bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploiting a Type III Interferon Response to Improve Chemotherapeutic Safety and Efficacy
Authors: TILDEN SCOTT G , Ricco Madison H , Hemann Emily A , Anchordquy Thomas J 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Immune reactions to nanomedicines can be detrimental to the patient and compromise efficacy. However, our recent study characterizing the effects of a type III interferon (IFN-λ) response to lipid nanoparticles complexed with nucleic acids (lipoplexes) suggests that an IFN-λ pretreatment can increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutic nanomedicines. In this study we sought to clarify which cell type(s) are capable of producing IFN-λ in response to lipoplexes and how the effects of IFN-λ are propagated. Additionally, we demonstrate that an IFN-λ pretreatment is also capable of altering the accumulation profile of small molecules like doxorubicin. Finally, we assessed different administration routes for an IFN-λ pretreatment and showed the ability of this pretreatment to significantly increase the survival time of mice receiving Doxil® in a murine CT26 tumor model. With several chemotherapeutic nanomedicines available in the clinic and an IFN-λ product recently completing late phase clinical trials, this study provides the model for a novel anti-cancer treatment regime that can be rapidly translated to the clinic and improve the efficacy of contemporary treatment protocols.
Evaluation of the effects of retro-cavity preconditioning with or without ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on root surface pH and dislodgement resistance of NeoMTA2 and MTA Flow retro-fills; an ex vivo investigation
Authors: Khedmat Sedigheh , Assadian Hadi , Abaee Seyyed Ali 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of retro-cavity preconditioning with or without 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution on root surface pH as well as dislodgement resistance of NeoMTA2 and MTA Flow retro-fills.
Methods
Forty-eight single-rooted human incisors were selected. After completion of endodontic treatment, root-end resections were done and retro-cavities prepared. The samples were randomly divided into two groups of A and B (n = 24 each). In group A, retro-cavities were pre-conditioned with 2.5% NaOCl, followed by 17% EDTA solution, whereas in group B, pre-conditioning was done using 2.5% NaOCl before final irrigation with normal saline. Samples in each group were randomly subdivided into two subgroups of 1 and 2. Retro-fillings in A1 and B1 subgroups were done with MTA Flow and in A2 and B2 subgroups with NeoMTA2. Root surface pH was measured in each sample at three different stages; before preparation of retro-cavities (pH0), after retro-cavity pre-conditioning (pH1), and three days after retro-filling (pH2). Subsequently, pushout bond strength (PBS) of the retro-filling materials was measured by a universal testing machine and their failure modes visualized under 64x magnification.
Results
Preconditioning with EDTA caused a significant increase in PBS for both materials (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between average bond strength of MTA Flow and Neo MTA2 (p = 0.271). There was an increase in average pH2 compared to pH1 and pH0 in all groups (p < 0.001). Use of EDTA resulted in a significant increase in average pH2 in MTA Flow compared to Neo MTA2 (p = 0.027). Groups preconditioned with EDTA more frequently indicated a cohesive failure mode.
Conclusion
Use of EDTA significantly increased pushout bond strength of retro-fill materials to dentin. However, it did not prevent ultimate alkalinity of retro-filled cavities.
Game Theory based Incentive Mechanism Design and Analysis for the Public EVONChain
Authors: Li Jing , Xie Tao , Liu Yiwei 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Incentive mechanisms serve as the driving force behind blockchain operations, bearing significant implications for the practical applications of blockchain technology. However, existing incentive mechanisms predominantly focus on incentivization from a monetary perspective, with minimal incorporation of punitive measures, thus exhibiting limited efficacy in regulating system entities. Furthermore, the assurance of providing adequate incentives for the full nodes of the system cannot be guaranteed, potentially resulting in node attrition and posing threats to blockchain security. In this paper, we propose EVONIncentive, a hybrid incentive scheme based on game theory for the bi-tiered public blockchain called EVONChain. It adopts a hybrid incentive form of monetary and reputation, introducing fee selection mechanisms, compensation mechanisms, and supervisory penalty mechanisms to ensure the sustainability, fairness, and security of the Blockchain system. Two Stackelberg dynamic game models are constructed based on different issues, and through algorithm design and mathematical derivation, the optimal incentive allocation is obtained. Finally, through numerical simulation experiments, the specific values of relevant parameters such as mining rewards, transaction fee, and compensation are determined. A comparative experiment with the Ethereum 1.0 incentive mechanism is implemented. The results show that EVONIncentive has significant advantages over Ethereum 1.0 incentive mechanism in terms of system social welfare, user income gap, and fairness.
Transcriptome profiling reveals that differences in regulatory patterns of gonad development between male and female largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) contribute to dimorphic weight gain
Authors: Wang Qingchun , Lu Siqi , Hua Jixiang , Li Yan , Tao Yifan , Jiang Bingjie , Dong Yalun , Duan Xuejun , Qiang Jun 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a sexually dimorphic oviparous species with a significant disparity in gonad size between males and females. Analyzing the mechanism of gonad development is crucial for studying individual growth and development in largemouth bass.
Methods
In this study, histological analyses, transcriptome sequencing, and fluorescent in situ hybridization analyses were employed to examine the disparities in gonad development between male and female largemouth bass.
Results
The results indicated a significantly higher growth rate of females than of males, with the ovaries exhibiting greater fullness than the testes. The weight of the mature ovaries was four to five times that of the testes. High transcript levels of acsl5, cidec, lrp13, and elovl1a in the ovary were related to the accumulation of lipid droplets and yolk particles in oocytes. Among the genes with high transcript levels in the ovary, gdf9, ccnb1, ldlrap1a, srd5a1, hsd17b12a, and lfng encoded proteins involved in the regulation of follicle development, oocyte proliferation and differentiation, and steroid hormone synthesis to promote ovarian development. Some of the genes showing high transcript levels in the testes (tekt1, mns1, lrguk, spag6, spef2, and nme5) were implicated in flagella formation, and tdrd5 and star were involved in sperm development. Some of the identified sex-determining genes also exerted significant influences on gonad development. The gene dmrt1, which was specific expressed in spermatogonia, likely plays a crucial role in cell proliferation, whereas btg4, which was specific expressed in the cytoplasm of female oocytes, may participate in regulating meiosis and facilitating oocyte cytoplasm maturation.
Conclusions
There was an enhancement in the biosynthesis of lipid droplets and yolk granules in oocytes, increasing oocytes cell growth and proliferation. As well as a significant number of genes concentrated on the formation of sperm flagella and other structures. Differences in gene expression led to an increase in the difference in volume between spermatogonia and oocytes during their respective maturation processes, resulting in a significant disparity in both size and weight between the testes and the ovaries. Our findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying gonad development of largemouth bass.
Deciphering Glutamine Metabolism Patterns for Malignancy and Tumor Microenvironment in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wu Gengrun , Ye Shiqi , Zhou Siqi , Chen Yuanbiao , Tian Xi , Anwaier Aihetaimujiang , Su Jiaqi , Zhu Shuxuan , Xu Wenhao , Zhang Hailiang , Ye Dingwei 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) represents a prevalent primary malignancy of the urinary system. Glutamine metabolism is pivotal in metabolic reprogramming, contributing to the significant heterogeneity observed in ccRCC. Consequently, developing prognostic markers associated with glutamine metabolism could enhance personalized treatment strategies for ccRCC patients. This study obtained RNA sequencing and clinical data from 763 ccRCC cases sourced from multiple databases. Consensus clustering of 74 GMRGs (glutamine metabolism related genes) profiles stratified the samples into three clusters, each exhibiting distinct prognostic, genomic, tumor microenvironment (TME), and fundamental biological characteristics. Subsequently, six genes (SMTNL2, MIOX, TMEM27, SLC16A12, HRH2, and SAA1) were identified to develop a predictive signature related to glutamine metabolism, termed GMRScore, employing least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Cox regression analyses. The novel signature was demonstrated exceptional robustness and predictive capability regarding patients' overall survival. The constructed nomogram incorporating the GMRScore and clinical features showed strong predictive performance. Additionally, patients stratified by GMRScore exhibited distinct immunological features and response to immunotherapy. Furthermore, we validated the reliability of the GMRScore in two external clinical cohort receiving immune checkpoint blockade (n=302). ALDH18A1, one of the GRMGs, exhibited elevated protein expression levels in tumor tissues, as indicated by proteomic profiling of 232 ccRCC samples obtained from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Conducting western blotting, CCK-8, transwell, and flow cytometry assays, we revealed that the knockdown of ALDH18A1 in ccRCC significantly promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration in two human ccRCC cell lines (786-O and 769-P). In conclusion, we developed a GMRScore for ccRCC closely associated with the immune landscape and response to ICB, potentially made for personalized treatment decisions for ccRCC patients. Additionally, this study is the first to suggest a role for ALDH18A1 in promoting progression in ccRCC.
A Comparative Analysis of Two Double-Plate Fixation Techniques for Supra and Intercondylar Fractures of the Distal Humerus
Authors: Bahroun Sami , GRAMI Hamdi , KACEM Mohamed Samih , ALOUI Alaa , JLALIA Zied , DAGHFOUS Mohamed Samir 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with intercondylar humerus fractures treated with orthogonal and parallel plating methods using precontoured plates. It was a retrospective comparative study conducted on 50 adult patients with supra and intercondylar humerus fractures treated surgically over an eleven-year period. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A underwent internal fixation using parallel plating while Group B received orthogonal plating. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and radiographic assessments included time to consolidation, pseudoarthrosis, malunion and hardware removal. Both groups exhibited similar demographic and preoperative characteristics. Functional outcomes assessed by MEPS showed no significant difference between the groups. Radiographically, comparable healing times and rates of complications were observed including pseudoarthrosis, malunion and hardware removal. The study findings suggest that both orthogonal and parallel plating methods yield comparable clinical and radiographic outcomes in the treatment of intercondylar humerus fractures. These results underscore the effectiveness of both techniques and emphasize the importance of further research to elucidate the optimal plating method for specific fracture patterns.
Comprehensive Exploration of Facial Emotion Recognition using Conventional Machine Learning and Transfer learning Models
Authors: Saravanan C , Poonkodi M , Sankar Prem 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Facial emotion recognition plays a vital role in enhancing human-computer interaction by allowing machines to perceive and react to human emotions. This paper conducts an in-depth exploration of various methodologies employed for recognizing facial emotions, emphasizing both traditional machine learning techniques and contemporary transfer learning models. We delve into a variety of algorithms such as support vector machines, and sophisticated neural networks like ResNet, EfficientNet, and MobileNet, assessing their efficacy using the standard MUG Facial Expression dataset. These models are tested to discern complex patterns in facial expressions, vital for accurate emotion detection. Our extensive analysis sheds light on the capabilities and constraints of each approach, providing valuable insights that pave the way for further research and practical deployments in this dynamic field. This comprehensive review aims to guide future advancements and enhance the practicality of facial emotion recognition systems.
A molecular dynamics study of the effects of silane and cellulose nanocrystals at a glass fiber and epoxy interphase
Authors: Haque Ejaz , Kalaitzidou Kyriaki , Wu Xiawa 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Due to commonly observed adhesive fracture, the interphase regions between fibers and matrix have often been considered a critical design factor in polymer matrix composites. This study uses molecular dynamics simulation to explore the effects of two modifications at a glass fiber and epoxy interphase by adding a silane sizing and a cellulose nanocrystal particle. Based on the interphase density profile, the silane coating and the cellulose nanocrystal increase the interphase thickness and create an interpenetration region with the epoxy matrix. The results of shear deformation show that the main effect of the silane coating is to enhance the shear modulus and strength at the interphase and change the failure mode from adhesive to cohesive fracture. In addition, adding a rigid cellulose nanocrystal increases the interphase stiffness regardless of the silane environment, and it causes a similar transition to cohesive fracture when silane is absent. A trajectory analysis shows that the cellulose nanocrystal particle is physically absorbed on the glass fiber surface without silane, and it is physically confined in a region between silane and epoxy when silane is added. Overall, a cellulose nanocrystal particle increases the surface roughness at a glass fiber surface, leading to an improved shear modulus at the interphase of a glass fiber and epoxy composite.
Interpillar distance effect in a two-step microneedle DRIE process and its transfer to polymeric microneedles
Authors: Chávez-Urbiola Iker Rodrigo , Ponce-Hernández Juan , León-Muñoz Gilberto , Cruz-Zabalegui Alexis , Fernandez-Benavides David , Alcantar-Peña Jesús Javier , Martínez-Sanmiguel Juan José , Díaz-Alonso Daniela , Alvarado-Muñoz Estephanny Jocelyn 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This work presents the effect of interpillar distance in a two-step DRIE process for microneedles fabrication. The two-step DRIE process consists of a pillar creation followed by the pillar etching till turning it into a needle. The effect was carried out in a dumbell-well pattern. The employed dumbell-well pattern was adjusted to produce 650 µm microneedle height. The microneedle density was fixed at 657 / cm2, and the interpillar distance was increased by reducing the pillar area. At a short interpillar distance, 25 µm, the etching rate is higher on the surface; for a wider distance, 75–100 µm, the etching produces triangular needles. At an interpillar distance of 200 µm or greater, the pillar etch rate becomes uniform along the microneedle height, producing a thin, sharp micropillar. The obtained silicon microneedles were employed to fabricate polymeric microneedles via micro-molding. The polymeric microneedles obtained by micro-molding showed the exact geometry of the original one. The obtained polymeric microneedles showed the capacity to penetrate the skin with a 0.5 N.
Research on Chinese named entity recognition based on feature fusion
Authors: Lin Li , Mao Xinguang , Zhang Lin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Its core goal is to extract entities with specific meanings from text, and classify and label them. Recognizing entities in text can provide support for downstream tasks such as knowledge graphs, machine translation, and question answering systems, and therefore has important practical significance and research value. At present, the deep learning technology is used to classify Chinese names, and a satisfactory result is obtained. However, due to the characteristics and complexity of Chinese semantics, the current entity recognition methods of Chinese names still have some problems, such as the entity boundary is difficult to be divided, the structure is flexible, and the entity is easy to be confused. This project intends to start with the extraction of multi-source information of Chinese name entities, build semantic information based on multi-source semantic information, and build a semantic entity model based on feature fusion. Therefore, this paper proposes a method of Chinese name ontology recognition based on semantic analysis. Based on this, this paper conducts research on Chinese named entity recognition technology that uses multiple features for semantic enhancement. First, the research background and current situation of named entity recognition are analyzed and the various basic neural networks widely used in Chinese named entity recognition algorithms and the basic structure of mainstream models are introduced. Secondly, the entity boundaries faced by current Chinese named entity recognition are difficult to divide., flexible word formation, entity ambiguity and other difficulties, two Chinese named entity recognition models based on external semantic information enhancement are proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the Chinese named entity recognition task and further improve the three different models of MSRA, Resume and Weibo.
One city to rule them all? The production of copper in Enkomi, Cyprus: the evidence from the metallurgical ceramic assemblage
Authors: Ioannides Demetrios , Kassianidou Vasiliki , Papasavvas George 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The socio-political organisation of Cyprus during the Late Bronze Age (LBA) is still an active field of scholarly debate. In the second half of the 2nd mil. BCE, the prevailing interpretations favour either a unified or a decentralised administration model on the island. Enkomi is listed as one of the most important Late Cypriot (LC) sites in both models. The rise of this urban centre can be largely attributed to the control of copper production during the LC period. The results of the chemical and microstructural analysis of the archaeometallurgical ceramic assemblage from the copper workshops in Area III at Enkomi are presented here. Our research revealed that the ceramics were exclusively used for copper-based secondary metallurgical activities. This ground-breaking project, the first in Cypriot archaeometallurgy to focus solely on technical ceramics, adds significant new knowledge to the reconstruction of the copper production organisation and Enkomi’s standing among the LC polities. Furthermore, these new findings pave the way for the development of a comparative analysis of the various stages of the copper production sequence in Cyprus as reflected in metallurgical ceramic assemblages.
Synergistic effect of repurposed mitomycin C in combination with antibiotics against Aeromonas infection: in vitro and in vivo studies.
Authors: Yeh Cheng-Fa , Chen Chi-Chung , Lai Chih-Cheng , Liu Jin-Wei , Tang Hung-Jen , Su Wen-Pin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Aeromonas infections pose a significant threat, presenting a potentially life-threatening condition associated with high mortality rates. This study investigates the potential of mitomycin C (MMC), an anticancer drug, as a novel antimicrobial agent against Aeromonas infections.
Methods
The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of MMC and antibiotics against clinical isolates of Aeromonas species were assessed, using broth microdilution. Synergistic effects of MMC with antibiotics were assessed through time-kill studies. Additionally, we analyzed MMC's intracellular killing effects using a representative Aeromonas isolate. Efficacy of combined therapies was evaluated in neutropenic mice model.
Results
We found that only three antibiotics-ciprofloxacin (CIP), levofloxacin (LVX), and tigecycline (TGC) maintained susceptibility rates exceeding 90% under high inoculum conditions. Significantly, in vitro investigations demonstrated a synergistic effect over a 24-hour period when combining the 1/8x MIC of MMC with the 1x or 1/2x MICs of LVX, in a time–kill study. Furthermore, in vivo in neutropenic mice, the combination of 2 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg MMC with LVX resulted in 100% and 80% survival, respectively, whereas treatment with either drug alone resulted in 0% survival rate.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that MMC can be repurposed as an antimicrobial agent, particularly with a minimized dose and in combination with antibiotics.
Benchmarking germline variant calling performance of a GPU-accelerated tool on whole-genome sequencing datasets
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhang Qian , Ai Fandi , Bu Fengxiao , Yuan Huijun 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Rapid advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) have enabled ultralarge population and cohort studies to identify DNA variants that may impact gene function. Efficient bioinformatics tools, such as read alignment and variant calling, are essential for processing massive amounts of sequencing data. To increase the analysis speed, multiple software and hardware acceleration strategies have been developed. This study comprehensively evaluated germline variant calling via the GPU-based acceleration tool BaseNumber using WGS datasets from various sources. These included standard whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from the Genome in a Bottle (GIAB) and the Golden Standard of China Genome (GSCG) projects, resequenced GSCG samples, and 100 in-house samples from the Genome Sequencing of Rare Diseases (GSRD) project. The variant calling outputs were compared to the reference and the results generated by the Burrows-Wheeler Aligner (BWA) and Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) pipeline.
Results
BaseNumber demonstrated high precision (99.32%) and recall (99.86%) rates in variant calls compared to the standard reference. The output comparison between the BaseNumber and GATK pipelines yielded nearly identical results, with a mean F1 score of 99.69%. Additionally, BaseNumber took 23 minutes on average to analyze a 48X WGS sample, which was 215.33 times faster than the GATK workflow.
Conclusions
The GPU-based BaseNumber provides a highly accurate and ultrafast variant calling capability, significantly improving WGS analysis efficiency and facilitating time-sensitive tests, such as clinical WGS genetic diagnosis. This study also sheds light on the GPU-based acceleration of other omics data analyses.