bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of SOD2 and NOS2 genes in the molecular aspect of bladder cancer pathophysiology
Authors: Grębowski Radosław , Saluk Joanna , Bijak Michał , Szemraj Janusz , Wigner-Jeziorska Paulina 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBladder cancer (BC) is a severe health problem of the genitourinary system and is characterised by a high risk of recurrence. According to the recent GLOBOCAN report, bladder cancer accounts for 3% of diagnosed cancers in the world, taking 10th place on the list of the most common cancers. Despite numerous studies, the full mechanism of BC development remains unknown. Nevertheless, precious results suggest a crucial role of oxidative stress in the development of BC. Therefore, this study explores whether the c. 47 C > T (rs4880)—SOD2, (c. 1823 C > T (rs2297518) and g.-1026 C > A (rs2779249)—NOS2(iNOS) polymorphisms are associated with BC occurrence and whether the bladder carcinogenesis induces changes in SOD2 and NOS2 expression and methylation status in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In this aim, the TaqMan SNP genotyping assay, TaqMan Gene Expression Assay, and methylation‐sensitive high‐resolution melting techniques were used to genotype profiling and evaluate the expression of the genes and the methylation status of their promoters, respectively. Our findings confirm that heterozygote of the g.-1026 C > A SNP was associated with a decreased risk of BC. Moreover, we detected that BC development influenced the expression level and methylation status of the promoter region of investigated genes in PBMCs. Concluding, our results confirmed that oxidative stress, especially NOS2 polymorphisms and changes in the expression and methylation of the promoters of SOD2 and NOS2 are involved in the cancer transformation initiation of the cell urinary bladder.
Prevalence and consumption pattern of kolanut among pregnant women in Ibadan metropolis
Authors: Atiba F. A. , Popoola O. A. , Odukogbe A. A. , Ihunwo A. O. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractKolanut contains caffeine and it is widely consumed in various social contexts in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries. While some studies have suggested that kolanut is consumed by pregnant women, there is a dearth of information on the prevalence, consumption pattern and reasons for kolanut consumption among this group. This study investigated kolanut use among pregnant women in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study involving 478 consenting pregnant women in all trimesters of pregnancy was conducted. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Associations between kolanut use and respondent characteristics were investigated using the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. The mean age of the women was 28.7 ± 6.3 years. One hundred and sixty-two (33.9%) of women reported kolanut use during pregnancy, 140 (29.3%) in the current pregnancy. Fifty-five (39.3%) pregnant women reported frequent use and 46 (32.9%) used it in high quantities. Significant associations were found between current kolanut use and Hausa respondents (p = 0.014), educational level; secondary (p = 0.032), tertiary (p = 0.006), TBA (p = 0.005). The majority (93.7%) used kolanut to prevent spitting, nausea, and vomiting. This study showed that kolanut use is quite common among pregnant women and frequently used in large quantities.
Association between epicardial adipose tissue and myocardial work by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop in people with suspected metabolic syndrome
Authors: Sun Li-juan , Xiao Cheng-wei , Zhao Xue-bing , Guo Shuai , Zhang Fang 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGiven the inconsistent results on the prognostic significance of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of EAT thickness and myocardial work by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop in people with suspected metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 194 participants imaged with echocardiography were evaluated. In accordance with the median EAT thickness, MS patients fell into thin EAT group and thick EAT group. Conventional echocardiographic parameters, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the global myocardial work parameters obtained by pressure-strain loop analysis, comprising the global work index (GWI), global work efficiency (GWE), global constructive work (GCW) and global wasted work (GWW) were compared between the two groups. In comparison with the thin EAT group, thick EAT group achieved significantly higher values in interventricular septal thickness, end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass index and GWW (p < 0.05). while the absolute value of GLS, GWI, GCW, and GWE were notably lower in the thick EAT group (p < 0.001). EAT thickness showed a significant correlation with GWI and GCW (r = − 0.328, p = 0.001; r = − 0.253, p = 0.012), and also independently correlated with GWI and GCW in the multivariate regression analysis (β = − 0.310, p = 0.001; β = − 0.199, p = 0.049). EAT thickness is associated with left ventricular myocardial function in subjects with suspected metabolic syndrome, independently of other risk factors. Further studies are supposed to ensure the causal associations and related mechanisms.
Optimization of process parameters for trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole removal by magnetite-chitosan nanoparticles using Box–Behnken design
Authors: Alishiri Mahsa , Gonbadi Maryam , Narimani Mehdi , Abdollahi Seyyed Amirreza , Shahsavaripour Negin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe contamination of the aquatic environment with antibiotics is among the major and developing problems worldwide. The present study investigates the potential of adsorbent magnetite-chitosan nanoparticles (Fe3O4/CS NPs) for removing trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX). For this purpose, Fe3O4/CS NPs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and the adsorbent characteristics were investigated using XRD, SEM, TEM, pHzpc, FTIR, and VSM. The effect of independent variables (pH, sonication time, adsorbent amount, and analyte concentration) on removal performance was modeled and evaluated by Box–Behnken design (BBD). The SEM image of the Fe3O4/CS adsorbent showed that the adsorbent had a rough and irregular surface. The size of Fe3O4/CS crystals was about 70 nm. XRD analysis confirmed the purity and absence of impurities in the adsorbent. TEM image analysis showed that the adsorbent had a porous structure, and the particle size was in the range of nanometers. In VSM, the saturation magnetization of Fe3O4/CS adsorbent was 25 emu g−1 and the magnet could easily separate the adsorbent from the solution. The results revealed that the optimum condition was achieved at a concentration of 22 mg L−1, a sonication time of 15 min, an adsorbent amount of 0.13 g/100 mL, and a pH of 6. Among different solvents (i.e., ethanol, acetone, nitric acid, and acetonitrile), significant desorption of TMP and SMX was achieved using ethanol. Also, results confirmed that Fe3O4/CS NPs can be used for up to six adsorption/desorption cycles. In addition, applying the Fe3O4/CS NPs on real water samples revealed that Fe3O4/CS NPs could remove TMP and SMX in the 91.23–95.95% range with RSD (n = 3) < 4. Overall, the Fe3O4/CS NPs exhibit great potential for removing TMP and SMX antibiotics from real water samples.
Maize pollen diet enhances malaria mosquito longevity and infectivity to Plasmodium parasites in Ethiopia
Authors: Ayele Shilimat , Wegayehu Teklu , Eligo Nigatu , Tamiru Girum , Lindtjørn Bernt , Massebo Fekadu 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAlthough larval diet quality may affect adult mosquito fitness, its impact on parasite development is scarce. Plant pollen from Zea mays, Typha latifolia, and Prosopis juliflora was ultraviolet-sterilized and examined for effects on larval development, pupation rate, adult mosquito longevity, survival and infectivity. The control larvae were fed Tetramin fish food as a comparator food. Four treatment and two control groups were used for each pollen diet, and each experimental tray had 25 larvae. Female An. arabiensis were starved overnight and exposed to infectious blood using a membrane-feeding system. The Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test were used for analysis. The Z. mays pollen diet increased malaria mosquito survival and pupation rate (91.3%) and adult emergence (85%). Zea mays and Tetramin fish food had comparable adulthood development times. Adults who emerged from larvae fed Z. mays pollen had the longest average wing length (3.72 mm) and were more permissive to P. vivax (45%) and P. falciparum (27.5%). They also survived longer after feeding on infectious blood and had the highest number of P. vivax oocysts. Zea mays pollen improved larval development, adult mosquito longevity, survival and infectivity to Plasmodium. Our findings suggest that malaria transmission in Z. mays growing villages should be monitored.
Probing the communication patterns of different chondrocyte subtypes in osteoarthritis at the single cell level using pattern recognition and manifold learning
Authors: Wang Jiajian , Liu Caihong , Yang Litao , Chen Huixiong , Zheng Mingqi , Wan Yanbin , Hong Xiongxin , Li Sidi , Han Jing , Luo Ruibin , Wan Xing , Zhang Jian V. , Xu Ruihuan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe patterns of communication among different chondrocyte subtypes in human cartilage degeneration and regeneration help us understand the microenvironment of osteoarthritis and optimize cell-targeted therapies. Here, a single-cell transcriptome dataset of chondrocytes is used to explore the synergistic and communicative patterns of different chondrocyte subtypes. We collected 1600 chondrocytes from 10 patients with osteoarthritis and analyzed the active communication patterns for the first time based on network analysis and pattern recognition at the single-cell level. Manifold learning and quantitative contrasts were performed to analyze conserved and specific communication pathways. We found that ProCs (Proliferative chondrocytes), ECs (Effector chondrocytes), preHTCs (Prehypertrophic chondrocytes), HTCs (Hypertrophic chondrocytes), and FCs (Fibrocartilage chondrocytes) are more active in incoming and outgoing signaling patterns, which is consistent with studies on their close functional cooperation. Among them, preHTCs play multiple roles in chondrocyte communication, and ProCs and preHTCs have many overlapping pathways. These two subtypes are the most active among all chondrocyte subtypes. Interestingly, ECs and FCs are a pair of “mutually exclusive” subtypes, of which ECs are predominant in incoming patterns and FCs in outgoing patterns. The active signaling pathways of ECs and FCs largely do not overlap. COLLAGEN and LAMININ are the main pivotal pathways, which means they are very important in the repair and expansion of joint homeostasis. Notably, only preHTCs assume multiple roles (including sender, receiver, mediator, and influencer) and are involved in multiple communication pathways. We have examined their communication patterns from the perspective of cellular interactions, revealed the relationships among different chondrocyte subtypes, and, in particular, identified a number of active subtypes and pathways that are important for targeted therapy in the osteoarthritic microenvironment. Our findings provide a new research paradigm and new insights into understanding chondrocyte activity patterns in the osteoarthritic microenvironment.
Selective steroidogenic cytochrome P450 haem iron ligation by steroid-derived isonitriles
Authors: Richard Alaina M. , Wong Nathan R. , Harris Kurt , Sundar Reethy , Scott Emily E. , Pochapsky Thomas C. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAlkyl isonitriles, R—NC, have previously been shown to ligate the heme (haem) iron of cytochromes P450 in both accessible oxidation states (ferrous, Fe2+, and ferric, Fe3+). Herein, the preparation of four steroid-derived isonitriles and their interactions with several P450s, including the steroidogenic CYP17A1 and CYP106A2, as well as the more promiscuous drug metabolizers CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, is described. It was found that successful ligation of the heme iron by the isonitrile functionality for a given P450 depends on both the position and stereochemistry of the isonitrile on the steroid skeleton. Spectral studies indicate that isonitrile ligation of the ferric heme is stable upon reduction to the ferrous form, with reoxidation resulting in the original complex. A crystallographic structure of CYP17A1 with an isonitrile derived from pregnanalone further confirmed the interaction and identified the absolute stereochemistry of the bound species.
Boosting inhibition performance of natural polyphenols for the prevention of calcium oxalate kidney stones through synergistic cooperativity
Authors: Li Si , Zhou Donghui , Zhu Zuoxuan , Tan Xiaoyue , Tang Weiwei , Gong Junbo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBinary drug combination usually targets different pathways to achieve cooperative therapy, but the exploitation of synergistic cooperativity between crystal growth modifiers that bind to the same site for preventing pathological biomineralization has yet to be realized. Here, we report that the binary inhibitor combinations of citrate with natural polyphenols can boost the inhibitory efficacy of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystallization, a primary component of kidney stones, up to four-fold greater than citrate alone. A combination of experimental and simulation techniques shows a strong synergy of four citrate-polyphenol inhibitor pairs on suppressing calcium oxalate monohydrate growth with minimal amounts of inhibitor, resulting from the reduction of growth kinetic constant paralleled with suppressing the crystallization driving force. Further, the inhibitor pairs demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo synergistic reductions of crystal-cell interactions, renal calcium oxalate deposition, and kidney injury, collectively presenting an effective therapeutic strategy for preventing calcium oxalate stones by boosting the inhibition efficacy of potent inhibitor pairs.
A novel broadband windmill‐shaped metasurface antenna with stable radiation patterns
Authors: Chen Dongxu , Liu Xizhao , Ye Sang , Yang Wanchen , Che Wenquan , Xue Quan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractA novel windmill‐shaped metasurface (MTS) structure is firstly presented and applied to realise broadband antennas with stable radiation patterns. Different from conventional square MTS structure, the proposed windmill‐shaped MTS structure is formed by etching several triangular sawtooth slots instead of rectangular slots on the radiating square patch. Through the characteristic mode analysis, it can be found that the proposed MTS structure exhibits a much stable broadside radiation within a large bandwidth of 45.9%. Besides, the tapered edges resulted from the sawtooth slots can be regarded as smoother transitions, which would bring a better impedance matching. Based on above analysis, two antennas with different aperture sizes using the proposed windmill‐shaped MTS are well designed accordingly. Both antennas demonstrate the capability to achieve large impedance bandwidths over 40% and stable radiations (2‐dB gain bandwidth >33%). Compared with the conventional MTS‐based antenna, these proposed antennas improve the bandwidth and radiation performances effectively, showing great promises for modern wireless communication systems.
Analysis and modelling of a phase‐locked loop based on a novel cascade structure of SOGI
Authors: Ke Shanwen , Li Yuren 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn order to attenuate the oscillations on the estimated frequency of a phase‐locked loop (PLL), the effective suppression of low‐order harmonics in grid voltage is a crucial issue in three‐phase grid‐connected inverters, which use the standard PLL based on a double second‐order generalized integrator (DSOGI‐PLL). Analysis shows that the SOGI module exerts a stronger filtering effect in generating the quadrature signal than the in‐phase signal. In this context, two novel cascaded SOGI module filtering structures have been developed, based on which the PLLs are proposed. In comparison to the previously proposed method for addressing the problem of input voltage harmonics, the proposed method has stronger filtering ability and can flexibly select the levels of SOGI module cascading based on the degree of grid voltage distortion to achieve a balance between system dynamic performance and filtering performance. The proposed PLLs' approximation small signal model is established, and the method for designing the system control parameters is also provided. In the case of frequency steps, phase angle jumps, harmonic injection, and unbalanced voltage sag, Matlab modelling and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed PLLs can efficiently extract the frequency and phase of the fundamental positive sequence component and behave better in steady‐state and dynamic performance.
A collaborative training approach for multi energy systems in low‐carbon parks accounting for response characteristics
Authors: Bao Huiyu , Sun Yi , Zheng Shunlin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractExisting researches lack systematic design of the operation mechanism and overall implementation process of park oriented multi‐state energy system; The existing researches on multi‐state energy systems ignored the dynamic response characteristics of load and the coupling effect of units considering the impact of carbon emissions, and did not go deep into the collaborative management of multiple multi state energy system parks. To this end, this paper first proposes a two‐stage multi‐energy system operation architecture for low carbon parks, and establishes a mathematical model considering carbon emissions, operating costs and other objectives. The response space of load is optimized by considering the dynamic interaction characteristics of load response and the coupling characteristics of unit operation. Then, considering the problems of data security and training efficiency, F‐DDPG technology is used to conduct collaborative training for multiple campus systems. Finally, an example is given to prove the effectiveness of the method, which is not only conducive to reducing the operating cost of the system and the carbon emissions on the supply side, but also improves the convergence of model training. In the case of collaborative training in multiple parks, the method in this paper converges faster and has better economic benefits.
Leadership of urban digital innovation for public value: A competency framework
Authors: Bastidas Viviana , Oti‐Sarpong Kwadwo , Nochta Timea , Wan Li , Tang Junqing , Schooling Jennifer 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLeading digital innovation projects in smart cities requires the right human resources with the right set of competencies. Such requirement is challenging because city managers and built environment professionals are traditionally trained and work in disciplinary and professional silos. This results in a lack of knowledge, abilities, and tools to produce optimal outcomes for communities across multiple sectors. Guided by a socio‐technical and multidisciplinary approach, the DC2‐CF framework is proposed to help urban planners identify, develop and expand the competencies they need to effectively steer responsible digital innovation and ensure public value creation. The DC2‐CF proposes a digital innovation process model to facilitate the delivery of successful urban digital innovation projects based on the lessons learned from working with city digital leaders. In addition, the DC2‐CF provides a delivery structure which identifies specific tasks, competencies, and roles necessary to enable the use off the innovation process model in practice and break down the professional silos currently existing in cities. The framework is envisioned to assist city planners in fostering leadership capacity in local authorities and the private sector in digital city development, contributing to enhancing collaborative working and effective public value creation.
Quasi-periodic oscillation detected in γ-rays in blazar PKS 0346−27
Authors: Prince Raj , Banerjee Anuvab , Sharma Ajay , Kumar das Avik , Gupta Alok C. , Bose Debanjan 
Published: September 2023

Aims. We present a variability study of the blazar PKS 0346−27 conducted between December 2018 and January 2022 using archival γ-ray observations from Fermi-LAT.
Methods. We used Lomb–Scargle periodogram and weighted wavelet transform methods to detect the presence of periodicity or quasi-periodicity and localize this feature in time and frequency space. We estimated the significance of the periodicity feature using a Monte Carlo simulation approach. We also determined the global significance of the periodicity to test the robustness of our claim. To explore the most probable scenario, we modeled the light curve with both a straight-jet and a curved-jet model.
Results. We detect a periodicity feature of ∼100 days in the entire period of observation with a statistical significance of 3σ, which amounts to a 99.7% confidence level. The global significance of this feature is found to be 96.96%. Based on the Akaike information criterion, the most probable explanation is that the observed emission is enhanced due to the helical motion of a blob within a curved jet.
Conclusions. The origin of this quasi-periodic oscillation is very likely a region of enhanced emission moving helically inside a curved jet. This work presents strong evidence for jet curvature in the source and an independent (albeit a little serendipitous) procedure to estimate the curvature in blazar jets.
Phenomenological footprints of Λ varying gravity theories inspired from quantum gravity models in the multi-messenger era
Authors: Good Michael R R , Zarikas Vasilios 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
An interesting phenomenological consequence of Λ varying gravity theories inspired by quantum gravity models is reported. The treatment in the present work is quite general and applicable to several different actions with Λ varying, especially those used in RG approaches to quantum gravity. An effective gravitational action with a scale varying cosmological constant, Λ, which depends on the system’s characteristics, like the length and the energy density, is the key feature. If the system is an astrophysical object, like a cluster of galaxies, a black hole, etc, non-negligible corrections arise to several observable quantities. Distinctive footprints could refer to luminosity distance and strong/weak lensing measurements, among others. The present study focuses on the SNIa luminosity distance observable.
Rotational wave packet of NO+ created upon strong-field ionization of NO
Authors: Fukahori Shinichi , Hasegawa Hirokazu 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
We theoretically investigate the creation of the rotational wave packet in molecular ions upon the strong-field ionization of diatomic molecules by a femtosecond laser pulse. The rotational excitation of molecular cation is ascribed to the dependence of the strong-field ionization probability on the orientation angle of the molecular axis with respect to the laser polarization direction. By extending the molecular strong-field approximation theory, we calculate the rovibrational state distribution of the ground electronic X

1

Σ
+

state of NO+ after the ionization of NO in the electronic ground X

2

Π

1

/

2

state. We also show that the extent of the rotational excitation of NO+ is enhanced by the stimulated impulsive Raman processes both in neutral NO and in NO+ cation. The resultant time evolution of the rotational wave packet of NO+ is in good agreement with the delay dependent NO2+ yield recorded experimentally in our previous pump–probe study.