bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional heterogeneity of smooth muscle fiber density anterior to the rectum in males: Quantitative analysis with implications for transanal total mesorectal excision
Authors: Muro Satoru , Tharnmanularp Suthasinee , Tsukada Yuichiro , Ito Masaaki , Nimura Akimoto , Akita Keiichi 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer in men poses a risk of urethral injury. The morphology of smooth muscle tissues around the rectum is reportedly characterized by differences in fiber density; however, quantitative analysis of these tissues for surgical applications is lacking. This study aimed to quantitatively analyze the histological properties of fiber density and the spatial extent of the smooth muscle anterior to the male rectum.
Method
This descriptive cadaveric study involving six adult cadavers was conducted at Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Serial histological sections were prepared from tissues in the region anterior to the rectum, and immunostaining and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed to evaluate the spatial distribution of the smooth muscle. Smooth muscle fiber densities were measured in different regions of the smooth muscle anterior to the rectum and statistically analyzed.
Results
The three-dimensional heatmap revealed a gradual change in fiber density within the smooth muscle anterior to the rectum, with a low density in the superior part and a high density in the inferior part. In mid-sagittal immunostained sections, the smooth muscle anterior to the rectum exhibited a significant difference in fiber density, averaging 23.22% ± 5.50% in the superior area and being significantly higher at 46.99% ± 12.92% in the inferior area.
Conclusion
Heterogeneity in fiber density between the superior and inferior smooth muscle anterior to the rectum suggests that these differences could serve as landmarks, providing crucial positional information to avoid urethral injury during transanal total mesorectal excision.
Machine Learning Models for Predicting ICU Admission and Mortality in Pediatric Severe Clinical Pneumonia: A Cohort Study
Authors: Xu Chushi , Zhang Yao , Yang Hua , Xu Kaili , Tarokhian Aidin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Pneumonia remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study explores the application of machine learning (ML) models to predict ICU admission and mortality in pediatric patients with severe pneumonia.
Methods
This study utilized a dataset, comprising 801 patients with acute respiratory presentation at the Children's Hospital of Rabat, Morocco. Patients meeting WHO criteria for severe pneumonia were included, excluding those who left against medical advice, resulting in 699 patients. Four ML algorithms were employed. Feature selection was performed to identify the top five features influencing ICU admission and mortality.
Results
The support vector model had a positive likelihood ratio (PLR) of 9.333 (95% CI: 5.181–16.810) and a negative likelihood ratio (NLR) of 0.309 (95% CI: 0.120–0.794), the logistic regression model showed a PLR of 9.625 (95% CI: 5.590–16.574) and an NLR of 0.233 (95% CI: 0.086–0.637), the Gaussian naive Bayes model had a PLR of 7.000 (95% CI: 3.886–12.608) and an NLR of 0.393 (95% CI: 0.194–0.795), and the XGBoost model demonstrated a PLR of 32.84 (95% CI: 8.333–129.47) and an NLR of 0.508 (95% CI: 0.250–1.030) for predicting ICU admission. For predicting mortality, the support vector model showed a lower accuracy. Cyanosis was the most important factor for both ICU admission and mortality.
Conclusion
ML models demonstrate high accuracy in predicting ICU admission but lower reliability for mortality prediction.
Integrated ctDNA Methylation Profiling of P2RX1, CBFA2T3, and CERS4 as Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Biomarkers: Identification and Mechanistic Insights
Authors: Chen Hongsheng , Shen Hongyuan , Wang Xudong , Ju Shaoqing , Pu Weilin , Zhang Jianfeng , Ding Weifeng 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) stands as one of the most formidable cancers globally, yet its diagnosis continues to be a pressing challenge, largely owing to the inherent limitations of current diagnostic methodologies.
Methods: Utilizing whole-genome bisulfite-sequencing (WGBS), differentially methylated genes in the promoter region were identified from the plasma of PDAC patients. Subsequently, screening of candidate methylation genes, methylation-specific primers and probes for P2RX1, CBFA2T3 and CERS4 were designed, and a stable multiple quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (M-QMSP) system was established to detect the circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) methylation level of these genes in PDAC. Finally, the disease-driving mechanism of the biomarker CERS4 was explored separately in vitro and in vivo.
Results: A total of 112,294 differential methylation regions (DMRs) were precisely identified by WGBS, encompassing 88,210 hypermethylation DMRs and 24,084 hypomethylation DMRs. Notably, three differentially methylated genes, P2RX1, CBFA2T3 and CERS4 (nominated as P2CC model), were astutely pinpointed as potential plasma methylation biomarkers. The M-QMSP system was established through the prioritization of these genes, which demonstrated that the combined diagnostic prowess of P2CC modelnotably outperformed carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). In PDAC, overexpression of CERS4 has been observed to suppress tumor growth in nude mice xenografts and inhibit cell proliferation and migration. Additionally, CERS4played a pivotal role in promoting lipid metabolism.
Conclusion: Based on WGBS screening and M-QMSP validation, we have determined that the P2CC model can serve as the combined diagnostic biomarkers for PDAC, superior to CA19-9. Moreover, as a tumor suppressor gene, CERS4regulates the metabolism of sphingolipids.
Microhaplotype deep sequencing assays to capture Plasmodium vivax infection lineages
Authors: Auburn Sarah , Kleinecke Mariana , Rumaseb Angela , Sutanto Edwin , Trimarsanto Hidayat , Hoon Kian Soon , Osborne Ashley , Manrique Paulo , Peters Trent , Hawkes David , Benavente Ernest Diez , Whitton Georgia , Siegel Sasha , Pearson Richard , Amato Roberto , Rai Anjana , Thuy-Nhien Nguyen , Nguyen Hoang Chau , Assefa Ashenafi , Degaga Tamiru , Abate Dagimawie , Rahim Awab , Pasaribu Ayodhia , Sutanto Inge , Alam Mohammad Shafiul , Pava Zuleima , Mesa Tatiana Lopera , Echeverri Diego , William Timothy , Anstey Nicholas , Grigg Matthew , Day Nicholas , White Nicholas , Kwiatkowski Dominic , Noviyanti Rintis , Neafsey Daniel , Price Ric 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The elimination of Plasmodium vivax is challenged by dormant liver stages (hypnozoites) that can reactivate months after initial infection resulting in relapses that enhance transmission. Relapsing infections confound antimalarial clinical efficacy trials due to the inability to distinguish between recurrences arising from blood-stage treatment failure (recrudescence), reinfection or relapse. Genetic relatedness of paired parasite isolates, measured by identity-by-descent (IBD), can provide important information on whether individuals have had single or multiple mosquito inoculations, thus informing on recurrence origin. We developed a high-throughput amplicon sequencing assay comprising 93 multi-SNP (microhaplotype) P. vivax markers to determine IBD between P. vivax clinical isolates. The assay was evaluated in 659 independent infections from the Asia-Pacific and Horn of Africa, including 108 pairs of infections from a randomized controlled trial (RCT). A bioinformatics pipeline (vivaxGEN-MicroHaps) was established to support data processing. Simulations using paneljudge demonstrated low error in pairwise IBD estimation in all countries assessed (all RMSE <0.12) and IBD-based networks illustrated strong clustering by geography. IBD analysis in the RCT demonstrated a higher frequency of suspected relapses or recrudescence in patients treated with primaquine regimens (0.84) compared to those without primaquine (0.60). Our results demonstrate the potential to derive information on P. vivax IBD using amplicon sequencing, that informs policy-relevant treatment and transmission dynamics.
Epidemiological studies on the incidence of papaya ringspot disease under Indian sub-continent conditions
Authors: U PREMCHAND , Mesta Raghavendra K. , Basavarajappa Mantapla Puttappa , Venkataravanappa Venkataravanappa , Reddy Lakshminarayana Reddy C. Narasimha , Shankarappa Kodegandlu Subbanna 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a commercially important fruit crop cultivated worldwide due to its nutritional and medicinal values. Papaya ringspot disease (PRSD), caused by the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), poses a significant threat to papaya cultivation, resulting in substantial yield losses. In this study, two independent field experiments were conducted at Bagalkote located in the Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka. The first experiment aimed to determine the optimal planting month for papaya to effectively manage PRSV disease. The second experiment aimed to determine the susceptibility stage of papaya to PRSV infection. The results revealed that planting papaya in March was identified as the best month for planting, as it exhibited the lowest disease incidence along with superior growth and yield characteristics compared to other planting months. On the other hand, planting during the winter season (September to January) resulted in high disease severity due to an increased aphid population. Conversely, planting during the low aphid population period (spring season) delayed disease incidence until the monsoon. By the time the aphid population starts to increase, the plants have already passed the flowering and fruit-bearing stages. In the second experiment, the severity and frequency of foliar symptoms on PRSV-inoculated papaya plants were significantly higher in plants inoculated at the early growth stage compared to those inoculated at a later growth stage. This suggests that the early crop growth stage (up to 180 days after transplanting) is a critical period for PRSV infection, and effective disease management measures should be implemented during this time to control the spread of the disease and improve growth and yield parameters. Additionally, plants inoculated at an early stage had a higher viral titer, more severe symptoms, and a higher percent transmission rate compared to those inoculated at a later stage, demonstrating a highly significant and positive correlation using qRT-PCR.
Synthetic Lethality Through GSK3 Inhibition in Glioma Stem Cells via the WNT-WWC1-YAP Axis
Authors: Chen Jian , Ren Fangfang , Yi Yulan , Lu Ting , Liu Xinze , Cui Gang , Huang Song , Parada Luis 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor driven by glioma stem cells (GSCs), which contribute to tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. This study investigates the effects of GSK3 inhibition on GSC viability, focusing on the role of the canonical WNT signaling pathway. We found that GSK3 inhibition activates the WNT pathway, leading to upregulation of Wwc1, which downregulates Yap via LATS1 phosphorylation. This reduces GSC proliferation, self-renewal, and enhances chemosensitivity. Analysis of clinical datasets revealed that WNT pathway activation correlates with improved prognosis in proneural gliomas, particularly in IDH1-mutated tumors. Our findings suggest that targeting the WNT-Wwc1-YAP axis, particularly through GSK3 inhibition, could induce synthetic lethality in GSCs and provide a promising therapeutic strategy for gliomas. These results highlight the potential of exploiting WNT-induced synthetic lethality as a novel approach for glioma treatment.
Molecular dynamics simulation of microscopic deformation of cross-linked isoprene rubber networks
Authors: Zhang Zelin , Wei Zhigang , Wu Hao , Zuo Junjie 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Molecular dynamics analysis is wildly used to investigate the interaction between molecular chains, comprehensively and intuitively reveal the structure of a network and its deformation characteristics. The use of molecular dynamics can reveal the relationship between microstructural changes and macroscopic deformations of materials, which has an important impact on the mechanical properties of rubber. Using molecular dynamics simulation, three coarse-grained models of isoprene rubber (IR) with different degrees of cross-linking were established and subjected to uniaxial stretching. The positions of the effective cross-linking points in the cross-linked IR network during deformation were derived, and compared with their corresponding affine deformation positions. It is found that the average deviation value of cross-linked IR crosslinking points in the stretching direction is larger than that in the lateral directions. The larger the degree of crosslinking, the stronger the macroscopic affine relationship of the crosslinking points. The relative deviation increases with the increase of the stretching rate, and the relative deviation perpendicular to the stretching direction is larger than that in the stretching direction. The end-to-end distances of the single molecular chains in the IR molecular chain network are compared with the end vectors and their affinities to search for cross-linked IR macroscopic deformation versus the microscopic deformation of the cross-linked network. It is found that the length deviation of the cross-linked IR end-to-end distances from the affine deformation in the stretching direction under uniaxial stretching is larger than that perpendicular to the stretching direction; and the direction deviation of the end vector direction from the affine deformation in the stretching direction is larger than that in the stretching direction.
Understanding the effects of oxytocin receptor variants on OXT–OXT receptor binding: A mathematical model
Authors: Dubey Preeti , Fang Yingye , Tukei K. Lionel , Kuila Shobhan , Liu Xinming , Sahota Annika , Frolova Antonina I. , Reinl Erin L. , Malik Manasi , England Sarah K. , Imoukhuede Princess I. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Approximately half of U.S. women giving birth annually receive Pitocin, the synthetic form of oxytocin (OXT), yet its effective dose can vary significantly. To address the need for improved dosing, we developed a data-driven mathematical model to predict OXT receptor (OXTR) binding. Our study focuses on five prevalent OXTR variants (V45L, P108A, L206V, V281M, and E339K) and their impact on OXT–OXTR binding dynamics in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T), commonly used in experimental systems, and human myometrial smooth muscle cells, containing endogenous OXTR trafficking and signaling machinery. We parameterized the model with cell-specific OXTR surface localization measurements, which were experimentally derived, and with cell-specific OXT-OXTR binding kinetics, which were derived from the literature (e.g., myometrial OXT-OXTR Kd = 1.6 nM, kon = 6.8 × 105 M− 1 min− 1, and koff = 0.0011 min− 1). Our model predicted differences between HEK293T cells and myometrial cells and recapitulated significant effects of genetic variants of OXTR. The model also demonstrated the potential for rescuing the attenuated cell response observed in V281M and E339K variants by increasing the OXT dosage at specific, early time points. In summary, our study provides a computational framework for precision oxytocin dosing strategies, paving the way for personalized medicine.
Secure Mobile Authentication With Blockchain
Authors: Ajlouni Naim , COSKUN Vedat , KOSE Busra OZDENIZCI 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The increasing reliance on smartphones for sensitive transactions has underscored the urgent need for robust authentication methods in mobile applications, especially in sectors such as finance and legal services. Traditional authentication mechanisms frequently fail to meet high-security standards due to inadequate integration of advanced biometric credentials. This paper presents a Blockchain-based Three-Factor Authentication (BC-3FA) system that enhances mobile security by integrating PIN/passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs), and biometric data through advanced cryptographic techniques, including Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), and Post-Quantum Cryptography. By employing Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for the secure storage of encrypted user credentials, the BC-3FA system not only improves security but also safeguards user privacy. The model addresses the key elements of knowledge, possession, and inherent user traits, significantly strengthening user authentication. A thorough complexity analysis indicates that ECC is optimal for mobile environments due to its low computational overhead, while the shuffling mechanism operates with a complexity of O(n log n), making it feasible for mobile devices. Additionally, NIZKs and Bulletproofs ensure efficient ZKP processes, and while Post-Quantum ZKPs offer necessary future-proofing against quantum threats, they may require further optimization for practical use on mobile platforms. The implementation of the BC-3FA model demonstrates its effectiveness and reliability in enhancing mobile service security through comprehensive testing and validation in real-world scenarios. This study provides a comparative analysis with existing solutions and identifies avenues for future improvements, establishing the BC-3FA model as a robust and innovative approach to contemporary authentication challenges in the digital landscape.
Is an extrovert actually creative? An investigation in VR on the relationship between explicit and implicit indices of creativity and personality traits
Authors: Lucifora Chiara , Gangemi Aldo , Vicario Carmelo M. , Scorolli Claudia 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The connection between personality and creativity has captured the interest of the scientific community, showing controversial results about the specific personality traits that are able to influence the human creativity. To better investigate this relationship, our study employees both explicit measures such as self-report questionnaires about personality, creativity and emotions and implicit measures, we utilize a virtual reality environment in which users can create artistic artworks, enabling us to conduct an ontological analysis on the virtual artworks. The aim of our study is twofold, on one side we want to assess the correlation between scores on personality traits and creativity traits; on the other side we want to explore how personality traits may influence user’s creative skills, during a creative task in VR. Our findings support previous studies about the relationship between extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness and creativity; and they also reveal new insights about the influence of personality on the artistic skills of the subjects.
Characteristics of banditry and illegal arms trafficking during the Civil War and the first post-war years in the Belgorod district of the Kursk province
Authors: Chinenov A. V. , Novoselov N. G. 
Published: October 2024

Relevance. The article examines the measures of regulatory legal regulation applied by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars in the field of banditry and illegal arms trafficking during the Civil War and the first post-war years. The authors studied the territorial division of the volosts of the Belgorod district of the Kursk province and the staffing of the GPU and police departments in the county, volosts and districts in the early 1920s. In accordance with the reports, an analysis of the activities of the Belgorod District police in the fight against banditry and illegal arms trafficking was carried out.Purpose: to study the genesis of banditry and illegal arms trafficking during the Civil War and the first post-war years in the Belgorod district of the Kursk province.Objectives: to study the characteristics of gangs and gangs that carried out their criminal activities in the region based on the analysis of migration processes that took place in the territory of Belgorod and the county in the context of the impact on crime levels during the Civil War and the first post-war years.Methodology. The main methodological principles of the research were historicism and objectivity, and the authors adhered to general scientific methods of synthesis analysis and the historical-descriptive method.The results of the study are theoretical and applied in nature, based on the study of archival documents, the main measures used by the law enforcement agencies of the county in the early 1920s to combat banditry and illegal arms trafficking are identified, and attention is paid to statistical reporting by the OGPU and the police in this area.Conclusions. The conducted research has established that the law enforcement agencies of the Belgorod district of the Kursk province managed to identify the main directions, develop and apply a set of fundamental measures to combat banditry and illegal arms trafficking during the Civil War and the first post-war years on the territory of the county.
Kursk state medical institute: the first steps of formation
Authors: Korovin V. V. , Manzhosov A. N. 
Published: October 2024

Relevance. One of the most important tasks of the modern education system is to improve the quality of graduate training. The degree of mastering the profession largely depends on the effectiveness of the educational process. The reform of higher education carried out in recent decades is clearly contradictory. The introduction of bachelor's and master's degrees with changing educational standards has led to a loss of achievements in personnel training. Therefore, an objective understanding of the experience of the organization of higher education is an urgent area of scientific research. The history of universities has always attracted the interest of researchers. But often, relying only on memories, the authors ignore archival documents containing clerical, administrative, methodological and personal information. The analysis of a wide range of sources based on the latest methodological approaches allows to avoid such errors. The purpose of the study is to comprehensively consider the organizational and material prerequisites for the opening, as well as to generalize the initial stage of the functioning of the Kursk State Medical Institute in the second half of the 1930s.Objectives: to reveal the historiographical features of the research topic; to characterize the main problems associated with the organization of higher medical education in the region.Methodology. The principles of objectivity and historicism were applied during the research. To solve the tasks set by the author, historical-genetic, historical-systemic, historical-comparative, typological, retrospective methods were used.Results. The study and generalization of sources and historiography made it possible to clarify the history of Kursk State Medical University at its initial stage, paying attention to the distortions and inaccuracies allowed in previous publications.Conclusions. Kursk Medical Institute played an important role in the training of medical personnel for the region and the country, especially in wartime conditions. The statements of individual authors about the personal participation of I.V. Stalin in solving a number of issues related to the opening of the university are not confirmed by documentary sources. In the early years of the institute's operation, significant educational traditions were laid, which were successfully implemented at subsequent stages of its activity.