bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of pyroptosis-related gene signature in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Mao Fei , Wang E , Fu Li , Fan Wenhua , Zhou Jing , Yan Guofeng , Liu Tiemin , Li Yao 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as one of the major causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality globally. It ranges fromsimple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) characterized by ballooning and hepatic inflammation. In the past few years, pyroptosis has been shown as a type of programmed cell death that triggers inflammation and plays a role in the development of NASH. However, the roles of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in NASH remained unclear.
Methods: In this study, we studied the expression level of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in NASH and healthy controls, developed a diagnostic model of NASH based on PRGs and explored the pathological mechanisms associated with pyroptosis. We further compared immune status between NASH and healthy controls, analyzed immune status in different subtypes of NASH.
Results: We identified altogether twentyPRGs that were differentially expressed between NASH and normal liver tissues. Then, a novel diagnostic model consisting of seven PRGs including CASP3, ELANE, GZMA, CASP4, CASP9, IL6 andTP63 for NASH was constructed with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.978(CI 0.965-0.99). Obvious variations in immune status between healthy controls and NASH cases were detected. Subsequently, the consensus clustering method based on differentially expressed PRGs was constructed to divide all NASH cases into two distinct pyroptosis subtypes with different immune and biological characteristics. Further combined with screening drug targets by using DGIdb database, we explored possible drugs targets of NASH including Oltipraz, Metaproterenol, Fingolimod.
Conclusion: Pyroptosis-related genes may play an important role in NASH and can provide new insights into the diagnosis and underlying mechanisms of NASH.
Diversity of biomass usage pathways to achieve emissions targets in the European energy system
Authors: Millinger Markus , Hedenus Fredrik , Reichenberg Lina , Zeyen Elisabeth , Neumann Fabian , Berndes Göran 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Biomass is a versatile renewable energy source that can be used in all parts of the energy system, but it is a limited resource and usage needs prioritisation. Here we use a sector-coupled European energy system model to explore the range of cost-effective near-optimal solutions for achieving stringent emissions targets. We show that provision of biogenic carbon rather than energy is the main value of biomass, with the energy system cost increasing by 20% if biomass is excluded. It is not crucial in which sector biomass is used if it is combined with carbon capture to enable negative emissions and e-fuel production. A shortage of renewable electricity or hydrogen primarily increases the value of biomass for fuel production, which appears as the marginal abatement option and is most sensitive to uncertainties. Biomass usage is significantly affected if the biomass is associated with upstream emissions.
Analysis of CNT and rGO mediation for an efficient super-capacitive response in Cr-doped Co3O4 based composites
Authors: Faryad Umar , Imran Muhammad , Yaqub Muhammad Atif , Zawar Sidra , Murtaza Ghulam , Ramay Shahid M. , Atiq Shahid 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

In our work, we present structural, morphological, and electrochemical analysis of Cr-doped Co3O4 nanostructures and their CNT/rGO based composites. Hydrothermal and solvothermal routes are followed to prepare the samples. The active material is prepared via a polymer-based binder and is used as electrode in a three-electrode electrochemical system. X-ray diffraction confirms the spinel-type cubic crystal structure, while the stoichiometric elemental contents are verified using an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Well-shaped layered growth of the nanocomposites is revealed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The electrochemical analysis is performed using a 2M KOH electrolyte solution and a three-electrode electrochemical setup. The pure and Cr-doped nanocomposite samples reveal a pseudo capacitive behavior in all the samples. The systematic capacitive and resistive response of the samples has also been presented in this report. Aforementioned attributes make the synthesized specimen a potential candidate for an electrode material.
Radiomics features from whole thyroid gland tissue for prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in the patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Lu Siyuan , Ren Yongzhen , Lu Chao , Qian Xiaoqin , Liu Yingzhao , Shan Xiuhong , Sun Eryi 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objective: We were aimed to develop a clinical-radiomics nomogram that could predict the cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) using clinical characteristics as well as radiomics features of dualenergy computed tomography (DECT).
Method: Patients from our hospital with suspected PTC who underwent DECT for preoperative assessment between January 2021 and February 2022 were retrospectively recruited. Clinical characteristics, were obtained from the medical record system. Clinical characteristics and rad-scores were examined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. All features were incorporated into the LASSO regression model, with penalty parameter tuning performed using 10-fold cross-validation, to screen risk factors for CLNM. An easily accessible radiomics nomogram was constructed. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve together with Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the discrimination performance of the model. Calibration curves were employed to assess the calibration performance of the clinical-radiomics nomogram, followed by goodness-of-fit testing. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was performed to determine the clinical utility of the established models by estimating net benefits at varying threshold probabilities for training and testing groups.
Results: A total of 461 patients were retrospectively recruited. The rates of CLNM were 49.3% (70 /142) in the training cohort and 53.3% (32 / 60) in the testing cohort. Out of the 960 extracted radiomics features, 192 were significantly different in positive and negative groups (p < 0.05). On the basis of the training cohort, 12 stable features with nonzero coefficients were selected using LASSO regression. LASSO regression identified 7 risk factors for CLNM, including male gender, maximum tumor size > 10 mm, multifocality, CT-reported central CLN status, US-reported central CLN status, rad-score, and TGAb. A nomogram was developed using these factors to predict the risk of CLNM. The AUC values in each cohort were 0.85 and 0.797, respectively. The calibration curve together with Hosmer-Lemeshow test for the nomogram indicated good agreement between predicted and pathological CLN statuses in the training and testing cohorts. Results of DCA proved that the nomogram offers a superior net benefit for predicting CLNM compared to the "treat all or none" strategy across the majority of risk thresholds.
Conclusion: A nomogram comprising the clinical characteristics as well as radiomics features of DECT and US was constructed for the prediction of CLNM for patients with PTC.
Additive Manufacturing of Hierarchically Porous Silicon-based Ceramics: 3D Printing Black Glass with Unimodal, Bimodal, and Trimodal Porosity.
Authors: Gupta Vipul , Norouzi Ahmad , Paull Brett 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Silicon-based ceramics offer unique chemical and mechanical properties, gaining their hierarchically porous structures considerable attention over the years to advance various fields. Hence, a new resin system has been developed to precisely control the size and distribution of pores in silicon-based ceramics while allowing their high-resolution photopolymerisation-based 3D printing. The ability to control pore size and distribution of 3D printed ceramics by simply incorporating one or more of the above-mentioned resin components was explored by 3D printing silicon oxycarbide micro-structures, such as microneedles, with unimodal (micropores), bimodal (micro- and mesopores), and trimodal (micro-, meso-, and macropores) porosity. The resin system allowed precise modulation of pore sizes ranging from 1 nm to 200 nm and their three-dimensional distribution. Their elemental analysis suggested a total carbon content of 24.7% and an empirical formula of SiO2.05C1.06S0.04. The structures were found to be amorphous as per their X-ray diffraction.
Embryonic and adult synaptic proteome perturbations after maternal immune activation: Identification of persistent changes relevant for early intervention
Authors: Yotova Anna , Li Li-Li , O'Leary Aet , Tegeder Irmgard , Reif Andreas , Courtney Michael , Slattery David , Freudenberg Florian 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Maternal infections during pregnancy pose an increased risk for neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders (NPDs) in the offspring. Here, we examined age- and sex-dependent dynamic changes of the hippocampal synaptic proteome after maternal immune activation (MIA) in embryonic and adult mice. Adult male and female MIA offspring exhibited social deficits and sex-specific depression-like behaviours, among others, validating the model. Furthermore, we observed dose-, age-, and sex-dependent synaptic proteome differences. Analysis of the embryonic synaptic proteome implicates sphingolipid and ketoacid metabolism pathway disruptions during neurodevelopment for NPD-pertinent sequelae. In the embryonic hippocampus, prenatal immune activation also led to changes in neuronal guidance, glycosphingolipid metabolism important for signalling and myelination, and post-translational modification of proteins that regulate intercellular interaction and developmental timing. In adulthood, the observed changes in synaptoneurosomes revealed a dynamic shift toward transmembrane trafficking, intracellular signalling cascades, and hormone-mediated metabolism. Importantly, 68 of the proteins with differential abundance in the embryonic brains of MIA offspring were also altered in adulthood, 75% of which retained their directionality. These proteins are involved in synaptic organisation, neurotransmitter receptor regulation, and the vesicle cycle. A cluster of persistently upregulated proteins, including AKT3, PAK1/3, PPP3CA, formed a functional network enriched in the embryonic brain that is involved in cellular responses to environmental stimuli. To infer a link between the overlapping protein alterations and cognitive and psychiatric traits, we probed human phenome-wise association study data for cognitive and psychiatric phenotypes and all, but PORCN were significantly associated with the investigated domains. Our data provide insights into the dynamic effects of an early prenatal immune activation on developing and mature hippocampi and highlights targets for early intervention in individuals exposed to such immune challenges.
Pupillometry to show stress release during equine sports massage therapy
Authors: Wild Karen Nicola , Skiba Stephan , Räsänen Suvi , Richter Claus-Peter 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Anecdotal reports state that wellness treatment for horses, such as massage therapy, relaxes the treated animal. Massage therapists and horse owners typically report an ”improvement” without verifying or quantifying the treatment results. This paper shows that the effect of wellness treatment and stress release can be measured. One of the horse’s pupils was photographed at the experiment's beginning and end. Horses were randomly assigned to two experimental groups, animals receiving a massage (N=18) and horses standing for the time of a massage in the stable lane (N=10). We opened the images of the pupil with Fiji (ImageJ) and used the elliptical selection tool to measure the pupils’ and iris’ areas. The ratio between the pupils’ aperture and the iris’ area was a normalized measure for pupil size. At the end of the experiment, we compared the normalized size of the pupils with a two-tailed paired t-test within groups and a two-tailed t-test between groups. For the experimental group, it was before and after the treatment, and for the control group, before and after the horse was placed in the stable lane. Comparisons between the experimental and control groups were made at the procedure's beginning and end. The treatment decreased the normalized pupil area in the experimental group, on average, by a factor of 0.78 ± 0.15. The change was statistically significant. For the horses in the control group, the pupil size increased, on average, by a factor of 1.14 ± 018. The differences are not statistically different. The initial pupil size of the horses in the experimental group was 1.88-times larger than that in the control group. After the treatment, the difference was reduced to a factor of 1.25. In conclusion, massage therapy decreases the pupil area in horses. At the beginning of the experiment, the horses in the experimental group had larger pupil sizes than the horses in the control group, indicating that the horses in the experimental group were more stressed before the treatment compared to the control animals. The observed changes in pupil size in the experimental group likely resulted from enhanced parasympathetic and diminished sympathetic activity resulting from the treatment. Observed changes in pupil size agree with the anecdotal horse owner reports and the therapist’s treatment notes.
Hyaluronic acid production by Klebsiella pneumoniae strain H15 (OP354286) under different fermentation conditions
Authors: Ahmed Rania M. , Enan Gamal , Saed Safaa , Askora Ahmed 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Hyaluronic acid (HA) has gained significant attention due to its unique physical, chemical, and biological properties, making it widely used in various industries. This study aimed to screen bacterial isolates for HA production, characterize favorable fermentation conditions, and evaluate the inhibitory effect of bacterial HA on cancer cell lines.
Results
A total of 108 bacterial isolates from diverse sources were screened for HA production using HPLC, turbidity, and carbazole determination methods. Among the HA-producing isolates, Klebsiella pneumoniae H15 isolated from an animal feces sample, was superior in HA production. The strain was characterized based on morphological, cultural, and VITEK MS methods. Molecular identification using 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed its identity. Fermentation conditions, including pH, temperature, time, and agitation rate, were figured out to maximize HA production. The basal medium, comprising sucrose (7.0%) as the carbon source and yeast extract + peptone (1.25% each) as nitrogen substrates, favored the highest HA production at pH 8.0, for 30 h, at 30°C, and 180 rpm agitation. The average maximized HA concentration reached 1.5 g L− 1. Furthermore, bacterial HA exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on three cancer cell lines, with the lowest concentration ranging from 0.98–3.91 µg mL− 1.
Conclusions
K. pneumoniae H15 isolated from animal feces demonstrated promising potential for HA production. The most favorable fermentation conditions led to a high HA yield. The inhibitory effect of bacterial HA on cancer cell lines highlights its potential therapeutic applications. These findings contribute to the understanding and utilization of HA in various industries and therapeutic applications.
WITHDRAWN: Effect of modified Baduanjin exercise on nutritional status in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhou Shufen , zhang yanxin , Yang Guirong , Huang Xiaojun , Li Wei , Lu Jiamei 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
As a traditional Chinese fitness technique, Baduanjin is a low to medium intensity aerobic exercise that has a common regulatory effect on both body and mind, and is also an important means of disease prevention and treatment. However, the role of Baduanjin in improving patients' nutritional status and promoting tumor recovery remains to be confirmed.
Objective
This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of modified Baduanjin exercise on the nutritional status of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Design:
A randomized controlled trial.
Setting(s):
The participants were recruited from inpatients in the Radiotherapy Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University in China.
Participants:
A total of 121 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were randomly divided into the control group and the Baduanjin group. Finally, 106 patients completed the study (53 cases each in the control group and the Baduanjin group) with the intervention time from the beginning to the end of tradiotherapy.
Methods
The control group received conventional care guidance, and the Baduanjin exercise group had regular improved Baduanjin exercise on conventional care basis, with the intervention time from the beginning of radiotherapy to the end of the treatment. PG-SGA was evaluated before, during (15 times), and at the end of radiotherapy as the main evaluation index to compare nutritional status between the two groups.
Results
From August 2022 to December 2022, 121 patients with nasopharyngeal cancer were randomly divided into control group and Baduanjin exercise group. During the intervention, 15 patients withdrew from the study, leading to 53 of 59 patients in the control group and 53 of 62 patients in the Baduanjin group. After the intervention, the PG-SGA score, radioactive oral mucosal response, oropharyngeal pain score, and anorexia scores were lower (P < 0.05), whereas the levels of hemoglobin, albumin, prealbumin, and total protein were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Modified Baduanjin exercise can improve the nutritional status of patients with NPC and deserves further clinical application.
Trial registration:
This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry under the registration number ChiCTR2200064519,Registered on August 27, 2022. The public research topic is the construction and intervention research based on Internet + nasopharyngeal cancer.
WITHDRAWN: Hybrid BSO+BMO: An Optimal Routing of Adaptive Deep Learning Approach with Attention Mechanism for Link Failure Detection in Elastic Optical Network
Authors: Sahana Sharma , Sairam K.V.S.S.S.S 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Because of the enhancement in the data center services, the “Elastic Optical Network (EON)” is a very successive framework to interlink the information centers. The EON can elastically provide a spectrum tailored for multiple needs of bandwidths. In the link failure case, confirming the high stage “Quality of Service (QoS)” for candidate requests after the fault leads to an experiment focus. With the help of the modern digital signal processing approaches and developments in the integrated circuits and the coherent receivers in EON is able to estimate the link failures in the present time. The high-speed network survivability is highly important. When the sizes of the network get enhanced, the likelihood of the node and link impairment is also enhanced. Therefore, to predict the link impairment in EON, an adaptive technique is necessary. To accomplish this objective, a novel methodology is proposed using hybrid heuristic improvement. In the first stage, the required data is gathered and fed into the link failure detection model. The novel method is named an Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling – 1 Dimensional Convolution Neural Network with Attention mechanism (ASPP-1DCNN-AM), in which some of the hyper-parameters are tuned by proposing the hybrid algorithm as Iteration-aided Position of Beetle and Barnacles Mating (IPBBM). After forecasting the failure link, the model is in need of finding the optimal routing for better communication. Here, the optimal path is identified by using the IPBBM algorithm. Finally, the validation is done using divergent measurements and in contrast with traditional models. Hence, the designed system demonstrates that it achieves the higher detection results to make the data transmission effectively.
The recombinant L-Lysine α-oxidase from the fungus Trichoderma harzianum promotes apoptosis and necrosis of leukemia CD34+ hematopoietic cells
Authors: Costa Nascimento , Silva Thiago Aparecido , Guimarães Dimitrius Simões Fróes , Ricci-Azevedo Rafael , Teixeira Felipe Roberti , Silveira Leonardo Reis , Gomes Marcelo Damário , Faça Vítor Marcel , Oliveira Eduardo Brandt , Calado Rodrigo T. , Silva Roberto N. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
In hematologic cancers, including leukemia, cells depend on amino acids for rapid growth. Anti-metabolites that prevent their synthesis or promote their degradation are considered potential cancer treatment agents. Amino acid deprivation triggers proliferation inhibition, autophagy, and programmed cell death. Lysine, an essential amino acid, is required for tumor growth and has been investigated for its potential as a target for cancer treatment. L-lysine-α-oxidase, a flavoenzyme that degrades lysine, has been studied for its ability to induce apoptosis and prevent cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we describe the use of L-lysine oxidase (LO) from the filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum for cancer treatment.
Results
The study identified and characterized a novel LO from T. harzianum and demonstrated that the recombinant protein (rLO) has potent and selective cytotoxic effects on leukemic cells by triggering the apoptotic cascade through mitochondrial dysfunction.
Conclusions
The results support future translational studies using the recombinant LO as a potential drug for the treatment of leukemia.
Boosted energy storage density of sandwich-structurecomposites: A unique strategy via introducing negative permittivity layer
Authors: Song Xiaoting , zhang Zidong , Fan Guohua , Wei Zaixin , Liu Yao , Fan Runhua 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Dielectric materials exhibiting high power densities have garnered significant interest as crucial constituents for capacitors employed in energy storage systems and diverse electronic devices. Regrettably, the intrinsic low energy densities of dielectrics pose significant limitations to their practical application. Hence, the pursuit of enhanced energy storage properties and superior dielectric performance in dielectric materials necessitates the exploration of novel approaches to material design and processing. Here, a special design that introduces a negative-ε´ layer in a sandwich structure is explored for simultaneously realising high breakdown strength and permittivity, which are two critical factors influencing energy density. In a tri-layer composite, the outer positive-ε´ layer consisting of BN/PVDF offers high breakdown strength due to the presence of abundant BN sheets and micro-interfaces in the composite can effectively block the electric trees expansion. Simultaneously, the negative-ε´ layer of MWCNTs/PVDF provides elevated permittivity and enhanced energy density due to the synergistic effect between the positive and negative-ε´ layers, along with interfacial polarizations in the micro-interfaces connecting adjacent layers. As a result, the tri-layer composite, with a thickness ratio of 1:20:1, achieves an extraordinary permittivity of 432. Importantly, a high discharge energy density of approximately 27 J/cm3 is obtained by carefully balancing the dielectric properties of single layers. This investigation presents a novel insight on the design of high-energy-density dielectric materials through introducing a negative ε´ layer, offering significant benefits for energy storage applications.