bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
miR-373 promotes invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells via activating ERK/MAPK pathway
Authors: Chen Qian , Li Yunfeng , Lu Tailiang , Luo Jihui , Yang Li , Zhou Zheng , Tian Zeyu , Tan Siwen , Liu Qi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTo explore the relationship between miR-373 and the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer. Additionally, it aims to predict the potential cellular signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms in which miR-373 may be involved and provides a theoretical basis and experimental evidence for the clinical application of miR-373 as a potential biomarker, molecular target, and prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer. Real-time quantitative PCR is used to analyze the expression of miR-373 in human colorectal cancer cell lines and normal human colonic epithelial cells. Further validation of the differential expression of miR-373 in colorectal cancer cell lines is being performed. Biological functions such as cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis are being detected by MTT, CCK-8, transwell, cell cycle analysis, and flow cytometry experiments to verify the changes in the biological behavior of colon cancer cells after overexpression and interference of miR-373 in SW-480 cells and to explore the effects of miR-373 on cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Proteomic analysis is being conducted on proteins extracted from miR-373 overexpressing SW480 cells, and mass spectrometry is used for protein identification. GO, KEGG, and enrichment analysis are being employed to analyze the significantly differentially expressed proteins. The expression levels of pathway-related proteins are being verified using Western blot. Overexpression of miR-373 increased the invasive and metastatic ability of SW-480 cells; knockdown of miR-373 decreased the invasive and metastatic ability of SW-480 cells. However, there was no statistically significant effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis in SW-480 cells. Proteomic analysis identified 78 differentially expressed proteins based on fold change (FC) > 1.2 and P < 0.05. Annotation of differentially changed proteins revealed that the MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and FAK signaling pathway may play crucial roles in the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer. Western blot analysis showed that overexpression of miR-373 significantly increased the levels of p-ERK1/2 in SW480 cells. miR-373 may activate the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway to promote the invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells.
Striatal dopamine neurotransmission is altered in age- and region-specific manner in a Parkinson’s disease transgenic mouse
Authors: Medina-Luque Jose , Piechocinski Patrick , Feyen Paul , Sgobio Carmelo , Herms Jochen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDopamine (DA) plays a critical role in striatal motor control. The drop in DA level within the dorsal striatum is directly associated with the appearance of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The progression of the disease and inherent disruption of the DA neurotransmission has been closely related to accumulation of the synaptic protein α-synuclein. However, it is still unclear how α-synuclein affects dopaminergic terminals in different areas of dorsal striatum. Here we demonstrate that the overexpression of human α-synuclein (h-α-syn) interferes with the striatal DA neurotransmission in an age‐dependent manner, preferentially in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) of PDGF-h-α-syn mice. While 3-month-old mice showed an increase at the onset of h-α-syn accumulation in the DLS, 12-month-old mice revealed a decrease in electrically-evoked DA release. The enhanced DA release in 3-month-old mice coincided with better performance in a behavioural task. Notably, DA amplitude alterations were also accompanied by a delay in the DA clearance independently from the animal age. Structurally, dopamine transporter (DAT) was found to be redistributed in larger DAT-positive clumps only in the DLS of 3- and 12-month-old mice. Together, our data provide new insight into the vulnerability of DLS and suggest DAT-related dysfunctionalities from the very early stages of h-α-syn accumulation.
Recent beak evolution in North American starlings after invasion
Authors: Zichello Julia M. , DeLiberto Shelagh T. , Holmes Paul , Pierwola Agnieszka A. , Werner Scott J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractEuropean starlings are one of the most abundant and problematic avian invaders in the world. From their native range across Eurasia and North Africa, they have been introduced to every continent except Antarctica. In 160 years, starlings have expanded into different environments throughout the world, making them a powerful model for understanding rapid evolutionary change and adaptive plasticity. Here, we investigate their spatiotemporal morphological variation in North America and the native range. Our dataset includes 1217 specimens; a combination of historical museum skins and modern birds. Beak length in the native range has remained unchanged during the past 206 years, but we find beak length in North American birds is now 8% longer than birds from the native range. We discuss potential drivers of this pattern including dietary adaptation or climatic pressures. Additionally, body size in North American starlings is smaller than those from the native range, which suggests a role for selection or founder effect. Taken together, our results indicate rapid recent evolutionary change in starling morphology coincident with invasion into novel environments.
Study on micromolecular mechanical properties of C-atom reinforced SBR polymer composites
Authors: Chen Hongyue , Liu Siyuan , Fan Jingdao , Li Pengfei 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA three-layer microscopic model with Fe atoms as the top and bottom layer and SBR polymer composites as the middle layer and SBR polymer composite was established and studied. By adding C atoms as reinforcement, the stability and elastic modulus and frictional coefficient changes of SBR polymer composites before and after adding C atoms were studied. In this study, the molecular dynamics method was used to change of elastic modulus was observed by stretching, compression and shear of the SBR polymer composite; The simulation shows that after adding C atom the elastic modulus of SBR polymer composite increased, the friction coefficient of polymer composite upper and lower decreases and the relative atomsic concentration, temperature, velocity, overall temperature average, kinetic energy, total energy and MSD in the thickness direction are reduced after adding C atoms. The stability of SBR polymer composites is enhanced, and the deformation under shear is weakened. In addition, it is found that the binding energy between SBR polymer composites and Fe atoms is reduced after adding C atoms.The stability of SBR polymer composites is improved during use. This work provides a method for studying the properties of rubber composites by studying the enhancement of the stability of SBR polymer composites from the microscopic point of view.
Mission-oriented determination of regional weapon maintenance demand in simulation
Authors: Zhi-gang Hu , Jing-jun Lou , bin Zeng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDetermining maintenance demand ahead of mission is crucial to practical weapon maintenance, particularly to regional warship weapon maintenance. Attention is paid only to reliability, and the nature of mission or the consequence of damage is ignored while determining the regional warship weapon maintenance demand. For this reason, a method for determining regional maintenance demand based on simulation is put forward in this paper. Regional weapon maintenance system is first analyzed to build a mission-oriented maintenance demand model with the concept of mission-induced failure. Subsequently, the Anylogic platform is employed because of its advantages including agent modeling simulation and visualized process display. Four types of agent are designed for the regional maintenance system. The process of determining maintenance demand based on simulation is established on this basis. An example is eventually taken to calculate and verify the universality and effectiveness of the simulation model.
Novel betulin derivatives as multidrug reversal agents targeting P-glycoprotein
Authors: Laiolo Jerónimo , Graikioti Dafni G. , Barbieri Cecilia L. , Joray Mariana B. , Antoniou Antonia I. , Vera D. Mariano A. , Athanassopoulos Constantinos M. , Carpinella María C. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractChemotherapy is a powerful means of cancer treatment but its efficacy is compromised by the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR), mainly linked to the efflux transporter ABCB1/P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Based on the chemical structure of betulin, identified in our previous work as an effective modulator of the P-gp function, a series of analogs were designed, synthesized and evaluated as a source of novel inhibitors. Compounds 6g and 6i inhibited rhodamine 123 efflux in the P-gp overexpressed leukemia cells, K562/Dox, at concentrations of 0.19 µM and 0.39 µM, respectively, and increased the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin at the submicromolar concentration of 0.098 µM. Compounds 6g and 6i were able to restore the sensitivity of K562/Dox to Dox at 0.024 µM and 0.19 µM, respectively. Structure–activity relationship analysis and molecular modeling revealed important information about the structural features conferring activity. All the active compounds fitted in a specific region involving mainly transmembrane helices (TMH) 4–6 from one homologous half and TMH 7 and 12 from the other, also showing close contacts with TMH 6 and 12. Compounds that bound preferentially to another region were inactive, regardless of their free energy of binding. It should be noted that compounds 6g and 6i were devoid of toxic effects against peripheral blood mononuclear normal cells and erythrocytes. The data obtained indicates that both compounds might be proposed as scaffolds for obtaining promising P-gp inhibitors for overcoming MDR.
Diophantine imaging reveals the broken symmetry of sums of integer cubes
Authors: Sultanow Eldar , Henkel Max , Aberkane Idriss J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe introduced a novel method for visualizing large diophantine datasets and in particular found that mapping the known integer triplets $$\{a,b,c\}$$

{
a
,
b
,
c
}

solving either equations of the type $$a^3+b^3+c^3=d$$

a
3

+

b
3

+

c
3

=
d

or $$a^3+b^3+c^3=d^3$$

a
3

+

b
3

+

c
3

=

d
3

on certain proper subgroups of the circle group exposed a very clear breaking in their symmetry and a strongly non-ergodic distribution of the solutions of sums of three cubes that had never been described before. This method could be further applied to a larger diversity of diophantine problems, informing both number-theoretical conjectures and novel methods in computer sciences on the way, along with paving the road for specific uses of machine learning in exploring diophantine datasets with possible applications in cryptography among others.
Identification of core carcinogenic elements based on the age-standardized mortality rate of lung cancer in Xuanwei Formation coal in China
Authors: Chen Zailin , Cheng Xianfeng , Wang Xingyu , Ni Shijun , Yu Qiulian , Hu Junchun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this study, the core carcinogenic elements in Xuanwei Formation coal were identified. Thirty-one samples were collected based on the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of lung cancer; Si, V, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Pb, and rare earth elements and yttrium (REYs) were analyzed and compared; multivariate statistical analyses (CA, PCA, and FDA) were performed; and comprehensive identification was carried out by combining multivariate statistical analyses with toxicology and mineralogy. The final results indicated that (1) the high-concentration Si, Ni, V, Cr, Co, and Cd in coal may have some potential carcinogenic risk. (2) The concentrations of Cr, Ni, As, Mo, Cd, and Pb meet the zoning characteristics of the ASMR, while the Si concentration is not completely consistent. (3) The REY distribution pattern in Longtan Formation coal is lower than that in Xuanwei Formation coal, indicating that the materials of these elements in coal are different. (5) The heatmap divides the sampling sites into two clusters and subtypes in accordance with carcinogenic zoning based on the ASMR. (6) PC1, PC2, and PC3 explain 62.629% of the total variance, identifying Co, Ni, As, Cd, Mo, Cr, and V. (7) Fisher discriminant analysis identifies Ni, Si, Cd, As, and Co based on the discriminant function. (8) Comprehensive identification reveals that Ni is the primary carcinogenic element, followed by Co, Cd, and Si in combination with toxicology. (9) The paragenesis of Si (nanoquartz), Ni, Co, and Cd is an interesting finding. In other words, carcinogenic elements Ni, Co, Cd, and Si and their paragenetic properties should receive more attention.
Reparation of nano-FeS by ultrasonic precipitation for treatment of acidic chromium-containing wastewater
Authors: Dai Mengjia , Di Junzhen , Zhang Ting , Li Tuoda , Dong Yanrong , Bao Sihang , Fu Saiou 
Published: January 2024

AbstractNano-FeS is prone to agglomeration in the treatment of chromium-containing wastewater, and ultrasonic precipitation was used to synthesize nano-FeS to increase its dispersion. The optimization of the preparation method was carried out by single factor method (reaction temperature, Fe/S molar ratio and FeSO4 dropping flow rate) and response surface methodology. Dynamic experiments were constructed to investigate the long-term remediation effect and water column changes of nano-FeS and its solid particles. The changes of the remediation materials before and after the reaction were observed by SEM, and the mechanism of the remediation of chromium-containing wastewater by nano-FeS prepared by ultrasonication was revealed by XRD. The results showed that the reaction temperature of 12 °C, Fe/S molar ratio of 3.5 and FeSO4 dropping flow rate of 0.5 mL/s were the best parameters for the preparation of nano-FeS. The nano-FeS has efficient dispersion and well-defined mesoporous structure in the form of needles and whiskers of 40–80 nm. The dynamic experiments showed that the average removal of Cr(VI) and total chromium by nano-FeS and its immobilized particles were 94.97% and 63.51%, 94.93% and 45.76%, respectively. Fe2+ and S2− ionized by the FeS nanoparticles rapidly reduced Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Part of S2− may reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+, forming a small iron cycle that gradually decreases with the ion concentration. Cr(III) and Fe2+ form Cr(OH)3 and FeOOH, respectively, with the change of aqueous environment. Another part of S2− reacts with Cr(III) to form Cr2S3 precipitate or is oxidized to singlet sulfur. The FeS nanoparticles change from short rod-shaped to spherical shape. Compared with the conventional chemical precipitation method, the method used in this study is simple, low cost, small particle size and high removal rate per unit.
Prevalence, incidence of and risk factors for vertebral fracture in the community: the Vietnam Osteoporosis Study
Authors: Nguyen Hoa T. , Nguyen Bao T. , Thai Thi H. Nhung , Tran An V. , Nguyen Tan T. , Vo Tam , Mai Linh D. , Tran Thach S. , Nguyen Tuan V. , Ho-Pham Lan T. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe epidemiology of vertebral fractures (VF) in underrepresented populations is not well-documented. This cohort study was part of a longitudinal osteoporosis research project with the aim of determining the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for VF. 401 individuals (155 men) aged 50 years and older without a clinical diagnosis of VF were took radiographs at baseline and 2 years later. VF were ascertained using the Genant's semi-quantitative method. Bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral neck and lumbar spine were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic Inc). The association between VF and risk factors was analyzed by the multiple logistic regression. The 95% confidence interval for prevalence and incidence was estimated by exact Poisson test. At baseline, the prevalence of VF was 12.2% (n = 49, 95% CI 9.0–16.2%) and increased with advancing age with one-fifth of those aged 70 and older having a VF. During the follow-up period, we observed 6 new VF, making the incidence of 6.6/1000 person-years (n = 6, 95% CI 2.4–14.3). The risk of prevalent VF was associated with male gender (OR: 2.67; 95% CI 1.28–5.87) and T-score at the femoral neck (OR per one SD decrease: 1.1; 1.03–1.17). These data indicate that VF is common among adults, and that lower femoral neck BMD was a risk factor for VF.
Association of exposure to indoor molds and dampness with allergic diseases at water-damaged dwellings in Korea
Authors: Lee Seokwon , Ryu Seung-Hun , Sul Woo Jun , Kim Seunghyun , Kim Dohyeong , Seo SungChul 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study aims to characterize levels of molds, bacteria, and environmental pollutants, identify the associations between indoor mold and dampness exposures and childhood allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, using three different exposure assessment tools. A total of 50 children with their parents who registered in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do in Korea participated in this study. We collated the information on demographic and housing characteristics, environmental conditions, and lifestyle factors using the Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. We also collected environmental monitoring samples of airborne molds and bacteria, total volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and particulate matter less than 10 µm. We evaluated and determined water damage, hidden dampness, and mold growth in dwellings using an infrared (IR) thermal camera and field inspection. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between prevalent allergic diseases and exposure to indoor mold and dampness. Indoor mold and bacterial levels were related to the presence of water damage in dwellings, and the mean levels of indoor molds (93.4 ± 73.5 CFU/m3) and bacteria (221.5 ± 124.2 CFU/m3) in water-damaged homes were significantly higher than those for molds (82.0 ± 58.7 CFU/m3) and for bacteria (152.7 ± 82.1 CFU/m3) in non-damaged dwellings (p < 0.05). The crude odds ratios (ORs) of atopic dermatitis were associated with < 6th floor (OR = 3.80), and higher indoor mold (OR = 6.42) and bacterial levels (OR = 6.00). The crude ORs of allergic diseases, defined as a group of cases who ever suffered from two out of three allergic diseases, e.g., asthma and allergic rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis were also increased by 3.8 and 9.3 times as large, respectively, with water damage (+) determined by IR camera (p < 0.05). The adjusted OR of allergic rhinitis was significantly elevated by 10.4 times in the water-damaged dwellings after adjusting age, sex, and secondhand smoke. Therefore, a longitudinal study is needed to characterize dominant mold species using DNA/RNA-based sequencing techniques and identify a causal relationship between mold exposure and allergic diseases in the future.
One-pot synthesis of novel chitosan-salicylaldehyde polymer composites for ammonia sensing
Authors: Saeed Ahmed Muhammed , Taha Ahmed Gaber , Dardeer Hemat Mohamed , Aly Moustafa Fawzy 
Published: January 2024

AbstractChitosan (Chs)-salicylaldehyde (Sal) polymer derivatives were formed via the reaction of Chs-Sal with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD). These polymers were synthesized through inclusion with β-CD and doping with ZnO NPs to give pseudopolyrotaxane and Chs-Sal/ZnO NPs composite, respectively, for low-temperature detection and sensing of NH3 vapors as great significance in environmental control and human health. Additionally, the polymer (Chs-Sal/β-CD/ZnO NPs) was prepared via the insertion of generated composite (Chs-Sal/ZnO NPs) through β-cyclodextrin ring. The structural and morphological characterizations of the synthesized derivatives were confirmed by utilizing FTIR, XRD and, SEM, respectively. Also, the optical properties and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the synthesized polymers were explored. The obtained results confirmed that using β-CD or ZnO NPs for modification of polymer (Chs-Sal) dramatically enhanced thermal stability and optical features of the synthesized polymers. Investigations on the NH3-sensing properties of Chs-Sal/β-CD/ZnO NPs composite were carried out at concentrations down to 10 ppm and good response and recovery times (650 s and 350 s, respectively) at room temperature (RT) and indicated that modification by β-CD and doping with ZnO NPs effectively improves the NH3-sensing response of Chs-Sal from 712 to 6192 using Chs-Sal/β-CD/ZnO NPs, respectively, with low LOD and LOQ of 0.12 and 0.4 ppb, respectively.
Atypical instantaneous spatio-temporal patterns of neural dynamics in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Nobukawa Sou , Ikeda Takashi , Kikuchi Mitsuru , Takahashi Tetsuya 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCognitive functions produced by large-scale neural integrations are the most representative ‘emergence phenomena’ in complex systems. A novel approach focusing on the instantaneous phase difference of brain oscillations across brain regions has succeeded in detecting moment-to-moment dynamic functional connectivity. However, it is restricted to pairwise observations of two brain regions, contrary to large-scale spatial neural integration in the whole-brain. In this study, we introduce a microstate analysis to capture whole-brain instantaneous phase distributions instead of pairwise differences. Upon applying this method to electroencephalography signals of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is characterised by progressive cognitive decline, the AD-specific state transition among the four states defined as the leading phase location due to the loss of brain regional interactions could be promptly characterised. In conclusion, our synthetic analysis approach, focusing on the microstate and instantaneous phase, enables the capture of the instantaneous spatiotemporal neural dynamics of brain activity and characterises its pathological conditions.
Autonomous swab robot for naso- and oropharyngeal COVID-19 screening
Authors: Haddadin Simon , Wilhelm Dirk , Wahrmann Daniel , Tenebruso Fabio , Sadeghian Hamid , Naceri Abdeldjallil , Haddadin Sami 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe COVID-19 outbreak has triggered a global health and economic crisis, necessitating widespread testing to control viral spread amidst rising cases and fatalities. The recommended testing method, a combined naso- and oropharyngeal swab, poses risks and demands limited protective gear. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed and tested the first autonomous swab robot station for Naso- and Oropharyngeal Coronavirus Screening (SR-NOCS). A force-sensitive robot running under a Cartesian impedance controller is employed to drive the swab to the sampling area. This groundbreaking device underwent two clinical studies-one conducted during the initial pandemic lockdown in Europe (early 2021) and the other, more recently, in a public place after the pandemic had subsided earlier in the year 2023. In total, 52 patients suspected of COVID-19 infection were included in these clinical studies. The results revealed a complete positive correlation between autonomous and manual sampling. The test subjects exhibited a high acceptance rate, all expressing a willingness to undergo future tests with SR-NOCS. Based on our findings, such systems could enhance testing capabilities, potentially conducting up to 300 tests per robot per day with consistent precision. The tests can be carried out with minimal supervision, reducing infection risks and effectively safeguarding patients and healthcare workers.