bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of Smallpox Antibody Testing and Surveillance Following Smallpox Vaccination in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Shin Hwachul , Lee SangEun , Choi Myung-Min , Yi Hwajung , Chung Yoon-Seok 
Published: August 2024

Background: Despite its global eradication in 1977, smallpox remains a concern owing to its potential as a biological agent, thereby prompting the ongoing development and utilization of its vaccine. Vaccination with the Vaccinia virus induces immunity against variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox; however, this immunity does not extend to viruses of different genera within the Poxviridae family. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method utilizing Vaccinia virus and recombinant A27L antigen for detecting antibodies against smallpox. Methods. Analysis of serum from 20 individuals pre- and post-vaccination with the CJ strain (CJ50300) revealed neutralizing antibodies, which were confirmed using the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). The ELISA method, validated with a PRNT50 cut-off value of &amp;gt;4, exhibited a sensitivity and specificity of &amp;gt;95% and was particularly reactive with the inactivated virus. Furthermore, adherence to the smallpox vaccination policy revealed significant differences in Orthopoxvirus antibody levels among 300 individuals of different age groups. These findings highlight the reliability and efficacy of the ELISA method in detecting post-vaccination antibodies and contribute significantly to diagnostic methods to prepare for potential smallpox resurgence and bioterrorism threats.
Infections in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Šegulja Silvije , Vranešević Klara , Đorđević Ana , Roganović Jelena 
Published: August 2024

Background and Objectives: Infections are the most common and potentially life-threatening complications of the treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The aim of this study was to determine epidemiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics of infections in pediatric patients with ALL. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three children (16 male and 7 female, mean age 5.9 years [range 1.3 to 12.2 years]) with ALL, treated at the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Croatia, from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020, were included in the study Results: One hundred and four infectious episodes (IEs) were reported (average 4.5 IE per patient). IEs were more frequent in the intensive phases of antileukemic treatment. Neutropenia was present in 48 IEs (46.2%) with a duration greater than 7 days in 28 IEs (58.3%). The respiratory tract was the most common infection site (48.1%). We documented 49 bacterial (47.1%), 4 viral (3.9%), 4 fungal (3.9%) and 10 mixed isolates (9.6%), while in 37 IEs (35.6%) pathogen was not isolated. The most common causes of bacteremia were coagulase-positive staphylococci. The most frequent empirical therapy was third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, followed by piperacillin/tazobactam. Modification of the first-line antimicrobial therapy was performed in 56.9% of IEs. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was administered in 53.8% of IEs, and intravenous immunoglobulins in 62.5% of IEs. One patient required admission to the intensive care unit. No infection-related mortality was reported. Conclusions: ALL patients have frequent IEs. Close monitoring, identification of risk factors, rapid empirical use of antibiotics in febrile neutropenia, and timely modification of antimicrobial therapy play a key role in reducing infection-related morbidity and mortality in children with ALL.
Evaluation of Coinfection and Superinfection Impact on Chikungunya and Mayaro Virus’s Replication in Aedes aegypti
Authors: de Oliveira Maria Eduarda dos Santos , Krokovsky Larissa , Couto Maria Julia Brito , Guedes Duschinka Ribeiro Duarte , Ayres Constancia Flavia Junqueira , Paiva Marcelo Henrique Santos 
Published: August 2024

The co-occurrence of different arboviruses, through (re)emergence episodes in a particular region, often exacerbates public health crises associated with these pathogens. Considering the Brazilian epidemiological panorama of arboviruses cocirculation, such as Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and Chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses, the imminent emergence of Mayaro virus (MAYV) in urban areas, and the presence of susceptible human hosts, we looked into the coinfection and superinfection impact of CHIKV and MAYV replication in Aedes aegypti. Mosquitoes were coinfected and superinfected with CHIKV and MAYV by artificial blood-feeding, and infection (IR), dissemination (DR), transmission (TR) rates, and viral load were evaluated by qRT-PCR. Our findings suggest that, Ae. aegypti can simultaneously transmit CHIKV and MAYV in coinfection scenarios. However, in superinfection assays, the initial infection (either CHIKV or MAYV) adversely affected the transmission capacity of the subsequently acquired virus, indicating replication interference between the viruses. These results have important implications for public health management actions in the country, emphasizing complex arbovirus transmission scenarios and the associated epidemiological risks.
Combination of a MIP3α-antigen fusion therapeutic DNA vaccine with treatments of IFNα and 5-Aza-2’Deoxycytidine enhances activated effector CD8+ T cells expressing CD11c in the B16F10 melanoma model
Authors: Fessler Kaitlyn , Zhang Jiaqi , Sandhu Avinaash K. , Hui Yinan , Kapoor Aakanksha R. , Ayeh Samuel K. , Karanika Styliani , Karakousis Petros C. , Markham Richard B. , Gordy James T. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Previous studies in the B16F10 mouse melanoma model have demonstrated that combining a DNA vaccine comprised of regions of gp100 and tyrosinase-related protein 2 fused to Macrophage-inflammatory protein 3-alpha (MIP3α) with recombinant Interferon alpha (IFN) and 5-Aza-2’-Deoxycytidine (5Aza) treatments resulted in significantly greater anti-tumor activity and immunogenicity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This brief report details that the combination of vaccine with treatments IFN and 5Aza results in both the upregulation of genes expressing CD11c-interacting proteins and an increase in the TME of a distinct CD11c+ CD8+ T cell population. This cell population correlates with tumor size, is primarily comprised of effector or effector memory T cells, and has a more robust response to ex vivo stimulation as compared to CD11c- CD8+ T cells as measured by surface activation markers 4-1BB (CD137) and KLRG1 (Killer cell lectin-like receptor G1) and intracellular IFNγ production. In conclusion, this combination therapy results in greater presence of highly active effector CD8+ T-cells expressing CD11c in the TME that correlate with and are likely primary contributors to treatment efficacy.
WITHDRAWN: HHO-UNet-IAA: Harris Hawks Optimization based Novel UNet-Inception Attention Architecture for Glaucoma Segmentation
Authors: khan yusera , Banerjee Tathagat , Narula Gagandeep Singh , Wason Ritika 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors due to author disagreement with the posting of the preprint. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
WITHDRAWN: Effects of Mineral pitch (Asphaltum punjabianum) supplemented diet on rohu (Labeo rohita): growth performance, immunological indices, antioxidant enzymes, and expression levels of immunity and growth- related genes
Authors: Khan Shawal 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors as it was submitted and made public without the full consent of all the authors. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
Mitochondrial DNA variants and their impact on epigenetic and biological aging in young adulthood
Authors: Mareckova Klara , Mendes-Silva Ana , Jani Martin , Pacinkova Anna , Piler Pavel , Goncalves Vanessa , Nikolova Yuliya 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The pace of biological aging varies between people independently of chronological age and mitochondria dysfunction is a key hallmark of biological aging. We hypothesized that higher functional impact (FI) score of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants might contribute to premature aging and tested the relationships between a novel FI score of mtDNA variants and epigenetic and biological aging in young adulthood. A total of 81 participants from the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) prenatal birth cohort had good quality genetic data as well as blood-based markers to estimate biological aging in the late 20. A subset of these participants (n = 69) also had epigenetic data to estimate epigenetic aging in the early 20s using Horvath’s epigenetic clock. The novel FI score was calculated based on 7 potentially pathogenic mtDNA variants. Greater FI score of mtDNA variants was associated with older epigenetic age in the early 20s (AdjR2=0.19, beta = 0.29, p = 0.009) and older biological age in the late 20s (AdjR2=0.23, beta = 0.24, p = 0.018). These effects were independent of sex, current BMI, and cigarette smoking. These findings suggest that elevated FI score of mtDNA variants might contribute to premature aging in young adulthood.
Towards high-resolution modelling of energy-intensive industries: An agent-based process diffusion approach with georeferenced industry sites
Authors: Neuwirth Marius , Fleiter Tobias , Hofmann René 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The transition towards climate-neutral industry is a challenge, particularly in heavy industries like steel and basic chemicals. Existing models for assessing industrial transformation lack spatial resolution and exogenous assumptions about process diffusion fail to capture individual investment decisions. Consequently, the spatial interplay between industry transformation, energy availability, infrastructure availability, and the dynamics of discrete investments is inadequately addressed.
Here, we present an agent-based approach to model energy-intensive industries with high spatial resolution. The model considers individual industrial sites to simulate discrete investment decisions. The investment decision is modelled as a discrete choice among alternative technologies with their total cost of ownership as the main decision criterion. Process costs depend on the scenario-specific framework, policy instruments and local infrastructures. By integrating the choice algorithm into a stock approach that tracks individual vintage, the age of production units and their reinvestment cycle are considered the main restrictions on the dynamics of the transition.
The results provide insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of industry transition under varying process and policy assumptions. The presented model can be applied to all regions, industry sectors and processes.
We conduct an exemplary case study for a transformation pathway of the European primary steel production.
A Novel Method for Maintaining Low and Constant Salinity in Ice During Desalination of Binary Mixtures Using Directional Top-Cooling Solidification
Authors: Kumar Narendra , Sarawagi Radhika , Kumar Virkeshwar 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Water scarcity is a global issue worsened by population growth, climate change, and industry. Freezing-based desalination shows potential with lower energy needs and less environmental impact. However, current freezing methods produce ice with inconsistent salt levels, and new solutions are needed. This paper proposes a novel method inspired by Czochralski (directional top-cooling solidification) techniques, where motion is introduced during solidification to achieve uniform low salinity in ice. This study investigates the efficacy of directional top-cooling solidification techniques for desalination, contrasting them with conventional top-cooling methods. Three distinct setups were employed: Setup_1 utilized conventional top-cooling, while Setups 2 and 3 incorporated directional top-cooling solidification akin to the Czochralski method. The conventional top-cooling approach often leads to non-uniform salinity distribution within ice structures due to complex convection phenomena, whereas directional top-cooling solidification ensures uniform salinity throughout the ice volume. Experimental results demonstrate uniform salinity levels along the lengths of ice, measuring 0.34±0.04 wt% NaCl for 1.7 wt% NaCl-water solution and 0.7±0.05 wt% NaCl for 3.4 wt% NaCl-water solution. In multistaging desalination, this saline ice again melts and is further desalinized using the same leads to 0.1±0.05 wt% NaCl, which can be directly used for the drinking stage. Additionally, energy consumption analysis reveals directional top-cooling solidification’s potential for significant energy savings, with around a 5% reduction observed compared to conventional top-cooling methods for single-stage desalination.
Engineering of acyl ligase domain in NRPS to design fatty acid moieties of lipopeptides
Authors: Kobayashi Shingo , Aoki Rina , Kumagawa Eri , Kamata Kazuaki , Ago Hideo , Sakai Naoki , Hasunuma Tomohisa , Taoka Naoaki , Ohta Yukari 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) produced by the genus Bacillus are amphiphiles composed of hydrophilic amino acid and hydrophobic fatty acid moieties and are biosynthesised by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs). CLPs are produced as a mixture of homologues with different fatty acid moieties, whose length affects CLP activity. Iturin family lipopeptides are a family of CLPs comprising cyclic heptapeptides and b-amino fatty acids and have antimicrobial activity. There is little research on how the length of the fatty acid moiety of iturin family lipopeptides is determined. Here, we demonstrated that the fatty acyl ligase (AL) domain determines the length of the fatty acid moiety in vivo. In addition, enzyme assays revealed how mutations in the substrate-binding pocket of the AL domain affected substrate specificity in vitro. Our findings have implications in the design of fatty acyl moieties for CLP synthesis using NRPS.
A model of encrypted network traffic classification
that trades off accuracy and efficiency
Authors: Yu Lancan , Yuan Jianting , Zheng Jin , Yang Nan 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

As the internet industry evolves, the need for effective encrypted traffic classification (ETC) becomes vital for network management and cybersecurity. Meanwhile, existing deep learning (DL)-based methods struggle with balancing model complexity with accuracy. A significant challenge is deploying these models on dominant network devices in a way that ensures rapid and precise traffic classification. In this paper, we propose FasterTrafficNet, a novel DL-based lightweight ETC strategy designed for deployment on low-configuration networking devices. We designed the core component of FasterTrafficNet using a PConv-based concept, which efficiently extracts spatial features from data while reducing unnecessary computations and memory access, further enhancing the model's operational efficiency. Additionally, we integrated Do-Conv in place of conventional non-dot convolution to amplify the model's performance significantly without escalating the computational overhead during inference. We conducted a comparative analysis of FasterTrafficNet against six advanced ETC methods utilizing two publicly accessible benchmark datasets. Experimental results demonstrate that FasterTrafficNet, comprising 1.46 M model parameters, provides superior classification performance relative to the other methods. Consequently, FasterTrafficNet demonstrates a lightweight approach to ETC that can be used on extensive networks of devices.
Geological hazard vulnerability assessment based on Cloud model in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Ming Yicheng , DING Mingtao , Ren Heming , Feng Qiangqiang , He Yufeng 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Geological hazard vulnerability assessment plays a crucial role in disaster prevention and mitigation strategies. However, current methodologies often prioritize identifying high vulnerability areas, neglecting regional vulnerability level assessment. Addressing the ambiguity and uncertainty inherent in this process is essential for enhancing assessment accuracy. This study focuses on Zhejiang Province, employing an index system of exposure, sensitivity, and coping capacity for vulnerability assessment. Utilizing combination weights based on game theory, we generated the vulnerability distribution map for geological hazards in Zhejiang Province. Subsequently, employing cloud model, we graded vulnerability across Zhejiang Province and its subordinate districts and counties. The results show that: 81% of the areas in Zhejiang Province are very-low vulnerability, with remaining areas classified as low (9%), medium (4%), high (4%), and very-high (2%) vulnerability. High vulnerability areas are primarily concentrated in the plains near the Qiantang River estuary and Hangzhou Bay, alongside coastal regions in southeastern Zhejiang, which have the common points of developed economy and dense population. The cloud model vulnerability grading results show that: Zhejiang Province is very-low vulnerability. Specifically, Gongshu District in Hangzhou is identified as a very-high vulnerability area, with Shangcheng District categorized as high vulnerability. Additionally, there are 5 medium, 26 low, and 57 very-low vulnerability areas among the districts and counties assessed. These findings furnish a basis for advancing geological disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts throughout Zhejiang Province.
Nucleolar NOL9 regulated by DNA methylation promotes hepatocellular carcinoma growth by activating wnt/beta-catenin pathway
Authors: Xie Chan , Chen Xiyao , Song Xin , Zhang Boxiang , zheng xingrong , wu lina , Lian Qinghai , chen jia , luo qiumin , xu wenxiong , qian tinglin , Peng Liang 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents significant clinical challenges, necessitating a deeper understanding of its molecular drivers for improved therapeutic strategies. Our study focused on nucleolar protein 9 (NOL9), a 5’-polynucleotide kinase, elucidating its role in HCC pathogenesis and therapeutic response. We found NOL9 to be significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared to normal counterparts, correlating with larger tumor diameters, advanced pathological grades, and poor patient survival. Furthermore, NOL9 exhibited diagnostic potential, effectively distinguishing HCC samples from normal tissues. High NOL9 expression correlated with poorer prognosis, both in a TCGA-LIHC cohort and our HCC cohort, as well as in patients with poor sorafenib efficacy. Functional assays revealed that NOL9 modulates HCC cell proliferation and apoptosis. Knockdown of NOL9 inhibited cellular proliferation and clonogenic survival while promoting apoptosis, whereas NOL9 overexpression had the opposite effect. In vivo and in vivo studies corroborated these findings, with NOL9 depletion leading to reduced tumor growth. Additionally, NOL9 influenced the HCC cell cycle dynamics, facilitating the G1/S transition and promoting cell proliferation. Mechanistically, NOL9 expression was regulated by DNA methylation and ZNF384. ZNF384 was identified as a key transcriptional regulator of NOL9, enhancing its expression and activating its promoter. DNA methylation analysis revealed an inverse correlation between NOL9 expression and methylation at specific CpG sites, with DNMT1 playing a role in epigenetic regulation. Furthermore, NOL9-mediated cell proliferation was found to be beta-catenin-dependent, with NOL9 activating the wnt/beta-catenin pathway at the transcriptional level, thus promoting HCC cell proliferation. In summary, our study unveils the multifaceted role of NOL9 in HCC pathogenesis, emphasizing its potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target. Understanding the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying NOL9 regulation provides insights into HCC biology and opens avenues for the development of targeted therapies to improve patient outcomes.
Factors Influencing Spatiotemporal Variability of NO2 Concentration in Urban Area: A GIS and Remote Sensing-Based Approach
Authors: Jubaer Al , Hossain Rakib , Ahmed Afzal , Hossain Md. Shakhaoat 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The growing global attention on urban air quality underscores the need to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), especially in cities like Dhaka (Gazipur), Bangladesh, known for having some of the world's poorest air quality. The present study utilizes the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on the Sentinel-5P (S5P) satellite and Google Earth Engine (GEE) to analyse NO2 concentrations in Gazipur, Bangladesh, from 2019 to 2022. Utilizing S5P TROPOMI data, we investigate the correlations between NO2 levels and various environmental factors, including land surface temperature (LST), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land use and land cover (LULC), population density, road density, settlement density, and industry density. Our results reveal significant seasonal variations, with peak NO2 levels during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods and the lowest levels during monsoon seasons. The study demonstrates a positive correlation between NO2 concentrations and LST, road density, settlement density, and industrial density, and a negative correlation with NDVI. These findings underscore the detrimental impact of rapid urbanization and deforestation on air quality. Through linear regression analysis, we highlight the influence of these environmental factors on NO2 levels, providing a comprehensive understanding of the urban pollution dynamics in a rapidly growing city. This research offers critical insights for policymakers and urban planners, advocating for enhanced green infrastructure, stringent emission controls, and sustainable urban development strategies to mitigate air pollution in Gazipur. Our methodological approach and findings contribute to the broader discourse on urban air quality management in developing countries.