bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BNIP3 + cancer-associated fibroblasts and their associated genes are accelerators of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Shao Rundong , Zhang Lei , Zhao Zhenzhen , Zhang Heng , Zhang Zhigang , Yan Zhengyuan , Xiong Bo 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant gastrointestinal tumors. Due to the difficulty of early diagnosis and limited treatment, the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients is very poor. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by high interstitial fibrosis, in which activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) plays a key role. CAFs is the most abundant cell in the pancreatic tumor microenvironment, with a high degree of plasticity, and participates in various processes of tumor development through crosstalk with tumor cells and other cells in the microenvironment. Elucidate the heterogeneity of CAFs and its mechanism of action, which helps find a new effective treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Methods
We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) transcriptomics to analyze fibroblasts from pancreatic cancer patient specimens. This approach was able to identify key subpopulations of fibroblasts and elucidate their contribution to pancreatic cancer progression. Subsequently, we established a prediction model for pancreatic cancer using Cox regression and the LASSO algorithm and conducted cell experiments to verify it.
Results
Our study identified a BNIP3 + tumor-associated fibroblast and used this cell-associated gene to construct a prognostic model of pancreatic cancer, a feature that effectively divided PDAC patients into high-risk and low-risk groups and outperformed traditional clinicopathological features in predicting survival outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients. In vitro co-culture experiments showed that BNIP3 + fibroblasts could have more effects on pancreatic cancer cells.
Conclusion
We screened C1 BNIP3 + pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts, which advanced our knowledge and understanding of CAFs heterogeneity. The prognostic model we constructed can effectively predict the prognosis and treatment response of pancreatic cancer.
Metformin regulates cellulase production in Trichoderma reesei via calcium signaling and mitochondrial function
Authors: Wang Jiajia , Chen Yumeng , Cong Jiawei , Wang Wei 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Trichoderma reesei is renowned for its cellulase-producing ability and is used for the biofuel-production-sourced lignocellulose. In plants and fungi, cellulase production is induced by cellulose and suppressed by glucose; however, whether metformin can enhance cellulase production and mitochondrial function in T. reesei remains unclear. Metformin may reduce blood glucose levels by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis; therefore, it is worth investigating whether metformin transmission modulates cellulase biosynthesis in T. reesei.
Results
Metformin increases cellulase activity and the transcription of cellulase-related genes. It also enhances the concentrations of Ca2+ in the cytosol and mitochondria and regulates the transcription levels of cellulase-related genes by modulating calcium homeostasis in T. reesei QM6a. In addition, metformin was identified as an antioxidant that can enhance cellulase activity by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results demonstrated that metformin influences the state of the mitochondria by enhancing mitochondrial activity and membrane potential to promote cellulase production.
Conclusion
Collectively, these results indicate that metformin is a potential novel inducer that can scavenge ROS, protect mitochondrial activity, and enhance cellulase production in T. reesei.
Experimental realisation of a universal inverse-design magnonic device
Authors: Chumak Andrii , Zenbaa Noura , Abert Claas , Majcen Fabian , Kerber Michael , Serha Rostyslav , Knauer Sebastian , Wang Qi , Schrefl Thomas , Suess Dieter 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In the field of magnonics, which uses magnons, the quanta of spin waves, for energy-efficient data processing, significant progress has been made leveraging the capabilities of the inverse design concept. This approach involves defining a desired functionality and employing a feedback-loop algorithm to optimise the device design. In this study, we present the first experimental demonstration of a reconfigurable, lithography-free, and simulation-free inverse-design device capable of implementing various RF components. The device features a square array of independent direct current loops that generate a complex reconfigurable magnetic medium atop a Yttrium-Iron-Garnet (YIG) rectangular film for data processing in the gigahertz range. Showcasing its versatility, the device addresses inverse problems using two algorithms to create RF notch filters and demultiplexers. Additionally, the device holds promise for binary, reservoir, and neuromorphic computing applications.
Assessment of Elemental Composition in Ultramafic Parent Material and Derived Soils Using Pollution Indices
Authors: KARA Zekeriya , SALTALI Kadir , RIZAOĞLU Tamer , BANİ Aida 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The occurrence of heavy metals in agricultural areas, whether due to natural processes or human activities, poses significant risks to both the ecosystem and public health through their incorporation into the food chain via plants. This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of metals and the pollution risk levels in ultramafic soils within Kahramanmaraş and its surrounding districts (Türkoğlu, Ekinözü, Afşin) in the Eastern Mediterranean region. A total of 56 samples, consisting of 28 surface soil samples (0-30 cm) and 28 parent material samples (90 cm+), were collected from these areas. Various pollution indices, including the enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), and contamination factor (CF), were utilized to assess both natural and human-induced impacts on the ultramafic soils. The findings indicated that the concentrations of Ni, Cr, and Co in the topsoil layer (0-30 cm) exceeded the maximum limits established by the World Health Organization. Despite this, the pollution indices (EF, Igeo, PLI, and CF) for these elements were relatively low, suggesting a similar composition between the parent material and the soil. This points to the natural occurrence of these heavy metals in the soil. On the other hand, the pollution indices for Pb and Cu indicated human-related influences on these elements. Additionally, there was no significant enrichment of Mn or Cd from either natural or human sources. Environmental hazards such as erosion and dusting are common in areas affected by pollution, whether natural or anthropogenic. To address these issues, specific management practices are necessary, such as reducing soil disturbance in polluted agricultural zones or maintaining permanent vegetation cover to stabilize the soil.
Signal-Enhanced Cross-Coupled Map Lattice andApplication in Spatiotemporal Chaotic Hash Functions
Authors: Li Yuxuan , Dai Lin 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In recent years, nonlinear science, particularly chaotic systems, has garnered significant research interest. Cross-coupled maplattices (CCML) represent a typical spatiotemporal chaotic structure, commonly utilized in data security fields such as hashfunctions. However, traditional CCMLs have a limited chaotic parameter range, and their chaotic effects need enhancement,restricting their application in cryptography. This paper proposes an improved signal-enhanced cross-coupled map lattice(SE-CCML), which addresses the limitations of traditional CCMLs. Through experimental analysis, we demonstrate that theimproved SE-CCML offers a broader continuous chaotic space and exhibits superior chaotic dynamics. These enhancementsmake it more suitable for cryptographic applications, significantly improving security performance compared to its predecessors.Utilizing the designed SE-CCML, we develop a concise new hash function and evaluate its security performance. The resultsindicate that the proposed hash function possesses excellent confusion and diffusion properties, strong resistance to collisions,and high security, effectively withstanding common types of analytical attacks. It meets the requirements for hash functionsacross various domains. Our work provides a novel solution for secure hash functions. The signal-enhanced cross-coupledmap lattice improves the security of spatiotemporal chaotic encryption algorithms, making it applicable to diverse encryptionscenarios such as image encryption and block encryption.
The influence of social network on depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a Swedish cohort study
Authors: Murphy Gillian L. , Joyce Emily E. , Lovik Anikó , Gísladóttir Elísabet U. , Vincze Katalin , Kähler Anna K. , Frans Emma M. , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur A. , Sullivan Patrick F. , Barker Mary , Fang Fang 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the associations between components of social networks and depressive and anxiety symptoms over 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. Specifically, we aimed to explore how social networks influence mental health outcomes during the pandemic, and how these relationships change over time.
Methods
Data from the Omtanke2020 study, a prospective cohort study of Swedish adults, were analyzed using structural equation modeling (N = 10,918). Surveys administered at baseline, six-month follow-up, and one-year follow-up collected information on social network variables and mental health (i.e., depressive and anxiety symptoms). Dynamic structural equation modeling (DSEM), adjusted for relevant covariates, was used to observe changes in the associations between social networks and mental health over time.
Results
Stronger perceived social support, specifically closeness to family, perceived warmth or love from others, and increased societal cohesion, were consistently negatively correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms across all time points (β magnitude range = -0.14 – -0.23, all p’s < 0.001). While the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms decreased over the study period, social network variables remained stable predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Adjusted DSEM revealed weaker correlations between social network and mental health symptoms at baseline (β = -0.17, p < 0.001), compared to social network and mental health symptoms at the one-year follow-up (β = -0.21, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
This study supports the beneficial role of perceived social support in mitigating depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. It underscores the importance of fostering strong social networks, especially in times of crisis, and suggests the most important elements of social support to be incorporated into future interventions.
COVID-19 in relation to chronic antihistamine prescription
Authors: Puigdellívol-Sánchez Anna , JUANES-GONZÁLEZ Marta , CALDERÓN-VALDIVIEZO Ana , LOSA-PUIG Helena , VALLS-FOIX Roger , GONZÁLEZ-SALVADOR Marta , LOZANO-PAZ Celia , VIDAL-ALABALL Josep 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background Residents with COVID-19 of two external nursing homes received early treatment with an antihistamine and azithromycin. All residents had positive serology for COVID-19 after the first wave, but no hospitalizations or deaths occurred. We assessed whether patients receiving chronic antihistamines in our institution showed lower rates of COVID-19 evolution to severe disease.Methods COVID-19 admissions in the public Hospital of Terrassa (n = 1461) during the pandemic period (March 11th ,2020-May 5th ,2023) and cases (n = 32888) during the period of full suspicion diagnosis (June 1st ,2020-March 23rd ,2022), within the assigned population at the Terrassa Health Consortium in March 2020 (n = 140,681), were analyzed. The infection-hospital admissions and death rates were referred to the number of chronic treatments (nT), including or not antihistamines (AntiHm or NOAntiHm) and the vaccination status before the first infection (VAC or NoVAC), together with gender and age.Results The odds ratio (OD) NoVAC/VAC for infection-hospitalization-death was 1.69-1.83-1.91 respectively (p < 0.0000001). The infection OD increased with the number of chronic treatments NoVAC: 28% (0nT)-48%( > = 6nT) (p = 0.0000001). The OD NoVAC NoAntiHm/AntiHm for infection (1nT) was 1.13 (p = 0.048), hospital admission 2.46 (2-6nT)-1.58 ( > = 7nT) (p = 0.005) and 1.94 for death > = 6nT 1.94 (p = 0.03). [VACNoAntiHm/AntiHm OD for infection = 0.7(1nT); hospital admission = 2.05(2-6nT)-1.46 (> 07nT); death = 1.06(n > 6nT) (p > = 0.05)]. No death occurred in AntiHm patients < = 5nT (vs 0,059% in NoAntiHmNoVAC-0.026%VAC).Conclusions Patients with chronic antihistamine prescriptions, alone or with polypharmacy, showed reduced infection, hospital admission, and mortality rates. This finding is consistent with previous descriptive studies, suggesting the safety of antihistamine treatment and the need to explore its effectiveness in a prospective trial.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Suicide: Evidence from South Korea
Authors: Kim Dongyoung , Kim Pyoungsik 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Objectives
The COVID-19 pandemic led to public health crises beyond the direct casualties from the virus itself. This study assesses the impact of COVID-19 on suicide rates in South Korea, which implemented effective policy interventions against COVID-19 and has one of the highest suicide rates among member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Study design
A county fixed effects model.
Methods
We analyze county-level data covering the 2017-2022 period from the National Statistical Office of Korea and use a county fixed effects model. The primary outcome is the suicide rate per 100,000 population. Our main analysis compares pre-pandemic suicide rates (2019) with those during the pandemic (2020-2022) at bimonthly frequency, focusing on the population aged 20-59 years.
Results
We find that, in contrast to the initial global concerns about potential increases in suicide because of pandemic-related stress, suicide rates significantly decreased during the pandemic. However, this trend was not uniform: young women experienced fluctuating suicide rates, highlighting a demographic-specific impact. The study also finds that both people who died by suicide and people who died of other causes were more likely to have a college diploma and were less likely to be married. Additionally, there are mixed results regarding the location of death. Overall, the pandemic appears to have had a complex effect on suicide behaviors in South Korea.
Conclusions
The findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions, especially for vulnerable groups such as young women. The findings also emphasize the importance of considering demographic-specific responses in public health strategies to better address the mental health consequences of large-scale crises.
Quantum algorithm for finding minimum values in a Quantum Random Access Memory
Authors: Albino Anton S. , Galvão Lucas Q. , Neto Mauro Q. Nooblath , Hansen Ethan , Cruz Clebson 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Finding the minimum value in an unordered database is a common and fundamental task in computer science. However, the optimal classical deterministic algorithm can find the minimum value with a time complexity that grows linearly with the number of elements in the database. In this paper, we present the proposal of a quantum algorithm for finding the minimum value of a database, which is quadratically faster than its best classical analogs. We assume a Quantum Random Access Memory (QRAM) that stores values from a database and performs an iterative search based on an oracle whose role is to limit the searched values by controlling the states of the most significant qubits. A complexity analysis was performed in order to demonstrate the advantage of this quantum algorithm over its classical counterparts.
Rolling bearing fault diagnosis technique based on time-shifted multi-scale attentional entropy and SSA-KELM
Authors: wang yu , wang bing 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Fault diagnosis of rolling bearings, as a critical and fragile rotary support component in mechanical equipment, has been a hot issue. A rolling bearing fault diagnosis technique based on Time-Shifted Multi-scale Attentional Entropy and sparrow search optimisation algorithm with kernel-extreme learning machine (TSMATE-SSA-KELM for short) is proposed. Firstly, to address the problem of insufficient coarse-graining of multi-scale attentional entropy (MATE), a tool for measuring signal complexity - Time-Shifted Multi-scale Attentional Entropy - is proposed to construct multidimensional fault feature vectors.Secondly, the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA), which has strong optimization ability and fast convergence speed, is introduced to optimize the regularization coefficient C and the γ kernel function parameter γ of the Kernel-Extreme Learning Machine (KELM) in order to obtain the optimal parameter combinations, to solve the problem that the KELM parameters are difficult to be adjusted, and to construct the optimal SSA-KELM model. Finally, an example analysis is carried out using the bearing failure dataset of Jiangnan University to verify the influence of parameters and the effectiveness of the model. The results show that compared with different feature vector input and learning models (e.g., MATE, SVM, ELM, etc.), the proposed technique can achieve 99.85% accuracy, and it has potential engineering applications with fast computation speed and high diagnostic efficiency.
Unraveling the role of contaminants reshaping the microflora in Zea mays seeds from heavy metal-contaminated and pristine environment
Authors: Awais Muhammad , Xianga Yingying , Shah Naila , Bilal Harat , Yang Dezhi , Hu Haiyan , Li Tao , Ji Xiuling , Li Haiyan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Heavy metal (HM) contaminants are the emerging driving force for reshaping the microflora of plants by eradicating the non-tolerance and non-resistant microbes via their lethal effects. Seeds serve as a primary source of microbial transmission from one plant generation to the next however, being exposed to metal contamination reshapes their microflora through generations. In this study, the endophytic diversity was compared within Zea mays seeds between three distinct regions in Yunnan province China i.e., HM-contaminated sites (AK) less-contaminated (SD), and a non-contaminated Site (DL). High throughput sequencing technique were used to analyze 492,177 high-quality reads for bacteria and 1,001,229 optimized sequences for fungi. Reads of interest were grouped into operational taxonomic units (OTUs), assigned to microbial genomes and analyzed for taxonomic information, alpha and beta diversity, taxonomic composition, and differential analyses. A higher diversity was recorded in AK samples than in SD and DL. Microbial community structure analysis showed higher diversity and significant fluctuation in specific taxa abundance in the metal-polluted samples exhibiting higher response of microbial flora to HM. In AK samples Gordonia and Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderi, were HM-resistant while Pseudomonas and Streptomyces showed moderate tolerance to HM. Fungal taxa such as Fusarium, Saccharomycopsis, and Lecanicillium also showed metal tolerance. The results revealed the role of HM in reshaping the microflora and their response in maize seeds. While investigating the microbiome from different environments of maize seeds using sequencing technology, the study will help in studying the microbiome shifts under HM conditions aiding better management strategies for reclaiming contaminated soil and crop management.
Optimal entanglement witness of multipartite systems using support vector machine approach
Authors: Mahdian Mohmoud , Mousavi Zahra 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

An entanglement witness (EW) is a Hermitian operator that can distinguish an entangled state from all separable states. We developed and implemented a numerical method based on machine learning to create multipartite EW. Using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm, we construct EW's based on local orthogonal observables in the form of a hyperplane that separates the separable region from the entangled state for two, three, and four qubits Bell-diagonal mixed states which can be generalized to a multipartite mixed state. One of the important features of this method is that the EW s are optimal and are completely tangent to the separable region. Also, we generate non-decomposable EW's that can detect positive partial transpose entangled states (PPTES).
Chemotaxis-driven hybrid liposomes trilogically recover intestinal homeostasis for targeted therapy of ulcerative colitis
Authors: Hu Kaili , Pan Xier , Li Yushu , Zhao Xiao , Zhang Jiaxin , Xian Peng , Song Yangjie , Nan Yunrong , Ni Shuting 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is tightly linked to the dysbiosis of intestinal homeostasis, accompanied by the intestinal epithelial barrier destruction, subsequent inflammatory factor infiltration, and excessive oxidative stress. However, conventional therapeutics only focus on suppressing inflammation and often suffer from metabolic instability as well as limited targeting, thereby leading to suboptimal remission rates and severe side effects. Here, we initially fabricated bacterial outer membrane vesicle (OMV, from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia)-fused and borneol-modified liposomes (BO/OMV-lipo@LU) to deliver luteolin for targeted therapy of UC by recovering intestinal homeostasis. Benefitting from the chemotaxis-driven colon-targeting ability of OMVs and intestinal epithelial uptake promotion of borneol, the hybrid liposomes exhibited excellent targeting capability towards the inflamed colon. Moreover, under the combined effects of OMVs and borneol, interestingly, the hybrid liposomes achieved deep penetration into the mucosa for better uptake of luteolin by the intestinal epithelium. Notably, BO/OMV-lipo@LU with favorable biosafety exerted promising therapeutic efficacy and trilogically recovered intestinal homeostasis in UC by alleviating intestinal inflammation, modulating redox balance, and restoring intestinal epithelial barriers. These results demonstrated that such a biomimetic nanoplatform could be exploited as a safe and effective gut-targeted delivery system for UC intervention.
Copper-catalyzed Intermolecular Regio- and Enantioselective Hy-drosilylation of Alkenes with Prochiral Silanes
Authors: Xu Yun-He , Zhu Xiao-Yan , Gao Wenyu , Xu Jian-Lin , Wang Zi-Lu , Zhao Jinbo 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

This study presents a copper-catalyzed, substrate-controlled regio- and enantioselective intermolecular hydrosilylation method capable of accommodating a broad scope of alkenes and prochiral silanes. The approach offers an efficient and versatile pathway to generate enantioenriched linear and branched alkyl-substituted Si-stereogenic silanes. Key features of this reaction include mild reaction conditions, simple catalytic systems, compatibility with diverse substrates, high yields, and enantioselectivities.