bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amentoflavone reverses epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting p53 signalling pathway axis
Authors: Jian Hui‐Ying , Zhang Jing‐Ting , Liu Zhuo , Zhang Zhen , Zeng Pu‐Hua 
Published: June 2024

AbstractEpithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reversal process are important potential mechanisms in the development of HCC. Selaginella doederleinii Hieron is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of various tumours and Amentoflavone is its main active ingredient. This study investigates the mechanism of action of Amentoflavone on EMT in hepatocellular carcinoma from the perspective of bioinformatics and network pharmacology. Bioinformatics was used to screen Amentoflavone‐regulated EMT genes that are closely related to the prognosis of HCC, and a molecular prediction model was established to assess the prognosis of HCC. The network pharmacology was used to predict the pathway axis regulated by Amentoflavone. Molecular docking of Amentoflavone with corresponding targets was performed. Detection and evaluation of the effects of Amentoflavone on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis by CCK‐8 kit, wound healing assay, Transwell assay and annexin V‐FITC/propidium iodide staining. Eventually three core genes were screened, inculding NR1I2, CDK1 and CHEK1. A total of 590 GO enrichment entries were obtained, and five enrichment results were obtained by KEGG pathway analysis. Genes were mainly enriched in the p53 signalling pathway. The outcomes derived from both the wound healing assay and Transwell assay demonstrated significant inhibition of migration and invasion in HCC cells upon exposure to different concentrations of Amentoflavone. The results of Annexin V‐FITC/PI staining assay showed that different concentrations of Amentoflavone induces apoptosis in HCC cells. This study revealed that the mechanism of Amentoflavone reverses EMT in hepatocellular carcinoma, possibly by inhibiting the expression of core genes and blocking the p53 signalling pathway axis to inhibit the migration and invasion of HCC cells.
MST1 knockdown inhibits osteoarthritis progression through Parkin‐mediated mitophagy and Nrf2/NF‐κB signalling pathway
Authors: Ye Hantao , Cai Tingwen , Shen Yang , Zhao Lin , Zhang Haojie , Yang Jianxin , Li Feida , Chen Jiaoxiang , Shui Xiaolong 
Published: June 2024

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a complicated disease that involves apoptosis and mitophagy. MST1 is a pro‐apoptotic factor. Hence, decreasing its expression plays an anti‐apoptotic effect. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of MST1 inhibition on OA and the underlying processes. Immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect MST1 expression in cartilage tissue. Western Blot, ELISA and IF were used to analyse the expression of inflammation, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, apoptosis and mitophagy‐associated proteins. MST1 expression in chondrocytes was inhibited using siRNA and shRNA in vitro and in vivo. Haematoxylin–Eosin, Safranin O‐Fast Green and alcian blue staining were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of inhibiting MST1. This study discovered that the expression of MST1 was higher in OA patients. Inhibition of MST1 reduced inflammation, ECM degradation and apoptosis and enhanced mitophagy in vitro. MST1 inhibition slows OA progression in vivo. Inhibiting MST1 suppressed apoptosis, inflammation and ECM degradation via promoting Parkin‐mediated mitophagy and the Nrf2‐NF‐κB axis. The results suggest that MST1 is a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of osteoarthritis as its inhibition delays the progression of OA through the Nrf2‐NF‐κB axis and mitophagy.
Assessment in community settings: Is there any role for individual competency‐based assessment?
Authors: Kleve Sue , Palermo Claire , Davidson Zoe E. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundOral forms of assessment remain a common part of competency‐based assessment systems, yet their feasibility is being challenged. The focus on individual competence is problematic given the need to prepare health professionals for teamwork. The present study aimed to investigate how the assessment of collective competence compares to individual assessment, and to explore whether there is a need for individual assessment at all in community or population‐based practice.MethodsA behavioural‐based interview assessment was developed and trialled and correlated to performance as a team on placement. Correlation between student performance on individual behavioural‐based interview and teamwork artefacts was assessed using Spearman rho. Differences between performance on individual oral assessment and team performance on artefacts at the cohort level was determined using the Mann–Whitney U‐test. Bland–Altman analysis was completed to analyse agreement between performance on the individual oral assessment and team performance at the student level.ResultsStudents were final year nutrition and dietetics students from 2020, 2021 and 2022 years (total sample = 216) from one Australian university. There was a difference in performance between assessment types in each year and as a total cohort (p < 0.001) with students performing better in teamwork. There was no correlation between individual oral interview and team performance across all years. The results of the Bland–Altman analysis showed little agreement between the two assessment tasks.ConclusionsAssessment of teamwork performance as part of a program of assessment is essential. More valid and reliable tools are needed to assess collective competence.
Comparison of dietary inflammatory index and total antioxidant capacities of familial Mediterranean fever and healthy adolescents
Authors: Ozkan Nilufer , Sahin Habibe , Kısaarslan Aysenur Pac , Saracoglu Hatice 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlthough it is known that consumed nutrition affects inflammatory load, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is affected by inflammatory diseases and consumed nutrients, these conditions have not been adequately investigated in adolescents with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the dietary inflammatory index (DII), TAC and total oxidant capacity (TOC) of adolescents with FMF and healthy adolescents.MethodsThis case‐controlled study consisted of 180 adolescents (aged 10–19) divided into FMF (n = 135) and control (n = 45 healthy) groups. Study data were collected face‐to‐face using a survey on demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical biomarkers and 3‐day dietary recall to calculate DII scores.ResultsFMF group had lower DII score than controls (2.12 ± 0.78 vs. 2.33 ± 1.06, p < 0.05). In addition, they had higher C‐reactive protein (CRP), TOC (p < 0.05) and oxidative stress index (OSI) (p = 0.51) than the control group. On the contrary, the control group had significantly higher tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) values (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between DII scores and TNF‐α in the FMF group (p < 0.05). The control group had significantly higher energy, protein, medium‐chain fatty acids (MCT) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) intake than FMF (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the FMF group had significantly higher vitamin A and D, niacin and zinc intake (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe results showed that adolescents with FMF had lower DII and higher OSI than healthy adolescents. It may be beneficial for adolescents with FMF to consume a diet containing anti‐inflammatory nutrients to maintain normal growth and development and to prevent symptoms and complications of the disease.
Re‐partnering and single mothers' mental health and life satisfaction trajectories
Authors: Dierker Philipp , Kühn Mine , Myrskylä Mikko 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study examines single mothers' mental health and life satisfaction trajectories around re‐partnering transitions, and the driving factors of these associations.BackgroundSingle mothers are a particularly disadvantaged group in terms of their mental health and life satisfaction. According to the resource model, re‐partnering has a positive effect on these outcomes because it provides additional social, emotional, and financial resources. In contrast, the crisis model suggests that when a mother re‐partners, her mental health and life satisfaction further decline because re‐partnering can trigger conflicts in the family.MethodUsing long‐term annual panel data from Germany and the United Kingdom, fixed‐effects regressions reveal effects among 1101 single mothers from Germany and 549 from the UK.ResultsLife satisfaction was positively affected by re‐partnering in Germany, mainly driven by income‐related factors. The positive association in the UK was less strong. Patterns of mental health trajectories indicate clearer differences between the two countries: based on point estimates, we observed an increasing trajectory in Germany and a declining trajectory in the UK after the re‐partnering transition. There were no significant mental health patterns observed in either country.ConclusionThe findings suggest varying associations between well‐being and re‐partnering. Positive trends for life satisfaction in Germany and partially in the UK highlight the importance of financial resources. However, less clear patterns were observed for mental health, revealing differences between countries and underscoring the role of family policies.
Multiple hybridization events and repeated evolution of homoeologue expression bias in parthenogenetic, polyploid New Zealand stick insects
Authors: Choi Seung‐Sub , Mc Cartney Ann , Park Duckchul , Roberts Hester , Brav‐Cubitt Talia , Mitchell Caroline , Buckley Thomas R. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDuring hybrid speciation, homoeologues combine in a single genome. Homoeologue expression bias (HEB) occurs when one homoeologue has higher gene expression than another. HEB has been well characterized in plants but rarely investigated in animals, especially invertebrates. Consequently, we have little idea as to the role that HEB plays in allopolyploid invertebrate genomes. If HEB is constrained by features of the parental genomes, then we predict repeated evolution of similar HEB patterns among hybrid genomes formed from the same parental lineages. To address this, we reconstructed the history of hybridization between the New Zealand stick insect genera Acanthoxyla and Clitarchus using a high‐quality genome assembly from Clitarchus hookeri to call variants and phase alleles. These analyses revealed the formation of three independent diploid and triploid hybrid lineages between these genera. RNA sequencing revealed a similar magnitude and direction of HEB among these hybrid lineages, and we observed that many enriched functions and pathways were also shared among lineages, consistent with repeated evolution due to parental genome constraints. In most hybrid lineages, a slight majority of the genes involved in mitochondrial function showed HEB towards the maternal homoeologues, consistent with only weak effects of mitonuclear incompatibility. We also observed a proteasome functional enrichment in most lineages and hypothesize this may result from the need to maintain proteostasis in hybrid genomes. Reference bias was a pervasive problem, and we caution against relying on HEB estimates from a single parental reference genome.
Information apocalypse or overblown fears—whatAImis‐ and disinformation is all about? Shifting away from technology toward human reactions
Authors: Łabuz Mateusz , Nehring Christopher 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has ignited a debate about its effects on the mis‐ and disinformation landscape. The doomsday scenarios of epistemic and information apocalypse presented for many years are recently being questioned, and the previous fears are called “overblown.” These phenomena are analyzed mostly through the factors of quantity and quality of AI‐powered content and the potential for personalization possessed by AI. We argue that using quantitative arguments carries a high risk of underestimating the threat, especially in the context of the so‐called detection challenge. We point out that this discourse is affected by the narrow conceptualization of how we understand quantity, quality, and personalization with regard to AI. In our opinion, apocalyptic visions are speculative in nature, difficult to quantify, and carry signs of a self‐fulfilling prophecy, but disregarding risks hinders appropriate countermeasures against AI‐powered dis‐ and misinformation, which adversely affects policy‐making activities. We propose a paradigm shift to focus more on social reactions to technology rather than technological attributes. By expanding the understanding of the analyzed phenomena, we indicate that the potential of AI is both overestimated and underestimated and above all—still misunderstood.Related ArticlesNorman, Emma R., and Rafael Delfin. 2012. “Wizards under Uncertainty: Cognitive Biases, Threat Assessment, and Misjudgments in Policy Making.”Politics & Policy40(3): 369–402.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2012.00356.x.Robles, Pedro, and Daniel J. Mallinson. 2023. “Catching Up with AI: Pushing Toward a Cohesive Governance Framework.”Politics & Policy51(3): 355–72.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12529.Veloso Meireles, Adriana. 2024. “Digital Rights in Perspective: The Evolution of the Debate in the Internet Governance Forum.”Politics & Policy52(1): 12–32.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12571.
Demographic change threat, preference for nondemocratic governance, and support for political violence
Authors: Piazza James A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study examines whether white Americans who fear projected demographic trends leading to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States, an attitude labeled demographic change threat, also exhibit greater support for the use of political violence. The study also examines whether preference for nondemocratic governance among whites mediates the relationship between demographic change threat and support for political violence.MethodsThe study uses two original public opinion surveys of U.S. whites fielded at separate times and employs two different operationalizations of support for political violence: support for political violence in the abstract and support for specific incidents of political violence. The study also uses mediation analysis to determine the mediation effects of preference for nondemocratic governance.ResultsThe findings reveal that U.S. whites exhibiting demographic change threat are substantially more likely to express support for all forms of political violence. Preference for nondemocratic governance is also found to be a significant and substantial mediator between demographic change threat and support for political violence.ConclusionThe study concludes that demographic change threat is an important factor for support for political violence among U.S. whites by driving anti‐democratic attitudes.
Shaking the tin cup: Celebrity candidate fundraising in American elections
Authors: Longoria Richard T. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe literature on celebrity politics often asserts that celebrity politicians are good at fundraising. They are wealthy people in wealthy social networks, and this should give them a fundraising advantage compared to their noncelebrity opponents. Yet, this hypothesis has never been tested.MethodFundraising data from 1964 to 2022 was collected from multiple sources.ResultsThis study finds that celebrity candidates are typically not able to out‐fundraise their opponents. Yet they perform remarkably well despite this disadvantage.ConclusionsCelebrities tend to win elections when they raise more money than their opponents, run in open‐seat contests or local elections. They tend to lose elections when they lose the fundraising battle, challenge incumbents, or seek federal offices.
Rigidity of inverse problems for nonlinear elliptic equations on manifolds
Authors: Feizmohammadi Ali , Kian Yavar , Oksanen Lauri 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWe consider the inverse problem of determining coefficients appearing in semilinear elliptic equations stated on Riemannian manifolds with boundary given the knowledge of the associated Dirichlet‐to‐Neumann map. We begin with a negative answer to this problem. Owing to this obstruction, we consider a new formulation of our inverse problem in terms of a rigidity problem. Precisely, we consider cases where the Dirichlet‐to‐Neumann map of a semilinear equation coincides with the one of a linear equation and ask whether this implies that the equation must indeed be linear. We give a positive answer to this rigidity problem under some assumptions imposed on the Riemannian manifold and the semilinear term under consideration.
Determining tissue distribution of the oral antileishmanial agent miltefosine: a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling approach
Authors: Ramisetty Bhargavi Srija , Yang Sihyung , Dorlo Thomas P. C. , Wang Michael Zhuo 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Miltefosine (MTS) is the only approved oral drug for treating leishmaniasis caused by intracellular
Leishmania
parasites that localize in macrophages of the liver, spleen, skin, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. MTS is extensively distributed in tissues and has prolonged elimination half-lives due to its high plasma protein binding, slow metabolic clearance, and minimal urinary excretion. Thus, understanding and predicting the tissue distribution of MTS help assess therapeutic and toxicologic outcomes of MTS, especially in special populations, e.g., pediatrics. In this study, a whole-body physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of MTS was built on mice and extrapolated to rats and humans. MTS plasma and tissue concentration data obtained by intravenous and oral administration to mice were fitted simultaneously to estimate model parameters. The resulting high tissue-to-plasma partition coefficient values corroborate extensive distribution in all major organs except the bone marrow. Sensitivity analysis suggests that plasma exposure is most susceptible to changes in fraction unbound in plasma. The murine oral-PBPK model was further validated by assessing overlay of simulations with plasma and tissue profiles obtained from an independent study. Subsequently, the murine PBPK model was extrapolated to rats and humans based on species-specific physiological and drug-related parameters, as well as allometrically scaled parameters. Fold errors for pharmacokinetic parameters were within acceptable range in both extrapolated models, except for a slight underprediction in the human plasma exposure. These animal and human PBPK models are expected to provide reliable estimates of MTS tissue distribution and assist dose regimen optimization in special populations.
Catching some air: a method to spatially quantify aerial triazole resistance in
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Kortenbosch Hylke H. , van Leuven Fabienne , van den Heuvel Cathy , Schoustra Sijmen E. , Zwaan Bas J. , Snelders Eveline 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Airborne triazole-resistant spores of the human fungal pathogen
Aspergillus fumigatus
are a significant human health problem as the agricultural use of triazoles has been selecting for cross-resistance to life-saving clinical triazoles. However, how to quantify exposure to airborne triazole-resistant spores remains unclear. Here, we describe a method for cost-effective wide-scale outdoor air sampling to measure both spore abundance as well as antifungal resistance fractions. We show that prolonged outdoor exposure of sticky seals placed in delta traps, when combined with a two-layered cultivation approach, can regionally yield sufficient colony-forming units (CFUs) for the quantitative assessment of aerial resistance levels at a spatial scale that was up to now unfeasible. When testing our method in a European pilot sampling 12 regions, we demonstrate that there are significant regional differences in airborne CFU numbers, and the triazole-resistant fraction of airborne spores is widespread and varies between 0 and 0.1 for itraconazole (∼4 mg/L) and voriconazole (∼2 mg/L). Our efficient and accessible air sampling protocol opens up extensive options for fine-scale spatial sampling and surveillance studies of airborne
A. fumigatus.

IMPORTANCE

Aspergillus fumigatus
is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that humans and other animals are primarily exposed to through inhalation. Due to the limited availability of antifungals, resistance to the first choice class of antifungals, the triazoles, in
A. fumigatus
can make infections by this fungus untreatable and uncurable. Here, we describe and validate a method that allows for the quantification of airborne resistance fractions and quick genotyping of
A. fumigatus
TR-types. Our pilot study provides proof of concept of the suitability of the method for use by citizen-scientists for large-scale spatial air sampling. Spatial air sampling can open up extensive options for surveillance, health-risk assessment, and the study of landscape-level ecology of
A. fumigatus
, as well as investigating the environmental drivers of triazole resistance.
“Tear down that wall”—a critical evaluation of bioinformatic resources available for lysin researchers
Authors: Bałdysz Sophia , Nawrot Robert , Barylski Jakub 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

Lytic enzymes, or lysins for short, break down peptidoglycan and interrupt the continuity of the cell wall, which, in turn, causes osmotic lysis of the bacterium. Their ability to destroy bacteria from within makes them promising antimicrobial agents that can be used as alternatives or supplements to antibiotics. In this paper, we briefly summarize basic terms and concepts used to describe lysin sequences and delineate major lysin groups. More importantly, we describe the domain repertoire found in lysins and critically review bioinformatic tools or databases which are used in studies of these enzymes (with particular emphasis on the repositories of Hidden Markov models). Finally, we present a novel comprehensive, meticulously curated set of lysin-related family and domain models, sort them into clusters that reflect major families, and demonstrate that the selected models can be used to efficiently search for new lysins.