bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation on Physicochemical Properties and Anti-nutritional content of the three sorghum Varieties Grown in Ethiopia
Authors: Bogale Getenet , Getachew Eskinder , Admassu Habtamu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The physicochemical properties of grains play very important role to determine the quality of grains. An investigation was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical properties and phytochemical content of three sorghum varieties: Tilahun, Melkam, and Argity. Results demonstrated that Melkam exhibited the highest values in bulk density (0.86 g/mL), hectoliter weight (82.67 kg/hl), and flour extraction yield (79.4%). Argity, on the other hand, displayed higher values in thousand kernel weight (45.46g), size (3.6 mm), volume (37.6 mL), and angle of repose (30.070). Additionally, Melkam presented significantly higher levels of crude protein (12.81%), crude fiber (2.74%), and crude fat (3.07%), coupled with lower moisture (12.30%) and ash content (1.27%). Furthermore, Melkam exhibited lower levels of anti-nutritional factors such as tannin (0.21 mg/100g) and phytate content (320.3 mg/100g), while Tilahun demonstrated higher levels of ash, moisture, and phytate (334.07 mg/100g). In terms of mineral content, Melkam demonstrated the highest levels of calcium (24 mg/100g), phosphorus (266.12 mg/100g), and iron (4.16 mg/100g), with Tilahun displaying lower levels of calcium (12.34 mg/100g), phosphorus (255.57 mg/100g), and iron (4.0 mg/100g). Magnesium content was found to be highest in Argity (155.77 mg/100g) and lowest in Melkam (130.89 mg/100g). Based on the physicochemical properties observed, Melkam was selected as a favorable candidate for further food product development due to its nutritional qualities.
RNF181 promotes ferroptosis by ubiquitinating HMOX1 to inhibit gastric cancer cell proliferation and chemoresistance
Authors: Cui Hongjuan , Zhou Xujun , Chen Shitong , Liu Xiyu , Song Houji , Gan Lu , Wu Zonghui , Liao Yuan , Liao Yuan , Zhong Liping 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Emergence of chemotherapeutic resistance remains an important challenge in cancer treatment, especially in advanced cancers. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis is closely associated with tumor chemoresistance, and induction of ferroptosis has been shown to reverse chemoresistance. This study focused on the important function of Ring Finger Protein 181 (RNF181) in gastric cancer and the potential mechanisms involved in chemoresistance. Here, we found that RNF181 was aberrantly activated in chemoresistant cells of gastric cancer, and high expression of RNF181 was associated with poor patient prognosis. Depletion of RNF181 inhibited the proliferation and tumorigenicity of chemoresistant cells, and increased chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. Mechanistically, our study showed that the interaction between RNF181 and HMOX1 mediated K27-linked polyubiquitination of HMOX1 and regulated its protein stability. Upregulation of HMOX1 expression after knockdown of RNF181 resulted in excessive heme degradation and intracellular iron overload to promote ferroptosis. Generally, our study reveals the important role of RNF181 in chemoresistance in gastric cancer, and targeting RNF181 may be a rational strategy to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy in gastric cancer.
Obesity Improves Neuronal Metabolism and Functional Hyperemia in a Rat Model of Early Ad Pathology
Authors: Almanza Dustin Loren Velasco , Koletar Margaret , Lai Aaron , Lam Wilfred , Joo Lewis , Hill Mary , Stanisz Greg , McLaurin JoAnne , Stefanovic Bojana 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
While obesity has been linked to both increased and decreased rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patients, the interaction between obesity and AD remains largely unknown.
Methods
In the present study, TgF344-AD rat model was used to investigate the effects of high carbohydrate, high fat (HCHF) diet on brain glucose metabolism and brain hemodynamics in the presence or absence of AD transgenes, in pre symptomatic vs. symptomatic stages of AD progression using non-invasive brain imaging.
Results
In prodromal AD, HCHF had pernicious effects: it attenuated both hippocampal glucose uptake and functional hyperemia in 6-month-old nTg and TgAD rats compared to CHOW-fed cohorts. However, HCHF was beneficial in established AD: 12-month-old HCHF-fed TgAD rats showed increased hippocampal glucose uptake and amplified functional hyperemia as well as resting perfusion that was indistinguishable from that of nTg rats; the latter effect was not due to anatomical changes in hippocampal vasculature on histopathological assays.
Conclusions
Our findings indicate that a high caloric diet in the early stages of symptomatic AD can have propitious effects on neurophysiological and cerebrovascular function, in support of our findings that the HCHF diet stabilizes executive function in this model of AD in the early symptomatic stage of the disease. Our data provide the first hitherto evidence of the disease stage-dependent effects of high caloric diet, illuminating the brain function changes underlying the obesity paradox.
Application of novel probation teaching mode in implant dentistry curriculum for Chinese undergraduate students
Authors: Liu Manqing , Li Junda , Xu Jiayun , Wang Tianlu , Xu Yuming , Wang Jinming 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: Implant dentistry has developed rapidly due to elevated patient awareness and treatment expectations, resulting an increasing demand for educators to provide well-designed undergraduate oral implantology curriculum. However, not many studies have focused on the teaching effect of clinical probation in implant dentistry course. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the knowledge acquisition, attitude, and behavior of the students when exposed to three forms of oral implantology curriculum applied with different teaching modes.
Methods: We enrolled 150 fourth-year undergraduate dental students from grade 2017 to grade 2019 with 50 from each grade, respectively. Grade 2017 were exposed to conventional theoretical lectures only and selected as the Group A. Grade 2018 were provided with online probation teaching in addition to the theoretical lectures and selected as the Group B, while grade 2019 received offline probation teaching in addition to the theoretical lectures and selected as the Group C. The evaluation of the above teaching modes was conducted by final exam assessment and an online questionnaire.
Results: Overall evaluation of the course showed that probation teaching could enhance students’ satisfaction level, knowledge mastery efficiency and facilitate an appreciation of potential career options in oral implantology (P < 0.05). Further assessment regarding the comparison between online and offline mode of probation teaching demonstrated that the offline mode could effectively activate class atmosphere, increase student-teacher interaction, better foster clinical thinking ability, and meanwhile promote an early cultivation of medical humanistic spirit (P < 0.05). Assessment of final exam scores were consistent with the results of questionnaire, with Group C exhibited the best academic performance followed by Group B, then Group A (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The utilization of the offline probation teaching mode in the undergraduate curriculum could not only improve students’ implantology knowledge and competences in a relaxing and effective manner, but also bridge the gap between theory and clinical practice.
Identification and characterization of specific motifs in effector proteins of plant parasites using MOnSTER
Authors: Bottini Silvia , calia giulia , porracciolo paola , chen yongpan , kozlowski djampa , Schuler Hannes , cestaro alessandro , quentin michael , favery bruno , Danchin Etienne 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Motivation: Plant pathogens cause billions of dollars of crop loss every year and are a major threat to global food security. Identifying and characterizing pathogens effectors is crucial towards their improved control. Because of their poor sequence conservation, effector identification is challenging, and current methods generate too many candidates without indication for prioritizing experimental studies. In most phyla, effectors contain specific sequence motifs which influence their localization and targets in the plant. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop bioinformatics tools tailored for pathogens effectors.Results To circumvent these limitations, we have developed MOnSTER a novel tool that identifies clusters of motifs of protein sequences (CLUMPs). MOnSTER can be fed with motifs identified by de novo tools or from databases such as Pfam and InterProScan. The advantage of MOnSTER is the reduction of motif redundancy by clustering them and associating a score. This score encompasses the physicochemical properties of AAs and the motif occurrences. We built up our method to identify discriminant CLUMPs in oomycetes effectors. Consequently, we applied MOnSTER on PPN and identified six CLUMPs in about 60% of the known nematode candidate parasitism proteins. Furthermore, we found co-occurrences of CLUMPs with protein domains important for invasion and pathogenicity. The potentiality of this tool goes beyond the effector characterization and can be used to easily cluster motifs and calculate the CLUMP-score on any set of protein sequences.Availability and implementation: The source python code and related data are available at: https://github.com/Plant-Net/MOnSTER_PROMOCA.git
Ingestion of Amoxicillin – Clavulanic Acid at therapeutic concentration during blood meal impacts Aedes aegypti microbiota and dengue virus transmission
Authors: Smévoorde Margot Garcia -- Van , Calvez Elodie , Quétel Isaure , Dollin Christelle , Breurec Sébastien , Vega-Rúa Anubis 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV), mainly transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is the most prevalent arbovirus worldwide, representing a public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. In these areas, antibiotic consumption rises which may impact both mosquito microbiota and dengue transmission. Here, we assessed how the ingestion by Ae. aegypti of therapeutic concentrations of Amoxicillin – Clavulanic Acid association (Amox/Clav), a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat febrile symptoms worldwide, impacted its microbiota. We also evaluated whether simultaneous ingestion of antibiotic and DENV impacted Ae. aegyptiability to transmit this virus. We found that Amox/Clav ingestion impacted microbiota composition in Ae. aegypti and we confirmed such impact in field-collected mosquitoes. Furthermore, we observed that Amox/Clav ingestion enhanced DENV dissemination and transmission by this mosquito at late days post-DENV exposure. These findings increase our understanding of factors linked to human hosts that may influence dengue transmission dynamics in regions with mass-drug administration programs.
Potato consumption and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality – a long-term follow-up of a Norwegian cohort
Authors: Arnesen Erik Kristoffer , Laake Ida , Carlsen Monica H. , Veierød Marit Bragelien , Retterstøl Kjetil 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Purpose. To examine the association between potato consumption and death of all-causes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) over a substantial follow-up period within a cohort predominantly consuming boiled potatoes.
Methods. Adults from three Norwegian counties were invited to three health screenings in 1974–1988 (>80% attendance). Dietary data were collected using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires at each screening to categorize weekly potato consumption (≤6, 7–13, or ≥14 potatoes/week) and calculate daily cumulative mean intakes (grams/day). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between potato consumption and risk of death from all-causes, CVD, ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Results. Among 78,400 subjects with a mean baseline age of 41 years, we observed 27,737 deaths, including 9,028 deaths due to CVD, over a median follow-up of 33.5 years. Subjects who consumed ≥14 potatoes/week had a lower risk of all-cause death compared to subjects consuming ≤6potatoes/week (HR=0.88; 95% CI 0.84, 0.92). Potato consumption was associated with a small, inverse risk of death due to CVD, IHD, and AMI. In continuous analyses, each 100 g/day increment was associated with 4% lower risk of death from all-causes (HR=0.96; 95% CI 0.94, 0.98) and CVD (0.96; 0.93, 0.99), along with 5% (0.95; 0.91, 1.00) and 4% lower (0.96; 0.91, 1.01) risk of IHD and AMI death, respectively.
Conclusion. In this cohort with a generally high consumption of potatoes, we found modest, inverse associations between potato consumption and death of all-causes, CVD, and IHD.
The Temporal Trajectory of the Psychedelic Mushroom Experience Mimics the Narrative Arc of the Hero’s Journey
Authors: Brouwer Ari , Brown Joshua K. , Erowid Earth , Erowid Fire , Thyssen Sylvia , Raison Charles L. , Carhart-Harris Robin L. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Psychedelic therapy has the potential to become a revolutionary and transdiagnostic mental health treatment, yielding enduring benefits that are often attributed to the experiences that coincide with peak psychedelic effects. However, there may be an underrecognized temporal structure to this process that helps explain why psychedelic and related altered states of consciousness can have a initially distressing but ultimately a distress-resolving effect. Here we present a qualitative analysis of the self-reported ‘comeup’ or onset phase, and ‘comedown’ or falling phase, of the psychedelic experience. Focusing on psilocybin or psilocybin-containing mushrooms, we show that the comeup is more often characterized by negatively valenced feeling states, while the comedown phase is more often characterized by positively valenced feeling states of the sort often observed following recovery from illness or adversity. In this way, the temporal trajectory of the psychedelic experience could be seen to mimic the narrative arc of the monomythical ‘Hero’s Journey’.
Bioinformatics analysis of the clinical value and potential mechanisms of CBS/H2S in Glioma through 1027 samples.
Authors: Si Yuanyuan , Song Ningjia , JI YONG 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Glioma is a highly malignant brain tumor with dismal prognosis, limiting effective treatment strategies. Thus,identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor-related gene in glioma is critical. Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS), a key kinase in the brain responsible for producing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) internally, has been implicated in the progression of malignant tumors. However, there is a paucity of studies focusing on CBS/H2S in the context of glioma.
Methods
Data analysis of mRNA-seq level was performed in a group of 325 patients with glioma from the Chinese Glioma Genome Altas (CGGA) database and 702 patients from The Cancer Genome Altas (TCGA). The TISIDB database was employed to explore the connection between CBS expression and immune cell infiltration levels.Furthermore, the variation in CBS expression across multiple cancer types were examined by GEPIA database and TISIDB database.
Results
CBS showed enrichment in low-grade gliomas and IDH-mutant gliomas. Furthermore,CBS held great promise as a biomarker for glioblastoma and an independent prognostic determinant affecting patients’ overall survival. Notably,the analysis of immune infiltration revealed inverse associations between CBS and 28 distinct types of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).Moreover,CBS played a pivotal role in Pan-cancer,highlighting its significance in Pan-cancer studies.
Sustainability assessment in the presence of undesirable outputs: A stochastic slack-based data envelopment analysis approach
Authors: Amirteimoori Alireza , Allahviranloo Tofigh , Khalaf Osamah Ibrahim , Algburi Sameer , Nematizadeh Maryam , Hamam Habib 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Measuring sustainability as an efficient tool to achieve sustainable development and improve economic, social, and environmental aspects is always fraught with complications. Consequently, the identification of a suitable method capable of evaluating and recognizing the strengths and weaknesses across these dimensions is paramount. Given that data in many real-world applications exist in uncertain and random forms, the primary aim of this paper is to present a model for evaluating sustainability within a stochastic environment using the technique of data envelopment analysis (DEA). The proposed model is non-radial and incorporates undesirable outputs, enabling the assessment of overall sustainability as well as each of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions simultaneously. This multi-dimensional evaluation capability is a key advantage of the proposed model. Additionally, the proposed model is based on input excesses and output shortfalls. Another notable advantage is the incorporation of the assumption of managerial disposability when dealing with undesirable outputs. To illustrate the proposed sustainability model across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, data from 59 countries spanning Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia are analyzed and evaluated within a stochastic environment.
Multi-omic analysis identifies hypoalbuminemia as independent biomarker of poor outcome upon PD-1 blockade in metastatic melanoma
Authors: Leek Lindsay V.M. , Notohardjo Jessica C.L. , de Joode Karlijn , Velker Eline L. , Haanen John B.A.G. , Suijkerbuijk Karijn P.M. , Aarts Maureen J.B. , de Groot Jan Willem B. , Kapiteijn Ellen , Berkmortel Franchette W.P.J. van den , Westgeest Hans M. , de Gruijl Tanja D. , Retel Valesca P. , Cuppen Edwin , Veldt Astrid A.M. van der , Labots Mariette , Voest Emile E. , de Haar Joris van , Eertwegh Alfons J.M. van den 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We evaluated the prognostic value of hypoalbuminemia in context of various biomarkers at baseline, including clinical, genomic, transcriptomic, and blood-based markers, in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with anti-PD-1 monotherapy or anti-PD-1/anti-CTLA-4 combination therapy (n=178). An independent validation cohort (n=79) was used to validate the performance of hypoalbuminemia compared to serum LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) levels. Pre-treatment hypoalbuminemia emerged as the strongest predictor of poor outcome for both OS (HR=4.01, 95% CI 2.10-7.67, Cox P=2.63e-05) and PFS (HR=3.72, 95% CI 2.06-6.73, Cox P=1.38e-05) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, the association of hypoalbuminemia with PFS was independent of serum LDH, IFN-γ signature expression, TMB, ECOG PS, treatment line, treatment type (combination or monotherapy), brain and liver metastasis (HR=2.80, 95% CI 1.29-6.08, Cox P=0.00916). Our validation cohort confirmed the prognostic power of hypoalbuminemia for OS (HR=1.98, 95% CI 1.16-3.38; Cox P=0.0127) and was complementary to serum LDH in analyses for both OS (LDH-adjusted HR=2.12, 95% CI 1.2-3.72, Cox P=0.00925) and PFS (LDH-adjusted HR=1.91, 95% CI 1.08-3.38, Cox P=0.0261). In conclusion, pretreatment hypoalbuminemia was a powerful predictor of outcome in ICI in melanoma and showed remarkable complementarity to previously established biomarkers, including high LDH.
GATA2 promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer development by suppressing IFN-β axis-mediated antitumor immunity
Authors: XU MAFEI , Jin Zige , Wang Hanling , Tang Ruxian , Pan Biying , Lee Hui-ju , Liu Siqi , Wang Leiming , Qin Jun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) nearly inevitably develops after long-term treatment with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), leading to significant mortality. Investigating the mechanisms driving CRPC development is imperative. Here, we determined that the pioneer transcription factor GATA2, which is frequently amplified in CRPC patients, inhibits interferon (IFN)-β-mediated antitumor immunity, thereby promoting CRPC progression. Employing a genetically engineered mouse model (GEMM), we demonstrated that GATA2 overexpression hindered castration-induced cell apoptosis and tumor shrinkage, facilitating tumor metastasis and CRPC development. Notably, GATA2 drives castration resistance predominantly via repressing castration-induced activation of IFN-β signaling and CD8 + T-cell infiltration. This finding aligns with the negative correlation between GATA2 expression and IFNB1 expression, as well as CD8 + T-cell infiltration in CRPC patients. Mechanistically, GATA2 recruited PIAS1 as corepressor, and reprogramed the cistrome of IRF3, a key transcription factor of the IFN-β axis, in an androgen-independent manner. Furthermore, we identified a novel silencer element that facilitated the function of GATA2 and PIAS1 through looping to the IFNB1 promoter. Importantly, depletion of GATA2 augmented antitumor immunity and attenuated CRPC development. Consequently, our findings elucidate a novel mechanism wherein GATA2 promotes CRPC progression by suppressing IFN-β axis-mediated antitumor immunity, underscoring GATA2 as a promising therapeutic target for CRPC.
Hazardous Effects of Heavy Metal Pollution on Histological and Gene Expression Profiles of Nile Tilapia in the Eastern Delta, Egypt Aquatic Ecosystems
Authors: Shaalan Walaa M. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Heavy metal pollution threatens the biodiversity and ecological equilibrium of the Nile River. This study investigates the impact of heavy metal pollution on aquatic animal as Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the Damietta branch of the River Nile and El-Rayah El-Tawfeeky, in Benha city in Egypt. Fish and water samples were subsequently analyzed using ICP-OES revealing significantly higher concentrations of Mg, Cd, Hg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in fish muscle tissues collected from Damietta branch compared to El-Rayah El-Tawfeeky samples. Histopathological examinations revealed noteworthy alterations in tilapia gill, liver, spleen, and muscle tissues, suggesting potential health risks. Gene expression analysis using RT-qPCR indicated significant changes in genes related to muscle growth (MyoD, IGF-1) and immune response (TNFa, IL6) in fish from Damietta branch relative to fish of El-Rayah El-Tawfeeky. The findings raise concerns about bioaccumulation and potential health implications for consumers. The study underscores the significance of continuous monitoring, utilizing chemical, histopathological, and molecular tools as bioindicators for environmental protection measures against aquatic pollution.