bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biochemical Characterisation of a PL24 Ulvan Lyase from Seaweed-Associated Vibrio sp. FNV38
Authors: Rodrigues Valerie J. , Jouanneau Diane , Fernandez-Fuentes Narcis , Onime Lucy A. , Huws Sharon A. , Odaneth Annamma A. , Adams Jessica M. M. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Ulvan is a green macroalgal cell wall polysaccharide that has tremendous potential for valorisation due to its unique composition of sulphated rhamnose, glucuronic acid, iduronic acid and xylose. Several potential applications necessitate the breakdown of the polysaccharide to oligomers or monomers. Research on ulvan saccharifying enzymes has been continually increasing over the last decade, with the increasing focus on valorisation of seaweed biomass for a biobased economy. Lyases are the first of several enzymes that are involved in saccharifying the polysaccharide and several ulvan lyases are being structurally and biochemically characterised to enable their effective use in the valorisation processes. This study investigates the whole genome of Vibrio sp. FNV38, an ulvan metabolising organism and biochemical characteristics of a PL24 ulvan lyase that it possesses. The genome of Vibrio sp. FNV38 has a diverse CAZy profile with several genes involved in the metabolism of ulvan, cellulose, agar, and alginate. The enzyme exhibits optimal activity at pH 8.5 in 100mM Tris-HCl buffer and 30oC. However, its thermal stability is poor with significant loss of activity after 2 hours of incubation at temperatures above 25oC. Breakdown product analysis reveals that the enzyme depolymerised the polysaccharide predominantly to disaccharides and tetrasaccharides. The enzyme is the first to be characterised from Vibrio sp. and has the potential to be genetically modified to improve its thermal stability for use in biorefinery processes.
PTX3 regulates immune infiltration and epithelial/fibroblast repair and regeneration in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: d’Amati Antonio , Ronca Roberto , Maccarinelli Federica , Turati Marta , Lorusso Loredana , De Giorgis Michelina , Tamma Roberto , Ribatti Domenico , Annese Tiziana 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Several studies have shown a potential protective role of long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in different lung pathologies. In the present study, we have explored the influence of PTX3 in the bleomycin (BLM)-induced murine model of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). We made a picture of the pulmonary microenvironment by looking at inflammatory infiltrate (macrophages, mast cells, T cells) and stemness/regenerative markers of lung epithelium (SOX2) and fibroblasts/myofibroblasts (CD44) at different time points that retrace the progression of the disease from onset at day 14, to full-blown disease at day 21, to incomplete regression at day 28. We took advantage of transgenic PTX3 overexpressing mice (Tie2-PTX3) and Ptx3 null ones (PTX3-KO) in which IPF was indued. Our data have shown that: throughout the whole experimental period, the CD68+ and CD163+ macrophages and the Tryptase+ mast cells are reduced in the Tie2-PTX3 pulmonary microenvironment compared to wild-type (WT) or PTX3-KO; on the contrary, CD4+ T cells are consistently present on day 14 and dramatically decreased on day 21 in Tie2-PTX3 compared to WT or PTX3-KO; CD8+ T cells do not show significant differences on day 14, but are significantly reduced on day 21 in Tie2-PTX3 compared to WT or PTX3-KO; SOX2 is reduced on days 14 and 21 in Tie2-PTX3 compared to WT or PTX3-KO; CD44 is reduced on day 21 in Tie2-PTX3 compared to WT or PTX3-KO. This scenario demonstrates the anti-inflammatory effects of PTX3, which reduces pro-inflammatory cells and counteracts profibrotic events.
Lower early-stage rectal cancer surgical approaches: Therapeutic options and cancer biomarker alterations
Authors: bin yue , Gao Hongjian , Wang Lihua , Deyu Chen , Yao Yuan , Li Xingdong , Fei Yuxuan , Zhang Chunxia 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background
Early-stage rectal cancer is used in cases of histological findings including pTis and pT1 tumors, which are no metastases, no lymphovascular or perineural invasion, and located at the mucosa level of the intestinal wall. Low early-stage rectal cancer (LeREC), transanal resection can be an attractive alternative to less invasive surgical procedures and postoperative complications. However, none of the currently used surgical methods could be considered an ideal surgical option that is effective, safe, and painless. We hypothesized that a combination of the simplified transanal excision (sTE) and Ruiyun procedure for hemorrhoids (RPH) will increase the safety and effectiveness of surgical treatment low early-stage rectal cancer.
Purpose
To explore the safety and efficacy of the Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) or combining the sTE with RPH in the treatment of LeREC.
Methods
This is a randomized, controlled, balanced study of 48 patients with LeREC, who diagnosed with low early-stage rectal tumor less than 12 cm from the anal verge and were candidates for TEM or combining the sTE with RPH. Expression of CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, FOXD1 and PAK4 were determined in primary tumors from 48 patients with locally LeREC scheduled for TEM (20 cases) or RPH with the sTE (28 cases). The outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between 2 types of surgeries.
Results
Between Feb 1, 2015, and Dec 31, 2019, 48 patients were randomly assigned. 20 to TEM and 28 to combining sTE with RPH surgery. Then, all patients had been followed up within 12 months. Histopathological features for CDK2/4/6, FOXD1 and PAK4 proteins that would be considered to be associated with increased risk of tumor recurrence.
Conclusions
sTE combined with RPH can reduce the incidence of intraoperative bleeding, reduce the cost of surgery, facilitate diagnosis and treatment in grassroots hospitals, and improve the curative efficacy in the treatment of patients with lower two-thirds of early-stage rectal cancer.
RIG-I is an intracellular checkpoint that limits CD8+ T-cell antitumor immunity
Authors: Duan Xiaobing , Hu Jiali , Zhang Yuncong , Zhao Xiaoguang , Yang Mingqi , Sun Taoping , Li Wenting , Yang Ze , Zhang Yitian , Lin Xiaowen , Liu Dingjie , Meng Ya , Yang Guang , Lin Qiuping , Zhang Guihai , Lei Haihong , Yi Zhengsheng , Liu Yanyan , Wu Yujuan , Diao Wenqing , Li Zesong , Zhan Meixiao , Sun Hong-Wei , Li Xian-Yang , Lu Ligong 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background Although a variety of immune checkpoint monoclonal antibodies have been approved for the treatment of cancers, the low response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors limits their wide clinical application. Therefore, to explore new and broader immunotherapy targets to improve the response rate of CD8+ T cells will provide theoretical basis for clinical treatment of refractory malignant solid tumors.Methods We used single-cell sequencing data to screen for genes associated with exhaustion of infiltrating CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment and validated them by immunoblotting and multiplex immunohistochemistry. We used flow cytometry to analyze the effects of RIG-I knockout in spleen and lymph nodes on the secretion of anti-tumor cytokines and the differentiation and development of CD8+ T cells in vitro. We analyzed the effect of RIG-I knockdown on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer, and melanoma in vivo, then analyzed the secretion of anti-tumor cytokines by CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment by flow cytometry. We analyzed the possible factors inducing the up-regulation of RIG-I and the signaling pathways downstream of RIG-I that negatively regulate the anti-tumor function of CD8+ T cells in vitro by flow cytometry and immunoblotting. We validated the effect of RIG-I targeting human CD8+ T cells on human tumors in immunodeficient mice. We evaluated the effect of PD-1 antibody in combination with targeted RIG-I on tumor inhibition in mice.Results Here, we demonstrate that RIG-I is upregulated in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, where it functions as an intracellular checkpoint to negatively regulate CD8+ T-cell function and limit antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, upregulation of RIG-I in CD8+ T cells is induced by retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A in the tumor microenvironment, and directly inhibits the AKT/glycolysis signaling pathway. In addition, deletion of RIG-I enhances the efficacy of adoptively transferred T cells against solid tumors, and inhibition of RIG-I enhances the response to PD-1 blockade.Conclusions Overall, our study identifies RIG-I as an intracellular checkpoint and a potential target for alleviating inhibitory constraints on T cells in cancer immunotherapy, either alone or in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Risk factors for postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy focusing on hormones produced. : a case control study
Authors: Izawa Mizuki , Takeda Toshikazu , Anno Tadanori , Yasumizu Yota , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Matsumoto Kazuhiro , Morita Shinya , Kosaka Takeo , Mizuno Ryuichi , Asanuma Hiroshi , Oya Mototsugu 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is widely performed for a number of hormone-producing tumors and postoperative management depends on the hormones produced. In the present study, we conducted a retrospective analysis to clarify the risk factors for postoperative complications, particularly postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
Methods: We analyzed 406 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy at our hospital between 2003 and 2019. Postoperative fever was defined as a fever of 38°C or higher within 72 hours after surgery. We investigated the risk factors for postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy.
Results: There were 188 males (46%) and 218 females (54%) with a median age of 52 years. Among these patients, tumor pathologies included 188 primary aldosteronism (46%), 75 Cushing syndrome (18%), and 80 pheochromocytoma (20%). Postoperative fever developed in 124 of all patients (31%), 30% of those with primary aldosteronism, 53% of those with pheochromocytoma, and 8% of those with Cushing syndrome. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified pheochromocytoma and non-Cushing syndrome as independent predictors of postoperative fever. Postoperative fever was observed in 42 out of 80 cases of pheochromocytoma (53%), which was significantly higher than in cases of non-pheochromocytoma (82/326, 25%, p<0.01). In contrast, postoperative fever developed in 6 out of 75 cases of Cushing syndrome (8%), which was significantly lower than in cases of non-Cushing syndrome (118/331, 35.6%, p<0.01).
Conclusion: Since postoperative fever after laparoscopic adrenalectomy is markedly affected by the hormone produced by pheochromocytoma and Cushing syndrome, it is important to carefully consider the need for treatment.
Headache among Syrian patients Behcet’s disease: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Rabah Karam , Rabah Nour , Deeb Haya , Kudsi Maysoun 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background: Oral ulcers, genital ulcers and uveitis represent the typical trial of Behcet’s disease (BD). it is well common on the Old Silk Road. The mucocutaneous lesions are the hallmark of BD, but neurological involvement is one of the severe symptoms. Headaches may be an early sign of BD neurological involvement. The aim of this study is to investigate the headache prevalence and its types, and characteristics in a Syrian sample of BD patients.
Methods: BD patients were clinically interviewed and examined to collect their information, symptoms and signs. the International Study Group for Behcet's Disease diagnosis criteria was used to confirm the BD diagnosis. The International Classification of headaches was used when classifying the headaches.
Results: 120 participants were included in the study. half of them were BD patients and the control group was also 60 participants. Among Syrian BD patients, 36.7% suffer from primary headaches and 36.7% suffer from secondary headaches. These findings were not significantly different between the BD patients and the healthy population. Our results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion: Headache should not be considered a predictor for neurological involvement among BD patients. Additional attention to BD patients or the specific treatment for headaches is not required and does not differ from the general population.
One-step preparation of α-Al2O3/SiO2 composite tritium permeation barrier via slurry spin coating method and performance investigation
Authors: Liu Dong-Guang , Zou Jin-Xin , Yang Ting-Ting , Zhou Si-Wei , Luo Lai-Ma , Hong Chun-Fu 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
In the fusion reactor, a-Al2O3 and its composite coatings have became the preferred material for tritium permeation barriers. The slurry spin coating method in this study is used to prepare α-Al2O3/SiO2 composite coating for one-step at the temperature of 600 °C, 700 °C and 800 °C. The effect of heat treatment temperature on the composite coating's microstructure and adhesion strength is investigated. When the coating prepared temperature is 600 °C, the thermal shock resistance and hydrogen permeation resistance are also studied. The findings demonstrate that as the heat treatment temperature rises, defects such as holes and cracks appear. The surface of the composite coating is continuous and compact when the preparation temperature is 600 °C, and the adhesion strength is 88.7 N. Thermal shock tests demonstrate that the 600 °C-α-Al2O3/SiO2 composite coating is still dense and is bonded well to the substrate after 50 times thermal shocks at 500 °C. The hydrogen resistance capability indicate that the 600 °C-α-Al2O3/SiO2 composite is 4.6 times greater than the substrate.
Bearing capacity of strip foundations based on soil parameters: a classical earth pressure analysis problem
Authors: Pantelidis Lysandros 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The bearing capacity of shallow foundations is one of the major fields of soil mechanics and foundation engineering. Since 1920, when Prandtl suggested the well-known failure mechanism with the three zones and 1943, when Terzaghi, based on this mechanism, suggested his famous equation with the three N-factors, numerous bearing capacity methods for the basic problem of centrically-vertically loaded strip footings have been proposed in the literature, mainly focusing on refining the Nγ factor. It is mentioned that Terzaghi worked with the vertical equilibrium of forces, but he largely relied on the earth pressure theory, where, finally, he had to calculate three earth pressure coefficients i.e., for the self-weight and cohesion of the soil and the lateral surcharge. In his problem, these coefficients worked in the vertical direction. The purpose of the present paper is to suggest a completely new approach for the bearing capacity to the above-mentioned problem. It is shown that the problem in question is a classical earth pressure analysis problem, where a virtual wall divides the failure mass into an active and a passive failure zone. Also, it is shown that it is not the Nγ factor which prevents us from having better prediction for the bearing capacity of footings, but the foundation depth, where a suitable correction factor (same for all three bearing capacity terms) needs to be applied. The method proposed herein puts the problem on the correct basis, avoids crude assumptions and methodology tricks, and paves the way for a general bearing capacity theory able to effectively deal with groundwater table, seismic excitation, stratified or sloping soils, footing interference etc. Moreover, since, as known, the dilatancy of soils affects the bearing capacity value, the proposed method has been calibrated against non-associated finite element models with ψ=0°. Thus, the proposed method is on the safe side.
Capturing head impacts in boxing: a video-based comparison of three wearable sensors
Authors: Flao Enora Le , Lenetsky Seth , Siegmund Gunter P. , Borotkanics Robert 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Wearable sensors are used to quantify head impacts in athletes, but recent work has shown that the number of events recorded may not be accurate. This study aimed to compare the number of head acceleration events recorded by three wearable sensors during boxing and assess how impact type and location affect the triggering of acceleration events. Seven boxers were equipped with an instrumented mouthguard, a skin patch, and a headgear patch. Contacts to participants’ heads were identified via three video cameras over 115 sparring rounds. The resulting 5168 video-identified events were used as reference to quantify the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of the sensors. The mouthguard, skin patch, and headgear patch recorded 695, 1579, and 1690 events, respectively, yielding sensitivities of 35%, 86% and 78%, respectively, and specificities of 90%, 76%, and 75%, respectively. The mouthguard, skin patch, and headgear patch yielded 693, 1571, and 1681 true positive events, respectively, leading to PPVs for head impacts over 96%. All three sensors were more likely to be triggered by punches landing near the sensor and cleanly on the head, although the mouthguard’s sensitivity to impact location varied less than the patches’. While the use of head impact sensors for assessing injury risks remains uncertain, this study provides valuable insights into the capabilities and limitations of these sensors in capturing video-verified head impact events.
Noise robust neural network architecture
Authors: Yunuo Xiong , Hongwei Xiong 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
In which we propose neural network architecture (dune neural network) for recognizing general noisy image without adding any artificial noise in the training data. By representing each free parameter of the network as an uncertainty interval, and applying a linear transformation to each input element, we show that the resulting architecture achieves decent noise robustness when faced with input data with white noise. We apply simple dune neural networks for MNIST dataset and demonstrate that even for very noisy input images which are hard for human to recognize, our approach achieved better test set accuracy than human without dataset augmentation. We also find that our method is robust for many other examples with various background patterns added.
Vitamin C and Vitamin D: Safe enough in liver with iron overload?
Authors: Güvendi Gülname Fındık 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background/Aim: Iron accumulation triggers fibrosis in liver. In this study, preconditioing and postconditioning effects of vitamin C(VitC) and vitamin D(VitD), were evaluated in rat liver with iron overload.
Materials&Methods: 100 mg/kg vitC and/or 100 mg/kg vitD were administered before or after the iron overload induced with 88 mg/kg iron dextran(Fe) to Wistar Albino rats. Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanin aminotransferase(ALT), tissue total oxidant status(TOS) and total antioxidant status(TAS) were measured; hepatocyte damage, fibrosis and inflammation were evaluated.
Results: AST values were significantly lower in postconditioning groups compared to Fe group;VitC significantly increased ALT compared to Fe.When Fe group and treatment groups were examined, the mean tissue TOS values were found to be statistically significantly higher in the treatment groups, while the same change was not observed in the tissue TAS levels.
Conclusion: VitC and VitD should not be used individually/together without detailed clinical, laboratory and pathological evaluation in cases with iron overload.
The PTGR1 expression is controlled by TE-derived Z-DNA forming sequence cooperating with miR-6867-5p
Authors: Lee DuHyeong , Bae Woo Hyeon , Ha Hongseok , Kim Woo Ryung , Park Eun Gyung , Lee Yun Ju , Kim Jung-min , Shin Hae Jin , Kim Heui-Soo 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Z-DNA, a well-known non-canonical form of DNA involved in gene regulation, is often found in gene promoters. Transposable elements (TEs), which make up 45% of the human genome, can move from one location to another within the genome. TEs play various biological roles in host organisms, and like Z-DNA, can influence transcriptional regulation near promoter regions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNA molecules that play a critical role in the regulation of gene expression. Although TEs can generate Z-DNA and miRNAs can bind to Z-DNA, how these factors affect gene transcription has yet to be elucidated. Here, we identified potential Z-DNA forming sequences (ZFSs), including TE-derived ZFS, in the promoter of prostaglandin reductase 1 (PTGR1) by data analysis. The transcriptional activity of these ZFSs in PTGR1 was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter assays. In addition, we discovered a novel ZFS binding miRNA (miR-6867-5p) that suppressed PTGR1 expression by targeting to ZFSs. In conclusion, these findings suggest that TEs can regulate PTGR1 gene expression by forming Z-DNA and that miR-6867-5p can suppress PTGR1 by interacting with ZFSs.
Using computer vision to monitor ice conditions in water supply infrastructure: a study of salient image features
Authors: Chen Junjie , Liu Donghai 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Ice condition monitoring (ICM) is critical for the operation and maintenance of water supply infrastructure in cold regions. Existing approaches either depend on ground-level sensors or satellite photography for ICM, which suffer from high maintenance costs or inadequate precision. Computer vision (CV) has the potential to tackle the limitations by providing a precise and scalable solution based on near-shore cameras and increasingly affordable drones. To explore the potential of CV for ICM, this paper presents a systematic study of salient image features for differentiating typical ice evolvement phases throughout the freeze–thaw cycle. First, ice condition during the freeze–thaw cycle is studied to provide a categoric system of typical ice stages. Second, multiple image feature descriptors are proposed to characterize the distinction between different ice conditions. Finally, with the proposed descriptors as input, two support vector machines (SVMs) are trained to classify the ice condition for automatic ICM. Experiments have been implemented to identify salient features for ice characterization. It was found that the SVMs can achieve 71.9 and 77.3% accuracy for the prediction of ice stage and ice flow strength, respectively. Future research is suggested to develop the research findings into practical solutions for webcams or drone-based automatic ICM.
5-Membered Heterocyclic Compounds as Antiviral Agents
Authors: Athina Geronikaki , Tratrat Christophe , Petrou Anthi , Fesatidou Maria , Haroun Michelyne , Venugopala Katharigatta , Sreeharsha Nagaraja , Chemali Jad 
Published: May 2023

Abstract:
Viral infections range from self-limiting to more serious and fatal infections; therefore,
some viral infections are of great public health concern worldwide, e.g., Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis
C virus, and HIV. Recently, the world faced a new infection due to the coronavirus, COVID-19,
which was announced as a pandemic in early 2020. This virus infected more than 500 million people,
killing around 6 million people worldwide. On the other hand, the increase in drug-resistant
strains is also creating serious health problems. Thus, developing new selective antiviral agents with
a different mode of action to fight against mutated and novel viruses is a primary goal of many researchers.
Taking into account the role of heterocyclic compounds in drug discovery as a key structural
component of most of the bioactive molecules; herein, we report an extensive review of the antiviral
activity of five-membered heterocyclic compounds reported from 2015 to date. In this review,
the antiviral activities of the agents containing the specified ring systems thiadiazoles, triazoles,
oxadiazoles, and thiazoles are discussed.