bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TMED3 stabilizes SMAD2 by counteracting NEDD4‐mediated ubiquitination to promote ovarian cancer
Authors: Chen Xiaojun , Zhang Wei , Han Xiaotian , Li Xiaoqi , Xia Lingfang , Wu Yong , Zhou Yang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOvarian cancer is a major cause of death among cancer patients. Recent research has shown that the transmembrane emp24 domain (TMED) protein family plays a role in the progression of various types of cancer. In this study, we investigated the expression of TMED3 in ovarian cancer tumors compared to nontumor tissues using immunohistochemical staining. We found that TMED3 was overexpressed in ovarian cancer tumors, and its high expression was associated with poor disease‐free and overall survival. To understand the functional implications of TMED3 overexpression in ovarian cancer, we conducted experiments to knockdown TMED3 using short hairpin RNA (shRNA). We observed that TMED3 knockdown resulted in reduced cell viability and migration, as well as increased cell apoptosis. Additionally, in subcutaneous xenograft models in BALB‐c nude mice, TMED3 knockdown inhibited tumor growth. Further investigation revealed that SMAD family member 2 (SMAD2) was a downstream target of TMED3, driving ovarian cancer progression. TMED3 stabilized SMAD2 by inhibiting the E3 ligase NEDD4‐mediated ubiquitination of SMAD2. To confirm the importance of SMAD2 in TMED3‐mediated ovarian cancer, we performed functional rescue experiments and found that SMAD2 played a critical role in this process. Moreover, we discovered that the PI3K‐AKT pathway was involved in the promoting effects of TMED3 overexpression on ovarian cancer cells. Overall, our study identifies TMED3 as a prognostic indicator and tumor promoter in ovarian cancer. Its function is likely mediated through the regulation of the SMAD2 and PI3K‐AKT signaling pathway. These findings contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian cancer progression and provide potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
JD‐02, a novel Hsp90 inhibitor, induces ROS/SRC axis‐dependent cytoprotective autophagy in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Lan Ni , Su Yuan , Zeng Qiongzhen , Zhou Pengjun , Hu Yuze , Zhang Zhuo , Wang Yifei , Liu Kaisheng 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHeat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a tumor marker that accelerates cancer growth by disrupting protein homeostasis. However, concerns such as low clinical efficacy and drug resistance continue to be obstacles to the successful marketing of Hsp90 inhibitors. The cytoprotective function of autophagy has been identified as one of the mechanisms by which tumor cells gain resistance to chemotherapy. JD‐02 was identified as a new Hsp90 inhibitor that suppressed colorectal cancer (CRC) growth by lowering client protein levels in vivo and in vitro. We found that JD‐02 increased cellular autophagy, which inhibited apoptosis. JD‐02 enhanced cytoprotective autophagy and regulated apoptotic suppression by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species and inhibiting SRC protein levels, as demonstrated by quantitative proteomics, bioinformatic analysis, western blotting, and flow cytometry. This effect was reversed by autophagy inhibition. Therefore, due to the synergistic effects of Hsp90 and autophagy inhibitors in efficiently activating apoptotic pathways, they could potentially serve as promising therapeutic options for CRC.
Promotion incentives and water pollution control in the context of environment tournaments: Evidence on the age of officials from a fuzzy regression discontinuity design
Authors: Yang Jiankun , Gong Xiaochen 
Published: February 2024

AbstractChina has suffered from severe water quality degradation over the past decades. In view of officials' promotion tournaments in China, this study employs a fuzzy regression discontinuity design to empirically examine the impact of promotion incentives, which is influenced by officials' individual characteristics, on water governance. Results indicate that younger mayors, especially those below the age of 53 and with higher promotion prospects, are more proactive in enforcing water pollution control measures. Further analysis indicates that officials reduce water pollution emissions primarily by implementing environmental incentives and adopting strategic measures according to geographical location and the nature of pollutants.
On subjective well‐being and excess strategy to cope with financial‐scarcity problem
Authors: Sherman Arie , Axelrad Hila , Barokas Guy 
Published: February 2024

AbstractModern economic theory asserts that consumers experiencing the scarcity problem should try to enlarge their budget. By contrast, relying on the ancient Greeks' perspective, we present a mathematical model demonstrating that higher investment in reducing material desires is positively associated with higher welfare. We present evidence from 999 participants aged 25–65 survey, showing that adopting the ancient Greek strategy for dealing with the gap between material desires and financial means is positively correlated with individuals' subjective well‐being, while adopting the modern economics strategy is not. Moreover, we show that the prudent desire management becomes less productive with age.
Optimization of passive Q‐switched fiber laser employing MAX phase chromium aluminum carbide film
Authors: Najm Mustafa Mohammed , Zhang Pei , Almukhtar Aya A. , Hmood Jassim K. , Abdullah Mohammed Najm , Harun Sulaiman Wadi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this work, we proposed a mechanical exfoliation technique to compose a saturable absorber (SA) from MAX phase chromium aluminum carbide (Cr2AlC). The performance of a passive Q‐switched erbium‐doped fiber laser (EDFL) based on Cr2AlC‐SA was experimentally demonstrated. The optical properties of SA showed appropriate nonlinear absorption, with a non‐saturable absorption of 92.5%, and saturable absorption of 1.2%. The proposed EDFL was investigated using 50:50 and 80:20 output couplers (OCs). At 167 mW pumping power and 3 dB OC, the EDFL produced pulses with 2 μs width, and 163 kHz repetition rate. Moreover, with 80:20 OC, the EDFL produced shorter laser pulses with 1.46 μs width, and 135.2 kHz pulsing rate. The results reveal that the higher repetition rate with high energy can be obtained with a 3 dB coupler, while narrower pulse width is achieved with an 80:20 OC.
Impact of cone‐beam computed tomography artifacts on dose calculation accuracy for lung cancer
Authors: Schröder Lukas , Bootsma Gregory , Stankovic Uros , Ploeger Lennert , Sonke Jan‐Jakob 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundTo implement image‐guided adaptive radiotherapy (IGART), many studies investigated dose calculations on cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). A high HU accuracy is crucial for a high dose calculation accuracy and many imaging sites showed satisfactory results. It has been shown that the dose calculation accuracy for lung cancer lags behind.PurposeTo examine why the dose calculation accuracy for lung is insufficient, the relative effects of the field‐of‐view (FOV), breathing motion, and scatter on dose calculation accuracy were studied.MethodsA framework was built to simulate CBCT scans for lung cancer patients by forward projecting repeat CT (rCT) scans for two scan geometries: small (SFOV) and medium FOV (MFOV). Breathing motion was modeled by applying a 4D deformation vector field to the mid‐position rCT. Scatter was modeled by Monte‐Carlo simulations with/without an anti‐scatter grid (ASG). Simulated projections were reconstructed using filtered back‐projection with/without scatter correction. In case of the SFOV, the CBCT images were patched with the planning CT scan in axial direction. The treatment plan was recalculated on the rCT and simulated CBCT. The mean Hounsfield unit (HU) difference (ΔHUmean), the structural similarity index measure (SSIM), and γ metrics were calculated for the CBCT datasets of various imaging settings.ResultsThe differences in HU, SSIM and dose calculation accuracy for CBCTs with and without breathing motion were negligible (mean ΔHUmean = 6.4 vs. 13.7, mean SSIM = 0.941 vs. 0.957, mean γ (ref = MFOV) = 0.75). The SFOV resulted in a lower HU (mean ΔHUmean = −9.2 vs. 13.7) and SSIM (mean SSIM = 0.912 vs. 0.957), and therefore in dose differences compared to the MFOV (mean γ = 1.22). Scatter led to considerable discrepancies in all metrics. Adding only the ASG improved the results more than only applying a scatter correction algorithm. Combining ASG and scatter correction algorithm resulted in an even higher dose calculation accuracy.ConclusionsScatter and FOV are the main contributors to dose inaccuracies and motion has only a minor effect on dose calculation accuracy. Therefore, utilizing an appropriate scatter correction and FOV is important to achieve sufficient dose calculation accuracy to facilitate IGART for lung.
VICTR: Venous transit time imaging by changes in T1 relaxation
Authors: Shi Wen , Jiang Dengrong , Hu Zhiyi , Yedavalli Vivek , Ge Yulin , Moghekar Abhay , Lu Hanzhang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPurposeAbnormalities in cerebral veins are a common finding in many neurological diseases, yet there is a scarcity of MRI techniques to assess venous hemodynamic function. The present study aims to develop a noncontrast technique to measure a novel blood flow circulatory measure, venous transit time (VTT), which denotes the time it takes for water to travel from capillary to major veins.MethodsThe proposed sequence, venous transit time imaging by changes in T1 relaxation (VICTR), is based on the notion that as water molecules transition from the tissue into the veins, they undergo a change in T1 relaxation time. The validity of the measured VTT was tested by studying the VTT along the anatomically known flow trajectory of venous vessels as well as using a physiological vasoconstrictive challenge of caffeine ingestion. Finally, we compared the VTT measured with VICTR MRI to a bolus‐tracking method using gadolinium‐based contrast agent.ResultsVTT was measured to be 3116.3 ± 326.0 ms in the posterior superior sagittal sinus (SSS), which was significantly longer than 2865.0 ± 390.8 ms at the anterior superior sagittal sinus (p = 0.004). The test–retest assessment showed an interclass correlation coefficient of 0.964. VTT was significantly increased by 513.8 ± 239.3 ms after caffeine ingestion (p < 0.001). VTT measured with VICTR MRI revealed a strong correlation (R = 0.84, p = 0.002) with that measured with the contrast‐based approach. VTT was found inversely correlated to cerebral blood flow and venous oxygenation across individuals.ConclusionA noncontrast MRI technique, VICTR MRI, was developed to measure the VTT of the brain.
Chronic glucocorticoid management in neuromuscular disease: A survey of neuromuscular neurologists
Authors: Stepanian Lora , Laughlin Ruple S. , Bacher Corey , Izenberg Aaron , Hodgkinson Victoria , Dyck Adrienna , Breiner Ari , Kassardjian Charles D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIntroduction/AimsGlucocorticoids (GC) are first‐line therapy for many neuromuscular diseases. There is a lack of guidelines regarding the prevention and management of GC complications in the context of neuromuscular disease, introducing the potential for practice variation, that may compromise quality of care. Our aim was to evaluate the practice patterns among Canadian adult neuromuscular neurologists on the screening, management, and treatment of GC‐related complications and to identify variances in practice.MethodsA web‐based anonymous questionnaire was disseminated to 99 Canadian adult neuromuscular neurologists. Questions addressed patterns of screening, prevention, monitoring, and treatment of GC‐induced adverse events, including infection prophylaxis, vaccination, bone health, hyperglycemia, and other complications.ResultsSeventy‐one percent completed the survey. Of those, 52% perform screening blood work prior to initiating GC, 56% screen for infections, and 18% for osteoporosis. The majority monitor glycemic control and blood pressure (>85%). Thirty‐two (46%) reported that they do not primarily monitor GC complications, but rather provide recommendations to the primary care physician. Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia prophylaxis was never used by 29%, and 29% recommend vaccinations prior to GC initiation. Calcium supplementation was recommended by 80% to prevent osteoporosis. Only 36% were aware of any existing guidelines for preventing GC complications, and 91% endorsed a need for neurology‐specific guidelines.DiscussionThere is substantial variability in the management of GC adverse effects among neuromuscular neurologists, often not corresponding to limited published literature. Our results support the need for improved education and neurology‐specific guidelines to help standardize practice and improve and prevent complications.
Functionalized nanocellulose as a bifunctional material for efficient adsorption of mercuric ions with antimicrobial properties
Authors: Jamwal Pooja , Chauhan Sandeep , Chauhan Ghanshyam S. , Kumar Kiran , Ranote Sunita , Kumar Rajesh , Gupta Nitika 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTo develop a green nanomaterial for specialty applications, spherical nanocellulose (SNC) was functionalized to a semicarbazone‐Schiff base via a polymer analogous reaction. Firstly, SNC was synthesized from cellulose extracted from huge forest biomass, pine needles (PNs). The glucopyranose ring of SNC was oxidatively cleaved at C2–C3 to form SNC‐dialdehyde (SNC‐DA) by periodate oxidation. Both the aldehydic groups generated were reacted with semicarbazide to form a semicarbazone‐Schiff base, referred to as functional spherical nanocellulose (FSNC). All the materials synthesized were characterized by FTIR, FESEM, EDS, TEM, and XRD studies. The FSNC was evaluated as an adsorbent for Hg2+ ions. The adsorption adhered to pseudo‐second order kinetics and Langmuir adsorption isotherm having a maximum adsorption capacity/Lungmuir adsorption capacity of 172.412 mg/g at 60 min. The selectivity of FSNC for Hg2+ ions was confirmed from its appreciable removal (82%) from solution in tap water and 70% with other metal ions. FSNC exhibited bifunctional nature as it possesses antimicrobial activity against bacteria, that is, Gram (+) (Bacillus aereus) and Gram (−) (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi), and a fungus Byssochlamys fulva. FSNC showed good recyclability up to eight sorption–desorption cycles. Thus, we have valorized biomass into an eco‐friendly and low‐cost bifunctional material as an adsorbent for Hg2+ ions cum antimicrobial agent.Highlights
Spherical nanocellulose (SNC) prepared via acidic hydrolysis from pine needles
SNC functionalized to semicarbazone‐based bifunctional Schiff base
The Schiff base is a rapid and efficient Hg2+ ions adsorbent
The Schiff base has good antimicrobial activities against Gram (−) bacteria
Biowaste‐based adsorbent has the potential to sustain the bio‐circular economy
Use of the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test in community adult patients with mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: DeGroot Andrew , Huber Daniel L. , Leddy John J. , Raff Hershel , McCrea Michael A. , Johnson Blair D. , Nelson Lindsay D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT) is used to establish exercise tolerance for rehabilitation and identify injury subtypes for youth athletes after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Its utility in adult community members is unknown.ObjectivePrimary: To describe how adults with and without mTBI tolerate the BCTT. Secondary: To explore relationships between baseline factors, mTBI‐related symptoms, and BCTT duration.DesignProspective, observational, longitudinal.SettingAcademic medical center.ParticipantsThirty‐seven adults treated in a level 1 trauma center emergency department with mTBI;  24 uninjured controls (UC).InterventionsN/A.Main MeasuresParticipants completed two visits 3 weeks apart (1 week and 1 month after mTBI) including a 15‐minute BCTT, the Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ), and preinjury International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Analyses characterized BCTT response and associations between baseline factors, RPQ scores, and BCTT duration.ResultsPersons with mTBI discontinued earlier than UC at 1‐week postinjury using standard discontinuation criteria for exercise intolerance. The percentage of mTBI participants with signs of possible mTBI‐related intolerance was 55.6% at 1 week (36.1% for mTBI‐related symptom exacerbation, 19.4% for exertion/fatigue before reaching 85% of one's age‐predicted maximum heart rate [HR]) and 48.0% at 1 month (40.0% mTBI‐related symptom exacerbation, 8.0% exertion without reaching the target HR). Thirty percent of UCs completed the BCTT at both assessments. UCs met discontinuation criteria for increased nonspecific symptoms (eg, pain/general discomfort and increased Visual Analog Scale ratings; 39–61%) and physical exertion (9–26%). Shorter duration was associated with higher body mass index (r = −0.42 – −0.45), shorter height (r = 0.22–0.29), female gender (r = −0.26 – −0.27), and greater RPQ symptoms (r = −0.28 – ‐0.47).ConclusionThe BCTT exacerbates mTBI‐related symptoms in adult community members. Participant characteristics and noninjury factors influence performance. The findings imply the BCTT could be useful in clinical assessments of adults with mTBI. Interpretation should account for the unique characteristics of nonathletes.
Systematic studies on polyacrylates containing side‐chain hydrogen bonding units: Significant effects of the pendant functions on thermal behaviors and solubility of polymers
Authors: Hirose Yuki , Yoshida Yoshiaki , Furusho Yoshio , Tomita Ikuyoshi , Endo Takeshi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe synthesis of polyacrylates containing various pendant hydrogen bonding or non‐hydrogen bonding functions and the effects of side‐chain functions on their physical properties are described. The polyacrylates possessing urea, urethane, N‐substituted urea, or carbonate groups are prepared by the free radical polymerization of acrylate monomers possessing the corresponding functional groups. The presence of stronger hydrogen bonding interactions both in bulk and solutions of a highly polar solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is supported by the infrared (IR) spectra, whereas the urethane‐based polyacrylate does not exhibit the interaction in the solution. The presence of the stronger hydrogen bonding interactions of the urea unit is discussed by the IR and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and the density functional theory calculations of the corresponding model compounds. The solubility in organic solvents and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polymers are also dependent on the structure of the pendant groups. Polar aprotic solvents such as DMSO can only dissolve the urea‐based polyacrylate, while the other polymers are soluble in a much wider range of solvents such as tetrahydrofuran. The urea‐based polyacrylate shows the highest Tg among the polymers studied owing to the presence of plural hydrogen bonding sites in the urea groups.
New Wormhole Solutions in Quadratic f(Q)$f(\mathcal {Q})$‐Gravity Regime
Authors: Kiroriwal Sweeti , Kumar Jitendra , Maurya Sunil Kumar , Chaudhary Sourav , Aziz Abdul 
Published: February 2024

AbstractNowadays, alternative gravity is a crucial tool for addressing some enduring observational problems, such as the dark universe. Additionally, they can be used to advance the results of general relativity in astrophysics. Wormholes, or imagined passageways through spacetime, have the potential to revolutionize interstellar transport and cosmic interconnection. In the present work, the existence and characteristics of wormhole solutions in the context of the non‐linear function of gravity are investigated. A typical characteristic of maintaining wormholes is the presence of exotic stuff that defines the energy conditions (ECs). The authors looked at the ECs that must be met and analyzed how the function affects the energy‐momentum requirements for maintaining the wormholes open. For a comprehensive understanding of wormhole geometries, we also studied the embedding diagram and volume integral quantifier.
Cancer cells employ lipid droplets to survive toxic stress
Authors: Kostecka Laurie G. , Mendez Sabrina , Li Melvin , Khare Pratik , Zhang Cissy , Le Anne , Amend Sarah R. , Pienta Kenneth J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundLipid reprogramming is a known mechanism to increase the energetic demands of proliferating cancer cells to drive and support tumorigenesis and progression. Elevated lipid droplets (LDs) are a well‐known alteration of lipid reprogramming in many cancers, including prostate cancer (PCa), and are associated with high tumor aggressiveness as well as therapy resistance. The mechanism of LD accumulation and specific LD functions are still not well understood; however, it has been shown that LDs can form as a protective mechanism against lipotoxicity and lipid peroxidation in the cell.MethodsThis study investigated the significance of LDs in PCa. This was done by staining, imaging, image quantification, and flow cytometry analysis of LDs in PCa cells. Additionally, lipidomics and metabolomics experiments were performed to assess the difference of metabolites and lipids in control and treatment surviving cancer cells. Lastly, to assess clinical significance, multiple publicly available datasets were mined for LD‐related data.ResultsOur study demonstrated that prostate and breast cancer cells that survive 72 h of chemotherapy treatment have elevated LDs. These LDs formed in tandem with elevated reactive oxygen species levels to sequester damaged and excess lipids created by oxidative stress, which promoted cell survival. Additionally, by inhibiting diacylglycerol O‐acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) (which catalyzes triglyceride synthesis into LDs) and treating with chemotherapy simultaneously, we were able to decrease the overall amount of LDs and increase cancer cell death compared to treating with chemotherapy alone.ConclusionsOverall, our study proposes a potential combination therapy of DGAT1 inhibitors and chemotherapy to increase cancer cell death.
Fatigue reliability and sensitivity analysis of aero‐disk considering correlation
Authors: Di Haoyuan , Li Hongshuang , Nan Hang , Li Yi , Jiang Hanfei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAero‐disk is a key component of aero‐engine. Due to its complex working conditions, aero‐disk is prone to structural failures. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the reliability and importance input variables of aero‐disk. In this paper, a framework of aero‐disk reliability analysis and global sensitivity analysis (GSA) was established. First, the hazardous regions of aero‐disk were determined by finite element analysis, and the limit state function of aero‐disk was defined by the life interference model. Then D‐Vine model was utilized to establish the correlation model for aero‐disk hazardous regions to evaluate the reliability of aero‐disk. In addition, two GSA methods based on Copula and space partition were proposed to identify important input random variables considering underlying correlation, and the accuracy of the proposed method was verified by two examples. Finally, the proposed method was applied to the GSA of aero‐disk. The results show that the established framework fills in the gap of uncertainty analysis of aero‐disk, which can be extended to other engineering fields. The proposed GSA methods have both high efficiency and accuracy and can realize multi‐dimensional GSA when the correlation of input variables is considered.