bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the mechanism of NLRP3/GSDMD signaling axis regulating GA cell pyroptosis based on in vivo and in vitro experiments
Authors: Donghua Yu , Xu Xiaomin , Yu Wang , Mohammed Shadi A.D. , Peng Xu , Ying Zhang , Xin Jiang , Fang Lu , Liu Shumin 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objective:This study investigated the regulatory mechanism of the NLRP3/GSDMD pathway in GA pyroptosis using network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments.
Methods:In this study, network pharmacology was used to predict the mechanism of pyroptosis in Gouty arthritis, and HE, ELISA, Real-time PCR, Western blot, immunoprecipitation, and flow cytometry were used to further investigate the mechanism of NLRP3/GSDMD signal axis in GA rat model induced by MSU and THP-1 cells induced by MSU.
Results:When gout arthritis pyroptosis occurred, the NOD-like receptor pathway was activated, as determined by network pharmacology. In the rat model of GA induced by MSU, the swelling degree, pathological damage, serum biochemical indices, and inflammatory factors of the joints were significantly increased, and the expressions of key pyroptosis proteins such as NLRP3, GSDMD, ASC, Caspase-1, and IL-1β were significantly increased in ankle joints, indicating the existence of a NOD-like receptor pathway mediating pyroptosis during the acute attack of GA. The results of NLRP3 and GSDMD inhibitor intervention showed that inhibitor intervention significantly inhibited the expression of pyroptosis protein. At the same time, it was found that the activation of NLRP3 inflammatory bodies was inhibited, and the expressions of GSDMD, ASC, Caspase-1 and IL-1β protein were down-regulated, but the expression of NLRP3 protein was not affected by inhibiting the activation of GSDMD and down-regulating the expression of IL-1β. The results of the cell experiment revealed that the inhibitor group prevented MSU-induced Nod-like receptor-mediated pyroptosis in THP-1. Co-precipitation results also revealed a close interaction between NLRP3 and GSDMD.
Conclusion:Inhibiting the NLRP3/GSDMD signaling axis can further reduce the occurrence of pyroptosis and thus alleviate the inflammatory response in acute Gouty arthritis attacks. Through a Caspase-1-dependent mechanism, NLRP3 regulates the process of pyroptosis in the occurrence of Gouty arthritis.
A retrospective study on the correlation between lipoprotein and occult pancreaticobiliary reflux complicated with gallbladder cholesterolosis
Authors: Cai Jingli , Zhang Honglei , Xiang Yukai , Hu Hai , Zhang Cheng , Kong Xiangyu , Tian Fuzhou , Da Xuanbo , Qiu Chen , Lv Beining , Wang Yubin , Yang Yulong 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objective
It is found in clinical practice that many patients with gallbladder stone also have occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR) and cholesterol deposition on the gallbladder wall. However, there is no study reporting their correlations. The purpose of the present study was to explore the correlation between lipid metabolism and occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR) with complicated gallbladder cholesterolosis by analyzing lipoproteins in the venous blood.
Methods
According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 407 patients who received gallbladder surgery at the Center for Gallbladder Diseases of Shanghai East Hospital between December 2020 and November 2021 were included, of whom 55 patients were consistent with the diagnosis of OPBR. The baseline information and preoperative lipid levels of all patients were collected to analyze the correlation between lipid metabolism and OPBR with complicated gallbladder cholesterolosis.
Results
Serum lipoprotein associated phospholipase (LP-PL)-A2 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the Study group were significantly higher than those in the Control group ( p = 0.0023; p = 0.0344). LP-PL-A2 showed a moderately strong correlation with OPBR (R = 0.446, p = 0.002), and LDL-C showed a weak correlation (R = 0.277, p = 0.042). Multivariate Logistics regression analysis showed that LP-PL-A2 (OR: 1.014, 95%CI: 1.001 ~ 1.026, p = 0.029) was an independent risk factor. The AUC value of ROC curve for LP-PL-A diagnosis of OPBR with cholesterolosis was 0.7592, with 95%CI: 0.616 ~ 0.902, specificity: 96.15% and sensitivity: 57.14% (p = 0.0025).
Conclusion
LP-PL-A2 is an independent risk factor for OPBR complicated with cholesterolosis, showing a certain clinical value for the diagnosis of OPBR with cholesterolosis. Inhibiting the expression and secretion of LP-PL-A2 by using drugs to inhibit inflammatory cells or reduce the activity of LP-PL-A2 should be a viable option to block the development and progression of cholesterolosis in OPBR patients so as to protect the gallbladder function and slow down the progression of gallbladder diseases.
Eccentricity Reduction of Slotless Self- Bearing Motor System Based on Adaptive Neural Network and Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Giap Van Nam , Nguyen Quang Dich , Pham Duc Hung , Lin Chih-Min 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This paper presents the effectiveness of a hybrid control method for the slotless self-bearing motor (SSBM), which combined by an improved adaptive radial basic function neural network (ARBFNN) and adaptive improved reaching law (AIRL) sliding-mode control (SMC) with the aim of softening the eccentricity of the rotor of SSBM. The source of eccentricity is considered from the disturbances and uncertainties and the self-vibration of the rotor. First, the mathematical model of the bearing motor system with fully embedded sources of the perturbations is represented. Second, the proposed control algorithms for SSBM system with the proof of stability via the Lyapunov theorem are given. Third, the illustrative examples of simulation and experimental studies are given to shown the effectiveness and power of the proposed control algorithms. The outcomes of the proposed control algorithms are small overshoots, small settling-times, and stable steady-states. The tested disturbances in the simulation study were mostly rejected by an ARBFNN. The performance of proposed controller with ARBFNN in experiment is better the case of controller without ARBFNN.
Movies vs books or comic-books for consolidating knowledge in college students: Results of an empirical study
Authors: Romero-Martínez Ángel , Sarrate-Costa Carolina , Martínez Manuela , Luis Moya-Albiol 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Objectives. Not only does integrating movies into the college classroom represent an opportunity for promoting knowledge, it also increases students’ interest in daily lessons. However, little is known regarding the type of academic movie tasks which might help establish relevant concepts in Psychobiology. Hence, the main objectives of this study were: 1) to analyse whether using commercial movies to answer a set of questions would have a positive impact on the acquisition of new concepts; 2) to evaluate whether watching movies presents specific advantages in student performance when compared to reading books or comic-books by answering the same questions and evaluating student perception regarding satisfaction, commitment, difficulty, and usefulness.
Method. Participants were randomly assigned to two mandatory (n= 89) or voluntary (n = 74) tasks after indicating whether they preferred watching movies or reading books or comic-books to answer specific questions. The total score of both tasks (assessed by two independent reviewers based on common correction criteria) was collected. In addition, an online survey gathered students’ hobbies and habits before starting the tasks, as well as their perceptions regarding the tasks after completing them. The final score was obtained from the final objective exam which measured their subject knowledge.
Results. Our study revealed that students preferred watching movies to complete their tasks, which had a positive impact on the consolidation of their knowledge. Nonetheless, there were no differences between the groups’ (type of stimulus or mandatory character) performance or students’ perception of both tasks.
Conclusions. Our study highlights which type of academic tasks could be employed in Psychobiology for consolidating knowledge. Moreover, it reinforces the notion that students’ preferences do not necessarily correspond with their performance.
Charitable deductions: modelling of longitudinal taxpayers’ data for time-regularity estimation and future predictions
Authors: Pittavino Marta , Huber Giedre Lideikyte 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The present study is the continuation of an existing one, with a new research question and novel statistical predictions. It represents the first large-scale time-series analysis of tax incentives for charitable giving in Switzerland for regular donors, and one of the few charitable deductions’ projections globally. Using unique panel data of the entire Geneva taxpayers’ population, from 2001 to 2011, we concentrate on the frequency of donations, by analyzing the characteristics of regular donors. This period also encompassed a legal reform that raised ceilings for charitable deductions. Taxpayers who deducted only once represent 29% of the study population, while the remaining 71% indicate taxpayers deducting more than once. We also observe that regular donors are not driven by the ceilings for tax incentives, however, wealth is an important variable characterizing the donations’ frequency. Moreover, time-series forecasting models have been used to project the future amount of donations and donors. A total amount of donations in a range of (79, 114) million in 2012-2022 has been predicted from the best model. These figures help understanding the magnitude of deductions and they allow to take better decision of the ceiling of tax incentives for charitable giving, while highlighting the main relevant factors.
Characterization of cadmium biosorption by cadmium-resistant strains: Equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics
Authors: Xie Weixia , Zhu Mengke , Fan Ruijuan , Yan Xingfu 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In this paper, six cadmium (Cd) resistant strains were used to find the optimal conditions and understand the biosorption process of strains. Influences of pH, temperature, initial Cd2+ content, bacterial dose, and treatment time on Cd2+ biosorption were investigated. The key mechanism of Cd2+ biosorption by selected microbes was preliminarily determined by examining the biosorption process using isothermal biosorption and kinetic models. The strain showed best Cd2+ removal effect at initial Cd2+ content of 50 ~ 100 mg·L-1, pH 7 ~ 9, 30°C temperature, and adsorbent dose of 0.01 g (Cd-6, Cd-7), 0.04 g (Cd-5), and 0.08 g (Cd-1, Cd-2, and Cd-3). The removal efficiency at these conditions was found to be above 90%. The equilibrium state was observed after 120 min of culture time. In six strains, the Cd2+ biosorption obeyed the Langmuir biosorption model, intra-particle diffusion model, and quasi-second-order kinetic model. This suggested that Cd2+ was absorbed by the six strains through monolayer biosorption. Moreover, chemical biosorption was found to be the major restricting factor for the biosorption rate, along with intra-particle diffusion. The six strains Cd2+ biosorption, with spontaneous endothermic reaction below 30°C and spontaneous exothermic reaction above 30°C. This study provides valuable strain resources and data support for the remediation of soil having high concentration of Cd.
Reducing Salivary Toxicity with Adaptive Radiotherapy (ReSTART): A Randomized Controlled Trial comparing conventional IMRT to adaptive IMRT in head and neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Ghosh-Laskar Sarbani , Sinha Shwetabh , Kumar Anuj , Samanta Asesh , Mohanty Samarpita , Kale Srikant , Khan Faizalam , Lewis Shirley , Murthy Vedang 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objectives:
The utility of Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) remains to be ascertained. While multiple retrospective and single-arm prospective studies have demonstrated its efficacy in decreasing parotid doses and reducing xerostomia, there is a lack of adequate randomized evidence.
Methods and Analysis:
ReSTART is an ongoing phase III randomized trial of patients with previously untreated, locally advanced HNSCC of the oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. Patients are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the standard Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) arm {Planning Target Volume (PTV) margin 5 mm} vs. ART arm (standard IMRT with a PTV margin 3 mm, two planned adaptive planning at 10th and 20th fractions). The stratification factors include the primary site and nodal stage. The RT dose prescribed is 66Gy in 30 fractions for high-risk PTV and 54Gy in 30 fractions for low-risk PTV over five weeks, along with concurrent chemotherapy.
The primary endpoint is to compare salivary toxicity between arms using salivary scintigraphy 12 months’ post-radiation. To detect a 25% improvement in the primary endpoint at 12 months in the ART arm with a two-sided 5% alpha value and a power of 80% (and 10% attrition ratio), a sample size of 130 patients is required (65 patients in each arm). The secondary endpoints include acute and late toxicities, locoregional control, disease-free survival, overall survival, quality of life, and xerostomia scores between the two arms.
Discussion:
The ReSTART trial aims to answer an important question in Radiation Therapy for HNSCC, particularly in a resource-limited setting. The uniqueness of this trial, compared to other ongoing randomized trials, includes the PTV margins and the xerostomia assessment by scintigraphy at 12 months as the primary endpoint.
Ethics and dissemination:
This trial was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, on 3rd February 2017.
Trial Registration Number:
The trial is prospectively registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) (Reg no: CTRI/2018/08/ 015531).
Outcomes of Robotic surgery in a single institution high volume hepatobiliary oncology unit
Authors: Fellow Kunal Nandy , Patkar Shraddha , Varty Gurudutt , Shah Tanvi , Goel Mahesh 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Hepatobiliary surgery has traditionally been performed via an open approach. With the advent of robotic surgery, minimal access approach in hepatobiliary oncology has gained impetus due to it technical superiority and favorable learning curve over laparoscopy. We present our experience of Da Vinci Xi system in hepatobiliary oncology
Materials and methods
This is a retrospective study from a prospectively maintained database. All patients who underwent surgery between June 2015 till July 2023 for suspected gallbladder cancer and primary or metastatic liver tumors were included.
Results
A total of 113 patients were included, of which 2 patients were declared inoperable in view of peritoneal metastasis. Seventy-five patients underwent surgery for gallbladder related pathologies that included 47(42.3%) radical cholecystectomies, 27(24.3%) simple cholecystectomies and 1(0.9%) revision cholecystectomy. 36 patients underwent surgeries for primary or metastatic liver tumors which included 26(23.4%) left lateral hepatectomy, 6 (5.4%) non-anatomical resection, 2(1.8%) right hepatectomy, 1(0.9%) robotic assisted right hepatectomy and 1(0.9%) left hepatectomy. Conversion to open was required in 17 (15.3%) patients. Median blood loss was 250 (10-3500) ml and median hospital stay was 4 (1-25) days. Median lymph nodal yield was 8(2-22) in patients who underwent lymph nodal dissection for gallbladder cancer. Eleven (9.9%) patients had significant morbidity (Clavien Dindo Grade III or more). There was one post operative mortality (0.9%).
Conclusion
Robotic hepatobiliary surgery is feasible and can be performed safely after adequate training. Patient selection is of utmost importance and is the key to establishing a robust robotic hepatobiliary oncosurgery program.
Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Survival Among Women with Advanced-stage Ovarian Cancer Who Received Systemic Therapy
Authors: Washington Caretia J. , Karanth Shama D. , Wheeler Meghann , Aduse-Poku Livingstone , Braithwaite Dejana , Akinyemiju Tomi F. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to assess the association between race/ethnicity and all-cause mortality among women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer who received systemic therapy.
Methods
We analyzed data from the National Cancer Database on women diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer from 2004 to 2015 who received systemic therapy. Race/ethnicity was categorized as Non-Hispanic (NH) White, NH-Black, Hispanic, NH-Asian/Pacific Islander, and Other. Income and education were combined to form a composite measure of socioeconomic status (SES) and categorized into low-, mid-, and high-SES. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess whether race/ethnicity was associated with the risk of death. Models were adjusted for age, SES, comorbidity level, and receipt of surgery.
Results
The study population comprised 53,367 women (52.4% ages ≥ 65 years, 82% NH-White, 8.7% NH-Black, 5.7% Hispanic, and 2.7% NH-Asian/Pacific Islander) in the analysis. After adjusting for covariates, the NH-Black race was associated with a higher risk of death versus NH-White race (aHR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.07,1.18), while Hispanic race was associated with a lower risk of death compared to NH-White women (aHR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.95). Furthermore, NH-Black women versus NH-White women had an increased risk of mortality among those with low-SES characteristics (aHR:1.12; 95% CI:1.03–1.22) and mid-SES groups (aHR: 1.13; 95% CI:1.05–1.21).
Conclusions
Among women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer who received systemic therapy, NH-Black women experienced poorer survival compared to NH-White women. Future studies should be directed to identify drivers of ovarian cancer disparities, particularly racial differences in treatment response and surveillance.
Process simulation of steam-gasification of biomass for H2 -enriched gaseous fuel production
Authors: Cao Yan , Bai Yu , Du Jiang 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Gasification is recognized as an environmentally friendly process for converting low-quality biomass materials into a valuable gaseous fuel. In this work, a novel simulation model for air/steam gasification of biomass (wood pellet) is developed using ASPEN plus to study the feasibility of producing H2-rich syngas. Benzene and naphthalene were used as tar model compounds and olivine was used as a catalyst. The model developed in this research includes five main sections, which are: dehydration reactor (DRY), decomposition reactor (PYR), tar cracking reactor (TAR-C), gasification reactor (GASIF1) and catalyst reactor (GASIF2). The model was validated with the experimental data available in the published literature and a good agreement was achieved. In the gasification section, influence of air ratio, AR (0.2-0.4), steam/biomass ratio, SBR (0-1.0) and temperature (725-875 °C) was studied. It was found that the addition of olivine not only decreases the tar yield, but also somewhat improved CGE by increasing H2 content in the gas stream. CCE also increased slightly, which can be due to the conversion of the carbon content in the tar to light hydrocarbons (CH4) and other carbon-based gases. In addition, air-steam gasification of wood pellet with olivine could achieve the highest H2 content of 15.17 vol% under optimal conditions (AR=0.3, SBR=0.66 and T=825 °C), in which the CCE and CGE reached 87.35% and 45.46%, respectively.
Effects of abiotic stress associated with climate change on potato yield and tuber quality under multi-environment trial in New Zealand
Authors: Siano Allan BANASIHAN , Roskruge Nick , Kerckhoffs Huub , Sofkova-Bobcheva Svetla 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In the 2018/19 growing season, a multi-environment trial in Opiki, Hastings, and Ohakune located in three different regions of the North Island of New Zealand was conducted to evaluate responses of selected potato cultivars to abiotic stress associated with climate change. Heat and drought stresses were evident with supra-optimal temperatures (> 25°C) in Opiki and Hastings, and sub-optimal rainfall (< 500mm) in Opiki, which influenced the different morpho-physiological characteristics of the potato crop, ultimately affecting yield and tuber quality. These abiotic stresses also increased the incidence of malformation, growth cracks, and second growth in tubers reducing the total and marketable yields by 43% and 45%, respectively. In addition, the genotype × environment analysis showed that Ohakune had the most favorable environmental conditions for potato production since all cultivars in this site had superior marketable yields. ‘Taurus’ was the most stable and adaptable cultivar across trial sites (wide adaptation), while Hermes’ and ‘Snowden’ were more adapted under Opiki and Hastings conditions (specific adaptation), respectively. As established in this study, heat and drought stresses have significant effects on the morpho-physiology, yield, and tuber quality of commercial potato cultivars in New Zealand.
Determining the optimal cut-off scores for the Chinese version of the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC)
Authors: Huang Qingmei , Jiang Ping , Ding Yuanqi , Zheng Li , Luo Jie , Dai Yun , Wu Fulei , Wang Wei 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Anxiety is a common emotion experienced by patients with prostate cancer (PCa), and can be exacerbated by testing the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) index. The Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC) was developed to assess the cancer-specific anxiety of these patients, but lack of appropriate thresholds for this scale limits its use. This study aimed to utilize ROC curve analysis to identify the best cut-off values for the Chinese version of the MAX-PC scale.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Chinese version of the MAX-PC scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD). ROC curve analysis, Youden index, Kappa consistency test and McNemar test were used for the optimal cutoff points for screening mild, moderate, and severe cancer-specific anxiety levels in patients with PCa, on the Chinese version of the MAX-PC scale.
Results
Two eighty-seven patients with PCa completed the survey. The appropriate cut-off values for the MAX-PC scale for screening patients with PCa for cancer-specific anxiety were 20, 28, and 38 for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively with the highest Youden indices. The Kappa and McNemar’s test showed the best level of consistency with values of 0.627, 0.580, and 0.606 for screening mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively.
Conclusions
The scores 20, 28, and 38 are the best cut-off values for the Chinese version of the MAX-PC scale. This scale should be used for screening cancer-specific anxiety for patients with PCa to assess and evaluate their anxiety levels and provide targeted interventions.