bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An In-vitro Evaluation of a New Approach in AMD: Effects of the Combination of Resveratrol and Anti- VEGFs on ARPE-19 Cells
Authors: KONUKCU Onur , ARGUN Mehmet , ÇELİK Ömer , TÖK Özlem , TÖK Levent , NAZIROĞLU Mustafa 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to determine how resveratrol combination separately with the anti-VEGF agents ranibizumab, aflibercept and ziv-aflibercept affects ARPE-19 cells in vitro. The cells were assigned to twelve groups as follows: Control, Cobalt Chloride (Cob), Resveratrol (RSV), Ranibizumab (RNZ), Aflibercept (AFL), Ziv-aflibercept (ZFL), RNZ + RSV, AFL + RSV, ZFL + RSV, RNZ + RSV + Cob, AFL + RSV + Cob and ZFL + RSV + Cob. The Control group was incubated for 48 hours with no treatment, while the remaining groups received RSV, RNZ, AFL or ZFL (alone or in combination) for 24 hours and then the cells in the relevant groups were exposed to CoCl2 for 24 hours more. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (MitROS), cytosolic reactive oxygen species (CytROS), mitochondrial membrane depolarization (MitDep), caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, cell viability, apoptosis and VEGF-A levels were assessed by confocal microscopy, plate reader and ELISA techniques. Resveratrol, alone or in combination with anti-VEGF’s, significantly decreased the levels of MitROS, MitDep, CytROS, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 (p < 0.001). Resveratrol also increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis and VEGF-A levels (p < 0.001). According to our findings, combining resveratrol with anti-VEGFs may have a beneficial therapeutic effect on the treatment of AMD.
Unveiling insights into drought-tolerant responses in soybean: a data-driven pipeline for feature engineering in biomarker discovery
Authors: Kao Pei-Hsiu , Baiya Supaporn , Lee Chong-Wei , Tseng Chia-Wen , Chen Shu-Yun , Huang Yen-Hsiang , Kao Chung-Feng 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is an important global food crop but is highly vulnerable to environmental changes, particularly drought. Conventional strategies of biomarkers discovery for developing drought-tolerant varieties are resource-intensive, inefficient, and without comprehensive insight. The current study proposed a novel data-driven pipeline for feature engineering through integrating diverse genetic data from multidisciplinary research on cloud-based sources in identification of key drought-tolerant genes (DTgenes) in soybean. Our pipeline involved data extraction, transformation, loading, and systematic integration of both omics and non-omics data. Feature prioritization was performed for feature selection to uncover the important biomarkers from feature pool (candidate gene pool), and key DTgenes were identified through integrative systems biology strategies based on the biomarker candidates. The validation of identified key DTgenes was carried out by both computational and molecular experiments approach. Both approaches demonstrated the credibility and potential of the key DTgenes for conferring drought tolerance response in soybean. This data-driven pipeline for feature engineering approach enhances the efficiency and accuracy of biomarkers discovery for further breeding program, which uncover a robust key DTgenes candidate which contribute to drought tolerance improvement in soybean and show potential of applicability for other crop species.
Inhibitory effects of the combination of rapamycin with gemcitabine plus paclitaxel on the growth of pancreatic cancer tumors
Authors: Jobu Yuri , Nishigawa Miki , Furihata Kaoru , Furihata Mutsuo , Uchida Kazushige , Taniuchi Keisuke 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We previously examined the antitumor effects of short interfering RNA nanoparticles targeting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model. We herein report the inhibitory effects of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin on tumor growth in a novel established mouse model of pancreatic cancer using human pancreatic cancer cell line-derived organoids. Gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel are clinically used to treat advanced pancreatic cancer. In vitro assays showed that rapamycin strongly inhibited cell invasion, while gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil, and gemcitabine plus paclitaxel primarily inhibited cell proliferation with minimal effects on invasion. In vivo mouse experiments demonstrated that rapamycin exhibited superior antitumor activity to S-1 (a metabolically activated prodrug of 5-fluorouracil) and another mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, while its efficacy was similar to that of gemcitabine plus paclitaxel (which was used instead of nab-paclitaxel due to concerns about allergic reactions in mice to human albumin) in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer using human pancreatic cancer cell line-derived organoids. Furthermore, the combination of rapamycin with gemcitabine plus paclitaxel exerted synergistic inhibitory effects on the growth of pancreatic cancer tumors. Although the inhibition of tumor growth was significantly stronger with everolimus-treated mice than in control mice, it did not exert additive anti-growth effects when combined with gemcitabine plus paclitaxel. The present results suggest that the combination of rapamycin with gemcitabine plus paclitaxel achieved the greatest reduction in tumor volumes in the mouse xenograft model and, thus, has significant clinical promise.
Asymmetry Plus Association Models for Ordinal Square Contingency Tables
Authors: Fujisawa Kengo , Makishima Koki , Tahata Kouji 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

In contingency table analysis, statistical models have been used to study the linkage between variables. The independent model is used to analyze whether or not there is an association between variables.In particular, a contingency table in which the rows and columns consist of the same classification is called a square contingency table, and in square contingency table analysis, the variables are strongly related to each other and independence is not established.In this case, alternative statistical models are considered instead of the independence model.For instance, symmetric or asymmetric models have been proposed, which show symmetric or asymmetric structure for cell probabilities. A number of association models have also been considered to analyze complex data.In this paper, we propose models that include both asymmetry and association structures. We provide some theorems on the necessary and sufficient conditions of a certain model based on the proposed model.Additionally, we prove that the likelihood ratio statistic for our models are separable into two statistics. These theorems help interpret results.
Coordination environments of platinum single atom catalysts from NMR fingerprints
Authors: Coperet Christophe , Koppe Jonas , Yakimov Alexander , Gioffrè Domenico , Usteri Marc-Eduard , Vosegaard Thomas , Pintacuda Guido , Lesage Anne , Pell Andrew , Mitchell Sharon , Pérez-Ramírez Javier 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Single atom catalysts (SACs) have revolutionized the field of catalysis achieving an unprecedented level of control and metal utilization for solid materials, approaching what is expected with molecular catalysts.1-3 Establishing structure-activity relationships for their wide-ranging applications requires precise elucidation of the metal coordination environment, which remains a grand challenge.1,2 While electron microscopy reveals atomic dispersion, only average coordination environments can be deduced from state-of-the-art spectroscopic methods used in heterogeneous catalysis. Here, we establish 195Pt solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as a powerful methodology to acquire NMR signatures across a series of Pt-SACs dispersed on carbon based supports. Monte-Carlo simulations allow the conversion of NMR signatures into SAC fingerprints that describe local coordination environments with molecular precision and enable to quantitatively assess Pt-site distribution and homogeneity. This methodology can track the influence of synthetic parameters, e.g., specific protocols, synthetic steps and type of supports, on Pt-SAC structures, to guide the reproducible development of SACs with targeted structures. Such development provides a blueprint for the quantitative assessment of larger SAC families containing other NMR-active isotopes
Alcohol and Breast Cancer: Risk Denial and Risk Relativization among U.S. Women
Authors: Fennell Heather M. , Seth Gaurav , McLeod Chandler M. , Ganesan Vinitha , Swahn Monica H. , Gutnik Lily , Luningham Justin , Martinez Priscilla , Aneja Ritu 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Research indicates a general lack of awareness regarding the link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk, particularly among women in the United States (US). This study aims to explore women's knowledge of alcohol's role in breast cancer risk and its sociodemographic correlates, including risk denial (RD) and risk relativization (RR) scores.
Methods: The study surveyed 5027 adult U.S. women via an online Qualtrics survey in September–October 2021 (ABLE survey). Participants answered questions on alcohol's impact on breast cancer risk, and RD and RR scores were generated using principal component analysis. Multivariable regression models examined associations between these scores, sociodemographic factors, and awareness of the alcohol-breast cancer link.
Results: A significant proportion of surveyed women expressed uncertainty (40.5%) or denial (34.9%) regarding alcohol's role in breast cancer risk. RD scores were associated with demographic factors such as race, ethnicity, age, and income. Hispanic/Latina women had the highest RD scores (10.51), followed by Non-Hispanic Black women (10.72), and older age groups. Unadjusted regression models revealed lower odds of "don't know" responses regarding awareness of alcohol as a risk factor for breast cancer (OR=0.98, p=0.003), with only RR remaining significant in adjusted analysis. RD was significant in adjusted models for "yes" responses, while for "no" responses, RD remained significant in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses.
Conclusions: The study highlights a lack of awareness or denial of alcohol's link to breast cancer risk among U.S. women, especially among minoritized groups, women under age 25, and those with lower education levels. Despite higher RD and RR scores among minoritized women, awareness of the link was not significantly lower than in White women. Health education campaigns should address these disparities in risk perception to improve understanding and uptake of important health information.
Photocurrent EDMR Measurement and Carrier Behavior of TIPS- Pentacene under FET Device Operation
Authors: Kobayashi Hina , Matsushita Michio M. , Kato Ken , Fujiwara Masazumi , Teki Yoshio 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The carrier dynamics of the organic semiconductor materials plays very important role in the device applications, because it is strongly related to the device performance. We report the electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) study of a drop-casted film of 6,13–bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)pentacene (TIPS-Pn) under the field-effect transistor (FET) device operating condition. The EDMR signal could not observed without light-irradiation even under the FET device operating condition (carrier injected condition). This means the electrically injected carries (e-h pair) does not have spin polarization and notable spin-selective pathway after the charge injection. Under the light-irradiation, the EDMR signals was detected in the FET device both with and without the VGS (gate-source voltage) applied to the FET device and the intensity depended on the VGS. When 0 > VGS > VTH, which is near the threshold voltage of the carrier injection, the signal intensity increased with increasing |VGS| but in the region VGS < VTH (|VGS| > |VTH|), the EDMR intensity decreased. This phenomenon has been reproduced by solving the rate equations assuming the re-combination between the photo generated electron (pe) and the injected hole (h), which is strong related the device structures.
Quantitative Evaluation of the Degree of Hardened Leather Relics Based on Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Jingya , Sun Lijuan , Chen Yuting 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This article describes a quantitative evaluation method proposed to quickly identify the deterioration degree of hardened leather relics unearthed in China. We used three kinds of artificial aging samples, dry-heat aging (DH)、UV-aging (UV)、and alkali-thermal aging (AT) as the research objects. The degradation mechanism was studied by Thermal gravimetry/Differential thermal gravimetry (TG/DTG) and Fourier transform infrared—Attenuated Total Reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). Combined with amide III band deconvolution and second derivative fitting, we constructed a method for evaluating the degree of degradation by the relative content of random coil (referred to as R) in the secondary structure of the protein. The results show that with the extension of aging time, the macrostructures and microstructures of leather changed to varying degrees. Based on the deterioration characteristics and fitting results, we divided hardened leather into the following four levels. Micro-degradation: R = 0, the leather is dry and hard, but the collagen structure is stable. Mild deterioration: 0 ≤ R ≤ 15%, a variety of collagen structures coexist, and some hydrogen bonds are broken. If 5 ≤ R ≤ 15%, the periodic change of hydrogen bonds may be affected by ultraviolet irradiation; Moderate deterioration: R ≥ 17%, β-sheet disappeared, the leather is seriously deformed and gelatinized due to the disintegration of the protein triple helix structure. Severe deterioration: R = 0, β-sheet disappeared, and the protein has undergone irreversible degeneration. The quantitative analysis method was suitable for the study of the deterioration mechanism and the evaluation of its degree of the Heishanling leather relics, which also provides a new practical scheme for collagen structure to evaluate the degree of leather hardening disease.
Decidability of Fully Quantum Nonlocal Games with Noisy Maximally Entangled States
Authors: Qin Minglong , Yao Penghui 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

This paper considers the decidability of fully quantum nonlocal games with noisy maximally entangled states. Fully quantum nonlocal games are a generalization of nonlocal games, where both questions and answers are quantum and the referee performs a binary POVM measurement to decide whether they win the game after receiving the quantum answers from the players. The quantum value of a fully quantum nonlocal game is the supremum of the probability that they win the game, where the supremum is taken over all the possible entangled states shared between the players and all the valid quantum operations performed by the players. The seminal work $\mathrm{MIP}^*=\mathrm{RE}$~\cite{JNVWY'20,JNVWYuen'20} implies that it is undecidable to approximate the quantum value of a fully nonlocal game. This still holds even if the players are only allowed to share (arbitrarily many copies of) maximally entangled states. This paper investigates the case that the shared maximally entangled states are noisy. We prove that there is a computable upper bound on the copies of noisy maximally entangled states for the players to win a fully quantum nonlocal game with a probability arbitrarily close to the quantum value. This implies that it is decidable to approximate the quantum values of these games. Hence, the hardness of approximating the quantum value of a fully quantum nonlocal game is not robust against the noise in the shared states.

This paper is built on the framework for the decidability of non-interactive simulations of joint distributions~\cite{7782969,doi:10.1137/1.9781611975031.174,Ghazi:2018:DRP:3235586.3235614} and generalizes the analogous result for nonlocal games in~\cite{qin2021nonlocal}. We extend the theory of Fourier analysis to the space of super-operators and prove several key results including an invariance principle and a dimension reduction for super-operators. These results are interesting in their own right and are believed to have further applications.
Prevalence of urinary incontinence and its relation to occupational status among Egyptian female patients presenting with chronic cough
Authors: Ghaly Ragy Mamdouh , Eldin Alaa Mohamed Atef Karim , AbdelRahman Dina Abbas Mohamed , Elassal Marwa Hussein 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background: Coughing is frequently linked to urinary incontinence (UI) in women. However, there is few information about its actual prevalence among women with chronic cough. There are some previous studies that link urinary incontinence to the occupational status.
Aim of work: To measure the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence and to identify the relationship between urinary incontinence and occupational status among female patients with chronic cough.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 female patients presented with chronic cough of any cause, all patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire that included personal, occupational, chronic cough and urinary incontinence questionnaire. General and local examination were done.
Results: Out of 80 patients, 55% were found to have stress urinary incontinence. Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) was the most prevalent cause of chronic cough (48.8%) followed by bronchial asthma (22.5%). Most of the studied patients (90.9%) reported that leaking of urine interferes with their quality of life. The frequency of UI among working females was significantly higher than non-workers. Occupations requiring physical activity had significantly higher frequency of UI than those without. Other environmental work conditions as unclean or uncomfortable workplaces had no significant relationship with UI. Menopause patients had 2.9 times higher risk to develop UI. The mean age, mean number of parities, vaginal delivery, median duration of cough, cough severity index and cough visual analogue scale were significantly higher in UI patients. The logistic regression was performed to test effects of different risk factors on UI, Results indicated that age, type of occupations according to physical activity and cough severity index were independently statistically significant risk factors for UI in female patients with chronic cough
Conclusion: Urinary Incontinence (UI) is common in female patients with chronic cough (55%). Age, type of occupations according to physical activity and cough severity index were independently significant risk factors for UI in female patients with chronic cough.
Emetine dihydrochloride inhibits invasiveness and motility of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by blocking the MAPK pathway and inducing destabilization of Twist1
Authors: Yoon Haelim , Cho Sayeon 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor that causes both extrahepatic and intrahepatic metastases. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial step in the development and metastasis of cancer. Emetine dihydrochloride (EDH) has been previously used as an anti-emetic and is now proposed as a replication inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2, but its effect against cancer metastasis has not been evaluated. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of cell migration from an EMT perspective using EDH in HCC cell lines.Methods HCC cell lines (Huh7, Hep3B, SNU449, SNU886, and PLC-PRF-5) were used to measure cell viability against EDH. The effect of EDH on migration was verified by wound healing analysis and migration analysis using Transwell. The effect of EDH on invasion was determined using an invasion assay in Matrigel-coated Transwell chambers. Spheroid invasion and soft agar colony formation assays were performed to verify the effect of EDH on anchorage-independent growth. Gelatin zymography was used to determine the activities of matrix metalloproteinase − 2 and − 9. The protein expression levels of Twist1, downstream target genes, and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and AKT signaling pathways were determined through immunoblotting. The RNA expression levels of each gene were analyzed through RT-PCR and quantitative RT-PCR.Results EDH inhibited the motility of various HCC cell lines at non-toxic concentrations. The inhibitory effect of EDH on cancer cell motility resulted from a decrease in protein levels of Twist1, a key transcription factor involved in EMT. Depletion of Twist1 due to EDH treatment suppressed the expression of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin and Vimentin) while increasing the expression of epithelial markers (E-cadherin). The regulatory pathway for the destabilization of Twist1 by EDH was mediated through the inactivation of the MAPK pathway. EDH specifically inactivated JNK and p38, thereby destabilizing the Twist1 protein, which is dependent on the S68 phosphorylation of Twist1.Conclusion EDH induces MAPK inactivation, which decreases Twist1 protein levels and ultimately suppresses mesenchymal properties. These results provide the first report on EDH from an EMT perspective and suggest its potential as an anticancer agent for HCC.
Carry-over effects of Bacillus thuringiensis on tolerant Aedes albopictus mosquitoes
Authors: Bahrami Romina , Quaranta Stefano , Perdomo Hugo D. , Bonizzoni Mariangela , Khorramnejad Ayda 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background: The biological larvicide, Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti), represents a safe and effective alternative to chemical insecticides for mosquito control. Efficient control of mosquitoes implicates continuous and extensive application of Bti. This massive use of Bti imposes strong selective pressure, but the complex mode of action of the numerous synergistic Bti endotoxins disfavors emergence of resistance. Despite resistance to Bti has not been identified at the population level in nature, some larvae can survive Bti exposure suggesting tolerance mechanisms. Here we investigated whether Bti tolerant Aedes albopictus larvae experience any fitness costs and how this tolerance affects adult phenotypes that are relevant for arboviral transmission.
Methods: We exposed Ae. albopictus larvae to lethal concentration of Bti and studied the fitness and gut microbiota of tolerant larvae and their adult counterparts. We further compared the expression of nine key immunity genes in the gut of Bti-tolerant larvae vs. those not exposed to Bti.
Results: Our results showed that Bti exposure has multifaceted impacts on Ae. albopictus mosquitoes during both larval and adult stages. The carry-over effect of Bti exposure on tolerant larvae manifested in reduced adult emergence rate, shorter lifespan and decreased fecundity. Bti also alters gut microbiota of both larvae and adults. We observed higher microbial diversity in Bti-tolerant larvae and changes in the richness of core microbiota. Bti infection and the altered microbiota triggered immune responses in the larval gut.
Conclusions: The observed reduction in mosquito fitness and changes in the microbiota of adults emerging from tolerant larvae could negatively influence mosquito vectorial capacity. Understanding these impacts is crucial for evaluating the broader implications of Bti-based insecticides in mosquito control programs.