bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of cyclin D1 by new biguanide 4C increases the sensitivity of proficient homologous recombination repair bladder cancer cells to Olaparib via causing G0 / G1 arrest
Authors: Chu Xuetong , Xiao Di , Peng Mei , Duan Huaxin , Xu Cangcang , Yang Xiaoping 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Results from recent clinical trials do not support PARP inhibitors as monotherapy in urological tumor. Interestingly, biguanides inhibiting homologous recombination repair (HRR) are thought to increase the sensitivity of proficient HRR (HRR-proficient) cancers to Olaparib, but the mechanism of which is not yet clear. New biguanide derivative 4C in our laboratory inhibited significantly proliferation of BC, given that the effects of biguanides and PARP inhibitors on cell cycle are generally opposite, we explored the anti-BC mechanism of 4C and the efficacy and cause of the combination of 4C and Olaparib in HRR-proficient BC from the cell cycle perspective.
Materials and methods
In vitro, RT4 and T24 were treated with 4C, Olaparib and combination of the two, MTT for cell viability, RT-PCR for Cyclin mRNA levels , flow cytometry for cell cycle and HRR efficiency, Western Blot (WB) for cyclin and HRR protein expression, immunofluorescence for HRR protein localization and expression, and Comet assay for DNA damage degree. In vivo, we explored the effects of 4C, Olaparib and the combination on tumor growth using the T24 xenograft nude mice model, H&E for the hepatorenal toxicity, and WB and immunohistochemistry for the effects of different treatments on HRR proteins .
Results
In vitro, 4C induced G0/G1 phase arrest suppressed HRR protein, causing sustained DNA damage, while Olaparib induced S and G2/M phase arrest of HRR-proficient BC and increased HRR protein, causing reversible DNA damage. The two had good combined effects, and the effects on cell cycle and HRR of Olaparib were reversed by 4C when combining the two. Mechanistically, the trend of CCND1 (Cyclin D1) mRNA was consistent with HRR efficiency after different treatments, which is high expression in the two BC cells. silencing CCND1 decreased HRR, and increaed the sensitivity of the two cells to Olaparib, exacerbating DNA damage. The effects of different drugs in vivo were consistent with that in vitro.
Conclusions
Inhibition of cyclin D1 by new biguanide 4C increases the sensitivity of HRR-proficient BC cells to Olaparib via causing G0 / G1 arrest
Latent tuberculosis infection is associated with an enrichment of short chain fatty acid producing bacteria in the stool of women living with HIV
Authors: Moodley Suventha , Kroon Elouise , Naidoo Charissa C. , Nyawo Georgina R. , Wu Benjamin G. , Naidoo Selisha , Chiyaka Tinaye L. , Tshivhula Happy , Singh Shivani , Li Yonghua , Warren Robin M. , Hoal Eileen G. , Schurr Erwin , Clemente Jose , Segal Leopoldo N. , Möller Marlo , Theron Grant 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is common in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in high TB burden settings. Active TB is associated with specific stool taxa; however, little is known about the stool microbiota and LTBI, including in PLHIV.
Method: Within a parent study that recruited adult females with HIV from Cape Town, South Africa into predefined age categories (18-25, 35-60 years), we characterised the stool microbiota of those with [interferon-γ release assay (IGRA)- and tuberculin skin test (TST)-positive] or without (IGRA- and TST-negative) LTBI (n=25 per group). 16S rRNA DNA sequences were analysed using QIIME2, Dirichlet Multinomial Mixtures, DESeq2 and PICRUSt2.
Results: No α- or β-diversity differences occurred by LTBI status; however, LTBI-positives were Faecalibacterium-, Blautia-, Gemmiger-, Bacteroides-enriched and Moryella-, Atopobium-, Corynebacterium-, Streptococcus-depleted. Inferred metagenome data showed LTBI-negative-enriched pathways included several involved in methylglyoxal degradation, L-arginine, putrescine, 4-aminobutanoate degradation and L-arginine and ornithine degradation. Stool from LTBI-positives demonstrated differential taxa abundance based on a quantitative response to antigen stimulation (Acidaminococcus-enrichment and Megamonas-, Alistipes-, and Paraprevotella-depletion associated with higher IGRA or TST responses, respectively). In LTBI-positives, older people had different β-diversities than younger people whereas, in LTBI-negatives, no differences occurred across age groups.
Conclusion: Amongst female PLHIV, those with LTBI had, vs. those without LTBI, Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Gemmiger, Bacteriodes-enriched, which are producers of short chain fatty acids. Taxonomic differences amongst people with LTBI occurred according to quantitative response to antigen stimulation and age. These data enhance our understanding of the microbiome’s potential role in LTBI.
Does Digital Financial Inclusion Matter for Agricultural Jobs Generation in the Post-Pandemic Era in SSA Countries?
Authors: Akpa Armand Fréjuis 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Job generation remains a main challenge for African countries that face an increase in the labour force population. The agriculture sector remains the major provider of employment in Africa. This sector is faced with several problems such as access to credit, which is limited due to the population's low financial inclusion. The recent COVID 19 pandemic had consequences not only on financial services but also on jobs. The rapid development of information communication and technology (ICT) constitutes a way to include underserved people in financial services through digital platforms to increase their access to credit and in turn generate jobs. This paper was undertaken in this context to assess the digital financial inclusion (DFI) influence on agricultural job generation in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) nations. Using a sample of 26 SSA nations over the period 2014-2021 and the general method of moments in the system (SGMM) on panel data, the estimation results show that digital access and digital use promote employment in agriculture. Similarly, the DFI improves employment in agriculture, allowing us to confirm that DFI is a factor that promotes employment in agriculture in SSA nations. However, the study suggests that to reduce unemployment in SSA nations, governments and policymakers must take action to include individuals in financial services through the development and use of digital platforms.
JEL Codes: G20 – O16 – O30 – J21
EPYC promotes laryngeal cancer carcinogenesis and angiogenesis via theWnt-Axin-β-catenin/VEGFR1 pathway
Authors: Zhou Dongmei , Liu Fan , Li Xiaoqi , Lv Fei 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
EPYC is a member of a small family of leucine-rich repetitive proteoglycans (SLRPs) and contributes to the carcinogenesis of different cancers. However, the role of EPYC in laryngeal cancer (LC) is still unclear. This study aimed to determine the biological significance of EPYC in LC.
Methods
In public databases, EPYC was identified by screening as a hub angiogenesis-related differentially expressed gene (Ar-DEG), and this finding was validated in LC tissues. The biological role of EPYC as an LC promoter was verified by knocking down EPYC with small interfering RNA (siRNA) in LC cell lines. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of EPYC-related genes and verification experiments were subsequently conducted. The proangiogenic effect of EPYC and its specific mechanism were explored using a coculture model of HUVECs and LC cells.
Results
We found that EPYC was significantly upregulated in LC tissues vs. normal tissues, both in public databases and in in-house LC tissue samples, and was closely correlated with patient prognosis. EPYC knockdown in LC cells attenuated laryngeal carcinogenesis and angiogenesis, while the addition of rhEPYC partially restored tumor growth and neovascularization. GSEA revealed that genes upregulated in samples with high EPYC expression were enriched in the cell cycle. Mechanistically, EPYC may suppress the expression of Axin, a β-catenin degradation complex protein that activates Wnt/β-catenin, or promote the degradation of VEGFR1 and reduce its ability to act as a decoy of VEGF to increase VEGF secretion and promote angiogenesis.
Conclusion
We showed that EPYC is overexpressed in LC and promotes LC carcinogenesis and angiogenesis via the Wnt-Axin-β-catenin/VEGFR1-VEGF pathway, suggesting EPYC as a novel therapeutic target for LC.
Study on the correlation between serum levels of oxidative stress regulatory factors and CaOx kidney stones
Authors: Aihemaitijiang Baihetiyaer , Azhati Julaiti , Tailaiti Alimu , Ma Bin , Liu Ruotian , Chen Ce , Maihemuti Maiwulajiang , Mahemuti Mulati 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
This study revealed the role of serum oxidative stress regulators such as sKL, Nrf2 and GSK3β, in the formation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones.
Methods
Clinical data and blood samples were collected from 148 patients with CaOx kidney stones and 151 healthy persons.The levels of sKL, Nrf2, NQO-1, HO-1 and GSK3β in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The independent sample t test and rank sum test were used to compare the two sets of data.Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between serum sKL and levels of Nrf2, NQO-1, HO-1 and GSK3β in patients with CaOx kidney stones.Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors affecting the occurrence of CaOx kidney stones. ROC curve was used to evaluate the value of oxidative stress markers in the diagnosis of CaOx kidney stones.
Results
There were statistically significant differences in age, BMI, serum levels of sKL, Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1, GSK3β, potassium, sodium and magnesium between healthy group and CaOx group (P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that serum sKL level was positively correlated with NQO-1 (r = 0.207, P = 0.011) and serum Ca2+ (r = 0.17, P = 0.13), and negatively correlated with GSK3β (r=-0.206, P = 0.012).Logistic regression showed that increased serum HO-1 and NQO-1 levels were protective factors for the occurrence of CaOx kidney stones (P<0.05), and increased BMI and serum GSK3β levels were risk factors for the occurrence of CaOx kidney stones(P<0.05).The combined ROC curve analysis of the three indexes showed that the combined sensitivity (0.85), specificity (0.70) and AUC (0.84) of serum HO-1 + NQO-1 + GSK3β were significantly higher than the combined detection of single or two indexes, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion
The serum levels of sKL, Nrf2, HO-1, NQO-1 are decreased in patients with CaOx kidney stones, and the serum levels of GSK3β are increased.Serum sKL level was positively correlated with NQO-1 and negatively correlated with GSK3β.The elevated levels of serum HO-1 and NQO-1 are protective factors and GSK3β and BMI are risk factors for the development of CaOx kidney stones.Serum HO-1 + NQO-1 + GSK3β is a suitable combination for the serologic diagnosis of CaOx kidney stones.
Prediction of equilibrium moisture content and swelling of Thermally modified hardwoods by artificial neural networks
Authors: Masoumi Abasali , Bond Brian 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
In this study artificial neural network (ANN) models were developed for predicting the effects of wood species, density, modifying time and temperature on the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) and swelling of six different thermally modified hardwood species. Lumber of Yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera); red oak (Quercus borealis); white ash (Fraxinus americana), red maple (Acer rubrum); hickory (Carya glabra), and black cherry (Prunus serotina) were selected. Using Keras and Pytorch libraries in Python, different feed forward and back propagation multilayer ANN models were created and tested. The best prediction models, determined based on the errors in training iterations, were selected and used for testing. Based on the performance analysis, the prediction ANN models are accurate, reliable and effective tools in terms of time and cost-effectiveness, for predicting the EMC and swelling characteristics of thermally modified wood. The multiple-input model was more accurate than the single-input model and it provided a prediction with R2 of 0.9975, 0.92 and MAPE of 1.36, 7.77 for EMC and swelling.
3D Printing for Preoperative Planning in Pancreatic Resection for Rare Metastasis from Ovarian Cancer: a case report
Authors: Arsenkov Stefan , Antovic Svetozar , Plavevski Ognen , Arsenkov Emilija , Spirov Goran , Nikodinovska Violeta Vasilevska , Petrusevska Gordana , Stavridis Gjorgji 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Secondary pancreatic malignancies are a rarely reported entity, limited to sporadic case reports in the medical literature. Most oftenly these secondary malignancies are of renal origin, followed by gastrointestinal tumors and lung cancer as the primary tumor sites. Metastatic tumors from ovarian origin are few and far between. In our understanding this is the first time 3D printing has been used in the preoperative planning of one such case.
Case presentation
We present the case of a 63 year old patient with a history for bilateral ovariectomy for ovarian tumor 5 years prior, with a 3D printed model of the patient’s anatomy used for preoperative planning as a novel approach. During regular check-ups, an elevated CA19-9 level prompted a CT scan showing a distal pancreatic mass entering the splenic hilum, and a PET scan showed FDG avid lesion considered malignant and no other lesions were detected. The location of the metastasis warranted a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. To aid in the preoperative planning a 1:1 replica of the patient’s anatomy was constructed based on the CT scan, and it was manufactured using 3D printing. After extirpation of the tumor, the histological analysis showed a pancreatic pseudocyst with an intraluminal neoplastic proliferation, and further immunohistochemistry analysis determined the immunophenotype suitable of an ovarian cystadenocarcinoma metastasizing to the pancreas.
Conclusions
The surgical team was unanimous in the impression that the 3D printed model facilitated a swift surgery without any complications. Not only the model helped the planning phase, it is useful as a tool for patient education and further education of students and residents.
Impact of anthropogenic changes and rainfall variability on river discharge in tropical Central Africa
Authors: Ebodé Valentin Brice 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of rainfall variability and anthropogenic changes on river discharge in the Benoue and the Logone river basins over the last seven decades (1950–2018). To achieve this goal, hydrometeorological data from these basins were analyzed using the Pettitt and Mann–Kendall tests. Our results show that negative rupture was observed in the hydrometeorological time series of these basins at the annual time step in 1970–1971. The deficits associated with this rupture are estimated at −7% for rainfall and −28% for river flows. The wet season shows similar developments. However, from the 1990s onward, there has been a significant increase in the mean annual flows of the Benoue River, which coincides with that of the rainfall during the same decade. This increase over the recent decades could also be expected in response to an increase in impervious surface area in the catchment area, which could compensate for the deficit generated by the post-1990s rainfall deficit through an increase in runoff. Since the filling of the Lagdo Dam in 1983, an increase in all ranges of minimum flow, as well as an increase in the variability of extreme flows, has been detected.
Results of 2023 for Regional Budgets. Is the Restructuring of the Economy Visible?
Authors: Lykova L. N. 
Published: March 2024

The generally favorable situation with the implementation of the consolidated budgets of the subjects of the Russian Federation in 2023 is a result of the positive dynamics of key macroeconomic indicators, expressed in an increase in tax revenues of budgets. In the context of generally high growth rates of tax revenues, the federal transfers showed a slight nominal increase. In most regions, there has been a reduction in federal transfer recеipts, which may indirectly indicate an emerging revision of the existing model of inter-budgetary relations. There is a certain dependence of the dynamics of transfers on the dynamics of tax revenues and the availability of funds (last year’s surpluses) in the budget accounts of the subjects of the Russian Federation. The structure of tax revenues by type of economic activity has not yet shown significant changes. There is a pronounced decrease in the share of wholesale and retail trade, against the background of an increase in the share of the financial sector and extractive activities. Expenditures of regional budgets in 2 023 grew more actively than revenues, which led to the formation of a deficit in the consolidated budgets of the subjects of the Russian Federation. The differing growth rates of budget expenditures have the consequence of the continued concentration of regional-level expenditures in a relatively narrow group of the most powerful regions in terms of economic potential. The increase in the volume of accumulated state subfederal debt occurs in conditions of active substitution of market forms of debt obligations with loans from the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation.
Political and Economic Discourses of Centralization and Decentralization: Education and Science in Russia
Authors: Orekhovsky P. А. , Kapoguzov E. A. 
Published: March 2024

Incidents are increasingly occurring in schools, for which municipalities are being held responsible in Russia. Business makes complaints about the level of training of university graduates, which is a problem of coordinating the activities of the leadership of the constituent entities of the Federation with classical and technical universities. According to the authors, this is a consequence of the functioning of informal institutions that have developed in post-Soviet Russia in the field of education and science. Differences are determined by the different informal institutions that develop in these organizations. Such institutions are identified by insiders – employees and consumers of services (parents of pupils and students, students themselves), distinguishing between types of schools and universities. But their knowledge remains tacit and is not included in public discussion. From the point of view of officials responsible for the functioning of secondary and higher schools, some types of organizations highlighted in the work do not exist. Scientific activity began to be assessed on the basis of bibliometric indicators. But there is an international legal cartel operating in this area, which allows large publishing houses to maximize their income. Russian scientists spent about $ 10 million in 2020 to pay for the services of the publishing houses. The current system meets the needs of representatives of elite universities and schools, which is common for peripheral capitalism. At the same time, municipalities and Subjects of the Federation are very interested in changing the situation – minimizing the scope of “negative” informal institutions in schools, developing advanced scientific and educational centers in the regions.
Systematic Approach to the Construction of a Law-Making Strategy (Using the Example of Strategic Planning of Spatial Development in Russia)
Authors: Kiskin E. V. 
Published: March 2024

Currently in Russia, lawmaking is carried out according to the model of tactical (ad hoc) response to changing situations, i.e. by introducing many local changes to legislation (for example, in 2023, 685 federal and 9 federal constitutional laws were adopted). At the same time, the speed and depth of transformations taking place in the world, as well as the increasing complexity of social relationships, require a transition to a strategic approach, i.e. to the purposeful construction of the future by legal means. The law-making strategy allows us to reduce the variability in the development of legal regulation, so its study is a matter of current interest. The article attempts to study the law-making strategy from the perspective of systemic methodology. This approach allows us to consider the strategy comprehensively, characterize its properties, functions, composition and structure, as well as relationships with the external environment. The theoretical conclusions are illustrated using the example of the formation of a spatial development strategy for Russia. This area of strategic planning is now especially relevant, since it is necessary to respond to new external (sanctions, reorientation of economic relations) and internal (increasing the number of subjects of the Federation, redistribution of logistics flows, the need to ensure technological sovereignty) challenges. In conclusion, the author draws conclusions about the need to institutionalize the law-making strategy and to ensure a systematic approach in its formation.
The Impact of Wage Levels on the Quality of Employment and Economic Sustainability of Households
Authors: Bobkov V. N. , Odintsova E. V. 
Published: March 2024

The problem of compliance of the wage level of employees with social standards of living standards, having undoubted regional features, is relevant for all subjects of the Russian Federation. When determining the wage of organizations funded from regional budgets, we believe they should proceed from the general methodological basis for determining its size. In the article is analyzed the situation with the wage level of employees in the sector of organizations, which is the main segment of Russian employment. It has been revealed that the level of wages most strongly affects its quality and is one of the main indicators of precarious employment. The peculiarities of the distribution of employees by wage level are revealed, depending on the level of qualification of employees and their working conditions, taking into account the forms of ownership and the size of organizations. Based on the author’s tools, the analysis of the impact of wage levels on the economic sustainability of households due to (not) achieving socially acceptable and higher standards of living is carried out. It is shown that for more than 80% of employees, the wage level currently does not allow to ensure such standards. A radical increase in the wage level is proposed based on the development of industry-specific social wage standards. This will improve the quality of employment: reduce the scale of precarious employment, link the level of wages with the qualifications of employees and their working conditions, taking into account the characteristics of sectors of the Russian economy, as well as significantly increase the economic sustainability of households.