bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dissecting microRNA-regulated networks in hepatocellular carcinoma cell subtypes with different mutational profiles: Evidence from in vitro and in silico studies
Authors: Karunakara Shreyas Hulusemane , Bhat Vijayalakshmi , Moorthy Manju , Ramaswamy Gopalakrishna , Kabekkodu Shama Prasada , SannappaGowda Nirmala Gollarahalli , Shiragannavar Varsha Dilip , Kumar Divya Prasanna , Prashant Akila , Vishwanath Prashant M , Santhekadur Prasanna Kumar 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a carcinoma of epithelial origin. While there are several factors, specific genetic and epigenetic landscapes define the initiation and progression of HCC. Genetic mutations, particularly missense mutations, often act as predictors of the onset of cancers, including HCC. Specifically, mutations associated with telomerase, TP53, and beta-catenin (CTNNB1) are among the three most commonly mutated genes in HCC. These genetic mutations define specific subtypes of HCC, exhibiting specific epigenetic expression patterns in terms of miRNA expression and the interactome. In our current study, we performed a differential expression analysis of multiple miRNAs among three different cell lines, HepG2, Huh7, and QGY7703, which exhibit different mutational patterns. This is the first study to characterize HCC cell lines based on miRNA expressions. We also identified the enriched pathways associated with the significantly differentially expressed miRNAs, bioinformatically predicted their targets, and characterized the interactomes. Additionally, we classified the small RNA sequencing data available from the publicly available dataset based on the mutational status of cancer samples and computed the overlaps of miRNAs exhibiting similar expression patterns consistent with the in vitro data, predicted the top hub genes and their associated pathways, and predicted their drug targets using an integrated bioinformatic approach.
Correlation Between Circulating CD133+ Extracellular Vesicles and the Malignancy and Prognosis of Gliomas: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jiang Jiaode , Liu Feng 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Gliomas are the most common malignant tumors in the central nervous system and have a poor prognosis. Circulating and plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified as effective biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of gliomas, while Cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133) is closely associated with tumor aggressiveness, chemoresistance, and patient prognosis across various cancers. This study aims to evaluate the association between CD133 and malignancy, and prognosis of glioma patients.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study design was employed to compare plasma and plasma-derived CD133 + EVs and CD44 + EVs rates in 75 glioma patients and 38 healthy controls. Clinical and pathological parameters were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests or Kruskal-Wallis H tests about increased CD133 + rate. Additionally, quality of life, anxiety, and depression were assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) to observe differences between CD133 high group and CD133 low group. The disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the resulting curves were compared using log-rank tests. The impact of various clinical pathological features on survival was further assessed using a stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression model.
Results
Quantities of plasma CD44 and CD133 + EVs contents were 1.25 and 1.21 times those of healthy controls, respectively, yet only the quantity of CD133 + EVs was capable of differentiating glioma grades (P = 0.001). Stratifying glioma patients based on CD133 + EVs content revealed that the low rate group exhibited a significant survival advantage, with a mortality risk that was only 33.54% of the high rate group, which was statistically significant (P = 0.0124).
Conclusion
CD133 + EVs rate is a significant prognostic indicator in glioma patients, where lower rate is associated with better survival rates. These findings support the potential value of CD133 as a biomarker in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of gliomas.
Biomechanically Based Fu’s Subcutaneous Needling Treatment for Senile Knee Osteoarthritis: Protocol For a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Huang Hai , Liu Ruixuan , Shao Jieying , Chen Shiyang , Sun Jian , Zhu Junxia 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Fu’s subcutaneous needling (FSN) is a new type of acupuncture that uses subcutaneous tissue to oscillate from side to side to improve muscle pathology status and can be effective in treating Knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Nonetheless, whether the clinical effect is similar to that of most commonly used drugs is unclear. Thus, this study aims to determine the pain-relieving effect and improvement in the joint function of the FSN therapy by comparing it with that of a positive control drug (celecoxib). Furthermore, this clinical trial also aims to evaluate the effect of FSN on gait and lower limb muscle flexibility, which can further explore the scientific mechanisms of the FSN therapy.
Methods and analysis
This study is a randomized, parallel-controlled, single-center prospective clinical study that includes 60 participants, with an FSN group (n = 30) and a drug group (n = 30). The Fu’s subcutaneous needling (FSN) group undergo the FSN therapy 3 times a week for 2 weeks, while the drug group receives 0.2 g/day oral celecoxib for 2 weeks, with a follow-up period of 4 weeks after the completion of treatment. The primary outcome is the difference in the visual analog scale (VAS) score after 2 weeks of treatment compared with baseline. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index, joint active range of motion test, three-dimensional gait analysis, and shear wave elastic imaging technology analysis in lower limb muscles are also performed to demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Ethics and dissemination
The trial is performed following the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol and consent form have been approved by the Ethics Committee of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine. All patients will give informed consent before participation and the trial is initiated after approval. The results of this trial will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Trial registration number:
NCT06328153
Agrossilvipastoril systems such as timber production options and carbon stock
Authors: Lima Israel Luiz , Ranzini Maurício , Nicodemo Maria Luiza Franceschi , Longui Eduardo Luiz 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In Agrossilvipastoril systems trees are cultivated together with agricultural crops or animals, aiming at multiple uses therefore constituting a viable option for better soil use. Thus, reversing the processes of degradation of natural resources, to increase the availability of wood, food and environmental services and emerging as a sustainable alternative to the currently used wood production systems. Here we investigate the effect of the Silvi-agricultural and Silvi-pastoral systems on dendrometric data, mean annual increment (MAI), CO2 sequestration, wood density and anatomical features of Croton floribundus and Guazuma ulmifolia trees. The highest values of DBH (1.3 m from the ground), tree volume, volume per ha and MAI were observed in the silvi-agricultural system. Among the systems, Croton floribundus presented higher values compared to Guazuma ulmifolia in the silvi-agricultural system. While in the silvi-pastoral system, greater DBH and consequently greater volume of trees, volume per ha and MAI occurred in G. ulmifolia when compared to C. floribundus. CO2 sequestration values corroborated the MAI, with higher values in the silvi-agricultural system. Wood properties are affected in part by the type of system. We report shorter fibers with thicker walls in the silvi-agricultural system for Croton floribundus. Additionally, we show that it is possible to associate the planting of short-cycle crops with the production of trees to obtain wood, increase the carbon stock and still be aligned with the criteria of Environmental, Social, and Governance. Results that encourage the practice of agroforestry systems with multiple sources of income.
Topological Variable Neighborhood Search
Authors: Filipovic Vladimir , Kartelj Aleksandar 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The design of the novel metaheuristic method, called Topological Variable Neighborhood Search, is presented and its theoretical properties are elaborated.The proposed metaheuristic method is implemented, applied to several well-known NP-hard problems on graphs (Metric Dimension Problem, Roman Domination Problem and Maximum Betweeness Problem) and compared with the relevant optimization methods for these problems. The obtained experimental results clearly show that the proposed method achieves a significant improvement for the investigated problems and outperforms other methods that participated in the comparison. In particular, it was shown that the Topological Variable Neighborhood Search is consistently better than the classical Variable Neighborhood Search.
Mental health and care seeking patterns of Middle Eastern and North African immigrant children in the United States
Authors: Kindratt Tiffany B. , Dallo Florence J. , Brown Kyrah K. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To determine the prevalence of childhood mental and emotional health concerns and care seeking patterns among foreign-born MENA children compared to US- and foreign-born White children before and after adjusting for covariates.
Methods
Data from the 2000–2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed. Poor toddler mental health in the past two months (2–3 years) and childhood emotional difficulties (4–17 years) in the past six months were measured. Parents also reported whether (yes/no) their child saw a doctor for behavioral or emotional concerns in the past 12 months.
Results
Parents of foreign-born MENA young children (ages 2–3 years) were less likely to report mental health concerns (44.8%) compared to US-born White counterparts (67.3%; p < .05). Parents of foreign-born MENA children were less likely to report emotional difficulties compared to US- and foreign-born White children (21.9% and 19.3%, respectively; p’s < .05). Foreign-born MENA children with mental or emotional health concerns had lower odds of seeing a doctor in the last 12 months for emotional/behavioral problems (OR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.24–0.86) or mental health concerns (OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.27–0.83) compared to their US-born White counterparts after adjusting for sociodemographic factors.
Conclusion
Parents of foreign-born MENA children reported fewer mental and emotional health concerns compared to US-born Whites. Those with mental and emotional health concerns were less likely to seek mental health care compared to their US-born White counterparts. Further research is needed to confirm and expand on these findings once a unique racial/ethnic identifier for MENA children is made available for measuring national mental health statistics.
Investigating the correlation between maternal emotions and attitudes toward breastfeeding and breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparous mothers.
Authors: Pato Somyeh , Rabiepoor Soheila , alinejad vahid , rezai elham , mehrpooya sara 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background and purpose: Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy is an important psychometric factor that positively affects breastfeeding rates and identifies mothers at high risk for premature breastfeeding termination among different maternal populations. This study was performed with the aim of determining the correlation of maternal emotions and attitudes toward breastfeeding with breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparous mothers of Urmia city in 2022.
Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 320 primiparous mothers with children under three months of age who were covered by comprehensive health centers in Urmia city in 2022. The data collection tools used were demographic and fertility characteristics questionnaires, Watson's PANAS-X standard questionnaire to measure maternal emotions, the Iowa Breastfeeding Attitude Questionnaire (IIFAS) and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Questionnaire-Short Form (BSES-SF). To conduct the study, in each center, the list of primiparous mothers with children under three months of age was extracted through the SIB system, random sampling was performed, and the questionnaires were completed by the researcher using the interview method. The data were analyzed with SPSS 21 software, descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation tests and multivariate linear regression.
Findings: the means (SD) of positive and negative affect, attitudes toward breastfeeding and breastfeeding self-efficacy were 35.49 (5.48) and 20.34 (6.45), 55.28 (6.36) and 49.50 (12.15), respectively. In the present study, according to the correlation test between negative maternal emotion and breastfeeding self-efficacy (p=0.000, r=-0.379) and attitude toward breastfeeding (p=0.000, r=-0.261), there was a negative correlation, and there was a significant correlation between positive emotion and breastfeeding self-efficacy (p=0.000, r=0.47) and between positive emotion and attitude toward breastfeeding (p=0.000, r=0.322). Additionally, there was a statistically positive and significant correlation between breastfeeding self-efficacy and attitudes toward breastfeeding (p=0.000, r=0.515). Based on the results of multivariate linear regression, positive emotion (p=0.000, B=0.549), negative emotion (p=0.000, B=-0.356) and attitude toward breastfeeding (p=0.000, B=0.675) were identified as predictors of breastfeeding self-efficacy.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is important to pay attention to the mental health of mothers and to understand the fragile aspects of their beliefs about their ability to breastfeed to establish and maintain breastfeeding with breast milk because these aspects can be corrected.
Designing Optimal Middle-Mile Network Architecture for Smart Farming Applications in Rural Areas
Authors: Bhattacharyya Mousumi , Midya Sadip , Roy Asmita , Sinha Bhabani P. , Ghosh Anupam , Kostelnick John C. , Thayn Jonathan B. , Chinta Sri Jyothi , Sinha Koushik 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Agriculture 4.0 has transformed farmers' outlooks with the advent of digital technologies and smart farming applications, offering the promise of improved agricultural techniques and sustainable crop practices. These applications rely on advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, edge computing, big data, and the internet of things (IoT), necessitating robust network services with low latency, high bandwidth, and uninterrupted connectivity. However, rural communities often find themselves neglected by network service providers due to their sparse population density. Although optical fiber-based communication (OF) serves as the standard for broadband, its high installation costs render it unsuitable for rural middle-mile connectivity. In recent years, alternatives such as fixed wireless and free-space optics (FSO) have emerged, yet they face technical challenges hindering their full replacement of OF. To address the need for cost-effective middle-mile connectivity in rural areas, this study proposes three heterogeneous broadband-access network topologies that integrate OF, fixed wireless, and FSO technologies. Through optimization, the appropriate technologies are chosen for individual segments to maximize the network operator's profit while meeting the minimum bandwidth requirements for each rural cluster. Simulations utilizing real-life data from eight target rural population clusters compare and determine the optimal middle-mile and last-mile connectivity solutions, achieving annual returns-on-investment of $11.18\%$ for ring topology, $17.19\%$ for star topology, and $10.81\%$ for wheel topology, while ensuring the desired bandwidth levels for each cluster.
Rough Pushdown Automata and Rough Context Free Grammar
Authors: Singh Shivani 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This paper proposes a new computational model, Rough Pushdown Automata (R-PDA), which extends the capabilities of traditional Pushdown Automata by incorporating Rough Set Theory. The proposed R-PDA is designed to handle imprecise and uncertain data, making it effective for decision-making under uncertain conditions. Alongside the R-PDA we further develop rough context free grammar (R-CFG) and rough context free language (R-CFL), and show its equivalence to R-PDA, i.e. for every R-PDA there is an R-CFL and vice versa. Some closure properties of R-CFL are developed to demonstrate the mathematical efficacy of the proposed model. The research provides insights into the use of rough set theory in automata theory and its potential in solving real-world problems. In this era of technological advancement coping with uncertainty is more crucial than ever. Medical domain is no exception. Efficacy of the proposed R-PDA model is demonstrated through a case study of Asthma disease, one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Although Rough FSA has already been proposed in literature, the concept of R-PDA appears to be novel. Moreover, application of Automata theory is rarely discussed in healthcare system. The proposed model helps in bridging the gap in an effective way.
A Multi-Objective CPSOS based approach for Location and Sizing of DGs and Static VAR Compensators in a Distribution Network
Authors: Srinivasa Rayapudi , Murari Rajesh 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The integration of Distributed Generation (DG) and coµpensating devices (CD) into radial distribution networks (RDN) is crucial for µitigating power losses, µiniµizing voltage deviation, and enhancing voltage stability. While various optiµization techniques have been explored, existing studies often focus on single objectives and overlook the µulti-objective nature of the probleµ. To address this gap, this paper proposes a novel approach, terµed Multi-Objective Chaotic PSO with Sigµoid-based (MO-CPSOS) acceleration coefficients, for optiµal DG and SVC placeµent and sizing in RDNs. The MO-CPSOS algorithµ autonoµously adapts social and cognitive acceleration paraµeters for each device, facilitating optiµal placeµent, and sizing. Coµprehensive siµulations on IEEE 33-bus, 69-bus, and 119-bus test systeµs deµonstrate the superiority of MO-CPSOS in µiniµizing power losses, µitigating voltage deviation, and enhancing voltage stability across different test cases and scenarios. The optiµal configurations vary depending on the test systeµ, with three devices eµerging as optiµal for the 33-bus and 69-bus networks and six or seven devices for the 119-bus network. Beyond these optiµal configurations, deploying additional devices µay lead to adverse effects on systeµ perforµance. The proposed MO-CPSOS algorithµ offers an effective solution for optiµal DG and SVC integration in RDNs, contributing to the advanceµent of sµart grid technologies.Index Terms— Distributed Generation (DG), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Radial Distribution Network (RDN), Real Power Loss, Static VAR Compensator (SVC).
Survey of major complications after prone transpsoas surgery: An analysis of early adopters’ practice
Authors: Pimenta Luiz , Pokorny Gabriel , Pokorny Jullyene , Marcelino Fernando , Moriguchi Rafael , Barreira Igor , Arnoni Daniel , Mizael Weby , Amaral Rodrigo 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction: The prone transpsoas technique (PTP) is a modification of the traditional lateral lumbar interbody fusion approach, which was first published in the literature in 2020. The technique provides several advantages, such as lordosis correction and redistribution, single-position surgery framework, and ease of performing posterior techniques when needed. However, the prone position also leads to the movement of some retroperitoneal, vascular, and neurological structures, which could impact the complication profile. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of major complications in the practice of early adopters of the PTP approach.
Methods: A questionnaire containing 8 questions was sent to 50 participants and events involving early adopters of the prone transpsoas technique. Of the 50 surgeons, 32 completed the questionnaire, which totaled 1963 cases of PTP surgeries.
Results: Nine of the 32 surgeons experienced a major complication (28%), with persistent neurological deficit being the most frequent (7/9). Of the total number of cases, the occurrence of permanent neurological deficits was approximately 0,6%, and the rate of vascular and visceral injuries were both 0,05% (1/1963 for each case).
Conclusion: Based on the analysis of the questionnaire responses, it can be concluded that PTP is a safe technique with a very low rate of serious complications. However, future studies with a more heterogeneous group of surgeons and a more rigorous linkage between answers and patient data are needed to support the findings of this study.
Virtual Reality Training for Sustainable Urban Planning and Citizen Engagement
Authors: Parisa  
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Rapid urbanization poses significant challenges for building sustainable and livable cities. This paper explores the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) training to revolutionize citizen engagement in sustainable urban planning. We propose an innovative VR program featuring an interactive "EcoCity" simulation. Citizens navigate this virtual environment using personalized avatars, experiencing the consequences of different planning decisions firsthand. This immersive approach fosters informed decision-making, increases public awareness of sustainability concepts, and empowers citizens to co-create a greener future.
Unleashing capacity in the water sector: A framework for public entities
Authors: Jiménez Alejandro , Álvarez Prado Lourdes , Saikia Panchali 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Capacity development in the water sector is crucial to achieving universal, sustainable, and resilient services. It has been broadly recognized as a priority, connected with governance of water resources and water and sanitation services. Through a scoping review including 153 scientific articles and 103 other documents, complemented with a consultation of experts, this article presents how the concept of `capacity development' has evolved, what levels it consists of, and which are the key elements of success for effective capacity development processes. Most existing frameworks do not conduct any in-depth analysis of the determinants that define capacity at different levels and that there is no specific framework for public water-related entities. To address this gap, a dedicated capacity development framework is proposed for the public water sector, defining the key determinants at the individual, organizational, sectoral, institutional and structural levels and presenting types of interventions for each level. The framework will enable practitioners and policymakers to develop more systematic work on capacity development in water.