bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LncRNA-536 and RNA Binding Protein RBM25 Interactions in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Mahajan Aatish , Kumar Ashok , Chen Ling , Dhillon Navneet K. 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVEHyperproliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is one of the essential features of the maladaptive inward remodeling of the pulmonary arteries in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In this study, we define the mechanistic association between long-noncoding RNA: ENST00000495536 (Lnc-536) and anti-proliferative HOXB13 in mediating smooth muscle hyperplasia.METHODSAntisense oligonucleotide-based GapmeRs or plasmid overexpressing lnc-536 were used to evaluate the role of lnc-536 in mediating hyperproliferation of PDGF-treated or idiopathic PAH (IPAH) PASMCs. Further, we pulled down lnc536 to identify the proteins directly interacting with lnc536. The in-vivo role of lnc-536 was determined in Sugen-hypoxia and HIV-transgenic pulmonary hypertensive rats.RESULTSIncreased levels of lnc-536 in PDGF-treated or IPAH PASMCs promote hyperproliferative phenotype by downregulating the HOXB13 expression. Knockdown of lnc-536in-vivoprevented increased RVSP, Fulton Index, and pulmonary vascular remodeling in Sugen-Hypoxia rats. The lncRNA-536 pull-down assay demonstrated the interactions of RNA binding protein: RBM25 with SFPQ, a transcriptional regulator that has a binding motif on HOXB13 exon Further, The RNA-IP experiment using the SFPQ antibody showed direct interaction of RBM25 with SFPQ and knockdown of RBM25 resulted in increased interactions of SFPQ and HOXB13 mRNA while attenuating PASMC proliferation. Finally, we examined the role of lnc-536 and HOXB13 axis in the PASMCs exposed to the dual hit of HIV and a stimulant: cocaine as well.CONCLUSIONlnc-536 acts as a decoy for RBM25, which in turn sequesters SFPQ, leading to the decrease in HOXB13 expression and hyperproliferation of smooth muscle cells associated with PAH development.
An automated microfluidic platform for toxicity testing based onCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Wu Jiaying , Xi Jing , Zhu Zhouhai , Zhao Wei , Peng Qiyuan , Liu Chunbo , Wan Ziqian , Cao Yiyi , Chen Xiang , Luan Yang 
Published: August 2024

AbstractHumans are frequently exposed to a multitude of chemicals daily, necessitating efficient methods for rapidly assessing toxicity and potential health risks. Microfluidics has shown promise as an intelligent tool for rapid compound testing, owing to its flexibility in integrating with automated devices. The article introduces an automated microfluidic platform, based onCaenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), designed for chemical toxicity testing. This platform consists of three modules – worm culture, monitoring, and image analysis – which enable automated worm culturing, drug delivery, periodic monitoring, and automated phenotypic analysis. Researchers have designed a bridged microfluidic chip that permits worms to move freely during experiments and established an economical monitoring module for long-term tracking and periodic imaging. Furthermore, they have developed an automated image analysis algorithm to automatically determine worm bending frequency. The platform was subsequently utilized for long-term toxicological assessments of the organophosphate pesticide and environmental pollutants. Results indicated that the platform can effectively evaluate the general and developmental impacts of chemicals. The automated microfluidic worm analysis platform holds significant potential for applications in drug safety assessmentand drug screening research, contributing to human health and industry advancement.
Effects of Improved Partner Notification on the Transmission of HIV and N. Gonorrhoea Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Modelling Study
Authors: Reitsema Maarten , Wallinga Jacco , van Benthem Birgit , Op de Coul Eline , Sighem Ard van , Schim van der Loeff Maarten , Xiridou Maria 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMen who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally affected by HIV in the Netherlands. Partner Notification (PN) is an important element of controlling the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. We investigated the effects of improving PN on the transmission of HIV and N. gonorrhoeae (NG) among MSM in the Netherlands.We developed an agent-based model that describes the transmission of HIV and NG among MSM. In the baseline scenario 14.3% and 29.8% of casual and steady partners of the index case get notified and tested for HIV/STI after three weeks (percentage notified and tested, PNT). We examined the following scenarios: 1) Increase PNT to 41% for both partner types; 2) Decrease the time between index and the partners tested to one week; 3) Combine scenario 1 and 2. Effects are expressed as cumulative change from the baseline simulation over 15 years.Increasing PNT could lead to a decrease in gonorrhea cases of 45% (IQR: 39.9 – 49.9%), with an increase in number of HIV/STI tests of 4.4% (IQR: 1.6 – 7.3%), but no change in HIV infections (−5.4%; IQR: -21 – 7.9%). Decreasing time between tests could lead to a change in new NG infections of -14.2% (IQR: -17.2 – -10%), no change in HIV infections (8.2%; IQR: - 1.3 – 20%) or in number of HIV/STI tests performed (−0.4%; IQR: - 1.5 – 0.6%). Scenario 3 led to a change in NG infections of -56.8% (IQR: - 63.8 – - 47.4%), no change in HIV infections (11.5%; IQR: -11.1 – 33.9%) or in number of HIV/STI tests (− 0.5%; IQR: - 4.9 – 4.3%).Increasing the percentage of sexual partners notified and tested for HIV/STI may have only a small effect on HIV, but could reduce the number of new NG infections substantially. However, it could lead to an increase in the number of HIV/STI tests performed.Key messagesWhat is already known on this topic: Notifying recent sexual partners of people diagnosed with HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STI) can promote timely testing and early treatment, thereby reducing further transmission of STIsWhat this study adds: We quantify the effects of improving partner notification on the transmission of two STIs simultaneously.How this study might affect research, practice or policy: In our scenarios, increasing the percentage of partners who get notified and tested had a bigger impact than decreasing the time between testing the index and his partners.
Modulation of antigen delivery and lymph node activation in non-human primates by saponin adjuvant SMNP
Authors: Yousefpour Parisa , J. Zhang Yiming , Maiorino Laura , Melo Mariane B. , Arainga Ramirez Mariluz A. , Kumarapperuma Sidath C. , Xiao Peng , Silva Murillo , Li Na , Michaels Katarzyna K. , Georgeson Erik , Eskandarzadeh Saman , Kubitz Michael , Groschel Bettina , Qureshi Kashif , Fontenot Jane , Hangartner Lars , Nedellec Rebecca , Love J. Christopher , Burton Dennis R. , Schief William R. , Villinger Francois J. , Irvine Darrell J. 
Published: August 2024

SUMMARYSaponin-based vaccine adjuvants are potent in preclinical animal models and humans, but their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Here, using a stabilized HIV envelope trimer immunogen, we carried out studies in non-human primates (NHPs) comparing the most common clinical adjuvant alum with Saponin/MPLA Nanoparticles (SMNP), a novel ISCOMs-like adjuvant. SMNP elicited substantially stronger humoral immune responses than alum, including 7-fold higher peak antigen-specific germinal center B cell responses, 18-fold higher autologous neutralizing antibody titers, and higher levels of antigen-specific plasma and memory B cells. PET-CT imaging in live NHPs showed that, unlike alum, SMNP promoted rapid antigen accumulation in both proximal and distal lymph nodes (LNs). SMNP also induced strong type I interferon transcriptional signatures, expansion of innate immune cells, and increased antigen presenting cell activation in LNs. These findings indicate that SMNP promotes multiple facets of the early immune response relevant for enhanced immunity to vaccination.
High-throughput Image-based Clustering of CAR-T/Tumor Cocultures for Rapid and Facile Hit Identification
Authors: Xu Zhi , Liu Xueqi , Madden-Hennessey Kirby , Urbani Jordan , Nikkhoi Shahryar Khoshtinat , Ramasubramanian Anusuya , Venugopal Kartika G. , Zhao Qi , Smith Eric L. , Fu Yun 
Published: August 2024

AbstractChimeric antigen receptor T cell is important because of its potential to treat various diseases. As deep learning continues to advance, using unsupervised methods to classify medical images has become a significant focus because collecting high-quality labeled data for medical images is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Beyond the need for accurate labeling, there is a desire to explore the underlying characteristics of the data, even when labels may be ambiguous or uncertain. To address these challenges, we present a novel approach that combines image clustering with an insightful explanation of how these clusters are formed. Our method employs a U-net combined with a clustering algorithm to segment the dataset into different groups. After clustering, we use various techniques to interpret and elucidate the results. Moreover, our paper introduces a unique dataset focused on cell data, specifically highlighting the developmental patterns of cancer cells and T cells under various experimental conditions. This dataset offers a rich source of information and presents a complex challenge for image classification due to the diversity of conditions and cell behaviors involved. Our study thoroughly compares different architectural models on this new dataset, demonstrating the superior performance of our proposed architecture. Through experimental analysis and ablation studies, we provide substantial evidence of the benefits offered by our architecture, not only in terms of accuracy but also in its ability to reveal deeper insights into the data. This work advances the field of image classification and opens new possibilities for understanding complex biological processes through computer vision.
Global Scientific Trends in Organoids from 2004 to 2023: A Data-Driven Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis
Authors: Zhao Min , Kuang Liangju , Guo Haoxin , Cao Xindan , Dai Junshi , Wang Yupeng , Wang Zhongqing , Peng Cheng 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTo conduct a bibliometric analysis of organoids to describe international research trends and visualize current research directions. This cross-sectional bibliometric analysis examined the development of organoid research from 2004 to 2023. The current study used VOS-viewer to assess and analyze 13,174 documents. Literature data were collected on a specific date (Feb 19, 2024) and downloaded in plain text from Web of Science Core Collection. In this paper, 13,174 organoid papers were retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection. There were only 114 organoid studies in 2004, and from 2015 onward, the number of annual publications on this topic began to proliferate, reaching 10,023 from 2019 to 2023, accounting for as much as 76.1% of the total number of published papers. The United States proudly leads the way in both the volume of articles published and the number of citations garnered, standing tall as the undisputed frontrunner. Among the illustrious institutions, Harvard University and the University of Washington are among the most prolific. Hans Clevers has worked with 121 prolific authors and has the most publications. With the use of organoids in cancer modeling, drug screening, and regenerative medicine, organoid technology has attracted much attention in medicine, and the significant increase in the number of published papers and citations signifies the expanding influence and global collaboration in the field of organoid research. This study contributes to our understanding of current trends and potential future advances in the field of organoid research by identifying five distinct clusters in the field.
First-generation distance learning students: can the perceptions of social support and sense of belonging influence academic persistence?
Authors: Mtshweni Bongani V. 
Published: August 2024

PurposeFirst-generation students (FGS) experience numerous challenges during their studies because of their background attributes and lack of social capital required to navigate institutions of higher learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of perceived social support and a sense of belonging on academic persistence among FGS at a distance e-learning institution in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional quantitative research approach was employed. The sample comprised 240 undergraduate students. While multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the influence of perceived social support and sense of belonging on academic persistence, mediation analysis was used to test for the mediating effect of sense of belonging on the relationship between perceived social support and academic persistence.FindingsThe results revealed that while perceived family support, perceived friendship support and perceived support from others did not significantly predict academic persistence, a sense of belonging significantly predicted academic persistence. The results also demonstrated that a sense of belonging significantly mediated the relationship between perceived family support and academic persistence. Further, the sense of belonging significantly mediated the relationship between perceived support from others and academic persistence.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of the study imply that distance learning institutions should strengthen student support mechanisms and institute steps to create learning environments that engender belongingness to enable students to persist academically and reach their academic goals.Originality/valueThis study outlines practical strategies that distance learning institutions could use to enhance support and bolster belongingness among students to help them complete their studies.
Digital marketing and small and medium-sized enterprises’ business performance in emerging markets
Authors: Deku Wisdom Apedo , Wang Jiuhe , Preko Alexander Kofi 
Published: August 2024

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the comprehensive conceptualization how digital marketing and its adoption increase the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as the impact of technological orientation, customer relationship management and digital marketing on SMEs’ business performance in emerging markets (EMs).

Design/methodology/approach
Anchored by social network theory, 178 SMEs were conveniently drawn from the National Board for Small Scale Industries now Ghana enterprise agencies in Ghana. The hypotheses were analysed using the SPSS package tool, and structural equation modelling was used, as well.

Findings
This study reveals that the conceptualization and adoption of digital marketing positively affect the performance of SMEs’ business management in EMs. In addition, a positive moderating effect of dynamism is observed in the relationship between digital marketing and SMEs’ business performance.

Research limitations/implications
This study focuses only on SMEs from the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana as an EM, and it proposes priorities for future research streams in both developed and emerging countries.

Practical implications
The findings encourage SMEs to develop quality digital marketing technologies, good customer relationships and technological orientation and customer relationship management competencies in EMs to maximise profit.

Originality/value
This paper fills considerable knowledge, evidence and contextual gaps in the literature on SMEs, entrepreneurship and marketing in EMs by presenting a comprehensive overview of how SMEs can use digital marketing in an EM context to achieve the following: customer acquisitions, satisfaction and retention; increased profitability; quality service delivery; value creation; and cost reductions.
Does leadership humility foster salesperson creativity? The serial mediating role of job satisfaction and knowledge sharing
Authors: Fujii Makoto 
Published: August 2024

PurposeThis study clarifies the mediating effects of job satisfaction and knowledge sharing on the relationship between leadership humility and salesperson creativity. It also shows how job satisfaction mediates between leadership humility and knowledge sharing.Design/methodology/approachThis study sampled 380 salespeople in Japan’s financial sector to participate in a two-wave online survey. The partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to test the research hypotheses.FindingsThe results of the partial least squares structural equation modeling showed that the serial mediating effect of leadership humility on salesperson creativity through job satisfaction and knowledge sharing was statistically significant. The supplementary analysis showed that leadership humility had a curvilinear effect on salesperson creativity.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings were restricted to salespeople employed in Japan’s financial sector.Practical implicationsContrary to previous meta-analytic studies, the mere presence of humble leaders is insufficient to induce salesperson creativity.Originality/valueThis study is the first to deeply elucidate the underlying mechanism between leadership humility and salesperson creativity and examine the curvilinear relationship between leadership humility and salesperson creativity.
Inflated energy prices and capital structure: firm level evidence from Indian manufacturing sector
Authors: Dhanda Mamta , Dhanda Sunaina , Choudhary Bhawna 
Published: August 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of inflated energy prices on the capital structure of Indian manufacturing corporations and to investigate whether the capital structure of Indian firms is driven by demand shocks or supply shocks during the study period.

Design/methodology/approach
After conducting a thorough review of the capital structure and inflation-based research studies, panel data-based regression model and correlation matrix have been used as statistical tools for Indian manufacturing sector available with the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Prowess database.

Findings
The results suggest that variables like the presence of inflated energy prices had adversely influenced the capital structure of Indian corporations. Not only this, the study also highlights that factors pertaining to the demand shock had induced Indian corporations to have higher debt levels in the capital structure.

Practical implications
This study has laid some ground work to explore the influence of inflation on capital structure of Indian firms upon which a more detailed evaluation could be based.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first that explores the influence of inflated energy prices on the capital structure of manufacturing firms in India by using the most recent data.
Let the people decide! Citizen engagement and enfranchisement in the front end of urban development projects
Authors: Vuorinen Lauri , Lehtinen Jere , Ståhle Matias 
Published: August 2024

PurposeCitizen engagement can promote value creation in urban development projects. This potential stems from the granting of decision-making authority to citizens, labeled citizen enfranchisement in this study. Citizens are focal stakeholders of urban development projects and enfranchisement grants them an explicit say on such projects. Despite this potential for enhanced value creation, there remains limited understanding about how project organizations enfranchise stakeholders in the front end of urban development projects.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, we designed a multiple-case study to analyze two novel citizen engagement processes in Northern-European cities. In these processes, citizens were enfranchised in ideating, designing, and making selections on urban development projects. We followed a multimethod approach to data collection. The collected datasets include document data, interview data and observation data.FindingsOur findings demonstrated a distribution and redistribution of decision-making authority throughout the phases of the citizen engagement processes. Citizens’ voices were amplified throughout the project front end, although episodes of decision-making authority held by the cities took place periodically as well. By granting explicit decision-making authority to citizens, citizen enfranchisement facilitated a more democratic urban development process, promoting value creation.Originality/valueIn contrast to the earlier research, the findings of our study illustrate citizen engagement taking place at so-called higher levels of stakeholder engagement. In particular, our study reveals a granting of de facto decision-making authority to citizens, also known as citizen enfranchisement. These findings contribute to the earlier research on stakeholder engagement in projects, where the influence of stakeholder engagement has often been considered symbolic or limited.
Biodiversity preservation in German higher education institutions: existing approaches, challenges and future developments
Authors: Yerokhin Stella-Maria , Lin Feuer Yu-Shan , Sassen Remmer 
Published: August 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to explore the current stage of biodiversity preservation in higher education institutions (HEIs), using samples from German universities and investigating three different dimensions, namely, existing approaches, challenges and future developments.

Design/methodology/approach
Semistructured expert interviews were conducted with employees from 14 German Universities. To analyze the data, both deductive and inductive methods of content analysis were conducted to systematically code the results.

Findings
This research shows that efforts for biodiversity preservation are frequently made in the areas of student and staff initiatives, green space management, as well as in research and teaching. However, German HEIs face numerous hurdles such as interest conflict, lack of prioritization and financial restrictions, some of which are difficult to overcome. In the future, HEIs should seek a deeper integration of biodiversity into curricula to further raise biodiversity awareness.

Research limitations/implications
This study provides practical implications by providing good practices, which can serve as a guide for implementing measures for biodiversity preservation. By understanding the struggles and future expectations, stakeholders and policymakers could promote targeted measures and relevant policies to advance biodiversity initiatives at and beyond universities. Moreover, the research shows the importance of involving students and staff actively in the planning and executing stage for biodiversity preservation through initiatives to achieve green campuses.

Originality/value
The paper presents an essential research field which is still in its earlier stage. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study that focuses on German Universities in this context. This study adds value in providing in-depth insights into this topic to raise awareness of biodiversity preservation in both practice and research.