bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EPO regulates neuronal differentiation of adult human neural-crest derived stem cells in a sex-specific manner
Authors: Niemann Tarek , Greiner Johannes F.W. , Kaltschmidt Christian , Kaltschmidt Barbara 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background: Sexual differences in the biology of human stem cells are increasingly recognized to influence their proliferation, differentiation and maturation. Especially in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) or ischemic stroke, sex is a key player for disease progression and recovery of damaged tissue. Recently, the glycoprotein hormone erythropoietin (EPO) has been implicated as a regulator of neuronal differentiation and maturation in female rats.
Methods: In this study, we used adult human neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) as a model system for exploring potential sex specific effects of EPO on human neuronal differentiation. We started with expression validation of the specific EPO receptor (EPOR) by performing PCR analysis in the NCSCs. Next, EPO mediated activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) via Immunocytochemistry (ICC) was performed, followed by investigating the sex-specific effects of EPO on neuronal differentiation by determining morphological changes in axonal growth and neurite formation accompanied by ICC.
Results: Undifferentiated male and female NCSCs showed a ubiquitous expression of the EPO receptor (EPOR) and EPO treatment resulted in a profound nuclear translocation of NF-kB RELA, a key regulator of neuroprotection and a downstream target of EPO-signaling. Interestingly, nuclear translocation of RELB and c-REL was not induced upon EPO-treatment. Extending the view on the role of sex during human neuronal differentiation, we demonstrate elevated protein amounts of synaptophysin as well as significantly increased axon lengths of female NCSCs-derived neurons upon EPO-treatment compared to their male counterparts.
Conclusion: Our present findings therefore show for the first time an EPO-driven sexual dimorphism in neuronal differentiation of human stem cells and emphasize sex-specific variability as a crucial parameter in stem cell biology and for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Identification of major quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for seed weight in soybean
Authors: Xu Mengge , Kong Keke , Miao Long , He Jianbo , Liu Tengfei , Zhang Kai , Yue Xiuli , Jin Ting , Gai Junyi , Li Yan 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Seed weight is an important target of soybean breeding. However, the genes underlying the major quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling seed weight remain largely unknown. In this study, a soybean population of 300 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between PI595843 (PI) and WH was used to map the QTL and identify candidate genes for seed weight. The RIL population was genotyped through whole genome resequencing, and phenotyped for 100-seed weight under five environments. A total of 38 QTL were detected, and four major QTL, each explained at least 10% of the variation in 100-seed weight, were identified. Six candidate genes within these four major QTL regions were identified by analyses of their tissue expression patterns, gene annotations, and differential gene expression levels in soybean seeds during four developmental stages between two parental lines. Further sequence variation analyses revealed a C to T substitution in the first exon of the Glyma.19G143300, resulting in an amino acid change between PI and WH, and thus leading to a different predicted kinase domain, which might affect its protein function. Glyma.19G143300 is highly expressed in soybean seeds and encodes a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase (LRR-RLK). Its predicted protein has typical domains of LRR-RLK family, and phylogenetic analyses reveled its similarity with the known LRR-RLK protein XIAO (LOC_Os04g48760), which is involved in controlling seed size. The major QTL and candidate genes identified in this study provide useful information for molecular breeding of new soybean cultivars with desirable seed weight.
KLF2 regulates neural differentiation of dental pulp-derived stem cells by modulating autophagy and mitophagy
Authors: Das Hiranmoy , Prateeksha Prateeksha , Naidu Prathyusha , Das Manjusri , Barthels Derek 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Transplantation of stem cells for treating neurodegenerative disorders is a promising future therapeutic approach. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells remains inadequately explored. Therefore, the current study aims to define the regulatory role of KLF2 (Kruppel-like factor 2) during the neural differentiation (ND) of dental pulp-derived stem cells (DPSC). Herein, we showed that the expression level of KLF2, autophagy and mitophagy-associated markers were significantly elevated during ND of DPSC. We next validated our results using the chemical-mediated loss- and gain-of-function approaches. We found that the KLF2 inhibitor, GGPP (geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate) significantly reduces the ND of DPSC. Inversely, KLF2 overexpression was accomplished by using the KLF2 inducer, GGTI-298 (geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitor-298) which accelerated the molecular phenomenon of DPSC’s commitment towards ND, indicating the crucial function of KLF2 in neurogenesis. Moreover, we found that the KLF2 positively regulated autophagy, mitophagy, and the Wnt5a signaling pathway during neurogenesis. Furthermore, we measured the oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) during ND in the presence of a KLF2 inducer or KLF2 inhibitor using the Xeflux analyzer. We found that most of the ECAR and OCR parameters were significantly increased during ND and inhibition of KLF2 marginally reversed them towards DPSC’s cellular bioenergetics. However, KLF2 overexpression shifted the cellular energy metabolism towards quiescent. Cumulatively, our findings provide the first evidence that the KLF2 critically regulates the neurogenesis of DPSC by inducing autophagy and mitophagy.
In-Situ Quality Assessment and Control in Additive Manufacturing Using Laser Surface Profilometer and Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Akhavan Javid , Lyu Jiaqi , Manoochehri Souran 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Additive Manufacturing (AM) has become one of the most popular manufacturing techniques in various fields. Their layer-by-layer printing process allows easier fabrication of complex geometries. However, the quality and accuracy of fabricated artifacts in these techniques have low repeatability. In the era of Industry 4.0 by using emerging sensory and data processing capabilities such as Laser Surface Profilometer (LSP) and Deep Learning (DL), it is possible to improve the repeatability and quality of AM processes. This work presents an in-situ quality assessment and improvement using LSP for data acquisition and DL for data processing and decision making. The utilized LSP module generates a point cloud dataset containing information about the top surface geometry and quality. Once the point cloud data is pre-processed, an improved deep Hybrid Convolutional Auto-Encoder decoder (HCAE) model is used to perform the artifact's quality measurement and statistical representation. The HCAE model's statistical representation is comprised of 9*9 segments, each including four channels with the segment's probability to contain one of four labels, 1) Under-printed region, 2) Normally printed region, 3) Over-printed region, 4) Empty region. This data structure plays a significant role in determining the commands needed to optimize the fabrication process. The implemented HCAE model's accuracy and repeatability were measured by a multi-label multi-output metric developed in this study. The assessments made by HCAE are then used to perform an in-situ process adjustment by manipulating the future layer's fabrication through the G-code modification. By adjusting the machine's print speed and feedrate, the control algorithm exploits the subsequent layer deposition, segment by segment. The algorithm is then tested with two settings that can cause defective parts: severe under-extrusion and over-extrusion conditions. Both test artifacts' quality advanced significantly and converged to an acceptable state by four iterations.
Age- and sex-related trends in body composition among Beijing adults aged 20–60 years: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhou Huayi , Gang Xie , laiyuan Luo , He Hui 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background:
Obesity is the most serious global epidemic and body composition is the main indicator to evaluate obesity. This study aimed to investigate the changing trends of body composition by age and gender in Beijing adults aged 20–60 years and explore the distribution of obesity rates in different age groups of both sexes under different evaluation criteria.
Methods:
A total of 24,948 adults aged 20–60 years in Beijing, including 10,225 males and 14,192 females, were included, divided into four age groups (20–29, 30–39, 40–49, and ≥50 years) with each decade of age as an age group. Body composition indicators (BMI, fat mass, BF%, muscle mass, visceral fat area, and WHR) were measured in all subjects.
Results:
BMI and total fat mass peaked in males aged 40–49 years (BMI = 25.75 kg/m2, total fat mass = 17.70 kg). Female BMI, fat mass and BF% all increased significantly with age (p < 0.01). Total muscle peaked in males aged 30–39 years and decreased significantly thereafter (p < 0.0001). Visceral fat area and WHR increased significantly with age in both sexes (p < 0.0001). Age was significantly positively correlated with BMI, BF%, fat mass, WHR, and visceral fat area in both sexes (p < 0.0001), and age was negatively correlated with muscle mass in males (standard β = -0.14, p < 0.0001) while positive in female (standard β = 0.05, p < 0.0001). Under the BMI criterion, the obesity rate peaked at 27.33% in males at the age of 20-29 years. Under the BF% criterion, the obesity rate peaked at 17.41% in males at the age of 30-39 years, and increased in females with age. The central obesity rate of both sexes increased with age under the criteria of WHR and visceral fat area.
Conclusion:
The results of this study reveal that age- and sex-related patterns of body composition and obesity change among Beijing adults aged 20–60 years may differ across age groups and that such patterns of change should be considered when developing public health strategies.
Motion stability analysis of cage of rolling bearing under the variable-speed condition
Authors: Tu Wenbing , Liang Jie , Yu Wennian , Shi Zhifeng , Liu Chenlu 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The fluctuation of cage rotating speed will lead to the strong instability of the cage movement of the rolling bearing, which will seriously affect the operation performance and service life of the bearing. In this paper, a nonlinear dynamic model of cylindrical roller bearing NJ306 is established considering the dynamic contact relationship between the roller, the ring, and the cage. The variation of cage motion characteristics and its internal mechanism under the uniform, acceleration, deceleration, and harmonic speed fluctuation are discussed respectively, and the effects of angular acceleration, angular deceleration, amplitude, and period of fluctuation on cage stability are analyzed. The results show that the motion stability of the cage is poor under the variable-speed condition, and it weakens first and then increases under the acceleration condition. Different from the acceleration condition, the motion stability of the cage decreases gradually with the increase of time during deceleration and increases at the end of deceleration. Moreover, the increase of angular acceleration and deceleration increases the variation range of cage motion stability. Under the condition of harmonic speed fluctuation, the stability of the cage increases and decreases periodically with time. The increase of fluctuation amplitude will enhance the motion stability of the cage under the condition of simple harmonic speed fluctuation, and the fluctuation period is the opposite. The results of this paper can provide a theoretical basis for the design and failure analysis of cage.
The potential novel immune-related prognostic factors for acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Li Boya , Li Tong , Zheng Xuewei , Zu Xiangyang , Yin Qinan , Qin Ling 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackground The pathological progression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was significantly affected by the immune microenvironment of bone marrow, where the immune-related genes (IRGs) and immune cells are involved in the prognosis of the disease. Studying immune-related components provide new ideas for treatment. Methods The transcriptome data and clinical information of 151 TCGA-LAML and 337 GTEx-whole-blood cohorts were downloaded from the UCSC Xena database. The IRGs were obtained from ImmPort database. Differentially expressed IRGs (DEIGs) were obtained from differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A prognostic model was constructed by COX regression analysis and verified by Kaplan-Meier (K-M) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in the training and validation cohorts (GEO37642 cohort). The relationship between gene expression level and prognosis was analyzed by K-M method. The independent prognostic factors were screened by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Relative immune cell composition of AML and healthy samples was calculated using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Results Enrichment analysis revealed that the immune cells and immune-related biology functions participated in AML progression. A prognostic model containing eight genes was constructed. In the training and validation cohorts, the survival rate of the low-risk group was significantly higher than that of the high-risk group. The area under the curve (AUC) values of ROC curves were ≥ 0.7. Among the model, high expression of CANX (P = 0.012), CLEC11A (P = 0.016), and TRH (P = 1.256E-04) was associated with a higher survival rate, while high expression of IL3RA (P = 0.038), KIR2DS4 (P = 0.016), APOBEC3G (P = 1.426E-04), and CKLF (P = 0.015) was associated with lower survival rate. The CANX expression level may affect the sensitivity of some drugs. Age, karyotype, and risk score are independent prognostic factors for AML. The differential level of 17 immune cells was observed between the AML and healthy samples. The levels of Macrophages M1, T cells follicular helper, and T cells CD8 were positively correlated with survival rate. Discussions The prognostic model may be helpful in predicting patient outcomes and 7 IRGs and 3 immune cells may be potential biomarkers and immunotherapy targets for AML in the future.
Philosophers reinforce economists' support for UN climate targets, but disagree on why
Authors: Nesje Frikk , Drupp Moritz , Freeman Mark , Groom Ben 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The estimated value to society from climate change mitigation is highly sensitive to the long-term social discount rate (SDR). While it is not clear that they possess any special expertise on the ethics of intergenerational welfare, governmental discounting guidance has almost exclusively been influenced by economists. Our study, by contrast, reports the views of a disciplinary group of experts who are most trained in ethical matters; philosophers. We show that, as a group, these experts offer strong support for a real SDR of 2%; a value that is also predominantly backed by economists. We find multidisciplinary support for climate policy paths in line with the UN climate targets when views on discounting determinants are applied within a recent update of the DICE Integrated Assessment Model. However, this apparent agreement hides important differences in views on how the ethics of intergenerational welfare can be better incorporated into climate policy evaluation.
Patients’ and volunteer coaches’ experiences with an informal social network intervention in forensic psychiatric care: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Swinkels L. T. A. , de Koning M. B. , Pol T. M. van der , Dekker J. J. M. , Harmsel J. F. ter , Popma A. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Improving supportive social networks in forensic psychiatric patients is deemed important due to the protective effects of such networks on both mental health problems and criminal recidivism. Informal interventions targeted at social network enhancement by volunteers in the community showed positive effects in various patient and offender populations. However, these interventions have not specifically been studied in forensic psychiatric populations. Therefore, forensic psychiatric outpatients’ and volunteer coaches’ experiences with an informal social network intervention were explored in this study.
Methods
This qualitative study was based on semi-structured interviews that were conducted alongside an RCT. Forensic outpatients randomized to the additive informal social network intervention arm of the RCT, and volunteer coaches, were interviewed 12 months after baseline assessment. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify and report patterns in the data.
Results
We included 22 patients and 14 coaches in the study. The analysis of interviews revealed five main themes reflecting patients’ and coaches’ experiences: 1) dealing with patient receptivity, 2) developing social bonds, 3) receiving social support, 4) achieving meaningful change, and 5) using a personalized approach. Patient receptivity, including willingness, attitudes, and timing, was a common reported barrier affecting patients’ engagement in the intervention. Both patients’ and coaches’ experiences confirmed that the intervention can be meaningful in developing new social bonds between them, in which patients received social support. Despite, experiences of meaningful and sustainable changes in patients’ social situations were not clearly demonstrated. Coaches’ experiences revealed broadened worldviews and an enhanced sense of fulfillment and purpose. Finally, a personalized, relationship-oriented rather than goal-oriented approach was feasible and preferable.
Conclusions
This qualitative study showed positive experiences of both forensic psychiatric outpatients and volunteer coaches with an informal social network intervention in addition to forensic psychiatric care. Notwithstanding the limitations, the study suggests that additive informal social network interventions provide an opportunity for forensic outpatients to experience new positive social interactions with individuals in the community, which can initiate personal development. Barriers and facilitators to engagement are discussed to improve further development and implementation of the intervention.
Trial registration:
This study is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR7163, date of registration: 16/04/2018).
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials of acupotomy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Guo Jingyu , Wang Kefei 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy of acupotomy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by meta-analysis.
Methods
Randomized controlled trials of acupotomy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were searched by computer in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP and China Biomedical Literature Service System. The retrieval time was up to April 2, 2022. Literature screening and data extraction were performed independently by two researchers. We evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies and stata16 software was used for Meta-analysis.
Results
A total of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1,103 subjects were included. The clinical efficacy of acupotomy combined therapy for rheumatoid arthritis was improved compared with the control group. Lysholm’s knee function score was improved. The visual analog scale (VAS) was improved. Disease activity score (DAS28) was decreased in 28 joints. Decreased morning stiffness time; Decreased C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and rheumatoid factor (RF).
Conclusion
The stability of the results of this study is satisfactory, which proves that acupotomy has good efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
R2R3 MYB Transcription Factor, AhMYB94 Plays a Crucial Role in Stress adaptation of a Salt Susceptible Groundnut Cultivar-K6
Authors: Nulu Jagadeesh Kumar , M Anthony Johnson A , Venkatesh Boya , Jayamma N , Reddy B Manohara , Pandurangaiah M , sudhakar chinta 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

R2R3 MYB transcription factors are involved in plant growth, plant development and abiotic and biotic stress responses. Several MYB genes are involved in salt tolerance in several plant species. Genotypic variation in the expression of a stress responsive regulatory gene,MYB94was observedin groundnut under drought and salinity stress conditions. In this study, a stress-responsive transcription factorAhMYB94was over-expressed in salt-susceptible groundnut cultivar K-6. Relative gene expression analysis revealed thatAhMYB94was significantly higher in groundnut cultivar K9 than in cultivar K6 due to salt treatments. Overexpression ofAhMYB94improved the salt tolerance of groundnut cultivar K6 as evidenced from better growth status, fresh and dry biomass of overexpression lines than wild type (WT) under salt stress conditions. Further, less reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulated inAhMYB94overexpressing lines when exposed to salt stress, as estimated by diaminobenzidine (DAB) or nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) histochemical staining. Furthermore, overexpression ofAhMYB94in groundnut confers significantly increased tolerance ability of plants to oxidative damage under salt stress, mainly by increasing the osmolyte content, the activities of antioxidative enzymes such as SOD, and APX, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and upregulation of the expression of stress-related genes. When exposed to salt stress, theAhMYB94transgenic lines demonstrated a higher Na+and K+content and a lower Na+/K+ratio than the wild type (WT). These results demonstrated thatAhMYB94plays a positive role in enhancing salt tolerance and could be a candidate for improved tolerance of plants to salt stress.
Effect of retained embryos on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization: a matched retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Huixia , Li Fei , Jin Haixia , Song WenYan , Su Yingchun , Li Gang 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Objectives
To explore the incidence of retained embryos (REs) in embryo transfer (ET) cycles and its effects on pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Methods
This was a matched retrospective cohort study involving 29,160 ET cycles conducted from March 2016 and February 2021, in which ET cycles without RE were matched to the RE group at a 2:1 ratio. Clinical pregnancy, implantation, miscarriage, and live birth rate were compared between RE and without-RE group.
Results
Our study showed that the overall incidence of REs was 0.33% (95/29,160). The RE rate was significantly associated with the operator who expelled the embryos from the catheter (P < 0.001), suggesting the operator’s technique is a crucial factor affecting the embryo retention. A total of 95 repeat ET cycles due to RE were included in the study group, and 190 ET cycles without RE were matched to the study group (1:2). There were no significant differences between the RE group and matched group in terms of the implantation rate (35.6% vs. 38.0%, P = 0.608), clinical pregnancy rate (47.4% vs. 54.7%, P = 0.240), biochemical pregnancy rate (5.3% vs. 4.7%, P = 0.846), miscarriage rate (11.1% vs. 9.6%, P = 0.781), ectopic pregnancy rate (2.2% vs. 1.9%, P = 1.000), or live birth rate (41.1% vs. 48.9%, P = 0.208).
Conclusions
Our findings demonstrated that immediate retransfer of REs does not significantly affect IVF outcomes, which may provide counselling information for patients when REs are discovered and ET is reattempted. Attention to detail and frequent assessment of operator’s technique may facilitate avoidance of embryo retention.