bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MFN2 knockdown promotes osteogenic differentiation of iPSC-MSCs through aerobic glycolysis mediated by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Deng Lidi , Yi Siqi , Yin Xiaohui , Li Yang , Luan Qingxian 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Mitofusin-2 (MFN2) is a kind of GTPase that participates in the regulation of mitochondrial fusion, which is related to a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including energy metabolism, cell differentiation, and embryonic development. However, it remains unclear whether MFN2 is involved in the metabolism and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Methods
MFN2 knockdown (MFN2-KD) and MFN2-overexpressing (MFN2-OE) induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iPSC-MSCs) were constructed by lentivirus. The commercial kits were utilized to detect the glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) rate. Flow cytometry, Western blot, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), RNA-seq, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation were employed for phenotype and molecular mechanism assessment.

Results
We demonstrated that MFN2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway regulated glycolysis of iPSC-MSCs. The lack of MFN2 promoted the osteogenic differentiation of iPSC-MSCs, and aerobic glycolysis in the presence of sufficient oxygen, which increased glucose consumption and lactic acid production, as well as the glycolytic enzyme activity and gene expression. Inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway normalized the enhanced glycolytic rate and osteogenic differentiation of MFN2-KD iPSC-MSCs. MFN2-OE iPSC-MSCs displayed the opposite phenotype.

Conclusions
Downregulating MFN2 promotes osteogenic differentiation of iPSC-MSCs through aerobic glycolysis mediated by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our research reveals the new function of MFN2 in regulating the osteogenic differentiation and energy metabolism of MSCs, which will provide a new therapeutic target and theoretical basis for alveolar bone repair and periodontal regenerative treatment.
Overall and sex-specific risk factors for subjective cognitive decline: findings from the 2015–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey
Authors: Schliep Karen C. , Barbeau William A. , Lynch Kristine E. , Sorweid Michelle K. , Varner Michael W. , Foster Norman L. , Qeadan Fares 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundPrior research indicates that at least 35% of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia risk may be amenable to prevention. Subjective cognitive decline is often the first indication of preclinical dementia, with the risk of subsequent Alzheimer’s disease in such individuals being greater in women than men. We wished to understand how modifiable factors are associated with subjective cognitive decline, and whether differences exist by sex.MethodsData were collected from men and women (45 years and older) who completed the U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Cognitive Decline Module (2015–2018),n = 216,838. We calculated population-attributable fractions for subjective cognitive decline, stratified by sex, of the following factors: limited education, deafness, social isolation, depression, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Our models were adjusted for age, race, income, employment, marital and Veteran status, and accounted for communality among risk factors.ResultsThe final study sample included more women (53.7%) than men, but both had a similar prevalence of subjective cognitive decline (10.6% of women versus 11.2% of men). Women and men had nearly equivalent overall population-attributable fractions to explain subjective cognitive decline (39.7% for women versus 41.3% for men). The top three contributing risk factors were social isolation, depression, and hypertension, which explained three-quarters of the overall population-attributable fraction.ConclusionsWhile we did not identify any differences in modifiable factors between men and women contributing to subjective cognitive decline, other factors including reproductive or endocrinological health history or biological factors that interact with sex to modify risk warrant further research.
Applications of some new Krasnoselskii-type fixed-point results for generalized expansive and equiexpansive mappings
Authors: Ahmad Niaz , Mehmood Nayyar , Akgül Ali 
Published: April 2022

AbstractWe consider Ω as a subset of a Banach space W and Λ as a function of Ω into W. Let Ϝ be a function whose image values lie in W and domain is $\Lambda (\Omega )\times \Omega $
Λ
(
Ω
)
×
Ω
or $\Omega \times \Omega $
Ω
×
Ω
. In this paper, we establish some fixed-point results for a generalized expansive and equiexpansive operator Ϝ such that $\Omega \subseteq \digamma (\Lambda \omega ,\Omega )$
Ω
⊆
Ϝ
(
Λ
ω
,
Ω
)
or $\Omega \subseteq \digamma (\omega ,\Omega )$
Ω
⊆
Ϝ
(
ω
,
Ω
)
. We apply our results to acquire the solutions of fractional evolution equations and certain types of integral equations. We demonstrate our results with examples, and plot approximate and exact solutions with errors.
Reimagining zoonotic malaria control in communities exposed to Plasmodium knowlesi infection
Authors: Naserrudin Nurul Athirah , Monroe April , Culleton Richard , Hod Rozita , Jeffree Muhammad Saffree , Ahmed Kamruddin , Hassan Mohd Rohaizat 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPlasmodium knowlesi malaria infection in humans has been reported throughout southeast Asia. The communities at risk are those living in areas where Macaque monkeys and Anopheles mosquito are present. Zoonotic malaria control is challenging due to the presence of the reservoir host and the possibility of human-vector-human transmission. Current control measures, including insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS), are insufficient to address this threat due to gaps in protection associated with outdoor and early evening vector biting and social and economic activities, such as agricultural and forest work. Understanding the challenges faced by affected communities in preventing mosquito bites is important for reducing disease transmission. This opinion paper discusses opportunities to improve P. knowlesi malaria control through understanding the challenges faced by communities at risk and increasing community engagement and ownership of control measures. The paper highlights this issue by describing how the concept of reimagining malaria can be adapted to zoonotic malaria control measures including identifying current gaps in vector control, understanding interactions between environmental, economic, and human behavioral factors, and increasing community participation in and ownership of control measures.
The effects of media and peers on negative body image among Chinese college students: a chained indirect influence model of appearance comparison and internalization of the thin ideal
Authors: Shen Jianting , Chen Jinjun , Tang Xiwen , Bao Shangfei 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Negative body image is a common psychological phenomenon among Chinese college students meriting investigation. Peers and the media are important factors that negatively influence body image. This study explored the mechanisms of media and peers promoting negative body image among Chinese college students.

Method
Data from 407 college students (173 men and 234 women) were collected using the Revised Social and Cultural Attitude Questionnaire of Appearance, Appearance Comparison Scale, Peer Impact Scale, and Negative Body Image Scale.

Results
Correlational analysis results demonstrated that media attention was not significantly correlated with negative body image. All other variables were significantly positively correlated. Path analysis results indicated that the direct effect of media attention on negative body image was not significant, while the direct effect of peer impact was significant. In addition, appearance comparison and internalization of the thin ideal acted as a chained indirect effect between negative body image, media attention, and peer impact.

Conclusions
The research revealed that focusing on perfect bodies displayed in the media did not produce a negative body image. However, focusing on the media and peer conversations regarding the body caused the participants to compare appearances and internalize ideal body shape standards, leading to negative self-evaluations.
Assessment approaches of English language teachers in the Saudi higher education context
Authors: Almossa Samar Yakoob , Alzahrani Sahar Matar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAssessment approaches including assessment purposes, assessment processes, fairness, and measurement theory, and English teachers’ professional development needs remain underexplored in the Middle East and North Africa regions. This study provided empirical evidence on English language teachers approaches in the Saudi higher education context. A survey was used to examine the teachers’ current approaches to classroom assessment. A total of 287 subjects (191 women and 94 men) participated in the survey. The results revealed that both the male and female participants valued and endorsed assessments alike. However, female participants were found to value assessment purposes more than their male counterparts. Fairness in assessment approaches was the least valued item in teachers’ identified assessment approaches. Experienced teachers who identified themselves as competent in their role valued assessment fairness and measurement theory more than novice teachers. The present work broadens our knowledge on teachers’ assessment approaches in relation to gender, career stage, and academic position, which support interested researchers and policy-makers in decision-making regarding designing professional development programs.
The mediating role of complex posttraumatic stress and borderline pattern symptoms on the association between sexual abuse and suicide risk
Authors: Gelezelyte Odeta , Kvedaraite Monika , Kairyte Agniete , Roberts Neil P. , Bisson Jonathan I. , Kazlauskas Evaldas 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
The 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) includes a new diagnosis of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). There has been very little research investigating associations between CPTSD symptoms and suicide risk following sexual abuse. This and questions concerning similarities and differences between CPTSD and borderline personality disorder (BPD), led to the current study that aimed to explore indirect associations between sexual abuse and suicide risk through the symptoms of CPTSD and borderline traits.

Methods
The study sample comprised 103 adults with a history of traumatic experiences (Mage = 32.64, SDage = 9.36; 83.5% female). In total, 26.3% of the participants reported experiencing sexual abuse during their lifetime. The clinician-administered International Trauma Interview (ITI) was used for the assessment of ICD-11 CPTSD symptoms. Self-report measures were used for the evaluation of borderline pattern (BP) symptoms and suicide risk. Mediation analyses were performed to evaluate the mediating effects of CPTSD and BP symptoms for the association between sexual trauma and suicide risk.

Results
In a parallel mediation model, CPTSD and BP symptoms mediated the association between sexual abuse and suicide risk, following adjustment for the covariates of age, gender, and whether the traumatic experience occurred in childhood or adulthood. Around 73% of participants who met diagnostic criteria for CPTSD reported previous suicide attempt(s).

Conclusions
Suicide risk assessment and intervention should be an important part of the management of victims of sexual abuse with CPTSD and BP symptoms.
Analytical effect of stabilizer volume and shape on zircon U–Pb dating by nanosecond LA-ICP-QMS
Authors: Xiong Dongyang , Guo Longfei , Liu Chenxi , Wang Long , Liu Yanrong , Tan Xijuan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we evaluated the effect of seven stabilizers with different shapes (including cylinder, cubic and ball shape) on zircon U–Pb dating analysis by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-QMS) in detail. In the case of stabilizer volume examined, the analytical efficiency of cylinder stabilizers (21.2, 25.1, 35.3 and 125 mL) were investigated in terms of signal stabilization, signal rising/washout time and U–Pb dating accuracy. By using zircon 91500 as reference material for external calibration, the 206Pb/238U age of zircon Plešovice was determined by a nanosecond LA-ICP-QMS, where the stabilizer was placed directly after the ablation cell and sample aerosols carried by helium passed through the stabilizer and subsequently mixed with make-up gas (argon) before ICP. It was found that transient signal oscillations were invisible and signal intensities were comparable using all the stabilizers, while signal rising time was 2.0-fold and washout time was 27.6-fold for stabilizer with volume of 125 mL to that of 21.2 mL. The obtained average 206Pb/238U age of zircon Plešovice was 335.53 ± 1.02, 361.73 ± 5.04, 340.10 ± 1.98 and 341.21 ± 5.17 Ma (2σ, n ≥ 5), respectively, giving average relative deviations of a single point of age (1σ) less than 2.0%. Among the corresponding 206Pb/238U ratios, it was also found that the value (0.05343 ± 0.87‰, 1σ, n = 5) obtained using 21.2 mL of cylinder stabilizer highly agreed with that of 0.05384 ± 0.74‰ (1σ, n = 5) using the commercially available “squid” stabilizer. The analytical efficiency of the 21.2 mL of cylinder stabilizer was then compared to that of cubic shape stabilizer (18.5 mL) and ball shape stabilizer (14.1 mL). Results showed that there were no significant differences of the obtained 206Pb/238U ages using stabilizers with volume in the range of 14.1–21.2 mL. But both cubic and ball shape stabilizers exhibited washout time over 270 s. We also studied the particle filter effect of the stabilizers by packing the 21.2 mL of cylinder stabilizer with 1.0 g of stainless wire. Despite the average 206Pb/238U age deviation was only − 0.81%, spiky signals occasionally occurred which might be ascribed to the use of a nanosecond laser and relatively low density of stainless wire in the stabilizer. This study confirmed that an empty stabilizer with volume of 21.2 mL and cylinder shape was preferred to produce smoothing signals. The improved analytical accuracy of zircon U–Pb dating using such a stabilizer ensured the future application to trace element analysis by LA-ICP-QMS.
Multimodal therapy strategies based on hydrogels for the repair of spinal cord injury
Authors: Wang Yan , Lv Hong-Qian , Chao Xuan , Xu Wen-Xin , Liu Yun , Ling Gui-Xia , Zhang Peng 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious traumatic disease of the central nervous system, which can give rise to the loss of motor and sensory function. Due to its complex pathological mechanism, the treatment of this disease still faces a huge challenge. Hydrogels with good biocompatibility and biodegradability can well imitate the extracellular matrix in the microenvironment of spinal cord. Hydrogels have been regarded as promising SCI repair material in recent years and continuous studies have confirmed that hydrogel-based therapy can effectively eliminate inflammation and promote spinal cord repair and regeneration to improve SCI. In this review, hydrogel-based multimodal therapeutic strategies to repair SCI are provided, and a combination of hydrogel scaffolds and other therapeutic modalities are discussed, with particular emphasis on the repair mechanism of SCI.
Default or profit scoring credit systems? Evidence from European and US peer-to-peer lending markets
Authors: Lyócsa Štefan , Vašaničová Petra , Hadji Misheva Branka , Vateha Marko Dávid 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFor the emerging peer-to-peer (P2P) lending markets to survive, they need to employ credit-risk management practices such that an investor base is profitable in the long run. Traditionally, credit-risk management relies on credit scoring that predicts loans’ probability of default. In this paper, we use a profit scoring approach that is based on modeling the annualized adjusted internal rate of returns of loans. To validate our profit scoring models with traditional credit scoring models, we use data from a European P2P lending market, Bondora, and also a random sample of loans from the Lending Club P2P lending market. We compare the out-of-sample accuracy and profitability of the credit and profit scoring models within several classes of statistical and machine learning models including the following: logistic and linear regression, lasso, ridge, elastic net, random forest, and neural networks. We found that our approach outperforms standard credit scoring models for Lending Club and Bondora loans. More specifically, as opposed to credit scoring models, returns across all loans are 24.0% (Bondora) and 15.5% (Lending Club) higher, whereas accuracy is 6.7% (Bondora) and 3.1% (Lending Club) higher for the proposed profit scoring models. Moreover, our results are not driven by manual selection as profit scoring models suggest investing in more loans. Finally, even if we consider data sampling bias, we found that the set of superior models consists almost exclusively of profit scoring models. Thus, our results contribute to the literature by suggesting a paradigm shift in modeling credit-risk in the P2P market to prefer profit as opposed to credit-risk scoring models.
Exploring the effect of block copolymer architecture and concentration on the microstructure, electrical conductivity and rheological properties of PP/PS blend nanocomposites
Authors: Azubuike Lilian , Sundararaj Uttandaraman 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe interface between polymer matrices and nanofillers is critical for efficient interaction to achieve the desired final properties. In this work, block copolymers were utilized to control the interface and achieve optimum interfacial interaction. Specifically, we studied the compatibilizing effects of styrene-ethylene/butadiene-styrene (SEBS) and styrene-ethylene/propylene (SEP) block copolymers on the morphology, conductivity, and rheological properties of polypropylene-polystyrene (PP/PS) immiscible blend with 2 vol% multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) at different blend compositions of PP/PS 80:20, 50:50 and 20:80.MWCNTs induced co-continuity in PP/PS blends and did not obstruct with the copolymer migration to the interface. Copolymers at the interface led to blend morphology refinement. Adding block copolymers at a relatively low concentration of 1 vol% to compatibilize the PP/PS 80:20 blend substantially increased the electrical conductivity from 5.15*10−7S/cm for the uncompatibilized blend to 1.07*10−2S/cm for the system with SEP and 1.51*10−3S/m for the SEBS system. These values for the compatibilized blends are about 4 orders of magnitude higher due to the interconnection of the droplet domains. For the PP/PS 50:50 blend, the SEBS copolymer resulted in a huge increase in conductivity at above 3 vol% concentration (conductivity increased to 3.49*10−3S/cm from 5.16*10−7S/cm). Both the conductivity and the storage modulus increased as the SEBS copolymer content was increased. For the PP/PS 20:80 blend, we observed an initial decrease in conductivity at lower copolymer concentrations (1–3 vol%) and then an increase in conductivity to values higher than the uncompatibilized system, but only at a higher copolymer concentration of 10 vol%. The triblock copolymer (SEBS), which had 60 wt% PS content, shows a more significant increase in rheological properties compared to the diblock copolymer (SEP). The morphology shows that the interaction between MWCNT and PS is stronger than the interaction between MWCNT and PP, hence there is selective localization of the nanofiller in the PS phase as predicted by Young’s equation and by molecular simulation.
Biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training and posterior tibial nerve electrostimulation for treatment of faecal incontinence: monotherapy versus combined therapy: a prospective randomized trial
Authors: Elsawy Mervat Sheta , Saba Emmanuel Kamal Aziz 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Faecal incontinence is a common anorectal medical trouble among adult population. The aim was to compare the efficacy of biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training versus posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation versus combination of both of them in treatment of patients with faecal incontinence. The study included 71 randomly selected patients with faecal incontinence. Eleven patients had one or more exclusion criteria were excluded from the study. Sixty patients were included in the trial. They were randomly assigned to receive biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training (biofeedback group), posterior tibial nerve electrostimulation (posterior tibial nerve electrostimulation group) or combined therapy (combined group). Primary outcome measure was Wexner Faecal Continence scale. Secondary outcome measures were maximal squeezing anal pressure, maximal voluntary anal contraction time and patient global assessment of effect of faecal incontinence on quality of life. The outcome measures were recorded twice, before treatment and after treatment by six weeks.

Results
No statistical significant differences were present between the three groups regarding different baseline clinical characteristics. Significant differences were present between the initial and follow-up assessment of the outcome measures within the three groups. However, there were significant differences between the three groups regarding the outcome measures within follow-up assessment. There were 14 patients (70%) showed successful outcome in the combined group versus 11 patients (55%) in the biofeedback group and 6 patients (30%) in the posterior tibial nerve electrostimulation group.

Conclusions
Combination therapy of biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training and posterior tibial nerve electrostimulation in the treatment of patient with faecal incontinence is quantitatively better than biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training therapy alone and superior to posterior tibial nerve electrostimulation therapy alone, as well as biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training therapy is superior to posterior tibial nerve electrostimulation therapy. This combination could be recommended as an effective treatment for faecal incontinence. It increases the anal sphincter squeezing pressure with improvement in the patients’ quality of life.
Trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, PACTR202008862941254. Registered 24 August 2020—Retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=12291.
Design and structural analysis of non-pneumatic tyres for different structures of polyurethane spokes
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Maarij Muhammad , Hussain Azhar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNPTs have vast applications because of no tyre puncture, no need for air pressure, low rolling resistance, and also have higher flexibility for design and recyclability. In this research work, different structures of polyurethane (PU) spokes have been designed and analyzed under radial loading conditions which include structures like honeycomb with varying cell angles, simple spoke, and trapezoid type by keeping in view that the cell wall thickness and somehow the mass of the structures remain the same. Based on the Mooney-Rivlin hyper-elastic material model and performing 2D non-linear static structural analysis on different types of NPTs using ANSYS, it has been observed that the simple spoke structure has the lowest spoke stress and deformation values of 2.01 MPa and 11.7 mm, while HC–A1 has the least value of strain energy of 2.58 mJ, at a load of 2500 N. The above results show that the straight spoke structures like simple spoke and trapezoid type have a high load-carrying ability than the honeycomb type NPTs under same boundary conditions. While honeycomb NPTs have higher fatigue life as compared to straight-spoke NPTs.