that Irf7 exacerbates the development of EAP by enhancing Hif-1α transcription, thereby increasing glycolysis and M1 polarization. Further investigations included sh-Irf7 intervention, Dimethyloxalylglycine (a Hif-1α agonist), and in vitro M1 polarization experiments. We also employed ChIP assays, dual-luciferase reporter assays, and q-PCR to explore if Irf7 could directly interact with the Hif-1α promoter in macrophages.
Results: In the EAP mouse and cell models, elevated Irf7 expression was observed in inflamed tissues and cells. Reducing Irf7 expression decreased M1 cell glycolysis by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of Hif-1α, thus mitigating M1 cell polarization. Additionally, Irf7 was identified as a transcription factor in the cytoplasm that regulates Hif-1α transcription by interacting with its promoter in macrophages, confirmed through ChIP and dual-luciferase assays. Co-culturing macrophage cells with 3T3 fibroblasts with reduced Irf7 levels resulted in decreased fibrosis, and a significant reduction in prostate tissue fibrosis was noted in mice with Irf7 knockdown.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that Irf7 can contribute to the development and progression of CP/CPPS by promoting glycolysis, which can enhance both M1 polarization as well as interstitial fibrosis in the prostate. This process was found to be mediated by the upregulation of Hif-1α transcription, presenting new potential therapeutic targets for managing CP/CPPS.
P2X7 a new therapeutic target to block vesicle-dependent metastasis in colon carcinoma: role of the A2A/CD39/CD73 axis
Authors: Adinolfi Elena , Pegoraro Anna , De Marchi Elena , Ruo Luigia , Zanoni Michele , Chioccioli Sofia , Caderni Giovanna , Alfieri Letizia , Grignolo Marianna , ulivi paola , Passardi Alessandro , Gallo Graziana , Antonioli Luca , Virgilio Francesco Di 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Extracellular vesicle-driven cancer metastasis represents a therapeutic challenge due to the lack of effective blocking drugs. This study reveals a unique mechanism involving the P2X7 receptor and the A2A/CD39/CD73 axis, which affects ATP and adenosine levels in cancer via vesicular release, thereby enhancing metastasis. It also introduces a novel P2X7-based therapeutic approach to target tumor vesicular release. Indeed, activation of P2X7 on colon carcinoma cells induced the release of extracellular vesicles carrying P2X7, A2A, CD39, and CD73, resulting in significantly elevated ATP and adenosine levels within the tumor microenvironment. These vesicles enhanced colon carcinoma metastatic potential and systemic IL-17 production when administered in vivo, effects that were successfully mitigated through P2X7 antagonism, which also reduced A2A levels in the metastatic niche. Treatment with P2X7 and A2A antagonists (AZ10606120 and SCH58261) markedly inhibited cancer growth and prevented tumor dissemination in an immune response-dependent manner. Finally, expression levels of P2X7, CD39, CD73, and A2A mRNAs were significantly higher in stage IV metastatic colon carcinoma patients. Furthermore, P2X7 and A2A expression increased in APC-mutated tumors and in spontaneous neoplasias within the colon mucosa of APC-mutated PIRC rats. Our study highlights the close interconnection between P2X7, A2A, CD39, and CD73 in colon carcinoma metastases. It identifies P2X7-dependent vesicle secretion as a new mechanism that favors metastatic dissemination and offers an innovative immunotherapeutic approach that targets vesicular release. Furthermore, we establish a first-time association between P2X7 and A2A overexpression and APC oncogene mutations, suggesting that these receptors could serve as potential biomarkers for advanced colon carcinoma.