bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential alterations in the expression of AMPA receptor and its trafficking proteins in the hippocampus is associated with recognition memory impairment the rotenone-Parkinson's disease mouse model: neuroprotective role of Bacopa monneiri extract CDRI 08
Authors: Gupta Vartika , Prasad S. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD), one of the age-associated neurodegenerative disorders, is associated with motor abnormalities. In addition, the PD leads to gradual deterioration of cognitive decline with advancing age. Apart from the hallmark accumulation of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNPc) dopaminergic neurons leading to their loss, the precise molecular basis of the PD-induced cognitive decline and the therapeutic intervention is not yet understood. In the current study, our Western blotting and qRT-PCR data from the rotenone-induced PD mouse model reveal that the PD-induced recognition memory loss is associated with significant upregulation of the GluR1 subunit and downregulation of Glur2 subunit of the AMPA receptor in the hippocampus of rotenone-treated mice as compared to the vehicle control mice. Our data also reveal that its trafficking proteins are significantly upregulated in hippocampus (DG, CA3, and CA1 regions) of PD mice compared to the vehicle control. Bacopa monnieri extract (BME) called CDRI-08 at the dose of 200mg/Kg BW has shown its abilities to reverse the expression of AMPA receptor subunit and its trafficking protein in differential manner depending on whether the BME treatment was given prior to or after the rotenone treatment to mice. Our data clearly suggest that the pre treatment given to mice reverses the expression of the memory associated genes compared to the treatment after rotenone administration. Our study further suggests that the above changes in the gene expression in PD affected hippocampus are associated with modulation of their transcriptional machinery by BDNF and CREB. Expression of both are significantly lowered in the hippocampus the rotenone-treated mice in comparison to their levels in the control mice. The mice treated first with CDRI-08 significantly upregulated their expression compared to rotenone-treated mice, and when compared with mice treated after the rotenone treatment. Our results provide the evidence for the underlying molecular basis of cognitive decline in PD in rotenone-PD model and the possible mechanisms for the neuroprotective role of Bacopa monnieri extract CDRI-08 which shows its therapeutic potential for the PD-induced cognitive impairment.
Antidepressant-like effect of 5-O-methylvisammioside targeting SRC is accompanied by hippocampal neuroinflammation reduction in lipopolysaccharide-challenged mice
Authors: Zhu Wen-Qian , Li Bing-Jin , Cui Ran-Ji 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

5-O-methylvisammioside (MeV), a phenolic compound found in the underground part (radix) Saposhnikovia divaricate (Turcz. ex Ledeb.) Schischk. (Apiaceae) in the early stage, has also been detected in the extract of Eranthis longistipitata(Ranunculaceae) in recent literature. In previous studies, it was discovered to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. However, the potential mechanisms of MeV antidepressants remain unclear. In the present study, Network pharmacology was adopted to conduct drug-target networks following obtaining the shared targets between MeV and major depressive disorder (MDD) in multiple databases. The binding ability of the compound to the core target was verified through molecular docking. In addition, the biological processes and signaling pathways involved in the antidepressant effect of MeV by animal experiments. Our results were as follows: i) There were 85 shared targets of MeV & MDD in multiple public databases. The target protein with a higher degree in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC). ii) Gene Ontology analysis showed that MeV treatment of MDD mainly involves the positive regulation of phosphorylation, the response to lipopolysaccharide, and other biological processes. It was closely related to the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. iii) MeV administration significantly alleviated depression-like behaviors and reduced microgliosis in mice by inhibiting SRC phosphorylation. The antidepressant effects of MeV may be attributed to the NF-κB signaling pathway. The results may contribute to demonstrating the effectiveness of MeV against MDD and facilitate the development of new traditional Chinese medicine ingredients.
A Study on End-to-End Detection Method of Concrete Crack Grade Based on Computer Vision
Authors: Qi Zhanfeng , Li Guoliang , Huang Zhiyi 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Automated identification of concrete cracks is essential for ensuring infrastructure integrity and sustained safety. However, the irregularities and non-uniformity of concrete cracks present challenges in achieving a thorough, automated crack assessment meeting current specifications while reducing human involvement. Although relying on crack width to evaluate the degree of cracking has been widely accepted, the measurement of crack width is still limited by the measurement position, and the detection results often require additional processing, lacking intuitive representation. This paper proposes an innovative approach for a complete end-to-end detection system for assessing concrete crack grades, which includes a detection methodology and an evaluation framework. The detection method employs 227×227×3 detection cells trained using convolutional neural networks, each assigned distinct labels to slide and identify cracks. Simultaneously, the evaluation framework translates the concrete current specifications into computer-executable procedures and generates the quantitative evaluation of single and multiple cracks in concrete. The experimental findings indicate the models using fine-tuned AlexNet and VGG16 trained on the self-generated Crack-1000 dataset, generate a low error recognition rate of 5.2% and 2.4% respectively. The applications demonstrate the trained model and evaluation framework can accurately identify crack paths and provide a crack label that matches the actual situation. Compared with traditional methods, the method proposed in this article has superior recognition accuracy and end-to-end detection ability, eliminating the necessity of manual parameter adjustment. This innovative visual solution provides an effective method for detecting and evaluating cracks in concrete structures.
Reconfigurable synthetic dimension frequency lattices in an integrated lithium niobate ring cavity
Authors: Balcytis Armandas , Dinh Hiep , Ozawa Tomoki , Ota Yasutomo , Ren Guanghui , Baba Toshihiko , Iwamoto Satoshi , Mitchell Arnan , Nguyen Thach 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Harnessing non-spatial properties of photons as if they represent an additional independent coordinate underpins the emerging synthetic dimension approach. It enables probing of higher-dimensional physical models within low-dimensional devices, such as on a planar chip. We demonstrate an integrated thin-film lithium niobate ring resonator that, under dynamic modulation, simulates a tight-binding model with its discrete frequency modes representing lattice sites. Inter-mode coupling, and the simulated lattice geometry, can be reconfigured by controlling the modulating signals. Up to a quasi-3D lattice connectivity with controllable gauge potentials has been achieved by simultaneous synchronized nearest-, second- and third-nearest-neighbor coupling, and verified by acquiring time-resolved synthetic band structures. Development of synthetic frequency dimension devices in the thin-film lithium niobate photonic integration platform is a key step in increasing the complexity of topological models achievable on a chip, combining efficient electro-optic mode coupling response with non-linear effects for long-range mode interactions.
Risk factors for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss among Women seeking care at a tertiary private-not-for-profit hospital in Northern Uganda: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Henry Ochola , Opiyo Jimmy , Otim Raymond , Akello Harriet , Okot Jerome , Lukyamuzi Enock , Lee Sadhbh , Ruhangura Simon , Praiselyn Acayo Judith , Odong Emintone , Buga Paul , Ochola Emmanuel , Ojara Sande 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background:Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) imposes a substantial burden, but data from sub-Saharan Africa are limited. We aimed to determine risk factors for RPL at a tertiary private-not-profit hospital in Northern Uganda.Methods:We conducted an unmatched case-control study among pregnant women at a referral hospital in Northern Uganda from February to June 2023. Cases included women aged 15-49 with ≥2 miscarriages and pregnancy <28 weeks of gestation. The controls were pregnant women with no history of miscarriage. We used a structured questionnaire to collect data and multivariable logistic regression for analysis.Results:We included 56 participants (19 cases and 37 controls), the median age was 29 years (IQR 26-35). The major factor associated with RPL was single/divorced status (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 8.2, 95%CI 1.15-58.27). There was no statistical evidence of association between pregnancy planning (aOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 0.62-9.88, p=0.197) or chronic medical illness (aOR: 4.7, 95% CI: 0.91-24.42, p=0.065) and RPLConclusions:This small, single-centre study found an association between single/divorced marital status and RPL risk. However, wide confidence intervals warrant cautious interpretation. Small sample size and retrospective design limit conclusiveness but provide a basis for larger multi-centre studies on independent risk factors for RPL including chronic illnesses, uterine anomalies, and gynaecological procedures.
Multi-epitope vaccine design of African swine fever virus considering T cell and B cell immunogenicity
Authors: Chen Ting-Yu , Ho Yann-Jen , Ko Fang-Yu , Wu Pei-Yin , Chang Chia-Jung , Ho Shinn-Ying 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

T and B cell activation are equally important in triggering and orchestrating adaptive host responses to design multi-epitope African swine fever virus (ASFV) vaccines. However, few design methods have considered the trade-off between T and B cell immunogenicity when identifying promising ASFV epitopes. This work proposed a novel Pareto front-based ASFV screening method PFAS to identify promising epitopes for designing multi-epitope vaccines utilizing five ASFV Georgia 2007/1 sequences. To accurately predict T cell immunogenicity, four scoring methods were used to estimate the T cell activation in the four stages, including proteasomal cleavage probability, transporter associated with antigen processing transport efficiency, class I binding affinity of the major histocompatibility complex, and CD8 + cytotoxic T cell immunogenicity. PFAS ranked promising epitopes using a Pareto front method considering T and B cell immunogenicity. The coefficient of determination between the Pareto ranks of multi-epitope vaccines and survival days of swine vaccinations was R2 = 0.95. Consequently, PFAS scored complete epitope profiles and identified 72 promising top-ranked epitopes, including 46 CD2v epitopes, two p30 epitopes, 10 p72 epitopes, and 14 pp220 epitopes. PFAS is the first method of using the Pareto front approach to identify promising epitopes that considers the objectives of maximizing both T and B cell immunogenicity. The top-ranked promising epitopes can be cost-effectively validated in vitro. The Pareto front approach can be adaptively applied to various epitope predictors for bacterial, viral and cancer vaccine developments. The MATLAB code of the Pareto front method was available at https://github.com/NYCU-ICLAB/PFAS.
The Utilization of Renal Dialysis in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alghamdi Loujain , Alonazi Wadi 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background: Understanding the trend of utilization of renal dialysis in Saudi Arabia is fundamental as it provides a general overview of renal care. As a result, it assists in identifying challenges, opportunities, and potential areas for improvement in the provision of renal dialysis services, justifying the significance of the present study, which focused on the utilization of renal dialysis services in Saudi Arabia in 2021.
Objectives: This research investigated the utilization of renal dialysis services in Saudi Arabia by focusing on the number of renal dialysis centers, hemodialysis machines, and hemodialysis and peritoneodialysis patients.
Methods: The data from the General Authority of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Health (MoH) indicators for Renal Dialysis Centers and Patients by Health Sectors in 2021 using MS Excel 365 and SPSS Version 29. As a result, the number of renal dialysis centers was considered a dependent variable, and the number of HD machines, HD, and peritoneodialyis patients were the independent variables to determine the relationship between the variables.
Results: The findings revealed a positive relationship between the number of renal dialysis centers, the number of HD machines, and HD and peritoneodialysis patients, as demonstrated by p<0.05 in these three healthcare sectors.
Conclusion: The number of renal dialysis centers influences the availability of HD machines, affecting the number of HD and peritoneodialyis patients. Most patients (Saudi Arabians) preferred MoH over other governmental sectors and private sectors, while this is vice versa in the case of non-Saudi Arabians. Keywords: Renal Dialysis, Quality of Care, Chronic Renal Failure, and Saudi Arabia
Unpredicted ecosystem response to compound human impacts in a European river
Authors: Köhler Jan , Varga Elisabeth , Spahr Stephanie , Gessner Jörn , Stelzer Kerstin , Brandt Gunnar , Mahecha Miguel D. , Kraemer Guido , Pusch Martin , Wolter Christian , Monaghan Michael T. , Stöck Matthias , Goldhammer Tobias 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Climate change elevates the threat of compound heat and drought events, with their ecological and socioeconomic impacts exacerbated by human ecosystem alterations such as eutrophication, salinization, and river engineering. Here, we study how multiple stressors produced an environmental disaster in a large European river, the Oder, where a toxic bloom of the brackish-water planktonic haptophyte Prymnesium parvum (the “golden algae”) killed approximately 1000 metric tons of fish and most mussels and snails. We uncovered the complexity of this event using hydroclimatic data, remote sensing, cell counts, hydrochemical and toxin analyses, and genetics. After incubation in impounded upstream channels with drastically elevated concentrations of salts and nutrients, only a critical combination of chronic salt and nutrient pollution, acute high water temperatures, and low river discharge during a heatwave enabled the riverine mass proliferation of B-type P. parvum along a 500 km river section. The dramatic losses of large filter feeders and the spreading of vegetative cells and resting stages make the system more susceptible to new harmful algal blooms. Our findings show that global warming, water use intensification, and chronic ecosystem pollution could increase likelihood and severity of such compound ecoclimatic events, necessitating consideration in future impact models.
Soil Slaking under the effect of dispersants: characteristics and mechanism
Authors: Wang Shuying , Zhu Hanbiao , Liu Pengfei , Qu Tongming 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

The adhesion of clay to the cutterhead and cutters presents a significant challenge during EPB shield excavation in clay strata. Dispersants are widely used to disintegrate clay adhering to metal surfaces, but their conditioning characteristics and working mechanisms remain elusive. This study investigates the effect of organic and inorganic dispersants on clay plasticity and slaking characteristics through Atterberg limit and slaking tests, complemented by Zeta potential and swelling tests to explore underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrate that increasing the content of inorganic and organic dispersants reduces soil plasticity and enhances the slaking rate during the rapid development period in pure water. Dispersion slaking occurs in soil blocks treated with inorganic dispersant in pure water, while soil blocks treated with organic dispersant primarily undergo surface slaking. A higher organic dispersant concentration significantly intensified the slaking rate. In contrast, inorganic dispersant solutions inhibit soil slaking. Inorganic dispersant solutions impede soil expansion and slaking due to reduced electrostatic repulsion and increasing difficulty in water infiltration. Conversely, organic dispersant solutions accelerate soil slaking by promoting soil expansion and solution infiltration, reducing surface tension, and increasing pore air pressure. The results may suggest injecting organic dispersant for removal of existing soil clogging in shield tunneling, but both inorganic and organic dispersants can serve to prevent the occurrence of soil clogging for shield tunnelling.
Gd-modified In2O3 for the enhanced xylene sensing
Authors: ZHANG Zhengxin , ZHANG Deqi , YANG Li , HOU Ming , GAO Jiyun , XIA Yi , GUO Shenghui 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Modifying with rare earth elements has been proven to be an effective means of enhancing the gas-sensing properties of oxides. In this work,Gd-In2O3 based sensor was developed, which showed high response to 100 ppm xylene gas (Ra/Rg = 17.8) fast response time (11 s) at 350°C, this response value was 5.4 times higher compared to the unmodified In2O3 sensor (Ra/Rg = 3.3). The introduction of the rare earth element not only improves the electrical properties of the sensitive material to provide a more suitable resistance, but also strengthens the gas adsorption ability and the catalytic effect on the surface of the sensitive material, leading to the enhanced sensing performance.
Chronic NaAsO2 exposure promotes migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells by Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin/TCF4 axis-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Hui , Yan Hai-Xin , Liu Ming-Dong , Yao Kai , Niu Feng-Wen , Feng Shi-Yao , Li Xi , Chen Yuan-Hua , Xie Dong-Dong 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Inorganic arsenic is a Class I human Carcinogen. However, the role of chronic inorganic arsenic exposure on prostate cancer metastasis still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of chronic NaAsO2 exposure on migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells. DU145 and PC-3 cells were exposed to NaAsO2 (2 µmol/L) for 25 generations. Wound healing and Transwell assays showed that chronic NaAsO2 exposure promoted migration and invasion of DU145 and PC-3 cells. In addition, chronic NaAsO2 exposure induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of DU145 cells by promoting β-catenin/TCF4 transcriptional activity. Mechanically, NaAsO2 promoted GSK-3β inactivation in the "disruption complex" through Akt mediated phosphorylation at serine 9, and then inhibited phosphorylation and ubiquitination degradation of β-catenin, leading to β-catenin nuclear translocation. Ly204002, a selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt inhibitor, suppressed the β-catenin/TCF4 complex activation and EMT through blocking the Akt-mediated GSK-3β inactivation in the "disruption complex" in chronic NaAsO2 exposed DU145 and PC-3 cells. Moreover, Ly204002 alleviated chronic NaAsO2-induced migration and invasion in DU145 and PC-3 cells. These findings provide evidence that chronic arsenic exposure promoted migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells through inducing EMT driven by AKT/GSK-3β/β-catenin/TCF4 signaling axis. Akt is expected to be a potential therapeutic target for chronic arsenic exposure-mediated prostate cancer metastasis.
The use of ultrasound in assessing acute renal pain caused by pregnancy
Authors: Youssef Ashraf Talaat , Elkady Maged Salah Eldien 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Introduction: Acute renal pain or renal colic is an abdominal emergency that can occur during pregnancy and have severe maternal and foetal adverse effects. Ultrasonography can help to evaluate for the cause of renal pain either obstructive or non-obstructive. It can help to localize the site of obstruction and can accurately estimate the size of stones.
Aim of the work: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and assess the prevalence of various etiologies that could lead to acute renal pain during pregnancy among our study group using ultrasound.
Methodology:Observational retrospective study in which 87 pregnant females attended to a private ultrasound clinic, all were complaining of severe back pain, their age ranged from 18 to 38 years with the mean age being 28 years. All were subjected to abdominal and obstetric ultrasound exams in addition to clinical and laboratory evaluation.
Results: There were 87 pregnant women who experienced acute renal pain. 84 patients presented with hydronephrotic changes and 3 patients showed no dilation of pelvicalyceal systems. Among them hydroureteronephrosis with secondary pyeloureteritis observed in 65cases (75%). Renal stones were detected in 22 cases and 1 case was detected with adult polycystic kidney disease.
Conclusion :To evaluate the etiology of renal pain during pregnancy and guide management options, ultrasound is a useful and safe imaging modality. Management of acute renal pain with pregnancy is essential to prevent obstetric or maternal complications, it can be conservative medical and expectant in many cases, with few cases may recommend surgical intervention.
Study of the properties of red mud-waste incineration ash composites
Authors: Song yuxiang , Jiang mingyang 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Aiming at the environmental problems caused by waste incineration ash, a reuse solution was proposed to use waste incineration ash and red mud for the preparation of Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM), to determine the effect of each parameter on the performance of the material by using a one-way test and to determine the reasonable interval of each parameter, and to design the test by using the Box-Behnken Response Surface Method. Three factors, namely, red mud percentage, water-gum ratio, and glue-sand ratio, were used as test variables, and 14d unconfined compressive strength, mobility, and cost were used as response values to optimize the objectives. The heavy metal toxicity and micro-morphology of CLSM were investigated by using microscopic means such as heavy metal leaching concentration, XRD, and FTIR. The results of the study showed that the optimal mixing ratio of CLSM was 0.5 for red mud percentage, 0.667 for water-gum ratio, and 0.45 for gum-sand ratio, which can effectively utilize the waste incineration ash and reduce environmental pollution. It was found that under alkali activation, the red mud-refuse incineration ash cementation system would change and produce new substances, with crystals as the framework and gel as the filling, forming a dense structure.