bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring Adolescents’ Life Skills and Values: Method and Results from East Africa
Authors: Ariapa Martin , Pavlovic Masa , Care Esther 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe goals of the ALiVE initiative, to capture and disseminate estimates of adolescents’ life skills and values at a level that would provide valuable information to ministries of education, guided the development of an assessment tool. The aim was to produce a tool that had the capacity to assess the proficiencies of adolescents in East Africa through a household-based approach. This approach required that the tool could capture these cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal capacities; not rely on knowledge and skills built through formal education; and would be compatible with oral administration of the assessment with participating adolescents. The process of development is described as taking place within these parameters. Results from the assessment of 45,442 adolescents across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are presented following the technical information generated through the test and scale development process. The patterns of results are uniformly similar across each of the education systems, although there are some slight differences in levels of proficiencies. The outcomes provide confidence in the test and scale development processes followed, and in the use of household-based assessment for measurement of life skills and values.
Einleitung
Authors: Probst-Böhm Anja 
Published: February 2024

ZusammenfassungArchäologische Artefakte kann man als Buchstaben oder Wörter verstehen. Interpretiert oder besser verstanden und richtig zusammengesetzt, können sie eine Geschichte über die damaligen Menschen erzählen. Anders als z. B. in der Forensik stehen für die Überprüfung einer Interpretation aber meist nur sehr eingeschränkte Möglichkeiten zur Verfügung.
Typo-chronologische Aufarbeitung der Knochen-, Geweih- und Zahnartefakte
Authors: Probst-Böhm Anja 
Published: February 2024

ZusammenfassungBei den folgenden Bestimmungen wurden Knochen-, Geweih- und Zahnartefakte ohne Differenzierung insgesamt erfasst. Nagespuren von Kleintieren konnten an keinem der untersuchten Artefakte beobachtet werden und Wurzelfraß konnte nur vereinzelt an den Funden aus den Mineralbodensiedlungen entdeckt werden.
KIF18A inactivates hepatic stellate cells and alleviates liver fibrosis through the TTC3/Akt/mTOR pathway
Authors: Zhang Hao , Xia Tong , Xia Zhijia , Zhou Huaxin , Li Zhipeng , Wang Wei , Zhai Xiangyu , Jin Bin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractActivation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in the process of liver fibrogenesis. In this study, we observed a decrease in the expression of KIF18A in fibrotic liver tissues compared to healthy liver tissues, which exhibited a negative correlation with the activation of HSCs. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of KIF18A, we performed in vitro proliferation experiments and established a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis model. Our results revealed that KIF18A knockdown enhanced HSCs proliferation and reduced HSCs apoptosis in vitro. Mouse liver fibrosis grade was evaluated with Masson’s trichrome and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining. In addition, the expression of fibrosis markers Col1A1, Stat1, and Timp1 were detected. Animal experiments demonstrated that knockdown of KIF18A could promote liver fibrosis, whereas overexpression of KIF18A alleviated liver fibrosis in a CCl4-induced mouse model. Mechanistically, we found that KIF18A suppressed the AKT/mTOR pathway and exhibited direct binding to TTC3. Moreover, TTC3 was found to interact with p-AKT and could promote its ubiquitination and degradation. Our findings provide compelling evidence that KIF18A enhances the protein binding between TTC3 and p-AKT, promoting TTC3-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of p-AKT. These results refine the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and may offer new targets for treating this patient population.
Stability of Time-Dependent Motions for Fluid–Rigid Ball Interaction
Authors: Hishida Toshiaki 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe aim at the stability of time-dependent motions, such as time-periodic ones, of a rigid body in a viscous fluid filling the exterior to it in 3D. The fluid motion obeys the incompressible Navier–Stokes system, whereas the motion of the body is governed by the balance for linear and angular momentum. Both motions are affected by each other at the boundary. Assuming that the rigid body is a ball, we adopt a monolithic approach to deduce $$L^q$$

L
q

–$$L^r$$

L
r

decay estimates of solutions to a non-autonomous linearized system. We then apply those estimates to the full nonlinear initial value problem to find temporal decay properties of the disturbance. Although the shape of the body is not allowed to be arbitrary, the present contribution is the first attempt at analysis of the large time behavior of solutions around nontrivial basic states, that can be time-dependent, for the fluid–structure interaction problem and provides us with a stability theorem which is indeed new even for steady motions under the self-propelling condition or with wake structure.
Genome-wide association and Mendelian randomisation analysis among 30,699 Chinese pregnant women identifies novel genetic and molecular risk factors for gestational diabetes and glycaemic traits
Authors: Zhen Jianxin , Gu Yuqin , Wang Piao , Wang Weihong , Bian Shengzhe , Huang Shujia , Liang Hui , Huang Mingxi , Yu Yan , Chen Qing , Jiang Guozhi , Qiu Xiu , Xiong Likuan , Liu Siyang 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common disorder in pregnancy; however, its underlying causes remain obscure. This study aimed to investigate the genetic and molecular risk factors contributing to GDM and glycaemic traits.

Methods
We collected non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) sequencing data along with four glycaemic and 55 biochemical measurements from 30,699 pregnant women during a 2 year period at Shenzhen Baoan Women’s and Children’s Hospital in China. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were conducted between genotypes derived from NIPTs and GDM diagnosis, baseline glycaemic levels and glycaemic levels after glucose challenges. In total, 3317 women were diagnosed with GDM, while 19,565 served as control participants. The results were replicated using two independent cohorts. Additionally, we performed one-sample Mendelian randomisation to explore potential causal associations between the 55 biochemical measurements and risk of GDM and glycaemic levels.

Results
We identified four genetic loci significantly associated with GDM susceptibility. Among these, MTNR1B exhibited the highest significance (rs10830963-G, OR [95% CI] 1.57 [1.45, 1.70], p=4.42×10–29), although its effect on type 2 diabetes was modest. Furthermore, we found 31 genetic loci, including 14 novel loci, that were significantly associated with the four glycaemic traits. The replication rates of these associations with GDM, fasting plasma glucose levels and 0 h, 1 h and 2 h OGTT glucose levels were 4 out of 4, 6 out of 9, 10 out of 11, 5 out of 7 and 4 out of 4, respectively. Mendelian randomisation analysis suggested that a genetically regulated higher lymphocytes percentage and lower white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage and absolute neutrophil count were associated with elevated glucose levels and an increased risk of GDM.

Conclusions/interpretation
Our findings provide new insights into the genetic basis of GDM and glycaemic traits during pregnancy in an East Asian population and highlight the potential role of inflammatory pathways in the aetiology of GDM and variations in glycaemic levels.

Data availability
Summary statistics for GDM; fasting plasma glucose; 0 h, 1 h and 2h OGTT; and the 55 biomarkers are available in the GWAS Atlas (study accession no.: GVP000001, https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/gwas/browse/GVP000001).

Graphical Abstract
Safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of PRV-101, a multivalent vaccine targeting coxsackie B viruses (CVBs) associated with type 1 diabetes: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled Phase I trial
Authors: Hyöty Heikki , Kääriäinen Susanna , Laiho Jutta E. , Comer Gail M. , Tian Wei , Härkönen Taina , Lehtonen Jussi P. , Oikarinen Sami , Puustinen Leena , Snyder Michele , León Francisco , Scheinin Mika , Knip Mikael , Sanjuan Miguel 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
Infection with coxsackie B viruses (CVBs) can cause diseases ranging from mild common cold-type symptoms to severe life-threatening conditions. CVB infections are considered to be prime candidates for environmental triggers of type 1 diabetes. This, together with the significant disease burden of acute CVB infections and their association with chronic diseases other than diabetes, has prompted the development of human CVB vaccines. The current study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the first human vaccine designed against CVBs associated with type 1 diabetes in a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled Phase I trial.

Methods
The main eligibility criteria for participants were good general health, age between 18 and 45 years, provision of written informed consent and willingness to comply with all trial procedures. Treatment allocation (PRV-101 or placebo) was based on a computer-generated randomisation schedule and people assessing the outcomes were masked to group assignment. In total, 32 participants (17 men, 15 women) aged 18–44 years were randomised to receive a low (n=12) or high (n=12) dose of a multivalent, formalin-inactivated vaccine including CVB serotypes 1–5 (PRV-101), or placebo (n=8), given by intramuscular injections at weeks 0, 4 and 8 at a single study site in Finland. The participants were followed for another 24 weeks. Safety and tolerability were the primary endpoints. Anti-CVB IgG and virus-neutralising titres were analysed using an ELISA and neutralising plaque reduction assays, respectively.

Results
Among the 32 participants (low dose, n=12; high dose, n=12; placebo, n=8) no serious adverse events or adverse events leading to study treatment discontinuation were observed. Treatment-emergent adverse events considered to be related to the study drug occurred in 37.5% of the participants in the placebo group and 62.5% in the PRV-101 group (injection site pain, headache, injection site discomfort and injection site pruritus being most common). PRV-101 induced dose-dependent neutralising antibody responses against all five CVB serotypes included in the vaccine in both the high- and low-dose groups. Protective titres ≥8 against all five serotypes were seen in >90% of participants over the entire follow-up period.

Conclusions/interpretation
The results indicate that the tested multivalent CVB vaccine is well tolerated and immunogenic, supporting its further clinical development.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04690426.

Funding
This trial was funded by Provention Bio, a Sanofi company.

Graphical Abstract
Parametric optimizing of electro-discharge machining for LM25Al/VC composite material machining using deterministic and stochastic methods
Authors: Tolcha Mesay Alemu , Lemu Hirpa Gelgele 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe electro-discharge machining (EDM) process is investigated using deterministic and stochastic methods to determine and model the effects of process parameters on machining performance. The workpiece utilized for the investigation was an LM25 aluminum alloy reinforced with vanadium carbide (VC), processed through a stir casting technique. EDM process parameters like peak current, discharge voltage, and pulse on-time are considered to analyze material removal rate, electrode wearing rate, and surface roughness. This study applied four multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) and analytical methodologies to evaluate EDM performance. Then, the MCDM scores were compared using two objective verification mechanisms. In this case, the teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) technique delivered the best-desired results relative to the VIKOR, Grey relational grade (GRG), and the response surface method (RSM). Also, the RSM and analytical methods are simpler than the other methods, though they produced nearly identical results as the sophisticated MDCM and deterministic methods.
Pleurotus ostreatus as a model mushroom in genetics, cell biology, and material sciences
Authors: Nakazawa Takehito , Kawauchi Moriyuki , Otsuka Yuitsu , Han Junxian , Koshi Daishiro , Schiphof Kim , Ramírez Lucía , Pisabarro Antonio G. , Honda Yoichi 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Pleurotus ostreatus, also known as the oyster mushroom, is a popular edible mushroom cultivated worldwide. This review aims to survey recent progress in the molecular genetics of this fungus and demonstrate its potential as a model mushroom for future research. The development of modern molecular genetic techniques and genome sequencing technologies has resulted in breakthroughs in mushroom science. With efficient transformation protocols and multiple selection markers, a powerful toolbox, including techniques such as gene knockout and genome editing, has been developed, and numerous new findings are accumulating in P. ostreatus. These include molecular mechanisms of wood component degradation, sexual development, protein secretion systems, and cell wall structure. Furthermore, these techniques enable the identification of new horizons in enzymology, biochemistry, cell biology, and material science through protein engineering, fluorescence microscopy, and molecular breeding.

Key points
• Various genetic techniques are available in Pleurotus ostreatus.
• P. ostreatus can be used as an alternative model mushroom in genetic analyses.
• New frontiers in mushroom science are being developed using the fungus.
VNP20009-Abvec-Igκ-MIIP suppresses ovarian cancer progression by modulating Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway
Authors: Wang Qian , Tang Yuwen , Dai Ang , Li Tiange , Pei Yulin , Zhang Zuo , Hu Xinyue , Chen Tingtao , Chen Qi 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Ovarian cancer poses a significant threat to women’s health, with conventional treatment methods encountering numerous limitations, and the emerging engineered bacterial anti-tumor strategies offer newfound hope for ovarian cancer treatment. In this study, we constructed the VNP20009-Abvec-Igκ-MIIP (VM) engineered strain and conducted initial assessments of its in vitro growth performance and the expression capability of migration/invasion inhibitory protein (MIIP). Subsequently, ID8 ovarian cancer cells and mouse cancer models were conducted to investigate the impact of VM on ovarian cancer. Our results revealed that the VM strain demonstrated superior growth performance, successfully invaded ID8 ovarian cancer cells, and expressed MIIP, consequently suppressing cell proliferation and migration. Moreover, VM specifically targeted tumor sites and expressed MIIP which further reduced the tumor volume of ovarian cancer mice (p < 0.01), via the downregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Ras, p-MEK, and p-ERK. The downregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and the decrease in Bcl-2/Bax levels also indicated VM’s apoptotic potency on ovarian cancer cells. In summary, our research demonstrated that VM exhibits promising anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, underscoring its potential for clinical treatment of ovarian cancer.

Key points
• This study has constructed an engineered strain of Salmonella typhimurium capable of expressing anticancer proteins
• The engineered bacteria can target and colonize tumor sites in vivo
• VM can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells

Graphical Abstract
‘Climate Healing Stones’: Common Minerals Offer Substantial Climate Change Mitigation Potential
Authors: Pratt Chris , Mahdi Zainab , El Hanandeh Ali 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis review proposes that mineral-based greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation could be developed into a substantial climate change abatement tool. This proposal was evaluated via three objectives: (1) synthesise literature studies documenting the effectiveness of geological minerals at mitigating GHG emissions; (2) quantify, via meta-analysis, GHG magnitudes that could be abated by minerals factoring-in the carbon footprint of the approach; and (3) estimate the global availability of relevant minerals. Several minerals have been effectively harnessed across multiple sectors—including agriculture, waste management and coal mining—to mitigate carbon dioxide/CO2 (e.g., olivine), methane/CH4 (e.g., allophane, gypsum) and nitrous oxide/N2O (e.g., vermiculite) emissions. High surface area minerals offer substantial promise to protect soil carbon, albeit their potential impact here is difficult to quantify. Although mineral-based N2O reduction strategies can achieve gross emission reduction, their application generates a net carbon emission due to prohibitively large mineral quantities needed. By contrast, mineral-based technologies could abate ~9% and 11% of global CO2 and CH4 anthropogenic emissions, respectively. These estimates conservatively only consider options which offer additional benefits to climate change mitigation (e.g., nutrient supply to agricultural landscapes, and safety controls in landfill operations). This multi-benefit aspect is important due to the reluctance to invest in stand-alone GHG mitigation technologies. Minerals that exhibit high GHG mitigation potential are globally abundant. However, their application towards a dedicated global GHG mitigation initiative would entail significant escalation of their current production rates. A detailed cost-benefit analysis and environmental and social footprint assessment is needed to ascertain the strategy’s scale-up potential.
Assessment of water stress impact on olive trees using an accurate determination of the endocarp development
Authors: Sánchez-Piñero Marta , Corell Mireia , de Sosa Laura L. , Moriana Alfonso , Medina-Zurita Noemí , Madejón Engracia , Girón Ignacio , Castro-Valdecantos Pedro , Martín-Palomo María José , Pérez-López David 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWhen considering deficit irrigation, the most resistant period to water stress in olive crops is during the pit hardening. However, the determination of this period and the impact that water stress has on its onset or duration have not been clearly established. The aim of this work is to describe the impact of water stress on three processes that determine fruit development: fruit growth, endocarp hardening, and oil accumulation. This experiment was conducted between 2021 and 2022, in a plot with olive trees that were 3 years old at the beginning of the experiment. The young trees were of cv Manzanilla de Sevilla and were planted in a 4 × 1.5 m frame. The treatments were: Control, irrigated close to what is considered the optimum level in which the water status of the crop ensures the absence of water stress; RDI, with a moderate stress during the pit hardening stage; Rainfed and Traditional Rainfed. This latter was included only in 2022 using a 7 × 5 m frame. Traditional Rainfed was included to compare with Rainfed, these were similar in the maximum level of water stress but not in the duration. The fruit growth, oil accumulation, and endocarp hardness were measured for a period of 2 years. The hardness curves fit accurately established Period II which was the one with the fast hardness increases. The water potential was measured periodically on leaves at midday, whereby the minimum and average potential and the stress integral were obtained for each of the periods indicated before using pit hardness measurements. The results suggest that endocarp hardening was the process most resistant to water stress, as it showed very little variation from the seasonal pattern, despite the high levels of stress achieved. The fruit growth process was the most sensitive to water stress, but the recovery was fast in conditions of moderate water stress level. The oil accumulation started slowly during Period II, but its rate increased at the end of the period. This later process was moderately resistant to water stress. However, although the accumulation rate was faster during Period III, it was influenced by the water status during Period II. Cumulative water stress was related with fruit growth and oil accumulation processes. Endocarp development could be useful for determining a/the deficit irrigation period because of its almost constant pattern. These periods would permit water management optimization according to final use of the fruit (oil or table). However, continuous monitoring of water stress would be needed.
Use of class IC antiarrhythmic drugs in patients with structural heart disease and implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Authors: Zylla Maura M. , Wolfes Julian , Schleberger Ruben , Lawin Dennis , Kieser Meinhard , Reinke Florian , Eckardt Lars , Rillig Andreas , Stellbrink Christoph , Thomas Dierk , Frey Norbert , Lugenbiel Patrick 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Due to suspected pro-arrhythmic effects and increased mortality associated with class-IC antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) in previous trials, AAD therapy in structural heart disease (SHD) is mainly restricted to amiodarone. In the presence of diagnostic and therapeutic advancements in cardiovascular medicine, it remains unclear if previous studies adequately reflect contemporary patients. In clinical practice, class-IC-AADs are occasionally used in individual cases, particularly in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Methods
This study retrospectively investigated outcome in ICD-carriers with SHD in whom class-IC-AADs were used as an individualized therapy due to failure, side effects, or unacceptable risk of alternative therapeutic options.

Results
Fifty patients from four tertiary centers were included (median age 48.5 years; 52% female). The most common underlying SHD were dilated (42%) or ischemic cardiomyopathy (26%) (median LVEF = 45%). Indications for AAD were sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VA) (58%), symptomatic premature ventricular contractions (26%), or atrial arrhythmias (16%). Median follow-up was 27.8 months. Freedom from sustained VA was 72%, and freedom from ICD therapy was 80%. In 19 patients (38%), AAD therapy was terminated. The most common reason was insufficient efficacy (n = 8). Pro-arrhythmia was suspected in three patients. Five patients died during follow-up (10.0%), two of cardiovascular cause (4.0%).

Conclusion
In a multicenter cohort of ICD-carriers with SHD, class-IC-AADs were associated with a low rate of pro-arrhythmic effects or cardiovascular mortality. The majority of patients remained free from sustained VA during a follow-up of > 2 years. Further efforts should be made to evaluate the safety of class-IC-AADs in SHD patients receiving contemporary cardiovascular therapy.

Graphical abstract