bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β-Sitosterol alleviates the malignant phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inhibiting GSK3B expression
Authors: Wang Ruoyu , Tang Dan , Ou Longyun , Jiang Jiacheng , Wu Yu-nan , Tian Xuefei 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTo explore the effects of β-Sitosterol upon hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and to investigate the underlying mechanism using network pharmacology. Human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (Huh-7 and HCCLM3) were expose to gradient concentrations of β-Sitosterol (5 μg/mL, 10 μg/mL, and 20 μg/mL). Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using MTT, CCK-8, colony formation, and EdU assays.Flow cytometry was employed to evaluate cell cycle and apoptosis. Scratch and Transwell assays were performed, respectively, to detect cell migration and invasion. The levels of apoptosis-associated proteins (BAX, BCL2, and cleaved caspase3) as well as EMT-associated proteins (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, and Vimentin) were detected in Huh-7 and HCCLM3 cell lines using Western blot analysis. The drug target gene for β-Sitosterol was screened via PubChem and subsequently evaluated for expression in the GSE112790 dataset. In addition, the expression level of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) within the Cancer Genome Atlas-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) database was analyzed, along with its correlation to the survival outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The diagnostic efficiency of GSK3B was assessed by analyzing the ROC curve. Subsequently, Huh-7 and HCCLM3 cell lines were transfected with the overexpression vector of GSK3B and then treated with β-Sitosterol to further validate the association between GSK3B and β-Sitosterol. GSK3B demonstrated a significantly elevated expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, which could predict hepatocellular carcinoma patients’ impaired prognosis based on GEO dataset and TCGA database. GSK3B inhibitor (CHIR-98014) notably inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, promoted cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. β-Sitosterol treatment further promoted the efffects of GSK3B inhibitor on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. GSK3B overexpression has been found to enhance the proliferative and invasive capabilities of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Furthermore it has been observed that GSK3B overexpression, it has been obsear can partially reverse the inhibitory effect of β-Sitosterol upon hepatocellular. β-Sitosterol suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion, and enhanced apoptosis via inhibiting GSK3B expression.
Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analyses and multi-objective optimization of parallel two-stage compression on the domestic refrigerator-freezer
Authors: Alihosseini Nader , Jahangiri Ali , Ameri Mohammad 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this paper, the performance of a parallel two-stage compression (PTC) cycle on the domestic refrigerator-freezer in a laboratory according to the IEC 62552–2015 standard is investigated. The relatively large temperature difference between the fresh food compartment (FFC) and the refrigerant in the fresh food compartment evaporator (FFCE) leads to high compression and irreversible losses in the refrigeration circuit. To avoid the mentioned problems and reduce energy consumption, a PTC cycle is used. The innovation of this article is the 4E analyses (energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, exergoenvironmental) for the PTC cycle using the results obtained from the laboratory. Ultimately, the multi-objective optimization of the PTC cycle is conducted. For optimizing the PTC cycle, the total cost rate and the exergy efficiency are set as targets and the evaporator pressure and condenser pressure as variables. MATLAB and REFPROP 9.1 are used to model the system. Results showed that the highest exergy destruction rate is associated with the FFCE (0.349 kW) and compressor (0.183 kW). The highest exergy efficiency among the equipment is evaporators. The maximum exergoeconomic factor is related to the freezer compartment evaporator (FZCE) (98.70%) and then the compressor (98.62%). FZCE has the highest environmental impact (99.9%).
Macro impacts of plastic pollution in Ghana
Authors: Hosseinian-Far Amin , Laryea Ebenezer , Uba Chijioke D. , Sarwar Dilshad , Derrick Simon , Omoloso Oluwaseyi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
In recent decades, the proliferation of single-use plastic products has significantly contributed to a surge in plastic pollution on a global scale. Researchers have extensively investigated the impacts of plastic pollution across various regions, yet a comprehensive holistic and location-based understanding of these impacts in the West African context is lacking. This study addresses this gap through a systemic assessment of the impacts of plastic pollution, in West Africa, particularly Ghana. Employing a qualitative system dynamics causal modelling approach, this study establishes linkages between pollution effects at the macro level, constructing a hierarchical outline of both high- and low-level impacts. The significance of this research lies in the application of pertinent systems thinking techniques to comprehend the broader impacts of plastic pollution. The outcomes of this study will inform the development of effective policies aimed at preventing or mitigating plastic pollution in Ghana, and potentially the wider West African context.
Where does Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) really breed in a Mediterranean residential area? Results from a field study in Valencia, Eastern Spain
Authors: Alarcón-Elbal Pedro María , López-de-Felipe Marcos , Gil-Torró Ignacio , García-Masiá Isaac , Mateo-Herrero Pilar , Bueno-Marí Rubén 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSince its introduction in Spain in 2004, Aedes albopictus has rapidly spread across the country. Its aggressive biting behaviour causes nuisance, limiting outdoor activities. Also, its role as a vector of several arboviruses implies a major public health risk, with several cases of autochthonous dengue having been reported nationwide over the past few years. Control strategies usually focus on interventions in breeding sites. As such, accurate knowledge of the main larval habitats becomes a major priority in infested areas. A detailed identification of breeding sites of Ae. albopictus was carried out in the outdoors of 60 residential properties during July–August 2022 in El Vedat de Torrent (Valencia, Eastern Spain), an area recently colonised by this species. A total of 1444 real and potential breeding sites were examined. The most abundant potential larval habitat were plant pot plates (6.48 units/house), although a low infestation level was found, both for larvae (2.06% positivity, x̄ = 30.5 larvae/container), and pupae (0.51%, x̄ = 2.5 pupae/container). A total of 7715 larvae and 205 pupae were found in a disused flooded water pool depuration system. Animal drinkers, buckets and irrigation water containers were found to be the most common positive containers. No statistical difference was observed among the different container materials. A general statistical increase of 1 larva per 11.7 ml of water in breeding sites was detected. Breeding sites of other species such as Culex pipiens (n = 2) and Culex modestus (n = 1) were also rarely found in this residential area. To our knowledge, this is the first aedic index study carried out in Europe, and it provides valuable information about the main domestic breeding habitats of Ae. albopictus, which can greatly improve control programmes.
The Construction of ‘Tribe’ as a Socio-Political Unit in Global History
Authors: Leake Elisabeth 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis article explores the construction of ‘tribe’ as a socio-political unit of global history, revealing an evolution of ideas and practices, both of which actively sought to limit, by co-opting, the opportunities and agency of Indigenous groups. The category of ‘tribe’ was, and is, co-constitutive of Euro-American empire. Euro-American empires created two interlinked dynamics in the social history of the ‘tribe’. One was external, a process of categorization to facilitate and effect conquest and integration. The other was internal, a process of reimagining social relationships through which locals adapted to the threats and opportunities of empire. By mapping British approaches to ethnic Pashtuns and the state of Afghanistan onto imperial engagement with ‘tribal’ communities worldwide – and highlighting both similarities and differences with the North American examples more prominent in the existing literature – global patterns of ‘tribalism’, as defined by Euro-Americans, become apparent. The article illustrates some – but certainly not all – of the impacts of being labelled ‘tribal’ while demonstrating ways that areas and societies seemingly peripheral to each other became interconnected because of shared Euro-American terminology and practice.
Using multivariate analysis to predict carcass characteristics of lambs in grazing and supplemented with different levels of non-protein nitrogen
Authors: Roberto Francisca Fernanda da Silva , Ribeiro Neila Lidiany , Difante Gelson dos Santos , Guidolin Diego Gomes Freire , Ítavo Luís Carlos Vinhas , Ítavo Camila Celeste Brandão Ferreira , Rodrigues Jéssica Gomes , Pereira Marislayne de Gusmão , Costa Roberto Germano 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study is to assess the effects of substituting soybean meal with extruded urea in the diet of crossbred Texel x no defined racial pattern lambs under continuous grazing on Brachiaria ssp., focusing on both their productive and nutritional performance. 60 Texel crossbred lambs (12 animals for each treatment) were used, with an average initial weight of 20.7 ± 0.87 kg and an average age of 2.5 ± 0.70 months, fed treatments with increasing levels of UE (Urea extruded Amireia® 200S): 0; 6; 12; 18 and 24 grams of EU 100/kg of body weight, with trial period was 5 months, using the multivariate technique. The data were subjected to principal component and canonical discriminant analysis to check possible differences between the evaluated treatments and identify the variables that best discriminate and use these variables to create a discriminant function that represents the differences between treatments. Of the 12 variables initially used, we observed that 9 were used by the main components, but 6 were those that presented the greatest discriminatory power for the study. Main component 1 was characterized by biometric measurements and showed the greatest power of variation in the study (60%), followed by main component 2, represented by slaughter weight and empty body weight (13%). These correlations indicate that biometric measurements can serve as reliable indirect indicators for estimating carcass traits in sheep, offering a practical alternative to visual assessments.
Economic freedom and academic freedom across nations
Authors: Berggren Niclas , Bjørnskov Christian 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAcademic freedom is a cornerstone of modern academic life. It is not only implied by basic liberal principles but also contributes to scientific progress and economic growth. It is therefore important to better understand what affects how free scholarly pursuits are, and to that end, we ask whether economic freedom can help explain variation in academic freedom across countries. In our case, relating the Economic Freedom of the World index and its five areas to V-Dem's index of academic freedom and its five areas reveals that the rule of law is positively and robustly related to academic freedom in all its forms. This suggests that the rule of law, in its general and broad sense, can arguably serve as a guarantor of academic freedom. Where the rule of law is weakened, academic freedom can be at risk. There are some indications that regulatory freedom is similarly related to academic freedom, but less robustly so, maybe indicating that interventionism in one policy area (economics) can breed interventionism in another (academia).
Induced Seismicity Controlled by Injected Hydraulic Energy: The Case Study of the EGS Soultz‐Sous‐Forêts Site
Authors: Drif K. , Lengliné O. , Kinscher J. , Schmittbuhl J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHow induced seismicity in deep geothermal project (enhanced geothermal systems, EGS) is controlled by fluid injection is of central importance for monitoring the related seismic risk. Here we analyze the relationship between the radiated seismic energy and the hydraulic energy related to the fluid injection during several hydraulic stimulations and circulation tests at Soultz‐sous‐Forêts geothermal site. Based on a harmonized database, we show that the ratio between these energies is at first order constant during stimulations and of the same magnitude independently of the stimulation protocol and injection depth. Re‐stimulations are characterized by a sharp evolution of this ratio during injection which ultimately converges to the characteristic value of the reservoir. This supports that the seismicity is caused by the relaxation of the pre‐existing strain energy in the stimulated volume, rather than by the deformation generated from fluid injection. The ratio appears as an intrinsic large‐scale property of the reservoir that can be assessed at the very beginning of the first stimulation. Based on this property, we suggest a way to predict the largest magnitude of the induced seismic events knowing the maximum targeted hydraulic energy of the injection.
Soil Organic Nitrogen Mineralization and N2O Production Driven by Changes in Coastal Wetlands
Authors: Yang Ping , Yang Hong , Hong Yan , Lin Xiao , Zhang Linhai , Tong Chuan , Lai Derrick Y. F. , Tan Lishan , Lin Yongxin , Tian Yalan , Tang Kam W. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPlant invasion and land reclamation have drastically transformed the landscape of coastal wetlands globally, but their resulting effects on soil organic nitrogen (SON) mineralization and nitrous oxide (N2O) production remain unclear. In this study, we examined 21 coastal wetlands across southern China that have undergone habitat transformation from native mudflats (MFs) to Spartina alterniflora marshes (SAs), and subsequently to earthen aquaculture ponds (APs). We determined the SON net mineralization rate and the presence of pertinent enzyme‐encoding genes, namely chiA, pepA, and pepN. The SON net mineralization rate increased by 46.7% following the conversion of MFs to SAs but decreased by 33.1% in response to the transformation of SAs to APs. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the estimated mineralization efficiency of soil microbes among the habitat types. The results of structural equation modeling showed that N‐mineralization gene abundance played a major role in regulating SON mineralization. Although less than 20% of the SON was estimated to be labile/semi‐labile, SON mineralization was important in sustaining soil N2O production, with 5.8% of the mineralized N being fed into N2O production. Overall, our findings showed that the presence of S. alterniflora increased both SON content and mineralization rate, which would in turn promote further proliferation of this exotic plant along the coast. The conversion of S. alterniflora marshes to APs partially mitigated the positive effects of exotic plant invasion on SON turnover.
Polygenic risk of social isolation behavior and its influence on psychopathology and personality
Authors: Socrates Adam J. , Mullins Niamh , Gur Ruben C. , Gur Raquel E. , Stahl Eli , O’Reilly Paul F. , Reichenberg Abraham , Jones Hannah , Zammit Stanley , Velthorst Eva 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSocial isolation has been linked to a range of psychiatric issues, but the behavioral component that drives it is not well understood. Here, a genome-wide associations study (GWAS) was carried out to identify genetic variants that contribute specifically to social isolation behavior (SIB) in up to 449,609 participants from the UK Biobank. 17 loci were identified at genome-wide significance, contributing to a 4% SNP-based heritability estimate. Using the SIB GWAS, polygenic risk scores (PRS) were derived in ALSPAC, an independent, developmental cohort, and used to test for association with self-reported friendship scores, comprising items related to friendship quality and quantity, at age 12 and 18 to determine whether genetic predisposition manifests during childhood development. At age 18, friendship scores were associated with the SIB PRS, demonstrating that the genetic factors can predict related social traits in late adolescence. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) score correlation using the SIB GWAS demonstrated genetic correlations with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), educational attainment, extraversion, and loneliness. However, no evidence of causality was found using a conservative Mendelian randomization approach between SIB and any of the traits in either direction. Genomic Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) revealed a common factor contributing to SIB, neuroticism, loneliness, MDD, and ASD, weakly correlated with a second common factor that contributes to psychiatric and psychotic traits. Our results show that SIB contributes a small heritable component, which is associated genetically with other social traits such as friendship as well as psychiatric disorders.
Antidepressant-induced membrane trafficking regulates blood-brain barrier permeability
Authors: Du Wenjia , Chen Huanhuan , Gróf Ilona , Lemaitre Lucien , Bocsik Alexandra , Perdyan Adrian , Mieczkowski Jakub , Deli Mária A. , Hortobágyi Tibor , Wan Qi , Glebov Oleg O. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAs the most prescribed psychotropic drugs in current medical practice, antidepressant drugs (ADs) of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class represent prime candidates for drug repurposing. The mechanisms underlying their mode of action, however, remain unclear. Here, we show that common SSRIs and selected representatives of other AD classes bidirectionally regulate fluid-phase uptake at therapeutic concentrations and below. We further characterize membrane trafficking induced by a canonical SSRI fluvoxamine to show that it involves enhancement of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, endosomal system, and exocytosis. RNA sequencing analysis showed few fluvoxamine-associated differences, consistent with the effect being independent of gene expression. Fluvoxamine-induced increase in membrane trafficking boosted transcytosis in cell-based blood-brain barrier models, while a single injection of fluvoxamine was sufficient to enable brain accumulation of a fluid-phase fluorescent tracer in vivo. These findings reveal modulation of membrane trafficking by ADs as a possible cellular mechanism of action and indicate their clinical repositioning potential for regulating drug delivery to the brain.
BRD9 regulates normal human hematopoietic stem cell function and lineage differentiation
Authors: Garg Swati , Ni Wei , Chowdhury Basudev , Weisberg Ellen L. , Sattler Martin , Griffin James D. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBromodomain containing protein 9 (BRD9), a member of the non-canonical BRG1/BRM-associated factor (ncBAF) chromatin remodeling complex, has been implicated as a synthetic lethal target in AML but its function in normal human hematopoiesis is unknown. In hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) genomic or chemical inhibition of BRD9 led to a proliferative disadvantage and loss of stem cells in vitro. Human HSPCs with reduced BRD9 protein levels produced lower numbers of immature mixed multipotent GEMM colonies in semi-solid media. In lineage-promoting culture conditions, cells with reduced BRD9 levels failed to differentiate into the megakaryocytic lineage and showed delayed differentiation into erythroid cells but enhanced terminal myeloid differentiation. HSPCs with BRD9 knock down (KD) had reduced long-term multilineage engraftment in a xenotransplantation assay. An increased number of downregulated genes in RNAseq analysis after BRD9 KD coupled with a gain in chromatin accessibility at the promoters of several repressive transcription factors (TF) suggest that BRD9 functions in the maintenance of active transcription during HSC differentiation. In particular, the hematopoietic master regulator GATA1 was identified as one of the core TFs regulating the gene networks modulated by BRD9 loss in HSPCs. BRD9 inhibition reduced a GATA1-luciferase reporter signal, further suggesting a role for BRD9 in regulating GATA1 activity. BRD9 is therefore an additional example of epigenetic regulation of human hematopoiesis.
Extracellular vesicles mediated gastric cancer immune response: tumor cell death or immune escape?
Authors: Yang Shuo , Wei Shibo , Wei Fang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractGastric cancer (GC) is a major global health issue, being the fifth most prevalent cancer and the third highest contributor to cancer-related deaths. Although treatment strategies for GC have diversified, the prognosis for advanced GC remains poor. Hence, there is a critical need to explore new directions for GC treatment to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and patient prognosis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key players in tumor development and progression. Different sources of EVs carry different molecules, resulting in distinct biological functions. For instance, tumor-derived EVs can promote tumor cell proliferation, alter the tumor microenvironment and immune response, while EVs derived from immune cells carry molecules that regulate immune function and possess tumor-killing capabilities. Numerous studies have demonstrated the crucial role of EVs in the development, immune escape, and immune microenvironment remodeling in GC. In this review, we discuss the role of GC-derived EVs in immune microenvironment remodeling and EVs derived from immune cells in GC development. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the potential uses of EVs in immunotherapy for GC.
ARID1B maintains mesenchymal stem cell quiescence via inhibition of BCL11B-mediated non-canonical Activin signaling
Authors: Zhang Mingyi , Guo Tingwei , Pei Fei , Feng Jifan , Jing Junjun , Xu Jian , Yamada Takahiko , Ho Thach-Vu , Du Jiahui , Sehgal Prerna , Chai Yang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractARID1B haploinsufficiency in humans causes Coffin-Siris syndrome, associated with developmental delay, facial dysmorphism, and intellectual disability. The role of ARID1B has been widely studied in neuronal development, but whether it also regulates stem cells remains unknown. Here, we employ scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq to dissect the regulatory functions and mechanisms of ARID1B within mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) using the mouse incisor model. We reveal that loss of Arid1b in the GLI1+ MSC lineage disturbs MSCs’ quiescence and leads to their proliferation due to the ectopic activation of non-canonical Activin signaling via p-ERK. Furthermore, loss of Arid1b upregulates Bcl11b, which encodes a BAF complex subunit that modulates non-canonical Activin signaling by directly regulating the expression of activin A subunit, Inhba. Reduction of Bcl11b or non-canonical Activin signaling restores the MSC population in Arid1b mutant mice. Notably, we have identified that ARID1B suppresses Bcl11b expression via specific binding to its third intron, unveiling the direct inter-regulatory interactions among BAF subunits in MSCs. Our results demonstrate the vital role of ARID1B as an epigenetic modifier in maintaining MSC homeostasis and reveal its intricate mechanistic regulatory network in vivo, providing novel insights into the linkage between chromatin remodeling and stem cell fate determination.