bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acidosis-mediated increase in IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression on cancer cells as an immune escape mechanism in solid tumors
Authors: Knopf Philipp , Stowbur Dimitri , Hoffmann Sabrina H.L. , Hermann Natalie , Maurer Andreas , Buchner Valentina , Poxleitner Marilena , Tako Bredi , Sonanini Dominik , Krishnamachary Balaji , Sinharay Sanhita , Fehrenbacher Birgit , Gonzalez-Menendez Irene , Kramer Daniela , Schaller Martin , Forchhammer Stephan , Bhujwalla Zaver , Quintanilla-Martinez Leticia , Schulze-Osthoff Klaus , Pagel Mark D. , Fransen Marieke F. , Martins André F. , Pichler Bernd J. , Ghoreschi Kamran , Kneilling Manfred 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy, yet the efficacy of these treatments is often limited by the heterogeneous and hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors. In the TME, PD-L1 expression on cancer cells is mainly regulated by IFN-γ, which induces T cell exhaustion and enables tumor immune evasion. In this study, we demonstrate that acidosis, a common characteristic of solid tumors, significantly increases IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression on aggressive cancer cells, thus promoting immune escape. Using preclinical models, we found that acidosis enhances the genomic expression and phosphorylation of STAT1, and the translation of STAT1 mRNA by eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (elF4F), resulting in an increased PD-L1 expression. We observed this effect in murine and human anti-PD-L1-responsive tumor cell lines, but not in anti-PD-L1-nonresponsive tumor cell lines. In vivo studies fully validated our in vitro findings and revealed that neutralizing the acidic extracellular tumor pH by sodium bicarbonate treatment suppresses IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression and promotes immune cell infiltration in responsive tumors and thus reduces tumor growth. However, this effect was not observed in anti-PD-L1-nonresponsive tumors. In vivo experiments in tumor-bearing IFN-γ-/- mice validated the dependency on immune cell-derived IFN-γ for acidosis-mediated cancer cell PD-L1 induction and tumor immune escape. Thus, acidosis and IFN-γ-induced elevation of PD-L1 expression on cancer cells represent a previously unknown immune escape mechanism that may serve as a novel biomarker for anti-PD-L1/PD-1 treatment response.These findings have important implications for the development of new strategies to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer patients.
Imaging Pattern and Features of Esophageal Cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Feyisa Jilcha Diribi , Addissie Adamu , Kantelhardt Eva Johanna , Zingeta Girum Tessema , Getachew Assefa , Abebe Endashaw , Misgana Girma Mulisa , Seife Edom , Aseffa Mathewos 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Different modalities of imaging are used for the diagnosis, staging, treatment decision-making, assessment of treatment response, and post-treatment surveillance of esophageal cancer. However, there is limited knowledge of the imaging patterns and features of esophageal cancer in Ethiopia. This study assessed the imaging patterns and features of esophageal cancer at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February 27, 2018 to February 28, 2019 to examine the imaging tests of patients. The results of these imaging tests were analyzed to observe patterns and features such as the size, location and structures affected by the tumor, as well as the involvement of lymph nodes and metastasis sites.Result This study recruited 230 esophageal cancer patients and found that 97% of them underwent endoscopy, 96% underwent chest CT scan, 62.2% underwent barium swallow imaging, and 93% underwent abdominopelvic ultrasonography scanning. The most common primary tumor site was the lower thoracic region, with a mean mass length of 6.9 cm. Endoscopic evaluation revealed that 79.1% of patients had a mass, with exophytic mass being the most frequent feature. Additionally, the most commonly invaded organ was the aorta (occurring in 45.2% of cases), while 96 (41.7%) of patients had lymph node involvement and 119 (51.7%) had distant metastases to other organs.Conclusion Chest CT, endoscopy, barium swallow, and AUS were the most commonly used imaging modalities for esophageal cancer in Ethiopia. The lower thoracic region was the primary tumor site, and there was frequent lymph node and distant metastases. The study also highlighted the limitations of the setup, as none of the patients were able to benefit from EUS and 18F-FDG PET technology.
Data-driven extraction of hadron radii
Authors: Binosi Daniele 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
We describe the statistical Schlessinger Point Method. Grounded in analytic function theory, this method returns an objective assessment of the information contained in any data under consideration, which is independent of assumptions about underlying dynamics, and thus free from practitioner-induced bias. As a test to its robust nature and versatility, we apply it to a fully data-driven extraction of the proton, pion, and deuteron radii.
Preparation and characterization of cotton fiber fragments from model textile waste via mechanical milling and enzyme degradation
Authors: Wang Siyan , Egan Jeannie , Salmon Sonja 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Rather than landfilling or incineration, value exists in textile wastes that should be recovered. Cotton is a major component of apparel and other textile materials that could find new value by extracting it from textile waste in the form of cotton fiber fragments (CFFs). To explore this potential, CFF properties were analyzed and compared after producing them from model undyed and fiber reactive dyed textile waste fabrics by mechanical milling or enzymatic degradation. Characterization methods included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), fiber quality analysis (FQA), degree of polymerization (DP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Enzyme-treated undyed CFFs exhibited distinct properties of flattened fiber fragment dimensions, a more uniform fiber length distribution compared to other CFFs, a DP comparable to solvent-spun regenerated cellulose fibers from cotton, the highest crystallinity of all CFFs tested, greater hydrophobicity than milled cotton reference material, and better thermal stability than milled reference cotton. The effects of mono-functional and bi-functional reactive dyes on enzyme degradation behavior and final product characteristics were also evaluated and discussed. Both dyed and undyed CFFs show good potential for being utilized in diverse applications. This analysis of the properties of partially degraded cotton fibers provides a necessary technical foundation for promoting CFF recycling for use in applications such as composites and regenerated fibers, and provides insights on the mechanism by which cotton disintegrates in the presence of enzymes to potentially inspire new strategies for dyeing cotton that takes a designed for recycling perspective into account.
Influence of methane flow ratios on the structural and mechanical properties of Ti doped diamond-like carbon films
Authors: Lee Wei-Hsiang , Hu Chih-Chung , Su Yin-Tung Alber , Wang Bo-Yuan , Chang Ho , Hsu Chun Yao 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Diamond-like carbon films with Ti dopant (Ti-DLC) are synthesized by reactive magnetron sputtering using a pure Ti metal target. This study determines the effect of methane flow ratios [Rm=CH4/(Ar + CH4), ranging from 4 to 12%] on the surface morphology, microstructure, mechanical properties and cermet cutting tool inserts features of Ti-DLC films. The GIXRD diffraction spectrum for Ti-DLC film depicts an amorphous structure. There are peaks for nano-crystalline TiC at 2θ values of 35.88o, 41.52o and 60.14o, which respectively correspond to the (111), (200) and (220) planes of the face centered cubic structure. The characteristic binding energy of C 1s, Ti 2p and O 1s for Ti-DLC film is determined using a high-resolution XPS spectra. Increasing Rm flow ratio (reducing Ti metal doping) increases the intensity of the Raman spectrum because there is an increased sp2-C (sp2/sp3 ratio) site fraction for DLC components. The experimental results show that the hardness of the DLC film increases from 11.07 GPa to 14.76 GPa as the Rm flow ratio is increased from 4% to 12%. The adhesive strength of the Ti-DLC film coating is measured using a scratch test and shows that the film adheres well to the substrate. The Ti-DLC films are coated onto cutter inserts for the dry milling of an Inconel 718 workpiece and the results show that all coated tools have a significantly longer tool life than uncoated tools.
The influence of Y-shaped emitter structural parameters on its hydraulic performance
Authors: Li Chaoxi , Li Zhiqin , Du Peisen , Ma Juanjuan 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
A In this paper, a Y-shaped labyrinth channel emitter is proposed to explore the influence of the waist arc’s angle(α) and crown-to-chord ratio(a:b) on the hydraulic performance of its was investigated. Numerical simulation using CFD software for fluid dynamics to obtain the pressure ~ flow relationship’s curve and slope and flow field diagram, compare and analyze the slope of pressure ~ flow curve, design flow and flow field diagram of the emitter with different waist arc’s angle and crown-to-chord ratio.Research shows that, (1) When the waist arc’s angle of Y-shaped emitter is 90°, and the crown-to-chord ratio is 6:30, the slope of curve is close to the triangular channel emitter currently commonly used, which has same cross-sectional size and runner length. (2) Keep the crown-to-chord ratio unchanged, with the increase of waist arc’s angle, the slope of curve and the design flow are reduced, the pressure drop ratio before and after the water flow through the low-speed vortex area increases, and the hydraulic performance of emitter is improved. (3) The smaller the crown-to-chord ratio, the weaker the influence of waist arc’s angle on the design flow and hydraulic performance. (4) Keep the waist arc’s angle unchanged, with the decrease of crown-to-chord ratio,the slope of curve and the design flow are reduced, the vortex strength inside the emitter channel increases, and the hydraulic performance is improved; (5) The bigger the waist arc’s angle, the weaker the influence of crown-to-chord ratio on the design flow and hydraulic performance, even no effect. (6) When the Y-shaped emitter is close to the pressure ~ flow curve’s slope of the commonly used triangular channel emitter, the hydraulic performance of the two is similar, the former can increase the runner width by 25% compared to the latter, or shorten the runner length by 44.3%.
PTCH1 and CTNNB1 emerge as pivotal predictors of resistance to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ER+/HER2- breast cancer
Authors: Ozcan Gulnihal 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background Endeavors in molecular characterization of breast cancer paved the way to endocrine therapies in ER+/HER2- breast cancer, increasing response rates. Despite that, taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy is still a cornerstone for breast-conserving surgery and complete tumor resection in locally advanced cancers with high recurrence risk. Nonetheless, chemoresistance risk is high. Therefore, predicting unresponsiveness to chemotherapy is a significant task to prevent futile toxicities in patients. Despite several multi-gene assays being used for this purpose, their development as prognostic assays limits predictive strength, leading to discordant results. Moreover, high costs impediment their use in developing countries. For global health equity, robust predictors that can be cost-effectively incorporated into routine clinical management are essential.Methods To identify robust predictors in ER+/HER2- breast cancer, we performed comprehensive profiling and gene set enrichment analysis in 5 GEO datasets. To validate the potential predictors we performed ROC analysis, KM-survival analysis and Cox Proportional Hazards Regression in two validation cohorts. To compare predictive power of potential predictors with the genes in the benchmark signatures we performed gene correlation and signature analysis in TCGA dataset.Results Gene expression and gene set enrichment analysis revealed 63 upregulated genes and the enrichment of CTNNB1-related oncogenic signatures in non-responsive patients. We validated the upregulation and predictive strength of 18 genes, all exhibiting higher predictive powers for residual disease and higher specificities for ER+/HER2- breast cancers compared to one of the benchmark multi-gene assays. Cox Proportional Hazards Regression in three different treatment arms (neoadjuvant chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and no systemic treatment) put forth PTCH1 and CTNNB1 as key predictors, with hazard ratios over 1.5, and 1.6 respectively in the univariate and multivariate models.Conclusions Our results strongly suggest that PTCH1 and CTNNB1 can be used as robust and cost-effective predictors in developing countries to guide decisions on chemotherapy in ER+/HER2- breast cancer patients with a high risk of recurrence. The dual function of PTCH1 as a multidrug efflux pump and a hedgehog receptor, and the active involvement of CTNNB1 in breast cancer strongly indicate that PTCH1 and CTNNB1 can be potential drug targets to overcome chemoresistance in ER+/HER2- breast cancer patients.
IoT-based Monitoring and Control System for Hydroponic Cultivation: A Comprehensive Study
Authors: Thakur Pooja , Malhotra Manisha , Bhagat R. M. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
In this study, we provide an IoT-based approach for observing and managing a hydroponic system. A multitude of sensors is built into the system to assess important factors like temperature, humidity, nutrient levels, pH, and water levels. These sensors are linked to a microcontroller or single-board computer, which gathers and sends the data to a platform that is situated in the cloud for archival and analysis. A web or mobile application allows users to remotely access the data and manage the system. The system also features automated control that modifies humidity, temperature, and nutrient levels according to sensor data and predetermined criteria. The suggested system provides an all-inclusive and effective approach for regulating and monitoring hydroponic systems, and it is easily adaptable to various hydroponic conditions and systems. We show our suggested system's utility and viability through experiments and results.
Reactivity of Alloxydim herbicide: Force and Reaction Electronic flux profiles
Authors: Villaverde Juan J. , Sandín-España Pilar , Alonso-Prados José L. , Alcamí Manuel , Lamsabhi Al Mokhtar 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The reaction force profile and the electronic reaction flux concepts were explored for the herbicide alloxydim and some of its derivatives at B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. The exploration was achieved by rotating the oxime bond which is the most reactive region of the molecule. The main objective is to understand how the rotation of this bond influences the properties of the molecule and induces an electronic reorganization. The results show that the rotation of the dihedral angle triggers alloxydim to go through three transition states. The first step of the transformation begins by the rupture of the hydrogen bond and is characterized by a pronounced structural reorganization. In the last step of the process the electronic reorganization is more important.
Baryon resonance studies via meson photoproduction in the LEPS2/BGOegg experiment
Authors: HASHIMOTO Toshikazu 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
We present differential cross sections and photon beam asymmetries of photoproduction reactions of η mesons in the center-of-mass energy of 1.82 < W < 2.32 measured in LEPS2/BGOegg experiment. A bump structure is observed W ∼ 2.2 GeV in the differential cross section at cos θηc.m. < −0.6. This structure suggests the existence of the nucleon resonances which have a large s¯s component. For the first time, we measured the photon beam asymmetries for the total energies above 2.1 GeV.
BamA Targeted Design of Antimicrobial Peptides with High Efficacy and Low Toxicity
Authors: Yang Li , Luo Minghe , Liu Zhou , Li Yuepeng , Wang Yuanqiang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The emerging of superbugs has led to an urgent need for novel antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) characterized with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, reduced resistance, and immune stimulation, show application prospects in combating drug-resistant microorganisms. In this study, computational techniques were used to design BamA targeted AMPs. Designed AMPs were then synthesized and investigated for their antibacterial activities, mechanisms, and stability. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed that both the designed AMPs of 11pep and D-11pep could polymerize the β1, β9, β15, and β16 chains of BamA, leading to faulty folding of outer membrane proteins and resulting in antibacterial effects. Further antibacterial studies showed that 11pep and D-11pep have broad-spectrum activity, and D-11pep exhibiting more potent antibacterial action against resistant Gram-negative bacteria with MICs of 16 μg/mL, 8 μg/mL and 32 μg/mL against carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, respectively, and lower resistance induction. Mechanism investigation of 11pep and D-11pep showed that, both peptides could disrupt the bacterial outer membrane, which was consistent with the molecular dynamics simulations, and D-11pep is more stable and less toxic than 11pep. Results in this study indicate that rational design of AMPs targeted BamA, and the D-amino acid replacement strategy are useful tactics to develop drug-resistant bacteria AMPs.
Network pharmacology prediction and molecular docking-based strategy to explore the potential mechanism of RSG and Phellodendron against HPV infection
Authors: Xu Lin , Li Shanshan , Zhao ruihua , Sun Weiwei , Li Haixia 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a double-stranded circular DNA virus that mainly infects the human epidermis and mucosal squamous epithelium. We aimed to explore the mechanism of the Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae (RSG) and Phellodendron compound in the treatment of HPV by network pharmacology and molecular docking.
Methods: Potential targets and active compounds of RSG and Phellodendron, as well as HPV-related targets, were retrieved from public databases. First, the key targets were obtained by intersection of the differentially expression genes (DEGs) between HPV (+)and HPV (-)tissue samples from GSE3292 dataset and top 10 proteins from protein-protein interaction (PPI) network according to Degree. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of key targets was analyzed. Subsequently, immune microenvironmentwas explored by CIBERSORT algorithm. The competing endogenouse RNA (ceRNA) network of key targets was created. Lastly, molecular docking was performed to predict the binding activityof active ingredients with key targets.
Results: A total of 37 bioactive ingredients of RSG and Phellodendron, and 59 RSG and Phellodendron-HPV-related targets were screened. GSEA showed (ESR1, EGFR and PTEN) were associated with PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Immune infiltration analysis showed that CD8 T cells were found more abundant in the HPV (+) groups. Moreover, lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network containing 20 nodes (3 key targets, 13 miRNAs and 4 lncRNAs) and 29 edges was constructed. Finally, molecular docking suggested that quercetin combined well with EGFR and PTEN, and palmatine had the strong affinity with ESR1.
Conclusion: 3 key targets (ESR1, EGFR and PTEN) and 2 bioactive ingredients (quercetin and palmatine) were successfully identified for RSG and Phellodendron against HPV, which provided theoretical basis for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine compound and the molecular mechanism of human papillomavirus infection.
Causal relationship between Human Gut Microbiome and Bone Mineral Density: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Li baizhi , Zou Luolan , Chen Mutong , Liao Muchun , Gong Zhenqi , Cheng Runzi , Ma Zhiyan , Zheng Qing , Wang Huaiming 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Various recent studies have shown a link between the gut microbiome and bone mineral density (BMD). Whether the link represents a causative relationship, however, remains unclear. This study aims to thoroughly investigate the causal effects of the gut microbiome on BMD and pinpoint which particular gut microbe taxa have causal effects on BMDs at different specific skeletal sites. Based on summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was carried out to examine the effects of the gut microbiome at five taxonomic ranks (phylum, class, order, family, and genus) on BMDs at five skeletal sites (total body BMD [TB-BMD], femoral neck BMD [FN-BMD], forearm BMD [FA-BMD], heel BMD [H-BMD], lumbar spine BMD [LS-BMD]). After Bonferroni correction, a negative causal effect of the genus Eisenbergiella was shown exclusively on H-BMD (inverse variance weighted (IVW): β = -0.037, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.055, -0.018, P = 0.0001). On the contrary, the genus Oscillibacter had a positive causal effect exclusively on H-BMD (IVW: β = 0.029, 95% CI = 0.013, 0.044, P = 0.0003). At other skeletal sites, only nominal causal effects were observed. The reliability of these findings was strengthened by our following several sensitivity studies. A reverse MR analysis was conducted, which showed no reverse causation between H-BMD and the beforementioned two genera, Eisenbergiella and Oscillibacter. These findings show insights into the pathophysiology of low BMD and the association between the gut microbiome and bone health.
Disrupted white matter network connectivity associated with cognitive declines in psychogenic erectile dysfunction
Authors: Feng Sitong , Dong Linrui , Yan Bin , Zheng Sisi , Feng Zhengtian , Li Kuangshi , Jia Hongxiao , Ning Yanzhe 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Increasing neuroimaging studies have demonstrated abnormalities of cerebral structural changes in psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED). Despite the abnormal brain changes involving cognitive processing in pED, pED patients suffer from cognitive dysfunction by screening in standard neurocognitive tests remain elusive. This study aimed to explore the alterations of structural brain networks associated with cognitive impairments in pED. We firstly used different machine learning methods to probe discriminative brain maps between 40 pED patients and 33 healthy controls (HCs) for diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. Then, we identified the important features of pED patients to analyze the abnormal structural brain networks in association with cognitive functions compared to HCs. From 26896 features of DTI data, 24 important features were identified by K-Nearest Neighbor classification with a satisfactory accuracy (78%). According to the results of the machine learning analysis, we found that pED patients showed higher FA values between left transverse temporal sulcus and left supramarginal gyrus (p = 0.001, Bonferroni corrected), and lower FA values between left suborbital sulcus and left para-hippocampal part of the medial occipito-temporal gyrus in ED patients than HCs (p < 0.001, Bonferroni corrected). Furthermore, the increased FA between left transverse temporal sulcus and left supramarginal gyrus was observed to be negatively associated with erectile dysfunction (p < 0.001) and impaired delayed memory (p = 0.028). Overall, our findings provide new insights into white matter network alterations associated with impaired cognitive functions in pED, which may provide a potential biomarker for treating pED.